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Pride Post

January 2020

Seven Oaks Promise

Seven Oaks P.R.I.D.E. Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence

Farah Springer, Principal Phone (410)222-0937

fspringer@aacps.org Fax (410)305-2590

Amy Fee, Assistant Principal https://twitter.com/sevenoakses

afee@aacps.org https://www.aacps.org/Page/4973

January Dates

1st - All Schools Closed 2nd – Schools open

20th – Schools closed – Martin Luther King Birthday 28/29 End of second marking period 2 hour early dismissal 30th Schools closed for students 31st Beginning of third marking period

In this issue:

Free/Reduced Meals- Pg 2 Arrival/Dismissal- Pg.2- 3 Grade Level News- Pgs 4-9 Uniform- Pg 10 Chaperones/Volunteers– Pg 11 Video Viewing- Pg 12 PTA Membership- Pg 13 Visitors/Attendance- Pg 14 Outside Food- Pg 14 Early Dismissals- Pg 15 Changes in Dismissal- Pg 15 Lunch/Recess Schedule- Pg 15 Lunch Prices- Pg 15 Harris Teeter/Giant Rewards- Pg 16 Clothing for Cash- Pg 17 Health Room Info- Pg 18-20 Twitter- Pg 21 School Cameras- Pg 21 Save a Tree- Pg 22

Principal’s Message

Happy New Year SOES Families!!!

This month, our schoolwide theme is empathy. In our morning announcements we’ll be reminding students to have empathy, identify their own and others’ feelings, notice and respect same and different feelings, and show compassion. Compassion involves saying kind words or doing something helpful to show you care how another person feels. When students can identify, understand, and respond in a caring way to how someone else is feeling, it helps create a positive and accepting school climate.

Second Step lessons specifically teach about empathy. You’ll be receiving Home Links describing why empathy is important and including fun activities to do with your child to help him or her identify feelings and practice showing empathy and compassion. We hope you find them helpful.

Please tell your child’s teacher if you have any questions about how you can help your child learn to identify feelings and show empathy and compassion at home.

In partnership,

Farah Springer

Principal

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Applying for Free or Reduced-Meal

School year 2019-2020 all reduced meals will be FREE meals. The application for Free or Reduced-Meal prices can be found at the link below:

http://aacpsschools.org/nutrition/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals/

*Families must re-apply each school year.

Arrival Procedure

In an effort to welcome & receive over 600 students during morning arrival in the most efficient manner, several entrances around the building will be open from 8:00 am to 8:15 am. Students may utilize any of the entrances as follows:

• Drivers must pull forward as far as possible in the hug and hop lane and drop off students on the passenger side of vehicles.

• Drivers are welcome to pull into an available parking space if they wish to escort students to any entrance. Please avoid parking in the hug and hop lane.

• Car riding students may enter the building at their nearest drop off location. • Bus riding students will enter the building at the bus loop entrance. • Town Center Blvd walkers may enter the building through the playground side door at the end of

the primary grade hallway. • Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students may enter through the playground side door at the end

of the early childhood hallway. • Blue Water Blvd walkers may enter through the main entrance. • Students traveling from the rear of the building may enter through the back door.

For the safety of all students & staff, visitors may only enter through the main entrance, check in at the main office, and obtain a visitor's pass before proceeding into the building. Please allow morning arrival to conclude at 8:15 am before requesting entrance to the building.

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Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal begins at 2:40 using the following procedures:

1. All car riders are dismissed through the side door at the end of the music hallway. Please assist us by pulling up as far as you can in the Hug and Hop lane and remaining in your vehicle. When your child sees you, he/she will be escorted to your car at which time you may leave the Hug and Hop lane. Parents who wish to meet their child at the parent waiting area near the music hallway side door or across the parking lot on the grass median between the crosswalks, must park in a parking space in the lot, instead of in the Hug and Hop lane. All cars must exit the lot through the Town Center Blvd. driveway exit.

2. All bus riders are dismissed to the back door where they are escorted to the bus loop. This includes all aftercare van riders.

3. Once we are assured that most vehicular traffic has cleared, we will begin walker dismissal.

4. Town Center Walkers (all students who walk on Town Center Blvd. toward Charter Oaks Blvd. to get home) are dismissed through the side door at the end of the 1st/2nd grade hallway and proceed through the kindergarten playground to the parent waiting area.

5. Back Door Walkers (all students who live behind the school and do not need to cross Blue Water Blvd. at the intersection of Town Center Blvd.) are dismissed through the back door and proceed to the parent waiting area located at the corner of the building.

6. Blue Water Walkers (all students who must use the crossing guard intersection of Town Center Blvd. and Blue Water Blvd.) are dismissed through the front doors of the school. The parent waiting area will be located across the parking lot on the grass median between the crosswalks.

7. Open Door students are dismissed to the extended day care room.

It is imperative that a clear walking path is maintained in order for students to exit the building and safely cross the street. We ask that parents who wish to meet their children to please remain in one of the parent waiting areas located on the kindergarten playground, near the side music hallway door, near the back door, or across the parking lot on the grass median between the crosswalks. Please avoid standing at the main entrance and blocking students' paths home. Also, please avoid parking in the hug & hop lane. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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Grade Level News

Pre-Kindergarten

"I am so excited that you are back safely from winter break! I missed you guys! I hope your brain is ready for more learning. I can't wait to see how much you guys continue to grow - let's dig back into learning!"

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Corner:

We have had a great time learning all about our community and motion. In December we also had fun learning about winter holidays and comparing “gingerbread man” stories. Thanks to all the parents that joined us to help decorate gingerbread houses too! We are looking forward to 2020! In January, we will finish Theme 2 “The Power of Us”. We will also explore Jan Brett books as we complete an “author and illustrator study” about her at the end of the month. For more information on Jan Brett, check out her website at www.janbrett.com

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First Grade

Welcome Back! We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and time to be with family and friends.

We are almost halfway through our year but still have lot of exciting learning to come. This month we will be taking our second field trip to the Chesapeake Children’s Museum as a culminating experience as we close out Theme 2 Unit 3 Culture Connects Us. The trip will be on Friday, January 31st and will include hands-on learning about story telling from around the world.

January’s weather typically keeps us indoors most days for recess. We are asking for donations of items we could use during this indoor time. Board games, large piece puzzles and playdough are always favorites during recess. In the event we go outside (weather permitting), please be sure to dress your child in clothing for our 20-25 minutes of time outside.

As the year progresses, our work will become more challenging and our expectations will increase. Please review with you child the expectations for being successful at school. Also, please continue to work with your child daily by reading 15-20 minutes and completing the homework packets that are sent home every Monday.

Thank you for your continued support!

~The First Grade Team

Second Grade

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful break! As we get back into the swing of the school routine we are reminding and reteaching school rules and expectations. Students will continue representing, adding, and subtracting 3-digit numbers, as well as counting money in math. Your child should be reading each night at their level and recording it on their reading log. If you need books on your child’s reading level, you can search on scholastic.com by level. Please remember, sweaters that students wear in the classroom must follow the school uniform policy. They can be solid navy, white or light blue with no hood. Rafika Bohanan 2nd Grade Teacher Seven Oaks Elementary

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Third Grade

Happy holidays! At this time of year, students get excited with our winter break and holidays coming up.

We will be reviewing the expectations that we have in school. With the weather changing, please be sure

that your child is bringing in a uniform colored jacket/sweater. This includes light blue, navy blue and

white.

We are continuing to work with our students on their reading comprehension skills. We plan to build

their overall comprehension of a variety of texts by practicing reading a text fluently and accurately, as

well as expanding their vocabulary.

This month we will learn about fractions, data collection, and measurement. We will continue focusing

on multiple step word problems with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

In social studies we are focusing on different cultures that make up communities. Our students will also

be scientists by studying the life cycle of animals and traits that they exhibit that help them survive.

