December 18, 2023 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Spirit Week this Week

The lead up to winter break means Spirit Week at school! If you want to participate, please see below for details:

Monday: Wacky Day (wear things on the wrong body part, inside out or that simply don’t match)
Tuesday; Rainbow Day (wear rainbows or just your favorite color)
Wednesday: Character Day (dress as your favorite book or movie character- no weapons or full face masks)
Thursday: Blue and White Day (show your TPES spirit while wearing our school colors)
Friday: Pajama Day (wear your favorite, school-appropriate PJs)

Volunteers Needed to Coordinate TPES/PBES Soccer Spring Event
This spring the TPES and PBES PTAs hope to hold a soccer game event to bring together our school community and potentially raise money for the various programs that the PTA supports. In the pre-COVID era, this event was a basketball game, but there have been calls for a soccer game instead. If you are interested in helping to make this happen, please reach out to Kaitlin Caruso (president@tpespta.net)

Next Joint TPES/PBES PTA Meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Please note the change of date since the first Tuesday of the month falls on the last day of winter break.

December TPES/PBES PTA Meeting Minutes 

Meeting minutes for the PTA meeting on December 5, 2023, are linked here. The Q&A portion is now complete. Dr. Gadsden and Ms. Hollis’s presentation, along with Piney Branch ES’s, on reading and math activities to do at home can be found in the minutes.

Literacy Night – DATE CHANGED TO JANUARY 11

TPES Literacy Night is now in January! Apologies for the multiple reminders to save the date in December. More information to come from the school.

OFFER: Free Computers
Montgomery Connects is relaunching the Computer for You Program. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer for complete details.

  • Any Maryland resident over the age of 7 who does not have access to a computer can receive one new Chromebook laptop computer. You are not eligible to get a computer if you already received one from the County.
  • You do not have to be a U.S. citizen.
  • Limit one per person.
  • You must have a library card number (https://mcpl.link/DigitalCard).
  • You must make an appointment, appear in person to pick it up, and bring photo ID and proof of address.
  • Appointments are now open to pick up computers Tuesday 12/19, Thursday 12/21, Friday 12/22, and Saturday 12/23.

TPES Online Book Fair with Bookworm Central

The TPES PTA is excited to announce that we are partnering with Northern Virginia-based company Bookworm Central for this year’s book fair, but you don’t need to wait until the onsite book fair in the spring.

You can go to our online book fair right now and purchase books to support our school. TPES PTA earns 15% of all online book fair sales, which will ensure that the PTA can provide every eligible student with book vouchers at the onsite fair.

Check out our online book fair at: https://www.bookwormcentral.com/TakomaPark. You can see the full list of available titles by clicking the “Books” tab at the top of the fair page. You can also help Ms. Anderson and the Media get the books they need by purchasing from the Library’s Book Fair Drive. Those books will go right to the Media Center’s collection. Let’s get reading!

Absences from School and Changes to Dismissal 

A written explanation of each absence is required within three days of the student’s return to school. A written explanation can be an email, a doctor’s note, or a signed written parent note. Phone calls are not accepted for absences. Requests for late arrivals, early dismissals, or changes to dismissal must be authorized by the parent/guardian and emailed to the attendance secretary (Anne_M_Hottel_Cox@mcpsmd.org), administrative secretary (Johanna_A_Paz@mcpsmd.org), and your child’s teacher NOT Class Dojo! Only your child’s teacher can see Class Dojo, and they’re usually too busy teaching to see incoming messages for changes to dismissal!

2023-24 MCPS School Calendar Available

For the planners among you, the school calendar for 2023-24 has been adopted and posted!

Lost and Found

The lost and found item pile is growing! Feel free to come during school hours to look through the items (and bring your driver’s license to sign in!). Leftover items will be donated at the end of January. Be sure to label all coats, lunchbags, water bottles, etc. to help reunite lost items with your child!

Sign Up for the Remind App!

Remind is a messaging platform that will be used to communicate across MCPS, and messages can be translated into your preferred language. Sign up…Text @takomap to the number 81010. If anyone has trouble with 81010, try texting @takomap to (563) 265-6842.

TPES PTA Listserve Etiquette

Please remember to only post TPES-community related events, information, questions, etc. on this list serve! Let’s all be mindful of each other’s inboxes! 🙂

Upcoming TPES Events

December 18-22: Spirit Week
December 25-January 2: No School – Winter Break
January 9: PTA Meeting
January 11: TPES Literacy Night
January 15: No School

Upcoming Community Events

December 21: Winter Solstice Celebration with Rock Creek Morris Women Dancers @ the Takoma Park Library
January 26: Blair HS STEM Night for K-5

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December 2023 PTA Meeting Minutes

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Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)
Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)
Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 7 – 8pm on Zoom 

Agenda: 

(1) Upcoming TPES and PBES dates and announcements
(2) Presentations by PBES reading specialist (Mr. Bledsoe), Math Coach (Mrs. Faulk), and Staff Development Teacher (Java Robinson) and TPES Principal and Vice Principal (Dr. Gadsden/Ms Hollis) with resources, tools, and activities to help kids at home depending on which areas kids may need help with based on report cards.
(3) Q&A

7:00 PM: Meeting Kick-off 

Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President welcome

  • Intro to topics to be discussed
  • Reminder: PBES suggestion/feedback form at this link in chat asking for folks to give feedback regarding upcoming meetings or other PTA suggestions/ideas. Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffIWOOmTZloAzFJHnvKrJiRaD-hNiRRt-18VfwFjZyZgWTmg/viewform

