PTA Reimbursement Request Forms

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TPES Parents and Staff-

Thank you for your commitment to our school! If you have expenses to be reimbursed with PTA funds, please use the forms below to submit that information. Please note there are separate forms for parents (or other community members) and for staff.

ATTACH ORIGINAL RECEIPTS FOR ALL ITEMS AND PLACE INTO PTA TREASURER MAILBOX OR EMAIL RECEIPTS WITH SIGNED FORM TO TREASURER@TPESPTA.NET
Both the signed form and receipt(s) are required for reimbursement.

Parent Expense Reimbursement Request Form

Staff Expense Reimbursement Request Form

Online resources to support learning, activity, and mental health

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Whether you’re looking for kid-focused yoga videos, a link to watch Mo Willems teach your child to draw a pigeon, or strategies for balancing the whole family’s needs at this time, the internet can help! Here are a number of sites that have pulled together some of the best resources available online:

The Washington Post has put together a pretty exhaustive list of resources in areas ranging from “Reading” to “Mental Wellness” to “Physical Activity” to “Theater and Dance.” Each link has a short description, and there are hundreds of options, generally separated by target age range.

For some additional curated resources, as well as guidance on how to manage family stress and how to talk to children of different ages about the new coronavirus, check out this page from the University of Maryland’s Department of Family Science.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has created this site with basic information on SARS-COV-2, and if you scroll to the end you will see links to articles like “Getting Children Outside While Social Distancing” or “Cloth Face Coverings for Children” that may answer many of your questions about how to best keep your kids both sane and safe at this time.

TPES PTA Meeting Minutes: March 2020

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7:00 Upcoming Events & Announcements

Feb 28 – March 26: TPES Readathon

  • Your children should have gotten a Readathon calendar and are hopefully recording their minutes. We strongly encourage children to keep their calendars in their Dolphin folders as minutes are counted on Fridays.  If you lose your calendar, there is a link on the PTA website.
  • Still in need of volunteers for Friday mornings and afternoon or over the weekend. Please Sign up here
  • We do Spirit Days every Friday to celebrate Reading. This Friday is book character day.  There will be reminder emails and flyers.

 

March 6: PBES ESOL Book Club 6:30-7:30pm (pizza provided)

  • 10 students and their parents will come and discuss with Ms. Karen and the librarian. There will be one more book club this school year and hope to have another over the summer.  This is supported by the TP Library and Takoma Foundation, PBES PTA and Friends of the TP Library, who provide the book and the pizza after.
  • We could use help with funding and also spreading the word about the next book club.
  • We are looking for ideas for other services or events that we could support with PBES ESOL staff. Contact Gina Lambright: lambright@gmail.com

 

March 12: PBES Spring Photos

March 15: PBES rebuild meeting with Mayor Stewart @Community Ctr, 4pm-5pm

  • More information in a section below

 

March 16-17: PBES GeoBowl

March 24: TKPK5K Fundraiser at Mark’s Kitchen (15% of sales)

 

March 26: PBES International Night at the TP Middle School

  • Would love to have donated supplies (e.g., free samples or trays of food) for the event. Contact Sarah Goupell: sgoupell@gmail.com to volunteer.

 

March 27: Early Release for all Students

1:30 – 3:30; Garden Pop-Up Art Event at PBES

  • PB hoping to have an outdoor garden once the weather is better. Until then, will be putting decorations in the lobby.  Would love to have families from both schools involved in setting this up.  The first activity is right after the early dismissal, will make tissue paper flowers and seedlings.  People will be able to take home a succulent or seedling.  There will be a flyer and permission slip going out for PBES in a couple of weeks.
  • Looking for a group of parents to help make this committee more robust and inclusive.
  • School gardens are great for kids, staff in many ways and are really fun.
  • Selling a sustainability item – the uni-tensil (a reusable fork/knife/spoon that is durable) – for $5 to help raise funds for the garden.
  • Email Rachel at raypublichealth@gmail.com or call 617-821-3855 to get involved.

 

April 1: PBES Talent Show & Early Bird Registration Deadline for TKPK5K

April 6-13: Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

April 14: TPES / PBES PTA Meeting at PBES, 6:45 – 8:00pm

 

TPES / PBES Basketball Game will be looking for volunteers.  Information coming soon on both school emails.  The date will be early May.  Email mkdowd@gmail.com to volunteer.

 

 

7:10 Welcome – WHAT does the PTA do & WHO are we?

