Thurmont Primary School News
Continuity of Learning - Volume 4
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
As we enter Week 5 of our distance learning experience, we want to thank you for all the ways you are making learning at home possible. We know this has not been an easy time to establish new routines or adjust to changing schedules. Please remember, deadlines are flexible and our goal is to have students engaged in some learning each day. Your child's teacher is ready to assist with individual support to ensure all students are successful during distance learning. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, needs or concerns so we can work through them together!
Yours in education,
Michele Baisey
#CourageofaCougar
#TogetherApart
Survey on Continuity of Learning
Thurmont Primary School invites you to participate in our school's survey on Continuity of Learning. We want to hear from you on how Continuity of Learning is going for your child(ren). While the survey is voluntary, your feedback is important to us! Your responses will remain anonymous and will be combined with the responses of other families.
To access the survey online, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COLParent1511
Important: This survey link is unique to Thurmont Primary School. Please do not share with families of children in other FCPS schools. Also, if you have children in other schools please use this link to provide specific to our school only.
If you require a paper copy of the survey, please contact Ms. Hill at marianne.hill@fcps.org or 240-236-2800.
The survey will remain open until Friday, May 8th.
We thank you in advance for your feedback!
Yearbook Deadline Extended
Also, a special section will be added to the yearbook to help document our distance learning experiences. If you would like to submit a picture of your chil(ren) engaged in learning at home during the COVID19 school closure, please send your pictures to melissa.gaeta@fcps.org with a subject line COVID19pic.
Spring Pictures Delivered
Please continue to check Find Out First for all updates related to the school closure.
Social Stories - NEW Resources
Social stories are one way we can help young children understand things that are happening in the world around them. They are presented in a way which helps children learn skills, concepts or ideas through listening to a story, much like they do in reading. The stories linked below have been designed to help children make sense of the coronavirus and how it is changing their everyday lives.
- Coronavirus and Social Distancing
- Georgie and the Giant Germ
- My Hero is You
- My Name is Coronavirus
- Something Strange Happened in my City
- Stay Home Superheroes
- The Big Sickness
- The Flying Scientist
- The Story of Oyster and the Butterfly
- What is Coronavirus?
- Why Can't I Go To School?
Thank you to our school counselor, Mrs. McQuay, for gathering these resources which we hope help support you in explaining the coronavirus to your child(ren) at home!
Specials Spotlight
This week’s Specials Spotlight video features some of our amazing cougars showing their creativity and body power. For art, students created found art sculptures in the form of musical instruments. In music, students used non-traditional or found instruments to practice rhythm skills at home. P.E. stars worked on reviewing skills from Magic Club. We hope you enjoy the awesome artists, musicians, and athletes in this week’s video!
Video Messages for Students
Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Life (Dr. Baisey Read Aloud)
Video announcements will also be shared each week as another way to help your child remain connected. Linked below are the announcements for the week of March 30th.
Morning Announcements - Week of April 27th
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.
TPS Continuity of Learning Plans
As we continue with distance learning, we remind you that students have two options for engaging with the continuation of school assignments...
- Access online materials/resources shared through a teacher's Google or Schoology class.
- Access print packets of learning materials by picking them up at school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-2pm.
Please note...
- students are expected to complete EITHER the online/digital learning OR print materials. It is not necessary to do both.
- print packets are available only for those students who do not have access to the internet and/or a device (computer. laptop, Chromebook, tablet)
- print packets will NOT be collected/returned to school.
- UPDATED PROCESS - Information about your child's completed work will be collected via weekly phone calls with Mrs. Yoder or Ms. Dove. They will be reaching out to schedule the most convenient time for a call to discuss your child's work each week.
If you have questions about your child's distance learning as it relates to content assignments please contact the classroom teacher.
If you have questions related to technology please contact our User Support Specialist, Jeannie Tippett, at regina.tippett@fcps.org.
