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
Tuesday: Final PTA Meeting of the School Year
We look forward to seeing you at Tuesday night’s PBES/TPES PTA meeting, which is the last of the school year. Among the agenda items will be voting on incoming board members. The Zoom meeting link will be sent out via email later Tuesday afternoon before the meeting.
Tuesday: Join Us for the Volunteer Breakfast
If you volunteered this year, PBES wants to thank you! Join us on Tuesday, June 3rd, for a volunteer breakfast in the lobby at 8:45am (before field day). Thank you for volunteering!
Tuesday: Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
At each crossing guard post tables will be set up to collect cards, flowers and/or treats. Every school day, come rain or shine, they wait cheerfully to help students cross safely – let's make this day unforgettable by showering them with kindness and thanks!
Wednesday: Help Fill the Front Garden with Flowers
Mr. Weerts is organizing a planting party on Wednesday, June 4 at lunchtime. Please bring a flower to plant to help beautify our school. Questions? Please reach out to Mr. Weerts at Richard_Weerts@mcpsmd.org.
Wednesday: Final PBES Feasibility Study
The last of four community meetings, part of a feasibility study for a Major Capital Project for PBES, is this Wednesday, June 4, at PBES from 7-8 pm.
https:\\teams.microsoft.com\
Meeting ID: 229 942 135 509 1
Passcode: AR9zG3AQ
Dial in by phone (833) 266-3861
Phone conference ID: 185 401 337#
The County webpage for the project can be found here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/construction/project/pineybranches/
Needed: New PBES PTA Executive Vice President for 2025-26 School Year
Thank you so much to those who have stepped up and assumed roles on the PTA board for the next school year. We have just one key position that needs to be filled and that is the role of Executive Vice President. If you are open to considering this role, please reach out to board@pbespta.groups.io.
Please also include the following list of nominated board members. Ingrid/Aphra - let me know if you've heard back re: NAACP rep. But for now, I'm pretty sure this is the list. Since NAACP rep and webmaster aren't technically in the bylaws as board positions, I don't know that we need to push hard to fill those roles right now. But we obviously need to push for Executive VP.
- President: Mari Quenemoen
- Executive Vice President: Open, Seeking a Volunteer
- Secretary: Christine Smith
- Treasurer: Dan Proudfoot
- Vice President of Membership: Lesley Perry
- Vice President of Communications: Charlotte Noss
- Vice President of Fundraising: April Cockerham and Ingrid Gardiner
- Vice President of Equity: Erin Mohan
- Advocacy Representatives (MCCPTA Delegates): Paul Donowitz + Kuna Tavalin
Upcoming Dates
This week:
- Tuesday, June 3: Field Day
- Tuesday, June 3: Monthly PTA Meeting, 7pm (Zoom)
- Wednesday, June 4: Fill the Garden with Flowers
- Thursday, June 5: 5th graders visit TPMS
- Friday, June 6: Professional Day, No School for Students
This month:
- June 12: 5th grade promotion at 2pm (PBES gym) and Clap-Out at 3:15pm (PBES lobby)
- June 16: Early Release Day
- June 17: Early Release Day, Last Day of School
Translation | Traducción | ትርጉም
