November 13, 2023 Dolphin Digest TPES PTA Weekly Newsletter
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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