Falcon Flier
Vol 52, Issue 11, October 25, 2024
Phelps Luck Elementary School
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۔
Reporting Student Absences
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)
Early Pickup Reminder
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!
From School Administration
We're working together to create a positive learning environment for all students. Please review PLES learning compact and share your thoughts on how we can enhance the experience for everyone Your input is crucial to finalizing our school's learning compact. Please review the document and provide your feedback.
Mr. Cosentino, Ms. Anderson, and Mrs. Grenzer
WHAT IS A FAMILY SCHOOL COMPACT & PLAN?
A Schoolwide Family Compact & Plan is an agreement between families, students, and teachers that is jointly developed and distributed to all families. It explains how families, students, and teachers will work together to develop a family-school partnership to make sure all students meet with success and get the support they need to achieve grade-level goals.
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
For a complete list of dates and events visit ples.hcpss.org/calendar.
October
- 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
November
- National American Indian Heritage Month
- 5 - Schools and Offices Closed - Election Day
- 5 - PTA Chipotle Dine Out Night
- 6 - PTA Meeting
- 8 - Parent Teacher conference scheduling window opens in Synergy
- 8 - 1st Quarter Report Cards issued
- 11 - SPIRIT DAY for Veterans Day - Wear red, white, and blue to honor veterans
- 14 - Kindergarten Field Trip
- 18 - American Education Week begins
- 21 - Parent Teacher conference scheduling window closes in Synergy
- 25 - SPIRIT DAY - Wear athletic gear
- 25 - Turkey Trot (3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades)
- 25 - Parent-teacher conferences - Schools close 3 hours early, 12:15 p.m.
- 26 - SPIRIT DAY - Dress like a... (teachers for kids, kids for teachers)
- 26 - Parent-teacher conferences - Schools close 3 hours early, 12:15 p.m.
- 26 - Cozy Cafe - Thanksgiving Pie Sale
- 27 - Schools closed for Parent-teacher conferences
- 28 - Schools and offices closed for Thanksgiving
- 29 - Schools and offices closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
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.
HCPSS Calendars
HCPSS Calendars in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean
NEW INFORMATION
SBIR (Standards Based Instruction and Reporting) Report Cards
This year, SBIR (Standards Based Instruction and Reporting) is reflected throughout all grades (k-5) in elementary school. Previously, SBIR was introduced to grades k-2 last year. Standards Based Instruction and Reporting include not only a clearer alignment to standards and measurement topics, but also a revised report card. To learn more about Standards Based Instruction and Reporting (SBIR) and the Grades 3-5 new report card, please access the following HCPSS link… www.hcpss.org/report-cards
Field Day Follow-up
Field Day will be rescheduled for some time in May or June. More information will follow in the early spring.
Bus Evacuation Drills
Phelps Luck Elementary students conducted a bus evacuation drill this week (depending on the bus).
Students practiced safely exiting the back of the bus, so they are prepared to do so in case of an emergency. PLES staff and bus drivers supported students throughout the evacuation to ensure student safety and understanding. All students complied with the expectations of the drill and evacuated safely.
Howard High School's Arts Crafts & More Show
Sunday, October 27. See notice below.
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Lifetouch School Pictures Are Ready!
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
PTA Trunk or Treat
Come celebrate Halloween with our PLES PTA at our Trunk or Treat!
DATE:
- Wednesday, October 30
TIMES:
- Pre-K to 2nd Grade: 6 p.m to 7 p.m
- 3rd Grade to 5th Grade: 7 p.m to 8 p.m
If you have students in both groups, pick the time that works for you! Decorated trunks will be set up in the PLES car loop. Children can visit each trunk to get a treat! Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by a guardian.
Parking
No parking onsite. Guests are encouraged to walk to the
school. If you are driving, please park along High Tor Hill. Please be respectful of our neighbors’ driveways and properties.
Volunteers Needed
If you are interested in volunteering to decorate your trunk or helping at the event, sign up at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FA4AC2CA4FF2-ples3
Donations
If you wish to donate candy or small toys, please send it in with your child to feed the candy monster and/or drop it off at the school’s front office. We need LOTS OF CANDY!
Questions?: trunkortreat@phelpsluckpta.org
**No bathrooms will be available on site**
No Dogs Permitted on School Property
As much as we enjoy seeing family dogs at arrival and dismissal, all HCPSS schools are expected to adhere to the following policy:
Animals in schools or offices, leashed or not, present safety, environmental, and liability issues. Students and staff may be exposed to potential physical hazards, such as bites, and/or allergy related health problems. As a result, animals are prohibited within HCPSS buildings. Animals are also prohibited on school system property during arrival, dismissal, recess or other HCPSS sponsored outdoor activities. Service animals or service animals in training per MD Annotated Code Section 7-705 (Service Animals) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as animals approved for instructional purposes are exempt from this prohibition.
Parents who bring dogs on their walks to school must wait for students off school property. We want to ensure the safety of our students as they arrive and leave school. Thank you for adhering to this policy.
Walker and Car Rider Information
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 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 from 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 through our neighbor's lawns.
Thank you for your help.
Spirit Days
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.
PTA: Parent Teacher Association
Community Notices and Programs
The below community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the HCPSS.