Principal's Message

Shady Side Friends,

Please see the information below about our AACPS systemwide student device loaner program. At this point, we have used all three snow days allotted for this school year. There are multiple scenarios that could come into play should we face additional closures. One of those scenarios is the possibility that AACPS will implement a virtual learning day. Consider whether or not your student might need a device if we have a virtual learning day.

Sincerely,

John Barzal

Principal

Shady Side Elementary School

Scroll to the bottom for important dates!

AACPS Device Loaner Program

AACPS will continue to provide student devices for use as an instructional tool throughout the school day. The AACPS Student Device Loaner Program provides a device to students that need a device to support learning at home. If approved for participation in the program, students will be assigned a Chromebook. The Chromebook needs to be transported back and forth between home and school as it will be used by the student throughout the school day.

If you are interested in a device for your student, please utilize this link for more information and to request a Chromebook.

Link for Loaner Device

Congratulations

Shady Side Young Author Contest Winners

3rd grade poetry - Music by Jaclyn Sweeney

4th grade story- I (accidently) Found Atlantis by Alice Gardner

4th grade poetry- Falling like Confetti by Lilly Drennan

5th grade story - The Siren's Song by Dylan Masuicca

5th grade poetry - Love's Old Sweet Song by Charlotte Dohne

These student's poems and stories will be judged in the Anne Arundel County Young Authors Contest in January. Good luck to all!

COMING SOON!

Shady Side Elementary will be hosting a Career Day for our students on Friday, April 25. At this time we are asking for anyone who might be interested in presenting to complete this Google Form. More information will be sent out to those who would like to volunteer.

Innovators of Science & Engineering Challenge

We are pleased to announce that Shady Side Elementary will be having an Innovators of Science and Engineering Challenge, April 2, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. We encourage all students from grades Pre-K through 5 to participate. The challenge presents an excellent opportunity for students to be recognized for their scientific discoveries and explorations. Science allows children to challenge their minds and engage in higher level, critical thinking skills. For this reason we hope you will encourage your child to participate in this unique learning experience.

Information will be sent home with students next week.

Clothing Donation

We are in need of donations of gently used or new children's clothing such as a leggings, sweatpants and tee shirts to add to our clothes closet for when an accident occurs, and a student needs a change of clothes. We specifically need clothing for our older students (2nd-5th grade) as we are running very low on larger sizes. If you have extra gently used clothing items to spare, please drop them off at the front office or send them with your student to drop off with Ms. Tebault. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Tebault- atebault@aacps.org. Thank you!

Congratulations

Shady Side Elementary School

December

Writers by the Bay

Kindergarten – Charlotte Motto

First Grade – Ben Hogan

Second Grade - Jennavecia Snyder

Third Grade – Chase Price

Fourth Grade – Oliver Hutcheson

Fifth Grade – Andrew Kellar

Helpful Links

Shady Side will now offer Online School Payments for field trips, lost or damaged library books, and other upcoming school events - https://osp.osmsinc.com/annearundel/

Free and Reduced Meals Application - https://www.aacps.org/page/apply-for-free-or-reduced-price-meals

Parent Portal - https://www.aacps.org/page/studentparent-portal

Attendance - https://www.aacps.org/page/attendance

FEDERAL IMPACT PROGRAM 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 Survey Anne 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.

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.

Deale Library Events

Check the Library website for more information and to register for one of these free events!

https://www.aacpl.net/services/deale

Scroll to the bottom for Important Upcoming Dates

PTO Updates

PTO

Shady Side Elementary

School Store is Back

for Friday's in January. We are currently still looking for volunteers!

1/10/2025 Kindergarten

1/17/2025 2nd and 3rd Grade

1/24/2025 PreK and 1st

1/31/2025 4th and 5th grade

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45A4AA2CA2FB6-54165758-january#/

PTO Meeting 5PM 1/15/2025 in the Media Center and Virtual

We are currently looking for sponsors for our Boosterthon t-shirts. Any local business that are interested in sponsoring should reach out to shady.side.pto.news@gmail.com

Flyers will go home next week.

SSES PTO Website

PTO Membership

Important Upcoming Dates

January

15 - PTO Meeting 5:00 Media Center

16 & 17 - Two-hour early dismissal

20 - Schools Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

20 - 100 Lots Shady Side Spirit Day

21 - Schools Closed for All Students - Semester Break

26 - Mo Gaba Da

The Seagull Scoop

Principal's Message

PTO Updates