Fourth Grade

4th grade is looking forward to a great start to the new year. We will be continuing to explore how Maryland became a State, investigating different types of waves, creating new understanding of skills to help solve word problems, and diving deeper into skills that strong readers need. We are looking forward to finishing the second quarter with our best work!

Ms. Claar

Fifth Grade

We hope you had a great holiday season. We are excited to begin the 2019 school year and are looking forward to shedding some light on new topics. This month, students will prepare for multiple county benchmark assessments. They will be taking a reading, math, and social studies county assessment prior to the end of the 2nd quarter. We will be working hard in all subject areas preparing students for success. In math, students will continue working with fractions with an emphasis on multiplying and dividing. Being able to dissect a word problem in order to determine the correct strategy to use and how to structure the problem is essential. In science, students will develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or the atmosphere interact. In social studies, students will wrap up the “Road to the Revolution” unit and begin Unit 3. In this unit, students will explore the American Revolution, both from the context of a war, as well as, a political and social movement. Students will identify the key turning points in the war as well as the how changes during the period impacted various social groups. They will analyze these events from multiple perspectives in order to emphasize the wide diversity of people affected by this era. In Language Arts, teachers will use literary and informational texts for students to discover how collaboration will help them to find solutions. During the course of this unit, students will read multiple texts that will enable them to compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics, as well as integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. Wishing you all the best for the new year!!!

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Triple E Arts & Humanities

The students have been working very hard on their PBL units. Some grades are beginning their second

unit while others are working hard to complete their first units

Kindergarten- Is finishing up Not a Stick unit and beginning the new unit Unique Me.

First Grade –Circles we be completing out final circle project. Students will be taking on the role of

curators as they work in teams to put the circle display together.

Second Grade - Paper Bag Man we will take all we have learned about puppets and will began making our

group paper bag people. We will explore how to make them breath and move.

Third Grade- Medallions & Steles we are exploring how people use symbols to communicate with a focus

on Ancient Egypt hieroglyphics. We have started planning and making a stele to represent each student.

Fourth Grade- Rock Mandalas exploring what words would represent use and how color can be used to

represent who they are. We have started to design our rock mandalas and began putting the designs on

rocks.

Fifth grade -Class Theme Songs students have been working in small groups to uncover connections and

words that represent their classroom as they begin to write their class theme song. Each class has started

writing lines to their class theme song. Soon we will be ready to present them!

If you would like to volunteer within the EEE classroom please email bsbowen@aacps.org as we would

love to have parent and community support.

Bonnie Bowen

Media

Happy New Year! Welcome back to school! We hope everyone had a nice and relaxing holiday. The wintertime is a great time to read a book. Please encourage your child to take time to read this winter. In the library, students will learn more about the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan picture books and chapter books nominated for this school year. They will listen to some great stories and complete story activities. If you have time, please ask your child about a Maryland Black-Eyed Susan book they learned about in the library. Happy Reading,

Mrs. Jackson Mrs. Walsh

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Instrumental Music Instrumental Music- Mr. Curran

Welcome to the new year! Thank you to everyone who attended our Winter Concert.

In January:

Band students will be learning new notes and rhythms.

Beginning Orchestra students will be learning to use the bow.

Advanced Orchestra students will be learning new scales and notes on different strings.

Practice Reminder

The most important thing a student musician can do when learning an instrument is to practice on a consistent basis. Students should be practicing 4 times a week, for at least 15 minutes each session. Consistent practice builds muscle memory for brass and woodwind embouchures, percussion stick/mallet holds, and finger positions for string players.

Art

Students have been working on a wall of love. This is a display of student and staff made hearts I have been

collecting. They will be all put together for a wonderful wall of love. Stay tuned for display.

