Important Dates
March 19 Spirit Day: Peace, Love and Kindness Day!!!
March 25 6:30pm Hybrid Parent Night for Students Returning Week of March 29
March 29 Gr. 3, 4, 5 Hybrid A Day Students Begin In-Person
April 1 Gr. 3, 4, 5 Hybrid B Day Students Begin In-Person
April 2-6 Schools Closed – Spring Break
From the Principal. . .
Dear Phelps Luck Families,
We welcomed back our primary hybrid students this week! It is great to see the students. If you have a student in grades 3, 4, or 5 returning the week of March 29, please join us for our parent night on March 25th. We will share lots of information and answer any questions you have! If you are unable to attend, please review the powerpoint at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XM-1DyjN4ORnQgOaePBwDMrWrQlSgnEtUSZ0WMRHMik/edit?usp=sharing
In addition, it is essential that all families keep students home if they are having any Covid symptoms. Please call the school and ask to speak to the health room to discuss your child’s symptoms and any next steps. We appreciate your assistance with this as we work to diligently ensure PLES is a safe place for students and staff.
Sincerely,
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
School News
Updated Front Office Procedures:
Drop off-of instruments, lunches, computers, etc.
Late Arrivals:
Early Dismissals:
Visitors:
Caring for your Chromebook:
It is essential that students do not eat or drink near their Chromebook. Many families have needed their Chromebook swapped out for the food and drinks spilling on the Chromebooks. Please be aware that HCPSS is now charging a fee to fix any damage. In addition, students are asked to not put stickers on or use markers on their Chromebooks. We appreciate your assistance!
Below is the link to more information about caring for your child’s Chromebook.
PLEASE COMPLETE: 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. 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!!!
Telemedicine During Virtual Learning:
On January 4, the School Based Wellness Centers (SBWC) Telemedicine Program reopened. The program focuses on children who do not have health insurance and/or a medical provider. Since the children and students are in their homes, we will not have the use of the telemedicine carts and will be unable to examine ears or perform throat cultures. Parents and guardians may call our office or send an email and program staff will determine if the health complaint can be safely evaluated and if not, assist them in finding a medical provider to see the child in person. There will be no charge for any of the SBWC Telemedicine visits. However, children must be enrolled or willing to enroll in the SBWC Program.
Student Absences:
If your child needs to be absent, please send an email to PLESAbsence@hcpss.org and include the
student’s first and last name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Like when we are in the school building, an absence note is required for all absences. Thank you!
Computer Support:
If you are experiencing issues with your child’s Chromebook, please use the link below to submit the issue to our PLES staff. A staff member will contact you to support you with the issue.
Link: PLES Technology Support
PLES Lunch Bunches:
During this unprecedented time, many of our students are in need of additional social interactions. If you feel your child could benefit from a lunch bunch with Mrs. Jones, School Counselor, or Mrs. Croushler, Social Emotional Learning Lead Teacher, please feel free to email them with your request. These lunch bunches would be a time for a few students to “hang out” together, talk and relax with other students from their grade. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Croushler will work with you to determine a time that best fits your schedule and your child's needs. We know that our students are seeking these interactions and we are here to help! Please email them at jessica_jones@hcpss.org or sarah_croushler@hcpss.org if you wish to schedule one for your child!
PLEASE COMPLETE: Free and Reduced Meal Application: Once you have completed your Family File Information, a screen will pop up asking you to complete the Free and Reduced Meal application. Please complete the FARM application if you think you will qualify or if you have qualified in the past. Qualifying for FARMs provides benefits for meals, reduced Comcast internet fees and much more! Please find the FARM application here.
FREE Grab-and-Go Meals
All families should note that effective March 1, there will be new procedures for student meals. Meals for seven days per week will continue to be provided at no cost to students; however, the days and times meals will be provided will change. Students returning in person may choose to receive meals any day they are in school. For all other families, meals will be available for pickup from 7:45-8:45 a.m. at elementary school locations and 9-10 a.m. at middle and high school locations on the following:
Full details on student meals (Links to an external site.) can be found on the HCPSS website.
News from the Media Center!
*We are so excited to start checking out books to our "at school" kids! If students bring them home, please help them remember to bring back the book so they can check out a new one on their next in school Media day. A great way to help them remember is by keeping the book in their back packs when they are not reading them.
**If you have a book from last year or from another school, please return it. There is a return bin just inside the building so that you can feel safe while returning it. We would really like to check out these books to other students. Thanks!
***We are continuing our Contactless Book Check Out! The directions are here: Check Out Directions We also have the directions in Canvas as an Announcement for all Media Classes. Families need to help students attach their Synergy ID number to their Media Accounts by following the directions included. Thank you for helping!
KEEP READING!!
News from the PTA:
PTA Yearbook:
This survey is to determine how much interest there would be in publishing a school-wide yearbook for this school year. Please respond by Thursday, April 1.
Thank you for your time!
PLES PTA
Survey in English: https://forms.gle/PFgv9GbdCwwEABF96
Esta encuesta es para determinar cuánto interés habría en publicar un anuario de toda la escuela para este año escolar. Por favor, responda antes del jueves 1 de abril.
¡Gracias por su tiempo!
PLES PTA
Encuesta en español: https://forms.gle/Q2oAAHjvxAAgQi5r5
Board & Brush Columbia Fundraiser:
Clothing Bin:
Our Clothing Bin is still accessible during the school closure. 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 food sources for you to access:
COVID 19 Rent Assistance:
Beginning October 5, 2020, Howard County residents may contact one of the participating providers to complete an application for assistance to pay past due rent and/or mortgage payments and/or to prevent eviction. Maximum assistance per household is 3 months of housing expense. Click here for details.
LRHS Food Distribution:
There will be a food distribution at LRHS each Saturday from now through April from 10am-12pm. The food will be given out in the bus loop. No forms need to be completed. Just come to the school to get a box of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat.
OMHS Food Pantry
OMHS Food Pantry will be open next week for distribution. For the foreseeable future, we will be distributing on the last WEDNESDAY of every month from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Our upcoming dates are:
Wednesday, March 31
Wednesday, April 28
Columbia Community Care:
This group gives out food at the Long Reach Village Center, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, and the Stevens Forest Neighborhood Center on Wednesdays from 5-8pm and Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm. You can also fill out their form for food and they can deliver as well.
Website: http://columbiacare.live/
Form for food:
Howard High School Summer Camp Info:
The Lions' Pride Booster Club is proud to announce their summer camp lineup for the summer of 2021. Registration and details of each camp can be found here: http://www.howardlionspride.org/summer-sports-camps.html Come out and learn about your favorite sports from the Howard H.S. athletic coaches. We look forward to working with you!
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.