
Beacon Bulletin
Week of January 20th- January 24th "A week"
Important PPES Information
PPES Families:
We made it through our first whole week back from break. Thank fully Mother Nature stayed away without brining us more snow. Our Beacon are settling back into classroom routines and expectations. Friday, January 17th marked the last day of the 2nd quarter. Report cards will be available to view on HAC on January 28th.
Just a quick reminder that schools and offices are closed on January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Also, our on-line Book Fair is now open. You can view and purchase books by clicking this link. We will still have an in school Book Fair from February 10th - February 14th please mark you calendars. There will be a signup genius sent out asking for volunteers coming soon.
Finally, our school wide attendance incentive has started. Each week we will calculate the weekly attendance percentage by grade level. Any grade level that has 95% attendance for the week will earn a letter for their Attendance Snowman. First grade to spell out "ATTENDANCE " and build their snowman will earn a yummy treat. We will be posting the attendance data in this newsletter weekly.
- PPES is getting ready to kick off the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) from Thursday, 1/23/25 to Thursday, 2/13/25. The Kids Heart Challenge is a service-learning-based fundraising program that allows students to feel good while doing good. It’s a way for students to better their lives — all while changing someone else’s. The KHC raises funds to help kids with special hearts, supports the social, emotional, and physical health of our students, families, and staff, and shares information about the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR. Working together, we are going to make a huge impact!
- Attention WATCH D.O.G.S. If you have previously been through orientation please click on the link here to sign up for a day to come and volunteer.
Parent Chaperones- Please remember as part of the volunteer guidelines chaperones are not permitted to take photographs of any PPES student other than your own. We do have quite a few families that ask that their child not be photographed. Please help us to enforce this important guideline.
Parent volunteers- this is a friendly reminder that you may volunteer in the classroom during your designated time. However, we ask that you do not travel with the students to specials, lunch or recess. We love having you here to work with our teachers and helping our students. We ask that you please follow our guidelines. PPES Volunteer guidelines
- There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in your school or department!
- Parent Pick-Up reminder... If you are changing your child's mode of transportation for the day to Parent Pickup you must send an email to Jayne Worch at jdworch@smcps.org and Melissa Adkins at maadkins@smcps by 2:30 PM to be added to the list. You will not be added anytime after 2:30 and will need to come in the front office to pick up your child after dismissal. Thank you for your help with this procedure. Dismissal is a VERY busy time of the day. We want to make sure all of students get home safely. Routines are very important to our student success. If at all possible please try to not change the mode of transportation unless it is absolutely necessary.
Please take the time to read this newsletter in its entirety. It is jam packed with information to keep our Beacons shining bright!
~Mrs. Zeier
Math Tips and Tricks:
Primary (K-2):
Intermediate (3-5):
Looking for more activities? Click on Math at Home and then your student’s Grade Level.
Class Dojo
Important Dates and Events:
- 1/20- Schools and Offices Closed for MLK Day
- 1/27- Joe Romano Magic Show Assembly sponsored by Boosterthon
- 1/28- Report Card Distribution Day
- 1/30- Group, Club and Candid Picture Day
- 1/30- PTA Paint Night 6-7:30pm (must pre-register)
- 1/31- School Closed for Students
Book Fair is Coming- February 10th -14th
PRESS START: the Literati Book Fair is coming! Join us for a Story Arcade on February 10-14th , or shop online at literati.com/store. Every purchase benefits our school. GLHF (good luck, have fun)!
Important Bus Information
- Be sure to look up your child's bus number, bus stop, and approximate times. The HERE COMES THE BUS app will allow you to track the bus. Please remember these are approximate times.
School Meals:
If you have not already done so, please complete the meal benefit application if you think that your family may qualify. If you do not qualify or choose not to fill out a form, your student has the option to purchase breakfast and/or lunch each day. Payment may be in the form of cash or check payable to PPES, or by creating a My School Bucks account. Pease see link below for the application and My School Bucks link.
