Panther Post

Feb. 3-Report Cards go home.

Feb. 6-14-Boosterthon Fundraiser begins.

Feb. 12-2hour delay for Parent/Teacher Conferences

Feb. 14-Love Run Event (Please fill out the volunteer form if you haven't already, so that you can watch the event)

Feb. 17-Presidents' Day No School

Feb. 18-28-CoGat testing for 2nd grade and NEW students to CCPS grades 3, 4, 5 CogAT Grade 2 Parent Letter 2024-2025.pdf CogAT Letter 3rd-7th - Spring.pdf

Because of the snow days, the yearly calendar has changed.

March 31 is now a school day and students last school day is now June 13.-REPEAT

The window for the iReady Winter assessments in both Reading and Math will open

January 27-February 7

Each teacher will determine when testing will occur. Students do best when testing with the teacher of instruction when it is scheduled. Please help us by having your child in attendance unless they are too sick to be in school. Each student will have met with their teacher and set a goal by Jan. 27. Ask your child what his/her goal is and offer encouragement and support.

The feedback I received when I first came to PPES was that parents felt there were too many fundraisers. It has been my goal to reduce them. The only one that we have that benefits the school as a whole is the Boosterthon. You already received initial information about it via School Messenger.

Special Shout Out to the following families/companies for donating so that each child can get a t-shirt for the big event which will be on February 14.

• Clower Foamily with B.M.C Clower Heating & Air Conditioning
• Howsare Family with CRM Construction, Inc
• Katski & Barnett Family with Colonial Electric Co.
• Sammons Family with Live Local MD
• Henley & Badgley Family with Material Girls Quilt Boutique
• Pitcher & Carle Family with JP Plumbing Services

Positive thoughts for warm weather so that the Love Run can be outside and parents can attend. Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you for treating staff to all sorts of delicious pies on Friday as a Second Quarter treat! Any way you slice it; we have terrific support from our PTO community.

PPES Library is missing over $2,391 in lost books so far this year! I love that students are enjoying their library books, but my budget is not big enough to allow me to replace all those books! Please return or replace these books as soon as possible. You may send a check for the cost listed or purchase a hardcover version yourself and send it in. If you cannot afford to pay for a replacement (in extreme situations only), you may bring in a different gently used and similar length book or send a note. Thank you, Mrs. Nerby

Lost Book Scavenger Hunt.docx This is an interactive way to look for the books.

Hello Panther families, it's your friendly neighborhood librarian here with another fun event! This week, we started our annual Snowball Fight. Students will be reading to earn snowball stickers to "hit" their favorite teachers' pictures. The teacher with the most snowballs wins a $50 Starbucks card and the class in each grade level that earns the most snowballs will get to dump ice water on a volunteer teacher's head at our Read Across America event at the end of February. Please help your student remember to read and record so they can earn their snowballs! I'm encouraging older students to read an entire chapter book to work on our perseverance. The attached flier has more details. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.

If you would like to volunteer to help pass out snowballs, please email me! Thank you in advance for your support! Sincerely, Mrs. Nerby

Snowball fight directions and reading log 2025 (8.5 x 11 in) (2).pdf

At the same time last year compared to this year:

2023-2024: 94.17%

2024-2025: 94.61%

Any improvement is good! Thank you for supporting our goal to be present as much as possible. I understand that sometimes you have to take opportunities and vacations are scheduled. Please understand that instruction will continue, and those days are not excused.

Spread the love! Purchase a $5 ticket for a teacher you love from January 13-February 1. The link to purchase online tickets is: https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=EQ080

On February 14, three teachers will each win $500 for a classroom refresh! One winner from each level (elementary, middle, and high) will be randomly drawn. Thanks for your support!

Counselor's Corner

Thank you for your partnership and with much excitement to embark on this second half of the school year.

(PBIS) Character Trait of the Month for February: Honesty

Honesty means we are truthful in what we say and do, showing respect towards others, and having integrity. Honesty looks like responding truthfully when asked about a situation and sharing important information. Please see the attached At Home Activity Book. CTBN-At-Home-Activity-Book_2_Honesty.pdf

Xello

Throughout this quarter, I will introduce/re-introduce students to Xello, a program Calvert County Public Schools utilizes to help your child prepare for academic, career, and future success. Xello is an engaging online program that helps students build the skills, knowledge, and plans to be future ready. This is a self-paced program that students access through Clever. Please read the letter attached for more information. Introducing Xello to Parents - letter.pdf

Feeding Tummies-Heart F.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies)

This program is offered throughout the county by local church donations. Your child may be eligible to receive a small backpack for the week each Monday. This bag is provided to your child at no cost to you. Contents will include small meals/supplemental items and snacks. If you are interested in signing up for the program, please reach out to Mrs. Webb, School Counselor at webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

School Counselor Contact Information

If you wish to reach me or would like for me to check in with your child, don't hesitate to call me at 443-550-9730 or send an email to webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us

PPES Military-Connected Family Information

*Military liaison- Mrs. Andrea Webb, School Counselor*

The Plum Point Panthers are dedicated to an inclusive and welcoming transition for our military and civilian connected families and students. We are grateful to serve and work with all families as we welcome them to our school community.

Anchored4Life Club (Advisers: Mrs. Webb & Mrs. Pepper_

PPES is also proud to announce our membership with Anchored4Life. A peer-to-peer club to connect youth while building change and resiliency skills for every student. If your child is experiencing any transition, please reach out and an Adviser or Team Leader will be glad to connect with them.

Military Connected Child Lunch Bunch (LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP)

This grade level lunch group is a platform to discuss concerns, share coping strategies, and build social bonds during a structured time at school. Please use the following link to inform Mrs. Webb whether you are interested or not.

https://forms.office.com/r/eAAN4cAmFx

Every quarter we take one of the academic mindsets and focus on its meaning. The 1st quarter, we focused on the "feeling of belonging". We want all children to feel that they belong at PPES. They should feel like they are part of this school community.

For the 2nd quarter, we are focusing on the mindset of "my ability and skill grows with my effort!

Challenges and mistakes are opportunities to learn and develop my brain".

The 3rd quarter, the academic mindset is "this work has value for me. The schoolwork I have to do connects with my life, interests, and future."

You can support this mindset by talking about the purpose of the lessons that are being taught with your child. Connect it to something relevant in your child's life

Plum Point Elementary

1245 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639 * 443-550-9730

Beatriz Gonzalez-Wilson, Principal gonzalezwilsonb@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Jenean Deahl, Assistant Principal deahlj@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Angela Rivas, Dean rivasa@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Andrea Webb, School Counselor webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Wendy Badgely, Secretary badgelyw@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Sherri Turner, Secretary turners@calvertnet.k12.md.us

School bus routes for CCPS are posted on the Transportation page. Please review the routes and times carefully to confirm bus numbers and pick up/drop off times.

Especially on the first day of school, we ask that students ride the school bus they are assigned. As students arrive by bus, we will greet them and tag their backpacks with their bus number to ensure their teachers have the correct bus number and the students know which bus to ride home. You can find bus assignments on the Calvert County Public Schools website at http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us under the Parent Tab/Transportation. Click on school bus locator tab to input address information. The school bus routes link will list current bus numbers and routes for PPES. You should also be able to access information on your HAC (Home Access Center) account

Please also sign up for the free “Here Comes the Bus App” that shows real time location of your child’s bus on a map. As a reminder, there will be no “guest riders” permitted this year and there can only be one pick-up and drop -off location per student due to current guidelines and restrictions.

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/herecomesthe-bus

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ø Director of Student Services

Ø Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

************************************************

Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that they have been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.