7:05 PM: Upcoming Dates & Announcements

TPES ANNOUNCEMENTS: Claire Dean, TPES PTA Vice President

    • Online Book Fair:  TPES PTA is partnering with Bookworm Central for both an online and on-site Book Fair.  The online book fair is available right now.  Link: https://www.bookwormcentral.com/TakomaPark  You may also purchase books to go directly to the media center – see link on page. If you order books by December 8, they will arrive by December 22.  TPES PTA receives 15% of all proceeds from the online book fair.  
    • TPES Merchandise:  If you would like to purchase some TPES merchandise for the holidays or winter season, please contact TPES PTA VP Claire Dean.  If you are interested in TPES merchandise before the holidays, please send me an email to coordinate at VP@tpespta.net.  You can check out our online book fair at: https://www.bookwormcentral.com/TakomaPark. You can see the full list of available titles by clicking the “Books” tab at the top of the fair page. You can also help Ms. Anderson and the Media get the books they need by purchasing from the Library’s Book Fair Drive. Those books will go right to the Media Center’s collection. Let’s get reading!
    • The Health Room needs change of clothing donations for boys, girls and non-binary clothing sizes 4-10, specifically, underwear (new only), pants and shirts. As a PK-2 school, we have several accidents throughout the week where children need a change of clothes. 
  • Thank you – the TPES Holiday drive was fulfilled. All spots were taken for the holiday toy drive. The PTA encourages donations to STM toy drive and City of Takoma Park’s 2023 Toy Drive:

Small Things Matter’s Holiday Toy Drive:  https://smallthingsmatter.org/

City of Takoma Park’s 2023 Toy Drive:  https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/police/services-and-programs/2021-toy-drive/

  • Reminder to make sure your child has a change of seasonal-appropriate clothing kept in the classroom (top, pants, underwear, and socks). 

7:10 PM:  Dolphin Drive Update, Diana Hickey van Houwelingen, VP of Fundraising

Exceeded goal: $11,077; including Thanksgiving match partners = $14,077 total

7:12 PM:  Budget Updates

Amy Swift, TPES PTA Treasurer

Most of the income this month was from Dolphin Drive.

Rachael Pierotti, PBES PTA Treasurer

PBES also surpassed the goal for Panther Appeal.

 7:20 PM:  Report Cards – Tools, Resources, and Activities Presentation

TPES – Dr. Gadsden and Ms. Hollis

Resources for supporting math and reading at home

Link to presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x632rIFm-coLytxlrAWhGshv3LLAWvCMwJ43GSqfxes/edit?usp=sharing

Families can print reading resources information at home. If you don’t have print capabilities at home, you can email reading specialist Ms. Jennifer Fahrenthold: Jennifer_Fahrenthold@mcpsmd.org.

Math coach: Samikia East: Samikia_East@mcpsmd.org.

Questions during presentation: 

Q: Dr Gadsden showed an online portal for DIBELS. How do we access that? We only got a printout at our parent-teacher conference. 

A: The Home Connect website is listed at the bottom of the second page of the DIBELS report, and is also available at https://mclass.amplify.com/homeconnect/.  If you have any additional questions, please email Jennifer_Fahrenthold@mcpsmd.org.

Q: Math question: For students who complain about having to make drawings when they can solve problems in their head, how can parents explain to them why these strategies are important? 

A: Please let students know it is great that you know how to answer problems in their head, however, there are many ways to solve a problem and the teacher wants to see what strategies you used to solve your work that is why it is important to show your work.  The teacher might have a question about your work but you left for the day and if you show your work they can look at your work to get their question answered.

Q: When we observed during the open house, the teacher was using leveled readers typical of a balanced literacy approach, which surprised me given the move by MCPS to the science of reading.  Do classrooms need more decodable texts?  And could the PTA support this? Or, is the goal to use a mix of leveled readers and decodable books?  

A: Thank you for your kind offer, but we have an excellent selection of decodable books.  Teachers have access to both decodable readers and books that are not designed as decodable readers so that they can select the type of book that is most appropriate for the task the teacher is envisioning. If you have any additional questions, please email Jennifer_Fahrenthold@mcpsmd.org.

Q: Does TPES also have access to restorative justice training? 

A: We have a Restorative Justice Coach who trains staff.

PBES – Reading Specialist- Mr. Bledsoe, Math Coach-Mrs. Faulk, Staff Development Teacher-Java Robinson
Ms. Faulk, Math Coach: presentation on how you can support your child at home
Mr. Bledsoe, reading specialist: presentation on helping your child with reading at home. Email: Robert_Bledsoe@mcpsmd.org
Java Robinson, Staff Development Teacher: Presentation on Restorative Justice & Minority Scholars Program

Link to presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1se8TuxMn-Zc1LsexjtT7kYDTOjIcZHGfZE6VuWduTEE/edit?usp=sharing

7:45 PM:  Q&A

Facilitated by Chris Campbell, PBES VP of Communications and Aphra Adkins, PBES PTA VP

Form will be filled out and shared.

7:59 PM: THANK YOU

Ingrid Gardiner,  PBES PTA President

  • Reminder that next meeting will be on January 8 at 7 PM

December 11, 2023 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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December TPES/PBES PTA Meeting Minutes 

Meeting minutes for the PTA meeting on December 5, 2023, are linked here. The Q&A portion is still under development, so we will send it out in the coming weeks. Dr. Gadsden and Ms. Hollis’s presentation on reading and math activities to do at home can be found here.

TPES Online Book Fair with Bookworm Central
The TPES PTA is excited to announce that we are partnering with Northern Virginia-based company Bookworm Central for this year’s book fair. But you don’t need to wait until the on-site book fair in the Spring.

You can go to our online book fair right now and purchase books to support our school. TPES PTA earns 15% of all online book fair sales! There is something for everyone at Bookworm Central.

Check out our online book fair at: https://www.bookwormcentral.com/TakomaPark. You can see the full list of available titles by clicking the “Books” tab at the top of the fair page. You can also help Ms. Anderson and the Media get the books they need by purchasing from the Library’s Book Fair Drive. Those books will go right to the Media Center’s collection. Let’s get reading!

Literacy Night – DATE CHANGED TO JANUARY

TPES Literacy Night is now in January! Apologies for the multiple reminders to save the date in December. More information to come from the school.

Celebrating birthdays at TPES

Please see Dr. Gadsden’s latest newsletter for details on birthday celebrations at the school. TPES loves celebrating and recognizing your child’s birthday but please follow the school’s policies. 1) Only store-bought treats are permitted; 2) Please provide only one treat per child; 3) No balloons, candles, hats, party favors; 4) Non-TPES/ MCPS children are not permitted in classrooms; 5) Please contact your child’s teacher in advance to schedule a time to celebrate with the class

Absences from School 

A written explanation of each absence is required within three days of the student’s return to school. A written explanation can be an email, a doctor’s note, or a signed written parent note. Requests for late arrivals or early dismissals must be authorized by the parent/guardian – this includes all medical appointments.

Lost and Found

The lost and found item pile is growing! Feel free to come during school hours to look through the items. Leftover items will be donated at the end of January. Be sure to label all coats, lunchbags, water bottles, etc. to help reunite lost items with your child!

Lice is Still Here! 

Lice is still going around at TPES so be vigilant at home! Check for signs of lice (mainly itching/scratching of head). Lice and nits are being found at the crown of the head not just behind ears and nape of neck, so check all areas!

School Closing Alerts for Inclement Weather and Request your Chromebook! 

You can learn about school closures, delayed openings an early dismissals when there is inclement weather via text, email, webpage, hotline, social media, etc. Click here to learn how to sign up. Also, a reminder that for excessive weather-related school closings, MCPS may go virtual. Request a Chromebook for your child using the link.

Sign Up for the Remind App!

Remind is a messaging platform that will be used to communicate across MCPS, and messages can be translated into your preferred language. Sign up…Text @takomap to the number 81010. If anyone has trouble with 81010, try texting @takomap to (563) 265-6842.

Consider Purchasing TPES Gear for Holiday Gifts! 

The PTA has plenty of selection and sizes on TPES t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, magnet decals, and water bottles. Consider purchasing as a holiday gift while supporting the Dolphins! Email Claire Dean, vp@tpespta.net for more information.

Upcoming TPES Events

December 13: No School for Pre-K
December 18-22: Spirit Week
December 25-January 2: No School – Winter Break
January 15: No School

Upcoming Community Events

December 16, 1-4pm: Takoma Cocoa Crawl
December 21: Winter Solstice Celebration with Rock Creek Morris Women dancers @ the Takoma Park Library
January 26: Blair HS STEM Night for K-5

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December 4, 2023 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Joint TPES/PBES PTA Meeting TOMORROW, 12/5, 7-8PM 

In response to questions that parents have raised about how best to support their children academically (after receiving feedback on report cards and in conferences), both schools will provide information on resources and tools, in both reading and math, that families can use with their children at home. Zoom link will be sent a few hours before the meeting.

HUGE Thanks for Contributing to the Dolphin Drive! 
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done it without your generous support. Diana, our VP Fundraising, will announce the grand total at our PTA meeting, but spoiler alert: We EXCEEDED our $10,000 goal! 

TPES Online Book Fair with Bookworm Central
The TPES PTA is excited to announce that we are partnering with Northern Virginia-based company Bookworm Central for this year’s book fair. But you don’t need to wait until the on-site book fair in the Spring.

You can go to our online book fair right now and purchase books to support our school. TPES earns 15% of all online book fair sales! Purchases made by December 8 will ship in time for the holidays. There is something for everyone at Bookworm Central.

Check out our online book fair at: https://www.bookwormcentral.com/TakomaPark. You can see the full list of available titles by clicking the “Books” tab at the top of the fair page. You can also help Ms. Anderson and the Media get the books they need by purchasing from the Library’s Book Fair Drive. Those books will go right to the Media Center’s collection. Let’s get reading!

Consider Purchasing TPES Gear for Holiday Gifts! 

The PTA has plenty of selection and sizes on TPES t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, magnet decals, and water bottles. Consider purchasing as a holiday gift while supporting the Dolphins! Email Claire Dean, vp@tpespta.net for more information.

Lice is Still Here! 

Lice is still going around at TPES, and due to the new protocols, you will likely not know if lice has been found in your child’s classroom. The PTA’s Health and Wellness Committee is working on additional communication and education but in the meantime, be vigilant at home! Check for signs of lice (mainly itching/scratching of head). Lice and nits are being found at the crown of their heads rather than behind ears and nape of neck, so check all areas!

Outdoor Recess Policy and Dressing for the Weather

Please see Dr. Gadsden’s latest newsletter for details on MCPS outdoor recess policy and ensuring your child dresses for the weather (including a pro-parent tip!). In general, for cold weather, outdoor recess will be canceled when it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder with a wind speed of 10 miles per hour or more.

