Tubman Tiger Times
Mid-Summer Family Update
Back to School News!
Message from Principal
Hello Tubman Families!
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School! I hope you are having a safe summer.
As we begin our second year as a school family, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of our new and returning families. We are thrilled to embrace each and every one of you as part of our school community. Our dedicated staff have been working hard to prepare for this school year. At Harriet R. Tubman ES, we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where your child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our vision is, "Every Child, Every Day" and each day, we strive to create meaningful experiences every student. I am excited to partner together to make this school year a memorable and successful one!
As we are continuing to build our school community, I want to make sure that you understand what you can expect from us:
- Weekly "Tiger Times" newsletters sent on Sundays by phone call, email, and Class Dojo. "Tiger Times newsletters come from the S'more application (like this email). Both Class Dojo and the S'more application allow for translation in many home languages by clicking on the "person" at the bottom of your screen.
- Weekly teacher updates with relevant learning specific to your child's class, posted on Class Dojo.
- A response time of 48 hours to all phone and written communication.
- A warm welcome as you enter our campus and supportive experience during your time with us.
I look forward to our partnership as we begin the 2023-2024 school year! The first day of school is Monday, August 28th.
Yours truly,
Dr. Cavena Griffith
Principal
Staff Changes
We bid farewell to the following staff members and thank them for all they have done for Tubman!
- Ms Stephanie Grozbean (kindergarten) transitioned to Jackson Road ES
- Ms Kieanna Saah (kindergarten) transitioned to Snowden Farm ES as a special education teacher
- Ms Rebecca Sherman (1st grade) transitioned to Watkins Mill ES
- Ms Amy Watkins (ELD) transitioned to Wheaton HS
- Ms Elizabeth Chung (ELD) transitioned to Darnestown ES
- Ms Jeannine Wlezien (ELD) transitioned to Brown Station ES
- Ms Margaret Mulcahy (special education) transitioned to Frederick County to be closer to home
- Mr George Svejda (PE) transitioned to Brooke Grove ES
- Our part time specialists, Mr Sean Karns (PE), Ms Tammy Hartwell (art), Ms Lisa Kussman (music), and Ms Brooke Speake (music) all transitioned due to allocation changes
- Mr David Chilin-Pineda (paraeducator) transitioned to College Gardens ES
- Ms Claire Calvert (PEP) transitioned to the Infants and Toddlers Program
- Ms Julia Handal (Media Assistant) transitioned to Gaithersburg ES as a registrar
- Ms Maria Nasios (school psychologist) was reassigned to other schools in our county
- Ms Arelis "Ree Ree" Burke (PCC) was reassigned to other schools in our county
- Ms Charmaine Roberts (PPW) was reassigned to other schools in our county
Due to an increase in enrollment for 5th grade, some additional staffing allocations, and reassignments, we are excited to welcome the following new faces to Team Tubman!
Joining the kindergarten team:
- Mr Zachary Lee
- Ms Consuelo Mattos
- Ms Laurie McCarty
- Ms Noelle Smoot
Joining the 4th grade team:
- Ms Kelsey Buckley
- Ms Kimberly McIntyre
Joining the 5th grade team:
- Ms Alexis Thompson
Joining the English Language Development (ELD) team:
- Ms Shalonda Dixon
- Mr Timothy Kum
- Ms Samantha Lieberman
- Ms Estela Oliva
Joining the special education team:
- Ms Katina Constant-Sane (home school model)
- Ms Janiece Jones (PEP)
Joining the physical education team:
- Mr Steve Mitsak
- Ms Kelly Soderstrum
Joining the art team:
- Ms Nina Brooks
Joining the music team:
- Ms Krista Di Bartolomeo
- Ms Maggie Malat (instrumental music)
Joining the paraeducator team:
- Ms Saima Baig
- Ms Nancy Chavez
- Ms Minhuey Chen
- Ms Eiman Farouk
- Ms Ishrat Miah
Joining the family engagement team:
- Mr Jeremy Smith (parent community coordinator)
- Mr Philip Lynch (PPW)
Class Dojo
Class Dojo is our primary communication system at Tubman. If you have not already, please download the Class Dojo app and add Harriet R Tubman as your child’s school
Universal Breakfast and Lunch
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be providing free breakfast and lunch at Tubman ES in the 2023–2024 school year. Households do NOT need to complete Free And Reduced-price Meal (FARMS) applications in order to receive free meal benefits at our school*. MCPS encourages students to enjoy breakfast and lunch at school. Please check out menus here.
*Households with students at other MCPS schools should check directly with those schools to determine if a FARM application is needed.
Before and After Care
Our on-site childcare provider will be Global Children's Center. Global opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 6:30 p.m.
Global will start in mid to late September at Tubman. Starting August 28, students will be bussed to and from Gaithersburg ES for childcare.
Learn more about Global by clicking on the photo.
Arrival
There is no supervision of students before 9:10 a.m. Please make sure that your child does not arrive outside of the school before this time.
Doors open every morning at 9:10 a.m. The bell rings at 9:25 a.m. Students are marked tardy if they arrive after 9:25 a.m.
Bus riders
- All bus stop information is here. It is important to note that for the first few days of school, busses may run behind schedule.
Car riders
- Cars should enter the car loop via Victory Farm Drive.
- This year, there is no parallel parking on Victory Farm Drive during arrival and dismissal. There are also no U-turns on Victory Farm Drive. Violators will be ticketed.
- Students should not be dropped off on the street.
- Students should remain in their car until an adult comes to the car door at 9:10 a.m.
Walkers and Bikers
- Walkers and bikers should travel to school safely using sidewalks and crosswalks.
- It is recommended that adults walk students to school to help keep them safe
- Bikers must lock their bikes on the bike racks. When bikers reach school property, they should dismount their bikes and walk their bikes on school property.
Dismissal
Dismissal begins at 3:45 p.m. All students will receive a backpack tag, from their teacher that provides dismissal information in order to ensure a smooth and safe process. Please keep this tag on your child's backpack.
Bus riders
- Bus riders will be dismissed in the order they arrive to the building. For the first few days of school, we anticipate delays in busses getting home
Car riders
- Students who are car riders will receive a numbered car tag. Caregivers will pull up to the car loop and students will be escorted to each car.
Walkers and Bikers
- Walkers and bikers are dismissed from the door that is on the far right of the building when facing the building.
Attendance Matters
This past school year, approximately 20% of our students missed 10% or more of school. 10% of the school year is 18 days of school.
Attending school consistently helps children feel more confident, helps build stronger relationships, and is linked to academic success.
If your child is going to be absent, please contact their teacher via Class Dojo and call the school.
As we move into the new school year, here are a few suggestions on how to ensure your child is coming to school consistently.
Send students to school if they are fever and vomit or diarrhea-free for 24 hours!
Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Consider calling a family member, a neighbor or another parent.
Try to schedule medical appointments and extended trips when school isn't in session.
If there is a concern about your child's mental health as it relates to attending school, please reach out to our school counselor, Ms. Curtis tyosho_k_curtis@mcpsmd.org
Remember to set a regular bedtime and morning routine at the start of the new school year.
We are here to help! Please reach out to us if there is anything we can do to support your family. Throughout the year, we will be monitoring attendance closely and will reach out to families if we see students are missing school frequently.
School Supply List
Our school supply list is published on our website!
Class Assignments
Class assignments will be sent through the US mail to home addresses during the week of August 14th.
Teachers do not report to work until the week of August 21st. Families should expect a phone call from one of their child's teachers during the week of August 21st.
Box Tops for Education
Tubman is a box tops school! When you buy qualifying groceries, scan your receipt on the app and raise money for our school!
News from our PTA
Fall Book Fair
The Tubman Tiger’s PTA will be kicking off the school year by hosting a book fair from September 18 –22. Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Book Fair benefits our school. Students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair with their classrooms during school hours and with their families at Back-To-School Night.
Volunteers are needed to so that all classrooms have the opportunity to visit the book fair. You can help by signing up to volunteer for one or more 2-hour slots. The following web link will take you to the on-line sign-up page.
School Spiritwear
We partner with Spiritwear Direct for all of our school spiritwear. This also helps our school to earn money.
Kindergarten Play Date
Do you have a child who will be starting kindergarten this year?
Join us for a kindergarten play date on Thursday, August 17th from 4:00-4:45 pm on our playground!
Save the Date for our Back to School Party!
Our Back to School Party and Open House is Thursday, August 24th!
Join us inside from 2:00-2:45 where you and your child will be able to meet the teachers and see their classroom.
Then join us outside from 2:45-4:00 for fun, food, and resources, from our community partners!
First Day of School!
Save the Date!
Thursday, August 17: Kindergarten Play Date from 4-4:45 on the playground
Thursday, August 24: Back to School Party/Open House from 2-4 pm
Monday, August 28: First Day of School
Monday, September 4: Holiday; No School
Tuesday, September 19: Back to School Night at 6 pm
Friday, September 22: Early Release; Dismissal at 1:20 pm
Monday, September 25: No School for Staff or Students