February 26, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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In this issue: 

  1. Black History Night at PBES This Thursday, February 29, 7-8 pm
  2. Reminder: Early Release THIS FRIDAY, March 1st
  3. TPES Grounds Clean Up to Prepare for Nature Walk: Sunday, March 3rd, 1-4 pm
  4. The 2024 TPES Read-a-thon is here!
  5. Next Joint-PTA Meeting: Tuesday, March 5, 7-8 pm
  6. STEM Night @ TPES: Thursday, March 7, 7-8 pm
  7. Takoma Park Children’s Business Fair Applications Open March 1-15
  8. Cheer on D.C. United and Support TPES PTA: April 27, 7:30pm 
  9. Volunteers forFirst Grade Media Class Needed
  10. 10. Donate Cardboard Tubes
  11. Cleaning Supply Donations Needed for PreK
  12. Seeking Volunteers to Join Teacher Appreciation Committee 
  13. Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
  14. Gifted and Talented Screening and Parent Input Form for Second Graders
  15. Upcoming TPES Events 

1. Black History Night at PBES This Thursday, February 29, 7-8 pm

Please join us at Piney Branch Elementary School for a dynamic Black History Night Program on Thursday, February 29, from 7 to 8 pm, proudly sponsored by the TPES and PBES PTAs. Enjoy live performances by Blair HS Hip Hop Dance Troupe and Keur Khaleyi Dance Company, showcasing the vibrancy of African culture through dance. Engage in an art activity led by Baltimore-based artist Bakari Jones, exploring art and social justice with a focus on joy. Conclude the night with a lively dance party, led by our very own TPES NAACP Parent Representative, celebrating diversity and community spirit. Children and caregivers are warmly welcome to join this inclusive evening. Light refreshments will be served. See attached flyer for more details.  We hope to see you there!

We are also seeking volunteer support at the Black History Night event – we need support with set up, break down, refreshments, and support of the art activity.  If you are willing and able, please see the Sign Up Genius for the event here.

2. Reminder: Early Release THIS FRIDAY, March 1st

A friendly reminder that TPES will be dismissed at 1:20pm this Friday for Early Release.

3. TPES Grounds Clean Up to Prepare for Nature Walk: Sunday, March 3rd, 1-4 pm

TPES is working with the Takoma Park Community Food Forest Collective to bring a Nature Walk and Mini-Food Forest to our school.  This month, the Community Food Forest Collective and MCPS are planting 16 new native trees as part of the Nature Walk.

Join the Collective and the TPES PTA as we prepare the grounds for the new trees by weeding, cutting back invasives and picking up litter!  This is a great opportunity for TPES kids and families to take care of our school and be part of this exciting project.

WHEN: Sunday, March 3rd from 1pm to 4pm. Come for as long or as little as you can.

WHERE: Meet on the path behind the playground (opposite from the parking lot). This is the site of our TPES’ future Nature Walk!

WHAT: Help weed, cut back invasives, and pick up litter.

WHO: TPES kids, families, siblings, community members.  Anyone who wants to help grow a Nature Walk at TPES.

Questions: Email Erin Mohan at mohan.erin.m@gmail.com

4. The 2024 TPES Read-a-thon is here!

Please continue to read and record your minutes. Reading logs for week 2 are due on Friday. Find more information on the Readathon (including extra reading logs) here.

5. Next Joint-PTA Meeting: Tuesday, March 5, 7-8 pm

Please join us for our next joint-PTA meeting between TPES and PBES PTAs. Ms. Sue Anderson, TPES Library Media Specialist, will discuss keeping children safe online, including built-in safeguards on MCPS-issued Chromebooks.

6. STEM Night @ TPES: Thursday, March 7, 7-8 pm

Please save the date for this community-favorite event at TPES! More information will be coming but expect fun, hands-on activities throughout the school for this special evening!

7. Takoma Park Children’s Business Fair Applications Open March 1-15
Takoma Park Children’s Business Fair is a one-day marketplace that allows children to develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, then showcase to the community.

This event is hosted by local parents, the majority of funding is sponsored by Takoma Park business owners, and the generous support of our community volunteers.  We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.

WHO: Children Age 6-14
How many booths / children will be participating this year: 50 booths and up to 150 children!
WHEN: Saturday May 4th between 10am – 2pm (Rain date: May 11th)
WHERE: Laurel Ave, Takoma Park, MD

Applications will be accepted online from 3/1 through 3/15.

8. Cheer on D.C. United and Support TPES PTA: April 27, 7:30pm 

Come cheer on D.C. United on MCPS Night as they take on the Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30pm.  Takoma Park Elementary School will have its own section. A portion of the ticket sales go to support the TPES PTA so we can continue to offer support to the school. Tickets for the TPES section can be purchased here:  https://fevo-enterprise.com/Takomapark5  Go D.C. United and TPES Dolphins!

9. Volunteers for First Grade Media Class Needed

First graders are making science journals in the library media class. Students will use them in quarter 4 science lessons. We would appreciate help supporting students with handing out supplies, collating the pages and simple sewing. Please check this schedule at and email Ms. Anderson (Susan_g_anderson@mcpsmd.org) if you can help.

10. Donate Cardboard Tubes

Send or bring in your cardboard tubes: toilet paper, paper towel, wrapping paper, etc…) for our maker room! Collection box is in the atrium. Thank you!

11. Cleaning Supply Donations Needed for PreK

Our Prekindergarten classes are in need of cleaning supplies. In particular, classrooms need Clorox wipes, Lysol wipes and Spic and Span spray. Donations can be dropped off in the office. Please let the office staff know that your donation is for PreK. Many thanks in advance.

12. Seeking Volunteers to Join Teacher Appreciation Committee 

Our PTA is in need of a co-chair and/or volunteers to help plan and implement Teacher Appreciation Week which will be the first full week of May (May 6 -10). Detailed notes from last year’s committee are available so you don’t need to start from scratch! Thanks to parent, Betsy Garcete, for chairing this committee this year, but she can’t plan Teacher Appreciation Week on her own! Please reach out to Betsy with interest and questions! esthergarcete@gmail.com

13. Yearbook Ordering is Now Open

If you’d like to order a year book for your child, please use this link. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be distributed at the end of the school year.

14. Gifted and Talented Screening and Parent Input Form for Second Graders

Second Grade Families: Remember to fill out the Parent Input Form for the gifted and talented screening process by Thursday, February 29!

Link to survey: https://bit.ly/GT-parent-input Parents/Guardians must use their student’s MCPS google account credentials to sign in (studentid@mcpsmd.net). Most students know their passwords.

15. Upcoming TPES Events 

February 19-March 15: TPES Read-a-thon
February 29: TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration @ PBES 7-8pm
February 29: Deadline for 2nd grade Families to Submit G/T Parent Input Form
March 1: Early Release
March 5: PTA Meeting, 7-8pm
March 7: STEM Night @ TPES, 7-8pm

Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም

February 19 2024 Dolphin Digest – TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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In this issue: 
1. February PTA Meeting Minutes Now Available
2. TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration: February 29, 7-8pm
3. Cheer on D.C. United and Support TPES PTA: April 27, 7:30pm 
4. Author’s Visit This Friday, February 23
5. Donate Cardboard Tubes 
6. Cleaning Supply Donations Needed for PreK
7. Seeking Volunteers to Join Teacher Appreciation Committee 
8. Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
9. Gifted and Talented Screening and Parent Input Form for Second Graders
10. Upcoming TPES Events 
1. The 2024 TPES Read-a-thon is here!
We are excited for this fun, school-wide event that gets kids excited about reading!
 

What: The TPES Read-a-thon is a month-long, school-wide event in which your child reads and sets goals related to their reading. Like in a charity marathon, where runners are “sponsored” for every mile they run, caregivers and others may sponsor students for every minute they read. The pledges collected at the end of the Read-a-thon are donations to the PTA, and these donations provide benefits for students, teachers, and staff at TPES. 

When: The Read-a-thon runs February 19 – March 15, 2024. 

Where: At home or school, your child reads or is read to. This includes audio books and another child or adult reading to them.

Who: Anyone (parent, grandparent, family friend, etc.) can sponsor a child. Then you or your child records the minutes read. 

Why: Instead of asking children to sell items—like candy or magazines—to family and friends, a Read-a-thon encourages kids to get lost in a book, and supportive adults feel good about encouraging a child’s love of reading and supporting the school without having to purchase anything they do not need.  

