While we will only be together in school for 12 days this month, rest assured that we will pack lots of learning and holiday fun into each of those day & we hope you join us for the Book Fair, Santa's Workshop and our Holiday Sing-along! The dates and times are included in the LPES Important Dates section below.

To honor the spirit of giving the month of December embodies, our Wellness theme this month is KINDNESS

.

Did you know that. . .

• Simple acts of kindness make your heart healthier.
• Simple acts of kindness increase your happiness, AND perhaps best of all is contagious!

Happy holidays and Panda Love to all!

Mrs. Schou

"December is a simple wish that brings spectacular moments"

Dec. 5-9: LPES Scholastic Book Fair

Dec. 7: 5:00-7:00-Santa's Workshop & Evening Shopping at the Book Fair

Dec. 9: 2-hr. Early Dismissal

-Pre-K Family Engagement Activity

Dec. 16: Fifth Grade Chorus Trip to Central Office Holiday Party

Dec. 16: 2:00-Holiday Sing-a-long

Dec. 19-Jan. 2: Winter Break

Jan. 3: School resumes

Remember, every Wednesday is Wellness Wednesday!

Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!).

Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from December 5-9 in the Media Center from 9:30-11:30 and 1:00-3:00. It will also be open during Santa's Workshop from 4:00-6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 7th.

This year, say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.

If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping.

Catch you at the Fair!

Free & Reduced School Lunch Program

The meal benefits that allowed us to provide free meals to students regardless of income status has ended. Free and reduced-price meals are still available, but families must submit an application for this benefit.

There are many additional benefits of submitting a meal application form. These perks include waivers on college applications, dual-enrollment courses with the College of Southern Maryland, and discounted fees to participate in St. Mary’s County Parks and Rec programs. Families can request more information by contacting SMCPS' Food and Nutrition Services Office at 301.475.4256, Option 5, or via email at foodservice@smcps.org.

Beginning Thursday, December 1, at 10 a.m., the Chesapeake Public Charter School online lottery application will OPEN.

All interested families must fill out applications online at cpcsapplication.com during the open enrollment period. (This includes all siblings who were waitlisted in the 22/23 school year.) For the 2023-2024 school year, the online application link becomes LIVE at 10 a.m. on December 1, 2022 and closes at midnight on December 31, 2022.

There will be two in-person Q&A sessions this year to be held on the following dates at CPCS. Use this Parent Information Session RSVP .

● Monday 12/5 - 5:00-6:00 pm

● Tuesday 12/13 - 6:30-7:30 pm

SMCPS Schoology Google Site

Schoology has a Mobile App!

Directions to Log Into the Schoology Mobile App.

Any new families that did not receive the notification about their Schoology Parent Account should email schoology@smcps.org so we can have our SMCPS Schoology Team investigate and provide answers.

New for 22-23: Volunteers must apply annually for approval.

Applications are accepted until May 1st. There is no application fee.

Vetting of applications can take several weeks. Field trip chaperones must have successfully completed the volunteer application process before they can be considered.

Select the link apply: School Volunteer Portal.

Join our team! Select this link for more information.

• SMCPS has multiple positions available to support our students and staff, including full-time and part-time positions in various areas. Employment opportunities can be found on the SMCPS website: https://www.smcps.org/hr/employment-opportunities

• The Abacus Corporation provides part-time/temporary positions to support SMCPS as well. Various positions are also available through the Abacus Corporation and can be found on their website: https://www.abacuscorporation.com/find-jobs

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