January 15, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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TPES/PBES PTA Meeting This Thursday, January 18, 2024, 7-8pm via Zoom (link will be sent the day of the meeting)
Our meeting last week was postponed due to the potential of power and internet outages. Agenda includes: 1) Upcoming dates and announcements; 2) Update about Black History Month events; 3) Presentations by Dr. Gadsden (Principal of TPES) and Ms. Oberdorf (Principal of PBES) on protocol and processes for virtual school in the case of inclement weather; 4) Q&A

Next Food Forest and Gardening PTA Committee on Wednesday, January 24th 8-9PM
We have some great updates to share! Agenda includes planting in the spring, Spring Gardening Club update; and Green School recertification. Please email Erin Mohan mohan.erin.m@gmail.com for the Google Meet link.

Green School Recertifcation at TPES: 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!

Seeking Book Donations and Read-a-thon Co-Chairs 
Like last year, we will kick off the 2024 Read-a-thon with a book giveaway! Each student will get to pick out a free book to jump-start their reading adventures. We are seeking donations of lightly-used books suitable for grades K-2. Because each child will receive a book, we need LOTS! If you have book donations, please reach out to Amanda Wagner (helloamandawagner@gmail.com). 

If you’d like to hear more about parent volunteer opportunities during the Read-a-thon or if you’d be interested in co-Chairing this event, please reach out about this as well!

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) 
Obeying Traffic Laws
Cars and trucks CANNOT go down the bus loop,(entering from Holly Avenue). If you find yourself going downhill through the bus loop, past the school (on your left), you are driving unlawfully. Vehicles should only be going uphill (entering from Philadelphia Avenue) with the school on the right. It is unsafe for drivers and pedestrians when drivers drive unlawfully. Please keep in mind, the bus loop is only to be used by school buses from the hours of 9:05 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Proper Dress for the Weather
Please be sure your child is dressed properly for the weather. At this time of the year, children should have a coat or jacket when coming to school. If there is an emergency and the school is evacuated, your child may be uncomfortable standing outside for extended periods without a coat. A coat worn to school will be required for recess, emergency evacuations and dismissal. The adults on staff will make the determination if and when jackets can be removed. If your child needs a coat, please let us know.

Upcoming Emergency Drills
In the coming weeks, we will have both a Drop, Cover and Hold and a Severe Weather Drill. The Drop, Cover and Hold Drill is designed to prepare for earthquakes while the Severe Weather Drill will prepare students for tornadoes.
MCPS Winter Parent Academy Workshops Now Available
Take advantage of virtual Parent Academy sessions this winter to stay informed and empowered as a partner and advocate for your student’s education. Parent Academy TO GO  workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children’s academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready.
Upcoming sessions and topics this month:
Managing Morning Mayhem and Bedtime Battles: Jan. 17, 6-7 p.m.
Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens: Jan. 24, 6-7 p.m.
Visit the parent academy website for a full schedule and to register.
NEW Amharic TPES Parents WhatsApp Group
Thanks to our parent volunteer, Alfia Ali, we have an active Amharic-language WhatsApp group for TPES parents. Help us spread the word!
Advice on Lice
Each week, we’ll feature one of the many tips that Dr. Gadsden highlighted in her newsletter to help remind our community that we all need to be vigilant! 
TIP #3 Keep Hair in Tight Buns and Braids
Children with long hair are especially susceptible to getting head lice since head to head contact is the most common way lice is spread. Loose hair is more likely to come in contact with hair from another child or adult with an active case of head lice.
Keep in mind, 97% of head lice cases are spread through direct head to head contact. So the best way to prevent lice is to avoid close head contact with others, that includes selfies, sharing a pillow, whispering and hugging.
Upcoming TPES Events 
January 18: Rescheduled PTA Meeting
January 24: Food Forest and Gardening Committee Meeting, 8-9PM
January 26: End of Quarter 2
January 29: No School

Upcoming Community Events
January 26: Blair HS STEM Night for K-5
January 27: Kindness Day in honor of Tommy Raskins, kindness stations at Piney Branch ES, 10:30-1pm

January 8, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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TPES/PBES PTA Meeting TOMORROW,  Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 7-8pm via Zoom (link will be sent the day of the meeting)
Agenda includes: 1) Upcoming dates and announcements; 2) Update about Black History Month events; 3) Presentations by Dr. Gadsden (Principal of TPES) and Ms. Oberdorf (Principal of PBES) on protocol and processes for virtual school in the case of inclement weather; 4) Q&A

TPES Literacy Night This Thursday – January 11, 7-8:30PM
In addition to the wonderful programming by TPES staff, which will include literacy game stations and more, the TPES PTA volunteers will be available with laptops in Ms. Fahrenhold’s room (Media Center) to assist parents and caregivers with the following:

  • Complete the MCPS volunteer training so that you may participate in volunteer opportunities at the school.  This is a great chance to just knock out that training you’ve been meaning to do for so long!  Volunteer training certification lasts 3 years.  If you do not know your ParentVue account information, then TPES Staff will be available on-site during Literacy Night to locate your activation key so that you can create a ParentVue account.  ParentVue is an excellent resource for information on your child’s education through MCPS.
  • Sign up for access to MCPS Chromebooks at home to take advantage of Dreambox and Benchmark at-home programming and in the event of weather-related extended school closure.
  • Register for Little Scholars after-school enrichment by the January 12 deadline.
  • Sign up for the WhatsApp groups for Spanish and Amharic-speaking families.
  • Purchase TPES merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, keychains, magnets, and water bottles).
  • Become a TPES PTA member (https://tpespta.net/).