Multicultural Arts Assemblies Committees at PBES & TPES

Malawi Welles

  • This committee is a great way to get involved and impact what your children see in school. It starts in October going to the Arts Fair in Rockville to see the performances of MCPS approved vendors. It’s a lot of fun.
  • We had Patagonia Winds in December at TPES and we will have Rhythms and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds on March 26. For PBES, will have the Power of Positivity and Rhythms and Rhymes.
  • Please reach out to welles@gmail.com to get involved. It’s a great opportunity and we have money left for other performances before the end of the year.

 

 

7:15 PBES Rebuild Advocacy Update

PTA Presidents Sarah Goupell (PBES) & Meg McDonald (TPES)

  • Sunday, March 15 from 4-5pm at the TP Community Center with Mayor Stewart and others
  • Hoping for a strong contingent of parents from TPES, PBES and parents with even younger children.
  • Purpose of the meeting is to get up to speed on the options for a new building for PBES.Specifically we will be talking about the land where the Adventist Community Hospital was located.  T-shirts will be provided.

 

7:20 Treasurers’ Reports & Fundraising Updates

Kelley Skelton, Treasurer & Shivani Sutton TPES Book Fair co-coordinator

  • We are doing great. We have about 15% of our funds still to come in this year – through the Readathon.  We have a $16k budget for the Readathon. Looking to ramp up spending on equity initiatives and to support our teachers over the next month.
  • All of the funds we raise at the book fairs go to the school. Raised $14k in Scholastic dollars which will be shared by the Media Center, the classrooms and the specialists in the school.  The PTA provides $12 vouchers to FARMS students (partnering with classroom teachers to identify those kids) to enable them to purchase books at the book fair.  Woods (Reading specialist) also uses her funds to send books home to this population of students over the summer.  This year we had a large number of books under $5.
  • Shivani is looking for a book fair partner for next year.

 

Amy Gibson Grant, Treasurer (PBES) & Angela Reimer, VP Fundraising (PBES)

  • PBES has done all income generation for the year. Poolapolooza was great for community building but not a great fundraiser so will reevaluate for next year.
  • Extra $2000 we weren’t anticipating came in December. We are in a great financial position for the spring.

 

7:25 After-School Clubs Updates

Virginia Davis (TPES Clubs) & Annelies Echols (PBES Clubs)

  • Last session of after-school clubs runs March 24 – May 21. Today is the last day to register.
  • We had 2 previous sessions with 100-250 students participating throughout the year, with several dozen students receiving scholarships from PTA to participate.
  • Looking for new volunteers to take over this next year as Virginia and Annelies will be moving on. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Shana at sabbathshana@gmail.com

 

7:30 SafeRoutes to School Program and the Takoma 5K

Susan Campbell & William Ince, PBES Takoma 5K organizers

Sarah Van Wye & Sasha Johnson, TPES Takoma 5K organizers

Lucy Neher, Safe Routes to School Coordinator for City of Takoma Park

  • Race is Sunday, May 3. It’s the 12th annual race.  Had 1500 people last year.  City does planning with individuals from each of the 5 schools involved.
  • Registration is open: https://www.tkpk5k.com/ There is a discount if you sign up before April 1.
  • Scholarships are being offered this year, will see information about that coming out soon
  • This is a great opportunity to support wellness and fitness programs at all of the schools. All of the proceeds go to the schools, with at least 50% used for health, wellness and fitness activities.
  • Safe Routes to School is federally funded with measures set out at the beginning of each grant cycle. We have gotten the grant since 2007 and will be applying again this year.  All of the money is programmatic, not for infrastructure.  For example, we looked at building sidewalks in areas near the schools that don’t have them, but that isn’t covered by the grant right now.
  • We work with the kids during the year about safety.
  • Trying to make TP more pedestrian and bike friendly.
  • Looking for feedback on what is wanted for future programming through the online survey that is sent out.
  • Looking to get bikes for each school that can be used during PE to help all kids learn to ride.
  • Do iCan Shine bike camp over the summer for kids with disabilities aged 8-14. It is amazing and wonderful program.  It is open to anyone in the state to attend.  They come for 75 minutes a day for 5 days, and learn how to ride a bike independently.
  • If there is interest in doing a bike helmet sale here (currently done at TPMS), can get very good $6.95 helmets.
  • A lot more students walked and biked to school in 2008 compared to 2016.
  • New equity themed sensory fitness route being built around the schools and park with fitness-based activities and a prompt for kindness and equity-based actions. Working to go through the park too.  Will be stencils on the ground.  Should take 15-30 minutes to do the route.  Would be happy to talk about any ideas you have.
  • Fundraiser at Mark’s Kitchen on April 24. 15% of all proceeds are donated.  Willow Street Yoga also doing 4 donation classes leading up to the race.
  • There are lots of opportunities to volunteer, as well. You can sign up on the website: https://www.tkpk5k.com/
  • There will be a Run Club Thursday mornings at TPES through the month of April to help kids prepare for the ¼ mile, 1 mile or 5K race.

