The Falcon Flier

Dr. Holden, Principal

Dr. Anderson, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Grenzer, Assistant Principal

Website: ples.hcpss.org
Location: Phelps Luck Elementary School, Old Stone Court, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-6886
Facebook: facebook.com/phelpsluckelementary
X: @hcpss_ples

Dear Phelps Luck Families,

While summer may be winding down, the excitement is just beginning. We are looking forward to welcoming our students and families back to school and begin what will be an incredible school year!

To stay informed throughout the year, please keep an eye out for our weekly Falcon Flier. It will include important dates, updates, and school/county-related information to help you stay connected and engaged.

We are looking forward to an amazing school year and we are so glad you’re here!

Dr. Holden, Principal

Dr. Anderson, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Grenzer, Assistant Principal

• August 24 – First Day of School (Grades K-12)
• August 27 – First Day of School (RECC/Pre-K)
• September 2 – 1st & 2nd Grade Back to School Night
• September 7 – Schools and Offices Closed – Labor Day
• September 8 – Virtual PTA Meeting at 7PM
• September 9 – GT Information Session at 5:45PM
• September 9 – 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades Back to School Night at 6:15PM
• September 11 – PTA Back to School Picnic
• September 15 – Hearing and Vision Screening
• September 17 – Flag Day – Represent your country by wearing or bringing your flag colors
• September 21 – Schools and Offices Closed – Yom Kippur
• September 24 – Favorite Hispanic Figure Day – Dress like your favorite Hispanic figure
• September 28 – Hispanic Parent Meeting at 6PM
• September 30 – Schools close 3 hours early – Staff Professional Day

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

• 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

PreK/Early Childhood

• Tuesday, August 18, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Kindergarten

• Thursday, August 20, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Grades 1 & 2

• Wednesday, September 2, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Grades 3-5

• Wednesday, September 9, 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Advanced Academic Programs/GT

• Wednesday, September 9 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following:

• Student Information
• Parent/Guardian Contact
• Emergency Contacts
• Medical Information
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
• Photo Approval
• Data Confidentiality
• PTA/PTSA Directory

• Many HCPSS families may qualify for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides much more than free or reduced-price school meals. Eligible students may also receive benefits such as reduced or waived fees for college entrance exams and applications, academic and athletic programs, and other educational opportunities.
• Families are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit a new FARMs application each school year, even if they qualified previously.
• Additional information, eligibility guidelines, and the online application are available on the HCPSS website. We encourage eligible families to apply as soon as possible to ensure access to these valuable benefits.
• Apply online
• Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

The online HCPSS bus stop locator is scheduled to be available Wednesday, Aug. 19. At that time, eligible families can access bus stop locations, and pickup/dropoff times. Please be sure to check your child's bus stop location, bus time, and bus number as they may have changed from last year. Please be sure to arrive at your bus stop at least 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MA1kQ7ZgyGcr1pm9RkEfURiYZwvbrsq2YV1h1xVePds/edit?usp=sharing

• Parents can email PLESabsence@hcpss.org to report a student’s absence. Please include your child(ren)’s full name, the date your child(ren) was absent and the reason.

Local Discretionary Absence Requests:

• HCPSS students are granted 3 days a year to use at their discretion for scheduled family trips, civic engagement, and other special events.

• Such absences may not occur during exams or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee.
• A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance.
• For families requesting local discretionary absences, please complete PDF fillable Discretionary Absence Form and email it to PLESabsence@hcpss.org. The form is also available in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish.

• For your planning needs, please see the link below which details dates/holidays for HCPSS this coming year, including Winter break, Spring break, and professional learning days. Click here: https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/#print

• HCPSS Related Arts Calendar