Takoma Park Elementary School
Summer Parent Letter 2022-2023
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome Back to School! As we are happily returning for the 2022-2023 school year with the option to wear a mask or go without a mask.We know that Covid-19 is still with us and we will work to keep everyone healthy and safe. This year, we hope to re-introduce evening activities like STEM Night and Literacy Night but we will need to wait to determine if those events are possible.
The Open House will be held on August 25, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each child will meet his/her teacher (on August 26th only), explore the building, and practice walking to their classrooms.
Morning Drop Off
While we 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.
Back to School Nights
The Kindergarten Back to School Night will be held on August 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Unfortunately, this is an adult only, in person, event. During this meeting you will be given a general overview of the Kindergarten Program and how you can be involved as a parent. There will also be a question and answer period and a visit to your child’s classroom.
Back-to-School Night for first and second grade students will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 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.
Bus Schedules
A copy of the bus schedule is linked below. If you have any questions regarding this schedule, please contact Ms. Robin Painter, Route Supervisor, at 240-740-1855. Please review the attached bus schedule and rules with your child. You must be at the bus stop to receive your child after school as the bus will simply leave children at the stop with or without supervision. If you are at a bus stop and you find an unaccompanied child, please contact the school to get support before taking the child away from the bus stop.
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 main or kindergarten doors. If you wish to walk your child to 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.
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.
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.
Sincerely,
Zadia T. Gadsden
Principal
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
The Open House will be held on August 26, 2022, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each child will meet his/her teacher (on August 26th only), explore the building, and practice walking to their classrooms.
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.
Teacher Requests
We are expecting to have 7 or 8 teachers at each grade level (kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades). Unfortunately, teacher requests will not be accepted. If a teacher is requested by name, the request will NOT be honored. Please schedule a conference with Dr. Gadsden if your child has a specific need that is unusual and requires a certain type of teacher. Teacher assignments will be posted outside the building and sent electronically on Thursday, August 25 by 12:00 p.m.
Back-to-School Night for first and second grade students will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Unfortunately, this is an adult only event. The schedule for the night is as follows:
- General Session Video (in classrooms) 7:00 p.m.
- Individual Teacher Presentations-Homeroom Teacher (session 1) 7:15 p.m.-7:40 p.m.
- Individual Teacher Presentations-Math Teacher (session 2) 7:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
Bus Routes
A copy of the bus schedule is linked below. If you have any questions regarding this schedule, please contact Ms. Robin Painter, Route Supervisor, at 240-740-1855. Please review the attached bus schedule and rules with your child. You must be at the bus stop to receive your child after school as the bus will simply leave children at the stop with or without supervision.
Bus Routes
If you transport 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.Parents may not exit their vehichles when dropping children off at school in the kiss and ride lane. You may not park and leave your car in the drop off lane and walk your child to the main doors. If you wish to walk your child to the their arrival door 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.-9:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
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.
Lunch
Please use the information below to apply for free lunch. Lunch is no longer free for all students. Please apply for free lunch.
ONLINE FARMS APPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
www.MySchoolApps.com
is NOW OPEN for parents to complete and submit
the 2022–2023 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