Important PPES Information:
Piney Point families,
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up - For safety purposes please remain in your car during drop off and pick up. We have staff members outside to help students get in and out of the car. If there is an extenuating circumstance that requires you to get out of your car please park in the parking lot instead of using the drop-off loop.
A HUGE thank you to those families who have returned their SMCPS laptops and chargers to school. If your student has not brought his/her SMCPS laptop and charger to school, please make sure it is returned as soon as possible. For those students who are new to SMCPS, we are working hard to get laptops set up for those students.
Many teachers report that some students do not know where their laptop charger is located. If that is your student, please take some time this weekend to look for it. The charger is a Dell charger. Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Please click and complete the Acceptable Use Agreement. An Acceptable Use Agreement MUST be completed for EACH student in SMCPS. Thank you!!!
Be sure to review this entire newsletter each week as it will provide you with valuable resources and information.
~Mrs. Zeier
Math Updates:
Did you know that you can build your child's math fluency by playing board games at home? Playing games provide opportunities to build social skills and as well as practice basic fact fluency. Take a look at the list below for games suitable for your child's age range and let the fun begin!
Chutes and Ladders (Ages 5+)
Sorry (6+)
Yahtzee (7+)
Uno (8+)
Parent Cheat Sheets for Math
Free Math App for parents with visual models you can you click here!
Cell Phone and Watch Policy
Possession or Use of Portable Electronic and Wireless Communication Devices
School personnel have the right to limit the use of electronic communication devices that impede the instructional climate in the school, create a disturbance, or disrupt the school environment.
Students may possess wireless communication devices. The devices must be kept out of sight and turned off from the beginning of the instructional day (the start of the first class) to the end of the instructional day (the end of the last class). The devices may not be used or allowed to emit any ringtone or other noise on school grounds, when students are participants in school-sponsored programs, or activities to include but not limited to athletics, fine arts, and school clubs. In an exceptional circumstance, a staff member may authorize the use of an electronic device for an appropriate reason. Students may use wireless communication devices in circumstances if they have first received direct and expressed permission from authorized school personnel to include classroom teachers and bus drivers.
Use of these devices during field trips and other school-sponsored activities off school grounds is subject to the same conditions at the discretion of the supervising staff member.
Laptop computers, iPads, iPods, or other devices may be used during the instructional school day for instructional purposes only, with teacher knowledge and consent. Students must follow network usage standards set by St. Mary’s County Public Schools.
Students shall not display, operate, or use any cell phone camera at any time on school grounds from the beginning of the instructional day (the start of the first class) to the end of the instructional day (the end of the last class). Unauthorized photography and video recording of the school environment during the instructional day is a violation of school policy and established law. Illegal recording or capturing of any communication or image will result in disciplinary action and possible referral to law enforcement authorities when appropriate.
The following categories of students may possess wireless communication devices or handheld portable phones turned on (inaudible signal only) during normal school hours:
Students using portable pagers for medical reasons; and
Students with disabilities may use electronic communication devices in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
Any observed or reported improper use of an electronic device contrary to regulations, shall result in confiscation of the electronic device by the site administrator or designee. The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) will be notified and a referral for disciplinary action will occur and may include revocation of privileges, detention, in-school intervention, Saturday School, and/or suspension, and referral to law enforcement authorities if illicit activities are suspected or reported.
Use of an electronic or wireless device in any incident will result in confiscation of the device.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools assumes no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items of any student, including portable electronic devices. The school system assumes no responsibility for injury or damage related to malfunctioning equipment. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and students are encouraged to take special care of portable electronic devices brought to school. Additionally, St. Mary’s County Public Schools advises parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to check their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to see if their policy covers such loss.
Vacations and other out of town travel are not considered excused absences.
If your family does take a vacation or travel out of town for more than 3 days, while school is in session, we will be able to excuse the absences if your student(s) completes one or more of the activities listed below. The completed activity should be turned in to the office upon the student’s return to school to update the absences to lawful.
- Student journal/log
- Collection of site brochures with student notes of “I learned…”, “I wonder…”
- Student created poster project – showing the learning that occurred on the tri
- Student created trifold “advertisement” of visited location
Please note, St. Mary’s County Public Schools encourage parents not to remove students from school for long periods during the school year. Every day of school-based instruction is considered essential for the academic wellbeing of your child.
