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 9.16.19
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, Sept 20: Schools Closed
Monday, Sept 23: Volunteer Orientation at 2:30 pm
Monday, Sept 30: Fall Pictures
Monday, Sept 30: Volunteer Orientation at 5:30 pm
Monday, Sept 30: WatchDog PTA Pizza Night from 5:30-6:30 pm
Friday, Oct 4: LES Spiritwear Orders Due
Paper Copy of Newsletter
The School Store is open on Wednesdays and Fridays!
Fall Pictures
Monday September 30
Paper order forms were sent home with all students.
You can review the order form here: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11689
Picture Day ID: MJ719057Q0
You can visit mylifetouch.com to order your child's pictures or you can complete the paper order form.
Calling ALL Volunteers
Would you like to volunteer at LES this year? Would you like to be a chaperone on a field trip?
All volunteers need to attend a Volunteer Orientation.
Monday, September 23rd at 2:30 in the Media Center or
Monday, September 30th at 5:30 in the Media Center
If you have questions related to the volunteer program at LES, please email Dana Byard, Volunteer Coordinator at dana.byard@fcps.org.
PE News
We are encouraging all students to participate in the "Summers Farm Eat Healthy Challenge" again this year. The challenge runs September 16-20. GOOD NEWS! This year students can KEEP the form and take it straight to the farm. No tickets will be handed out this year! Your form with the stamp is your ticket!
PTA News
WatchDogs Pizza Night on Monday, Sept 30th from 5:30-6:30
Dads, granddads, uncles, stepdads and father figures, please come out for a free pizza dinner and hear about the WatchDog program!
PTA Membership Form for 2019-2020 (PLEASE JOIN): https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11646
"Opt Out" Fundraiser: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11648
Spirit Wear Order Form (DUE OCT 4): https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11647
Attendance Information
Regular attendance is vital for your child to meet with success in school since research shows that student achievement is directly related to attendance. The school day is as follows: 8:45 am -3:15 pm
Maryland Law requires that a written excuse be provided each time that your child is absent. The excuse should be received by the school within two days of the absence and include the date of the absence, your child’s first and last name, the reason for the absence, and the signature of you as the parent/guardian. Without this information, the absence is classified as an unlawful (unexcused) absence.
Students with perfect or exemplary attendance for the year will receive certificates at the closing ceremony for the school year. Perfect attendance will be awarded to those students who have never been absent, arrived late, or left early.
Important Reminders
WEAPON POSSESSION
It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. The school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches.
OUTSIDE FOOD
“For health and safety reasons, students are only permitted to bring in food for personal consumption.” (FCPS Reg 400-82) Therefore, we are unable to allow birthday treats at any time during the school day. Thank you in advance for understanding.
PARTY INVITATIONS
Also, in order to prevent a loss of instructional time and hurt feelings, students may not distribute invitations for private parties at school. These should be delivered from home. By October, you will receive grade level directories of student information. This directory contains addresses and phone numbers of those parents willing to share.
School Visitors
Parents and guardians are always welcome to visit the school. Upon entering any school or FCPS building, visitors will be required to present an ID. The Raptor system will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, date, and purpose of the visit. A visitor's badge will not be necessary for those who visit to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork. For more information go to: www.raptortech.com. If you have questions, please contact the FCPS Security Office at 301-696-6808.
Safe Schools
At FCPS, everyone has the right to feel respected and be treated with dignity. Schools must be safe, free from violence and provide a caring environment for achievement. That's part of the promise of public education.
FCPS provides online resources to stop bullying, including an online form that parents, students and staff can complete and submit online to make it easier to report bullying.
Please visit:
https://www.fcps.org/academics/stop-bullying
See the Stop Bullying brochure:
https://www.fcps.org/student-services/files/documents/bullying/BullyBrochure_Eng.pdf
You may also go directly to the bullying reporting form:
English www.fcps.org/bullyingform
PATHS
Frederick County Public Schools is pleased to share that we are implementing a curriculum to support social emotional learning in all elementary classes at LES in the 2019-2020 school year. Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) is the curriculum chosen for use in our school.
Social emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of each student’s healthy development. PATHS will teach SEL skills to help students succeed in school and life. SEL skills include handling emotions constructively, behaving responsibly, making good decisions, and developing caring, positive relationships. SEL contributes to a positive school climate, improvements in academic achievement, and reductions in bullying behavior.
The PATHS program teaches and reinforces many key aspects of SEL, shown through research to improve behavior, reduce conflict and improve academics. One FCPS elementary school used the program last year to support an overall focus on developing the whole child. It resulted in students’ increased attention in the classroom, increased ability to organize thoughts, improved behavior, and better use of conflict-resolution strategies.
If you have any questions about social emotional learning or PATHS, please contact our School Counselor Stacy Bokinsky at 240-236-3750 or FCPS Mental Health and Psychological Services Supervisor Ann McGreevy at 301-696-6880.
LES PBIS RULES
Respect ourselves, others and property.
Own our actions and words.
Attend school every day.
Show Responsibility for our learning.Food and Nutrition Services
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!
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).