Edward Cosentino, Principal

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

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Korean

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Chinese

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Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

We had a wonderful opening week of school! Our first week went smoothly as we welcomed close to 700 enthusiastic students back to Phelps Luck. Everyone seems to be getting used to the routines that the new school year brings.

As Ms. Anderson, Mrs. Grenzer, and I have walked throughout the building, we are pleased to see students engaged in learning in their new classrooms. Throughout the week, each teacher explicitly taught students about our behavioral expectations. Included in this newsletter, you will find information about PBIS (Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports) so you can learn and help reinforce the school's expectations. Each classroom established consistent behavioral expectations used throughout our school. We expect all students to learn and follow those school rules.

Parents/Guardians, you did a fantastic job with our arrival and dismissal plan! It is working well, and we are starting our day on time. Despite a very long car loop, the arrival car line is mostly complete by 8:43 a.m., and the dismissal car line is mostly complete by 3:30 p.m. Thank you! I am also pleased to report that we have very few late buses. Our bus route schedule is working well with all buses arriving before 8:45 a.m. At dismissal, all buses are on schedule too with the last bus leaving the school shortly after 3:35 p.m. Please keep doing what you are doing so we have safe and consistent routines throughout the school year!

Recently we have received concerns with parking in the neighborhood. Please be respectful of the neighbors in the community. Please do not block driveways or walk through private property.

It was also great to see parents/guardians on Wednesday night for our intermediate Back-to-School Night. Our primary Back-to-School Night is September 4. We look forward to seeing parents of students in first grade, and second grade that night.

It is great to see such an engaged school community.

Thank you!

Mr. Cosentino, Principal

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

September

• 2 - Labor Day - No School
• 4 - 1st & 2nd Grades - Back-to-School Night, 6:30 p.m.
• 5 - FYI: Bonnie Branch & Ellicott Mills Middle Schools Back to School Nights, 6:00 p.m.
• 6 - PTA Back-to-School Picnic, 5:00 p.m.
• 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
• 18 - Professional Workday and Wellness Day, Schools dismiss 3 hours early, 12:15 p.m.
• 19 - Multilanguage Learner Information Parent Night, 6:00 p.m.
• 26 - Hispanic Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

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.

There will be no printed 2024-2025 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar
3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to
4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

You also may view and/or download printable PDFs of the full calendar and/or important dates only. Updates to the PDFs will be noted on the HCPSS calendar page.

PLEASE NOTE! The calendar is subject to change. The online calendar reflects the most recent version.

Calendars in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean

Calendario en español

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

PBIS is a research-based behavior system that uses incentives and acknowledgments to motivate students to make positive choices. Each PBIS school identifies three to five easy-to-remember behavioral expectations for students, which are communicated frequently and reinforced with student acknowledgments. Staff members make it a point to call attention to moments when a student demonstrates desired behaviors. This positive reinforcement is for all students and provides an excellent model for students who need extra encouragement to make appropriate choices.

PBIS is an important aspect of Phelps Luck. Phelps Luck Elementary School staff is committed to working with students and their families to promote a safe and nurturing environment in all school settings.

Below are the guiding principles of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS):

• PBIS is a behavioral support system that promotes and recognizes positive behavior.
• The program rewards students for exhibiting positive behavior.
• Expectations, language, and consequences concerning behavior are consistent throughout the school.
• The program promotes the development of intrinsic motivation.

We have four school expectations, which are reinforced daily are...

SOAR

• Self-Control
• Organized
• Accountable
• Resilient

Phelps Luck SOAR Track System
Students who follow the school rules and display appropriate behavior may be recognized for their efforts by moving spaces on their personal track form.

• Staff members acknowledge students and recognize their positive behavior.
• Rewards are special privileges the students can earn. Some examples are sitting in a special seat for the day, being first to pick classroom jobs, or having lunch with a staff member or administrator.

Falcon of the Week
Students who exhibit exemplary behavior can earn a “Falcon of the Week Award.” Students' names will be announced on the announcements, and they will go to the cafeteria for a group picture. The group picture will be displayed in the front hallway. Students will also receive a Falcon of the Week charm to wear. A phone call home acknowledging this achievement will be made, and an administrator or school counselor will read the teacher's statement explaining why the teacher gave the student the Falcon of the Week award.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
Students are taught the school rules for classroom and non-classroom settings. All students are told the expected behaviors or tasks in each classroom. If a child does not exhibit the expected behavior, any of the following strategies may be used to help redirect and reteach that behavior:
Individual verbal warning with an explanation about expected behavior.

• Time out in the classroom.
• Time out in a different classroom or the pod area.
• Students are allowed to calm down using a calm-down corner.
• For more significant or repetitive situations, an Incident Report (IR) is completed and sent home to parents/guardians to be signed and returned the following day.
• If the behavior does not improve, an administrator will be called in to intervene, which could include an official Office Disciplinary Referral.

*Certain actions, such as fighting, using inappropriate language, harassment, and threats, warrant immediate administrative involvement.

How Can You Help at Home?
Please review the information on this page with your child.

• Ask your child to tell you the school rules.
• Ask your child to discuss ways that he or she can use these rules to help them to learn and participate at school.
• Ask your child how his/her behavior affects others.
• Discuss ways that your child can be a helpful and kind classmate.
• Discuss ways these rules can be used at home and in the community.

Please ask an administrator or the school counselor if you have any questions about our PBIS program.

It’s time to sign up for band and orchestra!

