TES Family News
Sunday 12/19/21
Dear TES families,
I wanted to provide you with an update on our school operations Friday December, 17. Our students and families may have noticed an increased police presence due to a nationwide TikTok threat of violence in schools on Friday, December 17. FCPS shared several FindOutFirst messages updating communities of the work being done to address the concern.
Many families and students were concerned about this threat, which is understandable. But please know that we received and will continue to receive considerable support from our partner agencies.
The safety of students and staff is our top priority every day. That’s a goal shared by local law enforcement as well.
It’s possible students may still see rumors about school violence from Friday, December 17 on social media or hear about them from their peers. We always encourage our community if they see something to say something so threats can be properly investigated.
Here are a few other ways you can help us:
- Speak to your child about the seriousness of such actions.
- Remind them that they can be held financially or legally responsible for criminal actions.
- A School Resource Officer will be contacted if the behavior elevates to unlawful behavior.
- Keep note of your student's activity on social media.
We also encourage everyone to review the FCPS policy for student use of electronic devices.
As always, we are here to support your child and family. Please contact the school with any questions or needs.
Yours in education,
Karl Williams
Principal
Thurmont Elementary
On a lighter note, please see our Holiday Cheer calendar just below this message. We have three more days of focused learning opportunities. Help us make the minutes count!
TEPS PTA NEWS
PTA General Meeting Thursday January 13th 5:00 - 6:00 at TPS, PTA Winter Craft Event - Thursday January 13th 6:00 - 7:30 at TPS. Snow date for meeting and craft - Thursday January 20th.
Winter Event Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rJNbcIaNF_XhJVMqsyucLJzhRhL0ppkNTCZF3kVAQNk/edit
PTA Meeting Minutes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18MJ-i0pcBDq6zKHJu6vFBJpyqe2TM7Vg9AjpyIKOsnU/edit?usp=sharing
If you have not yet signed up to be a member of the TEPS PTA, we encourage you to do so by clicking the membership form below. The membership form and dues can be returned to school with your child.
2021-2022 TEPS PTA Membership Form (Make checks payable to: TEPS PTA)
Your membership provides a vote on ways to...
- enhance the partnership between home and school
- offer students access to special events/activities, cultural arts experiences & field trips
- determine how funding will be used to support students, families & our schools
Contact tepscougars@gmail.com with questions, needs or to support in any way and please consider following the TEPS PTA on Facebook: TEPS PTA - Thurmont Elementary & Primary Schools.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Thursday, December 23rd - Friday, December 31st - Schools Closed for Winter Break
- Monday, January 3rd - Schools Reopen
- Thursday, January 13th - PTA General Meeting (5:00 - 6:00) and Winter Craft Event at TPS (6:00 - 7:30). SNOW DATE: Thursday January 20th (Same times)
- Friday, January 14th - Schools Closed for Students - Teacher Work Day
- Monday, January 17th - Schools Closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
COUGARS ROAR!
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
Setting strong school habits and routines helps students with academic and social skill success. Being at school on time, helps students start the day in the right mindset and sets them up for the day in a positive way.
Being at school on time ensures students have the time they need to transition into the building and be ready for learning.
Arriving at school on time, before 8:40am, is important for many reasons such as:
- allowing time to unpack and prepare for the day
- allowing time for breakfast, if eating at school
- lessening anxiety and/or upset about being late
- being able to interact with friends before instruction begins
- being ready when morning meeting/PATHS lessons begin at 8:40am
We appreciate your support in working to establish morning routines at home which will allow your child to arrive at school on time.
As you know, TES has met the criteria for a recent Covid-19 outbreak this past week. Please review the information below regarding protocols and mitigation strategies. We very much appreciate your cooperation in helping us navigate the continued concerns of the pandemic as well as all the necessary protocols when a positive case is identified.
Classroom/cohort outbreak definition:
- At least two confirmed COVID-19 cases among students/teachers/staff within a 14-day period and who are epidemiologically linked, but not household contacts. https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/school-resources
FCPS Modified Quarantining Protocol Updates:
- Started: Monday, October 18
- Change: Students will be identified as a close contact and asked to quarantine if they were unmasked and within 6 feet of another student who tested positive for 15 minutes or more.
- The identification of close contacts for adults has not changed.
How we will continue to prioritize safety:
- Students must wear masks indoors except lunch. Please make sure they are wearing clean masks each day.
- Students sit in assigned seats in the classroom and at specials.
- All students have an assigned seat in the cafeteria. This allows us to complete contact tracing when students have their masks off for lunch.
- Hand washing takes place before and after lunch daily and after recess.
- Hand sanitizer and hand washing is used throughout the day and between any class changes, such as specials.
- Following through with protocols if a student has possible Covid symptoms. These symptoms include fever over 100.4 degrees or higher, soar throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell.
Health, safety & wellness remains a priority and we appreciate your ongoing support!
If your student(s) is in covid-19 protocol and needs to quarantine, we want you to know students will have access to the following in order to be given credit of being present while in quarantine:
- Possible virtual tutoring before and after school
- Schoology with uploaded work and lessons
- Cougar Connections – Virtual connections with TES staff during the school day
- Possible paper packets with work to help keep students focused on practicing skills and current learning targets.
To be considered present while a student is in the quarantine protocol, they must access Schoology and our Cougar Connections or Tutoring (Before and After School) each day. Please note, these options are for students in Covid -19 quarantine protocols.
Teachers will share information with you so your student may access the cougar connections, Schoology work and lessons and any other key information a student may need when they are out.
Bus Information
As many of you have experienced, there are bus delays, bus route coverages, and changes to schedules which impact pick up/drop off times. We know this causes frustration and difficulty in your schedules. We are working to support communication that will keep you informed as soon as possible when a change occurs.
Please visit https://apps.fcps.org/transportation/status for updated information about bus status. The page is updated every 60 seconds in real time so will have the most accurate information.
Thanks for your continued patience as we work through all aspects of returning to fully in person learning environment while navigating a global pandemic. It may not be easy but it's worth it!
Please visit the website to look up your child's bus number and pickup/drop off times. Check periodically to confirm the times as there could be changes. Both TES and TPS will work to alert families as early as we are able using the OneCall system or FindOutFirst system if there were to be a bus delay or issue.
If you need support regarding transportation, please call the school at 240-236-0900.
Health & Safety Resources
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic we know there are ongoing questions related to how we are keeping our schools safe for fully in person learning. FCPS has provided the resources below to assist families in understanding how we respond to individuals who are symptomatic, those who test positive and those who are identified as close contacts. Please review these resources which outline our systemic response protocols.
· Contact Tracing & Quarantine Video
· COVID-19 Response Sheet in English
· COVID-19 Response Sheet in Spanish
· Contact Tracing and Close Contact Information in English
· Contact Tracing and Close Contact Information in Spanish
Back to School Frequently Asked Questions
Health Room Contact Information
Any questions, concerns and/or needs related to your child(ren)'s health can be directed to our health room. Please contact our health room staff at:
- Thurmont Elementary Health Room- 240-236-0932
- Thurmont Primary Health Room - 240-236-2806
Our school nurse and/or health tech is available to support you!
Visitor Information
As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of all those in our school community, we share the following information regarding visitation:
- All FCPS schools will ask for parents to "kiss and go" during drop off at school. Parents, or other family members, will not be permitted to escort students to their classroom.
- If/when you have an in person appointment at the school please ring the doorbell, answer the screening questions posted on the front door and report to the main office for assistance.
- Bring a photo ID with you any time you are visiting the school.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to maintain health and safety during our full in person reopening!
Contact Information
Email: karl.williams@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tes/
Location: 805 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-0900
Twitter: @KWilliams_fcps