Thurmont Primary School News
January 2020
Principal's Message
Happy New Year TPS Families!
Can you believe it is 2020? It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for Y2K!
With a new year comes a renewed sense of commitment to our school's mission: We all work, learn and care together to grow in our brain, heart and body power. One way the TPS staff work towards achieving this mission is by first living it ourselves. As a school family, we encourage, motivate, support and inspire one another so we continue to learn and grow everyday. We also make sure we build our heart power by having fun together. Below are a few pictures of the TPS staff celebrating "10 Days of Holiday Cheer" where we had fun during spirited dress up days, enjoyed special sweet treats and took time to appreciate one another.
Even though we were all looking forward to a holiday break, there was still much learning taking place at TPS! Students continue to learn how to work both collaboratively and independently. Opportunities are provided for students to communicate their thinking orally and in writing. Vocabulary is emphasized so students are able to understand and express ideas. PATHS lessons take place each week to help students learn skills and strategies for working within a classroom community. Capturing all this in action is one of the highlights of my day! Please see below for a few friends showing their "Courage of a Cougar" as they work, learn and care together growing in their brain, heart and body power.
Yours in education,
Michele Baisey
Sparkle & Shine on Tinsel Tuesday
Warm Up Wednesday with Holiday Socks, Leggings & Stockings
Make Us Laugh Monday - Sport Your Silliest Holiday Gear
Comprehension & Communication
PATHS Kid of the Day
Vocabulary
A Season of Giving
During December there were several ways the TPS community supported one another this holiday season!
The Frederick County Literacy Chapter sponsored a Books for Families project. Students from Linganore High School's National English Honor Society created personalized book baskets which were provided to two families at TPS (see below for pictures). A special thank you to Mrs. Yoder and Ms. Hood for helping foster a love of reading this holiday season!
A giving tree at TPS and TES allowed families to receive holiday gifts for students in both schools. Holiday meal donations also ensured every family was able to enjoy good food while celebrating together. A special thank you to Mrs. McQuay for leading the efforts to support our school community in these important ways!
The TPS community has also been extremely generous during our food and toiletry drive. We appreciate the generosity of all those who made donations by giving to others in need!
TPS Recognizes Evan Laird, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Nominee
Evan comes to school each and every day ready to build his brain, heart, and body power. He works hard in all that he does. If there is something he doesn't understand, he asks questions to make sure he is meeting our learning targets. Evan is extremely thoughtful and includes others in games and activities throughout the day and at recess. He is responsible with completing his work and making sure he is putting forth his best effort with all his assignments. He consistently uses his manners with adults throughout the building. Evan easily exhibits all the pillars of good character and leadership qualities that are characteristic of Dr. King.
We look forward to celebrating Evan when he is honored, alongside all other FCPS nominees, at a celebration on Thursday, January 9th at TJ High School.
Out of District Transfer Process
Please note, any student for whom an out of district request was approved for the current school year must have an application re-submitted for 2020-2021 school year.
Please contact MaryAnn Gomez at (240) 236-2493 or maryann.gomez@fcps.org if you have any questions.
Additional information about Out of District Transfers:
- 2020-2021 Restricted Schools List
- Regulation 400-78, Restricting Schools to Out of District Transfers
- Regulation 400-15, Assignment and Transfer of Students
Courage of a Cougar
If you heard about the sing-a-long, and are looking forward to hearing our beautiful student voices, stay tuned for information about our "Evening of the Arts" taking place this spring. Each grade level will have an evening to showcase their musical and artistic talents and it is sure to be a celebration of our cougar courage!
Health Room Update - Flu Season
With the winter and flu season approaching, here are some helpful guidelines to help decide what to do if your child tells you they are not feeling well.
When to keep your child home from school:
- a temperature of more than 100 for more than 24 hours
- nausea or vomiting
- stomachache
- diarrhea
- pale or flushed face
- persistent cough
- earache
- thick discharge from the nose
- painful sore throat
- rash or infection of the skin
- red or pink eyes
If your child had a fever the evening before, or through the night, keep them home. Student’s should have a normal temperature under 100 degrees for 24 hours prior to returning. If the symptoms are severe or persist for more than 24 hours, you should contact your private source of medical care. Children sometimes use illness as an excuse to miss school. On the other hand, some children force themselves to go to school even though they are sick. It is up to you to be alert to your child’s health and to decide when it is best to send him/her to school. This is also when you need to consider if your child would be contagious to classmates.
If your child complains of being sick or does not look well after they reach school, we will contact you. Therefore, it is important that updated information and phone numbers be provided. As you read this, please remember these are general guidelines. You know your child the best! This is also a perfect time to reinforce hand washing to help minimize the spread of germs (Wash Your Hands Fact Sheet - linked here). Thank you for your attention to this matter and please call the health room if you have any questions.
Stephanie Nestor, RN
Registered Nurse
Families Enjoy Holiday Lunch
We are very grateful for the support of so many who made this event possible...
- Our TPS cafeteria crew - Melinda Rollison, Wanda Day, Devin Stine
- Sean Thompons, FCPS Culinary Specialist
- Our TPS custodial crew - Brian Kesselring and Jeff Downs
- TPS students and staff, who adjusted their daily schedules for lunch shift changes
- Jeannie Tippett, who manned our front office
- Robin Reese, who welcomed families and handled purchasing of adult lunches
- Brad Young, FCPS BOE President, who served lunch during all three shifts
- Karen Yoho, FCPS BOE Member, who served lunch to first and second graders
If you were not able to join your child for the special Holiday Lunch, please remember you are welcome to come any day and enjoy lunch together!
Attendance
The Catoctin Feeder Principals believe every minute of school missed is a learning opportunity lost. To promote ongoing and regular attendance, we will continue with monthly feeder challenges. Congratulations to Emmitsburg Elementary, winner of the December Feeder Attendance Challenge. TPS had only 93.8% of students at school on the attendance feeder challenge date. We will continue to strive to meet the 96% attendance expectation daily.
Thank you for your support in establishing positive attendance habits to ensure your child makes the most of every day in school! Each snowflake in the picture below is for an individual student who was at school on time and ready to learn all five days of a school week.
Information about attendance in FCPS is available at: https://www.fcps.org/student-services/general-info-for-parents
New Faces in New Places
- Tatiana Burrier, who will be our attendance/enrollment secretary through the end of the school year. Ms. Burrier is replacing Mrs. Kennedy who was appointed as the 12-month secretary at Kemptown Elementary School.
- Leslie Nolan, who will be a Special Education Instructional Assistant working with students in 1st grade.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Burrier and Ms. Nolan to our TPS family!
Special note - Ms. Burrier will now be receiving notes following student absences. You can email her at tatiana.burrier@fcps.org, call the front office or send a note to school with your child when they have been absent from school.
TEPS PTA News & Events
We look forward to the following events in January...
- PTA Meeting at TPS - January 8th at 5:30pm
- Read-a-Thon Kickoff - January 27th
- Read-a-Thon - January 27th through February 12th
- Restaurant Fundraiser Night - TBD
If you haven't done so yet, please become a member of our PTA. The membership application form (linked here) can be completed and returned to school with your child at any time.
Please contact the PTA at tepsptacougars@gmail.com for information about how you can remain actively engaged in our school community!
January Dates to Remember
Thursday, January 9th - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at TJ High School (7:00pm)
Monday, January 20th - Schools Closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 28th - End of Quarter 2
Wednesday, January 29th - Schools Closed for Students - Teacher Work Day
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