How: Students and their caregivers will record minutes read on reading logs. These should be handed in to teachers every Friday of the Read-a-thon. More information was provided in your student’s Dolphin Folder and is available on the PTA website linked here (including extra reading logs if you need them). If you have any questions, email Amanda Wagner at helloamandawagner@gmail.com.

2. TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration: February 29, 7-8pm
February is Black History Month! The Black History Night event will take place on Thursday February 29 from 7 to 8:00 PM at PBES, cosponsored by the TPES and PBES PTAs. Expect live interactive performances, refreshments, and engaging art activities. Students and their families/caregivers are welcome!
3. Cheer on D.C. United and Support TPES PTA: April 27, 7:30pm 
Come cheer on D.C. United on MCPS Night as they take on the Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30pm.  Takoma Park Elementary School will have its own section. A portion of the ticket sales go to support the TPES PTA so we can continue to offer support to the school. Tickets for the TPES section can be purchased here:  https://fevo-enterprise.com/Takomapark5  Go D.C. United and TPES Dolphins!

4. Author’s Visit This Friday, February 23

This Friday, February 23, we have local author, Shannon Earle, presenting to first graders. She’ll read her nonfiction book The Penguin of Ilha Grande. Please prepare students. They’ll be sitting on the floor in the All Purpose Room (APR). She’ll read the book on a Boxlight and show things related to her research and the events in the book. She’ll take some questions at the end.

5. Donate Cardboard Tubes 

Send or bring in your cardboard tubes: toilet paper, paper towel, wrapping paper, etc…) for our maker room! Collection box is in the atrium. Thank you! 

6. Cleaning Supply Donations Needed for PreK

Our Prekindergarten classes are in need of cleaning supplies. In particular, classrooms need Clorox wipes, Lysol wipes and Spic and Span spray. Donations can be dropped off in the office. Please let the office staff know that your donation is for PreK. Many thanks in advance.

7. Seeking Volunteers to Join Teacher Appreciation Committee 
Our PTA is in need of a co-chair and/or volunteers to help plan and implement Teacher Appreciation Week which will be the first full week of May (May 6 -10). Detailed notes from last year’s committee are available so you don’t need to start from scratch! Thanks to parent, Betsy Garcete, for chairing this committee this year, but she can’t plan Teacher Appreciation Week on her own! Please reach out to Betsy with interest and questions! esthergarcete@gmail.com
8. Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
If you’d like to order a year book for your child, please use this link. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be distributed at the end of the school year.

9. Gifted and Talented Screening and Parent Input Form for Second Graders

Second Grade Families: Remember to fill out the Parent Input Form for the gifted and talented screening process by Thursday, February 29!

Link to survey: https://bit.ly/GT-parent-input Parents/Guardians must use their student’s MCPS google account credentials to sign in (studentid@mcpsmd.net). Most students know their passwords.

10. Upcoming TPES Events 

February 19-March 15: TPES Read-a-thon
February 23: Author’s Visit, Shannon Earle
February 29: TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration @ PBES 7-8pm
February 29: Deadline for 2nd grade Families to Submit G/T Parent Input Form

Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም

February 12, 2024 TPES PTA Dolphin Digest

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1. February PTA Meeting Minutes Now Available 
Our February joint-PTA meeting minutes are  available here, including notes from Mr. Althofer’s presentation on our school’s Zones of Regulation curriculum for social-emotional learning during their counseling special.
2. TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration: February 29, 7-8pm

February is Black History Month! The Black History Night event will take place on Thursday February 29 from 7 to 8:00 PM at PBES, cosponsored by the TPES and PBES PTAs. Expect live interactive performances, refreshments, and engaging art activities. Students and their families/caregivers are welcome! More details to be provided in the coming weeks.

3. Seeking Volunteers to Join Teacher Appreciation Committee 
Our PTA is in need of a co-chair and/or volunteers to help plan and implement Teacher Appreciation Week which will be the first full week of May (May 6 -10). Detailed notes from last year’s committee are available so you don’t need to start from scratch! Thanks to parent, Betsy Garcete, for chairing this committee this year, but she can’t plan Teacher Appreciation Week on her own! Please reach out to Betsy with interest and questions! esthergarcete@gmail.com
 
4. TPES Read-a-thon is coming soon and NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: February 19-March 15 
The Read-a-thon is one of our PTA’s most important fundraisers, where students will read to raise funds for the PTA. Like in a charity marathon where runners are “sponsored” for every mile they run, students will collect pledges for the time that they read. It’s a lot of fun! The students get very excited to read and set reading goals. Volunteer roles only take a few hours and many can be done from home! We will need volunteers to staff the book give-away, tally minutes read, and organize teacher thank-you events. You can sign up to volunteer on this linked spreadsheet. Please contact Amanda Wagner (helloamandawagner@gmail.com) for more information.