My School Bucks
Click here to check your child's breakfast/lunch balance and add money to their account
NEW VOLUNTEER INFORMATION--Please read carefully
If you are planning on volunteering regularly for your classroom teacher, you will need to complete the SMCPS Volunteer application. However, if you are volunteering as a chaperone on a field trip, you do not need to complete the application. You will need to sign in and out at the Main Office using your state issued ID. If you do not have your ID you will not be permitted to enter the school or chaperone on a trip. We have a 100% ID CHECK, NO EXCEPTIONS! There is no application fee for school volunteers. Parental involvement is a key component to student success. Thank you for your support.
From the Counselor
❄️Hi Beacon Families!
I hope that everyone is staying warm and safe in the winter weather. It’s been wonderful catching up with your students and hearing about the memories you made over the break. Everyone was Respectful, Responsible, and Ready during our short school week, receiving many Piney Points and whole class compliments 🎉. Make sure you praise your beacons 😊
We will pick back up with our classroom lessons this week, drawing from curriculum:
Kindergarten Managing Disappoinment 1st Grade Strong Feelings & Calming Anger 2nd Grade Managing Anger & Finishing Tasks 3rd Grade Locus of Control/Reframing Experiences 4th Grade Compliments and Showing Compassion 5th Grade Resisting Revenge
For the month of January, we will also focus our attention on:
Honesty
Honesty is important because it forms the foundation for trust in relationships.
Avoid calling someone a liar, but rather get them to understand why telling the truth is a better option.
Try rewarding your Beacon for honest behavior to encourage more of the same!
Questions about honesty to ask your child:
What are the long-term benefits of honesty?
How do you feel when you lie vs. when you tell the truth?
Can society function without honesty? Why or why not?
Book Recommendations:
Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf (PK-2)
By Judy Sierra, illustrated by Stephanie Jorisch
Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf: Sierra, Judy, Seibold, J. Otto: 9780375856204: Amazon.com: Books
Betty Bunny Didn’t Do it (PK, K)
By Michael Kaplan, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
Betty Bunny Didn't Do It: Kaplan, Michael, Jorisch, Stephane
The Sad Little Fact (K-2)
By Jonah Winter, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
The Sad Little Fact: Winter, Jonah, Oswald, Pete: 9780525581796: Amazon.com: Books
Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots (K-3)
By Michael Rex
Amazon.com: Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots
A Bike Like Sergio’s (K-3)
By: Maribeth Boelts, Noah Z. Jones
A Bike Like Sergio's: Boelts, Maribeth, Jones, Noah Z.: 9781536202953: Amazon.com: Books
Bruce and the Road to Honesty (3-5)
By: Gale Leach
Amazon.com: Bruce and the Road to Honesty (The Adventures of Bruce and Friends Book 2) eBook
👀We are asking that our Beacons keep their eyes and ears open for classmates displaying honesty in the classroom. If someone is observed being honest, they will be bringing home a small certificate to show you! Make sure to praise your Beacon if they bring one of these home and display it in your home. 🖼️
February’s Trait of the Month will be Caring
Reminder: Students in Grades K-5 will have the opportunity to participate in the Friendship Club Social Skills Group based on the American School Counselor Association Curriculum beginning the week of February 10th.
Lunchtime groups, made up of 5-8 students, for 12 consecutive weeks focused on helping students make and keep friends, in a place where they are fully accepted.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Email: sjweinberg@smcps.org
Telephone: 301-994-2205
From our School Social Worker Mrs. Broom
Click on the link below to visit her classroom
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HcrlfP4B9up3NXuq8pwFCQofd1wopaY8X43Wg1x0ZE4/edit?usp=sharing
Math At Home..
Primary (K-2):
Intermediate (3-5):
Attendance Matters!
As we embark on a new school year, we want to highlight a key area of focus this year at Piney Point Elementary School: attendance. This year, we will be placing greater emphasis on ensuring that every student attends school regularly and on time.
