Important Dates

September 29         6:00pm Food Pantry

                                6:15pm ESOL Night

October 5                No School - Yom Kippur

October 6                6:30pm Watch Dogs Kick-Off Pizza Party (NEW DATE)

October 12              7pm Virtual PTA Meeting

October 13              6:30pm Hispanic Parent Meeting

October 18              Individual Picture Day

October 20              6pm Food Pantry

October 21              No School - Professional Work Day

October 24              No School - Professional Learning Day

October 27              6pm PTA Trunk-or-Treat

November 2            End of 1st Quarter - 3 Hour Early Dismissal

 

From the Principal. . .

Dear Phelps Luck Families, 

Our Watch Dogs Pizza Kick-Off Event is next Thursday, October 6th at 6:30pm.  Please return the RSVP that was sent home with your child if you wish to attend.  We will be starting the Watch Dogs volunteering soon!!!

Sincerely, 

Michelle M. Leader

Principal

 

School News

 

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. 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

Free and Reduced Priced Meals:                                                                                     

Please complete the form at the link below to apply for free or reduced priced lunch for your child.  We will continue to have free breakfast for everyone this year; however, lunch is not free anymore unless you qualify.  Lunch will cost $2.80 this year.

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

MAP Administration Grades 1-5

During the dates of September 19th - October 20th, students in grades 1-5 will take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure your student’s academic progress. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly.  To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/ 

 

All students in grades 1 - 5 will take a reading and math MAP assessment. Here are the schedules for Grades 1 - 5 for both reading and math.

 

Grade 1: 9/19-23/22

Grade 2: 9/27-30/22 (Reading and Math)

Grade 3: 9/28 (Reading) + 10/12 (Math)

Grade 4: 10/4 (Math) + 10/11 (Reading)

Grade 5: 10/4 (Math) + 10/11 (Reading)

 

It is very important that students are present during these sessions. Please avoid scheduling appointments or other conflicts during these times, as the testing window is limited. Read more

Hispanic Heritage Resource Fair: 

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic Achievement Program will host a countywide Resource Fair on October 6 at Deep Run Elementary School. This flyer has more information.

Candy for the Courageous:

Please bring any extra-unopened Halloween candy to school in a ziplock bag between Nov 1-4, 2022.  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.  

Community Center Parking:

Please refrain from parking in the parking lot at the community center that is next to PLES anytime.  The parking there is for the community center and is not intended for our families.  The community center may have cars towed if needed.  Thank you for your assistance!

School Lunch Update:

We wanted to highlight that there are many new menu items this year.  In addition, the salad bar is open again, which includes various fresh fruits and vegetables.  One change is that pizza is NOT an option every day like it has been in the past.  Be sure to check out the menu at https://hcpss.nutrislice.com to assist your child with knowing the choices. Please note, that due to various food shortages, adjustments may have to be made to the daily choices.  It is a good idea to discuss a first choice and second choice with your child in case one of the noted choices is not available that day.

GT Update:

GT Recess Seminars start the first week in October!! Your child will get a letter next week with their seminar selections!  Here's a list of seminars offered for the fall!

 

2nd grade	Paper Airplanes	Origami
3rd grade	Maze World	Learn to Play, Play to Learn
4th grade	Weather	Code Breakers	Dash	Green Team
5th grade	Weather	Scrabble	Yearbook

Come Work at PLES!

We have an opening for a Lunch/Recess Monitor position working three hours a day. If you are looking for a part-time job and would like to work 15 hours a week for the remainder of the school year, please call Ms. McGraw or Ms. Stairs at 410-313-6886. 

We also have an opening for a student support position working one-on-one with students. If you are looking for a part-time job and would like to work 8 to 10 hours a week for the remainder of the school year at $15.00/hour, please call Ms. McGraw or Ms. Stairs at 410-313-6886. 

Student Clothing, Lunchboxes and Water Bottles:                                                              

Each year, we have many items in our Lost and Found.  At times, the pile is HUGE!  Please consider labeling all of their clothing, lunchbox and water bottle.  This helps us to return items to the children.  Each week, we will include pictures of items that have been collected at school.  If one of these items belongs to your child, have them visit the bench in the front foyer to claim their item!

 

 

HCPSS Calendar                                                                                                                                  

Please use the links below to access the HCPSS calendar for the year.  It includes all days that students do not attend school. 

https://www.hcpss.org/f/news/calendars/calendar-202223.pdf

• English Calendar  Updated 6/27/22
• 学年行事历
• 학년도 달력
• Calendario Año Escolar

Opting In to School Text Messages

If you wish to “opt-in” to receive PLES and HCPSS texts with emergency information or reminders, please follow the directions below:

Send a text to the number: 67587

Text “Yes” in the message.

Reply “Yes” when prompted if you want to “opt-in”.

Student Absences

Just a reminder that parents/guardians must turn in a note if the child is absent.  The note needs to include the student’s name, date absent, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature.  We also accept these notes through an email address.  Please email PLESabsence@hcpss.org with the same information if you prefer this format.  All notes need to be submitted/turned in within 2 days of the student returning to school.

Outdoor Eating

HCPSS has outdoor eating again this year.  If you wish for your child to eat outdoors when weather and supervision permits, please email Mrs. Leader at michelle_leader@hcpss.org.  We add students to begin on Mondays.

PLES School Counselor Support

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 Request for Counseling Services form .  We are here to support your students 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 you and 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. 

HCPSS Code of Conduct

The HCPSS Student Code of Conduct provides a framework to support behavioral goals and disciplinary policies. While students are expected to be aware of and abide by this Student Code of Conduct, we all play a part in ensuring our school is a safe place where all students can learn. We look to partner together as families and school staff to support the social-emotional skill development of our students. We thank you in advance for your partnership in working together to create a safe learning environment for all of our students. Please learn more about the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct by clicking the link below:

 

HCPSS Student Code of Conduct

 

Community Partners:

The HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2021-2022 Annual Report has just been released. Each school’s partners are listed, as well as system wide (at-large), curricular and program office partnerships. The report highlights the vital role partners play to help students achieve success in life, wherever their path may lead.  

 

News from the PTA: 

Clothing Bin:

Our Clothing Bin is still accessible all school 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

Here is a list of resources for you to access:

Columbia Community Care:

This group gives out food at the Long Reach Village Center, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, and Oakland Mills Middle School on Wednesdays from 5-8pm and Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm.  If you need food delivered fill out the form for food and they can deliver or you may have someone pick up for you as well. 

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 open the last Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted, from 3:00 - 5:00pm. You will need to bring a photo ID. Please do not arrive prior to 2:30pm to allow for student dismissal. Also, please remain in your car and a volunteer will come to your vehicle.   More info can be found at the link below:

https://omhs.hcpss.org/student-services/food-pantry

 

The Food Pantry will be open on the following dates:

 

• October 26, 2022
• November 16, 2022
• December 21, 2022
• January 25, 2023
• February 22, 2023
• March 29, 2023
• April 26, 2023
• May 31, 2023
• June 23, 2023
• July 26, 2023

Howard Lions' Pride Second Annual Craft Fair:  

Sunday, November 6th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Howard High School. Our 100+ vendors will be selling crafts, books, candles, kitchen goods, jewelry, home decor, clothing, accessories, and much more! General Info link: https://tinyurl.com/3tzxuhme.

We are still accepting craft and food truck vendors, so please spread the word and this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdfuta49. 

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.