Falcon Newsletter 12/1/22
Thu, 12/01/2022 - 8:38amImportant Dates
December 1 3:30 - 4:30pm PTA Secret Shop (for students who already submitted forms)
3pm - 10pm PTA Dine-Out at Texas Roadhouse
December 7 7pm Virtual PTA Meeting
December 13 11:30am - 9pm PTA Dine-Out at Coal Fire
6pm PTA Movie Night in the Cafeteria
December 14 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Students Dismiss at 12:20pm
December 15 6:00 - 7:30pm Food Pantry
December 23 Pajama Day
December 24 - Winter Break
January 2
January 3 School Re-Opens
From the Principal. . .
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! As we continue to move through the rest of December, please be sure to monitor your children for any symptoms of illness. Please call our Health Room with any questions. This helps us to continue to keep our school healthy!
In addition, the weather has gotten colder. Students go outdoors if the temperature is 20 degrees or higher with the wind chill. Please dress your child in a coat, hat, and gloves to assist them with being warm when we are outside.
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
School News
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”.
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.
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:
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Student Information
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Parent/Guardian Contact
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Emergency Contacts
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Medical Information
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Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
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Photo Approval
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Data Confidentiality
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PTA/PTSA Directory
Young Author’s Contest:
The Howard County Literacy Association invites writers in Grades 1 - 5 to submit an original short story or poem for the Elementary School Young Authors’ Contest 2022-23! Submissions, along with a cover sheet, are due by December 9, 2022. For more important details, contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Carolyn Williams, PLES Reading Specialist (carolyn_williams@hcpss.org)
Community Center Parking:
Please refrain from parking in the parking lot at the community center that is next to PLES any time throughout the day. 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.
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. Please have your child look at the items on the bench in the front hallway for any lost items. Please see the Dojo message that was sent out earlier this week with pictures of the items that are currently in our Lost and Found. 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.
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English Calendar
Updated 6/27/22
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 your 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.
News from the PTA:
Fall Movie Night
Join us on December 13th in the PLES Cinema (school cafeteria) for movie night! DC League of Super Pets will be playing on the big screen. Bring your blankets or sleeping bags and settle in for the show. Popcorn and other snacks will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 6:30pm.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please email movienight@phelpsluckpta.org.
RaiseRight E-Gift Card Fundraising Program
Starting right now, you can earn fundraising dollars for Phelps Luck PTA by participating in our RaiseRight (formerly 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 great for holiday shopping and will be ongoing throughout the year. Visit https://www.raiseright.com/enroll and look for “Join an existing program”. Enter our Enrollment Code: BRWAATM9HK7P and click “Join a Program”.
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
Family Read the Rainbow Book Club:
Registration for the next FAMILY Read the Rainbow book club is now open.
This virtual book club will feature the title, When Aidan Became a Brother written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita and will take place on Saturday, January 7th @ 1:30pm. Both Kyle and Kaylani will be present at the meeting! Kyle will do a read-aloud of his book and Kaylani will talk a little about what it was like to illustrate Kyle's story. Both will answer questions from the audience.
This is a FREE LGBTQIA+ focused book club and open to ALL (families, students, parents, staff, and community). The first 50 families who register will receive a free copy of When Aidan Became a Brother mailed to their home.
To register for this event click here.
Learn more about the book and this author/illustrator team here.
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:
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:
The Food Pantry will be open on the following dates:
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December 21, 2022
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January 25, 2023
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February 22, 2023
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March 29, 2023
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April 26, 2023
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May 31, 2023
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June 23, 2023
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July 26, 2023
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School’s Out Ninja Day Camps!
Did you know? HCPSS is closed on various days throughout the school year. Make sure to reserve your child’s spot in our business partners' - "School’s Out Ninja Day Camp". The Okinawan Karate Dojo has you covered from 9 AM to 4 PM (with before/after care available 8a-6p)! OKD's year-round camps are action-packed, tons of fun, and keep 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, camp experience! Voted #1 Martial Arts School in HoCo and one of the best ChildCare Providers in 2020 and 2021, this will be OKD's 23rd annual camp season! Find additional information about the camp, online registration, FREE karate offer, COVID safety policies, and MORE at: OKDkarate.com. Space is Limited. Questions? Call: 443 574 8999 or Email: info@OKDkarate.com.
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.