Pleasant Plains Elementary School Newsletter Page 1 of 8
Dear Pleasant Plains Families,
It is hard to believe that we are coming to the close of the school year. Baltimore County Public Schools has officially announced the closing schedule. Classes will dismiss three hours early in grades K-5 on Monday, June 12th and on Tuesday, June 13th. June 13th will be the last day of classes for our K-5 students.
Pre-kindergarten
The final day for all students in the pre-kindergarten program will be Friday, June 9th, 2017.
Fifth Grade Farewell
The Fifth Grade Farewell Assembly will take place on Tuesday, June 6that 6:00PM at the Loch Raven High School auditorium. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Teacher Appreciation Week
We are celebrating our teachers and staff during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12, 2017. Pleasant Plains Elementary School is very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of hardworking, dedicated staff members.
Thank you PPES teachers!!!
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration
Pleasant Plains Elementary pre-kindergarten registration is scheduled for Friday, May 12thand Friday, May 26th. Kindergarten registration was scheduled for Friday, April 28th. Families unable to register during those scheduled times are urged to contact Mrs. Hamlett or Mr. Planterin the office at 410-887-3549 to arrange a time to complete the enrollment process.
Warm Weather Reminders
As spring brings warmer weather, extended daylight, and evening sports activities, please continue to remind your students that homework is very important and needs to be completed on a daily basis. Additionally, please help boys and girls remember the importance of wearing appropriate footwear to school. Flip flops and slides are unsafe for the playground and physical education class. Tennis shoes with enclosed heels and toes need to be worn in order for students to participate in these activities safely.
Awards for Excellence
Thank you for recognizing the effort and excellence of our teaching staff. Three of our teachers have been nominated for the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Awards for Excellence. Congratulations to: Ms. Edell (Kindergarten), Mrs. Sartor (Kindergarten), and Mrs. Brown (Grade 2)! They will be recognized at the Awards for Excellence banquet on May 8th. Congratulations to all!!!! We are proud of you!
Will Your Child Return to Pleasant Plains Elementary Next Year???
If your child will be entering grades 1-5 next year and will not be returning to Pleasant Plains Elementary, please contact Mrs. Hamlett or Mr. Planter in the office at 410-887-3549 as soon as possible. Paperwork will need to be completed before the last day of school.
Student Safety
Please be mindful that dropping off or picking up students in the middle of Pleasant Plains Road can be potentially dangerous for you and your child. For everyone’s safety, please enter our drop-off/pick-up loop so that your child can safely enter and exit school property via the sidewalk. Thank you for your assistance with keeping everyone safe.
Spring Concert
The Spring Concert presented by students under the direction of Ms. Seymour and Ms. Ciaccio will take place on Thursday, May 25that 2:30pm for a student assembly and at 7:00pm for families and community members.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
PPES opens to students at 8:30 am and dismissal takes place at 3:15 pm. Walkers and car riders should arrive no earlier than 8:20 am, as there is no adult supervision before that time. Additionally, walkers and car riders should be picked up from school no later than 3:30 pm.
Volunteering at Pleasant Plains
All individuals who wish to volunteer in the school, including chaperoning field trips, are required to complete the BCPS volunteer training every school year. Volunteer training must be completed and submitted at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled trips or volunteering. If you need assistance with volunteering training, please contact our Parent Service Coordinator, Heather Sferlazza at 410-887-3549 or .
Sincerely, Mrs. Albert and Mrs. Looney
Attendance Incentive
PPESis implementing an attendance incentive program during spring testing time. The program will last through Friday, May 19th. We would like to motivate students to arrive to school promptly each day. The top 20 primary students (grades K-2) and the top 20 intermediate students (grades 3-5) will be selected to attend a special field trip to Hereford Middle School sponsored by their student government. They will have the opportunity to listen to their steel drum band, participate in a cooperative group activity with the middle school students, and have lunch. Mrs. Voegtlin will announce the winners on Monday, May 22nd and send home a permission slip for the students to attend.
Important Dates for 5th Grade Parents
Please save the following important dates for the end of 5th grade. More information about these events will be sent home in the coming weeks.
May 2 – Panoramic Picture, Wear PPES gear!May 30 – Pleasant Plains Field Day
May 4 – Washington, DC Field Trip, 7:30 am to 4:00 pmJune 6 – 5th Grade Farewell Ceremony, at Loch Raven
May 8, 9, 11, and 12 – PARCC Math testingHigh School 6:00-7:30 pm
May 22, 23, and 24 – PARCC ELA testingJune 8 – 5th Grade End of Year Picnic
May 25 – Spring Concert for Band and Chorus, 7:00 pm
Better Hearing and Speech Month
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise awareness about communication disorders and available treatment options that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems speaking, understanding, or hearing.
Upcoming Parent Workshops
The Special Education Resource Center, located at White Oak School, will be hosting the following workshops during the month of May:
ADHA-Intervention Strategies for Home and School, May 3rd 7:00-9:00 pm
Specific strategies that have proven to be successful for improving your child’s behavior and successful learning will be provided. Topics covered will include home-school communication, social interactions, executive functioning/organizational skills, behavioral self-control and homework/class work completion.
Help, My Child is Anxious! Understanding Anxiety and How to Help Your Anxious Child, May 17th 7:00-9:00 pm
An overview of anxiety disorders and how they develop will be discussed. Additionally, the speaker will address common difficulties seen in anxious children, current treatment options for anxiety, and what parents can do to help their anxious child.
ADHA and Executive Functions: What’s the Big Idea?, May 23rd 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Participants will examine how executive functions (EF), often referred to as the “hidden curriculum”, can impact a student’s success in the classroom. EF skills are a group of brain-based abilities that help students “execute” a task from start to finish and self-regulate one’s behavior. Similar to other academic and learning skills, some students may need varying levels of support and intervention. Strategies for teaching and reinforcing specific EF skills will be shared.
All workshopsrequire registration and have limited space. For more details or to register, e-mail Lisa at or call the Resource Center at 410-887-5443.
Everyone Deals with Anxiety and Stress Workshop
Sheppard Pratt will be hosting a free parent workshop about children and anxiety. As parents, it’s hard to understand when our child’s anxiety is normal and when it’s time to seek help. This talk will help parents better understand anxiety, identify its symptoms, and determine when it’s time to intervene. This talk will be help on Wednesday, May 3rd from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, 6501 N. Charles Street, Towson. RSVP by emailing or calling 410-938-3157.
PARCC Testing
PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career) testing will soon begin. The 3rd graders will begin PARCC testing on May 8th. The 4th graders will continue PARCC testing during the week of May 16th. The 5th graders will begin PARCC testing on May 8th.
BCPS Summer Art Enrichment Camp
The Baltimore County Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program provides opportunities for students in grades 3-12 to build their personal art skills and add to their art portfolios. A variety of courses are offered to meet the varied needs and interests of the student whether the student is seeking to improve his or her art skills or is preparing a portfolio for acceptance into a magnet program, entrance into a college program, or preparation for an Advanced Placement exam. This program will be held at Perry Hall High School from July 10th-21st from 9:30 am-3:00 pm and the cost is $375. More information can be found at:
PTA Yoga Night in May
Our Parent Teacher Association will be hosting a Family Yoga Night with Curly Q Yoga on Friday, May 5th from 6:30-8:00 pm. Parents, students, and school staff are encouraged to join us in the gymnasium for fun, music, and yoga. There is a suggested donation of $5 per family, all proceeds support the PTA. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Relax and Read
Families are cordially invited to kick off summer reading at PPES in a very special way. Come join us for Relax and Read on June 1st (rain date June 2nd) from 2:15-2:45 pm. Students will be partnering with other grade levels to read their brand-new books donated by Title 1. Don’t forget a blanket or towel to sit on. Hope to see you there.
Mrs. Raup and Mrs. Silverthorne
Notes from the Music Department
Check out what your student has been learning in music class:
Kindergarten Vocal Music:Kindergarten is working on call and response songs in order to accurately match pitch through songs such as “There Was an Old Lady” and “Down by the Bay.” Students are also exploring various ways to show musical opposites through artwork and new percussion instruments. Students will finish the school year with an introduction to non-percussive instruments in order to learn about the four instrument families.
First Grade Vocal Music:First grade students have been introduced to the final solfege character of the school year, “Do,” in order to independently label and perform four tone songs such as “AckaBacka” and “Mr. Frog.” Students will finish the school year by completing a dance unit through participation in Irish step dance and folk dance. They will also compare musical sounds and physical movement.
Second Grade Vocal Music: Second grade students are learning to play melodic and rhythmic ostinatos, i.e patterns that occur throughout an entire song, to songs such as “Donkeys Like to Munch on Carrots” and “Hey Ho! Nobody Home.” Students will finish the school year by completing their dance unit through participation in Irish step dance and folk dance. They will also compare musical sounds and physical movement.
Third Grade Vocal Music: Third grade students have been identifying and performing layering in drum circles. Students have also been introduced to proper musical terminology in order to evaluate fact versus opinion on various performance pieces. Students will finish the year by discussing proper audience and performing etiquette in order to create ActivInspire and Wixie PSA posters regarding proper audience behavior.
Fourth and Fifth Grade Vocal Music:Fourth and Fifth grade students are currently hard at work learning and memorizing their songs for the spring concert taking place at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 25. Fourth grade is also discussing proper audience and performing etiquette in order to create ActivInspire and Wixie PSA posters regarding proper audience behavior. Fifth grade is continuing to create and use improvisation on various instruments in order to conclude their jazz and blues unit.
