The TIGER Times
Together We Will Learn, Excel, and Succeed
December 4th Edition
Principal's Message
Dear Lewistown Families,
We hope you and your family had a safe and happy Thanksgiving break. In this season of gratitude, we want to thank you for your continued partnership. This year, more than ever, we are reminded that we are stronger together. We are grateful to have such a great community at LES!
It’s that time of year – winter break is right around the corner. As families begin to prepare for the season, continue to encourage and require your students to participate in virtual Google Meet classes, complete assignments, and attend regularly.
We are all making decisions during these unprecedented times that have outcomes that we cannot even begin to predict. We must have patience with ourselves and each other now more than ever. A new FCPS intent form was sent via FOF indicating your preference for virtual or hybrid instruction. This new form will provide updated information on your current preference for your child’s instructional model for the second semester for planning purposes. Please read the description below of each learning model carefully prior to making a decision.
Despite the challenges at this time, we sincerely hope you find ways to enjoy the holidays in a safe manner. We are thankful for the continued cooperation and support from all of you in these challenging times. We are happy to announce a few exciting events for the month of December. Look for more information from your teachers on our LES Quarter 1 Team Huddles, LEXIA Family Night, Catoctin Candy Cane Lane and the 13 Days of Holiday Cheer! We are excited to offer so many activities in the month of December!
Thank you for your continued support! We wish you a happy and safe holiday season in the weeks ahead.
Yours in education,
Belinda Fockler
Principal
LES Positive Behavior Referrals!
This week we celebrate more students that are showing Virtual ROARING BEHAVIORS at Lewistown Elementary School!
LES ROARING BEHAVIORS:
- Respect ourselves, others and property
- Own our actions and our words
- Attend school every day
- Show Responsibility for our learning
Teachers nominate students that show these characteristics in their virtual learning environment. We are so proud their hard work and having pride in their learning!
Congratulations to our ROARING Lewistown Tigers!
Katherine- Mrs. Gwinn
Kingston- Mrs. Carbaugh
Eli- Ms. Skowronski
Barry- Ms. Skowronski
Alex- Mrs. Burgess
Amiyah- Ms. Jozwiak
JD- Mrs. Gwinn
Kasey - Mrs. Hoffman
Virtual or Hybrid - We Need to Hear From You!
Tomorrow afternoon, Friday December 4th, you will receive a FindOutFirst message requiring parent action. The message will contain a link to complete your intent form for your child(ren).
As you know, on November 11, the Board of Education voted for FCPS to move from a virtual learning model to a hybrid learning model for students in grades PreK-12 at the start of the second semester on January 28, 2021. Any decision to change this timeline would be made by the Superintendent in collaboration with the local health department. Parents are able to choose for their child(ren) to participate in a full virtual model instead of hybrid.
As Dr. Alban shared in the December 2 Superintendent Newsletter, “Scheduling this model takes considerable time and planning, and we must start that process. One of the first steps is the completion of intent forms for families and staff.”
FCPS recognizes that your preference for virtual or hybrid instruction has been requested previously. However, we need to hear your current preference for your child’s instructional model for the second semester for planning purposes. We are providing additional pertinent information to assist you in making the instructional decision for your child. Please read the description of each learning model carefully prior to making a decision.
We ask that you complete one form per child enrolled in FCPS.
The intent form closes on Friday, December 11, 2020.
Please note at the beginning of the intent form, you are asked to provide your child’s name, school, and grade. The information is important to adequately prepare for your child’s instruction.
Thank you for your commitment to supporting FCPS!
What is all the BUZZ About LEXIA?
Parent Information Night About LEXIA and WHY it is so important!
Join our Bev Lawson, our Literacy Specialist, for a virtual parent orientation night on LEXIA.
Why is it important?
How can I see my child's progress?
Why does my child's goals change?
When: Monday, December 7th 5:00 - 6:00
Where? Google Meet:
Log into a device using your child's FCPS account username and password, open your web browser, go to https://meet.google.com, click the green "join or start a meet" button
Join: Meet.google.com
Code: LEWES-Lab
Mrs. Little in our front office is full of festive cheer!
Candy Cane Lane at Lewistown Elementary School!
We would like to support our locate Thurmont Food Bank during the holiday season. We have many families in the community in need!
Take a look at this great opportunity to drop off canned food items, see your favorite staff members and receive a candy cane on Monday, December 21st!
Need Holiday Assistance?
The holidays are meant to be a time of peace, harmony and goodwill. During our 2020 holiday season, many families are faced with great need. There are many community agencies that are available for Thanksgiving and Holiday help. If you need assistance, please look at the resources below.
FCPS: Federal Impact Aid Survey sent via Email Wednesday, December 2nd.
Please complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey -
- The Federal Impact Aid Survey Form will be distributed to parents thru the PowerSchool online portal.
- On December 2, 2020, parents will receive an email from PowerSchool Registration
- Parents will be provided with a link to the survey and a snap code for each of their students.
- The survey will close on Friday, December 11, 2020.
Lewistown Elementary School Important Dates
December:
Monday, December 7th- LEXIA Parent night for LES Families 5:00
Friday, December 11th- 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Quarter 1 Team Huddle Assemblies
Wednesday, December 16th- Return little books from distribution
Monday, December 21st- Candy Cane Lane at LES 4:30 - 5:30- Bring your canned goods!
Tuesday, December 22nd- Mid Term, Interims Issued
Thursday, December 24th - Friday, January 1st- Winter Break
January:
Monday, January 18th- Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday- School Closed
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