Leonardtown Elementary

National School Psychology Week

Tuesday: Fall Picture Re-take Day and Report Card Distribution

Wednesday: Classroom Visit Night 5 - 6 pm (Students attend with an adult)

Thursday: Community Gatherng and Clubs #2 (During school day)

Friday: 2-Hour Early Dismissal and Outstanding Osprey Celebration

Nov. 11: Veteran's Day (No School): Leonardtown Veteran's Day Parade

Nov. 12: Elementary Honor Chorus Concert @ LHS

Nov. 21: Impact Aid Application Closes

Nov 26 - 30: Thanksgiving Break for Students

See the attachment from St. Mary's Health Department with a listing of local food pantries including addresses, days/time of operation, and contact phone numbers. The publication is available in both English and Spanish.

Cold & Flu Season is Here

We are beginning to see seasonal illnesses such as colds, flu, and stomach bugs. Please keep your child home if they:

• Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Are vomiting or have diarrhea
• Have a persistent cough that interferes with learning
• Are too tired or uncomfortable to participate in school activities

Students may return when:

• They are fever-free for 24 hours without medication
• Symptoms are improving
• They have been cleared by a doctor if needed

Handwashing is still the best defense! Practice with your child and remind them to cough into their elbow.

Need to Reach Me?

If your child has new health needs, allergies, or medication changes, please contact me so I can support their well-being at school.

Sydney Gallion BSN, RN

301-475-0250 *1

slgallion@smcps.org

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students healthy and thriving!

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is currently collecting Federal Impact Aid and Emergency Information Update forms. Your cooperation in completing these forms no later than Friday, November 21, 2025, is greatly appreciated.

The federal government provides funding to the public school system in lieu of paying taxes on federal property. This funding is based on the number of students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are federally connected. This includes active-duty military personnel and federal employees who work/telework, or live on federal property. It is very important that SMCPS provides an accurate count to ensure we gain the maximum funds for your child’s education. All information is strictly confidential.

Online Federal Impact Aid Forms are now available through the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online Impact Aid form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Federal Impact Aid Survey forms is Friday, November 21, 2025. For more guidance on how to access the Federal Impact Aid Survey, please visit HERE.

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a revised Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15). The key updates include new race/ethnicity fields, which incorporate a combined race/ethnicity question and the addition of a new “Middle Eastern and North African” category. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) considers school year 2025-2026 a “transition period” and anticipates full implementation of the new directive in school year 2026-2027. To that end, we are asking all families to provide updated information regarding students’ ethnicity designations.

Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the parents’ Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online Emergency Information form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is Friday, November 21, 2025.

If you have any questions regarding these questionnaires, please call LES (301-475-0250). We appreciate your cooperation with this important task.

Help keep our community healthy! Free flu vaccine clinics are available through the St. Mary's County Health Department. See the flyer below for dates and locations.

Please note: Lunch menus are subject to change based on food deliveries and

school closures that are out-of-our-control.

LES participates in the annual Leonardtown Veteran's Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony!

Select 5th graders read their "What Veteran's Day Means to Me" essays, and we process together as a school along the parade route. The event occurs on Tuesday, November 11th in the morning.

We are also looking for volunteers to commit to float construction, marching in the parade and clean-up. Please commit using the linked LES Veterans Day Parade Sign Up Genius. If you cannot attend the parade, but would like to participate, consider making a patriotic donation (see sign up) that can be brought to school the week before the parade.

Stay Informed! This LINK will take you to an SMCPS publication about redistricting.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools has launched a comprehensive Facility Utilization and School Boundary Study initiative to guide how our schools serve students and families in the years ahead. Your input matters. Whether you join a meeting, offer feedback, or follow along with updates, your voice will help shape the future of education in St. Mary’s County.

For more information please click on the link below.

• Redistricting Information

Community Forum #2 Possible Options - Deadline to Register for Community Forum #2 is November 7th at 4:00 PM

• Please register at: https://www.smcps.org/offices/supporting-services/redistricting/events-surveys
• Session times are subject to change and consolidation based on community interest and to ensure adequate space.
• Sessions at each site may be consolidated into a single session based on registration numbers. If this occurs, the remaining session will commence at 5:00 PM.

• Registration for Community Forum #2 – Possible Options
• November 12, 2025 at George Washington Carver Elementary School
• Session 1 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Session 2 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• November 13, 2025 at Chopticon High School
• Session 1 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Session 2 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• November 14, 2025 at Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center
• Session 1 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Session 2 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Our school has a parent representative and staff representative on the district-wide Community Engagement Redistricting Team. The representatives will help ensure communication of the work, timeline, and community engagement opportunities by sharing information on surveys and community engagement events through school, community, and social media resources. You can reach out to them for additional information or to share your perspective.

• Beth Fuller - Parent Representative (pta@lesospreys.org)
• Ayanna Foster-Kelson - Staff Representative (adfosterkelson@smcps.org)

New Spirit Wear is Here!

The Leonardtown Elementary PTA Spirit Wear Sale is now available through Friday, November 14! Check out this year’s all-new lineup of spirit wear from cozy hoodies to classic T-shirts. All orders are **online only** at https://lesospreys25.itemorder.com/.

Orders will arrive just in time for the holidays. This will be the only chance to purchase spirit wear this school year. Don’t wait — place your order today!