5. Valentine’s Day This Wednesday @ TPES

When sending valentines in with your child, be sure there is a valentine for every child in the homeroom class. Unfortunately, students without a full set will not be permitted to pass out valentines. This is being done to safeguard the emotional health of our children. Reach out to your teacher if you don’t know how many students are in the class for the Valentine’s Day card exchange.
 
6. Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
If you’d like to order a year book for your child, please use this link. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be distributed at the end of the school year.

7. Gifted and Talented Screening and Parent Input Form for Second Graders
Second Grade Families: Remember to fill out the Parent Input Form for the gifted and talented screening process by Thursday, February 29!

Link to survey: https://bit.ly/GT-parent-input Parents/Guardians must use their student’s MCPS google account credentials to sign in (studentid@mcpsmd.net). Most students know their passwords.


8. Updated Lice Protocol from the Office of the School System Medical Officer
If the student is identified with a lice infestation, the student’s parent/guardian will be notified and what treatment is needed. The health staff will review information contained in the Lice Treatment Letter (L-8) with the family.

  • Students may remain in school until the end of the day the infestation is identified.
  • They must be treated before returning to school.
  • Upon Return to School: The student should report to the health room accompanied by the parent/guardian. Health room staff will evaluate the student’s scalp and confirm with the family treatment has been initiated.
  • Follow-up – Seven to ten days after the initial treatment of a lice infestation, health room staff will send the Lice Retreat/Reinspection Letter (L-9) to parents/guardians advising the parents to re-inspect their child and retreat if necessary, according to the pediculicide treatment instructions
9. Upcoming TPES Events 
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 19: No School – President’s Day
February 19-March 15: TPES Read-a-thon
February 29: TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration @ PBES 7-8pm
February 29: Deadline for 2nd grade Families to Submit G/T Parent Input Form

Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም

February 2024 PTA Meeting Minutes

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Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)
Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)
Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 7 – 8pm on Zoom 

Meeting Kick-off 

Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President welcome

  • Intro to topics to be discussed
  • Desiree Hernandez will be translating in Spanish, we do not have an Amharic interpreter today. Notes will be shared in English/Spanish/Amharic.
  • Reminder: PBES suggestion/feedback form at this link.  Please give feedback regarding upcoming meetings or other PTA suggestions/ideas

Upcoming Dates & Announcements

TPES ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Read by Clare Dean, TPES PTA Vice President

  • Support a TPES Family During a Time of Crisis: On behalf of a dear kindergarten student at TPES and his family, Ms. Paz has created a GoFundMe page. His mother, 26 year old María, passed suddenly from complications due to her leukemia. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the cause, Ms. María Vicente Chan’s children chaperoned by Ms. Paz returned her to Guatemala for burial. The medical and funeral expenses unfortunately still linger and any further contributions are enormously appreciated. Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe. 
  • Black History Night is on February 29th at PBES! We are looking for six volunteers from TPES to help with set up, food, clean up and the art table. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gabrielle Williams. We will put her information in the chat. (gabriellefouche@gmail.com). 
  • TPES Read-a-thon is coming soon and NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: February 19-March 15: The Read-a-thon is one of our PTA’s most significant fundraisers, where students will read to raise funds for the PTA. Like in a charity marathon where runners are “sponsored” for every mile they run, students will collect pledges for the time that they read. It’s a lot of fun! The students get very excited to read and set reading goals. Volunteer roles only take a few hours and many can be done from home! Our most important volunteer need right now is on Friday, February 16th for the book giveaway! Even if you can’t commit to a whole time slot, we appreciate even an hour of your time! You can sign up to volunteer on this linked spreadsheet. Please contact Amanda Wagner (helloamandawagner@gmail.com) for more information.
  • Does Your Child Have Extra Pants in Their School Cubby? Please send in labeled pants with your child to stay in their cubby in case a change of clothing is needed. Most children only have shorts from the beginning of the year as their change of clothes. Please label your student’s clothing as it helps get the items returned if misplaced.
  • Lost and Found: Please come check out the lost and found! Most coats are now hanging on a coat rack, while there are three (large and overflowing) boxes of sweatshirts, sweaters, fleeces and lunch boxes. There is another separate box of water bottles and finally, a box of hats, gloves and scarves. Everything is located in the atrium (pictures attached for reference). We ask that if your child has lost something this year, to please come look for it, as there are a significant number of items. Please remember your ID when you come to school so that you may get in.
  • Nurse Seeking Donations of New/Excellent Condition Pants (Sizes 4-10): Please consider sending in an extra pair of pants for the nurse’s office. Not only do bathroom accidents happen, children need to change their pants if they fall in the mud/wet grass, spills in the cafeteria, etc. As a Pre K-2 school, we have lots of change of clothing needs! 
  • Valentine’s Day: When sending valentines in with your child, be sure there is a valentine for every child in the homeroom class. Unfortunately, students without a full set will not be permitted to pass out valentines. This is being done to safeguard the emotional health of our children. Teachers will be sending home class lists soon.
  • Yearbook Ordering is Now Open: If you’d like to order a yearbook for your child, please use this link. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be distributed at the end of the school year. 

