PLES Newsletter 4/15/21

Thu, 04/15/2021 - 3:20pm

  

Important Dates

April 12 PTA Dine-Out Night at Coal Fire Pizza
April 14 End of Quarter 3
April 22 Report Cards Visible at hcpss.org/connect
 

From the Principal. . .

Dear Phelps Luck Families, 
 
We have been happy to see our hybrid students in person!  In order to keep students and staff safe and healthy, we ask parents/guardians to perform a symptom check on their child EVERY DAY before leaving home in the morning. Students should NOT be sent to school with any of the following symptoms: 
* New onset cough or shortness of breath  
* Fever greater than 100.4 or chills within the past 24 hours 
* Fatigue  
* Muscle or body aches  
* Headache  
* New loss of taste or smell  
* Sore throat  
* Congestion or runny nose  
* Nausea or vomiting  
* Diarrhea 
* Exposure to an individual that tested positive for COVID-19 or exhibiting COVID-19-like illness for the last 14 days 
We hope everyone had an enjoyable spring break!  Next Wednesday is the end of the third quarter.  
Please check your child’s grades in Canvas and reach out to your child’s teacher with questions/
concerns.
 
As always, please reach out if you need anything or have any questions!
 
Sincerely, 
Michelle M. Leader
Principal
 

School News

Updated Front Office Procedures:

Drop off-of instruments, lunches, computers, etc.
* Parent/Guardian should come into the vestibule.
* Parent/Guardian should ring the intercom to notify the secretaries that they are dropping off an item.
* All items being dropped off need to be clearly labeled by the parent/guardian with:
o Child's name
o Grade
* Item will be left on the drop off table in vestibule for secretaries to retrieve.
 

Late Arrivals:

* Students will come in the front vestibule and ring the buzzer.
* Only the student will be admitted into the front office to sign in late.  Parents/guardians may not enter the building with the student.
* Parent/guardian will sign-in the child on the clipboard in the vestibule.
Early Dismissals:
* Parents/Guardian will come into the vestibule and ring the buzzer for early dismissals.
* We will ask Parents/Guardian to hold their driver's license up to the camera for secretaries to see.
* Once secretaries confirm parent/guardian is listed as eligible to pick up student in the family file, we will ask parent/guardian to sign an "Early Dismissal slip" located in the vestibule.  

Visitors:

* Visitors are not permitted into the building under HCPSS Infectious Disease Plan. 
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.
Chromebook Care
 

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.
Information in English
Information in Spanish
Enrollment Packet in English
Enrollment Packet in Spanish
       

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.
 
 
2nd HoCo VIRTUAL Rainbow Conference
Please join us virtually to learn more about how to be better advocates for the LGBTQ+ Community at our second HoCo Rainbow Conference. With over 24 concurrent sessions and local as well as national speakers, we have a full day of fun and learning lined up for Saturday, May 15, 2021. Session speakers include Jane Clementi and Joshua Patel of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, Rae Sweet of the It Gets Better Project, Maryland House Majority Leader, Eric Luedtke, Kevin Naff of The Washington Blade, Ying Matties and Robyn Page of Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY), and many more! Registration for this FREE conference will go live on Friday, April 2nd. Until then, you can browse our conference website to learn more about the sessions and view the conference schedule here. We hope many of you will join us!
 

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:
* Mondays – Students in Group V and/or non-HCPSS students age 18 and under
* Wednesdays – Students in Groups E, A or B
* Thursdays – Students in Group V and/or non-HCPSS students age 18 and under
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: 

 

Dine Out Night – Coal Fire Pizza – Monday,  April 12, 11:30am - 9pm

5725 Richards Valley Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21043 
Present the attached flier and 20% will be donated to PLES!
 

Science Nights

Hey Science Lovers! We may not get to do our beloved science fair this year, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a few experiments together. Join us for a virtual science night to learn the scientific method and try a few fun experiments. Please RSVP in advance - only those that register will receive Zoom login details.
 
K - 2nd Grades, Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30pm
 
3 - 5th Grades, Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30pm
 
 
 

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 resources 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.
Saturday, April 10
Saturday, April 17
Saturday, April 24
 

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, April 28
Wednesday, May 26
 

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. 
 

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!

 

Okinawan Karate Dojo-Summer Camp!

Summer Camp??  You BET!!  Every summer, our business partner - The Okinawan Karate Dojo - hosts their very popular Fitness Ninja Camps.  THIS summer will be no different--Fitness Ninja Spring/Summer Camps 2021 are happening, COVID-safe and in and/or outdoor. Voted #1 Martial Arts School in HoCo and one of the best ChildCare Providers in 2021, this will be OKD's 21st annual camp season! These weekly camps are a great way for your kids, ages 5 to 13, to stay active, entertained and educated on health, wellness, sports, fitness, and karate this summer. As a licensed childcare provider, OKD will meet/exceed all state, local, and CDC recommendations related to COVID-19.
 
Dates: Spring Break Apr 2,5,and 6...and June 21st to August 27th, from 9am to 4pm each day. Before/After care available. Find additional information about the camp, online registration, and OKD's COVID safety policy at: OKDkarate.com. Space is Limited. Questions? Call: 443 574 8999 or Email: info@okinawankaratedojo.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.