Good attendance is crucial to your child’s success. Consistent presence in the classroom not only helps students stay engaged with their lessons but also builds habits of responsibility and discipline. It enables them to fully participate in educational activities, benefit from continuous instruction, and achieve their academic goals.
Lawful Absences
The following reasons are deemed lawful absences:
death in the immediate family;
student illness, for which the principal may require a physician's certificate;
court summons;
hazardous weather conditions;
work, if approved or sponsored by the school;
observance of a religious holiday;
state of emergency;
medical/dental appointment
pregnant and parenting students (refer to SMCPS Board Regulations JED-R, JHCG-R)
suspension;
lack of authorized transportation; and
other circumstances which, in the judgment of the principal or designee, constitute a good and sufficient cause for absence from school.
We understand that there may be circumstances that affect your child’s ability to attend school, and we are here to support you in any way we can. However, we encourage you to prioritize school attendance and to work with us to address any barriers that might arise.
Together, we can help our students thrive and reach their full potential. Thank you for your support and cooperation in this important matter.
Student Accident Insurance Information
Please review the following documents in regard to student accident insurance.
Spanish versions available:
Informative Letter to Parents - Span.
School Messenger Text Messaging
School Messenger Text Messaging FAQ's
Schoology
Schoology is a very helpful tool and resource for teachers, students, and families. Please ensure that you are able to access Schoology for updates and information from the school and your child's teacher. If you need support in obtaining your Schoology log in information please email schoology@smcps.org for support. Please click Parent Notifications for directions to ensure your notifications are set to receive important information about your student.
Do you have the Schoology App?
Log Into the Schoology Mobile App
If you already have a Schoology account, download the Schoology app from Apple App Store, Google Play or the Amazon App Store. Tap the app icon to open it on your device.
You can use an email address or username to log into the application, depending on how your account was set up:
Log in through your School
Use the keyboard to enter SMCPS. As you type, matching choices populate in the list. The name, ID number, city, state, and zip code for the school should appear below.
Tap the name of your school or organization when it displays.
Use the email address or username to log in to the application, that was sent to you via email from Schoology with an app password. If you are an SMCPS student or teacher this is NOT your SMCPS password.
Tap LOG IN to complete.
If you are able to sign in with Google, and you are an SMCPS student or staff, please use that login process and follow the provided instructions in the prompts.
Want to enable notifications? Please check this document
Missing a Laptop Charger?
Need to purchase a laptop charger?
You can do one of two things:
1. Email your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Miss Hazuda (sjhazuda@smcps.org) that you wish to pay for the missing laptop charger. A fine then can be assessed so that you can pay using My School Bucks, sending in cash, or a check (made out to SMCPS).
OR
2. Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.
Ensure one of these links is being used:
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)
If you purchase from Dell, please make sure that you label the charger with the student's first and last name before sending it to school. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher or the Library Media Specialist Mrs. Anderson (lwanderson@smcps.org).
Birthday Treats
Birthday treats present the potential for allergic reactions for many of our students. They also interrupt instruction. However, we understand that some students enjoy celebrating their birthday with their friends at school. Because of all of these factors, birthday treats may NOT be edible. Gift bags with stickers, pencils, crayons, erasers, and/or other small toys are acceptable. They can also be shared at recess or the end of the day which doesn’t compromise instructional time. Parents who wish to provide birthday treats to a class are asked to notify the homeroom teacher in advance and to drop them off in the front office as early as possible.
PTA News
Join the PPES PTA
Don't forget to join the PTA or to renew your membership for 2024-2025. The cost is $20 per family. The grade with the most PTA memberships will get a free pizza party! PTA members get VIP access to events and news via our PTA newsletter. By becoming a member, there is no obligation to volunteer or attend monthly meetings. Join here: https://tinyurl.com/PineyPointES
Be a PTA Volunteer
Website: http://ppes.smcps.org/
Location: 44550 Tall Timbers Road, Tall Timbers, MD 20690
Phone: 301-994-2205