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PE News

Happy New Year Seven Oaks Elementary School friends and families! January is going to be an action-packed

month of learning about new fitness concepts/skills and continuing to building solid relationships within the

Seven Oaks Elementary School community. Kindergarten, First and Second graders will be continuing to work

on jumping rope and being introduced to basics of throwing and catching. Third graders will also be

continuing to work on jumping rope and will be introduced to short and long handed implements. This unit

really gets them to challenge their hand eye coordination. Fourth and Fifth graders will be making up any

Fitnessgram assessments and continue to work on their jump rope skills. In addition, they will work on their

muscular strength and endurance through a variety of games and activities. All in all, I am so excited for 2020

and all the fun on the horizon. Lastly, please make sure parents that your child brings sneakers on physical

education days.

Mr. Chandler

Music

The new year brings new beginnings for the music department here at Seven Oaks. We must say goodbye to Mrs. Walker as she leaves for military reassignment with her family. She leaves our Seven Oaks Pride in the capable hands of Mr. Adams and hopes that you will all welcome him with open arms and a readiness to make wonderful music together in 2020. Never forget: Music is everything!

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Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy Seven Oaks Elementary School Uniform Policy

Things listed below are in COMPLIANCE

with the mandatory uniform policy for boys and girls. Adhering to this policy

will help make your time at Seven Oaks Elementary School pleasant and

enjoyable.

Tops: Tops must be light blue, navy blue or

white long or short-sleeved polo style Tops

must be tucked in securely.

Other Tops: Other tops may include a V-neck

sweater style vest, front button cardigan,

sweatshirt with a banded collar or a Seven

Oaks Elementary School sweatshirt. Tops must

be light blue, navy blue or white.

Belts: A solid, plain black, dark brown, or

navy blue leather or leather-like belt must go

through the loops and be buckled securely

around the waist. Belt buckles should be plain.

Shoes: Shoes must be safe and enclose the

foot. Shoes may not expose students to safety

hazards nor should they impede a student from

moving quickly during an evacuation of the

building. Athletic shoes are permitted.

Pants: Navy blue or Khaki full-length

standard issue pants are to be worn securely

around the waist with a belt.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Navy blue or Khaki in

color; must extend to the middle of the thigh

when standing at attention. (Shorts may be

worn between April 1 and Oct. 31)

Things listed below are

VIOLATIONS of the uniform policy. The policy is for

girls and boys.

Tops: Tops may not have any designs, logos,

characters, names or numbers of any size.

Sleeveless tops, crop tops, v-necks, halters,

undershirts, and tee shirts are not allowed. Tops

may not be un-tucked (White T-shirts may be

worn under the school uniform top.)

Other Tops: Tops may not have a hood, zipper,

designs, logos, characters, names or numbers of

any size. Jackets and coats may not be worn in

class and must be kept in the student lockers.

Belts: Belts may not have anything dangling.

They may not contain chain loops, symbols,

larger designer insignia, characters, names or

numbers of any size.

Shoes: Flip-flops or sandals may not be worn to

school.

Pants: Pants may not contain large designer

insignia, characters, names or numbers. No

bandanas. Pants may not be rolled up or tucked

into footwear.

Skirts/Shorts/Skorts: Mini and/or tight

skirts/shorts/skorts are not allowed.

Jewelry and Accessories: Jewelry should not

pose safety hazards or be a distraction.

Necklaces should not be longer than 18 inches.

Charms may not be replicas of weapons or

contraband.

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Chaperone/Volunteer Background Investigation Application

Background investigations are required for all overnight chaperones, volunteers, and student teachers who have unsupervised access to students either on or off school property. Unsupervised access is defined as an adult having responsibility for a student or students not in the direct and continuous view of a school staff member. A background check is required regardless of how brief the unsupervised time will be.

Background investigations forms must be submitted online* and a minimum of three weeks prior to the event. Applicants are required to review and acknowledge the AACPS screening criteria for chaperone and

volunteer background investigations before applying for a background check.

Please consider submitting your application now so that you will be cleared for any upcoming events.

https://www.aacps.org/Page/1869

Mandatory Volunteer Video

In addition to the background check, volunteers are required to watch a short video prior to volunteering.

You may use the link below to view the Volunteer Video:

https://md02215556.schoolwires.net/Page/2460

Please fill out the form on the next page after viewing the video and return to school.

