October 2025 Monthly PTA Meeting Minutes

Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)

Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES)

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting

Tuesday, October 7, 2025: 6:30-8p 

In person (at TPES) and virtual

Spanish Translator: 

Amharic Translator: 

Meeting was recorded

Slides

Welcome and Introductions

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA & 

Mari Quenemoen, President, PBES PTA

• This is our first in person meeting since 2020
• We welcome feedback about the hybrid meeting format

Partner Spotlight

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA

• Childcare for families attending in person tonight is being sponsored by WP Buffs
• WP Buffs provides 24/7 maintenance and support for WordPress websites — offering reliable service for serious site owners and white-label management for agencies and freelancers.
• We’re proud to share that this business is owned by one of our very own TPES parents, Joe Howard. Thank you for supporting our community!

PTA Meetings

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA

• PTA meetings take place the first Tuesday of the month 
• We are aiming for two in-person PTA meetings this year (tonight and Feb 3, 2026)
• When not in person, meetings are virtual starting at 8p

Accomplishments this month

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA

In the past month, the TPES/PBES PTA has:

• Organized & offered a wide range of afterschool enrichment options
• Launched Working Groups to support specific needs around immigration issues
• Arranged for childcare at Back-to-School Nights and this event, so as many families as possible can attend
• Reimbursed teachers for classroom supplies
• Hosted Teacher Appreciation Lunch 

Coming up next month

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA

In the next month, the TPES/PBES PTA will:

• Coordinate Hispanic Heritage Month Events
• Organize the annual book fair to raise money for the Media Center (PBES)
• Collect basic items for health room
• Continue to connect parents/families with helpful resources
• StoryShip Assembly @ TPES, interactive dinosaur adventure

Upcoming School Closures

Delianny Brammer, President, TPES PTA

• Oct 17: Professional Development Day, no school for students
• Oct 20: Non-Instructional Day, no school for students/teachers
• Nov 3: Grading/Planning Day, no school for students
• Nov 24-25: Early Release (school ends at 1:20p)
• Nov 26-28: Schools closed

TPES Announcements 

Ken Scudder, TPES PTA VP of Communications

• Big Read for Hispanic Heritage Month (Wed 10/14)
• Dolphin Drive (Nov)
• Can access google cal on TPES PTA website (https://tpespta.net/)
• Join your student’s class WhatsApp for caregivers

TPES Treasurer’s Report 

Germaine Dunn, TPES Treasurer

• As of June 30, wrapped up SY with 22k
  • For month of June, brought in $900 in income, spent $4900 paying for school programs, staff support and appreciation
• We had a strong year financially: brought in $31,200
  • Top fundraisers were Readathon, Dolphin Drive, Book Fair
• On spending side: invested $36k back in community
• Currently for FY25-26:
  • Oct. 3 balance: $15,700 
  • Jul-Oct: brought in $4000 in revenue
    • Membership dues
    • Dolphin gear
    • Donations
  • Spending so far this year:
    • Spent $10,700 for classroom supplies for 28 teachers
    • Paid for back to school picnic
    • Purchased Dolphin gear for upcoming fundraisers
  • Dolphin Drive + Readathon will give big boost in income
  • Anticipate future spending on:
    • Funds on staff support, programming, community events
    • Ended last year in a solid position
• Overall, off to a good start this year

TPES PTA Volunteer Needs

Delianny Brammer, TPES President

• Interpretation coordinator
  • A lot of work to coordinate with her and set up translation
• Event coordinator 
  • Movie night: AV, popcorn, RSVPs
  • If you know someone willing, please let us know

TPES Communication Channels

Delianny Brammer, TPES President

• PTA channels
  • WhatsApp chats: managed by room parents
  • Weekly newsletter to PTA listserv
    • TPES PTA: tpespta+subscribe@groups.io
  • Website: https://tpespta.net/
• School channels
  • ParentSquare – app, web-based
  • Please create an account to get updates from school
  • Remind is sunsetting in December

PBES Announcements

Mari Quenemoen, PBES PTA President

• Monday Oct 13 is open house
  • Can go to one of two sessions or both
  • 9:45-10:45
  • 2:30-3:30
  • Fun way to sit in back of your student’s classroom and observe
• Scholastic Book Fair: Oct 21-27
  • Sign up to volunteer
  • See PTA emails for links to e-wallets

PBES PTA Announcements

Cara Tallo, PBES PTA Executive VP 

• PBES PTA Volunteers needed
  • Readathon (Jan-Mar)
  • GeoBowl planning team (Jan-Mar)
  • Black History Night (Feb)
  • Volunteer to establish a WhatsApp group in Amharic

PBES Treasurer’s Report 

Dan Proudfoot, PBES PTA Treasurer

• $30k is generally expected in both income and expenses
  • We carried a balance into this year so we are in good shape
• So far, $2,800 brought in this year
  • Mainly through PBES PTA website
  • Readathon and other fundraising events coming up
• Expenses
  • Reimbursed teachers for supplies
  • Paid for childcare at back to school night
  • Staff appreciation and purchasing gear

Slide 16: Communication Channels

Cara Tallo, PBES PTA Executive VP 

• This year, concerns about sharing contact info broadly
  • Having folks opt in to share contact info with class parent
  • Amie will put that link in the chat but will send out so all families can sign up
  • She’ll work with class parents to make sure they have contact info for their class only
• PBES PTA Communications Channels
  • PBES PTA Listserv: main+subscribe@pbespta.groups.io
  • PBES PTA: https://pineybranchpta.membershiptoolkit.com
• School Communications Channels
  • ParentSquare: newsletters and other important communications from PBES and MCPS. This replaces Remind.

Immigration Awareness: Connecting with Resources
Mr. Weertz and Dr. Gadsden

• • The elephant in the room/nation is immigration enforcement and everything that comes with that; every day hearing stories in the news that are alarming for all of us.
  • Want to summarize how we got to where we are, the work we’re doing with school safety around this, and connect families with resources so you know what we’re trying to do
    • We value and prioritize talking to families. It’s more important than ever to start talking and asking questions. Let’s make phone calls, ask questions, see what we can find out
    • Families we talked to had really raw, authentic experiences that sprung us into action
    • Our values are showing through
    • Food insecurity: families not going to grocery store
    • Having real, raw experiences
    • We started a working group: how can we take the knowledge we have and leverage that into supporting families?
  • What would we do if there’s something going on around the school and we’re not sure what it is?
    • Our school has been working closely with some community members who are very knowledgeable about immigration enforcement activities in TKPK. “Tell me what I need to know as a school leader – what do we need to know, look out for?”
    • They’ve had very honest and open conversations with us about what we should be looking for, see in the community
    • Push us to think about what we would do
    • Erin Martin called me (TPES MS) – something’s going on up the street, want to make you aware. We stay in touch as school leaders – we know if it impacts MS children, it will impact ES children.
    • If we see something that looks off, and we’re unsure of a situation, if it’s setting off red flags, law enforcement activity, immediately secure the building, get school affiliated persons into the building
    • Just as if local grocery store had a robbery, how do we secure the building, make sure everyone is accounted for, go from there.
  • If in a situation where some sort of law enforcement came to the building, very specific MCPS protocols we would follow
    • If law enforcement comes, they ask for administrator, we collect a warrant, submit warrant to OGC, ask law enforcement to step out of the building and wait outside, then follow guidance of OGC about our next steps
    • We’re keeping an eye out at arrival, dismissal, in communication with community groups who are much more knowledgeable, provide us with necessary information so we can make intentional decisions that keep kids and families safe
    • Being vague but we want to communicate we’re aware of the situation, are in touch with those who are knowledgeable, being intentional 
    • If an officer comes, before we can talk about anything, present us with a warrant, legal paperwork. We would send that immediately to OGC and follow their guidance.
  • Main thing I want to convey: we are being intentional, we are in communication, we are taking it seriously.
    • Wish we weren’t here, wish staff weren’t scanning the neighborhood as letting your child out of the car
    • We’re always trying to keep one eye here, make sure kids are safe

• Q: Can you clarify what happens if officers approach a school bus?

• • • School buses are the same as MCPS property
    • Officers cannot board school buses
    • Must not only have a warrant, must be a judicial warrant to enter the premises
    • Expectation is that they not come to the school or board buses
    • Don’t have the right to board school buses

• Q: Are you sharing any of this with students?

