Newsletter 1/14/21

Fri, 01/15/2021 - 1:12pm

Important Dates

January 18 No School – MLK Jr. Day

January 21 7pm BBMS 6th Grade Orientation (see info below)

January 22 PLES Spirit Day: Green Day!!!

January 28 End of Quarter 2

January 29 No School – Professional Work Day

Conference Scheduling Opens for Parents - more to come

 

From the Principal. . .

Dear Phelps Luck Families,

 

Again, we want to thank you for your partnership with virtual learning. We know there are many challenges.

Please know that our staff is here to support you and your child and we care very much!!! Please reach out

to your child’s teacher or an administrator should you wish to discuss new ideas for your child or problem solve!

We are here to help!

 

Sincerely,

Michelle M. Leader

Principal

 

School News

 

BBMS 6th Grade Orientation:

BBMS will hold their virtual 6th grade orientation and GT info night on Thursday, January 21st at 7pm. Please join using the google info below.

meet.google.com/kra-rtrq-ygz

Phone Numbers

(US)+1 956-363-6071

PIN: 519 863 412#

 

Telemedicine During Virtual Learning:

On January 4, the School Based Wellness Centers (SBWC) Telemedicine Program reopened. The program focuses on children who do not have health insurance and/or a medical provider. Since the children and students are in their homes, we will not have the use of the telemedicine carts and will be unable to examine ears or perform throat cultures. Parents and guardians may call our office or send an email and program staff will determine if the health complaint can be safely evaluated and if not, assist them in finding a medical provider to see the child in person. There will be no charge for any of the SBWC Telemedicine visits. However, children must be enrolled or willing to enroll in the SBWC Program. Information in English Information in Spanish Enrollment Packet in English Enrollment Packet in Spanish

 

Student Absences: If your child needs to be absent, please send an email to PLESAbsence@hcpss.org and include the

student’s first and last name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Like when we are in the school building, an absence note is required for all absences. Thank you!

 

Computer Support:

If you are experiencing issues with your child’s Chromebook, please use the link below to submit the issue to our PLES staff. A staff member will contact you to support you with the issue.

Link: PLES Technology Support

 

PLES Lunch Bunches:

During this unprecedented time, many of our students are in need of additional social interactions. If you feel your child could benefit from a lunch bunch with Mrs. Jones, School Counselor, or Mrs. Croushler, Social Emotional Learning Lead Teacher, please feel free to email them with your request. These lunch bunches would be a time for a few students to “hang out” together, talk and relax with other students from their grade. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Croushler will work with you to determine a time that best fits your schedule and your child's needs. We know that our students are seeking these interactions and we are here to help! Please email them at jessica_jones@hcpss.org or sarah_croushler@hcpss.org if you wish to schedule one for your child!

 

PLEASE COMPLETE: Family File Information:

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. 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!!!

PLEASE COMPLETE: Free and Reduced Meal Application:

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.

FREE Grab-and-Go Meals

Grab-and –Go breakfasts and lunches are served Monday through Friday from 8-9am and 10:45am-12:45pm respectively at Phelps Luck. All breakfast and lunch grab-and-go meals are FREE to all students!! Free meals will be provided through the end of the 2020-2021 school year for all children 18 and under.

 

News from the Media Center!

Come one, come all...BOOKS that is! Please take a moment to look around your homes for any PLES Media Center books. We would love to get them ready for other students to read when they check them out with our Contact-less Book Check Out system. That's right!! YOU CAN STILL CHECK OUT BOOKS from the PLES Media Center. Cozy up with a good book from our Media Center by following the directions on this link: Requesting Books at PLES

You may also take advantage of the great books at the HC Library by clicking on this link: HC Library 2020 Book Lists

Happy Reading!!

 

Social Emotional Learning Corner:

Getting Back At It!

Happy New Year! January 2021 is here, and we are back in school. How’s it going? Trouble getting up on time, or to bed on time? Struggling to get your young person to complete their tasks, stay on their meets? Does it feel like September? I hope not, but I suspect for some there are times it does. Here are some ideas to help you slide back into a schedule, and help your young person focus on learning.

Remember - positive language, praise, and clearly stating what you want to see.

· Say what you want to see or hear. “Destiny, it’s time to log on for ELA.” It’s more effective to tell them exactly what you want to see.

· Keep it simple and look at your young person when you are talking with them.

