Osprey Weekly
February 5, 2021
Dear LES Families,
There will be a Parent Q&A Zoom on Wednesday, February 10th @ 3:00 p.m. if you have any questions you may have about the return to school.
The next Q&A will be on Wednesday, February 24th @ 3:00 p.m.
Zoom links will be sent closer to the date of the Q&A. Thanks
Click On the Pictures Below to See Student Return Dates
New Information
PTA SHOW SOME LOVE DRIVE-THRU
LES Great Kindness Challenge
Thank you to those who participated in the virtual “Great Kindness Challenge.” Here is a Great Kindness Challenge video to view -
Black History Month
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. This includes all periods of U.S. History, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today This newsletter has resources that can be utilized at home to celebrate Black History Month. There are quite a number of excellent resources including the PBS Kids video below.
We also want to share read aloud books for kids from Netflix, Jr.
Read Alouds (see the video below to hear a read aloud)
Grab a book, grab a friend, and join Netflix, Jr. in celebrating Black voices during Black History Month. Full Episodes of Bookmarks included are:
- "I Love My Hair" read by Tiffany Haddish,
- "I Am Enough" read by Grace Byers,
- "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" read by Caleb McLaughlin,
- "Sulwe" read by Lupita Nyong'o,
- "ABCs For Girls Like Me" read by Marsai Martin,
- "I Am Perfectly Designed" read by Karamo Brown,
- "Pretty Brown Face" and "Brown Boy Joy" read by Jill Scott,
- "Firebird" read by Misty Copeland,
- "Let's Talk About Race" read by Common,
- "The Day You Begin" read by Jacqueline Woodson,
- "Antiracist Baby" read by Kendrick Sampson, and
- "We March" read by Marley Dias.
Share Your L.E.S. Success Story!
1. Visit https://flipgrid.com/f7ece721 to upload your 60-second video answering the following question: How is L.E.S. helping you achieve your goals? Your video must be posted no later than Friday, February 19, 2021, in order to participate.
2. That's it! Each selected participant will receive an email about their upcoming feature in the morning announcements.
Information Worth Repeating
SMCPS COVID-19 Process for Students Video
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Return to School FAQs
If a student is not participating in in-person learning, they will be online in the Schoology platform accessing the same content as those meeting face to face. While they will be online Monday through Friday, students would be able to participate in some whole group instruction through Google Meets, view screencasts or video instruction, complete independent activities via Schoology, and have dedicated individual assistance on Fridays. Teachers have all those instructional options available and are mastering how best to use the tools available to facilitate learning. Since the teachers will be instructing students in person Monday through Thursday, simultaneously instructing students virtually for every lesson will be challenging and we want parents to be aware that there is a difference. Friday will be the day when teachers will be expected to provide interactive time with students. Teachers can check progress in multiple ways such as Google Meets, email communication, or monitoring progress in Schoology.
Will the student's that decide to return eat in the classroom or the lunchroom?
Yes, students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. We have the cafeteria capacity to social distance students at desks and in the lunch lines. If needed we will look at an overflow area to accommodate further social distancing that will be supported by staff.
Will younger grades, specifically for me Pre-K and 2nd grade, be at tables or desks for adequate social distancing?
LES staff have arranged classrooms to accommodate social distancing, as well as all common areas in the building where students are required to sit. We will to the extent feasible adhere to these guidelines and have in place a plan for mitigation.
Will children have recess, if so, how will staff ensure social distancing and sanitation?
Recess activities such as, walking/jogging track, contactless games, breaking up the amount of students at recess during one time etc. will be in place. Playground equipment if used will be sanitized by our building service staff daily. Students will be required to wear a mask at all times on the bus and school grounds. This includes at recess.
How will the school handle sanitation of commonly used items after each use? (Example: tools in art class)
Students will be expected to have their own classroom supplies. Classroom teachers as well as the Art Teacher will let families know what supplies will be needed by students. We will have some extra supplies on hand for students if needed that we have acquired through community partnership donations.
Can we change our mind, if we decide to hybrid or virtual?
If you would like for your child to attend in-person learning or change to virtual for the third marking period (now), please contact the Main Office.
Families are asked to make a commitment to in-person learning by marking period and then communicate with the school if you decide to make a change. The third marking period ends on Friday, April 9th. It will be important to communicate with the school if you would like to make a change for the fourth marking period.
We ask that if you make a change, you notify the school at a minimum 10 days before the marking period begins so that proper arrangements can be made. The SMCPS School Calendar is available below for your reference. Thank you
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org.
