Takoma Park Elementary School
Newsletter
May 28, 2023
No School on Monday, May 29, 2023
Happy Memorial Day!
Parent Input for Classes for Next Year
As we plan for next year's classes, we would like your input. Please complete the TPES Parent Input Form to tell us about your child. Use the link below to access the form. We will have paper copies available in the office for anyone who prefers a paper copy. The form will be accepting responses until June 1, 2023. After June 1, 2023, responses will no longer be accepted.
At-Home Chromebooks:
If your student has an MCPS at-home Chromebook and they are leaving MCPS, please bring the Chromebook, charger and carrying case back to TPES. You can send it in with the student or drop it off at the front office. If they are moving to a different MCPS school, they can keep the Chromebook at home.
Library Books:
All library books will need to be returned to TPES this week. If a book is lost or damaged, families will need to pay for the book. Please return all books before Friday, June 2, 2023.
Anti-Racist Audit Data Parent Meeting
Last week the staff at TPES hosted an parent meeting to share the Anti-Racist Audit data for our school. During that meeting, several parents asked for resources to talk about race with their children. Many thanks to Ms. Gabrielle Williams, parent of a first grader, for sharing the following resources:
For Parents and Adults:
-White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
For teachers:
-Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (everybody with an M.Ed. should’ve read this already, but just in case)
-For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood... and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality, Pedagogy and Urban Education (by Christopher Emdin)
For Kids:
-Born on the Water (a kids book from the 1619 project by Hannah Nicole Jones)
-An American Story (Kwame Alexander - good friend of my family!)
-Island Born by Junot Diaz
Lunch Money Owed
As a part of the Dine with Dignity agreement MCPS has adopted, children are given a full lunch when they go through the cafeteria line whether or not they have negative balances for their lunch accounts. Unfortunately, this means the lunch costs often go unpaid. TPES is faced with paying for lunches that are left unpaid. To date, the amount of unpaid lunch money is $2,851.20 for the children of TPES. Some children owe as little as $2.55 with others owing as much as $381.75. To the extent you are able, please pay off your child's lunch account before the school year ends.
Parent/Child Reunification in the Event of an Emergency
The MCPS Parent/Child Reunification (PCR) Plan guidelines are important information that parents and guardians need to know before there is an emergency at your child’s school. Schools may experience an emergency that requires that students be dismissed from a school other than the usual time or location. Please take time to review MCPS guidelines here.
Methods of Communication: Connect Ed/Blackboard
Location of Indoor, On-campus PCR Area: All Purpose Room (APR)
Location of Outdoor, On-campus PCR Area: Blacktop Play Area
Location of Indoor, Off-campus PCR Area: Takoma Park MS
From the PTA
Next and final PTA meeting for the school year: June 6, 2023 from 7-8pm on Zoom (link will be shared a few hours prior to the meeting)
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, and a former teacher. She'll be sharing highlights and actionable steps from her Summer Survival parenting course. Agenda will also include:
1) TPES Wellness Committee initiative of Wait Until Eighth;
2) Membership vote on 2023-24 TPES and PBES executive board;
3) Brief remarks from TPES and PBES principals;
4) Margaret Webb, guest speaker and parenting coach;
5) Treasurers' End of year Report
Spanish and Amharic interpretation will be offered
Field Day
Calling all volunteers!!!
The success of our field day depends greatly on the number of volunteers we have per station. We will have around 10 - 12 stations and each station should have at least 2 volunteers to function properly. Feel free to send me your name, child's name, phone number and the date you plan on volunteering (email me directly at; Johanna_A_Paz@mcpsmd.org).
Please plan to arrive by 9:15am, the event is scheduled to run from 9:30 to 11:30am. Come dress comfortably and equipped with a hat, sunscreen for your personal use & water.
June 7 - Kindergarten
June 8 - 1st grade
June 9 - 2nd grade
Help us make this a memorable event!
Thanks!
***ESPAÑOL***
¡¡¡Llamando a todos los voluntarios!!!
El éxito del Día de Juegos depende grandemente del número de voluntarios que tengamos en cada estación. Tendremos alrededor de 10 a 12 estaciones y cada una debe tener por lo menos 2 voluntarios para que funcionen apropiadamente. Por favor, envíe su nombre, nombre de su hijo/a, número telefónico y el día en que planifica servir de voluntario (envíeme un correo electrónico con sus respuestas directamente a; Johanna_A_Paz@mcpsmd.org).
Por favor planifique llegar por lo menos a la 9:15am, el evento está pautado para iniciar a las 9:30am concluyendo a las 11:30am.
Vista ropa y calzado cómodo, y venga equipado con sombrero/gorra, protector solar para su uso y agua.
7 de junio - Kindergarten
8 de junio - 1er grado
9 de junio - 2do grado
¡Ayúdenos a hacer de éste, un evento memorable!
¡Gracias!