· Show you accept their feelings, which might be heavy right now. “Shawn, I hear you feel tired and don’t want to get up. It’s a school day, you can rest after the school day is over.” Offer something you can do to help soothe them.

· Tell them what they have done well! “Juan, I see you signed into Math on time. Way to go!”

· Post a schedule, refer to the schedule and stick to a schedule. This can be hard for all of us!

· Monday through Friday wake up at the same time. Set an alarm, making sure there is time to dress, eat breakfast, brush teeth, and collect supplies… Be ready to join their meet at 9:00am.

· Have a place to display a school schedule. Visuals can help keep us all on track.

· Close the technology at 4:00pm, at the end of the school day. If work is not quite done, take a break, move, or play. Finish work after a break.

· Have a set bedtime. Even if sleep does not come right away, being in a sleeping place and settled cues the body it is rest time.

Help your young person take break. Early in the year, we talked about a place for your young person to calm down, organize thoughts or feelings. Use this spot when your young person shows frustration, appears tired or overwhelmed. A quick 3-5 minute break is sometimes all we need. Next week I will reshare how to create a calm down space.

 

Give yourself, your young person, and your family some grace during this time. Everyone is trying hard.

Be well.

Mrs. Croushler

sarah_croushler@hcpss.org

 

News from the PTA:

 

Maryland Green School Certification:

We are very excited to announce that PLES will be applying for Maryland Green Schools certification! "Green Schools" is an in-depth application process to show that our school is dedicated to including environmental education and practicing environmentally friendly behaviors. We will be kicking off this endeavor with the students on January 22nd - Spirit Day will be Green Day! Help celebrate Green Day with us and your child by completing some simple sustainable practices from our Green Day choice board! (Be on the lookout for this on Green Day!) You may also have seen an invitation to join a Virtual GT Seminar for the GREEN TEAM! Please complete the signup form if your child is interested in learning more and ensuring that PLES goes GREEN. While we are limited to virtual and at-home green activities for now, we are looking forward to getting our hands dirty when we return to school!

 

Clothing Bin:

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!!!

 

From the Community

 

Here is a list of food sources for you to access:

 

COVID 19 Rent Assistance:

Beginning October 5, 2020, Howard County residents may contact one of the participating providers to complete an application for assistance to pay past due rent and/or mortgage payments and/or to prevent eviction. Maximum assistance per household is 3 months of housing expense. Click here for details.

 

OMHS Food Pantry

OMHS Food Pantry will be open next week for distribution. For the foreseeable future, we will be distributing on the last WEDNESDAY of every month from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Our upcoming dates are:

Wednesday, January 27

Wednesday, February 24

Wednesday, March 31

 

Columbia Community Care:

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...

 

HCC Kids on Campus:

HCC’s well-known Kids on Campus program provides enrichment education for youth ages 8 to 17. Topics range from Art from Around the World, Roblox, Nature Explorers, Math enrichment, World Languages, and SAT Prep. HCC Kids on Campus has something for every interest! This could be a great opportunity for students to supplement around content areas they want to learn more about or need support in! Upcoming available courses can be found here. A limited number of scholarships are available for families who need financial aid. If you believe you may be eligible for financial aid, please complete this application and submit via email to NoncreditFinAid@howardcc.edu as soon as possible.

 

More Than Karate!

More Than Karate! This program, typically offered by our business partner - Okinawan Karate Dojo - after school at Phelps Luck Elementary...is back again for another session ON-LINE on the ZOOM platform! It is the perfect way to keep YOU and YOUR CHILD(REN) engaged in exercise and character development during this season of recovery! Registration is OPEN until Jan 26th. The 10-class sessions begin Wed Jan 27th...or Mon Feb 1st. Do a 20-class session for the BEST

VALUE...beginning Jan 27th. Fun and Structured...enjoy this awesome introduction to the benefits of martial arts training! All classes will be held on-line via ZOOM! Classes on Mondays 4-4:45 or classes on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:15pm. Kids and Adults can participate in up to 2 classes each week!! So convenient for your family! All classes are led by adult Instructors from THE OKINAWAN KARATE DOJO, students will gain improved focus, more respect, and sound self-defense skills! This is available for KIDS and ADULTS! More information and registration is available at: www.OKDKarate.com; call: 443-574-8999; or email: morethankarate@gmail.com. For details on their 2021 Virtual Assistance program and year-round FITNESS NINJA CAMP Services, go to - okdafterschool.com or okdkarate.com.