Lisbon Elementary

Mrs. Debra Anoff, Principal
Mr. Bradley Scobie, Assistant Principal

15901 Frederick Road
Woodbine, MD 21797

(410) 313-5506
(410) 313-5508 - Fax

les.hcpss.org

We hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break with their family. During this time of year, we often reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. We have not shared this recently, but we are so grateful to be part of such an amazing, welcoming school community. Your kindness and acceptance, coupled with your support and love for Lisbon Elementary School, make us very lucky administrators. That was clearly illustrated during Thanksgiving Week when we received so many kind words of thankfulness and encouragement.

We would also like to take the time to THANK our awesome and amazing PTA and all our parents who contributed to our delicious Parent/Teacher Conference dinner on Monday, November 20th and awesome breakfast on Tuesday, November 21st! A very special SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Lisa Martin and Mrs. Caitie Miller, the chair's of Lisbon's PTA Teacher Appreciation Committee, for organizing, setting up, and cleaning up these two outstanding meals!

December is here and it is gearing up to be a fun and magical month filled with hope, love, and traditions. Please know you can always reach out to your child's teacher or the school for anything you need or any questions you might have along the way. We can be reached at 410-313-5506.

Mrs. Anoff, Principal

Mr. Scobie, Assistant Principal

For a complete list of dates and events visit les.hcpss.org/calendar

December

• 1 - Movie Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  
• 1 - Evening Book Fair, 4:15-6:30 p.m.
• 7 - Evening Book Fair, 4:15-6:30 p.m.
  

• 7 - Strings Concert, 7:00 p.m.
• 12 - PTA Give Back Event at Chick fil A, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  

• 13 - Professional Work and Wellness Day - Schools close 3 hours early (12:55 p.m.)
• 14 - Chorus/Band/Handbells Concert, 7:00 p.m. (Note - Time Change)
  
• 25-31 - Winter Break - Schools closed
  

January

• 1 - New Year's Day - Schools and Offices closed
• 2 - Schools reopen
• 15 - Martin Luther King Day - Schools and Offices closed
• 17 - Professional Work and Wellness Day - Schools close 3 hours early (12:55 p.m.)
• 17 - PTA Give Back Event at J&P Pizza, 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
• 18 - Rising 6th Grade Parent Information Night at Glenwood Middle, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  
• 22 - Professional Work Day - Schools closed for students
• 25 - SNOW DATE-Rising 6th Grade Parent Information Night at Glenwood Middle. 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  

There will be no printed 2023-2024 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar
3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to
4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

You also may view and/or download printable PDFs of the full calendar and/or important dates only. Updates to the PDFs will be noted on the HCPSS calendar page.

PLEASE NOTE! The calendar is subject to change. The online calendar reflects the most recent version.

Calendars in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean

Calendario en español

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated annually around the country. This year we will be participating in Inclusive Schools Week from December 4-8. This entire week is to focus on the basic need of belonging for all students and to celebrate and promote acceptance and inclusion of the diverse population we have at Lisbon Elementary School. We also hope this week will encourage conversations about how we can be more accepting and appreciative of those who are different from us.

The theme for this year is "Draw Me In!" The Inclusive Schools Network highlights that participating in art provides a pathway to self-discovery and sharing art opens doors to understanding and respecting different ways of thinking. During Inclusion Week, students and staff are encouraged to wear a different color each day of the week. Each color represents a word that will be discussed and linked to inclusion at Lisbon Elementary. The celebration of Inclusive Schools Week will create a fundamental commitment to relationships among staff, students and the community of Lisbon.

Monday: Wear Red for Respect

We respect and support our fellow classmates and recognize that individual differences are what make us special.

Tuesday: Wear Green for Gifts

Friendship is a gift we give to one another. We all have gifts and special talents to share.

Wednesday: Wear Blue for Belonging

“Kaleidoscope comes from two Greek words: kalos, meaning “beautiful,” and eidos, “shape.” Education takes on a beautiful shape when all children belong and are valued as contributing members of the school community.”

Thursday: Wear Purple for Positivity

At Lisbon we notice and embrace each other's abilities. We create a joyful school when we are positive with one another.

Friday: Wear Lisbon Spirit Wear/Colors

While we may all have different LES spirit wear, we are all part of the same team at Lisbon. We are a diverse community and that makes our school wonderful and unique! We work together to create a climate of inclusiveness and kindness. We are all linked together and connected in our purpose to make Lisbon an amazing school!

This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive

Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students in grade 3. The CogAT is a group-administered abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.

All students in Grade 3 will participate in the testing. The CogAT will be administered on Monday, December 4th, Tuesday, December 5th, and Wednesday, December 6th. No special preparation is required. Just send your child to school ready to learn as you do daily.

The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes and middle school Gifted/Talented content classes. Students’ individual scores will be reported to parents in late February/early March.

We are so excited to be starting our Jump Rope Unit in PE class to get ready for our Jump Rope for Heart Event on December 22nd! This event will be held during your students’ Related Arts time at school. Lisbon students will be working hard all month to learn new jumping skills to prepare for the event! We will be explaining to the students what the American Heart Association does and why we choose to participate in this event as a school. There is an option to raise money for the American Heart Association, but the students do not need to in order to participate! All fundraising is done online only this year! That is a family decision! Be on the lookout for other opportunities to learn and participate in challenges as a family on Canvas! If you would like to check out our school website you may do so here http://www.heart.org/khc

We are so excited to see what our Heart Heroes will learn this year!

Melanie Lindauere and Aimee Wasson

We truly live in a world surrounded by technology and this technology is growing every day!

It is becoming very clear that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works and/or their career will most likely be affected by technology in some way.

Interestingly however, only a tiny fraction of us who use technology are actually learning HOW our technology works and how creativity fosters the continuing advancement of technology.

This is why our entire school is again joining the largest worldwide learning event in history: The Hour of Code during National Computer Science Education Week December 4th-8th.

By participating in the Hour of Code, Lisbon Elementary School is making a statement that we are ready to introduce these foundational 21st-century skills even to our youngest learners. During our Hour of Code every student at Lisbon Elementary will be given the opportunity to learn, try and enhance their coding skills.

Be sure to ask your child about their experience with the Hour of Code!

See the link below for more details and a chance to try coding as a family.

https://hourofcode.com/us/learn

Preparing for Cold Weather

As we are approaching the cold winter weather, we wanted to remind you that students will still be going outside for recess. All clothing should be labeled with your child's name. Below you will find the HCPSS criteria we consider when having outdoor activities.

• Temperature
• Wind chill
• Age of students
• Length of time outdoors
• Condition of the playground
• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)

Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Emergency School Closings

If it is necessary for the Superintendent to close or delay the start of schools due to inclement weather or other emergencies, parents may obtain information from the following sources:

• HCPSS Status website, status.hcpss.org/
• The school system’s homepage, www.hcpss.org
• HCPSS News email and text message alerts
• HCPSS Information Hotline 410–313–6666
• Twitter – @hcpss

The current operating status is identified on the HCPSS Status website: status.hcpss.org. The HCPSS operational color code options are:

• Code Green – Normal Operations (in accordance with the HCPSS calendar)
• Code Red – Schools and Offices Closed
• Code Orange – Schools Closed; Offices Open with Liberal Leave in Effect
• Code Blue – Schools Open Two Hours Late
• Code Yellow – Schools Dismiss Early

All notifications regarding emergency closings include both the code and operating status. If schools open two hours late, there is no morning half-day prekindergarten or RECC, and morning child care programs are delayed by two hours. If schools are closed, or closed early due to weather conditions, all evening activities in schools, both school-sponsored and community-sponsored, are canceled, including aftercare programs sponsored by the Department of Recreation & Parks in Howard County Public Schools.

Navigating Holiday Loss and Finding Comfort

With the holiday season upon us, most people have an idealized picture of the holidays, yet every holiday and every family has some challenges. The National Family Resiliency Center wants to help you plan and enjoy the holidays as much as possible, as well as work through the challenges they may bring.

Tips on How to Respond to an Impatient Child

With the excitement of potential snow accumulation this year and the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many children struggle to remain patient. Patience is a skill that CAN be learned! With practice and a sense of connection, children can build their patience.

The Lisbon girls of Troop #2255 Girl Scouts are collecting canned foods. They will be delivering them on December 9th at the Lisbon Farmers Feed the Hungry Parade. If your family would like to participate, please send in canned goods by Friday, December 8th. There is a collection box in the lobby. All donations will be given to the Howard County Food Bank and other local organizations to benefit our community. Please donate today and be sure to come see our float in the parade!

A PTA Sponsored Staff Gifts Program

https://app.giftcrowd.com/app/join-event/Ow4L7XPgb9

The super easy and totally awesome Gifts of Gratitude is returning to Lisbon Elementary!

During this very busy time of year, please consider this convenient and completely voluntary program as an easy way to express your gratitude during the holiday season to the dedicated staff members who interact with your children every day.

Gift Crowd, an online user-friendly platform, is free to gift-buyers and gift-receivers, so every dollar contributed will go directly to the recipient! The funds collected for each staff member allows that recipient to choose how to redeem the collected amount into one or more of the many brands partnered with Gift Crowd. Instead of many people giving $5 gift cards, for example, the staff member can choose to get one gift card with the group amount.

Show your gratitude for our amazing staff - Now through December 22nd (9am):

https://app.giftcrowd.com/app/join-event/Ow4L7XPgb9

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors Guideline for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed Young Authors Cover letter sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to your homeroom teacher by December 11, 2023. Contact jacqueline_meiklejohn@hcpss.org and alicia_hansen@hcpss.org with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

You can locate all of our events on the Lisbon PTA Website . Please take a moment to join the Lisbon PTA, look at our calendar of events, and find ways you can volunteer.

Are you ready to show your Lisbon Lion Pride? Join the PTA!

Benefits of Membership:

· *NEW* $5 discount on Fall Festival and Snow Ball wristbands

· Supporting your ROARsome Lisbon teachers, staff, and students

· Allows your PTA to host fun family events and activities

· Voting is permitted by members on PTA business

· Discounts from National PTA from businesses and services

· Member of Howard County, Maryland (FreeState PTA), and National PTA

Volunteering is not a requirement with membership; however, we would love to have you!

Paying by credit card - https://lisbonpta.memberhub.com/store

Paying by cash or check - return the membership flier with payment (made out to Lisbon PTA) by mail (15901 Frederick Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797, Attn: PTA) or drop it off at Lisbon Elementary School.

Lisbon parents who are HCPSS employees regardless of work location - membership is $10.00

A few committees and events need members, LisbonPTA.org has time information and what each committee or event entails.

If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Datz at Cathydatz@yahoo.com or the Activity Chair.

Reflections – Jade Blevins, Chair - Needs 3

Snowball – Cathy Datz, Co-chair- Needs Co-chair

Fundraising – Kate Weiss, Chair- Needs 3

Wizards Business Sponsors – Emily Metzler, Chair - Needs 1

Staff Appreciation – Caitie Miller, Chair- No limit

Nominating Committee – Needs 2 people

Community Night – Elizabeth Dudley - Needs Co-chair

Wizards Game – Elizabeth Hall/Cathy Datz, Co-chairs

School of Excellence – Jessica Jenkins, Chair - needs 1

We need 2 PTACHC representatives. This position is Lisbon’s PTA representation at the Howard County PTA and is a parent advocate at the County level. PTACHC Representatives are a great opportunity to advocate for your child and all children. Meetings are held once a month at Homewood Center in Columbia from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and often have Board of Education members or elected officials Q&A’s. Only one representative needs to attend, the representative will then report at our monthly meeting about PTACHC information. This is an elected executive position and attends Lisbon PTA's December and June Executive Meetings. Please Contact Cathy Datz if you would like to be the PTACHC representative to be nominated.

In alignment with Howard County Board of Education Policy 10010, Distribution and Display of Materials and Announcements, the following announcements have been approved by the Public Information Office for distribution. Please visit Distributing Community Information through the School System or contact the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682 if you have any questions.

The link below will take you to community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System.
http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/