Celebrating birthdays at TPES

Please see Dr. Gadsden’s latest newsletter for details on birthday celebrations at the school. TPES loves celebrating and recognizing your child’s birthday but please follow the school’s policies. 1) Only store-bought treats are permitted; 2) Please provide only one treat per child; 3) No balloons, candles, hats, party favors; 4) Non-MCPS children are not permitted in classrooms (but teacher can arrange to enjoy treats in a common area like the atrium if siblings must attend); 5) Please contact your child’s teacher in advance to schedule a time to celebrate with the class

TPES Transitioning Communication Platform: Sign Up for the Remind App!

Remind is a messaging platform that will be used to communicate across MCPS. School staff, central office staff, students and parents will all have Remind accounts to enable them to send and/or receive messages using a preferred mode of communication, such as text message, email or phone call and in their preferred language. Sign up…Text @takomap to the number 81010

You will receive a welcome text from Remind.
If anyone has trouble with 81010, they can try texting @takomap to (563) 265-6842.

ParentVue is still the platform for checking grades, attendance, documents, etc.

School Closing Alerts for Inclement Weather and Request your Chromebook! 

You can learn about school closures, delayed openings an early dismissals when there is inclement weather via text, email, webpage, hotline, social media, etc. Click here to learn how to sign up. Also, a reminder that for excessive weather-related school closings, MCPS may go virtual. Request a Chromebook for your child using the link.

Small Things Matter Coat and Winter Gear Distribution

Families are invited to a second distribution event of coats and winter gear on Tuesday, December 5 from 4:30-6 PM behind the TPSS Coop. 

TPES Holiday Gift Drive FULFILLED – THANK YOU!
In less than 24 hours, our generous community fulfilled our gift drive for our TPES families! If you didn’t volunteer for this drive but would still like to give back to the larger local community this month, here are a couple of options:
  • The City of Takoma Park is collecting toy donations at the Police Department and Volunteer Fire Department through December 20.
  • Small Things Matter is collecting toy donations at several locations around Takoma Park through December 17.

Literacy Night – SAVE THE DATE – December 21st

TPES Literacy Night is approaching! More details to come but expect rooms throughout the building to be set up with different literacy games and activities that you can then practice at home!

Upcoming TPES Events

December 5 – PTA Meeting
December 8 – Deadline to order books from book fair to arrive by 12/25
December 21 – Literacy Night

Upcoming Community Events

December 16, 1-4pm – Takoma Cocoa Crawl
January 26 – Blair HS STEM Night

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November 27, 2023 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Still Time to TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT to Our Dolphin Drive: 3:1 Match 

As the final four days of the Dolphin Drive approach, I want to let you all know that it’s not too late to contribute if you haven’t already.  There’s still time to take advantage of the 3-1 Thanksgiving Match program as well!

Our PTA provides a wide range of tools, resources and support for the school and the community with the funds that we raise.  A few of the things we supported last year for social emotional development include:

  • Funded and organized two multicultural assemblies (in honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Black History Month)
  • Provided funding for field trips for all grades, such as to Glen Echo Playhouse Theatre and Clark’s Elioak Farms, so ALL students could participate
  • Supported second grade promotion celebration efforts, including promotion t-shirts for second graders
  • Provided outdoor lunch for many months of the school year
  • Supported Fall Festival and pumpkin patch
  • Organized after-school enrichment program three days per week through Little Scholars; provided $7,500 in scholarships for students to attend Little Scholars programming
  • Supported guidance counseling classes with purchase of Zones of Regulations curriculum and materials

That’s only a few of the wonderful things that we’ve been able to accomplish with the money raised during our annual Dolphin Drive.  And thanks to your generous support we’ll be able to provide even more resources for our students and school.

Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed and supported this year’s Dolphin Drive.  And if you haven’t yet had a chance to contribute, there’s still time!

You can send cash or a check to school in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and teacher’s name.

Or you can donate online at:  https://tpespta.net/donations/fall-2023-dolphin-drive/

Small Things Matter Coat Drive Continues

Families are invited to a second distribution event of coats and winter gear on Tuesday, December 5 from 4:30-6 PM behind the TPSS Coop.

Literacy Night – SAVE THE DATE – December 21st

TPES Literacy Night is approaching! More details to come but expect rooms throughout the building to be set up with different literacy games and activities that you can then practice at home!

Health Room Needs Change of Clothing Donations

The Health Room needs boys, girls and non-binary clothing sizes 4-10, specifically, underwear (new only), pants and shirts. As a PK-2 school, we have several accidents throughout the week where children need a change of clothes. This is also a reminder to make sure your child has a change of seasonal-appropriate clothing kept in the classroom (top, pants, underwear, and socks).

Upcoming TPES Events

December 21 – Literacy Night

Upcoming Community Events

December 2, 12-4pm – Alternative Gift Fair outside of TP Farmer’s Market
December 3, 8-11am – Pajamarama
December 16, 1-4pm – Takoma Cocoa Crawl

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November 20, 2023 Dolphin Digest – TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT to Our Dolphin Drive: 3:1 Match 

This Thanksgiving season we have a number of generous community members who have offered a 3-to-1 match of all Dolphin Drive donations made during Thanksgiving week – up to $1000!  That means that if we raise $1000, our Thanksgiving Match partners will donate an additional $3000!  That’s Fantastic!

If you haven’t already had a chance to contribute, you can multiply your impact by donating now. That’s wonderful news for the PTA!   We’re doing great in this year’s drive, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the wonderful support!

This year, please consider giving thanks to our school community by contributing to the TPES Dolphin Drive!

I’d like to thank everyone again for the tremendous support this month.  I’d like to also extend additional thanks to our Thanksgiving Match partners! This is a truly special and wonderful offer.

