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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