Takoma Park Elementary School
August 25, 2024
First Day of School
Tomorrow, August 26, 2024. at 9:05 a.m. we will have the first day of school. The doors open at 9:05 a.m and school ends at 3:50 p.m. Please work to begin your child's school year with a consistent schedule. Schedules that change daily or consistently, create confusion for children and adults. As we work to get over 500 students safely to their afterschool destinations, it is helpful if students have a consistent schedule.
Back to School Night
Back-to-School Night for first and second grade students will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The schedule for the night is as follows:
General Session Video (in classrooms) 7:00 p.m.
Individual Teacher Presentations (session 1) 7:15 p.m.-7:40 p.m.
Individual Teacher Presentations (math teacher) 7:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
Label
We suggest that each child have a book bag or backpack to bring books, papers, and belongings back and forth from school. Please pin your child’s name, bus number, and teacher’s name to his/her backpack for the first week or two. This will help make sure your child is where he, she or they are supposed to be at all times.
More Parent Information for the Upcoming School Year
Office Hours 8:30 a.m. – 4:30p.m.
Student day begins 9:05 a.m.
Student day ends 3:50 p.m.
CONTACTING YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
Should you have a need to contact your child’s teacher, an email is best. Please do not expect teachers to check or respond to emails during class time. Additionally, teachers will not be able to confer with parents during class time. Email addresses for our staff can be found on our school website.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
In addition to the school supplies listed your child will be provided work books for math, hard copies of reading follow up materials. CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
CONFERENCES
If you have concerns that are specific to your child’s progress or a classroom issue, please approach your child’s teacher or appropriate staff member directly before bringing the concern to the school’s administration. It is important to keep open lines of communication between parents and staff to ensure the best education for your child. The best method for communication is through email, phone call or formal parent-teacher conferences.
Conferences are encouraged and can be initiated by teachers, parents or the administration. The initial contact to discuss concerns or problems should be with your child’s teacher. Most concerns and problems can be resolved at this point. Conferences provide a planned opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss a child’s progress and to plan cooperatively for continued student success. If your concerns are unresolved, please feel free to contact the principal or assistant principal. If you have concerns about a staff member’s competence, behavior, attitude or teaching please put your concerns in a letter or email addressed to the principal. You will be contacted by the principal confirming receipt of your letter.
At least one formal parent-teacher conference will be held during the first semester of school to discuss each student’s academic progress. Conferences are generally held in November. More information will be available about scheduling and dates later in the year.
Open House & Other Important Informaton
First Month of School Lunch Menu
Breakfast is free for all students and will be served in the classroom. Unfortunately, parents cannot send breakfast from home to be eaten at school. The price for lunch is as follows:
Full price lunch is $2.55
All meals are free for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
Please use the information below to apply for free lunch. Please apply for free lunch.
ONLINE FARMS APPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
is NOW OPEN for parents to complete and submit
the 2024–2025 Online application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
FAMILIES CAN APPLY NOW & AVOID LONGER PROCESSING TIMES IN THE FALL!
How-to videos for the online FARMS application in English and Spanish are below and may be shared with families who need assistance:
Spanish Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsdCrtCIFJc&t=4s
English Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUapGLarBo
- MCPS cafeterias use a computerized Point of Sale (POS) system. Students use either an ID card with a specialized barcode or their student ID number to access their account at mealtime.
- A student's Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARM) status is always confidential.
- Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged that cost—students approved for reduced-price meals will eat for free!
- Any student can make deposits into their account, either ahead of time, on My School Bucks, or by our online payment system.
Student Drop Off
While I understand it may be difficult to part from your child on the first day of school, please say your goodbyes at the entrance doors and then allow him/her to walk to class or All Purpose Room (APR) alone. This allows for a much smoother start and for routines to be established from the first day. We will have staff throughout the building to direct students, as needed. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If you drive your child to school, please remember to only use the Kiss & Ride drop off lane in the front of the building on Holly Avenue. This is a drop off only. Staff members will be outside to assist the students as they exit vehicles. You may not park and leave your car in the drop off lane and walk your child to the doors. If you wish to walk your child to the doors of the school, please legally park your car in a parking space or on the street to do so. For the safety of the children, parents may not park or drive through the bus lane anytime between 8:30 a.m.-9:40 a.m. or 2:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Bus Routes
Takoma Park Elementary School uses nicknames for our buses to be sure students know their buses without having to memorize the route number. Please use the bus nickname when communicating the bus for and with your child.
The Takoma Park staff and I are looking forward to an exciting and productive school year. We are committed to the education and wellbeing of each child at T.P.E.S.
Parent & Guardian Handbook
Use this link to view the full TPES Parent & Guardian Handbook.
Peek at the Week/Lunch Menu