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)
- Mimi Hill - school office assistance (marianne.hill@fcps.org)
- Michele Baisey - assistance with any student/family needs (michele.baisey@fcps.org)
Free Meal Options
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 1pm
- Mondays - “to-go” breakfasts, lunches, and suppers for Monday and Tuesday
- Wednesdays - “to-go” breakfasts, lunches, and suppers for Wednesday and Thursday
- Fridays - “to-go” breakfast, lunch, and supper for Friday
- TES Parking Lot (Thurmont location) & Jubliee Foods Parking Lot (Emmitsburg Location)
- https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1677052/fcps-feeds-children-while-schools-are-closed
Blessings in a Backpack
- Fridays from 11am - 1pm
- TES Parking Lot - look for the blue Honda Odyssey van
- Boxed meals include 7 non-perishable food items for the weekend
Kountry Kitchen
- Monday - Friday from 8am - 2pm
- Breakfast and lunch provided
Sheetz
- Meal Bagz available all day, while supplies last
- https://www.sheetz.com/newsroom/article?title=sheetz-launches-free-meal-program-for-children-in-need&id=4xenMZH3lwtc1LhCfWlTow
Family Resources
School Based Resources
- FCPS Supplemental Resources
- Mrs. McQuay's (School Counselor) Website
- Mrs. Fritts, School Psychologist, Offers virtual office hours on Tuesdays (7-9am) and Thursdays (4-6pm). Please call her at 240-236-8924 if she can support your family.
Mental Health Resources
- Virtual Walk--In Crisis Services (Mental Health Association of Frederick)
- 211 Maryland (Call 211 or Text your zip code to 898-211 OR TXT-211)
- Advanced Behavioral Health (ABH/ACS) is taking referrals for Telehealth. They take Medical Assistance (MA) insurance ONLY for the on-site services in schools. They take MA and Private Insurance for therapy in the office.
- Behavioral Health Partners (BHP/OCS) is taking new referrals for Telehealth. They take Medical Assistance (MA) insurance ONLY for the on-site services in schools. They take MA and Private Insurance for therapy in the office.
- Brook Lane Frederick Office is taking referrals. Clients can be seen in person at the office or through telehealth. They accept Medical Assistance and private insurances. Parent/guardian needs to call 1-800-342-2992 to schedule an intake appointment.
Resources related to the Coronavirus:
FCPS Student Services Shares Family Resources
NEED HELP? Here are some resources for your family.
Phone Friend 301-694-8255 (can also access by dialing 211)
Offers children in grades 5 and under supportive listening, crisis intervention, and information and referral.
Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464
Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
Crisis Services: Dial 211
Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
Maryland anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others’ safety, at risk.
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Help if you are thinking about suicide.
One of our newest FCPS partners, A Mother's Rest, is a respite care provider committed to the proactive healthcare of special needs parents and caregivers even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the news release for details:
https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1679311/fcps-partners-with-a-mothers-rest
Internet Options
Due to the emergency circumstances presented by the Coronavirus, many telecommunications companies have enable access to the internet using their services for free. Please see below for internet options which may assist your family with staying connected.
Comcast Xfinity Free WiFi network
- https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- Comcast Xfinity has turned on a Wi-Fi sub-network on all of their home/business internet routers and made it free to access for anyone within range.
- Comcast removed data plan caps for 60 days, making all connections unlimited.
- Frozen disconnects and late fees
Comcast Internet Essential Program
- https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
- Two free months for families that apply before April 30th, 2020
- Network speed performance increased
- Comcast is waiving the outstanding debt satisfaction requirement for Households with debt owed to Comcast for applications approved prior to May 13th, 2020
Verizon Wireless
- https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/
- Waving new line activation fees, late fees, and service terminations through May 13th, 2020
- Free international calling until April 30th, 2020
- Additional 15GB of mobile hotspot data has been added for all customers and data plans.
T-Mobile
- https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19
- All smartphone data plans are unlimited through May 13th, 2020
- All smartphone hotpot plans can add an additional 10GB per month for two months free
- Free unlimited international calling
AT&T wireless
- https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
- All late fees for wireless, home phone and broadband residential customers are waived until May 13, 2020
- Domestic wireless plan overage charges for data, voice and text for residential customers are waived until May 13, 2020
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, April 22nd - Report Cards Will Be Mailed
Friday, May 15th - End of School Closure*
*subject to change - please watch Find Out First for updates
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