January 2, 2024 – Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter
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