Google Safety
Safety Rules:
* Only take a picture of work (no faces in picture)
* Only share docs with teacher or another teacher when necessary
* DO NOT share pictures with anyone else
Below are directions on how you can check your child's Google Drive account to see what they have created, shared, and what has been shared with them. Here's how you do it:
Thank you to Mrs. Christina Walsh for the information. We hope you find it helpful.
Not Receiving the Schoology Parent Summary
LIVE Zoom S.O.A.R.R. Assembly
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for a Zoom link.
Friday, February 19th
3-5 @ 11:00 a.m
School Nurse's Corner
The routine and required Health Forms can be downloaded from our website. Physicals, Asthma, Allergies, Medications etc...
Go to the Nurse Tab and Scroll down to Table of Contents: Forms
PTA News!
- 2/1-2/12 LES SCA “Warm Hearts Warm Toes” Giving Drive - Donate pet related items for furry friends, and socks for those in need during the Valentine's Day Drive Thru Parade on 2/12
- 2/10-2/24 Escape from the Past Fundraiser at Southern Maryland’s Escape from the Past
- 2/12 "Show Some Love" Valentines Day Drive Thru Parade
- 2/12 Little Free Pantry Unveiling (tentative date, stay tuned)
Warm Hearts and Warm Toes Fundraiser
Please support the LES Student Council Association as we collect pet related items for our furry friends, and socks for those in need. You can donate the following items during our LES PTA Valentine’s Day Drive Through Event on Friday, February 12, 2021, at LES:
Humane Society of Charles County: Dog Food: DRY AND WET FOOD any kind for any size and breed – Purina One – Purina Pro Plan – Pedigree; Supplies: Strong leashes, Waterless shampoo, Quick Lock Cage-Crock- Any Size, Bissell- Foaming Upholstery Cleaner, Febreze- Pet Odor Defense. Cat Food: Dry Cat Food: Wet – Purina One: any kind – Friskies (pate) – Purina Pro Plan: any kind – Fancy Feast (pate) – Purina KITTEN CHOW – 9 Lives (pate); Supplies: Non-clumping litter Catnip Treat – any kind Cat Trees Scratching Posts Cat Toys of any type Interactive Toys Toys: Kong Toys Treats: Biscuits- Any kind Dental Treats. Small Animals: Small Pet Bedding Water Bottles Interactive Toys Treats – Any Kind UVB Bulbs Miscellaneous (only need a few) 75 gal screen lid extra large or large turtle dock, 10-20 gal fish filter.
Three Oaks Homeless Shelter: Socks for men, women, and children
Thank you!
Show Some Love and you can also drop off between school hours in the donation bin out front.
Give a SHOUT OUT to LES Staff!
Hybrid Specials Schedule
LES Meal Services
LES Meal Services
St. Mary’s County Public Schools Department of Food and Nutrition Services announce changes in the schedule of curb-side meal distribution beginning with the month of February.
Meals are available for students ages 18 years and younger. Meals are distributed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Meal bags include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack; plus, milk and/or water for each student.
Beginning the week of February 1, meal distribution will continue Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; however, Friday’s meal bag will include food for three days
(Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
Please see the Superintendent's letter above to learn more about meal services once students return to the building.
More information can be found on the SMCPS home page and on Twitter@SMCPS_Food. If
you have any questions regarding the schedule change, please send them to
LES Online Helpdesk
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
February
- 12th "Show Some Love" Valentines Day Drive Thru Parade sponsored by LES PTA
- 15th President's Day- No school for students and staff
- 16th PK, K, and 1 Group B students return
- 17th PK, K and 1 Group A students return
- 19th LIVE Zoom S.O.A.R.R. Recognition Assembly (PK-2 @ 10:00 a.m. AND 3-5 @ 11:00 a.m.).
- 26th 2 Hour Early Dismissal Day-No school for Pre-K students
March
- 1st PK-5 Group A students return
- 2nd PK-5 Group B students return
- 15th Boosterthon Kick-off Sponsored by LES PTA
- 26th 2 Hour Early Dismissal Day-No school for Pre-K students
- 29th-April 5th-Spring Break-No school for Students and staff
Leonardtown Elementary School
We're Here to Help!
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
Shawnna White, Principal's Secretary
Marie Ventrone, Records Secretary
Email: cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org
Website: schools.smcps.org/les
Location: 22885 Duke Street, Leonardtown, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 475-0250
Twitter: @les_smcps