September 2024 PTA Meeting Notes

9/5/2024 8:45 am

  

Takoma Park Elementary School (TPES)

Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) 

Parent & Teacher Meeting (PTA)

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 fm 7 - 8pm on Zoom 

 

Agenda will include: 

(1) Upcoming TPES and PBES dates and announcements

(2) TPES & PBES Principals’ Back to School Welcome 

(3) TPES and PBES PTA Welcome and review of activities and opportunities to support our school communities at TPES and PBES this year 

(4) Hearing about our new reading curriculum

(5) Back to School Q&A with the Principals and PTAs 

(6) important votes to kick off the year.

 

No interpreters this evening. Actively recruiting. Hope to have for next month and for future meetings.

 

7:00 PM: Meeting Kick-off 

Ingrid Gardiner, PBES President Welcome and Claire Dean, TPES PTA Vice President 

  • Introductions
  • About the PTA and programs that we support
  • Intro to topics to be discussed

7:05 PM: Upcoming Dates & Announcements

Claire Dean,  TPES VP 

Chris Campbell, PBES VP Communications 

TPES Upcoming Dates & Announcements:

  • Back-to-School BYOD Picnic:  Please join us on the TPES playground on Thursday (9/5) evening at 6:00PM for a Bring-Your-Own-Dinner picnic.  This will be an informal gathering of our TPES community for a picnic dinner and fun on the playground.  The PTA will be available to answer any of your back-to-school questions.  Bring dinner and a picnic blanket to the playground area to connect with old and new friends. Popsicles will be provided and TPES merchandise will be sold for any kiddos looking to sport their Dolphin pride! Hope to see you there!
  • Pizza Night at People’s Book:  Thursday, September 26th from 5-6:30PM, 7014-A Westmoreland Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912:  Get the school year started right by helping us fill the TPES bookcases. Make sure every classroom and the media center has new books and a complete collection. Have a slice of pizza, meet new friends, reconnect after the summer, and browse the collection at People’s Book for your family as well. RSVP: Reserve your slice today!  Also, if you can’t make this event and are looking for some books for your reader, please check out our online Book Fair with Bookworm Central that earns TPES 15% on every purchase.  https://www.bookwormcentral.com/school-online-store.php?school_code=Takoma
  • Renew Your Annual PTA Membership:  If you are able, please go to the TPES PTA website and become a member for the 2024-2025 year.  Paying the annual dues helps the PTA fund programs for TPES throughout the year and allows us to meet the school’s needs.  https://tpespta.net/join/

7:10 PM: Principals’ Welcome to the School Year

 

  • Dr. Zadia Gadsden, TPES Principal & Ms. Joi Hollis, TPES Vice Principal

 

      • Dr. Zadia Gadsden - nice start to school year, usual challenges but off to a great start.

 

  • Mrs. Christine Oberdorf, PBES Principal & Mr. Richard Weerts, PBES Vice Principal
  • Mrs. Christine Oberdorf - echo Dr Gadsden’s sentiment. Everyone is getting back to the routine. Back to School Night is Sept 19

 

7:20 PM: Introduction to New Reading Program

  • Jennifer Fahrenthold, TPES 
  • Rob Bledsoe, PBES 

Joint presentation on  Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)

Link to presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1V23_x93cQ0rGV24k-fX8V2XP5yf1kloLgtxp0BIfc0s/copy

 

 

Q&A from chat during presentation:

 

For Dr G: At some point could someone please explain why the reading and math classes are split up with different teachers for first grade? Teachers said they weren’t sure when we asked at back to school night. Thanks!!

A: We are a magnet (math and science). We have Ms Harvey to support enrichment. We have a lot of students that need enrichment for math. To meet all the needs we need to shorten range for teachers: on grade levels and on grade level with enrichment. So we move for math to get needs met.

 

Q: What other counties or states have utilized this reading program or is this a pilot? 

A: This program has been rolled out for entire county. School district in VA has been using this. Is also used around country in various schools.

 

Q; Can the principals comment on some of the key differences between this reading curriculum and the last curriculum?

A: Now everything is in one place. Phonics, reading comprehension, etc. Teachers don’t have to gather extra in planning for instruction. 

Appreciate focus on language development and background knowledge. Unique program in that way. Also includes spelling and handwriting. Folks that observed in another county were blown away by how well it was going.

Benchmark curriculum did not provide everything so a lot of time was spent looking for extra resources.

 

Q: PBES question: last year in 4th grade, my daughter had reading/writing enrichment. Will that be offered under this reading curriculum?

A: Yes, so if your child received enrichment that structure has not changed. Different curriculum but same structure.

 

Q: Do PBES students change classes for math or reading, for enrichment?

A: That changes for each grade level. 3rd grade do not change. Enrichment/support provided within classroom. 4/5 grades different options provided - options for accelerated math, for ELA there is enriched literacy curriculum and CES. There will be parent meeting for rising 4th grade to discuss.

 

Q: Do kids change levels during year?

A: Switches are rare but are based on data and parental input.

 

Q: Do you have ESOL class for TPES 2nd grade?

A: Yes but not separate classes. Will get them in their class

 

Q: Will parents receive any scores/ assessments like dibels (so?) in 3rd grade and beyond?

A: MAP testing starts next week. MAP scores will be in synergy and also sent home.

 

Q: Remembered hearing last year that TPES was considering moving to a co-teaching model.  In that still in the works?  My kiddo mentioned extra teachers in her class during some ELA and math periods, so I wondered whether that was part of co-teaching

A: Dr G: we do have co-teachers, helping with ELA and math for those who need it.

 

Note from chat:

From a teacher to families: Because BOOST is adaptive and is targeted to your child's specific levels, please support your student, but do not provide help in answer form. We want the program to be at your student's level. Thank you!

 

 

7:30 PM:  PTA Welcome & Volunteer Opportunities 

 

  • Claire Dean, TPES PTA Vice President 
  • Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President 

 

_______________________________________

Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President:

  • PBES PTA Overview
  • Back to School Night - Sept 19  at 7 pm
  • KA will be providing childcare
  • New after school programming - stay tuned for more information

Ways to Stay Informed: 

  • Join the PTA listserve! https://groups.io/g/pbespta
  • Weekly PBES newsletter from Ms. Oberdorf
  • Weekly PTA newsletter - Panther Tracks - sent on Mondays
  • Monthly PTA meetings first Tuesday of every month at 7pm


Join the PBES PTA:

We encourage you to join the PBES PTA  or renew your membership to help us fund the important work that we do all year long.

Volunteer with the PBES PTA:
Please complete this survey to note your volunteer interests or reach out to Sara Lewis (serowe@gmail.com).

 

PBES PTA Executive Committee: 

President: Ingrid Gardiner 

Executive VP: Aphra Adkins

Treasurer: Rachel Pierotti

Secretary: Lis Hooper

VP of Communications: Chris Campbell

VP of Membership: Sara Lewis

VP of Fundraising: Mary Kathryn Lee and April Cockerham

VP Equity: Sharmila Shewprasad

County Delegate: Paul Donowitz - We are looking for another volunteer!

NAACP Representative: Adanna Johnson We still are looking for another volunteer! Please reach out to serowe@gmail.com if you are interested in helping fill this role.

PBES Key Volunteer Teams:

  • Events/In-School Volunteer Team
    • Room Parents (coordinator: Amie Kershner, amielkershner@gmail.com) 
    • Staff Appreciation (coordinator: Alisa Obrien, alisaobrien10@yahoo.com) ANOTHER CO-CHAIR VOLUNTEER NEEDED
    • Rainbow Club 
    • Winter Holiday Market - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Multicultural Arts Assemblies - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Translation and Interpretation - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Webmaster and Social Media - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Fish Tank - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Fundraising Committee - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Hispanic Heritage Night - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Book Fair (October/ November; Orly Keiner and Ryan Galvin Wise, orlykeiner@gmail.com, ryangwise@gmail.com) ONE MORE VOLUNTEER NEEDED
    • Panther Appeal (November; Mary Kathryn Lee, marykathryn.lee@gmail.com & April Cockerham aprilacockerham@gmail.com )
    • Cultural Heritage Night - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Readathon (February) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Black History Night (February) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • GeoBowl (February & March) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • STEAM Night (Spring) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    • Basketball or Soccer Fundraiser Event (Spring) - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

PBES One-time volunteer opportunities:
- Hispanic Heritage Night (October) - We are still looking for two co-chairs for this event. Please reach out to Sara Lewis.
- PBES Book Fair (October 27 - November 3)
Be on the lookout this year for emails seeking volunteers for these and other volunteer opportunities! 

