Falcon Flier

Sandra Anderson, Assistant Principal

Kelly Grenzer, Assistant Principal

Website: ples.hcpss.org
Location: Phelps Luck Elementary School, Old Stone Court, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-6886
Facebook: facebook.com/phelpsluckelementary
Twitter: @hcpss_ples

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Spanish

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Urdu

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The mid-point of the school year is here, and teachers are busy working on grade student work, reflecting on student progress, completing report cards, and planning for the start of the second semester. Report cards will be issued shortly, and parent conferences will take place in early February. This is a perfect time to reflect upon student progress and assess where your child is academically so that you can work with them to establish or reestablish goals for the second half of the school.

Please read the selection below from the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

REPORT TO PARENTS: GOAL SETTING

The middle of the school year is a great time for families to check in with students on goals. Setting academic and personal goals help to motivate, energize, and focus students, and it is a valuable skill that will benefit learners throughout their lives. Parents can help students set and achieve these goals.

Goal-setting can be tedious, even intimidating, for some students. Parents can support students in this process by following these steps: pick it, map it, do it, own it, and celebrate it.

Pick it. Encourage your child to consider his or her dreams and passions and pick goals that are important and meaningful. Guide your child to think about, “What motivates me? What would inspire me to give my best effort? What would make me feel good while I’m doing it? What achievement would make me feel proud?”

Map it. After your child picks a goal, help map the path from where he or she is now to where the child wants to be. Offer the following analogy: If we want to drive across the country from New York to California, we don’t just get in our car and start driving—we get a map, pick a route, and follow it until we get to California. With your child, analyze different approaches and define clear steps to reach their goal. For instance, if the goal is to get a higher test grade in a tough subject, each quiz or project is a step on the path to the higher goal: earning an A.

Do it. Once you and your child have mapped a path to their goal, encourage him or her to take action, focus on the first step, and give it his or her best effort. Remind your child that no goal is ever reached without focused action.

Own it. As your child makes progress toward their goal, help him or her to take responsibility for making it happen. Teach the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Reflect with your child. Ask, “How are you doing? What’s working? What’s not working? What can you or your family change to get to this goal?” From there, analyze the map and make changes to the plan if necessary. Help your child keep a positive attitude and own mistakes as well as successes. Remind your child that if something comes along that holds him or her back temporarily to look at the experience as feedback. Failures, or bumps in the road, can provide us with information we need to succeed. Reinforce the message that we can learn from our mistakes and move on with new, valuable knowledge.

Celebrate it. Acknowledgment and celebrations are huge parts of achieving goals. Acknowledge every effort and celebrate your child’s mini-successes along the way to achieving a goal. This builds his or her confidence and motivation. Your child will feel good and understand that perseverance will result in another mini-success, and finally, goal achievement. Try going through the goal-setting process as a family. Pick a family goal (perhaps a charitable activity) and work together to achieve it. After the family experience, have each family member pick a personal goal. Support and acknowledge one another as you move through the above steps. Success is assured when students believe in themselves and in their ability to achieve. Parents are key to helping them believe and succeed. The middle of the school year is a great time for families to check in with students on goals. Setting academic and personal goals help motivate, energize, and focus students, and it is a valuable skill that will benefit learners throughout their lives. Parents can help students set and achieve these goals.

Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level principals, may be reproduced by the National Association of Elementary School Principals members without permission. It can be posted to school websites, blogs, or sent via email. Back issues are available to members at naesp.org.

For a complete list of dates and events visit ples.hcpss.org/calendar.

January 2025

• 24 - 5th Grade Field Trip to Robinson Nature Center
• 27 - Bonnie Branch Rising 6th Grade Parent Orientation, 6:00 p.m.
• 28 - School is open a full day (an older version of the calendar had this day as a half day).
• 28 - Winter Concert at Howard High School (Band, Strings, Chorus)
• 29 - Schools closed for students - Professional Work Day

February 2025

• Black History Month begins
• 4 - Report cards issued
• 5 - Elementary schools dismiss 3 hours early for parent-teacher conferences, 12:15 p.m.

• 6 - Elementary schools dismiss 3 hours early for parent-teacher conferences, 12:15 p.m.
• 7 - Schools closed for students. Professional work day
• 12 - 3rd grade field trip to MD Science Center
• 14 - Valentine's Day - Spirit Day, wear hearts, pink, or red.
• 17 - President's day - Schools and offices closed
• 19 - 5th grade field trip to BSO

To subscribe to the PLES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system, click the plus sign + at the bottom right-hand corner of the Google Calendar or click this link.

📢 Falcon Families and Friends 🦅,

The Yearbook Team 📸 needs your help! Please send photos 📷 from this year's events 🎉 with details including event, grade, and/or class 🏫 to plesyearbook25@gmail.com 📧.

Attention Phelps Luck Families!

Does your child love to draw and create? Mark your calendars because the 2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Design Contest is here!

Calling all young artists from PK-5th grade to show off their creativity and school spirit! Winners will have their amazing artwork featured on the yearbook cover AND receive a FREE yearbook!

