Important Dates
March 15 Vaccine Clinic During the School Day – more info below
2pm Family Involvement Team Meeting – see details below
March 16 Early Dismissal Day - School Dismisses at 12:20pm
March 22 4:30-6:30pm Vaccine Clinic in PLES Gym – Dose #2
March 24 5:30-7pm PTA Science Night in the Bus Loop – see info below
March 29 5:30-7pm PTA Science Night (RAIN DATE)
March 31 6:00-7:30pm Food Pantry
April 1 End of Quarter 3 – Dismiss 3 Hours Early
April 5 Vaccine Clinic During the School Day – Dose #2
April 6 7pm PTA Meeting
April 8 Report Cards Available at hcpss.org/connect
April 9-18 Spring Break
From the Principal. . .
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
At its February 24 meeting, the Howard County Board of Education approved a modification to the 2021-2022 academic calendar impacting the May schedule.
To better align with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, schools now will be closed for students Monday, May 2 and open on Tuesday, May 3.
- Monday, May 2 will be a Professional Learning Day for staff and offices will remain open.
- Tuesday, May 3 will be a regular school day.
The HCPSS academic calendar may be found online. Answers to frequently asked questions about the calendar and the HCPSS operating status also are available online.
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
School News
In-School COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic:
We are happy to share that HCPSS, in partnership with Giant Food Pharmacy, will be hosting an In-School Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at our school. Students can receive the primary series of Pfizer vaccinations. The first dose will be given on March 15, 2022 and the second dose will be given on
April 5, 2022.
A Vaccination Clinic Flier/Permission Form from our school, including specific clinic dates, will be sent home no later than Friday, March 4, 2022. Please complete and return to our Health Room no later than Wednesday, March 9, 2022 if you wish for your child to receive the vaccination series.
This is a voluntary immunization opportunity for children who have NOT received a primary Covid-19 vaccination series. Please note that parents whose children have been vaccinated previously and/or do not wish for their children to be vaccinated are not required to return forms. Thank you!
Family Involvement Team Meeting:
We have our next Family Involvement Team meeting on Tuesday, March 15th from 2:00-3:00pm. Please join us to discuss the topics below.
• Administrative Updates
• Calendar Updates
• School Improvement Highlights
•Family Programming
This will be a virtual event. Use the code:
meet.google.com/sin-mjbe-gig
Let us know you are participating by completing the RSVP form. Hope to see you!
HCPSS
The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academy:
The Council of Elders in Howard County (TCOE) n collaboration with the Howard County Public School System will host a TCOE Community Academy on Substance Abuse on March 12 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. The session will provide information regarding substance abuse prevention and behavioral health within the Howard County community. Representatives from HC Drug Free will provide resources and education on prevention, risk factors, warning signs, and treatment. This session will be held virtually. Registration is required at: http://tinyurl.com/2p9dnz8f. Flyers are located here. Please contact Ashley Armstead or Nicole Brown with questions.
Kids Heart Challenge:
Hello, Phelps Luck! We are so excited that we officially kicked off our Kids Heart Challenge event! We can't
wait to promote healthy habits in school and at home. Please use the following link to the digital envelope so you can see how to register: www.heart.org/khcenvelope. You can also use this link to go directly to our school’s Kids Heart Challenge page: http://www2.heart.org/goto/phelpsluck.
Students received a fundraising envelope in school during the week of 2/7/22. You can raise money using the envelope, online, on the KHC app, or all three. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you, Mr. Deppen, Mr. Nunn, and Mr. Graham.
Carpool Reminders:
Just a reminder that school starts at 8:55am. If you are driving your child, please ensure you are at school prior to 8:55am so your child is on time. Also, please remain in the line of cars and do not pull around cars. This helps everyone to stay safe. We appreciate your support!!!
Calling for the Watchdogs!
Our school has the WATCH D.O.G.S. program, which is a fabulous volunteer program for fathers and father figures. Please contact watchdogs@phelpsluckpta.org for more information from Ms. McGraw (Assistant Principal) or Mr. Wacha (Watchdogs Coordinator). Thank you!
Outdoor Lunch Volunteers Needed!
We still need parent volunteers to help us get through the winter. A text is sent out when outdoor lunch is cancelled due to the weather or lack of staff. If you are already on the schedule, please know that we still need you. If you have flexibility in your schedule, please let us know so we can have enough people each day. If you are not on the schedule and would like to sign up to help one to three hours during the lunches, please send Ms. McGraw an email at Sandra_mcgraw@hcpss.org letting her know the day and time slot(s) that you are available to help. Thank you!
Community Center Next to PLES
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. The community center has alerted us that they will begin ticketing and towing cars. We appreciate your assistance!
Green School Recycling Collection:
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 2293 is leading a recycling drive for #2 and #5 recyclable materials! This effort aligns with our Green School initiative and collected materials will be used to create raised garden beds for schools! Cleaned items may be dropped in the collection bin located inside the front doors of the school building until April 8th. Thanks for your support!