PBES ANNOUNCEMENTS: ready by Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President

  • February is Black History Month! TPES/PBES Black History Night Celebration: February 29, 7–8 pm – The Black History Night event will take place on Thursday February 29 from 7 to 8:00 PM at PBES, cosponsored by the TPES and PBES PTAs. Expect live interactive performances, refreshments, and engaging art activities. Students and their families/caregivers are welcome! More details to be provided in the coming weeks.
  • February 19: No school (President’s Day)
  • Cultural Heritage Night, GeoBowl, and Readathon updates will be provided by the committee members after the announcements
  • Here is the sign up link to bring some Valentines treats for PBES staff on Feb 13: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4DA4AC28A4F49-47660610-velentines#/

Budget Updates, TPES and PBES

Amy Swift, TPES PTA Treasurer 

Zones of Regulation

Ms. Altofer . TPES Counselor 

Overview – Zones of Regulation is an SEL curriculum originally developed for small groups of students with autism or sensory processing issues. We are however seeing more and more children with self regulation challenges.

  • Mr Altofer and Ms. Ampofo are working with this curriculum (Zones of Regulation) this year. 
  • Breaks feelings into color zones.
  • Will be continuing to refine lessons and have consistency throughout classrooms/school.

Q: Are there ways we as parents can support what you are doing at school?

A: You can have conversations with your student at home if they are becoming unregulated or getting close to a tantrum, ask what color they are in. Reinforce that red is not good/bad but means out of control. Remind them that not everyone experiences their feelings the same, there isn’t a right/wrong, just a difference of opinion.

Q: If this was originally developed for kids on the autism spectrum, how appropriate is this curriculum for kids who are not on the spectrum (which presumably is most kids)?

A: It was developed for that purpose but has been used in school/clinical settings with students with ADHD, students with regulatory issues. 

This is something that is good for all children, it was just designed for children originally for kids on the spectrum. “A good strategy is a good strategy”

From chat: I rarely get details from my kids about what they learn daily, but my kindergartner and 2nd grader fell all over themselves to tell us everything about the zones of regulation!

Q: I really appreciate the focus on zones of regulation this year. How it the zones curriculum being balanced with other guidance curriculum that covers other topics?

A: This year, this is the curriculum we are using. Next year we will incorporate mindfulness into zones. 

Q:Is this tool being used in PBES as well so students can maintain a consistent approach as they age up?

A: No, but it is available. Choice was made to use it at TPES based on what counselors/staff were seeing and what seemed appropriate.

Q: What trends post-pandemic are you seeing? Particular grades or throughout?

A: Throughout school. My sense that it was from being out of school, being on screen, then having to transition back. The social skills foundation and general frustration tolerance has decreased. In any given year, there is a handful demonstrating this but we are seeing more and more, behaviors are getting bigger, more students are becoming physically aggressive, etc.

Black History Month celebration – no presentation this evening

Reminder: The celebration is Feb 29th at PBES

THANK YOU

Mrs Oberdorff: Thank you to all the volunteers for GeoBowl and Readathon

Dr Gadsden: Thank you for everyone volunteering for lunch, recess, and at school, and for your smiles when you come in.

