Lewistown Elementary Newsletter
TeamLES
WE ARE LEWISTOWN!
Email: dana.austin@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/les/
Location: 11119 Hessong Bridge Road, Thurmont, MD, United States
Phone: 240-236-3750
Twitter: @LESFCPS
Week of 4.6.20
Weekly Friday Morning Announcements
Calendar Updates
Please note the following April 2020 calendar dates with no changes to Spring Break:
Wednesday, April 8
End of Term 3
Thursday, April 9 will remain a day off (from distance learning) for students, with teachers working that day to finalize third quarter grades.
Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13 all schools and offices are CLOSED.
Tuesday, April 14 distance learning resumes.
Still taking yearbook orders!
LAST WEEK TO PURCHASE AN LES YEARBOOK! The online Yearbook Portal is open NOW until April 19!
To pay online using a credit card, click here: Order Yearbooks | Lifetouch Yearbooks (Use Yearbook ID Code: 11042520)
Technology Issues
Access to Meals during the School Closure
Although students are on spring break from Thursday, April 9-Monday, April 13, FCPS will continue to provide meals-to-go service on Thursday, April 9, at the usual locations and times.
On Thursday, FCPS will distribute extra meals for children to take home to cover the Friday and Monday of spring break.
For pickup locations and times, please see the news release:
https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1677052/fcps-feeds-children-while-schools-are-closed
FCPS reminds the community that although we are happy to provide meals to go, there is risk in traveling to pick them up. We recommend following social distance and mask guidelines and handling all materials with care including washing food containers and bags with soap and water to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus.
Message on Family Device Needs
For any student requiring technology access, please know that any available desktop, iPad, or laptop will support FCPS distance learning. Please note that elementary students who already have a device at home (other than a phone) that can connect to the internet and open up a web page are not eligible to receive a Chromebook on loan. The supplies FCPS is loaning are for those currently without access to devices in their homes.
For a family without access to a device, LES will be distributing by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the front office staff at 240-236-3750 or via email to kimberly.little@fcps.org. Please know that if technology is not an option for your family, we can also provide hard copies of learning packets. Please do not hesitate to contact me at dana.austin@fcps.org if you have questions and/or are experiencing challenges.
Home Options for Internet Needs
Due to the current emergency circumstances, many telecommunications companies have enabled access to the internet using their services free.
- Comcast Xfinity Free WiFi network
- https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- Comcast Xfinity has turned on a Wi-Fi sub-network on all of their home/business internet routers and made it free to access for anyone within range.
- Comcast removed data plan caps for 60 days, making all connections unlimited.
- Frozen disconnects and late fees
- https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- Comcast Internet Essential Program
- https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
- Two free months for families that apply before April 30th, 2020
- Network speed performance increased
- Comcast is waiving the outstanding debt satisfaction requirement for Households with debt owed to Comcast for applications approved prior to May 13th, 2020
- Verizon Wireless
- https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/
- Waving new line activation fees, late fees, and service terminations through May 13th, 2020
- Free international calling until April 30th, 2020
- Additional 15GB of mobile hotspot data has been added for all customers and data plans.
- T-Mobile
- https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19
- All smartphone data plans are unlimited through May 13th, 2020
- All smartphone hotpot plans can add an additional 10GB per month for two months free
- Free unlimited international calling
- https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19
- AT&T wireless
- https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
- All late fees for wireless, home phone and broadband residential customers are waived until May 13, 2020
- Domestic wireless plan overage charges for data, voice and text for residential customers are waived until May 13, 2020
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Our world has shifted dramatically over the past few weeks. Students and and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association (MHA).
- The MHA's Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting you to resources and information, dial 211.
- With the physical facility closed, MHA's Walk-in Behavioral Health Services has moved to an online tele-health platform. The program, and the services it provides, remains the same in all other aspects; and will still provide comprehensive safety/wellness planning, resource information, and referrals as appropriate.
- To access: Go to www.fcmha.org and click on the yellow banner at the top to access an intake form for the service. After completing and submitting the form, information to access the platform will be provided. This can be accessed via computer, tablet, or smartphone (must have access to internet/cellular data).
The Virtual Walk-in Behavioral Health Service is operational Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Stay Informed
Get FindOutFirst email and emergency closing phone-text messages from Frederick County, Maryland based on the areas of interest you select.
Sign up for Remind 101 (text messaging service). Enter 240-608-6773 in the “to” section and enter @lescom in the “message” section of a text on your phone.
Begin following us on Instagram (LESFCPS) and Twitter (@LESFCPS).
LES Vision Statement
The Lewistown Elementary School Learning Community will strive to promote academic success in order to reach our full potential and strengthen our future. Everyone’s unique qualities will be celebrated and valued, and together we will Learn, Excel, and Succeed!