Family File Information
Please help by ensuring your child’s emergency information is up-to-date at all times. If you ever have any changes, please update your info by going to HCPSS Connect and updating that particular section. 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 do not reply, you will not receive any future text alerts from School Messenger, the HCPSS News service provider. Text alerts include weather-related closings and emergency information.
School Counselor Update:
This year, the counseling team is providing the opportunity for you to refer your student to talk to a school counselor. If your student is experiencing something at home, struggling with school, or could just use an adult connection, please feel free to complete the form below. We are here to support your student with anything that may be getting in the way of their learning and being the best falcon they can be. Once the form is completed, counselors will connect with your student, as they are able. Please feel free to contact Andrea Stremmel, School Counselor, at 410.313.6886 or andrea_stremmel@hcpss.org with any questions or concerns. https://forms.gle/5aN15LfPxvcfhQXu6
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: https://www.hcpss.org/food-services/farms/#opportunities
ALL ABOUT GT
Curious about what is going on in GT at PLES? Follow us on twitter! @PLES_GT_Team
Gifted and Talented (GT) Summer Institutes for Talent Development
The Gifted and Talented (GT) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology, and fine arts.
No testing nor prior GT coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.
Students may attend for Session 1, Session 2, or both sessions. While the program is half-day, before and after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks.
For more information, please visit the HCPSS Summer Programs page.
Registration is through HCPSS Connect Parent Vue.
Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.
News from the PTA
PLES Weed Warrior Adopt-a-Spot: March 19th @ 1:00-3:00pm (Rain date March 26th)
As part of our Green Schools efforts, we have adopted a small section of Columbia Association natural open space area between the school and the Phelps Luck Community Center. We will be environmental stewards of this area by:
- Removing non-native invasive vines and weeds
- Cleaning up litter
- Planting native plants!
We need family and student volunteers on March 19th to continue our stewardship efforts! Please wear long sleeves & pants and sturdy shoes. Bring water bottles, gardening gloves, hand pruners, and loppers if you have them. Please check in with a Weed Warrior leader when you arrive to sign a waiver for you and your family. Children are encouraged to come help with adult supervision.
PLES Spring Science Night – Thursday, March 24, 5:30 – 7pm
Join us for a fun night of science experiments and demonstrations! Community organizations including Freetown Farm, Long Reach CARES, Upcycled and the Watershed Stewards Academy will provide information about their work and how they are supporting the many “green” efforts at PLES. In addition, we’ll have several science experiments and activity stations providing lots of fun and hands-on activities! This event is outdoors in the bus loop at the front of the school. (Rain date is Tuesday, March 29).
Want to help? We need some volunteers to help make this night a great success! Please sign up for a volunteer spot using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FA4AC2CA4FF2-ples1
Shop with SCRIP
Starting right now, you can earn fundraising dollars for Phelps Luck PTA by participating in our new Scrip program! This easy-to-use program means you earn fundraising dollars by purchasing electronic gift cards to an extensive list of large businesses (Target, Amazon, Giant, Old Navy, Lowes, etc.) and a percentage of that sale is returned to the PTA as fundraising dollars. This program is starting up just in time for holiday shopping and will continue year-round. Visit https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/GetStarted and select “Join a Scrip Program” under the heading For Families. Our Enrollment Code is BRWAATM9HK7P.
See more details on this fundraising program in our PTA flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dk4C34r2OTSYVUyAzUv3bd7vGoRPtPtb/view?usp=sharing
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!!!
From the Community
HCC Kids on Campus:
The 2022 Howard Community College "Kids on Campus" Summer Enrichment Programs brochure is now available! The programs run from June 22 to August 19 with 1/2 and full day options. The program offers "many unique and imaginative summer courses" that cover a wide variety of subject areas for ages 6-17. In addition, there are before and after care options as well as scholarships for qualifying students. Please see Mrs. Fleck for a brochure if you are interested or check out the course finder online at https://www.howardcc.edu/programs-courses/continuing-education/courses/kids-on-campus/pages/koc-course-finder.html. Registration starts January 27th.
Summer Camp Opportunity:
Come out to sports camp the week of June 27 and/or July 18 at Reservoir High School. Camp is hosted by Lime Kiln teacher and Reservoir coach Phil Ranker as well as other certified elementary and middle school teachers in the county and state. The camp is open to current K-8th graders and features many different sports and activities every day. If your child likes PE, they will love camp. Campers are split into age and ability groups to ensure that everyone has a fun and productive time. Full day and half day options available. For more information, please visit http://rankerssportscamp.weebly.com or email phillip_ranker@hcpss.org for questions!
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/1FAIpQLScJIRfYmnGVs1KNEvq0mfqL8qoOJtlVkOo8utBVyKeoEbxA7g/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
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.
March 16
April 27
May 18
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.