The Falcon Flier
Vol 51, Issue 29 - March 8, 2024
Phelps Luck Elementary School
Sandra Anderson, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Stairs, 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
From School Administration
Howard County Policy 9010
In the policy statement, the Board of Education recognizes “that there is a strong correlation among regular attendance, academic achievement, and the completion of school. The Board of Education further believes that regular attendance is vital to ensuring that students become productive members of society.”
Benefits - Excellent attendance is a life skill that is needed in order to be successful, and it all starts in Elementary School. An excellent attendance rate is 96% or higher, and it supports the following:
More opportunities for learning: When your child is present, he or she is available for the instruction given that day.
Higher self-esteem: When children are caught up in class, they are more engaged in activities and have a sense of belonging that is instrumental in the learning process.
Better work: Children do not have to rush to get caught up if they do not miss instruction. Therefore, the work they complete can be their absolute best!
Consistency: If children are present, their class work is more apt to get turned in consistently and on time.
Better learning behaviors: When children have excellent attendance, they have an easier time adjusting to school rules. They also tend to be more focused on learning because they are familiar with routines within the classroom.
When Children are Absent or Tardy
When children are habitually late for school and truant, there are definitely some very negative consequences:
Missing instruction: For every moment your child is not at school, learning is missed. This includes being late for school and leaving early. If a child is even 15 minutes
late everyday, they would miss an hour and a half of hands-on instruction a week!
Falling behind: Over time, chronic tardiness and absences can gravely affect your child’s overall learning. Children become frustrated, and this has been directly connected to the High School dropout rate.
Negative messages: If parents do not support excellent attendance, children start to fundamentally believe that it is not important. This can affect a child’s success for life.
Social Isolation: At the elementary level, many socialization skills are created and reinforced. If a child misses school regularly, they have a more difficult time maintaining relationships with peers.
When a child is habitually and unlawfully absent from school, State Law requires educators to investigate and report. If his or her attendance does not improve, the State’s Attorney’s Office may be contacted.
Tips for Excellent Attendance
Healthy Habits at Night: Having no food or liquids 2 hours before bedtime will allow for a restful night’s sleep without a lot of interruptions. The National Sleep Foundation recommends you take at least 30 minutes or more of screen-free time right before you try to go to sleep. Thirty minutes or more before bed, have your child do something relaxing, such as read a book or magazine.
Healthy Habits in the Morning: Starting off with a breakfast that is low in sugar that includes fruit and protein will help energize your child’s mind to be ready for learning.
Healthy Routines: Establishing a consistent routine that includes a specific bedtime and wake-up time every school day will help your child to adjust to the schedule. When a child knows what to expect, he/she can start off each day relaxed and rejuvenated.
Getting your child involved: Teaching your child to set his or her own alarm clock can be a wonderful learning experience that encourages personal responsibility. However, be sure to stay supportive when needed. It takes time to really get into the habit of using an alarm clock with ease.
Positive Reinforcement: Praising your child for going to bed and getting ready on time is important to maintaining success. Children are just learning the importance of good attendance and need to be rewarded for doing a great job!
Resources: For more information on Howard County’s Attendance Policy 9010, visit
www.hcpss.org/board/policies/policies_9000.shtml
Office of Pupil Personnel - 410-313-6646
For more information on Maryland State Law and Regulations, visit
http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?ged&7-301
For any guidance or help needed to ensure your child’s attendance success, feel free to contact Ms. Anderson, Assistant Principal.
Calendars and Important Dates
For a complete list of dates and events, visit ples.hcpss.org/calendar.
March
- 10 - Daylight Savings begins
- 13 - School closes 3 hours early, 12:10 p.m.
- 14 - School Spirit Day Pi Day Wear numbers
- 21 - EMPOWER Family Engagement Night for Reading, 6:00 pm. at PLES
- 22 - School Spirit Day - Decades day
- 23-through April 1 - Spring Break - Schools closed
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.
March 2024
HCPSS Calendar
March 2024
Related Arts Color Calendar
New Information
Students Fasting for Ramadan
We wish a Happy Ramadan to our families who observe and know that many of our students will be fasting during the school day. If you would like to request an alternative activity during the lunch period of Ramadan please complete this form here.
PTA News and Information
Order your PLES Yearbook Today
Paper orders are due by April 12, and online sales are open now through May 5. Books cost $22 each! Order now at www.ybpay.com, code: 14755424. Questions? Please email jenplesyearbook@gmail.com.
Victoria Gastropub Dine Out Night
Our next PTA Dine Out Night will be Tuesday, March 19th at Victoria Gastropub.
DEI Meeting Thursday, March 14th
Our next DEI Meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, March 14th at 7:00 PM. Join using the PTA meeting zoom link.
Yard Sale Save the Date
The PLES PTA Spring Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th. Information on reserving a spot available soon.
Spring Science Night
Wednesday, April 24th 6:00-7:30 PM. Outside on the PLES Side Parking Lot.
Join us for a fun night of science experiments and demonstrations. Community organizations will also provide information about their work and how they are supporting the many "green" efforts at PLES. Three food trucks will be onsite.
Phelps Luck - PTA 5K/1 Mile Fun Run
Come join your Phelps Luck Elementary School community and run the 8th annual Phelps Luck 5k and One Mile Fun Run!!
