Thurmont Primary School News

Happy Fall TPS Families,

During the month of October, we had several special celebrations - Sports & Pajama Days (Attendance Spirit Days), World Day of Bullying Prevention and Character Counts Week. It is always wonderful to see students take pride in themselves and the way they treat one another!

Each and every day students are demonstrating, and further developing, the "Courage of a Cougar." I visited each class this month to read "When You Are Brave" as a way to help promote students believing in themselves, persevering and trying new things. Together we practiced ways we can help our bodies tell our brains to say "I can do it!" Ask your child about standing like a superhero, closing their eyes to breathe, thinking about something they are good at or remembering someone who loves them.

In addition to our yearlong "Courage of a Cougar" focus, we are also committed to the following strategies for academic achievement across all content areas which are included in our School Improvement Plan (SIP)...

• Communication - the ability to express ideas, both orally and in writing, so others can understand your message
• Comprehension - the ability to understand information, including answering questions, solving problems and following directions
• Vocabulary - developing an understanding of what words mean which supports, and is necessary for, both communication and comprehension processes
• Feedback - information provided, by a teacher or peer, about your performance which includes what to do next in the learning process
• Goal-setting - identifying individual goals to keep moving forward towards meeting expectations

Together as a staff, we are working to offer students opportunities to use these skills on a daily basis in all classes and lessons. These are lifelong skills which not only support students with school achievement, but are also necessary for individual success for years to come.

You can support your child at home by reinforcing these skills in a variety of ways, such as...

• Communication - modeling speaking skills which supports your child in using complete and complex sentences; offering authentic opportunities for writing (making a list, writing thank you notes, using a journal)
• Comprehension - asking questions after reading, doing homework or watching a movie; giving your child directions for simple tasks (getting ready for bed - brush your teeth, put on your pajamas, put your dirty clothes in the hamper) and seeing how many steps they can follow/remember on their own
• Vocabulary - using and defining vocabulary words when interacting with your child at home or when you are out shopping/in the community; asking your child to name, label and/or describe objects around them
• Feedback - letting your know how well they met your expectations and what they need to do next time they (you remembered to brush your teeth and put on your pajamas, next time we will work to remember to put your dirty clothes in the hamper)
• Goal-setting - identifying a skill your child is learning and how they can work to achieve it

Thank you for your continued support and engagement!

Yours in education,
Michele Baisey

At TPS, we promote students growing their brain, heart and body power. As a part of the focus on developing body power, Mr. Barnhart invites all students and families to participate in the November Family Fitness Challenge. Students can practice skills with your support at home and return their signed sheet to Mr. Barnhart. Thank you for promoting your child's physical fitness at home!

Body Power November Calendar (linked here)

We continually work to ensure all students have the materials they need to be prepared, and successful, in school. If you are able, and willing, to make donations we are in need of the following items:

• Unlined composition books
• Lined composition books
• Pocket folders with 3 prongs – purple, green, blue, red
• 3 x 3 post-it notes
• Plastic supply box (8 x 5)
• Black EXPO dry-erase markers (skinny and regular)
• Sweat pants (unisex colors)
• Packaged underpants (boys and girls)

The Catoctin Feeder Principals are committed to student attendance. We believe that every minute missed is a learning opportunity lost. We encourage students to be at school, ready to learn and on time each and every day. We appreciate the efforts of our families in establishing positive attendance habits.

Each month we will engage in a Feeder Attendance Challenge. A random date will be selected for attendance rates to be compared across the feeder. Schools, as well as grade levels, will compete against one another for the highest attendance percentage. The school, and grade levels, with the highest attendance rates will earn a special reward.

During the month of October, TPS students earned both Sports Day and Pajama Day celebrations for meeting the 96% attendance goal! We will continue with school-wide attendance celebrations throughout the year - help us earn the next spirit dress up day by making sure your child is an Attendance HERO - Here Everyday Ready to Learn and On Time.

Our Attendance Committee meets monthly and reviews absence information. Letters will be sent home to inform you if/when your child has 3-5, 7-10, or more than 10 unlawful absences. Unlawful absences are those for which we do not have documentation of the reason a child missed school. Absences are excused when you provide a note stating the reason your child was unable to come to school. Examples of excused absence reasons include illness (vomiting, diarrhea, fever, contagious illness), vacation (5 days), death in the family and medical appointments. Green notepads were sent home with every child as an easy way for you to provide absence notes to school.

Information about attendance in FCPS is available at: https://www.fcps.org/student-services/general-info-for-parents

If your family would benefit from assistance during the upcoming holiday seasons please contact our school counselor, Lisa McQuay. She will be coordinating holiday assistance for TPS families.

Thank you to our TEPS PTA for hosting the Fall Festival on Friday, October 25th. Students, families and staff enjoyed an evening of crafts, games and treats!

We look forward to the following events in November which are made possible by our PTA...

• Book Fair at TES Media Center (November 11th through 15th)
• Donuts with Grownups at TPS Cafeteria (November 20th at 7:30am)

If you haven't done so yet, please become a member of our PTA. The membership application form (linked here) can be completed and returned to school with your child at any time.

PTA 2019-2020 Calendar of Events (linked here)

Please contact the PTA at tepsptacougars@gmail.com for information about how you can remain actively engaged in our school community!

Friday, November 8th - School Closed for Students (Teacher Work Day)

Monday, November 11th through Friday, November 15th - PTA Book Fair at TES Media Center

Tuesday, November 12th - Literacy Night at Thurmont Regional Library (6:00-7:45pm)

Monday, November 18th through Friday, November 22nd - American Education Week

Tuesday, November 19th - Report Cards Issued

Wednesday, November 20th - Donuts with Grownups in the TPS Cafeteria (7:30am)

Friday, November 22nd - Picture Retake Day

Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th - School Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Email: michele.baisey@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tps/
Location: 7989 Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-2800
Twitter: @ThurmontPrimary