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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October 30, 2023 TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter

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Help Nominate Our School Leaders 

A reminder to please send any testimonials or stories you are willing to share about Dr. Gadsden and/or Ms. Hollis to Kaitlin (president@tpespta.net) and Laura (Laura.e.petes@gmail.com) by Nov. 1.

No need for anything lengthy or formal – this should only take a few minutes of your time. Has Dr. Gadsden or Mrs. Hollis supported you and your kid(s)? Have you benefited from their leadership and communication? Have you seen Dr. Gadsden going above and beyond in her role as Principal? If so, we want to hear from you so we can build the strongest possible nomination for Dr. Gadsden and show appreciation for our school’s leaders.

The Dolphin Drive Begins!

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!

No School: Wednesday, November 1st

Reminder that there is no school this Wednesday, 11/1 for teachers to have a professional day to grade and write report cards for the end of first quarter.

No Costumes on Halloween

A reminder that TPES does not celebrate Halloween at school, so children should not wear costumes to school. Candy should also be enjoyed at home, NOT school. Let’s help our teachers out!

TPES Bilingualism is My Super Power Night: Thursday, November 2, 7PM

Open house for caregivers of English Language Learning students! Information on MCPS, Chromebooks and internet, medical/dental services, public libraries, and more. Childcare is provided for ages 3 and up. Children can wear their pajamas and enjoy pizza, activities and bedtime storytelling.

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

SAVE THE DATE! The school will send more information, but in past years, parents are invited to come in the morning or afternoon to observe their child’s class in action.

From the MCCPTA: List of Fall/Winter MS/HS Theater Performances

The fall/winter drama and dance performance list can be found here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/bulletin/2023-10/october-25-2023/get-a-little-drama-in-your-life/ This is a fun, local, and low-stress way to introduce your children to theater performances!

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).

Upcoming TPES Events

October 30-31 – 2nd Grade Field Trip
October 31 – 1st Grade Field Trip to Sharp’s Farm
November 1 – NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Day – grading/report card writing)
November 2, 7PM – Bilingualism is My Super Power Night (for families whom English is not their primary language)
November 7-9 – Hearing and Vision Testing
November 10, 9:30-11:30AM – TPES Open House

Upcoming Community Events

October 31 – Deadline to apply for cash assistance from the City of Takoma Park
November 4 – National Kidpreneur Day, 2000 14th St NW
November 7 – Select winter coats through Small Things Matter at TPSS Coop

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October PTA Meeting Minutes

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OCTOBER 2023 PTA MEETING NOTES

Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)

Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)

Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)

Tuesday, October 3,  2023 

 

Meeting Minutes and PTA Information

 

  1. Upcoming Dates & Announcements 

 

  • Afterschool Programming at both TPES and PBES started today (10/3).  Little Scholars and any other programs have onsite coordinators to ensure that your kids get your kids to class.
    • Please note: finish times for TPES and PBES are different: TPES is 5:30 pm and PBES is 5 pm

 

  • September 15 – October 15 : Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

  • Hispanic Heritage Night:
    • October 11 at 6:15 pm – PBES
      • To volunteer, contact Desiree Hernandez at d.hernandez0811@gmail.com
    • October 12 at 6:30 pm – TPES’s event Heritage & Family: Unidos por Nuestros Hijos
      • We have a poll to get to know our TPES Hispanic community with results on display at the event. Arts, crafts, food trucks and a children’s parade are also planned. A sign up genius will be going around shortly.
      • Also, please be aware that SSL hours are available for middle and high school students to help at Hispanic Heritage Night at TPES on October 12 at 6:30PM.  We would greatly appreciate your help. 
      • We could use 2-3 volunteers to help set up tables starting at 6 pm
      • To volunteer, contact Mercedes at Mercedes@alum.mit.edu
  • Watch D.C. United in their finale game of the season and support the TPES PTA
    • On Saturday, October 7, DC United will play the New York City Football Club in the finale game of the Fall season at Audi Field.  If you are interested in attending the game and including a donation to the TPES PTA, please see the Dolphin Digest sent on September 26th for more information.  All seats for TPES will be in Section 119.  
  • October 9th – NO SCHOOL
  • October 25 – PBES English Language Development Night – Gift of Being Multilingual 
  • October 27 – November 3 PBES Book Fair 
  • PBES New suggestion/feedback form at this link.  Please contact the PTA with any suggestions/ideas

  • PTA Volunteer Opportunities:
    • One-time volunteer opportunities – Be on the lookout this year for emails! 
      • Book Fair (sign up for shifts)
      • Readathon (tally up minutes)
      • Staff appreciation (deliver meal, coffee, etc.)
      • Garden and atrium beautification
      • Field trip chaperones
      • School Fun Mornings – fall, winter, spring (supervise fun activity stations so teachers can prep reading/math together as grade level team) 
  • Regular (weekly or bi-weekly) volunteer opportunities: 
  • There is an immediate need for volunteers to help during TPES lunchtime (in the cafeteria) and recess. Lunch will remain inside this year; volunteers are needed to help monitor and assist children in the cafeteria as well as outside during recess. For scheduling purposes, lunch/recess runs from 11:30 AM to 1:45 PM.   
  • Classroom volunteer (work with classroom teachers, often during reading or math) 
  • Room Parent (~monthly commitment) 
  • Classes still in need of room parents: Ms. Lewis (Kindergarten) 
  • We encourage you to join the TPES PTA to help us fund this important work that we do all year long. Link to join: https://tpespta.net/ 

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

  1. Budget Updates

Amy Swift, TPES PTA Treasurer

  • Update on expenses and income:  
    • Income, to date, includes membership dues, donations, and gear sales. 
    • Expenses, to date, include classroom set-up, gear inventory, and registration costs.
    • Budget Report: 

 

Rachael Pierotti, PBES PTA Treasurer

  • Update on expenses and income:
    • Income, to date, includes donations and gear sales.
    • Expenses, to date, includes welcome lunch, classroom set-up, and operations expenses.
    • Budget Report:

 

  1. Safe Routes Presentation:

Kaysi-Ann Webley, Special Projects Coordinator for TKPK: Pedestrian and Cycling Safety

Contact: Kaysi-Ann Webley at Kaysiw@takomaparkmd.gov

  • Walk to School Day – tomorrow 10/4
  • Reminder – ongoing Library Construction. Cars will get towed in the construction zone.

 

  1. MAP/Dibels Presentation

 

DIBELS presentation by Jen Fahrenthold, TPES Reading Specialist 

Contact: Jennifer_Fahrenthold@mcpsmd.org

  • DIBELS Assessment: DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early LIteracy Skills: 
  • 4 ratings: Blue/Green/Yellow/Red
  • Just an indicator of strength and need for skills. Skills assessed include:
    • Phonemic awareness
    • Phonics
    • Reading Fluency
    • Vocabulary
    • Reading Comprehension

 

  • This information will be available during parent teacher conferences

 

Slide Deck Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/169zdmRU_e5sefhh1gOKLHfAdx9X7K9UOxkDh8pSey5U/edit?usp=sharing

 

MAP Presentation, Ms. Oberdorf, PBES Principal and Mr. Weerts, PBES Asst Principal:

  • MAP stands for “Measures of Academic Progress” 
  • MAP Math and Reading
  • Untimed
  • Adaptive and adjusts to each student’s performance
  • Aligned with state reading and math standards
  • Track Achievement and Growth
  • Results will be posted in ParentVUE
  • Assessments happen 3 times per year: Fall, Winter, Spring

 

How MAP scores are used:

  • Identify strengths and foundational gaps: enrichment or intervention
  • Considerations for course placements in middle school

MAP is only one measure used to monitor student achievement 

 

Slide Deck Link: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k_RGIgRZ83u5foGx1xEdCwNixcEPeYRu/view?usp=sharing

 

  1. MAP/DIBELS Q&A:

 

Q: What is the difference between Blue and Green in DIBELS:

A: Green – has met benchmark; Blue – has achieved well above benchmark

 

Q: When are MAP results received?

A: Testing ends this week: Could be 2-3 weeks 

 

Q: When are DIBELS results received?

A: They are shared at parents conferences

 

Q: Who administers exams? 

A: Teachers and support staff administer tests – both MAP and DIBELS

 

Q: What are Norms based on? 

A: They are based on NWEA. Montgomery County also has own norms (local norms)

 

Q: What role do MAP scores play in G&T designation?

A:  Not MAP test based. Screening for G&T starts in 2nd grade. 

 

Q: If a student misses exams can they make it up?

A: Yes there will be opportunities to make up

 

Q: What is CES? 

A: Enrichment program offering for students entering 4th grade. Reach out to Ms. Oberdorf for more information

 

Q: How often are teacher conferences held? 

A: End of 1st quarter. None after that formally scheduled but can be made on an as needed basis

 

If you have any additional questions regarding DIBELS, please reach out to the DIBELS specialist 

 

  1. Wrap up:
  • Hispanic Heritage Night flyers shared
    • These will also be distributed to students/families
  • PBES: We have new Panther Gear in the online store! Be sure to check it out.
    • In addition, there is an Art Contest for students to submit proposed designs for panther gear. The PTA will choose the top 3 then students will vote on their favorite.

 

  1. Thank you: Ingrid Gardiner,  PBES PTA President
  • Next meeting will be on November 7 at 7 PM 

 

POST MEETING: TPES Kindergarten Q&A with Dr Gadsden, TPES Principal:

 

Q: Could you provide some clarity on the amount of screen time for K?

A: Let’s talk about what screen time look like for K:  On an average day your child might have wiggle break in am and pm (dance/count physical activity with music, etc -approximately 3 min each session, at most 12 min total); at dismissal time often children treated to story online while teacher is managing dismissal; periodically centers with students working on reinforcements will be working online. No individual screentime for the most part in Kindergarten. Should be max 20 min a day

 

Q: How are screens being used during the day?

A: There are videos associated with curriculum – usually science or social studies but not typical and are not replacements for teacher instruction

 

Q: How often are they watching shows like Magic School Bus?

A: Should not be doing this! Might happen in bus room (12 min max) Could happen during indoor recess but should not have happened/be happening yet.

 

Note: We don’t do instruction based on video unless it comes directly from county

 

Q: It looks like teachers could use help/aides?

A: Yes! Parents can come volunteer! You can come read stories, etc. during lunch, help with reading, bus room, etc.

 

Q: Outdoor recess or physical activities would be great as a treat. Why screens as treats?

A: We don’t use screens as treats. 

 

Q: How much reading happens in class by teachers?

A: Read aloud by the teacher happens every day. The technology use (read aloud video) comes when teachers might have to multi-task. It is not being used in place of teacher reading.

 

Q: How can we make sure indoor recess is physical/social? Would volunteers be useful?

A: Yes! We can definitely use volunteers for lunch and recess!

 

Q: Can we raise funds for assistants?

A: MCPS does not allow parents to raise money for assistants. Only way is to volunteer and come into school and help out.

 

Q: Can we have kids have lunch in the classroom due to high covid/flu cases?

A: We need whatever number of staff per class to manage the classes in each classroom and we do not have those resources.

 

Q: How is the content chosen for wiggle breaks?

A; It is dependent on the teacher. Check with your child’s teacher if you have questions.

 

An email was sent by Claire Dean (TPES PTA VP) with information on how to volunteer! 

 

—-

 

General PTA Information:

 

PBES PTA Executive Committee:

President: Ingrid Gardiner

Executive Vice President: Aphra Adkins

Treasurer: Rachel Pierotti

Secretary: Lis Hooper

VP of Fundraising MaryKathryn Lee

VP of Membership: Sara Lewis

VP of Communications: Chris Campbell

VP of Equity: Desiree Hernandez

NAACP Representative: OPEN POSITION, PLEASE VOLUNTEER

Advocacy Representatives: Matthew Stark Blumin and Paul Donowitz

 

TPES PTA Executive Committee: 

President: Kaitlin Caruso 

Vice President: Claire Dean

Treasurer: Amy Swift

Executive Secretary: Anna Juarez

Membership Secretary: Lesley Perry & Christine Kahler Smith 

VP of Fundraising: Diana Hickey van Houwelingen

VP of Membership: Mercedes Castelo 

VP of Equity: Jon Frederick 

VP of Communications: Joyce McDonough 

NAACP Representative: Gabrielle Williams

MCCPTA Delegate: Christina Davis 

 

—

 

PTA October 2023 Q&A Follow Up 

 

For PBES:

 

Q: Can a child be placed in CES after 4th grade? And how does CES impact what they do in 6th Grade?

A: If a vacancy opens in a CES class at any time in fourth grade through the first quarter of fifth grade, the central office selects a student for invitation through a random lottery from the waitpool. Participation in CES does not extend to any specific programming in middle school.

 

For TPES:

 

Q: Are there enriched reading classes at TPES (as with math)?

A: Consistent (different class) enrichment for math begins in first grade and continues in second grade. Students switch classes for math and are provided more consistent enriched instruction at that time.

 

Q: This is beyond the scope of what was discussed in the meeting tonight but it is a follow up on a question that came up in last month’s meeting: Would it be possible to share the details of the lead testing for the TPES water – what levels were found when, and when will that water be retested? In the meantime, could kids be allowed to bring water bottles onto the playground during recess? Thank you! 

A: I’m not sure about the results of the lead water testing (beyond that which was shared); The children are not only allowed, but encouraged and reminded to take their water bottles to recess.

For PBES and TPES:

Q: Is there a way for parents to have access to Montgomery County level data to see how children are developing compared to this peer group? 

A: I am not aware of any means of access for MCPS level data by grade level to make comparisons within the peer group. (both PBES and TPES)


TPES PTA Meeting Minutes: September 2023

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Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)
Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)
Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)
Thursday, September 7, 2023 

 

Meeting Minutes and PTA Information

  1. Upcoming Dates & Announcements
  • Little Scholars After School enrichment clubs at both TPES and PBES
    • Registration opens September 7th at TPES and September 8th at PBES.  
    • Sign-up is open until September 17th. 
    • Applications for PTA funded scholarships are due September 10th through the online form (link will be provided at the bottom of the registration form) 
    • Clubs will begin on October 3rd.
    • Link for TPES: https://www.littlescholarsllc.com/at/takoma-park/ 
  • Important dates:
    • September 13: PBES back to school night (7:00 PM) – Adults only
      • PBES PTA is working with Kids Adventures to secure onsite childcare  for those who need it and will share more information soon
      • Instrumental information session at 6:45 pm
    • September 14-15: TPES Picture Day
    • September 22: EARLY RELEASE (1:20 PM) 
    • September 25: NO SCHOOL
    • October 3: Next PTA Meeting (Zoom), 7:00 PM
    • October 9: NO SCHOOL
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Breakfast and lunch:
  • PTA Equity teams
  1. TPES Welcome 
  • Dr. Zadia Gadsden, TPES Principal & Ms. Joi Hollis, TPES Vice Principal
    • This is Dr. Gadsden’s 20th year at TPES!
    • Despite challenges that happen at the start of each year, TPES had a successful start to the school year.
    • Welcome to new families and welcome back to returning families.
  1. PBES Welcome
  • Mrs. Christine (Chris) Oberdorf, PBES Principal & Mr. Richard Weerts, PBES Vice Principal
    • Mrs. Oberdorf’s 6th year as Principle of PBES!
    • PBES has 602 students (15 more than projected)
      • 9 3rd grades
      • 8 4th grades
      • 8 5th grades
  • PBES is fully staffed with the exception of one long-term sub for special ed, which they hope to fill by December.
  • Ms. Hernandez is planning a Hispanic evening event on October 11th. 
  1. PTA Welcome & Volunteer Opportunities 
  • PTA meetings will be first Tuesday of every month 
  • Kaitlin Caruso, TPES PTA President 
    • Weekly updates are sent with PTA information and opportunities – lots of opportunities for volunteering this year – encourage all to take part.  
    • There are also ample opportunities to volunteer at school – Ms. Paz seeking volunteers for picture day
    • Become a member of the PTA OR renew membership – https://tpespta.net/ 
      • Free memberships are available
    • Join the listserv: https://groups.io/g/tpespta
    • PTA funds help with supplies, field trips, drives, and more!  
  • Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President 
  1. Introducing Gabrielle Williams, TPES NAACP Rep.
  • This is Gabrielle’s first year as Rep. She will bring family concerns and needs to light.  Will also connect district-wide NAACP priorities to the PTA.
  1. Q&A

 

Q&A – Both TPES and PBES

  • Q: How do we celebrate holidays as a community?
    • TPES does not celebrate holidays due to them often having religious aspects.  Instead, they focus on celebrating diversity, being good people, etc.  
    • PBES similarly stopped celebrating Halloween recently and thinks about alternative holidays.  
      • For Valentines Day, they focus on kindness and friendship
      • Community circles with community members
      • In recognition of challenges parents voice when children celebrate holidays on school days, they’re working hard to be more inclusive and think about those holidays and celebrations. They include them in announcements, etc.  
  • Q: Mental health support for students?
  • PBES 
    • PBES uses Leader in Me program
    • Supplements Leader in Me with MCPS resources.
    • Students typically participate in Leader in Me sessions four days a week (15 minute sessions).  They also have sessions with counselors on well-being and community building.  
    • PBES partners with an outside organization to provide therapy services to students in need.
    • PBES has a well-being committee that meets every two weeks to identify additional needs. 
  • TPES
    • TPES used Leader in Me school last year but didn’t feel it was as well suited for the younger students 
    • This year they are using a program called Zones of Regulation which seems more appropriate for younger children.  Through this program they identify feelings and what to do with them, learn how to manage their feelings.
    • Guidance counselors visit each class each week for 30 minutes
  • Q: How do you deal with extreme heat?
  • PBES – 
    • Follow MCPS protocol
      • Recess after 12:00 noon has to be indoors – so anyone that has recess before noon is outside (and closely monitoring). Anything after noon is indoor
      • It’s not always a district mandate, but they follow the guidance on MCPS website about temperatures
      • MCPS sent someone out to confirm airflow was happening after the building felt warm (after the 3-day weekend)
  • TPES –
    • Are not as strict about following MCPS guidance.  
    • They do not have space for indoor recess but they try their best to let them have activity when they have to move things inside.
    • Sometimes that means just letting them outside for 15 minutes.
    • Rooms at the top of the building do not cool as well but they have empty rooms to move them to.  
  • Q: How can we volunteer?
    • TPES and PBES welcomes volunteers for almost anything (ie reading, sweeping!) but not until October.  This gives time for children to learn the rules, processes, and procedures.  
    • Any volunteer needs to take the child abuse and neglect training
    • PBES has a volunteer coordinator, Victoria Welch victoria_m_welch@mcpsmd.org
    • The PTAs will also email volunteer opportunities
    • PBES:
      • PBES PTA’s Staff Appreciation Committee is collecting gift cards to host a gift card raffle at  PBES’s monthly staff meetings. Parents can either 1) Donate money and the committee will purchase gift cards to Target/Amazon/etc or 2) Parents can donate gift cards that teachers might enjoy (for example: book store/Starbucks/local restaurants/etc). You might even have some on hand that you wouldn’t mind passing on! You can turn in either gift cards or cash to purchase gift cards to Ms. Welch at the front desk at PBES.
      • PBES families: We are still looking for room parents for a few classes, particularly for Ms. Porter (4th) and Ms. Patrick (5th). Granados, Gazda, Eberly, Serra, Kenney, and Luker could also use one more room parent. Please reach out to Amie Kershner if you can volunteer (amielkershner@gmail.com).
  • Q: School security – 
  • PBES:  The space was not breached last year despite rumors. There was a group that rented out the space through the Montgomery County use of public facilities; it was a permitted event.  Anyone that has specific concerns can reach out.
  • TPES: Also has had no breech.  They are having cameras installed, exterior doors, hallways, to deepen security

Q&A – TPES 

  • Q: TPES: How do students borrow books from the library?
  • Kindergarteners do not get to borrow books right away – they have to go to the library twice before they can borrow a book.
  • Ms. Anderson will walk them through the process.
  • After they have experience they will be able to borrow more flexibly.
  • 1st and 2nd graders are familiar with the process so do not need to wait. 

 

  • Q: TPES: What type of field trips are planned this year?
  • Each grade will go on at least 3 field trips (one might be within the school)
  • 1st grade has one planned for Oct 31st to Sharp’s Farm

 

  • Q: What kind of English support and ESOL classes are there?
  • TPES made the transition to structured literacy and signs of reading. 
  • During the shift, TPES’s PTA funded structured literacy training.  
  • Teachers are doing an exceptional job with doing phonics and really great reading (RGR).  
  • TPES has English development language teachers and ESOL for all three grades – they are currently testing Kindergarteners.  

 

Q&A – PBES

 

  • Q: PBES: How do the pods work? 
  • Each grade has 200 students, so they prefer to break them into smaller groups for lunch and recess.  This helps to make lunch/recess more manageable and to help with planning (specials, lunch, and recess is correlated with teacher planning time)
  • For the most part pods are lunch and recess pods (half go to lunch and half go to recess and then they switch).  There are also specials pods so those teachers can coordinate together. 

 

  • Q: PBES: Are there opportunities for enrichment in 3rd grade, especially for kids that were pulled out for math and reading at TPES?
  • There is no pull-out program for 3rd graders
  • However, when they did the articulation they worked closely with staff at TPES to ensure students have academic peers in their classroom that are also suited for enrichment 
  • In 4th grade they begin to offer course distinction 

 

  1. TPES Budget

 

  • Treasurer: Amy Swift
  • Budget was passed/approved during the meeting
  • Biggest fundraiser is book fair
  • Expenses 
    • Can not pay out reimbursements unless it has been approved in a budget.  If something comes up they can do an amended budget which is presented to the membership for a vote.  
    • Expenses include cultural assemblies, teacher and specials support, field trips, health and wellness, scholarships for enrichment clubs, equity &  inclusion programs (Rainbow club, Hispanic Heritage month, Multi-cultural assemblies, books that represent the diversity of our students)..  
    • $43,000 in expenses planned.  $33,000 funds expected to be raised.  This is a net loss of 10,000 but there is a cash balance of 24,000.  The goal is to use the money to benefit the school.
  1. PBES Budget

 

  • Treasurer: Rachael Pierotti
  • Budget passed/approved
  • Income from:
    • Carryover
    • Fundraisers – Panther appeal, readathon, club scholarships, gear
    • Small business sponsorships and small grants
  • Expenses:
    • $19,000 of the budget goes to programming that includes costs of swimming (swim lessons during PE), club scholarships, equity fund, special events (STEM night, geo bowl, etc)
    • Also staff support, PTA operating expenses, panther gear, etc

 

General PTA Information:

 

TPES PTA Executive Committee: 

President: Kaitlin Caruso 

Executive VP: Claire Dean

Treasurer: Amy Swift 

Executive Secretary: Anna Juarez

Membership Secretary: Lesley Perry & Christine Kahler Smith 

VP of Communications: Joyce McDonough

VP of Membership: Mercedes Castelo 

VP of Fundraising: Diana Hickey van Houwelingen

VP Equity: Jon Frederick

County Delegate: Christina Davis 

NAACP Representative: We still are looking for a volunteer! 

 

TPES Key Volunteer Teams:

 

One-time volunteer opportunities – Be on the lookout this year for emails! 

  • Book Fair (sign up for shifts)
  • Readathon (tally up minutes)
  • Staff appreciation (deliver meal, coffee, etc.)
  • Garden and atrium beautification
  • Field trip chaperones? 
  • School Fun Mornings – fall, winter, spring (supervise fun activity stations so teachers can prep reading/math together as grade level team) 

 

Regular (weekly or bi-weekly) volunteer opportunities: 

  • Classroom volunteer (work with classroom teachers, often during reading or math) 
  • Room Parent

 

_______________________________________

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

 

Incoming Kindergarten Playground Meet Up

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Hello!

If you have a rising Takoma Park Elementary School Kindergartener, are a new TPES family, or just want to get together with TPES friends, please join the PTA for our second Popsicle Meet & Greet Saturday August 19, 2023. The PTA welcomes all kindergarten students and families to meet your new classmates before school begins!

When: Saturday August 19, 2023
Rain/Air Quality Make Up Day: August 20, 2023

Time: 10AM to 12 Noon
Where: TPES Playground 7511 Holly Avenue Takoma Park, MD

Popsicles and water will be available.

More information in the following link. Please spread the word!

Fliers (English, Amharic and Spanish).