Town Hall Parent Meeting TOMORROW, November 21, 7PM, via Zoom (link sent Tuesday afternoon) 

Please join Dr. Gadsden and school leaders for a Town Hall Parent Meeting via Zoom, TOMORROW at 7pm, to better understand MCPS policy and TPES practice for behavioral concerns. This meeting is being held in response to parent inquiries about how our school manages and responds to behavioral incidents that may disrupt the educational environment. These incidents have occurred in several classrooms in more than one grade. During the meeting, the following will be discussed:

  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (definition and the Dolphin Team)
  • Safety of all students
  • Rights of all students
  • Confidentiality- Individual students will not be discussed (individual incidents will be discussed)
  • What happens when a child becomes dysregulated and has an explosive incident
  • What happens when a class must be moved due to an incident
  • The number of incidents that caused classes to be moved to manage behavioral situations
  • When kids hit others (staff response)
  • Parent notification of incidents and the school response to incidents
  • Moving forward
  • Questions & Answers

Monday and Tuesday are early dismissal days with students (K-5) being released at 1:20 p.m. There is no school for students on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the holiday. There is no school for Pre-K students this week. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences Today 

If you haven’t already scheduled your parent-teacher conference yet, please reach out to your child’s teacher! Conferences will be virtual unless you request in-person so scheduling is very flexible!

Small Things Matter Coat Drive Continues

Families are invited to a second distribution event on Tuesday, December 5 from 4:30-6 PM behind the TPSS Coop.

Literacy Night – SAVE THE DATE – December 21st

TPES Literacy Night is approaching! More details to come but expect rooms throughout the building to be set up with different literacy games and activities that you can then practice at home!

Health Room Needs Change of Clothing Donations

The Health Room needs boys, girls and non-binary clothing sizes 4-10, specifically, underwear (new only), pants and shirts. As a PK-2 school, we have several accidents throughout the week where children need a change of clothes. This is also a reminder to make sure your child has a change of seasonal-appropriate clothing kept in the classroom (top, pants, underwear, and socks).

Upcoming TPES Events

November 20-21 – Early Dismissal (1:20PM)
November 21, 7pm – Town Hall Meeting via Zoom on behavior
November 22-24 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – Literacy Night

Upcoming Community Events

December 2, 12-4pm – Alternative Gift Fair outside of TP Farmer’s Market
December 3, 8-11am – Pajamarama
December 16, 1-4pm – Takoma Cocoa Crawl

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November 2023 PTA Meeting Minutes

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Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)
Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)
Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 7-8pm on Zoom
Meeting Minutes

Agenda included: (1)Upcoming Dates & Announcements (2)Dreambox Presentation by Samikia East (3)Wait Until Eighth Presentation by Amber Rieke (4) Treasurer’s Reports and Budget Votes

7:00 PM: Meeting Kick-off  – Kaitlin Caruso, TPES PTA President 

Upcoming Dates & Announcements (Read by Joyce McDonough, TPES VP Communications) 

Takoma Park Elementary PTA 

  • The Dolphin Drive Begins! (Please refer to Diana to make announcement) 

November is coming and it’s time for our annual Dolphin Drive!  This year we aim to raise $10,000 for the PTA.  With your support we can continue to provide programs and opportunities for our students at TPES.  Be on the lookout for more information about how you can participate and show your school spirit!  Go, Dolphins!

Flyers and envelopes will be coming home with children in the Dolphin folders, if not already. Envelope: write the child’s and teacher’s name on the website. Donations also accepted at https://tpespta.net/donations/fall-2023-dolphin-drive/

  • Bring in Magazines for the Counseling Office 

Students will be creating collages to help identify emotions and understand zones of regulation by cutting out examples of people experiencing different emotions from magazines this week. Please send in magazines with people that could be useful for these collages.

  • TPES Open House: Friday, November 10, 9:30-11:30AM

Some classes will do their normal activities, others may have special events. Teachers will determine the format of the event and how parents will engage.

  • Reminder: Respect Road Signs

As a reminder, there is no left turn at the exit of the school parking lot onto Holly Ave during school hours. There has been additional congestion at drop off/dismissal, including buses not being able to drive through, due to cars trying to turn left onto Holly Ave from the TPES parking lot.  

  • Small Things Matter and TPES/PBES Annual Coat Drive 

The school is partnering with Small Things Matter for its annual Coat Drive! The drive runs until November 15. Please bring new or gently used coats to the designated box in the main office during school hours. All PBES and TPES families are invited to get coats on Tuesday November 7 at the TPSS Coop and again at a later date (to be announced soon).

  • TPES will have Hearing & Vision screenings from November 6th through the 9th from 9:30am to 3pm. The school is in need of several volunteers to help the health room staff escort students from the classrooms to the screening location and back. Please let Ms. Paz know if you are available to assist during this important screening (Johanna_A_Paz@mcpsmd.org). 
  • There will be HALF DAYS on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week and NO SCHOOL November 22-24, 2023. 

Piney Branch Elementary PTA 

  • Panther Appeal Update: Thanks to All Who Contributed

Appeal is over, a big thank you to everyone who donated! Your support makes everything the PTA does possible!.  We are getting close to our goal and hope that our silent auction gets us to the $10K goal

  • On November 9 the PTA is hosting a Community Celebration from 7-8:30 pm, where we will thank our PBES Family and Friends for their support and participation in our vibrant community. There will be a silent auction, raffle, pizza, and a “Why I Love Piney Branch” group art project. The PTA needs volunteers for our PBES Community Celebration on November 9th! 

The event will have a group art project for students, a silent auction, pizza and raffle prizes! Bidding for silent auction items will close online at 630pm the night of and continue in person at the event.

