Office of the Principal
7510 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912

 

August 23, 2020


Greetings Piney Branch Families:

 

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! We hope your family is well and had time to relax,
recharge, and enjoy summer. I continue to feel honored to serve as the principal of our school.
Even though this year is starting differently than any other, the Piney Branch staff is committed
to serving our students well as we engage in virtual instruction throughout the first semester.
As we begin this year’s journey for success, our goal is to support the well-being of our students
and to provide an instructional program of high expectations and growth for every child. We will
be implementing Eureka Mathematics and Benchmark Advance Literacy programs this year. We
are excited to be able to provide print materials for both of these programs to enhance the
virtual experience for students this fall.

 

Educating students is a collaborative effort strengthened by our partnership with you and the
community. Together we have a positive impact on the lives of all children this year. Consistent
communication between home and school is essential. Please monitor the school website as well
as weekly messages (phone and email). You may always contact me or the school staff if you
have any questions, comments, or concerns throughout the year.
Because this year does look so different, the goal of this letter is focused on helping you access
very important information, parent training, and other valuable resources needed in the coming
days and weeks. I hope the contents below are helpful in preparing for what is sure to be the
most unique school year ever! As always, please feel free to contact me or Mrs. Neuheisel with
any questions. We look forward to seeing you and your children online!

 

Sincerely,
Mrs. Christine Oberdorf

Christine_D_Oberdorf@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Cinthea Neuheisel

Cinthea_E_Neuheisel@mcpsmd.org

Piney Branch Elementary School
OPEN HOUSE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020
1:30 - 2:30 P.M.

 

Our annual preservice week "Open House" will be in the form of an online “Meet the Teacher” Orientation session. Each teacher will host a welcome session. Zoom links will be sent out this week. 

 

Please join in with your child to get ready for connecting to the classroom on the first day of school! Homeroom teachers will reach out to students assigned to their classroom on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

 

SCHOOL SCHEDULE
The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 31. The MCPS Board of Education will take final action on school schedules on August 25. 


Students and families will receive schedules on August 26. School schedules will be posted on the school website. Individual teacher schedules will be available in each teacher’s myMCPS Classroom.

 

REIMAGINE, REOPEN, RECOVER
CHECKLIST FOR MCPS PARENTS AND FAMILIES


Getting Your Child Ready for Virtual Learning Success
This checklist will be updated as new details become available. Please bookmark this document and check back regularly.

 

myMCPS CLASSROOM


myMCPS Classroom is the learning management system used by all teachers during distance learning. Your child will login to myMCPS Classroom daily to access Zoom links, class materials, and assignments. MCPS has created a helpful document to support students with using myMCPS Classroom. Take a look for helpful directions, tutorials, and troubleshooting tips.

 

Student Guide [myMCPS Classroom]

 

PARENT TRAININGS FROM MCPS


MCPS is offering a wide range of webinars and parent training sessions. Topics include:

 

  • Understanding Your MCPS Digital Backpack
  • Getting Started with ParentVUE
  • ParentVUE Online Registration for Annual Verification of Information
  • Accessing Zoom Meetings
  • Supporting Your Student: myMCPS Classroom Navigation
  • Supporting Your Student: myMCPS Classroom Assignments

See dates & times and register here: Parent Webinar Sessions.

 

SUPPLIES

 

During distance learning, in addition to the provided Eureka math and Benchmark reading materials, we suggest each child have the following supplies available:

 

  • pencils/pens,
  • erasers,
  • crayons or colored pencils,
  • a highlighter,
  • notebook paper or a composition book,
  • graph paper,
  • ruler,
  • sticky notes, and
  • headphones (if desired).

Students will also need a whiteboard (or similar surface), a dry erase marker, and something to use as a whiteboard eraser such as a sock. During materials distribution, all students were provided with a dry-erase marker and a homemade whiteboard made from a clear plastic page protector and a white sheet of paper.

 

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS APPLICATIONS

 

Applications for Free and Reduced Meals must be completed yearly. Only one application per household is required and the form is now open. Information provided on the form is confidential and will not be shared. Complete your application online at www.MySchoolApps.com


More information is available on the MCPS website at: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/ meal-payments/#FARMS

 

ParentVUE on SYNERGY

 

The new parent portal, Synergy ParentVue, is now live. This will serve as the primary tool for all schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling and more. Parents will receive an activation letter in the mail. Please enroll so we can share important school and community information in a secure way. If necessary, you will be able to update your contact information in the portal.

 

Support Guides:
ParentVUE Account Activation Support Guide: Email
Parents/Guardians - Getting Started with ParentVUE

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

Orientation/Open House - Friday, August 28, 2020 (virtual only)

First Day of School - Monday, August 31, 2020

Back to School Night - September 17, 2020

Early Release - Friday, September 4, 2020

No School - Monday, September 7 and Monday, September 28

 

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

 

Please help me extend a warm welcome to:

 

Ms. Yerkes - Grade 3 teacher
Ms. Thebaud - ESOL teacher (part-time)
Ms. Brady - STEM teacher (part-time)
Ms. Coco - Counselor
Ms. Denhard - ESOL teacher (part-time)
Ms. Johnson - Counselor (part-time)
Mr. McFadden - Special Education teacher
Ms. O’Neill-Wood - Art teacher (part-time)

 

PHONE & EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

We maintain open lines of communication with parents and community members throughout the school year. The phone number for the school is 301-891-8000. You may also email:


Mrs. Oberdorf: Christine_D_Oberdorf@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Neuheisel: Cinthea_E_Neuheisel@mcpsmd.org

 

Please also check the PBES school website.