Ingrid Gardiner,  PBES PTA President

  • Reminder that next PTA meeting will be on March 5 at 7 PM 

Additional Q&A:

Q:Is there a “no-school day” on Tuesday, May 14th?

A: May 14th is a Holiday with schools and offices closed for Primary Election Day.



February 5, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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February PTA Meeting Tomorrow: Tuesday, February 6, 7-8pm
Our February joint-PTA meeting will take place via Zoom tomorrow evening! Hear about our Black History Month celebration. Also, Mr. Althofer, TPES Guidance Counselor will join us to discuss the Zones of Regulation curriculum. Zoom link will be sent Tuesday afternoon via email.
Support a TPES Family During a Time of Crisis
On behalf of a dear kindergarten student at TPES and his family, Ms. Paz has created a GoFundMe page. His mother, 26 year old María, passed suddenly from complications due to her leukemia. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the cause, Ms. María Vicente Chan’s children chaperoned by Ms. Paz returned her to Guatemala for burial. The medical and funeral expenses unfortunately still linger and any further contributions are enormously appreciated. Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe.
TPES Read-a-thon is coming soon and NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: February 19-March 15 
The Read-a-thon is one of our PTA’s most significant fundraisers, where students will read to raise funds for the PTA. Like in a charity marathon where runners are “sponsored” for every mile they run, students will collect pledges for the time that they read. It’s a lot of fun! The students get very excited to read and set reading goals. Volunteer roles only take a few hours and many can be done from home! We will need volunteers to staff the book give-away, tally minutes read, and organize teacher thank-you events. You can sign up to volunteer on thislinked spreadsheet. Please contact Amanda Wagner (helloamandawagner@gmail.com) for more information.
Valentine’s Day
When sending valentines in with your child, be sure there is a valentine for every child in the homeroom class. Unfortunately, students without a full set will not be permitted to pass out valentines. This is being done to safeguard the emotional health of our children. Teachers will be sending home class lists in the coming weeks in preparation for the Valentine’s Day card exchange.
Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
If you’d like to order a year book for your child, please use this link. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be distributed at the end of the school year.
Lost and Found
TPES Lost and Found was organized last week, and it’s waiting for you to come claim your child’s belongings! Most coats are now hanging on a coat rack, while there are three (large and overflowing) boxes of sweatshirts, sweaters, fleeces and lunch boxes. There is another separate box of water bottles and finally, a box of hats, gloves and scarves. Everything is located in the atrium (pictures attached for reference). We ask that if your child has lost something this year, to please come look for it, as there are a significant number of items. Please remember your ID when you come to school so that you may get in.
Does Your Child Have Extra Pants in Their School Cubby? 
Please send in labeled pants with your child to stay in their cubby in case a change of clothing is needed. Most children only have shorts from the beginning of the year as their change of clothes.
Nurse Seeking Donations of New/Excellent Condition Pants (Sizes 4-10) 
Please consider sending in an extra pair of pants for the nurse’s office. Not only do bathroom accidents happen, children need to change their pants if they fall in the mud/wet grass, spills in the cafeteria, etc. As a Pre K-2 school, we have lots of change of clothing needs!
Share Your Input on the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program
Take this five-minutesurveyto share your feedback on the MCPS and Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Community Engagement Officer (CEO) program.
Inclement Weather Communication and Make-up Days Feedback
Please provide your feedbackon communication around inclement weather that may impact school operations. MCPS would also like to hear your preferences on how MCPS approaches inclement weather make-up days.
Tell MCPS What You Think About the Food
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) is collecting feedback on what you want to see on school menus. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey. Survey results will directly impact menu development.
National School Counseling Week: February 5-9
National School Counseling Week 2024 will be celebrated February 5-9, 2024, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. Consider sharing a note with our counselors, Mr. Altholfer and Ms. Ampofo, about how they impact you and your student’s life!
Green School Recertifcation atTPES: Bring in dried-up markers and used-up glue sticks
There are 2 boxes in the Atrium, one for dried-up markers and one for used-up glue sticks. Please send your used items in with your child! We will send them to be recycled once the boxes are full! Let’s see how many pounds of plastics we can prevent from going into our landfills!
UpcomingTPESEvents 
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 6: Joint PTA Meeting
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 19: No School – President’s Day
February 19-March 15: TPES Read-a-thon
Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም