Takoma Park MS Community Newsletter
Week of September 12th
Dear Families,
Next week, I hope to see many families (students are welcome) for our first PTSA Meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 13th. We utilize PTSA meetings to seek parent input, engage in dialogue about how the year is progressing, and collaboratively plan to ensure our students experience excellence each and every day.
As you read through the newsletter, I would like to elevate two items:
- Access to Chromebooks at Home: If your student is in need of a chromebook at home, please complete the survey found in blurb about chromebooks. Today, we checked out 170 chromebooks to families who completed the form. Each week on Thursdays or Fridays, we will review the form and send home chromebooks. These devices should remain at home for the year as students have access to chromebooks in each of their classrooms.
- TPMS Spirit Wear (LAST CHANCE): The TPMS Spirit Wear Store closes tonight at midnight! We have received many orders and we are hoping to receive even more. Sporting your TPMS spirit wear is a great way to show your school spirit and promote our school in the community! Proceeds from the store also help us to fund our student appreciation events and our professional development for staff.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Erin L. Martin
Families of 8th Graders!!
Permission slips for our fabulous field trip to Annapolis on Monday, September 19 were distributed this past week. Please, please, please sign them and send them in with your 8th grader right away!!
We look forward to 100% participation in this beginning-of-school activity. Thank you for your part in making it happen.
Javier Valera and Maude Windsor, 8th grade Team Leaders
MAP-R & MAP-M Testing Next Week
Please be sure to have your child get a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast in the morning.
Free and Reduced Meals Applications
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits. Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year. Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged that cost - meaning that reduced-price students will eat for free!
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available) Click here for an English video tutorial.
Vea aquí un vídeo paso a paso en español sobre cómo completar la solicitud de FARMS.
Federal eligibility guidelines change each school year; therefore a new application must be submitted each school year. All students in the family should be listed on one household application. A notice will be mailed home to each student if you are approved for meal benefits or do not qualify for meal benefits. Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year. Families may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 240-740-7400.
Please click here to apply online.
Online Lunch Account/Payments
MySchoolBucks instructions in PDF format:
English | español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ
MySchoolBucks is an optional service for parents to view recent purchases and make prepayments to your child's cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and a la carte meals via the Internet with a credit/debit card. This service is offered as a convenience for interested families. By creating a secure online account, parents can manage their child's account.
Student Home Use Chromebook
Students, parents, and MCPS staff can use this formLinks to an external site. to request a home use Chromebook for MCPS students who do not have access to a personal or home device and are attending a school, and grade level, returning to a classroom Chromebook cart model. When a request for a device is fulfilled, it will be pre-assigned in the inventory system, and the device will be delivered to the school for distribution to the student. The home use device is to be kept at home. Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.
Los estudiantes, los padres y el personal de MCPS pueden usar este formularioLinks to an external site. para solicitar un Chromebook de uso doméstico para los estudiantes de MCPS que no tengan acceso a un dispositivo personal o doméstico y vienen asistiendo a una escuela y nivel de grado, volviendo a un modelo de carro de Chromebooks del salón de clases. Cuando se completa una solicitud de un dispositivo, se se asignará con anticipación en el sistema de inventario y el dispositivo se entregará a la escuela para que se distribuya al estudiante. El dispositivo de uso en el hogar deberá mantenerse en el hogar. Solicitar el dispositivo implica el consentimiento de su uso, de acuerdo con la política de MCPS (IGT-RA), y el reconocimiento de que el Chromebook, el software y los periféricos emitidos son de propiedad de MCPS.
Attendance 2022-2023
My name is Elizabeth Hoyt, and I am excited to be your new Attendance Secretary. Being present and on-time is essential for academic success, and promotes social skills, work skills, and connection to our school community.
Our school attendance policy aligns with MCPS attendance policy. If your student must arrive late, leave early, or be absent, this must be reported to the office by a parent, guardian, or with a doctor’s note. Parents and guardians can Report an Absence electronically, email me at Elizabeth_Hoyt@mcpsmd.org, or submit a note on paper. Details can be found in our Attendance Policy.
6th Grade Outdoor Education
Dear Parents,
All 6th graders in MCPS are invited to participate in Outdoor Education (OE). TPMS will participate in three OE sessions from Oct 10th - 19th. Students have been assigned to ONE session and will spend TWO Nights at Camp Letts. OE fees are $85 and are paid using School Cash Online. Contact Brian Baker if you would like to inquire about financial assistance. We want everyone to attend😊.
Estimados padres,
Sitio web de TPMS
Todos los 6 grado de MCPS están invitados a participar en la Educación al aire libre (OE, por sus siglas en inglés). TPMS participará en tres sesiones de OE del 10 al 19 de octubre. Los estudiantes han sido asignados a UNA sesión y pasarán DOS Noches en Camp Letts. Las tarifas de OE son de $85 y se pagan con School Cash Online. Comuníquese con Brian Baker si desea consultar acerca de la asistencia financiera. Queremos que todos asistan😊.
From the PTSA...
THIS TUESDAY, September 13: First TPMS PTSA Meeting
Please join us for our first in-person meeting of the year at TPMS in the cafeteria from 7-8:30 PM. We will be introducing the new Board, presenting and voting on our budget, and talking about fun events in store and great opportunities for community involvement this year. You can find the full agenda on the PTSA website. Pro Tip - PTSA meetings are regularly held the second Tuesday of the month (usually 7-8:30 PM) - check out the PTSA website for the dates of the planned PTSA meetings.
Thursday, September 29: Grade Level Ice Cream Socials for 7th and 8th Graders!!! We can't let our school year start without showing some love for the 7th and 8th grade classes too! Mark your calendars for this fun event:
· 5:30 – 6:30: 7th Grade
· 6:45 – 7:45: 8th Grade
Can you help us welcome back our 7th and 8th graders? If so, please email Shana Fulcher at fulcher@gmail.com.
Other Events and volunteer opportunities in September/November include:
· October 11: Second TPMS PTSA Meeting (7-8:30 PM, TPMS)
· October 12: TPMS Eats Out at Cielo Rojo
· October 21: International and Cultural Heritage Celebration & Potluck Dinner
· October (TBD): Family Picnic/Potluck
· Nov 8: Election Day Bake Sale
· Nov 10-11: Health Forum (more information to come)
Did you know the PTSA’s website is a great resource to find the most recent information about the PTSA’s activities and initiatives supporting the TPMS students and staff? Have you signed up for the PTSA ListServ, another great way to hear from the PTSA?