Important Dates
September 22 6:00pm Back-to-School Night for First Grade
7:15pm Back-to-School Night for Second Grade
September 23 6:00pm Back-to-School Night for Third Grade
7:15pm Back-to-School Night for Fourth Grade
September 24 6:00pm Back-to-School Night for Fifth Grade
7:15pm Back-to-School Night for GT
****Google Meet codes will be sent closer to the Back-to-School Night dates.****
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
It has been a great start! I want to thank you and our teachers for the wonderful support you have provided as your child(ren) started school this week!!!! We know it’s a lot of work and effort and we appreciate you!!!!
I wanted to share a link we are providing to families if you have technology challenges. Please click on this link and you complete a survey about the issue. One of our media specialists or technology teachers will get back to you with assistance. Please know they will respond to you as quickly as possible since they are also teaching throughout the day. It is also helpful to let your child’s teacher know so they are aware.
Last, if your child needs to be absent, please use the e-mail address below to e-mail our front office staff about the absence. As always, be sure to state your child’s name, reason for absence, and date of absence.
Please continue to reach out to your child’s teacher or to me at michelle_leader@hcpss.org if we can help in any way!!!
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
See the link below for the elementary schedules for virtual learning. They are listed by grade.
https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2020/08/hcpss-2020-2021-reopening-plan...
Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File (electronic emergency card) for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. The Family File for this year is now available. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect and selecting the “More Options” tab on the left and then clicking on “Family File” from the list. If your child was in an HCPSS school in previous years, you only need to update any changes. Please update/provide the info ASAP. Thank you!!!
Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:
· Student Information
· Parent/Guardian Contact
· Emergency Contacts
· Medical Information
· Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
· Photo Approval
· Data Confidentiality
· PTA/PTSA Directory
Technology Resources: Occasionally, students may have issues with Canvas, Google Meet or other learning platforms used by HCPSS. If your child is having difficulty: · Logging in to Google Meet - Directions on joining a Google Meet can be found online. If your child is still unable to join, have them send their teacher a message via Canvas or you can send the teacher an email to make them aware. Your child can work on other assignments in Canvas and/or you can have them focus on another learning platform used by their teachers, such as Lexia Core5 or DreamBox at the elementary level.
· Logging in to Canvas - Have your child attend any scheduled virtual learning sessions and/or have them focus on another learning platform used by their teachers, such as Lexia Core5 or DreamBox at the elementary level. Make sure to let your child’s teacher know about the issue via email.
Families also may find the following resources to be helpful: · Student Technology Resources: Provides guides, resources and videos for HCPSS student technology. Below are some direct links to commonly used resources: o Canvas Orientation - includes how to navigate Canvas o Google Meet - includes a video overview of how to login o Chromebooks - provides a variety of resources for using an HCPSS Chromebook · Password and Username Self-Service: Allows families to request a password reset or student’s username. New students can use this application to retrieve their account information. This application is also linked off the hcpss.me website, which also includes user directions. · HCPSS Connect Parent Resources: Provides HCPSS Connect—including Synergy, Canvas, and Family File—guides and videos for parents.
If after reviewing these resources, your family continues to need support, please complete the form at PLES Technology Support
and one of our staff members will reach out to you as soon as possible. If you cannot access the online form for any reason, please call the school at 410-313-6886.
Staff will attempt to resolve the issue, and if unsuccessful will provide directions for exchanging the broken device for a working one at the school system’s Onsite Technology Center.
Once you have completed your Family File Information, a screen will pop up asking you to complete the Free and Reduced Meal application. Please complete the FARM application if you think you will qualify or if you have qualified in the past. Qualifying for FARMs provides benefits for meals, reduced Comcast internet fees and much more! Please find the FARM application here.
Beginning September 8: Grab-and –Go breakfasts and lunches served Monday through Friday from 8-9am and 10:45am-12:45pm respectively. We will be giving these out at Phelps Luck. It is recommended that you get food from your home school but you may also visit any HCPSS school. All breakfast and lunch grab-and-go meals are FREE to all students!!!