Students in 3rd and 4th grade will be attending assemblies about the band and orchestra instruments that they can learn to play this year. Students in 3rd grade may participate in orchestra, and students in 4th and 5th grade may participate in band or orchestra. Enrollment forms are going home this week, but if your child would like to play an instrument, you can also sign them up online here. Please make sure to read the informational letter before enrolling in these classes! The deadline to sign up is September 11. Please contact Ms. Strawley if you have any questions, (karissa_bryant@hcpss.org).

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.

School-based clinics are located in 10 elementary, middle and high schools in the Howard County Public School System including Phelps Luck Elementary School. They are made possible through a partnership between the Howard County Health Department and Howard County Public School System. The goal of the program is to keep kids in school, healthy and ready to learn. All student in Phelps Luck are eligible to be part of the School-Based Wellness Center. In order to do that, your child(ren) must be enrolled in the School-Based Wellness Center.

We are very excited that, as a school with a Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC), PLES has been allocated a Learning Together Program (LTP) for this school year!

RECCs provide special education services for preschoolers with disabilities in classes that also include children who do not have disabilities. This program enables all young children to play with each other, develop long-term friendships, and benefit from a diverse and stimulating environment. The purpose of the Learning Together Program (LTP) is to include children who do not have disabilities in the RECC classes located within elementary schools.

We are accepting applications for LTP Peers (students without disabilities) with birthdates from 8/31/2020 through and including 9/1/2021.

A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities. Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form and space availability. If necessary, a lottery process is conducted. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person).

Please click on the link below for detailed information about the program and a link to the application:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uLv1R3GIFWJTForGglkqdsBGaSkW0Rb7o5OZLR4OHog/edit?usp=sharing

Registration opens on Sunday, August 25 at noon.

www.gotrcentralmd.org

Girls do not have to be runners to join! Girls on the Run focuses on helping girls develop confidence, find their inner strength and recognizing their potential, all through fun physical activities.

• The program is open to girls in grades 3 through 5.
• We meet on Tuesday and Thursdays after school from 3:15-4:45
• The program runs from September 24 through December 10
• The celebratory 5K that is held on Saturday, December 7

Feel free to contact Deb Sharkey (deborah_sharkey@hcpss.org) with any questions about the Phelps Luck program, or Girls on the Run Central Maryland with registration questions.

Is your child interested in outdoor activities, learning new skills, and going on adventures with friends? If so, you can learn about Cub Scout Pack 678 during Back to School nights, and then come out for our Join Scouting Night at 7pm on September 18 at Phelps Luck Elementary School. Pack 678 meets most Wednesdays at PLES and accepts boys and girls from kindergarten through 5th grade. We have a fun year ahead of us filled with hiking, camping, and the always popular Pinewood Derby. We can’t wait to meet you! Email scoutpack678@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

The Family Guide - The ABCs of PLES is a lengthy document that provides information about our school. Click below to download the PLES Family Guide. The guide is also located on the main page of the PLES website.

To qualify for Free and Reduced Meals, families will need to apply for that benefit.

HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provides families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for reduced-price lunch pay $0.10 and breakfast is free.

Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs.

What Your Child Will Learn guides provide an overview of the instructional program for your child’s grade, as well as student goals and expectations. The guides include information to help parents monitor and support their child’s progress during the school year.

Individual guides are provided for each grade level. Each grade level guide provides information categorized by curriculum area, e.g., Language Arts, Science, etc.

The guides are available online only; print versions are no longer distributed. Specific guide webpages may be printed from the website.

Specific student programs may differ depending on instructional needs.

• Kindergarten
• Grade One
• Grade Two
• Grade Three
• Grade Four
• Grade Five

Listed below are the many ways to stay informed at Phelps Luck Elementary School.

Twitter

• Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hcpss_ples
• We use Twitter to inform, celebrate, and engage our community.
• Twitter is used to share what is going on in our school, our community, and throughout the Howard County Public School System.
• Turn on notifications to get information the second it is tweeted.
• We live-stream our concerts on Periscope through Twitter.

Facebook

• Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhelpsLuckElementary
• We have found that Facebook is the social media most used by our parents so we are now on Facebook, too!
• Our Facebook page is updated automatically from our Twitter feed.
• Please use Facebook to share the good news from PLES with your friends and families.

Website

• Our website, ples.hcpss.org, is updated regularly.
• Important news and information is located on the main page of the site, including an archive of our weekly newsletter, Falcon Flier.
• Staff information and email are located under the "Our Staff" tab.
• Subscribe to the Google calendar located on the "Calendar" tab.

Class Dojo

• Class Dojo is a communication tool used in classrooms throughout Phelps Luck. Your homeroom teacher will share more information about how to connect and communicate through Class Dojo.

Email

• Email is our main form of communication.
• You will receive news and information automatically to the email address you provide in your Family File. We will not inundate your inbox with email. Look for the weekly Falcon Flier on Friday mornings.
• If you would like email sent to a different email address, update your email in Family File with the email address you prefer.
• You can subscribe additional email addresses by visiting the HCPSS News site here. http://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/
• Weekly announcements, important information and updates, and more will primarily be sent through email.
• You also have the opportunity to opt-in for text messaging

Kick off the new school year with two exciting events hosted by your Phelps Luck PTA. First, catch up with old friends and make new ones at a fun-filled back-to-school picnic on Thursday, September 6, from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. Then, join us for the first PTA meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 11, from 7:00-8:00 pm in the media center and online. Stay tuned for more information on joining and volunteering with the PTA. We can’t wait to see you!

We are the Phelps Luck Elementary School’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association).

"Through advocacy, events and fundraising, the PTA strives to provide the support our students, families and staff need to make our PLES community the best it can be for our children to learn and grow."

WE WORK TOGETHER
AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER
TO CREATE A BETTER SCHOOL
FOR OUR CHILDREN