February 12, 2024 TPES PTA Dolphin Digest

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

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