From Ms. Strawley:
Attention all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and families: It’s time to sign up for band and orchestra!
Students in 3rd grade may participate in orchestra, and students in 4th and 5th grade may participate in band or orchestra. This semester we will have virtual lessons and rehearsals, both synchronously and asynchronously. If your child would like to play an instrument, you can get more information and sign up online at https://sites.google.com/site/msstrawleysmusicsite/home. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September 16th. Please contact Ms. Strawley if you have questions or need any help: karissa_bryant@hcpss.org.
From Mrs. Yi:
All 4th and 5th grade singers are welcome!
If you love to sing and make new friends, please join our chorus. We will be having our chorus both synchronously and asynchronously for this semester, and I am looking forward to making beautiful music with all of you. Our rehearsals will be held synchronously on Wednesdays. More information will be shared next week. Thank you!
Hi! My name is Sarah Croushler. I am so excited to be at Phelps Luck this school year. My title is Lead Teacher, Social Emotional Learning and my hope is to help students develop skills to be amazing humans. I will be working with students to develop relationship skills, self-awareness, problem soving skills, empathy, and so much more. I’ll also be helping your child’s teacher, and other staff, develop strategies and lessons to teach these important skills throughout the school day. I have been with HCPSS for 13 years and the last 2 have been in this role. I am a licensed counselor and love helping young people learn skills that will allow them to be successful in the world. Feel free to reach out with questions or thoughts. Keep an eye out in this newsletter for ideas you can use at home to build these skills as well.
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with all the young people at Phelps! Good Luck during this first week,
Mrs. Croushler
We will have supplies for students in need to pick up during our distribution day on September 3rd.
Any family without access to internet who need financial assistance to have it, should notify HCPSS using the steps below. HCPSS is working with Bright Minds Foundation and Comcast to support families who may be eligible to participate in the Comcast Internet Essentials Program.
To identify your need for Internet: 1. Parents/guardians should log in to hcpss.org/connect
2. From the left menu, last choice, select “More Options” then choose “Student Technology” from the center of the screen.
3. On the HCPSS Student Technology Screen, use the drop down arrows to indicate the “Internet Access” for each student. Changes are saved immediately.
Phelps Luck Elementary is one of 13 Title I schools in Howard County. Title I is a federally funded program designed to ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education. Title I federal funding is used to support and enhance the school program and provide additional academic support. The goal of this program is to close the achievement gap for all students. Our program allows all students to be eligible for additional academic support and the funds are used to support and enhance the overall school program. During the school year, we would welcome any feedback related to our Title I School-wide programming.
Our Clothing Bin is still accessible during the school closure. Please feel free to donate any items to our Clothing Bin in our school parking lot. This is a fundraiser and supports our PTA! Please place all items in a closed trash bag before placing the bag in the bin. Thank you!!!
Here is a list of food sources for you to access:
Long Reach Village Center Pop-Up Pantry:
The Families for Education Improvement Foundation hosts a Pop-up Food Pantry at the Long Reach Village Center each Saturday through September 19th from 10:30am-12:30pm. To donate, contact PravinPonnuri@hotmail.com.
OMHS Food Pantry
The Food Pantry will have its grand reopening on Wednesday, September 30 from 3-5pm.
Columbia Community Cares:
This group gives out food at Howard High, Swansfield Elementary, and Oakland Mills Middle on Wednesdays from 5-8pm and Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm. You can also fill out their form for food and they can deliver as well. Website: http://columbiacare.live/
Form for food: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJIRfYmnGVs1KNEvq0mfqL8qoOJtlV...
Open Doors Food Pantry: Mount Zion United Methodist Church will be hosting The Open Doors Food Pantry on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Check-in from 9:00 am – 11:00 am, Please bring ID with you to check-in. If you need transportation to the food pantry, contact the Rotary Club at ctcrotary@gmail.com.
Mission 19:
A local company located in Maple Lawn is offering gift cards to Food Lion and some local restaurants, as well as CVS gift cards to help with any needed prescriptions. You can apply through their website, mission19.org.