Osprey Weekly Message
March 1, 2020
Leonardtown Elementary School
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
Website: schools.smcps.org/les
Location: 22885 Duke Street, Leonardtown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-475-0250
Twitter: @les_smcps
Important Upcoming Events and Dates
March
Read Across America Spirit Week; March 2-6
-2nd: Dr. Seuss Birthday
-3rd: Interim Distribution, 5th Grade only
5th: 'Hear the Maryland Crunch Event' @ 9:30 a.m.
-12th MSDE Student Survey for 5th Grade only
-18th: ELA Night @ LES
-20th: World Down Syndrome Day
-23-26th: Maryland Integrated Science Assessment, 5th grade only
-23rd: PTA Boosterthon Fun Run Pep Rally Kick Off @ 2:30 p.m.
-25th: Maryland Day; Spirit Day, wear Maryland colors
-27th: Early dismissal @ 1:45 p.m., No School for Pre-K students only
-27th: End of Quarter 3
-31st: Spring Pictures and 5th Grade Panoramic Picture
April
-2nd: 'Always Changing and Growing Up Night', 5th Grade only 5:00p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- 3rd: World Autism Day
-3rd: PTA Boosterthon Fun Run
-6th-13th: Spring Break; No School for Students and Staff
-15th: Report card distribution PK-5
-20th: Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program Assessments (MCAP) Begin for Grades 3-5
-22nd: Military Child and Family Breakfast @ 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.
-22nd: Purple Up for Military Kids; Wear purple today for military children everywhere
-April 27th: Professional Day; No School for students
-April 28th: Primary Election Day; No School for Students and Staff
March 2020 School Calendar
From School Administration
We are entering our second of six five-day weeks in a row on Monday. On that note, this is a great time to review our behavioral expectations and reinforce expectations both at school and at home. We find that children need those reinforcements and reminders at this time of the school year. Please take the time to review our behavioral expectations below (MTSS). By reiterating the importance of our S.O.A.R.R. behaviors, we can maximize our children's time in school and in their classes with limited or no disruptions related to behaviors. This helps maintain a positive and productive teaching and learning environment for everyone. Hopefully, March will come in like a lamb and our students will S.O.A.R.R. into spring break with outstanding student behaviors and achievement.
Thank you for continuing to be great partners in education!
Contina Quick-McQueen, Principal
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
New Information
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is an important aspect of Leonardtown Elementary School and our students. MTSS is an approach to student discipline that is proactive instead of reactive.
The staff of Leonardtown Elementary School is committed to working with students and their families to promote a safe and nurturing environment in all school settings.
What is MTSS?
Below are a few of the guiding principles of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS):
- The multi-tiered system is characterized by a continuum of academic and behavior supports reflecting the need for all students to have fluid access to instruction of varying intensity levels
- Expectations, language, and consequences concerning behavior are consistent throughout the school
- The program promotes the development of relationships and intrinsic motivation.
Part of a successful Multi-Tiered System of Supports is to have a school-based committee. Our MTSS committee monitors data related to any consequences (see below) to determine if there are trends associated with any misbehavior (location, time of day, or type of misbehavior). If there are trends, the committee and administration discuss interventions to change the behavior. Additionally, the committee discusses areas of improvement and how to celebrate or recognize students' positive behaviors.
Please take some time to read about the components of MTSS below. MTSS has been part of Leonardtown Elementary School since 2017.
S.O.A.R.R. Recognitions
Students who are following the school rules and displaying appropriate behavior may be recognized for their efforts by receiving 'Osprey of the Week' and 'High Flier' recognition from any member of the school staff.
- Staff members distribute "High Flier' tickets to students to recognize their positive behavior.
- Once received, the students are recognized at lunch in front of their peers.
- Students are chosen as 'Osprey of the Week' in their individual classrooms. Rewards are special privileges the students can earn. A few examples are sitting in a special seat for the day, line leader, being first to pick classroom jobs, or lunch with a staff member or administrator etc.
- Students are also recognized quarterly at our S.O.A.R.R. assembly.
What Does S.O.A.R.R. Stand For?
