Edward Cosentino, Principal

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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Cell Phones, Smartwatches, and Social Media

In today’s world, technology is a powerful tool for learning, communication, and entertainment. However, as we navigate the challenges of digital connectivity, we want to remind families of the importance of responsible technology use, especially for our elementary school students.

While cell phones are permitted on school property, they must remain off and stored in backpacks during the school day. Smartwatches may be worn but should only be used to check the time. These expectations align with HCPSS Policy 8080 and help ensure that students remain engaged in learning and socializing in a positive, distraction-free environment.

Additionally, we encourage families to have conversations about the potential risks associated with group text chains and social media use. We also recommend periodically reviewing your child’s phone to stay informed about their digital interactions. Students may sometimes feel pressured to participate in conversations that are not appropriate or productive. Misunderstandings, peer conflicts, and even cyberbullying can arise in these digital spaces and may carry over into the school environment, negatively affecting peer relationships and learning.

We appreciate your support in helping students develop healthy communication habits and in reinforcing that school is a place for learning and face-to-face interactions.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school a safe and focused learning environment for all. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Measures That Matter

At Phelps Luck Elementary School, we believe that every student’s progress matters. To provide high-quality instruction at your child’s instructional level, we carefully analyze data throughout the year. Each quarter, our School Improvement Team, teacher teams, and interventionists review student performance data to ensure we are meeting the needs of all learners.

We also believe in keeping families informed. That’s why we share Measures that Matter, a quarterly publication that provides insights into student performance and school-wide progress. This helps you stay connected to your child’s learning journey and understand how we are working to support every student’s success.

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

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

March 2025

National Women's History Month begins

• 3 - Spirit Day - Dress like your favorite book character
• 4 - Class picture day
• 5 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 7 - Bingo Night (must pre-register)
• 14 - Professional Work and Wellness Day, Schools close 3 hours early, 12:15 p.m.
• 17 - St. Patrick's Day - Wear Green
• 18 - PTA Restaurant Day at Coal Fire, 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• 25 - Spirit Day - Maryland Day - Wear MD Colors (red, black, yellow)
• 26 - Spirit Day - Twin Day
• 27 - Spirit Day - Beach Day (wear Beach/Hawaiian shirt)
• 28 - Spirit Day - PLES Day (wear PLES spirit wear)
• 28 - End of third quarter
• 31 - Schools closed for students

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.

The implementation of the Radio Frequency Identification Cards will be postponed until late March or early April. We will re-share information in the Falcon Flier prior to the implementation

date.

We wish those students, families, and community members celebrating, a Blessed Ramadan. If your child will be fasting on certain days and would like to go to another location during their designated lunch time, email Ms. Stremmel at andrea_stremmel@hcpss.org and she will find an alternate location.

Our GT dept and PTA are looking for families to participate in our 4th annual Spring Science Night on April 23 from 6:00-7:30pm. If you are in the field of science or environment and you would like to join us (or can't 4/23, but would like to be part of a future event), please fill out our form. https://forms.gle/D2a49gHYnYP3hkcA6 Many thanks!

Group Picture Day is coming on March 4. This is another opportunity to support our school. Lifetouch School Photographer is our only school fundraiser. All profits from picture day go directly to school for a variety of needs. Thank you ahead of time for your support.

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

Beginning March 3, parents/guardians can begin the kindergarten enrollment process online for the 2025-2026 school year. Your child's school will contact you to schedule a meeting to complete the registration process. Parents/guardians of children who will be five on or before Sept. 1 must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year.

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)