 

Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, April 14 at PBES.  (The first Tuesday of the month is Spring Break.)

TPES response to COVID-19: How you can help

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Dear TPES families-
 
We hope you are hanging in there as we find ourselves in unprecedented times!

 
We want to let you know that school administrators, PTA presidents, the city of Takoma Park, and a few local organizations have been working on how to better support vulnerable families in Takoma Park. At this time, we feel that the best way for you to help is to donate money to either  of the local organizations below as they work to significantly expand the number of families they are able to serve in our community. These organizations have the infrastructure to be able to purchase the most needed food supplies at the lowest costs (in some cases for lower-than-wholesale-cost!), which lets them serve more families that would be possible through direct donation and distribution of non-perishable goods.  
1.  Adventist Services of Greater Washington food pantry at 501 Sligo Ave.

Donate here: Https://www.ACSGW.org

The DONATE button is very obvious on the site: please put “Takoma”’in the notes line.

2. Manna Food Center
More information can be found at https://www.mannafood.org/ Manna supports the food pantry at Takoma Park Middle School which serves families of Takoma Park Elementary and Piney Branch Elementary as well.
If you do have extra food supplies you wish to donate, you may drop them off at the following locations in Takoma Park:

7216 Garland Ave. (Minter Place side of the house near the grill)

19 Sherman Ave. (at the top of the driveway)

6 Cresent Place (on the porch)

7214 Holly Ave. (on the porch)

1210 Elson Place – Northwest corner of Elson and 13th Ave. (on the porch)

Supplies dropped off at these locations will be collected and distributed through volunteers of the Takoma Park Middle School food pantry.

Finally, if you and your family are in need of food and groceries during this time, please email takomafood@gmail.com, with subject line: grocery, to get more information about how to receive support and food delivery for your family.

Thank you for your support and please spread the word!

Takoma Park Elementary Parent and Teacher Association

COVID-19: Information and Resources

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TPES Families:

On Thursday, March 11, the Governor and State Superintendent announced that Maryland schools will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27.

The state, the county, and individual schools are all working hard to facilitate this change, and more information will be shared as it becomes available.

 

Here’s some of what we know:

  • All children who attend school today will come home with a letter with instructions on how to get on Google Classroom to access resource materials, as well as the password to the Parent/Student Portal
  • If your child will not be in school today, please contact your child’s teacher
  • In addition to materials sent home with your child today, you can access the online curriculum from MCPS at this website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/contingency/index.aspx  (Click on your child’s grade level)
  • These assignments through the county will not be graded but are intended to support and sustain student learning while children are at home

 

Here are some resources that may answer some of your questions and help you get through the next few weeks:

  • The MCPS website (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/index.aspx) will continue to be updated over the coming weeks with more information, in particular the page on the coronavirus response: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/
  • Looking for a guide on how to talk to your children about COVID-19? National Public Radio collaborating with experts in social work and mental health have developed a cartoon that explores what kids might want to know about the new coronavirus (https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus)
  • The TPES website lists a number of additional online resources to support learning here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/takomaparkes/specials/literacy/index.aspx
  • In addition to that list, TPES Art Teacher Kristen Hayes suggests checking out the following (not just related to art!):   https://www.artforkidshub.com/ , BrainPop Jr. (username “takomaes” , password “brainpop”), code.org  (K or 1st graders may work on course A, 1st/2nd grade may work on course B, and 2nd grade may also work on course C, which they have started in STEM at TPES), and the following learn-to-code sites: CS First (coding curriculum through Google),  Scratch, Jr. App (coding for pre-readers), and Scratch (coding for readers).

