Thurmont Primary School News
Continuity of Learning - Volume 8
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
It's hard to believe we have finished 6 weeks since the start of Quarter 4. We know continuing learning under these circumstances, and during this unprecedented time, has been no easy task. We appreciate your ongoing support to encourage effort, participation and access to learning while students are at home!
We recognize that it is likely not always easy to keep students motivated and wanting to participate in distance learning. We hope that the implementation of live video conferencing last week allowed students to feel more connected with their teachers and classmates. Weekly sessions will continue and we hope your child can make use of this opportunity to see one another and be part of PATHS lessons, morning meetings, math review and read alouds! Please see below under the heading "Synchronous Support" for information including providing permission, behavioral expectations and a school schedule.
Yours in education,
Michele Baisey
#TogetherApart
#CourageofaCougar
Student Belongings
TPS & TES will offer days/times during the week of June 8th for families to drop off school materials and pick up student personal belongings. Drop off/pick up will occur curbside, following all health/safety guidelines, from 8 AM-4 PM (see dates/schedule below). Family members will be asked to remain in their car, share their child’s name, and drop off materials. A staff member will bring personal belongings to you.
Materials to be dropped off: library books, reading bags, reading books, completed COL paper packets, band instruments
Drop off/pick up dates:
Monday, June 8th - Last Names A - H
Wednesday, June 10th - Last Names I - Q
Friday, June 12th - Last Names R - Z
Extended hours are available by individual appointment. Please contact the front office to make arrangements.
Chromebooks
If you are moving, or your child will not be enrolled as a student in FCPS for the fall, please plan to return the Chromebook to TPS.
Synchronous Support
- TPS Find Out First Message (shared Wednesday, May 13th)
- Parent Permission Email - Please email your child's classroom teacher if you would like to provide permission for participation.
- TPS Synchronous Support Schedule - This is a tentative and initial schedule and classroom teachers will communicate specific session information directly with you each week.
- TPS Google Meet Online Learning Expectations
We hope you find this optional experience helpful for your child to remain connected with teachers and friends during this time!
Happy Heart Hunt
The Catoctin Feeder Schools remain committed to showing the strength of our community, especially during the challenges caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic. Students and families are invited to participate in a “Happy Heart Hunt” to spread love and cheer throughout our school communities, showing that we are #TogetherApart.
Please see the flyer linked below to participate because #ItsAGreatDayToBeACougar!
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Applications
Required enrollment documentation:
- Proof of date of birth - birth certificate, physician's certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal or church certificate, parent's affidavit or passport/via
- Proof of residency - current property tax bill, current rental bill, current utility bill for water, gas, or electric
- Immunization and health records - Department of Health and Mental Hygiene form 896 Immunization Certificate and documentation of a recent physical exam, recorded on the Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination
Current Pre-Kindergarten students will automatically roll over into Kindergarten and no registration is necessary.
More information about the online enrollment process will be shared via Find Out First and through this newsletter.
The FCPS Find Out First is linked here for your reference: Kindergarten and PreK Enrollment Coming Soon
Specials Spotlight
This weeks Specials Spotlight had our courageous cougars learning about instruments and musical opposites, completing a bowling challenge, making paper puppets and sculptures from craft sticks, and continuing to log minutes in Beanstack for our May reading challenge. Enjoy!
Video Messages for Students
Morning Announcements - Week of May 26th
Please continue to watch for additional videos and updates to be shared over the coming weeks. If your child would like to send a message back you can email me at michele.baisey@fcps.org or share it with me on Twitter @MBaiseyFCPS.
May Reading Challenge
We have 39 readers signed up and together they have logged 7233 minutes. Information about signing up to join the May Reading Challenge is linked below.
TPS Sports Reading Challenge Flyer
Remember, any kind of reading counts...
- reading for fun
- reading to someone
- listening to someone else read
- listening to a story online (videos from teachers, Raz Kids, websites, etc.)
- reading in your Google/Schoology Classroom or on your paper packet activities
Need assistance? Contact TPS Media Specialist Melissa Gaeta melissa.gaeta@fcps.org
Distance Learning Reminders
- taking care of yourself and your family is your first priority
- encouraging and supporting students to remain connected and engaged in school activities is our goal
- daily assignments should be taking no more than 45 minutes in PK and 90 minutes in K-2nd Grade - if your child is working for longer than this please have them stop and let the teacher know so adjustments can be made
- assignments are provided daily but you can make them fit into your weekly schedule
- students can either complete activities online (in Google or Schoology Classrooms) or through the paper packets - they do not need to do both
If you have questions, concerns or needs please reach out to Dr. Baisey (michele.baisey@fcps.org) and/or your child's teacher. We are here to help make distance learning work for each student and family!
Cougar Care Team
We are available to provide support, answer questions and touch base during the time school is closed. You are welcome to email with questions, concerns or needs. You are also welcome to call the school and a message can be relayed to the appropriate staff member. Specific staff available to assist are listed below.
- Classroom teachers - assistance with distance learning assignments
- Lisa McQuay - counseling and student/family assistance (lisa.mcquay@fcps.org)
- Jeannie Tippett - technology assistance (regina.tippett@fcps.org or 240-236-2810)
- Mimi Hill - school office assistance (marianne.hill@fcps.org)
- Michele Baisey - assistance with any student/family needs (michele.baisey@fcps.org)
Family Resources
During the school closure we want to be sure you are connected with resources which may support your child and family.
Counseling & Mental Health Resources
FCPS Student Services Recommended Resources
Coronavirus Resources & Social Stories
Important Dates
Tuesday, May 26th - FCPS Meal Distribution (11am-1pm)
Wednesday, May 27th - FCPS Meal Distribution (11am-1pm) for both Wednesday, May 27th and Thursday, May 28th (Returning to the regular M, W, F schedule)
Wednesday, June 17th - Last Day of School
Contact Information
Email: michele.baisey@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tps/
Location: 7989 Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-2800
Twitter: @ThurmontPrimary