PES Panther Family Newsletter
Family Update - April 20, 2024
PES Vision
We are a family of learners who trust each other and work together
to ensure all are safe and successful.
PES Updates - Message from Mr. Angeloni - UPDATED
Dear PES Families,
We hope everyone has had a great weekend! Please read our newsletter carefully for all of the upcoming events at PES.
MCAP Testing continues this week with 4th grade taking their ELA assessment and in the coming weeks all students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be taking MCAP in both Math and ELA. Please be sure to make sure our students get good nights sleep, and we wish them all the best of luck on these state assessments!
Our Spring Book Fair will run all this week. We will also have Book Fair Night on Thursday from 4 to 5:30 PM. Please see the newsletter for details!
The Book and Science Clubs will meet this week.
Registration for this year's CCPS and CCRP Summer Camp is open. Please see our newsletter for details.
This year's 5th grade Class Photo will take place on Wednesday, May 1st. The cost of a photo is 15 dollars and it includes the entire 5th grade class as they prepare to leave PES and start their new journeys at middle school! To order a photo please go to www.strawbridge.net and use the code FM429325. We will also be sending home order forms and photos can be purchased via check the day pictures are taken.
Please read our newsletter in full for all of the latest PES and CCPS news. This includes information from our school, the larger school district, and some of our community partners offering resources to our families.
Please see our upcoming events below this so you know about all of the important dates and events at PES.
We continue to be thankful and grateful to our PES community for the successful launch of our One School, One Book at PES with "The World According to Humphrey". Humphrey is ready for 2024 at PES, and will continue to be in our classrooms, hallways, and other places! Humphrey has quickly become one of our students' favorite friends to check in on! In this newsletter, we have the letter explaining our OSOB program and the timeline for reading the book both at school and at home with your students. The book is now complete, but we encourage anyone who did not read it to use the resources in the newsletter to catch-up!
Please be sure to download the CCPS App from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store as soon as possible. CCPS and PES are using our App as our main method of communication. It is a hub for news, posts, emails, calls, and more that enables our families to stay up-to-date on all the latest CCPS news.
Important upcoming events included in this newsletter are:
- 4th Grade ELA Testing - Tuesday to Friday of this week
- PES Spring Book Fair - All Week
- Science Club - Wednesday, 4/23 - 3:45 PM
- Book Fair Night - Thursday, 4/24 - 4 to 5:30 PM
- Book Club - Friday, 4/26 - 3:45 PM
- 5th Grade Class Photo - Wednesday, 5/1
- Spring Fest - Saturday, 5/4
- Career Day - Thursday, 5/23
Transportation - It is stressful when your child’s bus is delayed. When a delay is experienced, our priority is to ensure student safety and correct the issue causing the delay. However, we will make every effort to send a CCPS App call or email to advise of a delay. Please make sure your contact information is accurate by calling our front office staff with any changes.
Health & Wellness - Please be assured that the staff is here to help in any way possible. If you or your student would like to speak with a school counselor, administrator, or staff at the School-Based Health Center, please ask. We have the resources at hand to ensure students have a healthy and successful school year.
If you have any questions related to the happenings at PES please reach out to me via email (angeloni.antonio@ccpsstaff.org) or by calling the school directly.
Here are the contents of this week's newsletter:
- Message from Mr. Angeloni - UPDATED - 4/20/24
- Pre-K and K Open Enrollment now open! - REPOST
- PES Spring Book Fair and Book Fair Nigfht - NEW
- CCPS and CCRP Summer Program 2024 - REPOST
- 5th Grade Class Photo via Strawbridge Studios - 5/1/24 - REPOST
- PES Career Day - 5/23/24 - REPOST
- PES One School, One Book - Welcome Humphrey! - REPOST
- The PES PTO Corner - UPDATED - 4/20/24
- Free Online Tutoring for Grades 3-5 by Exact Path and FEV Tutoring - REPOST
- CCPS 23-24 Calendar (Updated with Pre-K changes) - REPOST
- PowerSchool Information Updates - REPOST
- CCPS - Universal Breakfast and Lunch - REPOST
- Download the CCPS App today! - REPOST
- 2024 Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP) - REPOST
- SECAC Appreciation Night - REPOST
- Cook Center Resources - REPOST
- Choptank Wellness Newsletter - April 2024 - REPOST
- Nurturing Conversations: A Guide for Parents during Alcohol Awareness Month - REPOST
- Attendance Reminders - REPOST
- Update on CCPS Lunches - REPOST
- CCPS Food Backpack Program - REPOST
- Promoting a healthy and safe environment for ALL students and staff - REPOST
- PES School Improvement Plan and Family Engagement Home Compact - UPDATED
- PES Parent Title I Information - REPOST
We appreciate all of the patience, kindness, and flexibility our community continues to show our staff!
