The TIGER Times
Together We Will Learn, Excel, and Succeed
Holiday Edition- December 22nd
Principal's Message
Dear Lewistown Families,
With the winter break around the corner, we wanted to remind you to take time for yourself and your families to refresh and rejuvenate from a year like no other. Mental Health in children is very important. This holiday season may look very different for families and it may be difficult for children to process. We've included a few helpful tips below on how to navigate the holidays in 2020 with our youngest children:
*Create a safe space to listen to them:
Ask open ended and engaging questions. Listen and validate what they have to say. Children have a lot of emotions right now and are probably very unsure of how to display them.
*Consider using coping strategies:
- Relaxation Strategies (eg: deep breathing, praying, coloring, rubbing something soothing, balancing a feather, tightening/relaxing muscles)
- High-Energy Strategies (eg: jumping jacks, going for a run, dancing to worship music, squeezing a stress ball, pushing against a wall, popping bubble wrap)
- Enjoyable Activities (eg: watching a movie, reading a book, playing a game, participating in a hobby, engaging in Christian fellowship, spending time in nature)
- Thinking Strategies (eg: Grounding with 5-4-3-2-1 senses, ID what can/can’t control, journaling/drawing how I feel, Talking to someone, practicing gratitude.
When we return from Winter Break, you will be receiving more information regarding Hybrid and Virtual Learning. Below you will find valuable information on the choice you made for your family (virtual/hybrid) and schedules for Term 3. You will be receiving more detailed schedules from your child's teacher in the month of January.
For now, I wanted simply to reach out to say that we miss our students very much. We wish you a safe and healthy winter break and look forward to seeing our students again in 2021!
Yours in education,
Belinda Fockler
Principal
Candy Cane Lane and Holiday Fun at LES!
Taking Care of Each Other at Lewistown Elementary School
LES Community Cares
With winter break approaching, your LES Educators and Staff would like to remind everyone that we are still here for you.
Holidays can be a hard time for some, even harder during a pandemic. If you or a loved one need help, don't hesitate to reach out. Keep in mind that your School Counselor may not access FCPS email or Schoology messages on a regular basis over the winter break from December 24th through January 4th .
If you need assistance during this time, reach out to the services below.
You are so important to us!
Let us know and we will be happy to follow up with you in the new year.
School Counselor: Stacy Bokinsky
NEED HELP?
- Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464
Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
- Crisis Services: Dial 211
Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
- Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others’ safety, at risk.
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Hybrid and Virtual Learning
Hybrid and Virtual Learning: What does it look like?
As the new year approaches, so will a new approach to learning! Thank you for completing your intent forms. We will begin to share additional information regarding the hybrid model and necessary schedule changes when we return from the break.
New Schedules: Term 3, Thursday January 28
FCPS staff are working hard to minimize changes to student schedules.
However, as we move into the new semester with a new learning model, it is
very possible a child's teacher will change.
For those students participating in Hybrid Learning:
Students will be assigned to either an A cohort (Monday and Tuesday) or a B cohort (Thursday and Friday). Each cohort will attend school two days a week for in-person instruction and three days virtual. All students will receive an average of 3.5 hours of “synchronous” instruction or time with the teacher each day. Independent work will also be assigned.
Students are required to wear face coverings while on the school bus and in the school building. This includes when moving within a school building (e.g., hallways, common spaces, and office areas) and when entering and exiting the building at all times. Students are authorized to use their own approved face coverings. FCPS will also provide face coverings if students do not want to bring their own.
For those students remaining in All Virtual Learning:
Students will participate in a virtual learning schedule which includes an average of 3.5 hours of “synchronous” instruction or time with the teacher each day. Independent work will also be assigned.
Please note: The learning model you select for your child will remain in effect until the end of Term 3 (April 12, 2021). At that time, you will have the opportunity to change from virtual to hybrid or vice versa.
LES VISION STATEMENT
Lewistown Elementary School
Ms. Meghan MacKay- Special Education Coordinator
Mrs. Kimberly Little- Secretary
Mrs. Stacy Bokinsky- School Counselor
Email: belinda.fockler@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/les/home
Location: 11119 Hessong Bridge Road Thurmont, MD 21788
Phone: 240-236-3750
Twitter: @TeamLES