March 2023 PTA Meeting Notes

3/7/2023 8:45 am

Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)

Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) 

Parent & Teacher Association (PTA) Minutes

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 from 7-8pm on Zoom 

 

Agenda will include: TPES Principal Dr. Gadsden and Dr. Roberts-Harris on the Book Club they host for TPES/PBES Students. Testing information from both schools: Ms. Robinson, Staff Development Teacher from PBES on the state assessments, MISA/MCAP and TPES Literacy Specialist Ms. Bozel on TPES Literacy Testing (DIBELS). Come hear about spring garden activities from the PBES Garden team at Crossroads and the TPES Food Forest team, and find out about ways to help our school communities! Spanish and Amharic interpretation will be offered using the Globe icon at the bottom of the Zoom window, thanks to the TPES team.

 

Topic: PBES/TPES PTA

Time: March 7, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

7:00 Welcome - Chris Campbell, PBES PTA VP of Communications & Emma Cheuse, PBES PTA President

 

7:02 Introductions by the Interpreters (Chris Campbell)

[[TBC: Luis Mejia Luis_D_Mejia@mcpsmd.org), Spanish Interpreter and Ms. Tebeje Abebech (Abebech_Tebeje@mspsmd.org), 240-665-2236, Amharic Interpreter]] 

 

7:04 Upcoming Dates and Announcements - Refer to MCPS 2022-2023 Calendar and 

Chris Campbell, PBES PTA VP of Communications

 

Happy Women’s History Month! Here are some resources to share with your children: 

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/socialstudies/features/womens-history.aspx

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/CCM/womenshistory.html 

 

Volunteers and Donations Needed for March:

  1. Please see the list at the end of this meeting agenda and in the chat but the following are immediate events.    

 

  1. TPES Key Dates/Announcements:
    1. TPES Readathon co-chair Amanda Wagner : Readathon at TPES is Feb 27-March 24!  If you are able to volunteer to help by tracking minutes, please email Amanda Wagner at helloamandawagner@gmail.com.  

 

  1. DC United TPES Fundraiser: Purchase tickets (each ticket costs $15 and includes an additional $5 donation for the TPES PTA for a total cost of $20) for the March 25 game vs. New England Revolution. Click HERE to purchase tickets. First 50 seats are located in Section 114. Contact Emma Cohen-Dumani to make the purchase and donation (ecohendumani@dcunited.com) for the tickets.
  2. TPES STEM Night is next Thursday, March 16th, 7-8pm. All children are welcome. If any parents would like to volunteer (or teenagers looking for SSL hours), please contact Ms. Joines (Christine_A_Joines@mcpsmd.org)  or Mrs. Blacksten (Jessica_R_Blacksten@mcpsmd.org) . 
  3. Thanks and update from Shivani Sutton, TPES’s Scholastic Bookfair Chair



  1. PBES Key Dates/Announcements
    1. Geo Bowl Co-chair Aphra Adkins: Geo-Bowl volunteers needed for March! Please email brittrhoads@gmail.com if you can volunteer.
    2. The PBES Readathon wrapped up with [xx] minutes read - congratulations! And  huge thanks to Readathon co-chairs Leanne Sedowski and Kristin O’Planick for their wonderful work on the Readathon this year.
    3. Pool & Fundraising Update -- We are close but still need to raise about $2,000 in additional funds to meet our goals. Please give if you can or email Mary Kathryn or pbes.pta@gmail.com if you are able to help recruit Pool Sponsors - we are making progress toward our spring PE swimming session. Although the pool is closed for repair, we anticipate it should reopen soon, well in time for the April swim session.

 

7:10. Spring Testing -

PBES  MISA/MCAP (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment/ Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) - Ms. Java Robinson, PBES Staff Development Teacher (5-7 min. + Q&A)

 

 

  • Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

 

    • State of Maryland requires all students take MCAP
    • MISA administered to all students in 5th, 8th and high school. Aligned to Maryland Next Generation Science Standards
    • PBES: March 6, 7, 8, 10
      • Pod B: 10:40-11:55
      • Pod A: 2:20-3:35 (Eskow, Kenney, Pinnock, Tolson)
    • Science has 4 sections, each 40 min assessments
  • MCAP English Language Arts 
    • Read passages and engage in multi-media such as video or audio pieces
    • Respond to text-based questions, writing prompts, etc.
    • 4 sections, 70 min each section

 

  • MCAP Math
    • Solve real-world problems, etc.
    • 4 sections, 40 min each
  • April 17-May 26
    • 5th: April 17, 18, 19, 20
    • 3rd: May 1, 2, 4, 5
    • 4th: May 8, 9, 10, 12
  • Students will take ELA and math each day. 

 

MCAP results not used for placement in magnet, coursework, etc. 

 

7:20 TPES (DIBELS: Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) - TPES Literacy Specialist Ms. Bozel (5-7 min. + Q&A.) Ms. Bozel will help families interpret and understand DIBELS reports that were sent home with report cards. See TPES PTA meeting mintues for more information.

