Thurmont Primary School News
Continuity of Learning - Volume 5
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Week 6 of distance learning is extra special because it is also Teacher Appreciation Week. TPS is fortunate to have caring, compassionate and committed teachers supporting students to grow their brain, heart and body power every day, even during distance learning. We all appreciate the time, hard work and love they put into everything they do. They are making a difference every single day (and there's even a song about it linked below)!
You Have Made A Difference - Teacher Appreciation Song
While we can't celebrate the teachers in person it doesn't mean we won't remember how lucky we are to have them in our lives. Teachers miss their students, likely as much as the students are missing school. If you and your child would like to send a message of thanks in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week please feel free to use the teacher's email address or comment in the online classroom. Let's try to fill their inboxes with smiles!
Also, I'd like to extend a thank you to all the family members supporting distance learning and becoming teachers at home. You are appreciated and we are proud to partner with you so all children continue to believe in themselves, enjoy learning and feel successful!
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!
Spring Picture Pickup
To pickup your pictures please...
- pull up along the curb at the front entrance of the building
- call the front office (240-236-2802)
- provide your child's name and the teacher's name
- wait for a staff member to deliver your pictures to the passenger side window of your car
Yearbook Photo Request
A special section of the yearbook will be added to document our distance learning experiences. If you would like to submit a picture of your child(ren) engaged in learning at home during the COVID19 school closure, please send your pictures to tepsyearbook@gmail.com by Friday, May 8th.
Also, please note the deadline for ordering yearbooks has been extended through the end of May. If you would like to purchase a yearbook please go to http://ybpay.lifetouch.com and use the yearbook code, 11071120. Yearbooks are $16 each.
May Reading Challenge
Thurmont Primary is raising the bar for reading with our use of Beanstack. Together, we are building readers, and we want our students to know how much reading they are doing each day! Your student’s job is simple: join the TPS Lerners Sports Reading Challenge, choose something of interest to read, or be read to each day, and keep track of those minutes in our new reading tracker tool: Beanstack.
Three Steps to Participate:
Step 1: Sign in.
- Log into your child’s Clever dashboard* on our TPS media home page https://education.fcps.org/tps/mediacenter (the big blue C).
- Look for the Beanstack symbol. Click on that, and you will be signed in!
- Login: Birth year, first initial, lastname@my.fcps.org (ex. 12bsmith@my.fcps.org)
- Password: tps
- Join the TPS Lerner Sports Reading Challenge
Step 2. Log Student Reading.
- Select the ‘Log Reading’ button on the page and enter the total minutes spent reading, along with what was read (book, magazine, etc.)
Step 3. Earn Virtual Badges.
- As you log reading, you will earn virtual badges and special recognition at school.
There’s Also an App for That.
- To Download the Beanstack Tracker App, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search for ‘Beanstack’. Using the app you may scan the books and time you read and more easily!
- Click ‘Get Started’ & Select the ‘Schools’ tab.
- Search for your school and select it.
- Sign in using student log in (above) OR student I.d. number (found on report card) Password: their birthdate (mmddyy)
TPS Sports Reading Challenge Flyer
Need assistance? Contact TPS Media Specialist Melissa Gaeta melissa.gaeta@fcps.org
Specials Spotlight
Check out the newest Specials Spotlight for Week 4: April 20 - 24. This week artists explored nature to create their artwork, inspired by artist Andy Goldsworthy. Cougar musicians worked on rhythm and melody and played games to create their own music. P.E. stars did exercises inspired by Disney characters. We hope you all enjoy seeing some TPS Cougars rocking their specials distance learning!
Video Messages for Students
Morning Announcements - Week of May 4th
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 or 240-236-2810.
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
- Social Distancing
- Healthy at Home: A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19
- CDC - Talking With Children About Coronavirus
- NASP - Parent Resource for Talking to Children About COVID-19
- PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Social Stories
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