Thank you for your assistance to keep our students safe!

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Seven Oaks Elementary School

2019-2020

PTA Membership Form

With YOUR HELP we can continue funding vital to

school programs, please become a PTA member.

NOW accepting SQUARE and payments via PAYPAL link.

Send your membership payment to the link:

Paypal.me/7oakslions

Include your child’s name/grade/teacher in the Notes section

OR fill out this form and attach a labeled envelope with cash/check made out to

Seven Oaks ES PTA then forward the envelope to the PTA mailbox.

Parent/Guardian’s Name: __ 2nd Parent’s Name:_________________________

Preferred contact’s email address:

Telephone #:___________________________________________

Student’s Name: Grade:

Teacher: _____________________________

Student’s Name: Grade:

Teacher: ______________________________

Student’s Name: Grade:

Teacher: ________________________________

GROW WITH US Cost Payment

Become a PTA member & get FREE perks

(free entry to PTA skate nights) $10 – single adult member in family

$

Anyone can be a member: moms, dads,

grandparents, students, siblings, businesses,

etc. ALL are welcome.

$20 – multiple adults in family

$

Opt Out of Fundraising 2018-2019/”One &

Done” Donation to Lion Fund – Tax-

deductible donation to be used to fund family

events such as dances, skate night, etc. in lieu

of participating in fundraising initiatives.

$50 $

Teacher and Staff $10 $

100% of ALL Donations stay with the school and are TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Please check your work for company matching donations. With your help, we hope to continue

providing the programs listed on the back, and more to the students of Seven Oaks Elementary

School in 2018-2019. No Donation is too small and every dollar makes a difference.

Thank you for joining your PTA .

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$3 for Quad & $4 for In-Line/Speed Skate

Outside Food In consideration of wellness issues and student allergies, outside food is discouraged

to share with classmates.

Notice to Parents and Visitors All parents/visitors must report to the main office before proceeding into the school. The

safety of all students and staff in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is of utmost importance to all of us. Our school will be utilizing a system for checking in all visitors. The system is called: V Soft by RaptorWare. When you visit our school for the first time, you will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID to a staff person in the school office. This card will be scanned and the following information will be collected: your photo, your name, and your date of birth. This information will be utilized to check you in, create an ID badge, and compare your information against sexual offender databases throughout the country. If your name appears on any of the lists or you refuse to allow the use of your ID, then access to the school will be denied. On future visits to a school, in which you have previously registered, you will only be asked to show your ID as your name will be selected from an existing list of previous visitors. You will also be asked to sign out with the office upon leaving the school so that we know you have departed the building. The information collected will not be shared outside of the school and is kept on a secure server.

We ask that you say your morning goodbyes at the front door and allow your child to proceed to his/her class independently. We also ask that you help your child be responsible for bringing all materials needed every day, including lunches, instruments and homework. Your cooperation in this security effort is greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions, please contact the Supervisor of School Security, 410-222-5083.

Attendance Regular school attendance is an important factor in student success. As a parent, you can

encourage proper attendance by ensuring that your child gets adequate rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and has adequate time to catch the school bus or walk to school.

There are lawful reasons for absence from school. Whenever your child is absent, you must provide a note of explanation to the school within three days of your child’s return to school. Absences of five consecutive days or more require a physician’s note.

School hours are from 8:15 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. Students who walk or are driven to school should plan to arrive between 7:55a.m.-8:10 a.m. Students should not be dropped off before 7:55 a.m., as there is no supervision until this time. All students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m. so as not to be marked tardy. We highly recommend that all communities form walking groups so students can walk together and adults can take turns supervising the walk to and from school.

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Early Dismissals We apologize for the inconvenience, but for the safety of our students, early dismissal of

students will only occur before 2:25.

Changes in Dismissal Please notify the school in writing if there are changes in your child’s dismissal.

Lunch & Recess Schedule

Grade Recess Lunch

2nd Grade 10:00-10:25 10:30-10:55

4th Grade 10:30-10:55 11:00-11:25

3rd Grade 11:00-11:25 11:30-11:55

5th Grade 11:30-11:55 12:00-12:25

1st Grade 12:00-12:25 12:30-12:55

Kindergarten (K-2, K-3, K-5) 12:30-12:55 1:00-1:25

Kindergarten (K-1, K-4) 2:00-2:25 1:00-1:25

2019-20 School Lunch Prices Applications for Free/Reduced Meals will be done online this year.

Please follow the link below: http://aacpsschools.org/nutrition/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals/

2019-2020 School Year

The following price structure has been approved by the Board of Education:

Breakfast (full price – all schools) $1.50

Breakfast (reduced price – all schools) .00

Lunch (full price – elementary) 2.75

Lunch (reduced – all schools) .00

Milk – all schools .55

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SOE Parents and Supporters!!!

Seven Oaks Elementary joins Harris Teeter's Together in Education (TIE) program to

help raise funds for our schools. It's easy and it's FREE.

Complete either of the following to link your VIC card:

• Simply give the cashier our code, 4062, and your VIC card when you check out and your card will be linked for the entire school year;

• Go to the TIE page (https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-

education#/app/cms) and link your card directly; • Contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) to link your VIC card to our

school.

That's it!

Once your card is linked, Seven Oaks Elementary will receive a percentage of your

Harris Teeter brand (Harris teeter, H.T. Traders, Harris Teeter Organics, HT Farmers

Market, and purchases in the HT Pharmacy) purchases credited back to our

account. This program does not interfere with your VIC savings or cost you any

money!

Please contact Jackie Johnson (jjohnsonpta@gmail.com) for assistance.

Giant's A+ School Rewards

Seven Oaks Elementary is participating with Giant's A+ School Rewards! This is a great opportunity to

participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local

Giant! Our school ID number: 05579

To participate, just visit www.giantfood.com/aplus and scroll down to the center of the page to select

REGISTER YOUR CARD from the red box on the right marked FOR CUSTOMERS.

To earn points, use your registered GIANT CARD each time you shop at Giant, and you will earn CASH for our

school. You can track the number of points you are earning for our school by checking your grocery

receipt.

Please encourage your family members and friends to support our school. This could result in more CASH

REWARDS!

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Important Message from the Health Room

This is a reminder to all parents of the medication policy in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Student

possession of any medication, prescription, or over the counter medications in school is prohibited

unless a “Parent Request to Administer Medication at School” is on file in the health room. Over the

counter medications include but are not limited to: cough drops, antacids, medicated lip balm, medicated

lotions/creams/ointments, etc. This form needs to be completed by the physician and parent or guardian. The

medication ordered by the physician, needs to be brought by the parent/guardian in a labeled prescription

bottle, or be in an unopened bottle/box if an over the counter medication, like Tylenol or Advil, has been

prescribed.

The medication is kept in the health room in a locked cabinet and is dispensed as needed per physician orders

to the student in the health room.

Parents, it is a great idea to have medication on file for your child when they come to the health room for minor

illnesses such as a headache, stomachaches, and cramps. They can come to the health room, receive the

medication, rest for a few minutes and return to class. This way they are not missing important class work.

If your child uses an inhaler for their asthma and needs to have one in school, they must follow the same

procedure as having medication in school. No student is to be in possession of any form of medication in

school unless the proper forms are completed and on file in the health room.

Attached is the Medication Administration form that needs to be completed by a physician and parent or

guardian in order for your child to receive medication at school. Please provide this form to your health care

provider if you would like your child to receive medication during this school year.

“Parent’s Request to Administer Medication at School” on next page.

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A little birdie told me...

Seven Oaks

Elementary

is now on Twitter!

Follow us

@sevenoakses Get news and updates

from our school and AACPS

Video Camera System

Seven Oaks Elementary School is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. It is not monitored constantly, but is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system. If you have any questions about the system, you may call the office of School Security, at (410) 222-5083.

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