April Tidbits #2
April 14, 2024
What A Show!
Thanks in part to a couple of generous families, we were able to distribute glasses to all students and staff who needed them. We really appreciate our community's support. You all make a difference!
The teachers did a great job instructing the students in the safe use of their glasses, and the students did a phenomenal job following instructions. We all had a blast and made memories for a lifetime!
CHANGE IN SMCPS CALENDAR
Last week, the Board of Education approved an amendment to the 2023-2024 SMCPS Operational Calendar. The revised calendar has been posted to www.smcps.org/calendar.
As a result of the fact that SMCPS did not use any of its inclement weather days built into the calendar, the final day for the 2023-2024 school year has been adjusted.
The final day for students will be Friday, June 7, 2024.
The final day for 10-month staff will be Tuesday, June 11, 2024
The final day for 11-month staff will be Monday, June 24, 2024.
Chesapeake Public Charter School’s final day will be Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the last day for 10-month CPCS staff will be June 6, and the last day for CPCS 11-month will be June 25, 2024.
Weekly Attendance Award
Attendance Matters:
Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12. The state's proficient standard for attendance rate is 94% and the advanced standard is 96%.
TCES Currently: 92.62%
The chronic absenteeism measure identifies students that are absent (lawful AND unlawful) 10% or more of the school days while enrolled at that school. For example, a student who is registered to attend a school for 30 days and who is absent 3 of those 30 days is considered chronically absent.
Last year: 32% of students at TCES were considered chronically absent
Currently: 23.5% of students at TCES were considered chronically absent
4/8-4/12 TCES Attendance Rate: 90%
4/8-4/12 Grade Level Attendance Award: Fifth Grade with 96% Fantastic job, Fifth Grade!
TCES Staff attendance: 99%
We're grateful to all for your efforts to be here! Every day matters in the pursuit of knowledge.
You can check attendance records in HAC. If you notice any days that are unlawful (marked red), please send an email to smverhaagh@smcps.org, or submit the reason for the absence online through our school website.
Cafeteria Incentive Program
This week, our first grade classes are the winners of the Golden Spoon and Fork! Way to go, First grade!!
Ask your child to tell you more about our cafeteria expectations and the new lunch time incentive!
Time to Order Your Yearbook!
The price is $25.00 plus tax and convenience fee.
Don't delay! The portal is open NOW through May 3rd.
Spring Picture Day is April 23
Don't miss out! Spring Picture Day will be Tuesday, April 23. Classic Photography will be photographing individuals AND class groups.
Only students who are purchasing pictures will have an individual picture taken this day, so preorder today by going to ONLINEORDERS.CLASSICPHOTO.COM. The Town Creek access key is: WP976BAZ.
Order your Joe Corbi's today!
The Town Creek Elementary School fundraiser is underway!
It's easy to get started! Go to joecorbi.com and follow these instructions:
- Click on "Participant Registration/Login"
- Enter our organization code (#21660)
- Provide your contact information
- The system will provide you a participant code to share with your buyers
- Start selling!
The sale ends Friday, April 19, and the delivery date is Tuesday, May 21.
Questions? Email Mrs. Hertzbach at pahertzbach@smcps.org or call her at TCES.
TCES Garden Project
It's time for the Town Creek Elementary garden project, and we need your help!
We need donations of compost, cilantro seed, and topsoil. Donations can be monetary or the items listed in this SignUpGenius form.
Please reach out to Ms. Beltran (pnbeltran@smcps.org) or Ms. Horner (emhorner@smcps.org) with any questions. Thank you for your support!
MCAP ELA and Math Testing
All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for both ELA and Math during April and May:
5th Grade ELA: April 8 - 11, make-ups April 12
5th Grade Math: April 29 - May 2, make-ups May 3
4th Grade ELA: April 15 - 18, make-ups April 19
4th Grade Math: May 6 - 9, make-ups May 10
3rd Grade ELA: April 22 - 25, make-ups April 26
3rd Grade Math: May 13, 15 - 17, make-ups May 20 (no school May 14 - Election Day)
We know state testing can be very stressful for students. Below, you will find helpful things you can do to help your child with testing:
- make sure your child attends every day and is at school on time so we can begin testing promptly
- students who are not in the classrooms by 9:15 will not be able to test that day and will have to complete the test on a make-up day
- students are not permitted to leave early for any reason, unless in the event of an emergency; students must stay for the duration of the testing time
- make sure your child eats breakfast- every student is offered free breakfast in the classrooms have your child get a good night's sleep
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
SMCPS Pre-Kindergarten 4 Application Portal Is Now Open!
Per a recent press release, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) began accepting Pre- Kindergarten 4 Applications on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future allows for families with children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, 2024, to apply for full-day Pre-Kindergarten. All families are welcome to apply; however, income is the primary qualifier for eligibility. Families with an annual income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or families that are experiencing homelessness are deemed income eligible and will be accepted first. All applications will be screened and identified on a System of Tiers.
The SMCPS website, www.smcps.org, has information and guidance for completing the 2024-
2025 Pre-Kindergarten Application. You may also contact us using the helpdesk form, call 301-
475-5511 ext. 32285, or email Mrs. Charlottis Woodley, Director of Parent & Family
Engagement, at cmwoodley@smcps.org. Spanish language assistance is available.
There are also resources available to facilitate connections to high-quality childcare: The
Promise Resource Center at 240-258-2288, the MSDE Childcare Finder, and the SMCPS’ Judy Center Early Learning Hubs at 301-863-4068.
ACADEMY APPLICATION DATES OF INTEREST
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will accept online applications for
its three Academy Programs: The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, The Academy of Global
and International Studies, and The STEM Academy. Applications can be accessed online at
https://www.smcps.org/academics/academies-pathways and will open beginning Tuesday,
April 2, 2024. The application window will close on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Please note that no late
applications will be accepted. Students interested in the Academy of Finance should contact their
8th-grade counselor.
SMCPS will host a virtual Academy Open House on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Middle
school STEM and all high school academy programs (Academy of Finance, Academy of Visual and
Performing Arts, Academy of Global and International Studies, and STEM Academy) will be
represented at the event. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend to learn more about what
academy programs offer.
Additional information about the Academy Programs, including course offerings, application criteria, and frequently asked questions, can be found at
https://www.smcps.org/academics/academies-pathways.
For more information, contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at 301-475-
5511, extension 32104.
Helping Students Gain Command of Grade Level Standards
We'll be adding at-home practice for guardians and students to work on!!!
Kindergarten:
Comparing characters in one story or from multiple stories
First:
Phonics: learning blends, vowel teams, and r-controlled vowels
Reading: drawing inferences, main topic, and key details
Second:
Geometry - counting faces, edges and vertices on a 3-D shape
Third:
Prodigy Math can be accessed at home through the Clever portal
Fourth:
conducting research for writing
using metacognitive strategies when reading (visualizing, identifying key details, summarizing)
Fifth:
Non-fiction text about the Industrial Revolution while practing reading fluency and comprehension strategies
April is School Library Month
Encourage your student to explore the Town Creek School Library and all of the resources available in the Media Center and online!
Wear Purple on April 19 for Military Children
April is Month of the Military Child . Join us to honor military children on Friday, April 19 for Purple Up Day! Wear your purple!
Housekeeping - Please be sure you have taken care of these items (and THANKS)!
Thank you for your support!
Mr. Kent and the TCES family
1. Have a change of phone number, email, or address? Contact the office right away. We need to be able to reach you if your child is ill or has an emergency.
2. Let the office know IN WRITING if you are designating someone other than a guardian to pick up your child at any day and time.
3. Opt-In to the School Messenger Text Messaging Service. For more information, click on this flyer. There is also an FAQ with additional information.
4. Got a birthday to celebrate? Please familiarize yourself with the TCES procedures for Birthday Celebrations.
Nominate Your Treasured Terrapin!
New Colors in our "TCES Spirit Wear" Collection
Ready to rock some new Town Creek threads? A wide variety of spirit wear is available, from hoodies to sweatpants! We are now offering both our "traditional" white-on-blue selections and a new black-on-heather-gray color scheme. Get yours today!
Select this link to see pictures and detailed descriptions of the items currently available in both youth and adult sizes. You can check out the samples in the case in Town Creek's lobby, too!
To order, you can print this form and send cash or check, or you can order everything online in the My School Bucks School Store. For directions on how to order through the MSB School Store, please select this link.
The items will be delivered to your student at school as soon as they arrive at TCES. Hats are immediately available!
**NOTE: Do not put money into the lunch money account for this purchase! That is a separate account from the School Store and can NOT be transferred.
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from MSDE during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Parent feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in SMCPS. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
Summer Sports Academies
SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday -Thursday. Click below for more information. Don't miss this opportunity!
https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/camps
PTO Corner
The next meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 16, in the Media Center:
- The Board Meeting will begin 5:30 p.m.
- The General Meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the media center. The Nominating Committee will attend.
Want to get more involved? Be sure to fill out the membership application and join the PTO!
Questions? Contact PTO president Lydia Rivera at towncreekesptopresident@gmail.com.
AND JOIN US FOR OUR SPIRIT NIGHT THIS WEEK:
PTO Spirit Night at Rita's TOMORROW NIGHT!
PTO Movie Event: Super Mario Bros. on April 19!
The PTO invites you to join us for our second Movie Night on Friday, April 19 - showing Mario.
Doors open at 5:00pm and the movie will begin at 5:30pm. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.
Blankets and pillows are welcome. Some folding chairs will be available. Sponsored by the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union. We hope to see you there!
Planning on attending? Want to volunteer to help? Click on this link to our SignUp Genius page to RSVP and/or volunteer. Thanks!!
School Lunch This Week
Upcoming Calendar Events
Join us at TCES!!
- April 15th - PTO Spirit Night at Rita's, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
- April 16th - PTO Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. and General Meeting at 6:15 p.m.
- April 19th - Two-Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilties
- April 23rd - Classic Photography' Spring Picture Day at TCES
- May 10th - Two-Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilities
- May 14th - Primary Election Day - No School for Students
- May 21st - Joe Corbi's Fundraiser Delivery/Pickup
- May 23rd - TCES Spring Concert at 6:30 p.m.
- May 27th - Holiday - Memorial Day - All Schools and Offices Closed