Please fill out this SignUp Genius if you are able to volunteer. 

  • Feedback Needed: After-school Programs

Please complete this survey  to help the PTA plan future after-school programming. We are interested in your feedback, whether you have participated in the past or are interested in participating in the future.

  • Thank you to Adanna Johnson for volunteering to serve as an NAACP representative for PBES! 

We are looking for one additional NAACP representative to share responsibilities with Adanna. The NAACP representatives attend monthly meetings (or ensures PBES representation at monthly meetings), share important information from the Parents’ Council with the school community, and help to plan/support outreach events/activities at PBES. Please reach out to Sara Lewis (serowe@gmail.com) if you are willing to serve in this capacity.

For all volunteers: MCPS Volunteer Training and support guide – please complete this before you are scheduled to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URJRNYdUyL0ghVzZ32xLqPmkE7IwUvcRF2qid89ojA/preview

7:10 PM: Dreambox Presentation and Q & A

  • Samikia East, Staff Development Teacher, TPES
    • Link to presentation
    • Dreambox is a digital math program that K-3 students have access to at home and at school that complements the Eureka curriculum.
    • Empowers teachers and parents with actionable data
    • Students are encouraged to use it at home without assistance.
    • Role of the Learning Guardian
      • Ensure technical compatibility: PC, laptop, or ipad. Up to date browsers: Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Ipad app. Not compatible with android tablets, iphones
      • Username, password, classroom id comes from teacher. Student will know their picture password.
      • 5+ lessons per week, to be completed both at home and at school. Set this expectation with student.
      • Support best practices: student is the only person playing on the child’s account. It’s ok to make mistakes. Use Help and hint buttons. 15 minutes per lesson; turn on volume
    • Creating free Dreambox Math Family Account
      • Some lessons at home, some in class. This account will help know what’s been done at school
      • Login to the child’s account. Select Set Up Parent Access link. 
      • Cannot create account from ipad app
      • Enter email and create a password for parent account
      • Forgot your password link is on the login page
      • Once logged in, parent can monitor child’s progress
    • Priority for Eureka worksheets or Dreambox? To work out with the student’s math teacher. Dreambox sessions are short. May rotate what the student does each evening.
    • All data kept in house by the teacher.
    • Very little data is linked to student’s account; secure
    • Is there an offline version? Can choose to do the Eureka workbook instead of Dreambox. Research shows 5+ lessons per week can improve results. Students not on screens every day at school; MAP growth scores increased with Dreambox use.
    • How do Eureka and Dreambox relate? Both are Common Core based. Eureka may not get to all concepts covered by testing; Dreambox can
    • Logins were sent home previously; Ms. East will remind teachers to send again.
    • Joyce McDonough comment: Just wanted to name for PBES families, especially our 4th and 5th grade families, that TPES PTA purchased subscriptions for all K-3 students to address learning loss during the pandemic but the program can be used for older students. It’s an adaptive program that adapts to the skills and needs of your child.
    • Dreambox is adaptive depending on where the student is. Goes through K-8 skills
    • Tutor Me: TPES is not supporting the program this year.

7:25 PM: Wait Until Eighth Presentation and Q & A

  • Amber Rieke, Health & Wellness Committee, TPES PTA
    • Fellow parent; presented last year on Wait Until Eighth
    • Conversation started last year and picking it back up
    • Wait Until Eighth is a national campaign www.waituntil8th.org 
    • Focused on smartphones because of social media/internet access
    • Many studies coming out about social media and mental health of youth – suggest not helpful and could be harmful; health advisories released by APA and other organizations
    • Seeing increasing issues with tech at school being a distraction; mostly smart watches
    • www.waituntil8th.org/why-wait: links to research on how smartphones are changing childhood
    • Organization set up a pledge to sign to agree not to give child a smartphone until at least 8th grade; helpful to have the norm to avoid the peer pressure of other families giving smartphones.
    • Considering setting up something similar for TPES and PBES families; open to ideas on how to address the pressures. Ensure that it is something that is sustainable into the middle school years.
    • https://bit.ly/pta_waituntil8th – survey to submit ideas and provide feedback. Please complete by November 26. Will circulate in PTA newsletter and elsewhere. 
    • Amber.Rieke@gmail.com: Amber’s email for additional questions
    • Resources for parents of high school age children? Many resources on the wait until 8th website
    • https://www.childrenandscreens.com/

7:40 PM: Treasurer’s Reports & Budget Votes

  • Amy Swift, TPES PTA Treasurer
    • Votes: 
      • Using Square and PayPal charity accounts for collecting payments, both in person and online links
        • Motion passes
      • Increases to budget expenses
        • General Expenses
        • Outreach & Social Events: buying merch, fund events
        • PTA Administrative: copier expenses, CPA for tax processing
        • Subtotal School Programs: 
        • Staff Support: water cooler, etc.
          • Motion passes
    • FInancial Review completed and submitted to Free State PTA
  • Rachael Pierotti, PBES PTA Treasurer
    • Changes
      • Panther appeal is complete, except the silent auction; over $8000 collected so far
      • PBES received a grant
    • Expenses: Aquarium, staff support, pta operations b/c paypal fees
    • Book fair closed but will see the funds next month; not income for the PTA.

