Welcome To Panther Tracks
News, updates, and reminders for the coming week and more going forward. La traducción al español está en la parte inferior. የአማርኛ ትርጉም ከታች ነው።
Community Resources
This is a new, recurring portion of Panther Tracks and we will update this section weekly with relevant information as needed. This week:
- A message from BOE Superintendent Dr. Taylor: All our children deserve a high-quality education that fosters both academic excellence and well-being regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, disability, religion, or any other identifying characteristic. Read the full statement here.
- MCPS is committed to ensuring that all students feel safe and welcome in our schools, regardless of immigration status. Click here to read the statement.
- MCPS offers support to our Immigrant students and families. Click here for resources.
- How does MCPS handle immigration enforcement visits to schools? Click here for more information.
- How can I ensure my child's personal information is not shared? Under FERPA, schools may disclose directory information without consent unless the family completed an Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy form at the start of the year. If you would like to update your family's preference, please contact the main office.
Next Week: Monthly TPES/PBES PTA Meeting
A reminder that our monthly PTA meeting will be held via Zoom next Tuesday, February 11, at 7 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
Panther Appeal Update: You All Are Amazing
Thank you, Piney Branch Community! We are pleased to announce that we have exceeded our $10,000 goal for the Panther Appeal fundraiser, raising a grand total of $10,340! Also, thanks to everyone who volunteered and showed up to our Winterfest fundraiser in December. Despite the cold weather, it was a fun, community event that raised an additional $839.00 for the PTA. We would like to extend our gratitude to all who showed up, volunteered, and donated so that we could reach this fundraising milestone. Your support makes everything the PTA does possible!
Congratulations Krishni Patrick!
Our own Krishni Patrick, a 5th grade teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest distinction for K-12 math and science teachers given by the U.S. government. You can read more here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2025/01/paemst-award/
Coming Soon: Bake Sale
The PTA will be hosting a bake sale fundraiser at the instrumental music concert at TP Middle School on February 5. We are looking for two people to staff the table, and bakers to donate treats. Baked donations should be made the day before and dropped off on the porch at 6506 Kansas Lane, Takoma Park, MD 20912, or dropped off directly to the table by 5:15, prior to the start of the event. Please sign up to register if you are able to contribute. https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090F49A5A823A4FA7-54691063-pbes
Needed: GeoBowl Volunteers
GeoBowl packets are due THIS FRIDAY, February 7! Volunteers are needed to serve as coaches and GeoBowl competition volunteers. We are also looking for donors to sponsor class donut parties and individual prizes. Sign up here.
Starting Friday: Readathon
The Readathon will start on Friday, February 7! Families will receive more information about the Readathon, but for now, please consider donating books or sign up to volunteer.
We need one more volunteer to staff the kick-off book giveaway at Piney Branch on Friday, February 7. The sign-up sheet is located here.
In addition, you can donate new or gently used books for our book giveaway kick-off event. If you have books you would like to donate, please drop them off on the porches of 436 Lincoln Ave. or 7301 Takoma Ave. We take any grade-appropriate book and are particularly interested in graphic novels and books in Spanish. Please ONLY drop books appropriate for grades 3-5 (no baby books or adult books).
Needed: STEAM Day Volunteers
This year PBES is hoping to host a STEAM Day on Friday, March 14, 2025 (Pi Day!). At this point we are in our initial recruitment stage for speakers, presenters, activity leaders, community partners, etc. Eventually we will also be seeking parent volunteers to help out with donations and to be extra hands on the actual day of the event. If you like to learn more about volunteering for STEAM day or have contacts in STEAM related fields that might be open to volunteering, please see this PBES STEAM Info Letter.
Upcoming Dates
This week
- Wednesday, February 5: Winter instrumental concert and bake sale at Takoma Park Middle School
- Friday, February 7: GeoBowl packets due
- Friday, February 7: Readathon begins
This month
- February 11: Monthly TPES/PBES PTA meeting
- February 17: President’s Day (no school for students)
- February 28: Early release day
Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም
