Terrapin Tidbits
SY21 TCES Family Issue #2
August 17, 2020
Hello Terrapin Families!
If you recently registered your student with us, welcome! Check out the August 3 Terrapin Tidbits, Family Issue #1. If you're all caught up, more information about the start of the year is outlined below.
We recognize that each child's learning needs and individual family situations are unique. Know that we are here to support you and our students, we will be flexible, and we will partner with you to overcome any obstacles that come our way. If you still have questions after reviewing the information below, I assure you that you are not alone. We will continue to share updates as additional information becomes available. Your patience and support are truly appreciated. We are in this together and will work through this together!
Keep smiling!
Warmly,
Lindsay Brenfleck
Notable Dates
- SMCPS Town Hall: Wednesday, August 19, at 4 p.m.
- Quarter 1 Online/Virtual Learning: The new school year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2020, with all students enrolled in online/virtual courses through the Schoology Learning Management System.
- Labor Day: All Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, September 7.
Student Schedules
Schoology
Through Schoology, our students will have access to our teachers who are instructing in real-time. Students will have access to teacher-created recorded sessions and screencasts. Assignments will be completed both online and off-line. The beauty of the system is that there are a lot of options, and teachers will have opportunities to add a personalized touch to the instruction.
Students will need to know some basics before all of this will run smoothly. They are going to have to be taught how to login and navigate the Schoology platform. They will need to participate in sessions designed to connect students with their peers and their teachers, in order to develop the relationships that help them thrive. They will need to be taught the classroom expectations and on-line etiquette. They are going to need positive feedback and to be told how to get help when needed. We look forward to teaching and supporting each student as they learn and develop these new skills.
Supplies, Devices, and Materials
Device Distribution
If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so today!
Materials of Instruction
TCES Supply Lists
Student Meals through SMCPS
The Application for Free or Reduced Price Meals is Now Open
All families must complete a new application for each school year even if they automatically qualify for free lunch. Beginning this school year, parents may now apply for meal benefits online here: https://www.smcps.org/dss/food-services/meal-benefit-information.
If you prefer a paper copy, click here for the instructions on how to apply for meal benefits and click here for the application.
TCES Teachers and Staff are Grateful!
We are also grateful to:
- Giant for donating paper bags for teachers to pack students' belongings at the end of the year.
- Staples for their helpful donation of supplies for our students.
- Gillian and her family for their thoughtful and generous donation of snacks for our teachers and staff who return to our school site next week (see photo below).
SMCPS Town Hall, August 19 @ 4pm
The next Town Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, at 4 p.m., and will be broadcast on the SMCPS YouTube channel as well as on the SMCPS website at www.smcps.org/streaming. Topics:
- Daily Student Schedules
- Technology Update
- Materials Distribution
- Notification and Contact Tracing Protocols
SMCPS and TCES will continue to share information between now and the first day of school for students on August 31, 2020.
Communication Methods
- School Telephone: (301) 863-4044
- Website: https://schools.smcps.org/tces/
- Twitter: @TCES_SMCPS
- School Messenger: phone, email, SMS (text messages)
- SY20 Issues of the Terrapin Tidbits [LINK]
Town Creek Elementary
Follow us on Twitter!
Proud Principal
Email: lgbrenfleck@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/tces/
Location: Town Creek Elementary School, Dent Drive, Lexington Park, MD, USA
Phone: (301)863-4044
Twitter: @TCES_SMCPS