7:55 PM: Closing Remarks 

  • Kaitlin Caruso, TPES PTA President 
  • Reminder that next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5th

November 13, 2023 Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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NOVEMBER IS TPES PTA DOLPHIN DRIVE MONTH

The TPES Dolphin Drive is off to a terrific start!  So far, we have raised over $4000!  We can’t thank you enough for your very generous support!  The PTA is able to support so many wonderful programs thanks to the generous donations we receive from parents, families and community members during the Dolphin Drive.  Did you know that the PTA sponsors free book vouchers to ensure that every student can purchase books at the book fair?  We also provide additional materials such as paint for the art room, and supplies for STEM night.  Each year we rely on the donations we receive during the Dolphin Drive to provide resources like these to support and enrich every student at TPES.

If you have not yet made a contribution, don’t worry. There’s still time. As we approach the halfway point, we’d like to emphasize that every donation is important and much-appreciated.  There is no amount too small to make a difference.  You can donate by returning the envelope that your child brought home in their Dolphin Folder, or you can donate online at:  https://tpespta.net/donations/fall-2023-dolphin-drive/

Thank you again for your support and participation.  We are well on our way to reaching this year’s goal of $10,000!  Go Dolphins!

Gratitude for Attending TPES Open House

Thank you to all those who were able to attend TPES’s Open House last Friday, despite the rain! Feel free to reach out to your classroom teacher with any follow up questions from your visit!

November PTA Meeting Minutes Available

PTA meeting minutes from our November meeting are now available here and posted on our website. Topics include important dates to remember, Ms. East’s Dreambox presentation on how to use the new-to-TPES online math program for students in K-3, Wait Until Eighth on smartphones, and financials.

Parent-Teacher Conferences This Month

If you haven’t already scheduled your parent-teacher conference yet, please reach out to your child’s teacher! Conferences will be virtual unless you request in-person so scheduling is very flexible! These 10-15 minute conferences are a great time to discuss your child’s areas of strength and need for improvement, math MAP and reading DIBELS data, behavior, and social and emotional development.

Small Things Matter Coat Drive Continues

Thank you for all of your coat and winter item donations! Please keep the donations for kids and adults coming! Our coat drive runs until Wednesday, November 15.

Small Things Matter distributed almost all of the many items collected by TPES, PBES, and other partners to families in our community outside the Coop last week. Families are invited to a second distribution event on Tuesday, December 5 from 4:30-6 PM behind the TPSS Coop.

Wait Until Eighth

Questions or concerns about kids and smartphones? Inspired by the national Wait Until 8th family-led initiative, the TPES Health & Wellness Committee is gauging interest among PBES & TPES families for a joint campaign. If you have input and/or might like to get involved, please feel in our survey: bit.ly/pta_waituntil8th Please complete by November 26!

Literacy Night – SAVE THE DATE – December 21st

TPES Literacy Night is approaching! More details to come but expect rooms throughout the building to be set up with different literacy games and activities that you can then practice at home!

Keeping Everyone Safe

Please remember left turns are unlawful when leaving the kiss and ride circle during school hours. Turning left creates a traffic jam that is unsafe for cars, school buses and pedestrians. Dr. Gadsden will be working with the City of Takoma Park Police department to enforce this traffic law. Please do your part to keep our community safe by NOT turning left when you leave our school.

Library Books

Do you ever wonder when your child’s library books should go back to school? The simplest answer: when they have their library media class. Here is the class schedule! The borrowing periods are: 1st/2nd graders have two weeks and kindergarteners have one week with their books. Please email Susan_G_Anderson@mcpsmd.org if you have any questions.

Health Room Needs Change of Clothing Donations

The Health Room needs boys, girls and non-binary clothing sizes 4-10, specifically, underwear (new only), pants and shirts. As a K-2 school, we have several accidents throughout the week where children need a change of clothes. This is also a reminder to make sure your child has a change of clothing kept in the classroom (top, pants, underwear, and socks).

Little Scholars Survey

If you have a student who is currently attending or has previously attended after school programming at either TPES or PBES please consider completing this survey to help inform our future after-school programing. Thank you in advance for your time!

Upcoming TPES Events

November 13-21 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 17, 9:30AM – School Picture Makeup Day
November 20-21 – Early Dismissal (1:20PM)
November 22-24 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – Literacy Night

Upcoming Community Events

November 18-19 – Board Games and Puzzles Swap @ Fulfillery
November 19, 8AM – Long Branch 5K Fun Run
November 19, 9AM – Jewish representation in children’s books at People’s Books
December 2, 12-4PM – Alternative Gift Fair outside of TP Farmer’s Market

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November 6, 2023 Dolphin Digest PTA Weekly Newsletter

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PTA Meeting TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m.
The TPES/PBES PTA meeting will take place this Tuesday, November 7th via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent tomorrow afternoon. Agenda includes: 1) upcoming dates & announcements; 2) Overview and Tips on Dreambox (online math program) by Ms. Samikia East, TPES Staff Development Teacher; 3) Wait Until Eighth on smart phones for children by Amber Rieke, TPES Health and Wellness Committee; and 4) Treasurer’s Reports and a vote to adjust the budget now that we have a better idea of what the school year will look like, as well to approve the PTA’s use of PayPal and Square. The agenda for the meeting is here.

TPES Open House: THIS FRIDAY, November 10, 9:30-11:30AM
Parents are invited to come visit your child’s class in action!

NOVEMBER IS DOLPHIN DRIVE MONTH: Every Amount Helps, Every Child Benefits!
Our PTA funds raised during the Dolphin Drive go directly to supporting community activities such as Hispanic Heritage Night; providing after-school programs and in-school multicultural assemblies; and purchasing tools, like Dreambox, to support learning and achievement at school and at home. Our goal is to raise $10,000. Thank you for your support! Online donations can be made here.

