Important Dates

November 4	Fall Field Day
November 11	Report Cards Issued
November 14-18	American Education Week
November 21-23	Parent/Teacher Conferences - See Info Below
November 24-25	Thanksgiving Holiday

From the Principal. . .

Dear Phelps Luck Families,

Next week, we will celebrate Kindness Week!  Please talk with your child about various ways they can show kindness to themselves, each other, and the world around them.  See more info below!

In addition, see the important info below about Conferences that will take place the week of November 21st.

As of now, we have 97% of our Family Files completed!  AMAZING!!! It is imperative that we have every family complete this information for the safety of our students.  We have to have 100% of our families complete this each year. Please note that as we are planning field trips we have to ensure we have the family file updated before your child can participate.

Sincerely,

Michelle M. Leader Principal

School News

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

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

November Parent/Teacher Conferences:

November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd are designated for Parent Teacher Conferences this year.  We will be holding 20 minute conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences are a terrific opportunity for staff and parents to partner together for each child’s success.  All conferences will be held with your child’s ELA teacher.  Below are the details about how they will be held based on the date of the conference:

~Monday, November 21st - All Conferences In-Person at PLES

~Tuesday, November 22nd - All Conferences Virtual - link will be sent

~Wednesday, November 23rd - All Conferences Virtual - link will be sent

The google link code will be sent to you with your confirmation email.  Your child’s ELA teacher will be sending out specifics about this google link as well.

Please note, if your child has GT Math with Mrs. Fleck, you can sign up for a conference with her as well.  She has already communicated her process with parents.  In addition, if you wish to have a conference with any of our related arts teachers, please email them directly.

If your conference is virtual, once you enter the google code or link, you will be put in a “holding space” until the teacher admits you.  Because many conferences will be back-to-back, please only log on one minute before your designated time.  If you have technology challenges, check Dojo or email as your child’s teacher will reach out to you that way.

Beginning Monday, November 7th at 8:00am, you can log into HCPSS Connect to view and select from the time slots provided by the teacher for the conference.  Step-by-step directions are below.  If you do not have access to HCPSS Connect, please call the school for assistance at 410-313-6886.

Directions to Select a Conference Time:

Login to hcpss.org/connect

Select Conference from the left-side choices Select Parent Scheduled Conferences at the top right Select a time slot for your conference.

You will have access through Thursday, November 17that 4:00pm to schedule your child’s conference by logging into HCPSS Connect.

Kindness Week:

Next week (November 7-11) PLES is celebrating Kindness Week.  This week will have a spirit day each day as well as daily kindness challenges for our students.  Take a look at the flyer for a list of the spirit days.  Please note that on Tuesday, November 8th schools are closed, therefore we have a kindness in our community challenge.  Please click on this link for more information. We can't wait to see and hear about all the things we can do by being kind to ourselves, each other and the world around us.  Please feel free to contact Ms. Stremmel with any questions.

2022-2023 YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST

The yearbook team is excited to announce a yearbook cover contest! Grades kindergarten through second will be competing for the back cover of the yearbook. Grades third through fifth will be competing for the front cover. This application will let YOU have a chance to create a yearbook cover for the 2022-23 school yearbook

ALLOWED MATERIALS FOR CREATING:

• Markers
• Sharpie
• Colored pencils
• Digital art
• 8.5’ 11’ inch paper

Crayons and Paint are NOT ALLOWED.

Have your child hand in this form and their drawing submission to their homeroom teacher or to the main office attn: Ms. L. Jones. Digital submissions can be shared with lisa_jones@hcpss.org. Please submit all art by November 11, 2022.

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.  Thank you!

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.

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.  Please note that school starts for Kindergarten through Grade 5 on Monday, August 29th and PK begins on Thursday, September 1st. 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 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.

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:

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”.

Secret Shop

Please join us for the Phelps Luck Secret Shop on December 1st from 3:30-4:30 in the cafeteria. Students will make an assortment of winter-themed crafts and bring them home in a gift bag so they can surprise family and friends! Students will be dismissed directly to the cafeteria for the activity and guardians will have to pick up their child(ren) when the event is over. Stay tuned for a student signup sheet and a Signup Genius for adult volunteers. Attendance will be limited to the first 100 students to return their signup sheet and there will be a $5 materials fee. 5th graders will be offered an opportunity to volunteer at this event.

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/viewfo rm?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:

• 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.

School’s Out Ninja Day Camps!

Did you know?...HCPSS will be closed 10/5, 10/21, 10/24, 11/8, and other 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.

Eagle Scout Bake Sale Fundraiser

Former PLES student Nathan Buckingham (class of '21) will be holding a bake sale to raise money for his Eagle

Scout project! Nathan's Eagle Scout project will be dedicated in memory of his friend and classmate Michael (Mikey) Shultz, a PLES student who passed away from brain cancer in 2017. Thank you so much for your support!

Date: Sunday, November 13, 2022

Time: 9 a.m. - 12 noon

Where: Corner of Phelps Luck Drive & Wild Lilac (entrance to Wood Creek Townhomes) Payment: cash, Venmo or PayPal

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.