Sincerely,
A.J. Angeloni
Pre-K and K Open Enrollment now open! - REPOST
The enrollment process is now open for eligible PreK and Kindergarten students, and all other students new to Caroline County Public Schools.
Please note:
If your child is currently in a Caroline PreK class, there is no need to enroll again. You're good to go for kindergarten!
If your child is currently in PreK-3, they need to be enrolled for PreK-4 at their school of residence and requalified.
The enrollment process is explained on the Enrollment & Attendance page of the Caroline County Public Schools website. Families are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible! For more information about PreK and Kindergarten, please visit the PreK and Kindergarten page of the website.
PES Spring Book Fair and Book Fair Night - New
It is time for our Spring Book Fair! Our wonderful PTO has agreed to provide a $5.00 voucher for every student towards a book of their choice! We appreciate so much our PTO’s support, their hard work and generosity on behalf of our students! They are also gathering community support, so the donation amount may increase.This information will be sent home in student backpacks and also posted to our website and social media pages.
Teacher Wish Lists will be on display in the Media Center if you would like to purchase a book for your child’s teacher. :-)
We will also have Book Fair Night on Thursday, 4/25 from 4 to 5:30 PM.
Shop Online!
If you want to shop the Online Book Fair with your student, go to the link for the Book Fair homepage. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/prestonmd All books will be shipped to your home and orders over $25.00 will have free shipping. This is a great way to include other family members who may not be able to attend. Anyone from anywhere can shop our online fair. You can shop online from 4/19 - 5/2. This will ensure that your student will get the book that they want. If you buy it online, then you will have it delivered to your home and it will not be sold out. Feel free to share this link with out-of-town family that want to support your child’s love of reading and PES!
eWallet
Cashless Option for All Students in person or online! Sign up for the eWallet on the Book Fair website @ https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/prestonmd
eWallet is very helpful because students do not have to carry any cash to school. The student will just let us know they have an eWallet and we will be able to access the funds for them. If you want, you can print the eWallet and send it with your child, but that is not required. Any change left on eWallet will be used to purchase a book for the Media Center at the end of the fair. All students will be contacted to make sure that they can use all of their funds before the end of the fair. The little change that is left makes a big difference for our library! If you want to use it online after the fair, please let Mrs. Blackmon know. If you have any questions at all, please email Mrs. Blackmon at blackmon.linda@ccpsstaff.org.
CCPS and CCRP Summer Program 2024 - REPOST
Caroline County Recreation & Parks to provide free summer day camp for all elementary school students!
FYI: Parents must attend an orientation meeting to confirm their child’s enrollment.
For complete information visit bit.ly/CCRPcamp2024.
That page will have a direct link to online registration or printable forms in English, Spanish & Haitian Creole.
5th Grade Class Photo via Strawbridge Studios - 5/1/24
Attention 5th Grade Families,
This year's 5th grade Class Photo will take place on Wednesday, May 1st. The cost of a photo is 15 dollars and it includes the entire 5th grade class as they prepare to leave PES and start their new journeys at middle school! To order a photo please go to www.strawbridge.net and use the code FM429325. We will also be sending home order forms and photos can be purchased via check the day pictures are taken. Thank you!
PES Career Day - 5/23/24 - REPOST
PES One School, One Book - Welcome Humphrey! - REPOST
The PES PTO Corner - Updated - 4/20/24
Upcoming Events:
- SpringFest - Saturday, May 4 @ PES
You can reach the PTO at:
News Regarding Student Grade Reports - REPOST
Beginning with Quarter 3, CCPS will no longer be sending home printed report cards. Grade Reports (interim and quarterly) will be sent by email to parent/guardians, using PowerSchool’s digital document delivery.
Please check PowerSchool to verify that your email is correct, or contact the school to provide them with your email address. Parents/guardians who have not provided their email will be contacted by the school to help ensure they are not missing important information.
In addition to receiving grade reports by email, the information will also be available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal at carolineschools.org/page/powerschool.
If you need any further information or assistance, please contact the school office.