Little Scholars Club Registration NOW OPEN until January 12, 8am
Registration is open! Click here to register! No late registrations accepted. The TPES PTA is funding scholarships and will review the applications and attempt to fund as many as possible on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

In a change from the fall semester, Little Scholars’ classes will now be one hour in length (instead of 1.5 hours) from 4-5pm. If you have a child at PBES doing Little Scholars on the same day, there is an allowed grace period of 15 minutes to pick up between schools, though there will be a penalty if you arrive after 5:15pm to respect the instructors’ time.

If you have questions regarding pick up, drop off, or return to KA, please our PTA volunteer for after school programming, Emily McCarthy. If you’d like to speak directly with the rep at Little Scholars, please contact Nicole Brown at: nbrown@littlescholarsllc.com

Seeking Book Donations and Read-a-thon Co-Chairs 
Like last year, we will kick off the 2024 Read-a-thon with a book giveaway! Each student will get to pick out a free book to jump-start their reading adventures. We are seeking donations of lightly-used books suitable for grades K-2. Because each child will receive a book, we need LOTS! If you have book donations, please reach out to Amanda Wagner (helloamandawagner@gmail.com).

If you’d like to hear more about parent volunteer opportunities during the Read-a-thon or if you’d be interested in co-Chairing this event, please reach out about this as well!

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)

Is Your Child Missing a Winter Coat?
The atrium is FULL of lost coats, hats, gloves, etc. Please stop by before or after school to visit our Lost & Found in the Atrium area. If you plan to come during school hours, please remember to bring your driver’s license to sign in.  Don’t forget to label your child’s belongings! Lost items will be donated at the end of the month.

NEW Amharic TPES Parents WhatsApp Group
Thanks to our parent volunteer, Alfia Ali, we have an active Amharic-language WhatsApp group for TPES parents. Help us spread the word! 

Request a Chromebook Today
Let’s avoid a last minute rush to secure a Chromebook for your child in case we have multiple weather-related closings. Even if you have a family or work device at home, you will likely prefer your child to have their own device on that snow day. Email your child’s teacher AND fill out this form.

Advice on Lice
Each week, we’ll feature one of the many tips that Dr. Gadsden highlighted in her newsletter to help remind our community that we all need to be vigilant!
TIP #2: Avoid ‘Community Piles’
If your child wears a jacket and hat to school, it’s best to put them in their backpack or cubby hook when they get to school. Avoid piling hats or scarves in piles in the classroom or at recess.

Upcoming TPES Events
January 9: PTA Meeting
January 11: TPES Literacy Night
January 15: No School
January 26: End of Quarter 2
January 29: No School

Upcoming Community Events
January 15: MLK Jr. Service Day: Takoma Woods Cleanup 10am-noon
January 26: Blair HS STEM Night for K-5
January 27: Kindness Day in honor of Tommy Raskins, kindness stations at Piney Branch ES, 10:30-1pm

Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም

January 2, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Happy New Year!!!

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. 

Little Scholars Club Registration Open January 4, 8am – January 12, 8am
The winter season of Little Scholars will be opening this Wednesday! We recently shared parent feedback with Little Scholars regarding past experiences (both positive and negative) and are working closely with them to ensure improved programming with engaging instructors! No classes will be cancelled for low enrollment until after the registration deadline has ended and if a class is cancelled at that point, parents will be notified, reimbursed, and have the option to sign up for another class that is being offered even though the registration has closed.

In a change from the fall semester, Little Scholars’ classes will now be one hour in length (instead of 1.5 hours) from 4-5pm. If you have a child at PBES doing Little Scholars on the same day, there is an allowed grace period of 15 minutes to pick up between schools, though there will be a penalty if you arrive after 5:15pm to respect the instructors’ time. If you have questions regarding pick up, drop off, or return to KA, please our PTA volunteer for after school programming, Emily McCarthy.

No late registrations accepted. The TPES PTA is funding scholarships and will review the applications and attempt to fund as many as possible on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

If you’d like to speak directly with the rep at Little Scholars, please contact Nicole Brown at: nbrown@littlescholarsllc.com.

NEW Amharic TPES Parents WhatsApp Group
Thanks to our parent volunteer, Alfia Ali, we have an active Amharic-language WhatsApp group for TPES parents. Help us spread the word!

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.

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)

Request a Chromebook Today
Let’s avoid a last minute rush to secure a Chromebook for your child in case we have multiple weather-related closings. Even if you have a family or work device at home, you will likely prefer your child to have their own device on that “snow” day. Email your child’s teacher AND fill out this form.

Art Contest Opportunity to Design New EV Van Wrap
MCPS’ Division of Sustainability and Compliance/SERT (DSC) is holding a new art contest for a design of our new EV van. This is a great opportunity for students and/or staff to showcase their artistic/graphic design abilities.  Please spread the word.  For more information, click here. Deadline is February 2.

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! 🙂

Advice on Lice
Each week, we’ll feature one of the many tips that Dr. Gadsden highlighted in her newsletter to help remind our community that we all need to be vigilant!

TIP #1: Don’t Share Hats, Jackets or Scarves
It’s less common for lice to spread through clothing but it’s always a good idea to remind your child not to share hats or winter clothing that comes in contact with hair.

Upcoming TPES Events

January 9: PTA Meeting
January 11: TPES Literacy Night
January 15: No School
January 29: No School

Upcoming Community Events

January 26: Blair HS STEM Night for K-5