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.
Tomorrow: Monthly PBES/TPES PTA Meeting
Please mark your calendars for next tomorrow's monthly PTA meeting (Tuesday, May 6). In the meeting we will have caregivers of 3rd and 6th graders talk about the transition to PBES & TPMS. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If any caregivers of 3rd & 6th graders who might be willing to answer questions and speak briefly to their experience, please email board@pbespta.groups.io we greatly appreciate it.
Needed: New PTA Board Members for 2025-26 School Year
As we soon hit the home stretch of this school year, the PTA needs to refresh its ranks for next year. The current board is term-limited out of our positions so we need new volunteers to take our places and lead the PTA into next year. We will be discussing the need for new board members at next month’s PTA meeting, as well as having a social event to inform anyone interested in learning more about roles and responsibilities. In the meantime if you are interested in a position please reach out to board@pbespta.groups.io. The roles needed to be filled are:
- President
- Executive Vice President
- Vice President of Membership
- Vice President of Communications
- Vice President of Equity
- NAACP Representative
- Advocacy Representatives (MCCPTA Delegates)
- Webmaster
Friday: TPES/PBES Soccer Game … Join Us to Watch!
We're looking forward to Friday’s 2nd annual TPES vs PBES parent/staff soccer game, where parents and staff from TPES play a friendly 11 v 11 game against parents and staff from PBES for the whole community to watch.
The game will be 6:30 pm on Friday, May 9 at the Washington Adventist University soccer field. A promotional flyer is also attached to this email for a reminder.
Feedback Requested: MCPS High School Academic Programs
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is conducting a study to ensure that high school students have equitable access to high-quality academic programs that reflect the needs of our student community, enabling them to thrive in their futures and meet the demands of tomorrow’s workplace and industries. As part of this effort, we invite all families to complete a short survey. The changes made as part of this analysis will create a lasting foundation for many years, so we want to hear from all families, including those whose children are not yet in high school. Your feedback is very important to ensure that the needs of all students are considered.
Your feedback will be used by the program analysis design team—made up of families, community members and school-based staff—along with program data, industry insights and input from student focus groups to develop a recommendation for high school programs. Again, this work is to ensure equitable access to high-quality, high-demand high school programs for all students. The goal is to have a recommendation by June 2025 with a finalized plan by December 2025. To learn more about the High School Academic Programs Analysis, visit the project website. SURVEY LINK
Upcoming Dates
This week:
- All week: Teacher Appreciation Week
- All week: MCAP testing for 5th graders
- Tuesday, May 6: Monthly PBES/TPES PTA Meeting, 7–8 pm (Zoom)
- Friday, May 9: PBES/TPES annual soccer game (see PDF)
Next month:
- May 12 week: MCAP testing for 4th graders
- May 15: PBES Feasibility Study Community Meeting #2, 7 pm
- May 21: Spring Concert at Takoma Park Middle School
- May 26: Memorial Day (No school for students)
- May 29: PBES Feasibility Study Community Meeting #3, 7 pm
- May 30: Field Day
Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም
