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 9.9.19
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, Sept 13: Summer Reading and Math Menu Due
Friday, Sept 20: Schools Closed
Friday, Oct 4: LES Spiritwear Orders Due
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).
Food and Nutrition Services
Home and School Connection
Were you #LESsummerstrong over the break?
If you were building your brain muscle this summer by completing the LES Summer Menu, please return it to Mrs. Mooney no later than Friday, September 13th. Those students who completed all activities and have parent signatures will earn 30 minutes of extra recess in September, a Free Bowling Pass, AND be entered into a drawing for a laptop!
PE News
Mrs. Burgess would like to challenge families this year with monthly fitness calendars.
Each month a fitness calendar will be sent home with new activities for families to complete together. At the end of the month, students return the completed and signed calendar to be entered into a drawing. Of those entered, one student per grade level will have a chance to win a prize! In addition, adults in ONE family from the school will also have a chance at winning a prize for supporting fitness at home! Please contact with questions: heather.burgess@fcps.org or by phone (240)236-3720.
Girls on the Run
Teams meet twice a week to learn life skills and train for a 5K (3.1 mi) run held at the end of the season. We currently have no registrations - so the start date has been pushed back to September 16. Sessions at Lewistown will be held on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:45pm.
For registration or more information,visit: www.gotrmidmd.org
Review the full flier: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11498
Counselor News
Happy Back to School Everyone! I am so excited to start another year at LES. For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Stacy Bokinsky (Mrs. Bo). I am your school counselor here at LES. I have the best job. I enjoy helping students and families in multiple ways. Throughout the school year, I will run programs such as Blessings in a Backpack, Tiger Mart, 4th and 5th grade jobs, Kindness Club, the Giving Tree, and more. I will also hold small groups during lunch time that will work on specific topics, such as attendance, friendship, anger control, etc. I will visit classrooms and teach monthly lessons with every grade. If you ever feel like your child needs my help, please contact me at stacy.bokinsky@fcps.org or 240-236-3755.
We are celebrating International Dot Day! This celebration started on September 15, 2009. Peter H. Reynolds wrote The Dot. It is a delightful story about how a teacher inspired a reluctant girl to use her creativity in class. Our students will get to celebrate International Dot Day on Monday, September 16, 2019. We will show our creativity by wearing dots on our clothing and creating a paper plate dot to hang in our cafeteria. When we all come together and show our creativity, we can “make our mark.”
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: 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: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=11647
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.
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
LES PBIS RULES
Respect ourselves, others and property.
Own our actions and words.
Attend school every day.
Show Responsibility for our learning.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!