Pasadena Elementary

The PEN

Pasadena Elementary News - March 2025
March calendar
School Awards

Principal's Message

Dear Pasadena Elementary Families:

Happy March! We've got an exciting month ahead at Pasadena Elementary with some important dates and events to share with you.

A reminder that MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) testing for our 5th graders will be taking place March 3 - 6. Please ensure your child gets plenty of rest and arrives on time to give their best effort. *Grade 5 students in the specialty site Autism program will also participate in ALT MISA in March.

We're thrilled to celebrate Read Across America Spirit Week from March 3 -7. Each day will be filled with fun reading activities and themed dress-up days to inspire a love of reading in our students.

Please join us for International Night on March 13 from 5:00-7:00pm. This is a fun and educational evening as we celebrate student learning and the diversity in our school community. This is an open event, and all family members are invited. If you would like to share your family’s traditions or meal items, please call the office for more information.

To continue Read Across America, PTA will host the Scholastic Book Fair the week of March 17. Students will be invited to preview and purchase books during Media class. To volunteer, let PTA know! Family members may visit the book fair on Tuesday, March 18 from 2:30 - 5:30pm.

Please take note of the two-hour early dismissals on March 18, 27, and 28. Make any necessary arrangements for your child's transportation or after-school care on these days. March 18: Staff will participate in mandatory professional development. March 27 & 28: End of 3rd marking period.

Don't miss out on this year's school yearbook! It's a wonderful keepsake filled with memories of the school year. You can purchase it online through our school website. Sentiment orders will be accepted through the end of March. Yearbook orders will end mid-April. See below for more information.

We are excited to invite 2 special guests to our VIP Day on April 11. It's a special day for our students to share a school experience with (up to) two Very Important Persons in their life. Please RSVP by April 9 so we can prepare for this special event. This event is intended to invite Grand-Friends or other important adults in your child’s life. Because of class size, parking, activities, and accessibility, there is a firm limit on two adults only. Siblings (infants to school age) are not permitted. To meet AACPS School Security guidelines, VIPs must be pre-approved by school administration and produce state issued identification at check-in at the designated time.

Did you know?

  • Kindergarten Registration begins: Tuesday, April 8th. If you have a student turning 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025, please apply online.

  • Pre-Kindergarten Application begins: Tuesday, May 6th. If you have a student turning 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025, please apply online.

Please share this information with your neighbors. Enrolling earlier is key to ensuring Pasadena Elementary is appropriately staffed for the 2025-2026 school year. Click here to enroll NEW to PES students only.

There have been questions about DIBELS assessment and mClass instruction and intervention. DIBELS is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. Given three times/year in grade K-3, these fluency assessments are short (about one minute) to detect risk and measure progress of students. mClass instruction and intervention helps school staff to measure and strngthen foundational literacy skills that all students need to become confident readers. Here is a video to learn more. PES staff recently completed middle of year assessments in grades K-3. Personalized information will be sent home for your student.

Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS): We will continue our efforts to support students and staff with wellness and social activities and recognize our students for behavior. This tiered framework support students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. If you have suggestions for the school’s PBIS team, please email pasadenaes@aacps.org.

The school is closed to visitors during the school day. Please schedule an appointment in advance of coming to the school.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let's make this month a memorable one!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Quirino, Principal

Attendance Notifications

When students are absent from school, AACPS sends messages to families to ensure student safety and open communication. For convenience and equity, messages are sent through two communication tools:

Alerts - the AACPS automated contact system provides one message per day for elementary students and two messages per day for middle and high school students. A morning message is sent to families of all absent students via phone, email, and text at 11 a.m. The second message is sent via email and text to families of absent middle and high school students at 5:30 p.m.

Parent Portal sends notifications in real time when a student is marked absent for the school day or a specific class period. In order to receive Parent Portal notifications, parents/guardians must have proper accounts and notifications turned on in their settings. Access to Parent Portal is available for families of students in grades K-12. Parents/guardians can also send attendance notes directly to their student's school via Parent Portal. Visit www.aacps.org/parentportal to sign up or learn more.

For information on how to support student attendance, visit www.aacps.org/attendance.

Attendance Matters

When making appointments for your child during school hours, you can help your child get credit for a "Full Day of Attendance" if appointments are scheduled strategically. If your child has a morning appointment, having him/her to school by 11:20 will be considered "Full Day Present." If your child has an afternoon appointment, picking him/her up after 11:20 will be considered "Full Day Present." While your child will still be marked as being Tardy or having an Early Dismissal, it will not impact their "Total Days Absent" which is what is tracked by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Strive for 9 or less flyer

Nearly 11% of PES students are chronically absent, meaning they have missed two or more days of school each month, or fourteen days (nearly 3 school weeks) since August 2024. Attendance is key to your child's academic success. It is important that students show up each and every day. Attendance also factors into the school's state rating annually.