June 2023 PTA Meeting Minutes

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Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)
Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)
Parent & Teacher Association Meeting (PTA)
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 7-8pm on Zoom 

 

1a.   Upcoming Dates and Announcements – Refer to MCPS 2022-2023 Calendar and additional dates at the end of these notes

Both TPES and PBES:

  • June 13th 7-8pm via Zoom TPES-PBES NAACP Parent Council meeting.  Dr. Gadsden and Mrs. Oberdorf will join for a discussion on how to help our students keep engaged and continue learning over the summer. A zoom link will be sent on the day of the meeting. Look out for an email from Sharon Gaskins and Ingrid Gardner with more information. Need volunteers for next year’s NAACP Rep from TPES (and PBES)
  • Friday, June 16: last day of school (half day)
  • Summer school— Summer school invitations have gone out and summer school is full at PBES. Please contact your student’s teacher or principal with any questions. 
  • Thank you to all TPES and PBES volunteers — please visit the TPES and PBES PTA Volunteer Hall of Fame and help thank all volunteers.

PBES

  • June 15th PBES – Reminder about Fifth Grade Promotion. The PTA will be providing lunch for the fifth graders that day. 
  • If you are a committee or event co-chair or room parent or would like to be one next school year, please contact Sara Lewis or add your name to the Google Document to confirm that you can volunteer – help us get all set up for the fall! serowe@gmail.com. 

TPES

  • Volunteers Needed for TPES Field Days: June 7 (K), June 8 (1st) and June 9th (2nd) from 9:15-11:30am Field Day is coming up and the success of the event depends greatly on the number of volunteers there are per station! There will be 10 – 12 stations and each station should have at least 2 volunteers to function properly (20-24 volunteers needed per day). The dates and times for Field Day for each grade are listed below. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Ms. Paz (Johanna_A_Paz@mcpsmd.org) with your name, child’s name, phone number and the date you plan on volunteering. As a reminder, please come dressed comfortably and equipped with a hat and sunscreen for your personal use, as well as water. Please help us make this a memorable event for all students!

 

  1.     TPES Wellness Committee Initiative of “Wait Until Eighth” (Amber Rieke from Health     and Wellness Committee) 
  • Nationwide family-led initiative to change community norms and delay phone use until 8th grade
  • Responding to a wave of recent research on the youth mental health crises
  • While a lot of the recent research highlights teens, we know that children are getting access to phones earlier and earlier
  • Smartphones are addictive and distracting but they can also impact child brain development, increase risk for mental health conditions, increase risk for exposure to cyberbullying and inappropriate content
  • www.waituntil8th.org for resources
  • Consider signing the pledge on the Wait Until 8th to have strength in numbers (more families signing on to this helps) but no action is requires
  • For families worried about their child missing out on conversations that take place on social media/phone, can appreciate the idea that we all link arms to change the norms in our school communities. The more families who delay, the easier it is. (The other thing to point to is that it is technically not legal for kids under 13 to use social media anyway, we just know that’s not enforced.) There are also always options for flip phones for texting!
  1.   Membership vote on the 2023-2024 Executive Boards 
  • Voted on full slate for TPES and it was passed
    • President: Kaitlin Caruso 
    • Executive Vice President: Claire Dean
    • Treasurer: Amy Swift
    • VP Membership: Mercedes Castelo 
    • VP Equity: Jon Frederick 
    • Membership Secretary: Lesley Perry and Christine Kahler Smith
    • VP Communications: Joyce McDonough
    • VP Fundraising: Diana Hickey van Houwelingen 
    • MCCPTA Delegate: Christina Davis 
    • Executive Secretary: Anna Juarez
  • Voted on full slate for PBES and it was passed
    • President: Ingrid Gardiner 
    • Executive VP: Aphra Adkins
    • Treasurer: Rachael Pierotti 
    • Secretary: Lis Hooper 
    • Fundraising VP: Mary Kathryn Lee
    • Membership VP: Sara Lewis 
    • Communications VP: Chris Campbell 
    • Equity VP: Desiree Hernandez
    • MCCPTA (County) Delegates: Matthew Stark Blumin; Paul Donowitz
  1. Brief remarks from TPES and PBES principals 
  • Dr/ Gadsden: Attempted to return to normal with evening activities and such. Was a difficult year but grateful to teachers and parents and staff who showed up
  • Ms. Oberdorff: Thanks to PTA board and membership for helping to facilitate events; thanks to all who showed up to help
  1. Margaret Webb (Guest speaker and parenting coach). We’re pleased to be joined by Margaret Webb, who has been a parenting coach for over 12 years. She’s a certified life coach, nature-based coach, a former teacher, and author. She’ll be sharing highlights and actionable steps from her Summer Survival parenting course. 
  • PDF Handouts referenced: https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/nrzmkdktrm6uju1/Summer_Survival_Skills_Handout.pdf/file
  • She is the mother of a 20 y/o son with autism. 
  • A contributor to TilT Podcast about parenting differently wired children
  • Identify things that create tension with your child (eg boredom, unstructured time ) and then brainstorm with your child things they can do when these moments come up
  • They may also need downtime to do what they consider flow-type activities (things that come really easily to them and it may not look like what your neighbor’s kids are doing (swinging, swimming, bouncing, singing, etc)
  • There’s the child aspect and then there’s the parent aspect – what can parents do as well to set ourselves up for success
  • Can ask: is there anything I can do ahead of time to make stressful times easier for myself? What do I know are the stressful times of our day? If we can do things to check off stressful items we will be calmer and have larger bandwidth to manage kids during stressful periods
    • Do I need to pack a lunchbox for myself?
    • Do I need to have water in my car for pick up?
    • Is there anything that I need to communicate ahead of time to those who are supporting my child? (and who do you feel safe communicating that information to)
  • Taking time to reflect each week – either alone, with you and a partner or you and your kids to ask three questions: 1. What worked? 2. What didn’t work? 3. What’s one thing we can try next week that can get us a different result?
    • How can you be a better friend? How can you take care of yourself better/next week? 
  • These questions creating a learning mindset, curiosity, a reminder that nothing is set in stone
  • Academics during the summer are light and real-life based (math with baking; geography with maps of places they are going; good books, trips to the library; going to museums; tap into what they already like and slip in the academics. Go light on the worksheets. Summer is a time to recharge. Make it authentic to what you’re doing day-to-day and different from what they’re doing at school.
  • Grocery lists from 101planners.com and have the kids plan the grocery list and go shopping with you
  • For summer camps, could sit down with your kids and a spreadsheet where they are engaged with you in filling out which camps they are going to each week, what time they need to walk out of the door each morning, what they need to pack for camp and then have them back up the night before
  1. Treasurer’s End of Year Report and Budget Votes