• • • Dr. G: TPES is not sharing this with students
    • Mr. Weertz: At PBES it’s situational, not happening broadly with students but having specific convos w/ specific students about their situation fairly regularly, as needed by the child. 
      • A lot of what I’m hearing from kids/families is that the school is perceived as the safest place. I have kids who have come to me: Mr Weertz, I love to come to school, play soccer, I don’t get to do that on the weekends anymore.
      • If you have a curious kid at PBES, tell them to come to Mr. Weertz.

• Q: What is the emotional support for staff?

• • • PBES: Open and honest communication is the first thing
      • These are the convos we have to have
      • Biggest support for staff: open and private convos as necessary
      • There are staff members who are personally impacted as well
      • What do you need? How can we help?
      • Sometimes tangible things we can do, sometimes not sure but we’re here to help 
    • TPES: Trainings on what to do when a situation arises
      • For those directly impacted, we are supportive

• Q: If we as parents/community members see something we want to communicate, how should we do that?

• • Timing matters. If immediate (e.g., during arrival/dismissal), call the school. They’ll notify an administrator.
  • If there’s something that does not pose an immediate threat to school safety, but you hear something (e.g., a kid in my child’s class needs a supportive adult), start with the principal or counselor.

PTA Support Efforts 

April Cockerham, PBES PTA VP of Communications

• PBES/TPES Immigration Working Group – work in progress
  • Help staff, teachers, counselors on front lines
  • They’re hearing heartbreaking stories
  • It’s not in their job description and no one is really trained for this
• Important to know that TPES through Ms. Paz has Spanish language WhatsApp group; just started getting that rolled out through counselor at PBES
• Raising awareness of the many available resources in this community
  • Pro bono legal services and legal funds
  • ELD department supporting guardianship and passport assistance
• We are connecting families to aid 
  • Right now we have 10 families in an acute situation, doing grocery deliveries to home
  • Connecting families to a local nonprofit, Educare
    • Ongoing convos w/ them about using PBES as a dropoff spot where families could come pick up food items as opposed to a large food bank
  • To help with acute financial hardship situations, please donate to MoCoIRC’s GoFundMe database
• Volunteer opportunities
  • General School Support
    • Admin support for ELD Department (email aprilacockerham@gmail.com)
  • Educare 
    • Ongoing food & holistic support (https://educaremd.org)
  • Takoma Park Neighborhood Food Project 
    • Volunteer as team coordinator: https://tpfoodproject.org (or email  geoffmaxson@gmail.com)
  • Neighborhood Mutual Aid 
    • Short-term diaper/grocery delivery for PBES families (link)

Q+A

• Q: Book Fair – TPES or PBES?

• • • That one is for PBES (TPES will be at a later date)
    • Community Night (when book fair is open to the whole community, not just PBES families) is Thursday 10/23, 4:30-7:30p 

• Q: Any updates with PBES renovation?

• • • Mr. Weertz: My understanding – allegedly Oct 13 Superintendent Taylor will make his recommendation. We’re all sitting and waiting eagerly. 

• Q: Can you clarify the new MCPS fingerprinting policy?

• • • Dr. G: Parents chaperoning field trips are expected to be fingerprinted at their own cost ($65 in Rockville)
      • This creates an equity issue, especially in light of shutdowns and layoffs
      • Some people may not have resources to get to Rockville or pay $65
      • I’m raising that issue and moving it forward
      • Often community pressure and voice is louder than mine
      • I agree w/ having people fingerprinted and background checked, but don’t want barriers 
    • Can probably take it up with MCCPTA

• Q: What will happen to zoo field trips if gov remains shut down?

• • • Dr. G: We can’t go to zoo if zoo is closed
      • Will talk to kindergarten team about a different field trip

• Q: What is the school’s stance on mandated reporting (e.g., to CPS) when kids are experiencing things like food insecurity as a result of what’s happening in gov?

• • Dr. G: We protect our kids. We give out food on a regular basis. We make resources available. We know which families are impacted and we work to support them. During COVID, you didn’t have to go to the grocery store if you lived in TKPK. You could feed your family – all those things available in this three block radius. Our schools were distribution sites, Tommy’s Pantry on Sligo.
• If any other questions related to immigration supports, please email April at aprilacockerham@gmail.com