 

  • All K-2 students in fall, winter, spring: should come home 3x/year
  • DIBELS facts: composite score, subtests (timed and different per grade level), factors (1:1, timed, flagged, progress monitoring) 
  • Gated assessment: so that we can assess foundational skills 
  • If close to grade-level

 

7:30. Bridges Elementary Students Book Club, Sponsored by the TPES PTA and focuses on books featuring black and brown characters, Dr. Gadsden, TPES Principal. and Dr. Roberts-Harris (5 min.)

 

  • Bridges (Becoming Readers to Ignite Daily Greatness in Elementary School) Book Club
  • Targeted towards black and brown characters
  • When we see ourselves in books, we feel like we belong
  • Now have past participants as student leaders in middle school

 

7:40 PBES Spring Garden Update (Crossroads Community Food Network)

 

Healthy Eating Program. Robin Hernandez, crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org

  • Launched PBES garden at entrance of pool during COVID. 
  • Pollinator space, herbs, and planning for spring planting.
  • 5th graders planted spring Joined in 2019. Taught cooking sessions with 5th graders 
  • April 15th - Open House and SSL Day
  • In the Fall, sampled beet juice, explored garden with all senses. Purchased all ingredients at farmers market or at Co-Op. Currently has grant with Co-op. Any SNAP holder can get 50% off fruits and vegetables when shopping at co-cop
  • Link for presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1njmocY_D7f3lQJw7Rkm23CWkda2dO1yCjbIWpFDNcHA/edit#slide=id.p
  • Hope to bring 5th graders to Farmers Market in May; Currently making salads with other classes

 

7:45   TPES Food Forest Update, Amy Zimmerman

  • Food Forest. Used by teachers, students beside TPES playground

 

7:50  Treasurer’s Reports & Vote

 

Stephen Tippett, TPES PTA Treasurer Budget Report 

 

Kate Bauer, PBES PTA Treasurer Budget Report  

  • Budget in healthy position with more than  $10,000 in income; 
  • Still counting on booster donations to pay for the pool and to help get the amount in reserves in a healthier position for next year’s PTA board
  • Accounting system does not easily allow funds to be easily distinguished so Readathon fundraising amount challenging to know

7:55   Thanks & Next Steps - Emma (PBES PTA President)

Thank you to all TPES and PBES volunteers -- please visit the TPES and PBES PTA Volunteer Hall of Fame and help thank all volunteers. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ucSOV9NXPnYnnFvkZIKfwYi50KMEnQUtqCarVSSIVJc/edit 

Next joint PTA meeting: Tues. April 11th, at 7pm on Zoom (the second Tuesday due to spring  break coming up in April). To request topics for future PTA agendas, please reach out to president@tpespta.net or pbes.pta@gmail.com. 





List of Upcoming Dates and Announcements

 

Reminder on Upcoming Dates/events: 

 

 

 

  • Through March 24: TPES Read-a-Thon!
  • March 26: Panthers & Dolphins TPES/PBES PTA Rainbow Club meet-up at Main Street Pearl, 3-5pm.  LGBTQIA+ parents/caregivers/students all welcome to join for bubble tea and arts and crafts projects.
  • March 29: STEAM Night at PBES, 7-8pm. Please email Sara Lewis if you can volunteer or can host a science, technology, arts or music table: serowe@gmail.com. 
  • March 31: No school - Professional Development Day for Teachers.
  • April 3-10: No school - Spring Break.

 

  • April 24-May 12: PE Swim Session 2. 

 

 

Announcements and Opportunities:

 

 

  • Snack donations for both TPES and PBES to be distributed to teachers and counselors to ensure all kids have access. Nut-free, healthy options requested. Delivery options: please drop off at the main office between 8:30 am-4:30 pm, or order for direct delivery to the school.

 

 

 

  • School Meals Applications due ASAP - free federal meals have ended. All families must either complete the application for Free or Reduced School meals from MCPS or deposit funds to pay for your child’s meals at school.

 

Deposit funds in your child’s “MySchoolBucks” account - link 

Apply for Free and Reduced Meals at School - link

No child will be turned away - PBES and TPES will ensure every child who requests food receives it, but applications are needed so no debt is accrued. The PTA equity teams are also seeking to support families during this time - please donate to the PBES PTA and TPES PTA and to Tommy’s Pantry to help fill gaps and ensure food access for all in our community. 

 

Reminder for all volunteers: MCPS Volunteer Training and support guide - please complete this before you are scheduled to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URJRNYdUyyL0ghVzZ32xLqPmkE7IwUvcRF2qid89ojA/preview

 

We need your help and support:

Become a PTA member, donate, become a sponsor, sign up to volunteer:

Takoma Park Elementary School PTA: https://www.tpespta.net

Piney Branch Elementary School PTA: https://pineybranchpta.membershiptoolkit.com

 

PBES Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pineybranches/

Find out the latest from the Panther Tracks Newsletter for PBES. Sign up for the PTA listserv or send an email to pbespta+subscribe@groups.io to start posting and receiving messages.

 

TPES Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/takomaparkes/ 



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