Pasadena Elementary's strategic goal is to increase the number of students who are NOT chronically absent. With your partnership, we can make this happen. Below is the school's Chronic Attendance:

Chart of % chronically absent November 2024

Counselor's Corner

Dear Families,

All grade levels have reviewed the Protect Yourself Rules. A copy of the rules was sent home with each student following my lesson. These lessons focused on age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse. Students will identify trusted adults, both inside and outside of the school, who they can go to for help. Materials used for these lessons come from the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and can be viewed by going to https://fightchildabuse.org/.

5th Grade Families:

  • AVID interviews have been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 25th.  They will be held at CBMS in the B side cafeteria. A Sign-Up-Genius will be emailed to families of students who applied for the program.

  • 5th Grade students should have put their Middle School course requests in the Parent/Student Power School Portal.  Please confirm with your child that this task was completed and that you have discussed his/her course requests.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance,

Michele Noble, School Counselor

PBIS News

Do you have suggestions for our PBIS team? Email ideas to pasadenaes@aacps.org

As students demonstrate our schoolwide CARE expectations they fill up their CARE cards to be redeemed for classroom rewards. At the end of each month completed CARE cards are entered in a drawing for special stage seating in the cafeteria with Ms. Noble and Ms. Quirino. Check in with your child(ren) to see what rewards they are earning for following our CARE expectations to Care, Achieve, Respect and Engage.

Weekly, students will be selected for the "Panther Spotlight," highlighting the students in the classroom and broadcasting on morning announcements.

Positive Behavior Referrals are distributed during lunches weekly. Students are recognized by their peers and pictures are posted on the school's Instagram page.

PES Handbook

A PES Handbook has been created to provide a more comprehensive guide that outlines procedures and expectations for students, parents, and staff within our school community.

This handbook should serve as a guide to ensure consistency in school rules and routines that promote a positive, safe, productive learning environment.

Please take a moment to review information regarding school routines, academic standards, behavioral expectations, communication protocols, and resources available.

The PES Handbook can be found on our school website in the Newsletter tab. For easy access, click here.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The Panther Pledge and image of school mascot

Cellphone Policy

Please be aware the cellphone policy is that phones are to remain off and away all day at school.

As a reminder, the use of SmartWatches is prohibited during the school day. Smartwatches interrupt lessons with notifications, messages, or apps. Please remind family members to refrain from calling and messaging students during the school day.

If there is an extentuating circumstance and you need to communicate with your student, please call the Main Office at 410-222-6573.

Devices off and away image

Parent Teacher Association

The Pasadena Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is looking for new members! All current families are invited to join. Visit the PTA website to sign up. Be sure to follow Pasadena Elementary PTA Facebook page and enable notifications.

- PTA school store Tuesdays Gr PK - 2; Thursdays Gr 3-5.

- PTA Scholastic Book Fair: will be open March 17-21 for students during Media class. Families are invited to shop on March 18, from 2:30-5:30pm.

-PTA General Membership Meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2025 5:30 pm

Do you want to volunteer?

You may have an expired or expiring background check, or you may need to complete one to be a volunteer/chaperone. Please visit the chaperone volunteer website for more information. Contact kgage@aacps.org if you need to check on your status.

AACPS Family Link

The AACPS March Family Link newsletter can be accessed by clicking here.

International Night March 13, 2025

2024-2025 Yearbook & Sentiments

We are now working on a layout for Sentiments. You may either purchase a sentiment with or without a photo. Please fill out this order form or scan the QR code below. If you are paying with cash or check, please send it in an envelope with the student’s first and last name and SENTIMENT. All checks can be made out to Pasadena Elementary. You will also have the option to pay online via the OSP on the school's website. Don’t forget to also order the yearbook if purchasing a sentiment! The deadline for turning in sentiments is March 28, 2025. Due to publishing deadlines, requests after March 28 will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please email PES-Yearbook@aacps.org or you may call 410-222-6573.

Yearbook & Sentiments

To order a yearbook, please scan the QR code in the flyer, or visit this website: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/pasadenaelementary

Literacy

March is National Reading Month. Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2nd and is a great reminder to make reading a fun and interactive experience. PES will be celebrating with a sprit week beginning Monday, 3/3 (Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character)! We can’t wait to see who your student’s have been reading about. Check your email on file with the school for daily reminders.

A Book Scavenger Hunt is a great way to generate excitement about books and reading. Challenge students to search for books that provide mirrors (stories that reflect their own culture and help build identity) and windows (stories that offer a view into someone else’s experience and the range of possibilities in the world). Take a trip to the public library for Read Across America and have students look for two titles that are mirrors and two that are windows. Provide specific criteria to help students narrow in on their search, such as books about families, friends, sports, holidays, etc.

March will also kick off our Bowie Baysox “Read & Hit a Home Run” Reading Program. Students need to read at least 4 books inside or outside of school to receive two free tickets to a Bowie Baysox game. Our school’s night will be May 31st at 6:35pm. Students will receive one student ticket and one adult ticket for participating.

Keep an eye out for the blue parent letter and recording form that was sent home recently. If you need an additional form, please contact me.

Cathryn Nash, Literacy Teacher 

Read Across America Spirit Week activities

Physical Education

This month we are working on tossing, catching, and improving our focus and coordination while using scarves, balls, and bean bags. When the weather is nice, encourage your child to go outside and show you what they have learned.

A friendly reminder that students need to wear tennis shoes/sneakers on their P.E. days. Crocs, sandals, and flip flops are not a safe choice when moving in P.E. class.

Our Mind and Body Calendar is a great way to add movement into each day.

Carrie Deaver, P.E. Teacher

Media Center

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to PES from March 17–21 during school hours. All students will have the opportunity to browse and buy during their media class that week. More details will be shared soon about how to shop. PTA will offer family shopping hours on Tuesday, March 18, 2:30-5:30pm.

Students in all grades will have the opportunity to evaluate more of our Black-Eyed Susan nominated picture books in lessons this month featuring the titles I Am a Tornado by Drew Beckmeyer, and Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld.

Julie Bradshaw, Media Specialist

Art

Art in our Schools month is held during the month of March. Pasadena will exhibit artwork at the Mountain Road Library with the other elementary schools in our feeder system. The Art in Our Schools exhibit will be on display February 28 through April 2nd. We have 34 students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grades whose art was selected for this exhibit. The artwork can be viewed during normal library hours. The Mountain Road Library in now located next to the Two Rivers Restaurant.

The All County Student Art Exhibit will be held at the Annapolis Mall from April 30-May 14. This will feature artwork from selected students in every elementary, middle and high school.

Please click here to check out our Artsonia web page.

Karen O'Boyle, Art Teacher

Elements of Art
EEE image

EEE - Global Studies

Kindergarten is continuing their "Animal Puppetry" unit by creating a puppet for each of the 7 continents.

The first grade recently started a unit called "Games Around the World." After learning about board games and card games, they will be creating their own.

The second grade are in the midst of "Animal Map Museum," where they are creating biome habitat dioramas for their animal sculptures.

The third grade is designing recycling posters for the Department of Public Works contest.

The fourth grade is creating country door decorations for Pasadena's International Night to be held on March 13th.

The fifth grade is wrapping up their "Hurricane Homes" project by creating models of their natural disaster resistant homes.

Ryan Peters, EEE Teacher

General Music Notes

paw print with music in center

Attention 1st and 2nd Grade Families:

Your students are invited to perform during International Night at PES, which will be held on Thursday, March 13. They have been working hard in music class on their songs. Performances will begin at 5:30 so please make sure you arrive before then. I hope to see you there!

Chorus Upcoming Performance Dates:

Saturday, May 17, 2025- Bowie Baysox Game (National Anthem)Location: Bowie Baysox Stadium

Monday, May 19, 2025- PES Spring Concert Location: Pasadena Elementary School

Anna Gavrilov, Music teacher

Band/Strings

We are already starting to prepare for our Spring concert that will occur May 19. More details will come out as we get closer.

Beginning Strings: We are continuing to learn how to use the bow while also learning new notes on our instruments.

Beginning Band: We are learning new notes and music terminology to prepare us for our new Spring concert music.

Advanced Strings & Advanced Band: We are refining our techniques learned to prepare us for our Spring concert.

For more live updates and resources, please use my website listed below. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out.

Jacob Allison, Band & Orchestra Director

jcallison.weebly.com

image of music notes
Health Clinic Survey
Health Clinic Survey - Spanish
AACPS Multicultural Festival
AACPS Multicultural Festival - Spanish

Resources for Students Enrolled in AACPS Specialty Site Program (Autism)

Did you know?

  • To promote water safety and foster physical fitness and emotional health in children and adults with special needs, the S.E.A.L.S. program offers comprehensive adaptive aquatic lessons and training from basic swimming skills through competitive swim team. All S.E.A.L.S. programs are provided through grant funding and are free to qualified participants. For more information, visit: https://www.spcommunitycenter.org/s-e-a-l-s/.

  • Anne Arundel Education Citizens’ Advisory Council (AA-SECAC) is a partnership between parents, families, community leaders, advocates, educators and administrators. The committee works to enhance services available to students with disabilities and to advocate for positive changes in special education in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Active, involved parents and supporters of children receiving special education services comprise the Anne Arundel Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee (AA-SECAC). AA-SECAC meeting information can be found here.


  • The Developmental Disabilities Administration's Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA. For more information, or to apply, visit this site: https://health.maryland.gov/dda/pages/liss.aspx

  • The Autism Waiver (AW) is a partnership between Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). The AW is designed to provide community-based, long-term, person-centered therapeutic services and support to eligible children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to enable home and community living as an alternative to institutional care. For more information on the Autism Waiver call Autism Waiver Helpline Office at (866) 417-3480.

Lost and Found Reminder!

Have your students misplaced jackets, lunchboxes, or other items?

Our Lost and Found is overflowing. Please remind your child to check the Lost and Found area for any missing belongings.

Thank you for helping us keep our school organized!

lost and found image
New AACPS App

Stay connected with the new AACPS App. Download today!

School Picture

As a reminder, we post newsletters on the school website.

Family Academy image

Resources to answer your questions on Academics & Programs, Wellbeing & Growth, and Navigating AACPS.

Earn $ for PES

In case you did not know…there are many ways to earn money for the school. The funds are used to purchase equipment, technology, training, supplies, and incentives for your child’s classroom and teachers. Please consider helping and/or supporting in the following ways.

Office Depot: While shopping for school supplies at the store or online, please designate the school number 70047113.

Harris Teeter: Every time you shop at Harris Teeter, using your bonus card, Pasadena Elementary will earn money for our school. Be sure to designate Pasadena Elementary School.

Weis: Every time you shop at Weis, using your bonus card, Pasadena Elementary will earn money for our school. Be sure to designate Pasadena Elementary School.

Clothing to Cash Recycling Bin: Please drop off gently used clothing, shoes/sneakers, textiles, and towels to the recycling bin in the front parking lot. The school is paid for EVERY pound collected. Help support the school and our environment. Clean out your closets!

FYI - The Paper Retriever Bin will be removed from PES in the coming month. Unfortunately we can no longer accept paper for recycling.

Clothing Bin

Federal Impact Aid Survey

Parents who are active military or who live or work on Federal Property in Maryland are asked to complete this year’s Federal Impact Aid Survey that became available on September 30, 2024. You will be asked to verify your home address and identify if it is located on federal property. You will also complete sections identifying if a family member is in the military or works on federally owned property in Maryland. The survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete and, be assured, all data collected is kept completely confidential.Why Complete This SurveyAnne Arundel County Public Schools, like many local school districts across the United States, include within our boundaries parcels of land that are owned by the Federal Government or that have been removed from the local tax rolls by the Federal Government. Federal property is exempt from local property taxes. By submitting an application to the Department of Education each January, AACPS receives approximately $2 million to assist in educating all our students.To complete this survey, please visit: https://secure.aacps.org/webapps/SEFP/OOF/Federal

Student Accident Insurance

Anne Arundel County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for injuries to students that occur while the student is at school or when off of school property while they are involved in a school-related activity. However, AACPS has selected Bob McCloskey Insurance to provide several student accident insurance coverage options that parents/guardians may purchase. If you do not have health insurance, this insurance may be a resource to consider. To learn more, visit www.aacps.org/studentaccidentinsurance.

Missing Notifications?

Text START to 98900 to ensure you are receiving the latest communications from PES and AACPS.

fence displaying Panthers CARE

Values: Panthers C.A.R.E.

Care, Achieve, Respect, Engage

Mission: Pasadena Elementary is dedicated to preparing students for college and career readiness, promoting academic excellence and citizenship for all students.

Vision: We envision Pasadena Elementary to be a school where we maintain high expectations for academic standards through rigorous instruction. We will continue to foster a positive, caring school climate where we respect and value diversity and prepare individuals for success in higher learning and careers.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.