Resources for families needing support at this time:

  • About 34% of the 170,000 kids in Montgomery County Schools are in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program. MCPS has set up some grab and go meals for students (children up through age 18) that might need them during the impending school closure, including Rolling Terrace Elementary and Montgomery Blair High School. If any of your friends or neighbors will suffer from food insecurity in this period and have school age children, please let them know about this option, available M-F 11-1pm. The full list of locations is here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/Coronavirus/COVID-19_Emergency_Closure_Meals_for_MCPS_Students.pdf
  • More great resources to share far and wide for students and families in our community:
  • Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington
    501 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, 20910
    301-585-6556
    http://acsgw.org
    Mon-Thu 10AM-3PM
    Type:Pre-Packed Pantry Items
    Accessibility:Appointment Required, Documentation Required
    Languages:French, Spanish
    Features:Special Diet Accommodations, Fresh Produce, Other Services Offered
  • Difference Makers Kokua Foods
    7611 Piney Branch Rd., Takoma Park, 20912
    301-233-1698
    http://difference-makers.org
    Sun11AM-12PM
    Type:Choice Pantry, Pre-Packed Pantry Items
    Accessibility:Documentation Required, Service to a Specific Population
    Languages:Spanish
    Features:Fresh Produce, Other Services Offered
  • Crossroads Community Food Network
    Crossroads Farmers Market, Anne St at University Blvd E, Takoma Park, 20912
    http://crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org/
    Wed Farmers Market, April 17th-November 27th , 11AM-3PM
    Type:Discount Grocery
    Accessibility:Walk-in
    Languages:Spanish
    Features:Benefits Counseling, Fresh Produce, Other Services Offered
  • Meals on Wheels of Takoma Park/Silver Spring
    7410 New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, 20912
    301-434-1922
    http://mowtakoma.org
    Mon-Fri 9AM-1PM
    Type:Meal Service
    Accessibility:Fee for Service, Service to a Specific Population
    Languages:Spanish
    Features:Delivery, Benefits Counseling, Special Diet Accommodations, Fresh Produce
  • EduCare Support Services, Inc.
    240-450-2092
    Mon, Wed and Fri10AM-2PM-every 1st Sat 10AM-2PM Deliveries every 3rd Sat
    Type:Choice Pantry, Pre-Packed Pantry Items
    Accessibility:Appointment Required, Documentation Required, Walk-in
    Languages:Spanish, French
    Features:Delivery, Benefits Counseling, Fresh Produce, Other Services Offered
  • God Glorified Church of God in Christ
    111 Geneva Ave, Silver Spring, 20910
    301-588-6607
    http://ggcogic.org
    Second Thurs of the month (April-Dec.)
    Type:Choice Pantry
    Accessibility:Appointment Required, Documentation Required
    Features:Benefits Counseling

    Shepherd’s Table

  • 8106 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, 20910
    301-585-6463
    http://shepherdstable.org
    Mon-Fri: 7:30-8:25AM, 12-12:55PM, 6-7:25PM Sat & Sun 10:30AM-11:25AM, 6-7:25PM
    Type:Meal Service
    Accessibility:Walk-in
    Languages:Spanish
    Features:Other Services Offered
  • CASA (CASA de Maryland)

    734 University Blvd East., Silver Spring, 20903
    301-270-8432
    http://wearecasa.org
    Sat 10AM-12PM
    Type:Pre-Packed Pantry Items
    Accessibility:Walk-in
    Languages:Spanish
    Features:Other Services Offered

  • Small Things Matter Kokua Foods
    The Co-op from 10-11am
    Fresh Produce/pantry items
  • General Crossroads info:Toll-Free Hotline number for SNAP applications 866-821-5552.
  • Capital Area Food Bank: Call: (202) 644-9807 (they may not be able to serve folks outside DC, but they can offer resources in PG and MoCo)
  • Manna: Must be a moco resident; fall under a certain income level.  Call : (301) 424-1130https://mocofoodcouncil.org/food-assistance-resource-map/

TPES PTA Meeting Minutes: February 2020

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PTA Meeting February 4th

Piney Branch Elementary School

Minutes

 

Upcoming Events &  Announcements

FEBRUARY

Feb 7-14: TPES Scholastic Book Fair

Sun, Feb 9: Dine-Out 11am-10pm @ Ellsworth MOD Pizza to benefit PBES PTA

Wed, Feb 12: PBES STEM Night 7-8pm

Mon, Feb 17: Presidents Day – no school

Wed, Feb 19: African American History Night (6-8 pm) @ PBES Cafeteria

Thurs, Feb 20: Parent Input Night with Board of Ed @ Eastern Middle 7-9pm

Fri, Feb 28: Early Release for all Students; Dismissal at 1:20pm

MARCH

Wed, Mar 2: TPES Readathon until April 2.