S.O.A.R.R. in the Classroom
Students who earn 'Osprey of the Week' in their classroom have the honor and privilege of keeping and caring for the classroom osprey for the week.
Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
Students have been taught the school rules for classroom and non-classroom settings.
All students are told what the expected behaviors or tasks are in each classroom. If a child does not exhibit the expected behavior, any of the following strategies may be used to help redirect and reteach that behavior:
- Individual verbal warning with an explanation of expected behavior.
- Timeout in the classroom
- Timeout in a different classroom or with a specified adult
- Minor Incident Report (MIR) completed and students are given an opportunity to calm down and reflect on their behavior one on one with an adult in the In School Intervention Center
- Parent/guardian contact to discuss at home support
- If the behavior still does not improve, an administrator may be called in to intervene
*Certain actions, such as fighting, using inappropriate language, harassment and threats warrant immediate administrative involvement and can follow-up with a formal Disciplinary Referral Form.
How Can You Help At Home?
Please review the information on this page with your child.
- Ask your child to tell you the school rules
- Ask your child to discuss ways that he or she can use these rules to help them to learn and participate in school
- Ask your child how his/her behavior affects others
- Discuss ways that your child can be a helpful and kind classmate
- Discuss ways that these rules can be used at home and in the community
If you have any questions about MTSS, please ask your child's teacher, Mr. LaCount, Ms. Suomela, or Dr. Quick-McQueen.
February 'High Fliers'
Noah Purcell
Gavin Hillman
Jemarrio Robinson
Collin Wilson
Kaylee Woodburn
Cohen Debbink
Malyah Young
Camdyn Kiraly
Abby Nelson
Nadia Byle
Dylan Cleghorn
Sean Holton
Amelia Traver
Jamarah Gore
Garrett Connolly
Phillip Haycraft
Kayla Bogie
Landon Shively
Camyryn Larnerd
Dilan Hernandez
Paula Stewart
Bridget George
Derek Hernandez-Toro
Jordan Gant
Jerone Milburn
Jairus Shade
Abigail Arthur
Peyton Bailey
Eden Marquez
Tevon Herbert
Lucas Mousseau
Garrett Connolly
Jake Baldwin
Eli Hall
David Hayden
Taylor Larnerd
Max Tamminga
Bridget George
Collin Wilson
Jamarah Gore
'Hear the Maryland Crunch Event'
LES has great breakfast participation and this event is fun for everyone.
STEM Academy Open House
Lexington Park Elementary School will host an Open House on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. This is for any student interested in applying to the STEM Academy for grades 4 and 5.
Coronavirus Information and Response Measures
There has been a lot of attention in the news and on social media related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This is an evolving situation, and LES will follow the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health, St. Mary's County Department of Health, and SMCPS who will provide updated information and guidance to LES leadership as it becomes available.
It continues to be important that we are all doing everything that we can to keep our children and classrooms healthy. Maryland Department of Health officials have shared several recommendations to ensure that we are taking appropriate and effective actions to stay healthy and prevent the spread of all person-to-person viruses. These precautions also have been shared by the CDC, and include:
1. Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
3. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
4. Staying home when you are sick
5. Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
6. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces
If you have concerns regarding your child’s health, please contact our health room. Thank you for all of your efforts to help us maintain a safe and healthy school. As always if you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Information Worth Repeating
Read Across America Week
Yearbook Ordering Until March 27th!
Click on the link below to order a yearbook.
http://yearbooks.classic-photo.com/MD992017/home3/Bookstore.jsp
SMCPS Calendar 2020-2021
Osprey Feedback
PTA News!
After the meeting, there will be a guest speaker to share information on social and emotional learning in children. The guest speaker is Ms. Robin Schrader, SMCPS Mental Health Coordinator.
Please see the flyer below for more information.
Here is a list of upcoming PTA sponsored events this spring!
Friday April 3rd- Spring Fundraiser- Runathon
Thursday April 30th and Friday May 1st- Mornings with Mom
Look for upcoming information on ways you can volunteer on the 2020- 2021 PTA board! If you have any questions about the roles on the LES PTA please email lesospreyspta@gmail.com
Smiles,
Your LES PTA Board