October 14 6:30-7:30pm Watch Dogs Kick-Off Event
October 15 No School – Professional Work Day
October 22 PLES Field Day – See info below!
October 28 6:30-7:30pm PTA Trunk-or-Treat – See info below!
October 29 PLES Field Day – Rain Date
November 3 7:00pm PTA Meeting via Zoom
November 10 6:00-7:00pm Food Pantry
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
We continue to work diligently to maintain COVID safety at school. Please ensure that you send your child with a mask each day. Many students are arriving without one. In addition, thank you for your diligence with checking your child’s symptoms each day. Your efforts are appreciated as we all work together during this challenging time!
In order to be inclusive of all families’ beliefs, we have not celebrated Halloween during the school day since 2017. Each team will have Fall Fun activities and communicate plans and the date with you. If you wish to participate in a Halloween event, please join us on Thursday, October 28th for our annual PTA Trunk-or-Treat!
We currently have 82% of our Family File updates completed! We need 100%! If you haven’t updated your child’s emergency info, please see the section below and update it ASAP! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
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!!!
Opting In to Text Messages
Text Messaging
How can I opt-in to receiving text messages?
Text the work “YES” to 67587 from the wireless device you wish to receive texts on.
I received a text message that says if from SchoolMessenger. What does it mean?
An opt in invitation message was sent by HCPSS using SchoolMessenger from 67587 and said:
Howard County Public Schools alerts. Reply Y for approx. 5 msgs/mo. Txt HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. See schoolmessenger.com/tm
To continue receiving text messages, reply with Y. If you don’t reply, you will not receive any future text alerts from SchoolMessenger, the HCPSS News service provider. Text alerts include weather-related closings and emergency information.
WATCH D.O.G.S. Kick-Off Event!
Due to COVID restrictions in public school facilities, pizza will no longer be served at this event. As a result, we are changing it to ADULTS ONLY, since this will mainly be an event for fathers/father figures to be trained and to sign up for the WATCH D.O.G.S. Program. This training kickoff will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We are providing a virtual option. Please use the link below if you wish to attend virtually.
meet.google.com/tja-cbie-ybn
Field Day – October 22nd
Field Day is 10 days away! On Friday, October 22, we will have our first Field Day in over 2 years! We are very excited to host this event for our students. We are in need of parent/adult volunteers to help students participate safely and successfully. If you are available to help, please log in to your Google account and fill out the form at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnoUAHLx0WGZHcUf1B7XNTSzhkk_w2...
Candy for the Courageous
Donate your extra wrapped Halloween candy to our military troops worldwide!
Please bring any extra unopened Halloween candy to school in Ziploc bag between Nov 1-5, 2021. We will be giving the candy to the USO at BWI airport, so that they can give it to our troops before they travel overseas. Feel free to also write letters/cards to the troops, which will be given to our military. Ziploc bags of candy and/or cards can be dropped off in the front office.
Please do not park in the community center next PLES during morning drop off or afternoon pick-up. This is not part of our school property and the people using the facility have been unable to find parking there. We appreciate your assistance!
Free and Reduced Meals Information
Each year, families are required to complete the Free and Reduced Meals application. Information can be found at the link below:
https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/farms/#opportunities
Dear 5th Grade Families! We are so excited to announce the 5th Grade Battle of the Books sponsored by the HC Library! Look for information to come home in the Thursday folder. Students will learn about the program during their Media class starting 9/23. Information on the HC Library website will be updated soon.
SPECIAL FAQs Students form a team of 3-5 other PLES 5th Grade students to read a preselected/provided set of 10 books. Students will need to find a family grown-up to coach and coordinate their book club. If your student is interested but needs help finding a team, please ask them to talk to Mrs. Greene or Mrs. Anderson in the Media Center (and fill out their interest form). If you are willing to coach or would like more information, please attend the virtual meeting (zoom link on the HC Library website coming soon) on October 19th @7pm. Please remember, this book club is FOR FUN and optional. Let the Battle Begin!
The HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2020-2021 Annual Report has been released. Each school’s partners are listed, as well as system wide (at-large), curricular and program office partnerships. The report demonstrates how partners work to make Howard County a thriving community that cares for all of its members. Thank you to our PLES partners!
Saturday, October 16, 1-3 p.m., North Laurel Community Center
The drives, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. and the MultiService Center (MSC), will help to serve families supported by the HCPSS Pupil Personnel office.
Curious about what is going on in GT at PLES? Follow us on twitter!
Want to learn more about stream restoration projects and their impact on Columbia? Come out to a virtual education session on Tuesday, October 26 at 7pm to learn all about these projects and how they benefit our community. You can also join CA and WSSI on Tuesday, November 2 at 6-8:30pm, for a more detailed overview of the upcoming stream restoration effort in Long Reach. Register at ColumbiaAssociation.org/ streamrestoration.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PTA TRUNK-OR-TREAT
Hello Falcons! Our annual PTA Trunk-or-Treat is coming up the evening of Thursday, October 28th. Volunteers are needed from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Volunteer to come, decorate your own trunk and hand out candy. OR volunteer trunk space, Halloween decorations, decorating skills, and/or candy. Candy donations can be dropped off at the front office. Please email vp2@phelpsluckpta.org if you are interested in volunteering.
Clothing Bin
Our Clothing Bin is still accessible all year long! 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!!!
Columbia Community Care
Columbia Community Care is here to help families right within our own community. Sites are open weekly to offer food and personal items to anyone who needs them. If you are able to donate to help your neighbors in need, donations are gladly accepted, and very much needed.
The 3 CCC sites are open for food distribution and donation drop-off at the following locations and times:
Site Hours:
Saturdays – 10:00 am – Noon (Volunteers and donation drop-off begins at 9:00 am). To volunteer at a site, please go to http://columbiacare.live for sign-up information.
Site Locations:
· Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, 21044
· Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia, 21045
· Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Court, Suite 109, Columbia, 21045
Website: http://columbiacare.live/
Form for food
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJIRfYmnGVs1KNEvq0mfqL8qoOJtlV...
OMHS Food Pantry
The OMHS Food Pantry is from 3:00—5:00 pm on the dates below. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please come to our contact free pickup at 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. All you need to bring is a photo ID.
October 27
November 17
December 22
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 27
May 25
June 29
New HCPSS Community News and Programs Site
In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations. Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.
Boy Scout Project
My name is Thomas Shupps, and I am a life scout in Troop 361, working on my eagle project. I was a Phelps Luck student. This project is focused on creating little libraries. These little libraries will be designed to provide a variety of books geared towards elementary-middle school aged children in the Phelps Luck Community, to encourage a love for reading. This is especially important for those who can’t keep an extensive personal library at home. These little libraries will be placed in popular areas near schools, to allow anyone to walk up and grab a book. They will allow people who struggle to get books/entertainment to be satisfied. We are also collecting books for elementary aged students that can be dropped off at Phelps Luck Elementary School during business hours. If you care to help fund this project, you can make donations through PayPal at https://scoutsales.org/.885.96.8764
Thank you,
Thomas Shupps
School’s Out Ninja Day Camps!
HCPSS will be closed Sept 7 & 16, Oct 15, Nov 4, and Dec 23. Make sure to reserve your child’s spot with our business partner - The Okinawan Karate Dojo! The OKD’s "School’s Out Ninja Day Camp" has you covered from 9 AM to 4 PM, or 8 AM to 6 PM (with available before/after care)! OKD's year-round camps are action-packed, tons of fun, and will keep your kids happy, entertained, challenged and moving all day! Not only that, they are licensed as a Child Care Provider by the state of Maryland. The staff is highly trained and certified to give your child a safe, enriching, AWESOME, COVID-safe camp experience! Voted #1 Martial Arts School in HoCo and one of the best ChildCare Providers in 2021, this will be OKD's 22nd annual camp season! Find additional information about the camp, online registration, and OKD's COVID safety policy at: OKDkarate.com. Space is Limited. Questions? Call: 443 574 8999 or Email: info@okinawankaratedojo.com.