Thurmont Primary School News
Back to School Edition - August 2019
Principal's Message
It is an honor to join the TPS school community as your new principal! I have enjoyed meeting students, families and staff this summer and look forward to when we are all back in the building together.
My official first day as principal was Thursday, August 1st. Together with our School Improvement Plan (SIP) team of teacher leaders, pictured below, we began our work to identify goals for the coming year. In the areas of teaching and learning, we are committed to collaboration, communication and high quality explicit instruction which meets the individualized needs of all learners and promotes their ongoing achievement. In the areas of culture and climate, we are committed to providing a safe, stable and nurturing environment where your child looks forward to, and enjoys, coming to school each day. Implementing consistent expectations and celebrating both positive attendance and behavior will be areas of focus for the coming year.
As your child's first teacher, you play a critical role in his/her educational program. We encourage you to be an active member of our team and welcome your collaboration and engagement in school activities. In order to help clarify routines, procedures and expectations a Parent and Family Handbook has been created.
During the course of the 2019-2020 school year we will publish a monthly school newsletter with important information and updates. The newsletter will be shared via FindOutFirst to the email address you have provided. If your email address has changed, please let the front office staff know so we can be sure you are receiving these communications. Please also let the front office staff know if you require a print copy of the newsletter.
I am excited for the year ahead where we will continue to work, learn and care together as we grow our brain, heart and body power! Please follow the happenings of the school on Twitter @ThurmontPrimary and through my account @MBaiseyFCPS.
Yours in education,
Michele Baisey, Principal
If you missed my introduction to the school community you can read it here:
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten is required for all children who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2019.
To register for school, bring the child's:
*proof of birth
*proof of residency
*immunization record
*proof of income (for pre-kindergarten only)
See the full FCPS news release regarding registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten: https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1627675/kindergarten-and-prek-registration-begins-monday-march-19
Attendance
As you prepare for a new school year, consider ways you can support your child by establishing positive attendance habits.
- Follow a regular bedtime and morning routine
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks/lunches the night before
- Send your child to school unless they are too sick to attend (fever, vomiting, diarrhea and contagious illness are reasons to stay home from school)
- Talk to school staff if your child appears anxious about going to school
- Develop back up plans in case of a change to your child's transportation
- Schedule appointments and extended trips so they do not interfere with the school day
Information about attendance in FCPS is available at: https://www.fcps.org/student-services/general-info-for-parents
School Breakfast
TPS will be offering breakfast for purchase daily from 8:10-8:40am as children are arriving and preparing for their day. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria. Students are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to allow enough time to eat breakfast in the cafeteria, unpack at their lockers and join their class for instruction, which begins promptly at 8:40am.
Breakfast Prices:
Full meal - $1.60
Milk only - 60 cents
TPS is no longer eligible to provide free breakfast for all students during 2019-2020 school year. When the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals falls below 40%, a school is not eligible for the free breakfast program for all students, if it has had the program more than one year.
It is possible for the free breakfast program to be restored in the 2020-2021 school year if this year's Meal Benefits Applications show the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals is 40% or higher, and if funding is available.
FCPS encourages all families to complete the Meal Benefits Application as this could help the school community offer the breakfast program in a future year.
Information about Meals in FCPS, including the Meal Benefits Application, is available at: https://www.fcpsnutrition.com/.
PATHS - Social Emotional Learning
As part of creating a school environment where we grow our brain, heart and body power, these developmentally based lessons will be taught twice weekly and provide children time to develop:
• Emotional literacy
• Self-control
• Social competence
• Positive peer relations
• Interpersonal problem-solving skills
Back to School Calendar of Events
Tuesday, August 6th - Popsicles with the Principal (12:00-1:00pm) & National Night Out at Thurmont Police Station (6:00-7:30pm)
Thursday, August 22nd - Kindergarten Family Orientation (5:30-6:30pm)
Thursday, August 29th - Open House (5:00-6:00pm)
Monday, September 2nd - Bedtime Story with Dr. Baisey - more information coming soon!
Tuesday, September 3rd - First Day of School for 1st and 2nd Grade Students, Kindergarten Staggered Start Day #1 & Pre-Kindergarten Family Meetings Day #1
Wednesday, September 4th - Kindergarten Staggered Start Day #2 & Pre-Kindergarten Family Meetings Day #2
Thursday, September 5th - Kindergarten Staggered Start Day #3 & Pre-Kindergarten Family Meetings Day #3
Friday, September 6th - First Day of ALL Kindergarteners & Pre-Kindergarten Staggered Start Day #1
Monday, September 9th - Pre-Kindergarten Staggered Start Day #2
Tuesday, September 10th - First Day of ALL Pre-Kindergarten
Friday, September 20th - Fair Day - School Closed
For FCPS back to school information visit https://www.fcps.org/student-services/back-to-school. Links to school supply lists, the calendar handbook, bus routes and more are available to assist you in getting a head start on the new school year.
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