Join the PTA
It's time to renew your PTA membership dues!
2023-2024 Membership/Dues Cost: $20
Dues payment link:
https://pineypoint.memberhub.com/
Why join the PTA?
- Your membership dues help us achieve our goals of helping students, teachers, and staff.
-You will receive school updates. Signing up will keep you in the loop with what’s going on at PPES.
-Signing up to join the PTA is not a commitment. We won't force you to volunteer- but we do appreciate all the help we can get! If you join there are also no meetings to attend.
Thank you for your support!
-The grade with the most membership sign ups gets a FREE PIZZA PARTY!
PTA Shoe Fundraiser
Don't throw away those old sneakers!
Your old shoes can help raise money for PPES!
WHAT: Recycle and reuse those pre-loved sneakers. This sneaker drive fundraiser keeps sneakers out of landfills and reduces toxic chemicals from being released in our air and soil. All reusable sneakers from our sneaker drive fundraiser program are recirculated to secondhand markets so people can access quality, pre-owned footwear at affordable prices. All heavily used and damaged footwear is recycled to reuse materials or to convert waste into new energy.
WHEN: Aug. 28 - Sept. 22nd
WHERE: Piney Point Elementary. We will have collection boxes set up at the school.
NOTE: We can ONLY ACCEPT SNEAKERS. NO dress shoes, NO flip flops, NO sandals, NO clogs, NO slip-ons, NO boots. Also, please be sure each sneaker has a pair (we cannot accept single shoes).
As we plan our return to school for the 2023-2024 school year now is a great time to find your laptop and charger. Please run all of the updates and make sure that it is working order. Chargers are to remain at home.
** 2nd grade students will be receiving a new laptop the week of September 11th.
Birthday Treats
Medication Administration
Medications occasionally need to be administered to students by our nurse during the school day. Please see the attached guidelines. Students can not transport medication of any kind to school including over the counter medications. All medication must be brought to school by a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult. Please call the school nurse if you have any questions.
What to Do if Your Student is Ill
While school attendance is vital to your student’s education, a sick child belongs at home. Please review the Sick Day Guidelines below to assist you in making that decision.
SEND ME BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN...
- My symptoms have significantly improved or resolved.
- I haven't had a fever for 24 hours and have not had any fever-reducing medication.
- I haven't thrown up or had diarrhea.
- If antibiotics have been prescribed, I have been taking them for at least 24hr.
CALL THE DOCTOR IF...
- I’ve had a temperature higher than 100°F for more than 2 days.
- I've been throwing up or having diarrhea for more than 2 days.
- I've had the sniffles for more than a week and they aren't getting any better.
- I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using an inhaler).
Please click the link below for information regarding your child's bus number, bus stop location, and pick-up and drop-off times. If you have specific questions regarding bus transportation, please call the Department of Transportation at (301)-475-4256.
For all parents of PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students: An adult must be present at the bus stop when students are being picked up or dropped off. If an adult associated with a PreKindergarten or Kindergarten student is not present at the bus stop at the end of the school day, the bus driver will return the student to the school and the parents will be contacted to come to the school to pick up the student.
Spanish versions available:
SMCPS Calendar Updates
The Board of Education and MSDE have approved the amended 2023-2024 SMCPS Calendar. The new calendar is posted online at www.smcps.org/calendar
The Amended calendar included two virtual instruction days:
Monday, October 9: Asynchronous day: parent conferences/ early dismissal
Friday, March 22: Synchronous day: End of 3rd Marking period/ early dismissal
In addition, due to the change in the Primary Election Day, May 14 is a required school holiday. There will be no school for students on May 14. May 14 will remain a staff duty day. Telework options may be offered as a result of school site use as polling locations.
As a result of the required school holiday, the last day of school will be moved and June 13 will be the last day of school for students. Students will have a two-hour early dismissal on June 12 and 13.
Click here to check your child's breakfast/lunch balance and add money to their account
Volunteer Application
Schoology
Connect with Mrs. Zeier
Email: tbzeier@smcps.org
Website: https://ppes.smcps.org/
Location: 44550 Tall Timbers Road, Tall Timbers, Maryland 20690, USA
Phone: 301-994-2205