March Tidbits #4

We hope you and your families have a have fun and restful spring break.

We'll jump right into the fourth marking period upon our return on Tuesday, April 2.

Attendance Matters:

Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12. The state’s proficient standard for attendance rate is 94% and the advanced standard is 96%

TCES Currently: 92.117%

The chronic absenteeism measure identifies students that are absent (lawful and unlawful) 10% or more of the school days while enrolled at that school. For example, a student who is registered to attend a school for 30 days and who is absent 3 of those 30 days is considered chronically absent.

Last year: 32% of students at TCES were considered chronically absent

Currently: 26% of students at TCES are considered chronically absent

3/18 - 3/21* TCES Attendance Rate: 92.28%

3/18- 3/21* Grade Level Attendance Award: It's a tie between Kindergarten and Fifth Grade with 96% for both grades. Well done!!

TCES Staff attendance*: 98% percent

*These statistics reflect Monday through Thursday. Virtual attendance will be calculated separately and after the break.

We're grateful to all for your efforts to be here! Everyday matters in the pursuit of knowledge.

You can check attendance records in HAC. If you notice any days that are unlawful (marked red), please send an email to smverhaagh@smcps.org, or submit the reason for the absence online through our school website.

Our TCES 4th Grade and 5th Grade Mathletes have been working hard these last few months. They will compete in the SMECO Elementary Math Challenge with teams across the county on April 4, 2024. Good Luck to our mathletes and coaches, Mrs. Horner and Mrs. Kirby!

4th Grade Math Team: Autumn Loyd, Millie Nulph, Colin Edelbaum, Ellie Mantell, Curt Altig, Markus Handon, and Tyler Goss

5th Grade Math Team: Kyla Faidley, Inara Fugitt, Ethan Weisner, Regan Kiernan, Hallum Ryan, Keelan Goss, and Kili Shirley

Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from MSDE during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Parent feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in SMCPS. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.

This week, we started a new incentive to help make lunch time run smoothly. Grade levels can earn a ticket for following the school-wide cafeteria expectations. These expectations include raising your hand, not sharing food, cleaning up after yourself, using good table manners, and staying in seats. These tickets go into a bucket, and one ticket will be drawn on Fridays. The grade level whose ticket is drawn gets to have a golden fork and spoon hung outside their door. The PTO graciously purchased a Yacker Tracker to keep track of the noise level in the cafeteria. When the light turns red, it means the noise level is too high. We are keeping track of the total number of red lights each day.

This week, our First Grade classes are the winners of the Golden Spoon and Fork! Way to go, First Grade.

Ask your child to tell you more about our cafeteria expectations and the new lunch time incentive!

All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) for both ELA and Math during April and May:

5th Grade ELA: April 8 - 11, make-ups April 12

5th Grade Math: April 29 - May 2, make-ups May 3

4th Grade ELA: April 15 - 18, make-ups April 19

4th Grade Math: May 6 - 9, make-ups May 10

3rd Grade ELA: April 22 - 25, make-ups April 26

3rd Grade Math: May 13, 15 - 17, make-ups May 20 (no school May 14 - Election Day)

We know state testing can be very stressful for students. Below, you will find helpful things you can do to help your child with testing:

• make sure your child attends every day and is at school on time so we can begin testing promptly
• students who are not in the classrooms by 9:15 will not be able to test that day and will have to complete the test on a make-up day
• students are not permitted to leave early for any reason, unless in the event of an emergency; students must stay for the duration of the testing time
• make sure your child eats breakfast- every student is offered free breakfast in the classrooms have your child get a good night's sleep

If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Next week we'll be adding at-home practice for guardians and students to work on!!!

Kindergarten:

Parent Tip

Give your child a small serving of finger food — Goldfish, grapes, that kind of thing— and have your child count them before eating. Have your child eat one — but only one! Now how many are there? Gradually as the snack gets eaten, the counting will evolve into mental math.

First:

• Reading:

  • -ng and -nk glued sounds

  • who is telling the story, answer and asking questions, describe characters, setting and events using key details

  • writing: opinion text

  • grammar: adjectives, using commas

  Math:

  • 2D and 3D shapes

  • fractions

  Science/Social Studies:

  • day and night

  • the stars and moon

  • goods and service

Second:

• Reading
• Reading 15-20 minutes per night and making predictions using text clues and pictures
• Math
• Practicing measuring using a ruler, or tape measure
• Identifying equal measures such as 12 inches = 1 foot

Third:

• Reading: We are working on writing complex sentences. Ask your child to write about a recent event and provide them feedback on their sentences.
• Math: Fact fluency, accuracy and speed. Time your child as you have them solve single digit multiplication, division, subtraction and addition problems

Fourth:

• Reading:

  • Research writing

  Math:

  • how to find area and perimeter of a 2D shape

  • using a protractor to measure angles

  Science/Social Studies:

  • The Declaration of Independence

  • Plants and animals have internal structures to grow and survive

Fifth:

• Reading: Summarizing text and writing 5 paragraph informative essays
• Math: Multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals
• Science: Matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems
• Social Studies: Resconstruction era and immigration

Town Creek Elementary School will once again run a Joe Corbi's fundraiser this spring. It will begin immediately after spring break on Tuesday, April 2.

Start gathering a list of email/cell numbers of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and others that would love a delicious treat from Joe Corbi's & Claire's Gourmet to earn money to support your school. Details to go home on April 2!

SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday -Thursday. Click below for more information. Registration begins March 1st. Don't miss this opportunity.

https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/camps

https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/thescoop.pdf

Thank you for your support!

Mr. Kent and the TCES family

1. Have a change of phone number, email, or address? Contact the office right away. We need to be able to reach you if your child is ill or has an emergency.

2. Let the office know IN WRITING if you are designating someone other than a guardian to pick up your child at any day and time.

3. Opt-In to the School Messenger Text Messaging Service. For more information, click on this flyer. There is also an FAQ with additional information.

4. Got a birthday to celebrate? Please familiarize yourself with the TCES procedures for Birthday Celebrations.

Ready to rock some new Town Creek threads? A wide variety of spirit wear is available, from hoodies to sweatpants! We are now offering both our "traditional" white-on-blue selections and a new black-on-heather-gray color scheme. Get yours today!

Select this link to see pictures and detailed descriptions of the items currently available in both youth and adult sizes. You can check out the samples in the case in Town Creek's lobby, too!

To order, you can print this form and send cash or check, or you can order everything online in the My School Bucks School Store. For directions on how to order through the MSB School Store, please select this link.

The items will be delivered to your student at school as soon as they arrive at TCES. Hats are immediately available!

**NOTE: Do not put money into the lunch money account for this purchase! That is a separate account from the School Store and can NOT be transferred.

From Ms. Lancaster, our school nurse:

Follow these tips from the St. Mary's County Health Department to keep your children safe!

Thank you to everyone who turned out for our Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night on March 19!

The next meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 16, in the Media Center:

• The Board Meeting will begin 5:30 p.m.
• The General Meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the media center. The Nominating Committee will attend.

Want to get more involved? Be sure to fill out the membership application and join the PTO!

Questions? Contact PTO president Lydia Rivera at towncreekesptopresident@gmail.com.

Have a great break! We'll see you in the Cafeteria on April 2nd!

• March 25th-28th - Spring Break - No school for students and 10-11 month staff
• March 29th - Holiday - All Schools and Offices closed
• April 1st - Spring Break - No School for Students and 10-11 Month Employees
• April 10th - Report Card Distribution (via HAC)
• April 16th - PTO Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. and General Meeting at 6:15 p.m.
• April 19th - Two-Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilties