September 2020 – Takoma Park Elementary School PTA

7:00 Welcome- Executive Committee Introductions

TPES intros

PBES intros

7:05 Setting The Stage For Success At Home – Dr. Gadsden

Have a regular space for your child at home

(Table), floor, beds, where ever comfortable. Encourage not to use blanket to cover up especially if covering head

If you have to fuss at your child- mute your child’s computer and turn camera off if possible.

Plan your escape- plan to back away from your child when in virtual environment

Plan to get a little further away if possible each day

Try to limit your conversation while they are in class

Do not talk to the teacher

Pack your patience. We have to go through this journey together.

7:10 Upcoming Dates and Announcements from the MCPS Calendar

Friday, Sept 4: Early Release Day (half day of instruction)

Mon, Sept 7: No School

Friday, Sept 25: 4-6pm PBES Garden Group Open House

Fri, Oct 2: Early Release Day (half day of instruction)

Tues, Oct 6: PTA Meeting 7-8pm

7:15 Keeping up with PTA news and opportunities

Chris Campbell & Lauren Greenberg, TPES VP Communications

Lauren Greenberg: Groups.io-

First time you post- it has to go through moderation

If you want to reply to a post on the listserv, it will go to whole list

Chris Campbell: go to PTA website; being updated regularly

Gabe Seiden, PBES VP Communications

Gabe Seiden: Join the PTA, and staying connected

PBES PTA newsletter New here- can sign in, join PTA, join Parent listserv

Can contact PTA board members through the website as well

We also need more translation help

7:20 Family & School Engagement – stay connected during the pandemic

Sarah Lewis, TPES Classroom Parent Coordinator

Need room parents; room parents ask as liason between parents, teachers, and school, working to build community in the classroom to make sure every family is as involved as they would like to be.
Room parent in process to send out 2 different google docs; spreadsheet;

Trying to see if people need help with school supplies, translation

Sarah Davidson, PBES Classroom Parent Coordinator

If you want to be a Room parent at PBES, contact Sarah.

Join the PTA listservs at groups.io, search for your school’s name
TPES: Go to https://groups.io/g/tpespta/ and there’s an option for “Join This Group” there.
Piney Branch: Go to https://pbespta.groups.io/g/main/ and “Join This Group”.

Sara Hoverter & Deepa Sundararaman, PBES Newcomers Group Co-Chairs

Families who have just moved to Takoma Park and/or are new to Piney Branch Elementary School (by moving up from TPES) are invited to connect; email Sara Hoverter (shoverter@gmail.com)

7:25 Parent Share: Virtual Learning Hacks