Osprey Weekly
August 21, 2020
Leonardtown Elementary School
We're Here to Help You!
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
Shawnna White, Principal's Secretary
Marie Ventrone, Records Secretary
Email: cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org
Website: schools.smcps.org/les
Location: 22885 Duke Street, Leonardtown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-475-0250
Twitter: @les_smcps
Important Upcoming Dates
- 24-28 K-5 only Grade Level Technology Distribution
- 25 Virtual Meet the School Counselor (code to join will be sent via email next week); last name A-L @ 5:30 p.m. AND last name M-Z @ 6:30 p.m.
- 27-28 'Virtual Welcome Back Orientation' with the Teacher via Google Meets (code to join will be sent by the teacher)
- 31 First Day of School
- 31 'Pre-K Virtual Orientation' with the Teacher via Google Meets 9:30 a.m. (Pre-K AM students only) AND 1:30 p.m. (Pre-K PM students only) (code to join will be sent by the teacher)
- 31- September 4 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution
September
- 7 No School-Labor Day
- 8-14 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution (if needed)
- 24 Early Dismissal Day
- 25 No School for Students
Distribution of student textbooks and instructional materials will occur between August 31 – September 4 and September 8-September 11. Times are TBD. Schedule of distribution times for each grade level will be provided as soon as possible.
FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Technology Distribution
LES will be distributing devices to students who responded (in the SMCPS Device Survey) that they needed a device to participate in online learning or that they share a device. The devices will be distributed next week, August 24-28 (see schedule below). Due to the current restrictions related to COVID 19, we will be distributing the devices in a specific fashion. Please follow all instructions and times. Parents/students receiving devices have been contacted by email. Only those parents/students that have been contacted will be able to pick up a device. If you need a device and did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at 301-475-0250 Ext. 31101 and complete the Device Survey here. We will contact you once a device is ready for pick up.
Admitted Pre-Kindergarten parents/students will be contacted when a device is ready for pick up.
- You may pick up your device ONLY during the time frame in which your grade level has been assigned (unless you have contacted the school. See schedule below).
- There will be someone at the entrance of Duke Street to guide you to where you need to proceed in the bus loop. Please proceed to the first cone where another staff member will be waiting. Please have your sign ready with your student(s) first and last name written large enough so the staff member can see it. If you are picking up for multiple students, please list the name of all your students.
- The staff member will radio a runner to retrieve your students’ device. Please be patient as we may be busy, but please know that we will move as fast as we can to keep the line moving.
- The staff member will direct you to proceed forward toward the tables on the sidewalk (tables will be under the awning if it is raining). The runner will bring your students’ device and place it on the table where you can then pick the device up and proceed back to your car.
- If you are walking up to pick up a device, please be sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing of 6 feet, and let a staff member know the grade, teacher name, and your student’s last name. Wait along the awning and a runner will retrieve your students’ device and bring it to you.
Please do not hesitate to call 301-475-0250 Ext. 31101 or email cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org if you have questions!
TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE
NEW INFORMATION
LES Student Schedules
Below you will find a sample schedule. This will give you an idea of learning times for your student. A more detailed scheduled tailored to each grade level will be shared by the teacher.
LES Supply List 2020-2021
Additionally, LES will be distributing bundled consumable instructional materials for all students. Items include materials for ELA, Writing, and Math for most grade levels. We are working on pick-up procedures and schedules, and we will communicate that information soon.
St. Mary's County Public Schools Updates
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Teacher Assignments
To view your child’s teacher assignment, you will need to log in to Home Access Center (HAC) on Wednesday, August 26th after 4:00 p.m. You will need to have your username and password to access Home Access Center (HAC). The school office cannot provide you with your password. To reset your password, you will need to click on the “Forgot My Username/Password” link in HAC to reset your information. Please note, the email you have on file with the school is where the reset link will be sent. To access HAC, you may click here https://www.smcps.org/hac to be taken to the sign in portal.
Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
During distance learning, families may pre-order school meals for pickup at LES school. Meals are only available for enrolled students of SMCPS and will be distributed three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Meal applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now available online; applications must be submitted annually. All families that will apply for free or reduced-price meals can apply online at:
https://www.smcps.org/dss/food-services/meal-benefit-information
For more information about meal applications and the breakfast/lunch program, please visit the Nutrition Services website at: https://www.smcps.org/dss/food-services/meal-benefit-information or call (301) 475-4256 Option #5.
PTA News!
Dear LES Families,
In anticipation of the new school year, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of the new and returning students, parents, and staff to the 2020-2021 school year at Leonardtown Elementary. I know this year has a different landscape, but our mission to build stronger families and community at Leonardtown Elementary stays the course.
I want to take a minute to introduce the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). We are working within schools to positively impact our children and families. I joined the PTA because I wanted to be a part of that mission. Over the years, our PTA at LES has continued to grow and become a strong supporting component to our school and students. As we continue to weather the uncharted waters of this global health crisis, we find ourselves challenged by the impact on families and their children’s education. Now more than ever, I encourage each and every family to join me on our mission and be a light to enrich our students lives this school year.
Over the summer your PTA Executive Board has been busy developing the details for outreach, focusing on addressing parent’s needs and enhancing the educational environment for all of our students and community beyond the walls of the classroom. We will strive to be a resource that strengthens the sense of community and that encourages our students and families as we adapt to the new normal.
You can keep up with school happenings by using the school directory, visiting the school Website, following the Leonardtown Elementary Facebook page and through our newsletters and flyers in email. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lesospreyspta@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting, working with, and learning from all of you in the coming year! Together we will make our Ospreys soar!
Sincerely,
Kathryn Weatherly, PTA President
Learning At Home Tips
Below are some tips that you may find helpful or useful as you prepare your child for this year of learning. We recognize that all families are at a different place at this time in terms of school readiness, but for those of you who are curious as to ways you can support your child, we have compiled a beginning list for you.
- Provide a designated learning space for your child. This will help your child with understanding that school is important. If your child has their own area that is strictly for their schooling, they are less likely to be distracted and it will help your child get in the zone for learning. This can be a small table, a small tv tray, a corner table in a kitchen, etc. Please do whatever works best for you, however, we recommend that this area has a “permanent” spot in the house.
- Within the designated space, have organized items that your child will be able to find, put away and use. This will allow students to work in their area without needing to leave it to find needed materials.
- Schoolbox or bin for crayons, pencils, scissors, glue and markers.
- Headphones are helpful to avoid distractions to others AND they will block out distractions from the house.
- Small whiteboard or thick paper in sheet protectors and black expo markers. Often teacher will ask your child to hold up their work and paper can be hard to see in an online format.
Change of Address
- A copy of your new lease or deed
- A copy of your current utility bill with your new address
New Student Registration for the 2020-2021
Absence Reporting
Daily attendance for virtual learning is expected. During distance learning, you must report absences by calling our office at (301) 475-0250 or by visiting the LES website (https://schools.smcps.org/les/) and clicking on the Report a Student Absence blue button at the top right of the page. You may also send an email to Mrs. Ventrone at mhventrone@smcps.org. Please include the date of the absence, the student’s name, and the reason for the absence in the email.
Attendance And Grading
Attendance will be taken daily. Students are expected to be present for live interaction to get attendance credit and for teachers to monitor their learning progress to accurately report their learning on the Standards Based Report Card at the end of each quarter. We understand that each family will have different situations, so we ask you to please work closely with your child’s teacher and administration, so we understand how we can support your family. We appreciate your support in making sure, your child is ready for school by signing on to their virtual class on time, dressed for school, and sitting in a location (ex. desk/table) that would be best for their learning.
Connect with LES And Stay Informed
Connect with LES and Stay Informed
Twitter
- Follow us on Twitter at @les_smcps
- We use Twitter to inform, celebrate, and engage our community
- Twitter is used to share what is going on in our school, our community, and throughout the St. Mary's County School System
- Turn on notifications to get information the second it is tweeted
Website
- Visit our school website at schools.smcps.org/les
- Our website is updated regularly
- Important news and information is located on the main page of the site including our 'Osprey Weekly' Message
- Staff information and email is located under the "Our Staff" tab
- A google calendar is also located on the website, which shares LES Events
- Email is our main form of communication
- You will receive news and information automatically to the email address you provided in your registration packet (if you would like to update, please contact the Main Office). We will not inundate your inbox with email. Look for the 'Osprey Weekly' Message on Fridays once the school year starts
- Weekly announcements, important information and updates, and more will primarily be sent through email
- You also have the opportunity to opt-in for text messaging (see the link to the flyer with more information below)