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

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MSDE Report Card Released This Week

You may have seen reports on the news and in the Baltimore Sun this week about the Maryland School Report Card and school ratings. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released the annual school accountability measure this past week. This is the fifth time MSDE has issued the School Report Card star ratings. The Report Card was created in alignment with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) – a federal accountability standard initiated in 2015. The MSDE School Report Card considers multiple data points before ultimately assigning a star ranking (1-5) for every school in the state.

The Report Card provides broad insights into 4 categories of school measures on the elementary school level. They include:

• Academic Achievement
• Academic Progress
• English Language Proficiency
• School Quality and Student Success

Overall school performance is determined by a formulaic combination of these four categories.
The combination of points, assigned by the state in each category, results in a percentage that is then associated with a school’s star ranking.

• 75-100% = 5 Stars
• 60-74% = 4 Stars
• 45-59% = 3 Stars
• 30-44% = 2 Stars
• >30% = 1 Star

PLES Rated a 4-Star School!

We are proud to announce that Phelps Luck Elementary School has been designated as a 4-star school by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on the 2023-24 School Report Card! PLES earned 63.3% of total possible points, placing us in the 63rd percentile among all elementary schools in Maryland. This achievement marks a 5% increase in earned points, an 11-point percentile jump, and an improvement in our star rating. Notably, only 34% of Maryland schools achieved a 4-star designation, with 41% earning 4 or 5 stars overall.

This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, who consistently strive to create a teaching and learning environment that supports every student’s success. As the highest-rated Title I school in Howard County, PLES is honored by this achievement. However, we remain committed to continuous growth and improvement.

We view this school report card as a valuable tool to celebrate successes and identify areas for further progress. Together, we will use this information to build upon our accomplishments and ensure even greater success in the future.

For more information about the Every Student Succeeds Act, please visit the HCPSS website. You can also view detailed report cards for Phelps Luck and other schools across Maryland at the MSDE Report Card website.

Lastly, don't forget to check out our Measures That Matter updates! These provide additional insights into the data that supports our annual star rankings. First-quarter Measures That Matter are already available on our school website, and second-quarter updates will be shared at the end of the marking period.

Thank you for being part of our amazing school community and for your continued support. Together, we will keep striving for excellence!

Finish Strong!

Finish 2024 Strong! We have two more weeks until winter break. The last day of school before the break is Friday, December 20th. There is a lot of instruction that will take place. Students will still receive quality instruction next week and participate in fun activities. Please talk with your child about the importance of giving their best effort each day and encourage them to do their best! Let's work hard, stay focused, and finish strong!

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

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

December

• 11 - 3rd Grade field trip to Baltimore Aquarium
• 11 - Red Robin Dine Out Night
• 12 - PK Coral Reef Parent Visit
• 12 - PTA Winter Workshop
• 17 - SPIRIT DAY - Blizzard Day, Wear White
• 18 - SPIRIT DAY - Holiday Sweater Day
• 19 - SPIRIT DAY - Holiday Hat Day
• 20 - SPIRIT DAY - Pajama Day
• 21 - Winter Break Starts through January 1. School reopens January 2.

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.

Please be mindful of the Children & Company and Kids' Connection co-op daycare center located at the Phelps Luck Neighborhood Center, next to PLES.

This daycare center is not affiliated with our school, and it is not included in our arrival and dismissal plan. PLES families and staff are not permitted to park there, and violators may be towed.

As an alternative, you may park along Phelps Luck Drive and walk to the school. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a positive relationship with our daycare neighbors.

How Does HCPSS Determine to Close Schools?

Unscheduled Emergency Early School Closing

In the event that schools need to close early due to an unexpected weather event, please be sure to share with your child how he/she will go home if it is different than their normal dismissal routine.
All parents were asked to indicate how children are to go home in the event of an emergency/unscheduled closing when they completed their Family File information in August or September.

Exercise outdoors is healthy and is strongly encouraged. It provides a break from the regular school routine, a chance to get some outside air, and an opportunity to run off excess energy.

If conditions preclude the full recess time, even a five-minute break can revitalize children and prepare them for more sitting and academic learning. Children are expected to wear warm clothing to protect them during cold weather when participating in recess or outside activities.

The decision to go out or stay in for recess is the decision of the Administrator at individual schools. However, the following are to be considered in determining whether recess is to be held outside:

• Temperature and Windchill
  
• Age of students
  
• Length of time outdoors
  
• Adequacy of the children’s clothing
  
• Condition of the playground
  
• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)
  

Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Children with certain health conditions may need special accommodations during extremely cold weather. Parents of those children should provide medical documentation and may be consulted to determine if other arrangements are necessary.

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)