Parent-Teacher Conferences This Month
Most teachers have already sent around signup links for parent-teacher conferences so check your inbox! If you haven’t scheduled yours yet, please reach out to your teacher. Conferences will be virtual unless you request in-person.

Little Scholars Survey
If you have a student who is currently attending or has previously attended after school programming at either TPES or PBES please consider completing this survey to help inform our future after-school programing. Thank you in advance for your time!

Bring in Magazines for the Counseling Office
Students will be creating collages to help identify emotions and understand zones of regulation by cutting out examples of people experiencing different emotions from magazines this week. Please send in magazines that could be useful for these collages.

Health Room Needs Change of Clothing Donations
The Health Room needs boys, girls and non-binary clothing sizes 4-10, specifically, underwear (new only), pants and shirts. As a K-2 school, we have several accidents throughout the week where children need a change of clothes. This is also a reminder to make sure your child has a change of clothing kept in the classroom (top, pants, underwear, and socks).

Hearing and Vision Testing November 6-9
Hearing and vision testing will take place for students new to MCPS, students in Kindergarten and 1st grades, and students referred by teachers, will be screened for vision and hearing. If you have any questions, contact our school nurse, Ms. Harris at 240-740-0982.

Small Things Matter Coat Distribution @ TPSS Coop: November 7th, 4:30-6PM
The school is partnering with Small Things Matter for its annual Coat Drive. All families are invited to select coats on Tuesday, November 7, 4:30-6PM behind the TPSS Coop (201 Ethan Allen Ave).

Upcoming TPES Events
November 7, 7-8PM – TPES/PBES PTA Meeting
November 7-9 – Hearing and Vision Testing
November 10, 9:30-11:30AM – TPES Open House
November 13-21 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 17, 9:30AM – School Picture Makeup Day

Upcoming Community Events
November 7, 4:30-6PM – Select winter coats through Small Things Matter at TPSS Coop
November 12, 4-8PM – Troop 33 Pancake Supper Fundraiser @ TP Presbyterian Church
November 17, 9-10AM – Jewish Representation in Children’s Books @ People’s Books
November 17 – Alternative Gift Fair outside of TP Farmer’s Market

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October 30, 2023 TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Help Nominate Our School Leaders 

A reminder to please send any testimonials or stories you are willing to share about Dr. Gadsden and/or Ms. Hollis to Kaitlin (president@tpespta.net) and Laura (Laura.e.petes@gmail.com) by Nov. 1.

No need for anything lengthy or formal – this should only take a few minutes of your time. Has Dr. Gadsden or Mrs. Hollis supported you and your kid(s)? Have you benefited from their leadership and communication? Have you seen Dr. Gadsden going above and beyond in her role as Principal? If so, we want to hear from you so we can build the strongest possible nomination for Dr. Gadsden and show appreciation for our school’s leaders.

The Dolphin Drive Begins!

November is coming and it’s time for our annual Dolphin Drive!  This year we aim to raise $10,000 for the PTA.  With your support we can continue to provide programs and opportunities for our students at TPES.  Be on the lookout for more information about how you can participate and show your school spirit!  Go, Dolphins!

No School: Wednesday, November 1st

Reminder that there is no school this Wednesday, 11/1 for teachers to have a professional day to grade and write report cards for the end of first quarter.

No Costumes on Halloween

A reminder that TPES does not celebrate Halloween at school, so children should not wear costumes to school. Candy should also be enjoyed at home, NOT school. Let’s help our teachers out!

TPES Bilingualism is My Super Power Night: Thursday, November 2, 7PM

Open house for caregivers of English Language Learning students! Information on MCPS, Chromebooks and internet, medical/dental services, public libraries, and more. Childcare is provided for ages 3 and up. Children can wear their pajamas and enjoy pizza, activities and bedtime storytelling.

Bring in Magazines for the Counseling Office 

Students will be creating collages to help identify emotions and understand zones of regulation by cutting out examples of people experiencing different emotions from magazines this week. Please send in magazines with people that could be useful for these collages.

TPES Open House: Friday, November 10, 9:30-11:30AM

SAVE THE DATE! The school will send more information, but in past years, parents are invited to come in the morning or afternoon to observe their child’s class in action.

From the MCCPTA: List of Fall/Winter MS/HS Theater Performances

The fall/winter drama and dance performance list can be found here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/bulletin/2023-10/october-25-2023/get-a-little-drama-in-your-life/ This is a fun, local, and low-stress way to introduce your children to theater performances!

Reminder: Respect Road Signs

As a reminder, there is no left turn at the exit of the school parking lot onto Holly Ave during school hours. There has been additional congestion at drop off/dismissal, including buses not being able to drive through, due to cars trying to turn left onto Holly Ave from the TPES parking lot.

Small Things Matter and TPES/PBES Annual Coat Drive 

The school is partnering with Small Things Matter for its annual Coat Drive! The drive runs until November 15. Please bring new or gently used coats to the designated box in the main office during school hours.All PBES and TPES families are invited to get coats on Tuesday November 7 at the TPSS Coop and again at a later date (to be announced soon).

Upcoming TPES Events

October 30-31 – 2nd Grade Field Trip
October 31 – 1st Grade Field Trip to Sharp’s Farm
November 1 – NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Day – grading/report card writing)
November 2, 7PM – Bilingualism is My Super Power Night (for families whom English is not their primary language)
November 7-9 – Hearing and Vision Testing
November 10, 9:30-11:30AM – TPES Open House

Upcoming Community Events

October 31 – Deadline to apply for cash assistance from the City of Takoma Park
November 4 – National Kidpreneur Day, 2000 14th St NW
November 7 – Select winter coats through Small Things Matter at TPSS Coop

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