 TPES

  • A little over the goal at $32,678 for total PTA income
  • Expenses: major one is dreambox math adaptive software is already planned an in the works but not in this budget – it costs around $10K
    • Mostly school support activities like academic supports, 2nd grade graduation, field trips, teacher appreciation week
    • Expenses at $54,628
    • Will leave the available cash balance at $35K?
    • PTA taxes were done and accepted by the IRS
  1. PTA Summer Send-Off! 

 

List of Upcoming Dates and Announcements

Reminder on Upcoming Dates/events: 

To request topics for future PTA agendas, please reach out to president@tpespta.net or pbes.pta@gmail.com. 

Announcements and Opportunities:

  • Snack donations for both TPES and PBES to be distributed to teachers and counselors to ensure all kids have access. Nut-free, healthy options requested. Delivery options: please drop off at the main office between 8:30 am-4:30 pm, or order for direct delivery to the school.
  • School Meals Applications due ASAP – free federal meals have ended. All families must either complete the application for Free or Reduced School meals from MCPS or deposit funds to pay for your child’s meals at school.

Deposit funds in your child’s “MySchoolBucks” account – link 

Apply for Free and Reduced Meals at School – link

No child will be turned away – PBES and TPES will ensure every child who requests food receives it, but applications are needed so no debt is accrued. The PTA equity teams are also seeking to support families during this time – please donate to the PBES PTA and TPES PTA and to Tommy’s Pantry to help fill gaps and ensure food access for all in our community. 

 

Reminder for all volunteers: MCPS Volunteer Training and support guide – please complete this before you are scheduled to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URJRNYdUyyL0ghVzZ32xLqPmkE7IwUvcRF2qid89ojA/preview

 

We need your help and support:

Become a PTA member, donate, become a sponsor, sign up to volunteer:

Takoma Park Elementary School PTA: https://www.tpespta.net

Piney Branch Elementary School PTA: https://pineybranchpta.membershiptoolkit.com

 

PBES Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pineybranches/

Find out the latest from the Panther Tracks Newsletter for PBES. Sign up for the PTA listserv or send an email to pbespta+subscribe@groups.io to start posting and receiving messages.

 

TPES Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/takomaparkes/