Race Date: Saturday May 11th, 2024 at Long Reach High School
Packet pick-up starts at 8:15 am and activities begin at 9:00 am with an energetic warm-up session led by KidStrong Columbia. All race entrants for both the 5k and 1-mile Fun Run will be entered in a raffle to win a full week of summer camp at KidStrong Columbia!
One t-shirt and light refreshments included for each registered participant
Registration for the 5k is $25 per person and the Fun Run is $10 per person with discounts for multiple person registrations.
Registration, additional information, and volunteer signup at www.runsignup.com/PLES
Free for PLES staff - Email 5k@phelpsluckpta.org if interested!
Questions? Email 5k@phelpsluckpta.org
Multicultural Night
Multicultural Night will take place Friday, April 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the PLES Cafeteria. Mark your calendar for a night of fun!
RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054AAEAB28ABF85-48092373-rsvp
Sign up to be a Country Ambassador:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054AAEAB28ABF85-48013846-ples
Donate to help fund Multicultural
Night performances: https://phelpsluckpta.memberhub.com/store/items/992025
Direct Donation Fundraiser
The spring PTA calendar is full of exciting events! Help us fund the fun activities and provide support for upcoming field trips, 5th grade Simulated Congressional Hearings, continued classroom reimbursements, and Staff Appreciation Week.
Donate using: Venmo: @plespta
PayPal: president@phelpsluckpta.org
PTA Givebacks Store: https://phelpsluckpta.memberhub.com/store/items/732047
Information Worth Repeating
Kindergarten Registration for SY 2024-25
ONLINE REGISTRATION
You can now begin the online registration process for students new to Howard County! It is recommended that you work on a laptop or desktop to complete registration. Cell phone registration is not recommended. For details about registration and enrollment, visit www.hcpss.org/enroll/. Please call our PLES front office at 410-313-6886 or email Mrs. Self or Ms. Sutkaytis with questions.
If you have a child currently attending an HCPSS PreK program, there is no need to re-register your student for Kindergarten. Also, if your child is a current HCPSS student at PLES or any other HCPSS school, please DO NOT re-register your student.
Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland, so if your child turns 5 by September 1, 2024, you must register your child for the 2024-25 school year. Parents or guardians are to register students at the school serving the address where the child’s parent or guardian resides. Information on neighborhood schools can be found through School Locator https://hcpss-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b1d3153921514fbead0abb0f92090217 on the school system web site or by calling the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682.
Step 1: Register Online Here: https://sisparents.hcpss.org/PXP2_OEN_Login.aspx
Step 2: Complete registration online by providing the documents listed below. The registration process is easier if you upload them during online registration. Otherwise, you will be asked to submit them via email as pdfs. I-phone users can scan documents through your notes app. (Images must be clear.)
The following documents are needed for registration:
Child’s evidence of birth (ie: birth certificate, baptismal certificate)
Evidence of parental relationship (child’s birth certificate or court document)
An authorized record of immunizations
Proof of residency in the form of a signed lease or deed, including signature pages
Current utility bill (within the last 30 days)
Photo ID of parent/guardian
Proof of custody (if applicable)
If you do not own or rent your home and have a multi-family living arrangement, an appointment with our PPW, Ronda Lennon, is required. A representative of the host family and guest family must be present for the appointment. Email ronda_lennon@hcpss.org for more information.
Health Forms should be completed by your child's pediatrician and dentist and emailed to our school nurse Aimee Carlesi aimee_carlesi@hcpss.org, before the first day of school or as soon as your child has their 5-year check-up.
Community News and Information
Howard High School STEM Fair
Below is the Information:
Sign up Form: https://forms.gle/F83Quc4RGxDZGfXM7
Date: April 6th, 2024
Time: 12 pm - 3 pm
Location: Howard High School (8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043)
Who? 3rd to 8th graders in Howard County (parents will need to stay at the event)
THERE WILL BE PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES FOR ALL WHO COMPETE
About the Fair
This STEM fair is a platform designed to inspire and showcase the creativity and talent of young students from grades 3 - 8. This event invites participants to present their projects across various STEM categories, with the opportunity to win exciting prizes! The purpose of this event is to encourage a passion for learning and exploration, allowing children to express their unique ideas. Judges will score each project, provide constructive feedback, and give out medals at the end of the event but all participants will nevertheless receive certificates.
Parents/Guardians must stay during the entire event.
PLEASE READ ALL THE GUIDELINES HERE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mlbzNFQOPIateiW2pUyp_b4gA6IbhJkxpPGcDULSxfk/edit?usp=sharing
Contact Information:
Email - hohs.stemroots@gmail.com
Columbia Community Care:
This group gives out food at the Long Reach Village Center, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, and Oakland Mills Middle School on Wednesdays from 5-8pm and Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm. If you need food delivered fill out the form for food and they can deliver or you may have someone pick up for you as well.
Website: https://columbiacommunitycare.org/
Form for food:
OMHS Food Pantry
The OMHS Food Pantry is open the last Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted, from 3:00 - 5:00pm. You will need to bring a photo ID. Please do not arrive prior to 2:30pm to allow for student dismissal. Also, please remain in your car and a volunteer will come to your vehicle. More info can be found at the link below:
The below community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the HCPSS.