Important Information

• Contest Dates: January 23 - February 7
• Who Can Enter: PK-2 (back cover) & 3-5 (front cover)
• Theme: Show your Fabulous Falcon pride and include "2024-2025"
• Art Guidelines: Use pencil, colored pencil, or markers (No crayons or AI)
• Must be on 8.5x11 paper, vertical layout
• Include student’s name & teacher’s name on the back
• Submit entries to the main office PTA mailbox by Friday, February 7, at 2:45 PM.

For questions, email PLESyearbook25@gmail.com.

Let’s get creative, Falcons!

The Phelps Luck Elementary School’s Early Childhood Classes are making preparations for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year and are accepting applications for general education students to participate as peers through the Learning Together Program (LTP). These classes include general education and special education students. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. For parents of children who currently are three years old (birthdays after 9/1/2021) or will be three years old by September 1st 2025, applications will be available and accepted in mid-February. Please click the following link for more information: LTP Information - Google Docs

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our students. One of the most critical issues we face as a school community is bullying, which can have lasting effects on children’s well-being, social development, and academic success. We believe that addressing bullying requires a partnership between students, families, and school staff.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying is more than just occasional teasing. It is intentional, repeated aggressive behavior that can be verbal, physical, or social, and it often involves an imbalance of power. While some bullying behaviors can be overt, others are more subtle but just as harmful. Examples of bullying include:

• Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging property.
• Verbal bullying: Name-calling, teasing, and hurtful comments.
• Social/Relational bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding others, and social manipulation.
• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass or intimidate someone.

How You Can Help at Home

Parents play an essential role in preventing bullying and supporting their children through difficult experiences. Here are some steps you can take:

• Talk to Your Child: Encourage open communication with your child about their social experiences, both online and offline. Discuss how they should handle situations where they witness bullying or experience it themselves.
• Set a Positive Example: Show your child how to be kind and respectful toward others. Modeling good behavior in your interactions will teach them valuable social skills.
• Monitor Online Activity: If your child uses social media or online platforms, make sure you are aware of their online interactions. Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging, and it’s important to stay engaged with your child’s digital life.
• Reinforce Respect and Empathy: Remind your child that treating others with respect and kindness is always the right thing to do, no matter the situation. Teach them how to stand up for others in a positive way, not by fighting, but by seeking help and offering support.
• Support School Efforts: Be an active partner in your child’s education and in the school’s anti-bullying efforts. Attend parent meetings, participate in workshops, and reinforce school policies at home.

Together, we can build a culture of respect, kindness, and safety in our school, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe. More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. An online version for reporting is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

February 5th and 6th are designated for Parent Teacher Conferences this year. We will be holding 20-minute conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences are a terrific opportunity for staff and parents to partner together for each child’s success. All conferences will be held with your child’s Math teacher. Below are the details about how they will be held based on the date of the conference.

Wednesday, February 5th:

- Conferences from 12:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. will be IN PERSON at PLES.

- Conferences starting at 3:40 p.m. will be VIRTUAL. A Google link will be sent.

Thursday, February 6th:

- ALL Conferences from 12:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. will be VIRTUAL - A Google Meet link will be sent.

The Google Meet link will be sent to you with your confirmation email. If you have questions, please email your child’s math teacher.

*Some teachers may have alternative schedules based on their individual availability, so times may slightly vary.

If your conference is virtual, once you enter the Google link, you will be put in a “holding space” until the teacher admits you. Because many conferences will be back-to-back, please only log on one minute before your designated time. If you have technology challenges, check your email, as your child’s teacher will reach out to you that way. You can also call the school for assistance.

Scheduling Conferences:

Beginning Thursday, January 23rd at 8:00 am, you can log into HCPSS Connect to view and select from the time slots provided by the teacher for conferences. Step-by-step directions are below. If you do not have access to HCPSS Connect, please call the school for assistance at 410-313-6886.

Directions to Select a Conference Time:

Login to hcpss.org/connect

Select Conference from the left-side choices

Select Parent Scheduled Conferences at the top right

Select a time slot for your conference

You will have access through Friday, January 31st at 4:00 p.m. to schedule your child’s conference by logging into HCPSS Connect.

Join us for an inspiring evening of celebration, community, and purpose at the Asian American Educators of Howard County (AAEHC) Community Fundraiser! Held at the vibrant Tea Horse Restaurant in Ellicott City, this event supports AAEHC’s mission to ensure students see themselves reflected in our curriculum, classrooms, and community. The night will focus on raising funds for scholarships that empower aspiring educators and future leaders.

Enjoy an evening of delicious cuisine, live entertainment, and a silent auction featuring exclusive items and experiences.

Date/Time: February 4, 2025, 6-8 p.m.

Cost (if applicable)

ADULT - $40
COUPLE - $75
STUDENTS - $25

See attached flyer below for more information.

Please find the Spirit Day Schedule for the year below. We hope this helps in the planning and participation in our fun spirit days this year.

To ensure smooth end-of-day procedures, please plan to pick up your child no later than 2:45 p.m. This helps us maintain a focused learning environment and ensures the safety and smooth dismissal of all students. Picking up students after this time can disrupt classroom activities and interfere with dismissal procedures.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us provide the best possible environment for all students!

If your student is absent or will be absent, please contact us at the following email address to explain the reason: PLESabsence@hcpss.org. In the email, please Include the following information:

• Student First and Last Name

• Grade

• Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation)