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

Para otros idiomas, haga clic en Traducir Newsletter y elija el idioma que prefiera.

Korean

다른 언어의 경우 뉴스 레터 번역을 클릭하고 원하는 언어를 선택합니다.

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۔

Throughout each year we celebrate the incredible diversity of all of our students at Phelps Luck. In February, we focus on Black History Month and highlight the important contributions of Black and African Americans who have helped shape our country and contributed to our society.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. This newsletter has resources that can be utilized in the classroom or at home to celebrate Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, Phelps Luck Elementary School will recognize Black History Month and highlight the many accomplishments of African Americans.

There are a number of resources our teachers use throughout the school year and in February. There are quite a number of excellent resources including the PBS Kids video below that are examples of resources teachers use during their instruction.

We also want to share read-aloud books for kids from Netflix Jr. Many of these books can be found in our library and the Howard County Public Library. When our entire staff took a field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, we processed our experience as individuals and a collective group. One outcome was the expectation that we share a wide and diverse range of literature with our students. We want our students to see themselves and their friends in the literature that is used for instruction and for reading pleasure.

Sincerly,

Mr. Cosentino, Principal

Dr. Anderson and Mrs. Grenzer, Assistant Principals

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

February 2025

• Black History Month begins
• 3 - 4th grade Math & Munchkins
• 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.

Read Alouds

Grab a book, grab a friend, and join Netflix Jr. in celebrating Black voices during Black History Month. Full Episodes of Bookmarks included are:

• "I Love My Hair" read by Tiffany Haddish
• "I Am Enough" read by Grace Byers
• "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" read by Caleb McLaughlin
• "Sulwe" read by Lupita Nyong'o
• "ABCs For Girls Like Me" read by Marsai Martin
• "I Am Perfectly Designed" read by Karamo Brown
• "Pretty Brown Face" and "Brown Boy Joy" read by Jill Scott
• "Firebird" read by Misty Copeland
• "Let's Talk About Race" read by Common
• "The Day You Begin" read by Jacqueline Woodson
• "Antiracist Baby" read by Kendrick Sampson
• "We March" read by Marley Dias

National School Counseling Week (#NSCW25), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be February 3 thru 7. The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems, Howard County, and here at Phelps Luck ES. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success.

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs. We are fortunate to have school counselors in each of our schools throughout Howard County. At Phelps Luck, we are fortunate to have two school counselors. Ms. Stremmel and Ms. Salapata are a vital part of our school and student services team. They actively engage in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. They both help to partner with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world. They also provide support for teachers to help them meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students. Please join us in thanking Ms. Stremmel and Ms. Salapata for their dedication to our students and community.

Now Available, Our 2025 Parents Guide

Through its family workshops, local resources, events, educational programs and more, DCRS' Office of Children and Families (OCF) aims to help Howard County families grow and thrive all year long. If you were not able to attend OCF’s annual Child Care Fair this past Saturday, to learn more about child care, preschool, school-age, and summer program opportunities in Howard County, don’t fret as OCF has just released its “Parent’s Guide to Howard County” for 2025. This comprehensive guide serves as a resource to link parents, caregivers, and others to services in our community to help all children grow and thrive.

You can also learn more about the latest happenings, activities and programs for children and families offered by OCF, by checking out its latest Parent Pages issue. If you need individual assistance, such as finding childcare, guidance with parenting issues, mental and emotional health support, special needs resources, food access, housing, and more, contact OCF’s free CARE line at 410-313-CARE (2273) to learn more about what’s available.

Calling all students! In celebration of Women’s History Month this coming March, DCRS’s Howard County Commission for Women is hosting an essay contest and poster contest to commemorate the month and this year’s national theme: “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” This year’s theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership.

The essay contest is open to all Howard County middle and high school students – public, private and homeschooled, while the poster contest is open to all Howard County elementary, middle and high school students. Both contests call upon students to write about or create an original piece of artwork that shows a female educator, mentor or leader who has inspired them and why. All contest entries must be submitted by no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 21st, to women@howardcountymd.gov with “Essay Contest” or “Poster Contest” in the email subject line.

For more information about the student essay and poster contest, including the Submission Terms and Agreement Form, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/CFW2025contest. For questions, contact DCRS at 410-313-6400. First and second place prizes will be awarded in each educational level of the essay and poster contests.

📢 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

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)