Tue, Mar 3: TPES/PBES PTA Meeting @ PBES

Fri, Mar 6: PBES ESOL Book Club 6:30-7:30pm (pizza provided)

Thurs, Mar 12: PBES International Night & PBES Spring Photos

Mon-Tu, Mar 16-17: PBES GeoBowl

Wed, Mar 25: Wellness/Community-Building Night (more details soon!)

Fri, Mar 27: Early Release for all Students; Dismissal at 1:20pm

 

Advocacy Representative:

Hilary Stevens- Delegate from TPES to the MCC PTA.  This is an organization that brings together every PTA in the county.

  • 13th is the Montgomery County and Maryland PTA Day in Annapolis. Advocate for funding and attention to education more broadly
  • Boundary Analysis – hired a consultant group to look at where students live and where they go to school. Looking at capacity and resources to look at how equity and distance.  This has been a very touchy subject with a tortured history.  Some meetings when very off the rails, people were upset, inaccuracies were rampant, etc.  Those open meetings are now finished.  They are continuing outreach to targeted communities.  There are lots of information available at the BOE website.  This study won’t make recommendations on changing boundaries but instead will be looking at the data and what is happening on the ground.  The data didn’t show accurately how crowded TPES and PBES really is.
  • No matter the analysis- PBES and TPES is still overcrowded. We need to be vocal about this fact and to be vocal about how we need a new school SOON not 8 years from now.
  • Go to the BOE meeting at Eastern Middle and vocalize these concerns
  • Meg the TPES PTA President announced they are working on a meeting in mid-March to meet with city council and others about the build
  • Fred and Chrissy announced that you can reach out to him with more questions and he will send out ways to get involved.
  • The group interested in school safety passed a resolution on gun safety, can raed more on the website
    • On Feb. 9th at Wheaton High there will a town hall on bike and pedestrian safety given recent accidents involving students.

 

Treasurer’s Report

  • Amy from PBES- if you would like to see numbers there are handouts. We are in a strong financial position, we’ve met all our fundraising goals so far.  The rest of the year is spending the money we made.
  • TPES reports we exceeded the dolphin goals 13,875- 875 OVER our goal! Thank you to all that contributed.  There are handouts out there.  We raised over the goal for literacy and that will carry over for next year staff support.  We

 

Book Fair/Readathon

Shivani – TPES Book Fair starts on Friday!  Working all next week so come out.  She still needs volunteers- please check out the sign up genius and help out.  The proceeds go back to the school in the form of books and materials for the media center, classrooms etc.  Next year was very successful so let’s keep it up!

 

Sarah the chair noted its Feb. 28 – March 26th.  Kids read the month of march and record their minutes.  Last year they raised over $17,000 so it’s a very important fundraiser for the school.  Look out for an email!

 

TPES/PBES Basketball Game – happening in May, we will share the date when its done.  This is a really FUN family event.  It’s a game between TPES and PBES with parents and teachers on each team.  There is always a lot of excitement!  We need volunteers for many things including the doors, refs, half time fun, etc.  Consider it, more information to come.

 

PBES STEM Night- Matt Goupell reminds us that its next week!  Its double the size of last year, lots of fun groups from the outside.  NASA, the Washington Nationals, there may even be a REAL HUMAN BRAIN!  Whaaaat. There will be 15 PBES teachers leading events.  So much fun stuff coming.  They do need volunteers to help teachers run the events.  Please let him know, you can email him or Sarah Goupell.

 

The meeting then transitioned to the PEP Program where we all became much more encouraging parents and our kids now do all we ask!

 

 

Scholastic Book Fair: Spring 2020

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Please mark your calendars for our annual Scholastic Book Fair, February 7th to 14th in the Media Center! 60% of every dollar spent at the fair goes to books and supplies for our classrooms and Media Center.

The success of our fair depends on volunteers! Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054fadab2aaafe3-scholastic1 to see all the ways you can help, from set up (Thursday the 6th) and break down to staffing the registers. No experience is necessary!

www.scholastic.com/bf/takomaparkelementaryschool is the hub for the information you need, including hours of operation, setting up an eWallet (a digital payment option) for your child to use at the fair, and a link to our online fair, which opens on February 1st.

Contact co-chairs Kate Ivcevich and Shivani Sutton with any questions.