Free Online Tutoring for Grades 3-5 by Exact Path and FEV Tutoring - REPOST
CCPS 23-24 Calendar (Updated with Pre-K changes)
PowerSchool Information Updates - REPOST
CCPS - Universal Breakfast and Lunch - REPOST
Free Laptop Giveaways - REPOST
Free laptops for qualified Caroline County residents:
Caroline Human Services Council has partnered with Queen Anne's County Local Management Board to provide 1000 laptops to qualified residents on a first-come, first-serve basis. An application must be completed first to document eligibility.
Giveaway dates in Caroline County:
April 27 at Family Resource Day in Preston
If laptops are still available after April, dates and locations will be scheduled.
More info: QACFreeLaptop.com or call 410.758.0848 x2704
Download the CCPS App today! - REPOST
2024 Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP) - REPOST
Attention 5th Grade and Middle School Families:
Registration is now open for the 2024 Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP).
This is a 4-week program for middle school students to engage in hands-on activities where they gain skills in delivering presentations, gathering requirements, problem solving, and working on teams.
Students can enroll in Animation, App Development, Careers in Healthcare, Chess, Cyber Security, Drones, Media Arts, Presentation/Video Design, and Robotics.
This program is in partnership with the People for Change Coalition, Mid-Shore Regional Council, Rural Maryland Council, and 3 County school systems: Dorchester, Talbot, and Caroline.
Here is link to register.
View highlight video here.
SECAC Appreciation Night and SPED Updates - REPOST
Beginning with Quarter 3, CCPS will no longer be sending home printed report cards. This includes quarterly IEP progress reports. These progress reports will be sent by email to parents/guardians.
Please contact your student's special education case manager to provide them with your email address if it has changed.
In addition to receiving IEP progress reports by email, you may also request that a paper copy be provided.
If you need any further information or assistance, please contact your student's case manager.
Choptank Wellness Newsletter - April 2024 - REPOST
Cook Center Resources - UPDATED
Families: Have you ever felt alone in your parenting journey? You are not! Parent Coaching is here to support you in the loneliest of times. It is a FREE resource provided by the school district that connects you with a coach and content created by therapists. To register for on-going support from a coach: cookcenter.info/coaching
For more info on all resources: tinyurl.com/uvrv7h26
Click here to register for on-going support from a coach: cookcenter.info/coaching
Nurturing Conversations: A Guide for Parents during Alcohol Awareness Month
April marks Alcohol Awareness Month, a crucial period for communities to unite and address the pervasive issue of underage drinking. As parents, it is our responsibility to initiate open and honest conversations with our children about the dangers of alcohol and equip them with the tools to make informed decisions. Here are some essential tips and strategies from the Caroline County Health Department to help parents navigate these crucial conversations.
Attendance Reminders - REPOST
An important message about attendance:
Good attendance for your student begins on the first day of the school year. Consider the following facts:
Chronic absenteeism may prevent children from reaching early milestones.
Chronically absent students have difficulty keeping up with the pace at which they are expected to learn and grow.
Students who are absent even a day or two every few weeks fall behind their peers.
Irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out before graduation than test scores.
Consistent, on-time attendance is a habit that lasts into adulthood.
In addition to wanting the best possible education for your child, we also closely monitor absences because Maryland law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. Students may be withdrawn if not attending school regularly; students not enrolled or attending will be considered truant.
How Can Parents Encourage Good Attendance?
Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!
Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before.
Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.
Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick.
Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.
CCPS Food Backpack Program - REPOST
PES School Lunch Menu - REPOST
Promoting a healthy and safe environment for ALL students and staff - REPOST
CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.
Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.
PES School Improvement Plan and Family Engagement Home Compact - REPOST
Please see our 23-24 School Improvement Plan and Family Engagement Home Compact for your reference.
PES Parent Right to Know Title I Information - REPOST
The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:
Any college or university degree, major or certification held by the teacher
Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area
Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate
The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student
If you would like to request the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.
Parents may also request information on the level of achievement and academic growth of their child, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments.
Parents will receive timely notice if the student has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.
If you have any Title I questions please do not hesitate to school the school directly.
PES Contact Information
Principal: A.J. Angeloni
Assistant Principal: Deanne Waters
Email: angeloni.antonio@ccpsstaff.org
Website: https://www.prestones.org/
Location: 225 Main Street, Preston, MD, USA
Phone: 410-479-2897
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prestonelementaryschool/
Our Policy - REPOST
Caroline County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.
Principal - Preston Elementary School - CCPS