Panther Post

Mar. 9, 16, 23-Basketball Club

Mar. 11-Family Chess & Pizza 5:00-6:30 (get form from office)

Mar. 10-13 5th Grade State Testing (MISA) Science

Mar. 18-2 hour early dismissal & Math Memory Challenge

Mar. 19-Donuts with Grownups https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showRSVPSignUp/10C0E45A9A72AA4FAC52-62719570-donuts Please sign up to attend

Mar. 24-Spring Pictures

Mar. 30-Apr 6- Spring Break

Thank you to Ms. Nerby & the Resource teachers, the volunteer readers, all the kids for the hundreds of hours spent reading, the tattoo helpers, and the staff that volunteered to be tattooed in making the culminating Read Across America Challenge a success.

After consulting with the School Improvement Team and getting some parent feedback, we have decided to add another minute to the challenge. Our next Math Memory Challenge will be March 18th. Remember this is voluntary. Each grade level except for Kindergarten has 100 math facts to solve in 2 minutes.

Grade 1-100 addition facts (adding up to the sum of 20)

Grade 2-100 subtraction facts (subtracting differences from 20)

Grade 3-100 multiplication facts ( facts 0 through 12)

Grade 4-100 division facts (dividing from 144)

Grade 5- 100 mixed multiplication & division facts

Kindergarten-write numerals in order from 1-20 in 2 minutes

A new recognition program is shining a light across Calvert County Public Schools. The Superintendent’s Lighthouse Award honors individuals whose leadership, character, and dedication guide and inspire our school community.

Like a lighthouse that provides direction, stability, and hope, this award celebrates CCPS students, educators, educational support professionals, and leaders who go above and beyond to serve others, inspire excellence, and embody CCPS core values. Each month, the Superintendent will recognize those whose actions, character, and commitment help light the way for our schools and community.

Each month, the Superintendent’s Lighthouse Award will recognize one honoree in each of the following award categories:

• Student: For students who show exemplary character, leadership, work ethic, or service.
• Educator: For educators who demonstrate instructional excellence, innovation, and dedication to student growth.
• Educational Support Professional: For educational support staff in schools and departments whose work keeps CCPS strong and student-centered.
• Leadership: For school or district leaders who exemplify servant leadership and inspire a culture of excellence.

We invite students, staff, families, and community members to nominate individuals who:

• Inspire excellence through service, leadership, or innovation
• Serve as positive role models
• Demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and ethical stewardship
• Support safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for all

Nominations are accepted year-round through a simple online form. Nominations submitted by the 20th will be considered for the monthly recognition. The nomination form is also available on the CCPS website; paper forms are available at schools.

Superintendent's Lighthouse Award Nomination Form

Thank you for helping us recognize the people who truly inspire excellence and light the way in Calvert County Public Schools.

Have you ever tried to help your child with Math?

Does it make you feel like you don't know simple elementary Math now?

Has your child ever said, "My teacher doesn't do it that way?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, our fantastic teachers have created grade specific math videos to show you how they are teaching Math to their students. They have already been shared by your teacher but I will add a QR code and link here. They are busy making a second set of videos for you. Thanks to our Technology Integration Specialist, Jessica Minnich, we have a PPES YouTube channel. PPES Family Math Strategy Toolkit

• Early Signs of Spring!

  Spring is around the corner! What are some early signs of spring? Here are some things to keep an eye out for over the next several weeks!

  🌸 Early Blooming Flowers

  Crocuses and daffodils might start popping up in our yards within the next few weeks, especially if we get some warmer temperatures next week! Bright yellow forsythia bushes might also start budding and blooming soon!

  🌳 Trees

  Some trees such as red maples and oaks will start forming tiny buds. Keep an eye out for tiny buds starting to appear!

  🐦 Bird Activity

  Be on the lookout for the return of ospreys to the Chesapeake Bay region (a big local sign of spring). Also, keep an eye out for robins actively hunting for worms! Robins are gray backed birds with a reddish-orange belly.

  🐸 Amphibians & Wildlife

  We will start hearing spring peepers calling at night in wooded or marshy areas as the temperatures begin warming up!

  What are some early signs of spring you are starting to see around your house and neighborhood?

Hello parents! Please take a moment to review the information below:

(PBIS) Character Trait of the Month for February: Teamwork

In February, our school is focusing on Teamwork, which means working together, supporting one another, and working toward a shared goal. At-home activities hyperlinked by grade band (K-2)(3-5)

Career Day is coming- Friday, April 17th

PPES Family! We need your help!

We are seeking presenters who are willing to speak with students in grades 3–5 about their careers. Presenters will have at least 15 minutes to share:

• Who you are and what you do
• What a typical day looks like in your career
• Training, education, or skills needed
• Why you enjoy your work

Presentations should include visuals (such as photos, tools, uniforms, or slides) to help students better understand your role. Each session will also include time for students to ask questions. The event rotations will run from about 9:30am- 12:45pm. Your participation helps students explore future possibilities and make meaningful connections to the world of work. We appreciate your willingness to inspire our Panthers!

Click this link to the form to volunteer and I will be in touch!

Panther Cart Donations Needed

Our schoolwide Panther Cart, part of our PBIS rewards program, allows students to use their LiveSchool bucks to “shop” for fun items monthly. We’d love to keep it stocked with things students are excited about! (Amazon wish list coming soon)

Please ask your child what items they’d enjoy seeing on the cart, and if you’re able to donate any of those items, we would be truly grateful.

Thank you for supporting our Panthers and helping celebrate positive behavior!

PPES Military-Connected Family Information

Military liaison- Mrs. Andrea Webb, School Counselor

RESOURCE

Military One Source – a one-stop shop for all needs, including telehealth appointments, educational consultants, assistance/resources, deployment support, tax preparation, and so much more!!! www.militaryonesource.mil

Feeding Tummies-Heart F.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies)

This program is offered throughout the county by local church donations. Your child may be eligible to receive a small backpack for the week each Monday. This bag is provided to your child at no cost to you. Contents will include small meals/supplemental items and snacks. If you are interested in signing up for the program, please reach out to Mrs. Webb, School Counselor at webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

School Counselor Contact Information

\\If you wish to reach me or would like for me to check in with your child, don't hesitate to call me at 443-550-9730 or send an email to webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Plum Point Elementary

1245 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639 * 443-550-9730

Beatriz Gonzalez-Wilson, Principal gonzalezwilsonb@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Jenean Deahl, Assistant Principal deahlj@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Angela Rivas, Dean rivasa@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Andrea Webb, School Counselor webba@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Wendy Badgely, Secretary badgelyw@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Sherri Turner, Secretary turners@calvertnet.k12.md.us

School bus routes for CCPS are posted on the Transportation page. Please review the routes and times carefully to confirm bus numbers and pick up/drop off times.

Especially on the first day of school, we ask that students ride the school bus they are assigned. As students arrive by bus, we will greet them and tag their backpacks with their bus number to ensure their teachers have the correct bus number and the students know which bus to ride home. You can find bus assignments on the Calvert County Public Schools website at http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us under the Parent Tab/Transportation. Click on school bus locator tab to input address information. The school bus routes link will list current bus numbers and routes for PPES. You should also be able to access information on your HAC (Home Access Center) account

Please also sign up for the free “Here Comes the Bus App” that shows real time location of your child’s bus on a map. As a reminder, there will be no “guest riders” permitted this year and there can only be one pick-up and drop -off location per student due to current guidelines and restrictions.

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/transportation/bus-status/herecomesthe-bus

Please use the Parent Handbook to see information about Volunteering. This must be completed EVERY YEAR. We already have field trips scheduled for this month. Parent Handbook SY25 updated.docx

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ø Director of Student Services

Ø Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.