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.
- One of the children in our PBES community is currently facing the incredibly difficult journey of fighting cancer. For those looking for a way to support Nate, his family has shared that donating blood—specifically at Children’s National Hospital—would be especially meaningful and helpful.
- There is a critical blood shortage nationwide. Donating directly at Children’s National helps ensure that life-saving blood products are available not only for Nate but also for other children receiving care. Nate’s treatment will last at least 12 months and will include chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. Throughout this time, he will require regular transfusions of both whole blood and platelets. If you are able, we encourage you to consider donating. You can find more information about how to give blood at Children’s National Hospital here: https://www.childrensnational.org/get-care/departments/blood-donor-center
Thank You Shoutout
A special thank you to the staff appreciation volunteers and Takoma Bev Co & Chobani for their donations and support during staff appreciation week!
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
PBES Feasibility Study Update
MCPS has planned community meetings for the Piney Branch Elementary Feasibility Study. All of the meetings are planned to be held at the Piney Branch Elementary School Cafeteria. Upcoming meeting dates are: May 15: 7-8pm, May 29: 7-8pm, June 4: 7-8pm. The County webpage for the project can be found here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/construction/project/pineybranches/
Boundary Study Update
All in the PBES school community are invited to participate in the ongoing Boundary Study upcoming consultations for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School which may impact Takoma Park Middle School and Blair HS. These sessions will cover the initial options for each study and share how potential changes may affect families with middle and high school students. More information on upcoming virtual and in-person sessions to be held May 27-29 and FAQs can be found on the boundary study website at https://mcpsmd.info/BoundaryStudy. This webpage is the key place for the most updated information as the project progresses.
New Mobile Device Policy
There is a new, updated Personal Mobile Devices regulation that outlines how students can use personal mobile devices—including mobile phones, e-readers, smart watches, tablets, wearable technology, video and audio recorders and gaming devices—while on school property and during MCPS-sponsored events. These regulations will go into effect starting the 2025–2026 school year. Read more about the regulations here.
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: MCAP testing for 4th graders
- Thursday, May 15: PBES Feasibility Study Community Meeting #2, 7 pm
- Sunday, May 18: The Rainbow Club is holding an event at the Loft (7007 Carroll Ave) next Sunday, 2-4, to build butterfly puppets kids can bring to the TKPK Kids Pride Parade (June 1st, meeting at 9:30 am in the Co-op parking lot)! Everyon
This month:
- 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
