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

For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice in the upper right-hand corner.

Spanish

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Korean

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Chinese

对于其他语言，请单击翻译新闻通讯，然后选择所需的语言。

Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

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)

Mr. Cosentino, Ms. Anderson, and Mrs. Grenzer

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

October

• 7 - Dental Clinic through 10/10
• 9 - Walk & Roll to School Day
• 9 - PTA Meeting (Hybrid), 7:00 p.m.
• 11 - Fall Individual Picture Day
• 15 - Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic
• 16 - Watch D.O.G.S. Kickoff, 6:30 p.m.
• 17 - Field Day - Wear Field Day team colors
• 21 - PTA Restaurant Night at Ledo's
• 25 - Field Day rain date
• 28 - SPIRIT DAY - Crazy Hair Day
• 29 - SPIRIT DAY - Hat Day
• 30 - End of 1st Quarter
• 30 - SPIRIT DAY - Wear Phelps Luck ES gear or colors
• 30 - Trunk or Treat, 6:00 p.m.
• 31 - Schools Closed - Professional Work Day

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.

Calendario en español

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

In an effort to improve efficiency during arrival, please help your child be ready to exit the car quickly. Depending on their age, children can unbuckle their seatbelt as you enter the car loop and have their backpack and lunchbox in hand before stopping. There's no need to wait for staff to open the door—your child can safely exit when you stop at the designated point, especially older students. As always, staff will be available to assist if needed.

Parking and Walking

As you know, it is nearly impossible to park on in the PLES parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Some people park on Phelps Luck Drive, High Tor Hill, or the cul-de-sacs off those main streets. If you park and pick up your child please remember the following:

• Your child is considered a walker and should be picked up for the rear of the building. In the front of the school, we account for students when they are picked up in their car. It makes it difficult for staff to account for children when parents/guardians/daycare providers take them out of the car loop line.
• In the rear of the building, we account for walkers when parents/guardians/daycare providers are greeted by a staff member there.
• Do not park at the Phelps Luck Neighborhood Center/Pool parking lot. That is for the day care program there.
• Please do not block people's driveways or walk no our neighbor's lawns.

Thank you for your help.

THANK YOU to families who have already donated! We are so happy to have all of your support! Please help us reach our goal.

Details to donate below:
____Any Amount- Here's the money I would have spent on candy bars that I would have eaten myself.

____$25- It's not that I'm 'bad' at baking... I just don't have the 'time'... Here's the money I would have spent on cupcakes.

____$50- Here's the money I would have spent on pizza and cookie dough that would probably be forgotten about in my freezer for years and years...

____$75- Thank you for not making me sell wrapping paper/candles/Tupperware door to door. My neighbors are thankful, too.

____$100- My heartfelt gratitude to the teachers and staff at PLES! Your guidance and patience is truly incredible. I really don't know how you deal with my child- I mean nurture so many young minds every day.

With your donation we can continue to fund the following:

• Teacher Grants
• End of Grading Period Celebrations
• Staff Appreciation
• DEI
• Watch Dogs
• Science Nights

Prizes

Individual:

• Registering and sharing your link (free) for an emoji keychain!

Class

• $500- extra recess.

Grade

• The most money overall- the teacher gets to Pie the Principal at Field Day!

To Donate Online (You do not need to pay the "Tip", it goes to the website, not PLES)

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/phelpsluckpta/campaigns/PLESfundraiser

Register your student

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/phelpsluckpta/campaigns/PLESfundraiser/participant-center/register

*Cash/Check donations are appreciated as they don't incur fees and can be turned in to your student's teacher. Please register your student so we can link the donation online.

Please find items that we have picked out specifically for our team.

There is also spirit wear available for your family and friends.

Check out the shop details below.

OUR SHOP DETAILS

- Shop Now:

https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/BRxZUHZeMQ

- Dates for Store: October 2 - October 16, 2024

Please notice that this is NOT a fundraiser. Our PTA is facilitating the store, but items will be shipped to your preferred address.

Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.

• Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.

• By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.

• In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance predicts graduation rates better than 8th grade test scores.

Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10%, meaning that at 10%, a student should receive support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.

Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key to student success. Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12, including special education students. The state's proficient standard for attendance rate is 94%, and the advanced standard is 96%."

In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach to attendance supports and interventions.

• If a student has missed 5% of their monthly attendance days (as few as 1-2 days a month), parents/guardians will receive a Care and Concern Phone Call and letter from their school. This step will allow staff members to coordinate with families to determine how the student can be supported for better attendance.

• If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days (this is defined as chronic absenteeism by MSDE), parents/guardians will receive a 10% Chronic Absenteeism Attendance Letter. Parents/guardians and students may be scheduled for an attendance conference. Other interventions and supports may also be used in an effort to assist the student.

• If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, in addition to the interventions and supports at 5% and 10%, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.

• If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents/guardians will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter. Students may be referred to Project Attend and/or the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.

With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents/guardians, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and future life.

We do not celebrate Halloween during the school day. Instead, please join us for the Annual PTA Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m.

Learn tools to help your children handle stress and setbacks. Join the nonprofit Parent Encouragement Program's free 8-week online program for parents/caregivers of children preK to 12th grade, in English or Spanish. Learn to support your children’s mental wellness and resiliency and connect with other parents. Complete at least 5 sessions and the evaluation to receive a $50 gift card. Classes start the week of October 14, register today: tinyurl.com/2w4k2sxp

We encourage students to all wear their Field Day class colors. They do not need to go out and buy new clothes. If they have a t-shirt in their class color, please wear it on Thursday, October 17th.

Class colors are:

5th – Black

4th – White

3rd – Red

2nd – Black

1st – White

Kindergarten – Red

Pre-K - Blue

Please see the field day checklist below for everything children need for Field Day.

Be sure to label the water bottle with your child's name.

We’re excited to announce that Fall Picture Day will be held on Friday, October 11!

This year, we have a new photography partner—Lifetouch. Lifetouch, now part of the Shutterfly family, is committed to helping families capture, preserve, and share life’s most precious moments. Thanks to their connection with Shutterfly, you’ll have access to a wider variety of products to showcase your child's school memories.

Did you know that purchasing a picture package also benefits Phelps Luck Elementary School? This program serves as our only fundraiser. The proceeds help us purchase important supplies and support programs that otherwise wouldn't be available to our students.

Paper fliers will go home soon. You can order your picture package online, or you can preview the packages with the digital pdf version of the flier under the graphic below.

We hope you enjoy the new offerings from Lifetouch and take advantage of this opportunity to capture some great school memories!

Each year, the Howard County Public School System partners with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring flu immunizations into our schools for students. This year, they will also be offering the latest Covid vaccine if it is available at the time of the clinics. The clinic at Phelps Luck Elementary will be held on October 15, 2024 during school hours. If you would like your child to be vaccinated against the flu and/or Covid at this clinic, please register at this link:https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/2672519109 You are not required to provide your child’s insurance information. If you have any concerns about the new Covid vaccine, you are advised to speak with your child’s pediatrician. All in-school clinics will be closed to registration one week before the clinic date to allow our health room staff time to review and prepare the consents and make sure enough vaccines are ordered. If you wish to cancel your child’s appointment after then, please call the nurse at your child’s school. If you have any questions, please call your school’s health room at 410-313-7439

Cada año, el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard se asocia con la Asociación para la Prevención de Maryland (Maryland Partnership for Prevention) para llevar las vacunas contra la gripe a nuestras escuelas para los estudiantes. Este año, también ofrecerán la vacuna contra Covid más reciente de encontrarse disponible al momento de las clínicas. La clínica en October 15 tendrá lugar el Each year, the Howard County Public School System partners with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring flu immunizations into our schools for students. This year, they will also be offering the latest Covid vaccine if it is available at the time of the clinics.

Please help your student prepare for PE class! Starting Tuesday, October 1, students wearing unsafe footwear (crocs, sandals, boots, anything with a heel, etc) will not be allowed to participate in PE activities. From HCPSS: "Appropriate athletic and supportive footwear is needed for safety, protection, and performance. Students should wear an athletic shoe that can be tied or velcroed."

Thank you!

-Mr. Deppen, Mr. Nunn, and Ms. Cromwell

This a day to walk or bike to school. Some groups are meeting in areas around the community to walk in groups or bike into school as a group.

Policy 9210-Student Dress Code Reminders

We wanted to bring to your attention our county policy focused on Student Dress Code.

• Students will wear attire that contributes to a safe school environment conducive to learning.
• Students may wear attire of their choice.
• Students must wear: Shirt, Bottoms, and Shoes.
• Students are permitted to wear hats, hoods and headwear as long as their face is visible and it is safe to do so.
• Students bodies must be covered and clothes must be worn in way such that the chest, midriff, pelvic area and buttocks are covered with opaque material.

The Howard County Literacy Association invites

writers in Grades 1 - 5 to submit an original

short story or poem for the Elementary School Young

Authors’ Contest 2024-25!

Submissions, along with a Cover Sheet (sent as a PDF)

are due in an email to Mrs. Williams

by Friday, December 6, 2024. Contest Guidelines

For more details or questions, contact your child’s teacher

or Mrs. Carolyn Williams, PLES Reading Specialist. (carolyn_william@hcpss.org)

For more information: Howard County Literacy Association

Our PTA sponsors the Watchdogs. We need Watchdog Top Dog(s) to represent the Watchdogs at the PTA meetings monthly. Here are the PTA Meeting dates for the remainder of the 2024-2025 SY: 10/9; 11/6; 12/4; 1/8; 2/12; 3/5; 4/2; 5/7; and 6/4. If you are interested in being a Top Dog, please complete this form.

The Watchdogs Fall Kickoff will be on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Please look for the registration forms to come home soon."

The Mobile Dentist is coming to PLES October 7th -10th. Please see below link to register.

Save the Date-The annual Flu Clinic will be at PLES on October 15th.

Please contact the Health Room with any questions 410-313-7439

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.

School-based clinics are located in 10 elementary, middle and high schools in the Howard County Public School System including Phelps Luck Elementary School. They are made possible through a partnership between the Howard County Health Department and Howard County Public School System. The goal of the program is to keep kids in school, healthy and ready to learn. All student in Phelps Luck are eligible to be part of the School-Based Wellness Center. In order to do that, your child(ren) must be enrolled in the School-Based Wellness Center.

We are very excited that, as a school with a Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC), PLES has been allocated a Learning Together Program (LTP) for this school year!

RECCs provide special education services for preschoolers with disabilities in classes that also include children who do not have disabilities. This program enables all young children to play with each other, develop long-term friendships, and benefit from a diverse and stimulating environment. The purpose of the Learning Together Program (LTP) is to include children who do not have disabilities in the RECC classes located within elementary schools.

We are accepting applications for LTP Peers (students without disabilities) with birthdates from 8/31/2020 through and including 9/1/2021.

A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities. Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form and space availability. If necessary, a lottery process is conducted. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person).

Please click on the link below for detailed information about the program and a link to the application:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLv1R3GIFWJTForGglkqdsBGaSkW0Rb7o5OZLR4OHog/edit?usp=sharing

To qualify for Free and Reduced Meals, families will need to apply for that benefit.

HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provides families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for reduced-price lunch pay $0.10 and breakfast is free.

Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs.