The TIGER Times
Together We Will Learn, Excel, and Succeed
January 8th Edition
Principal's Message
Dear Lewistown Families,
We are truly living through a most uncertain time. At LES, safety and wellbeing is our top priority. As we continue to process the events of this week, children are also trying to make sense of what they're seeing and hearing. They hear what's going on in the world through social media, our news broadcasts and conversations. Children are often more tuned into our emotions than we realize. Many can feel worried, frightened, angry, or even guilty and not know why. These anxious feelings can last long after the events are over.
Resources for talking to your children about this week's events:
Talking to Kids about the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
How To Talk To Kids About The News
We are here to support you and your families during this time. We are committed to standing beside you and your children. Ms. Bo, our school counselor, is available to navigate conversations with our students. Please reach out at anytime for support.
Yours in heart and mind,
Ms. Belinda Fockler
Principal
Small Wins are Big!
By: Laura Hanlon, LES Behavioral Support Specialist
A google search of small wins turns up nearly half a million results in .67 seconds. Small wins are the small victories we achieve on our way to larger goals. Working in behavior support we love to celebrate small wins. Actually we might be more inclined to call small wins big! But these small wins are usually all we get to see because we are only fortunate enough to be present for a small portion of each child’s journey. For example, when a student asks for help or says how they feel instead of disengaging or acting out, even one time, it really is a victory! It’s easy to get discouraged when we keep our eyes on the big goals that are far down the road or even today’s failures (whether they are ours or the people around us) but it’s our small wins over time that get us down that longer road to achieving bigger goals. Remembering and celebrating our small wins, genuinely, one at a time, keep us and our kids moving in the right direction. And that sure beats giving up!
What are your small wins? Your child’s small wins? Maybe you have some big ones! When I finish writing this, I am going to take a few minutes to write down some of my own 3 kids’ small wins and celebrate with them. That celebration may come in the form of a random acknowledgement of appreciation, a note, a 1:1 talk, or hot chocolate with whipped cream...or something else. Our small wins acknowledged and celebrated lead to more positive outlook and greater success. Plus, it just feels good!
As we enter a new year, no matter what else is going on in your (and our) world, I hope you can acknowledge and celebrate your small (and big) wins! And feel free to share them with me too. I will celebrate with you!
Related: SMART goal setting video for kids-- created by me in collaboration with my kids.
Quarter 3: Schedules and Class Assignments
Hybrid class assignments and schedules will NOT adjust at the beginning of Quarter 3, January 1/28 as previously communicated.
The adjusted schedule and new class assignments will begin on the hybrid reopening date. Stay tuned for confirmation on that date as described above.
Out of District Transfers
It’s time to apply for Out-of-District status for the next school year!
Parents or guardians who want their child to attend a school outside their assigned attendance area should review the 2021-22 Restricted Schools List and Regulations 400-78, Restricting Schools to Out-of-District Transfers and 400-15, Assignment and Transfer of Students.
Pursuant to these regulations, the Out of District Transfer process is available for all applicants from January 2 - March 1 each year for the following school year. You can complete your request using the Out of District Transfer Request Form, available in English and Spanish through March 1.
Please Note: Your Out of District Application Form MUST be signed, either electronically or printed, signed and scanned, prior to returning to outofdistrict@fcps.org. You can also send the application via fax to 240-236-2480 or via US mail to Department of Student Services, Orchard Grove Elementary School, 5898 Hannover Drive, Frederick, MD 21703.
Please contact MaryAnn Gomez at (240) 236-2493 or maryann.gomez@fcps.org if you have any questions.
Mental Health Resources: FCPS
FCPS is raising awareness for Mental Health for students and families. Find more information here on anxiety, depression, and age appropriate resources.
Need Help?
- Help for Maryland Youth: 1-800-422-0009, Crisis Chat: https://www.help4mdyouth.org/chat/
- Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464. Provides help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
- Crisis Services: Dial 2-1-1. 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 the safety of others, at risk.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Help if you are thinking about suicide.
- Nacional de Prevenció del Suicidio - En Español: 1-888-628-9454
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline - Deaf Community: 1-800-799-4889
- National Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Text 838255
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990. Immediate crisis counseling for people who are experienceing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
Lewistown Elementary School Important Dates
January:
Monday, January 18th- Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday- School Closed
Tuesday, January 26th- End of Term 2
Wednesday, January 27th- No School, Teacher Work Day
Thursday, January 28th- Term 3 Begins
Wednesday February 3rd- Asynchronous Learning Day
Wednesday, February 10th - Asynchronous Learning Day
Monday February 15th - President's Day - School Closed
Tuesday February 16th - Tentative Date for HYBRID Learning to Begin
Update: FCPS Free Meals
Due to the upcoming observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, schools and offices are closed on Monday, January 18. FCPS schools are also closed Wednesday, January 27, for a teacher work day. Meals will not be distributed on those two days. Meals will be distributed based on the schedule below:
Friday, January 15: Meals will be distributed for Friday, January 15, through Tuesday, January 19, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The regular schedule will resume on Wednesday, January 20.
Monday, January 25: Meals will be distributed for Monday, January 25, through Thursday, January 28, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The regular schedule will resume on Friday, January 29.
For more information, please call 301-644-5198. A full list of distribution sites is also posted online with complete information on the student meal service program.
MEDIA SCHEDULE UPDATES
Week A/Week B Library Media Schedule
Library Media will continue on the Week A/Week B rotation through the end of Term 2. On Week A, students will meet with Mrs. Byard on GoogleMeet at their regularly scheduled media time. On Week B, students will log into Schoology, go to the Library Media Course, and click on the orange folder to find their asynchronous lesson. Please follow this updated schedule through the month of January.
Library Media Book Exchange:
The next pickup is scheduled on January 13, 2021. Please follow this updated schedule to place books on hold.
Monday Jan 11 - Place holds/requests by 10am
Wednesday Jan 13 - Book Pickup 9-11:30am and 1-4pm
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