Important Dates
February 17 6-7:30pm Food Pantry
February 21 School Day – UPDATED
February 22 Ledo’s Dine Out Night in Columbia to Support Grade 4 Field Trip
February 24 PTA Dine Out at Mod Pizza
From the Principal. . .
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
We have accumulated many items in our Lost and Found. It is now located inside the front doors of the school in our vestibule. With the fluctuating temperatures, we seem to have more students misplacing items than usual. While we try to return items to students, there are many items still in the Lost and Found. To assist us with returning items to students, please make sure their name is written in permanent ink on the inside. Parents are welcome to come up to the school during the day to look for any lost items.
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
School News
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!
Accessing MAP Reports:
Detailed PDF home reports are available in Synergy. To access home reports: 1. Log in to HCPSS Connect
2. Select More Options from the left panel
3. Select Report Cards from the middle
4. Select the applicable report from the Student's MAP Reports section.
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!
Patuxent Valley Middle School Presents Virtual Book Readings
Offered to pre-school and elementary school students. The books chosen will be written by Black authors and students will be reading them. The second book read will be Monday 2/21 at 6:30pm. The Google Code is: PVMSRead.
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!
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. · G/T Course Listing · G/T Course Matrix
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've 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.
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?u...
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/k.... Registration starts January 27th.
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.
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.