Fourth Grade Exploratory Music:The fourth grade classes are well into the final unit of study for the year—the string family. So far, students have studied the characteristics and history of the string family and will continue to study the string instruments of the orchestra more in depth. Students have also learned rest and play position on the violin and begun to practice performing songs pizzicato (plucked) on the four open strings.
Fifth Grade Band and Orchestra:The fifth grade students are starting to learn the notes and rhythms of their second spring concert song. The students will also be working on adding stylistic elements to their music, including dynamics, bowings, and articulation markings. Later in the month, students will have full, combined rehearsals with all instruments playing together. Please remember to continue to have students practice their instruments at home as often as possible, and to also not leave instruments at school.
Musically yours,
Ms. Ciaccio, & Ms. Seymour,
Pleasant Plains Elementary School Newsletter April 2017, Page 1 of 8
Ey on Sports
It is hard to believe how fast the school year has gone by. Thank you to everyone who ordered their Pleasant Plains Field Day Wear. Orders will arrive in a few weeks and be delivered directly to the students when they arrive. Please mark your calendars for Field Day on Tuesday, May 30th. The inclement weather date will be Wednesday, May 31st.
Our next units in PE class will be golf, tennis, and bocce ball. All of these activities are great life-long activities that you can participate in no matter your age. For golf, we will be learning about gripping the club and swinging, along with proper etiquette and manners. During tennis, we will be learning the basics tennis strokes as well as game play rules. Tennis is a great family activity to get outdoors and exercise. Finally, students will learn how to cooperatively play a game of bocce ball with friends. Be sure to ask your student about what they have learned about golf, tennis, and bocce ball.
Students will continue to be outdoors for PE when the weather is permissible so please remember to have students wear appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor activities. Students may also bring hats, sunglasses, and water bottles for outdoor activities.
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather and outdoors by being active for 60 minutes a day!
Steve Ey, & Lamont Smith,
Pleasant Plains Elementary School Newsletter Page 1 of 9
¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español! Mayo 2017
It is hard to believe that it is already May and we are nearing the end of the school year. As I reflect on the past school year, I am constantly amazed by the progress that the fourth and fifth grade students have made with their ability to communicate in Spanish. Not only can they speak in Spanish, but they are starting to read the language, interpret what they hear, and write as well! ¡Esincreíble! In fourth grade, the students continue to learn about themselves and their communities. Currently, the students are exploring different habitats and where various animals live. In fifth grade, the students continue to investigate schools and what would they would include in their ideal school. Recently, the students were introduced to their final fifth grade Spanish project in which they will create a promotion for the school of their dreams…¡enespañol!
It is amazing to hear all the students use the Spanish language for such creative reasons. I cannot wait to see what all of the students are able to accomplish by the end of the school year!
¡Todosadelante! Moving forward together!
Señorita Reier
Grade Level Monthly Updates:
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten students will learn about the Earth and the Sky, as well as Being Healthy. We will identify the letters and sounds of Uu, Qq, Yy, and Zz . We will continue to review the sounds of words and identifying the beginning, middle and end sound in words. In Math, we will review counting, shapes, positional words, number recognition and measuring.
Kindergarten
We are very excited for May in kindergarten! We will be visiting the Baltimore Zoo and the Walters Art Museum. We will be reading and learning about what natural resources are and what we can make from them. We will learn about how we can protect our earth. We will also read about and discuss how to be problem solvers and how things are alike and different. We will focus on the sight words good, who, five, come, does, be, but, and ate. In math, we are working on addition within 10 and subtraction, we will also be learning teen numbers. We will begin learning about butterflies in science in the coming weeks.
First Grade
Pleasant Plains Elementary School Newsletter Page 1 of 9
In Unit 8 of Math, students will revisit the number sequence as they count and write numbers to 100 and beyond. Students will work on achieving fluency with the two-addend combinations of ten, they will be introduced to ideas about equivalence (8 + 5 = 10 + 3), and they will engage in activities that highlight the importance of ten in our Base-10 number system. In Unit 6 of Reading, students will read, listen to, and view a variety of literary texts in order to explore and discover generalizations for the concept of change and to discuss the central messages of the texts. They will describe characters, settings, and major events, while considering the different ways in which the concept of change is presented in the stories. Our first grade luau will be Thursday, June 8, 1:30-3:00 on Big Green.
Second Grade
In ELA, students will be working with literary and non-fiction texts in order to learn what it means to make a difference. We will also be addressing the last, and most challenging unit of phonics instruction. Students will be breaking words into syllables and categorizing those syllables. They will connect patterns to understand the sounds made by the letters and letter combinations in the syllables. In Math, students continue to work with place value and larger numbers. We may also get started on the fractions unit. Second grade students and teachers are being emphatically encouraged to use the i-Ready and Dreambox software programs. If your child has extra time at home and you have the resources available, please encourage them to work with these programs! These programs are available by logging into BCPS One.