PBES Regular volunteer opportunities: 

Room Parent (~monthly commitment) . We still need a 2nd room parent for:

  • Gazda
  • Berardi
  • Bolden
  • Eberly
  • Serra
  • Giles (2 still needed)
  1. TPES PTA Overview

President: Kaitlin Caruso 

Vice President: Claire Dean

Treasurer: Amy Swift

Executive Secretar: Angela Ellis 

Membership Secretary: Lesley Perry & Lillie Rosen

VP of Membership: Jessi Binder and Erin Nichols 

VP of Fundraising AND Liaison to Spanish-Speaking parents: Delianny Brammer

MCCPTA Delegate: Christina Davis 

 

Ways to Stay Informed: 

  • Join the PTA listserve! https://groups.io/g/tpespta (Must subscribe - you are not automatically signed up when you become a member!) 
  • Weekly TPES newsletter from Dr. Gadsden
  • Weekly PTA newsletter sent on Mondays
  • Monthly PTA meetings first Tuesday of every month at 7pm

NAACP Representative: We still are looking for a volunteer! 

We are always looking for volunteers to help us work on different projects throughout the year. I’ll list some of them now, but also look out for emails this year as needs arise. If you are interested in volunteering now, please email the correct contact. We’ll put their emails in the chat. Currently, we are looking for volunteers to help us plan our Hispanic Heritage Month event this fall. If you are interested, please reach out to president@tpespta.net or VP@tpespta.net.

One-time volunteer opportunities - Be on the lookout this year for emails! 

  • Cultural Heritage celebrations - National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on 9/15.  
  • Book Fair (sign up for shifts)
  • Readathon (tally up minutes)
  • Staff appreciation (deliver meal, coffee, etc.)
  • Garden and atrium beautification
  • Field trip chaperones - will send out emails as they are needed.
  • School Fun Mornings - fall, winter, spring (supervise fun activity stations so teachers can prep reading/math together as grade level team) 

Regular (weekly or bi-weekly) volunteer opportunities: 

  • Classroom volunteer (work with classroom teachers, often during reading or math) 
  • Room Parent (~monthly commitment):  We will paste the room parent needs into the chat.  Please sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd83rcXL4X4YvpEBNgEDlSawWiUa-FhO2rYvB8RLGe0eaWGnA/viewform

Classes still in need:

Second grade:

  • Hutton
  • Barry
  • Battistelli
  • Parris-Mack
  • Phillips
  • Roberts-Harris

First grade:

  • Zevin
  • Cox
  • Hyman
  • Kaplan
  • Morganstein
  • Smith

Kindergarten:

  • Meli
  • Brant
  • Hagrnsh Fiseha
  • Ortega

We encourage you to join the TPES PTA to help us fund this important work that we do all year long. We will put a link in the chat to join! 

 

***For all volunteers at TPES and PBES: MCPS Volunteer Training and support guide - please complete this before you are scheduled to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URJRNYdUyL0ghVzZ32xLqPmkE7IwUvcRF2qid89ojA/preview

 

 

7:40 PM:  Back to School Q&A with the Principals & PTAs 

           (facilitated by Claire and Chris) - Time is running over so we will defer to after PTA business if there is time

 

 

7:50 PM:  PTA Business

  • Treasurer’s Reports and Budget Votes
    • Amy Swift, TPES PTA Treasurer 

2 items for votes:

By-laws: One main revision that explained how we do Co-VPs, and that we may have co-secretaries

Can request to see by-laws (about 11 pages) - email treasurer@tpespta.net

VOTE: Ayes have it

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Budget presentation:

 

 

Vote on Budget: Budget approved.

  • Rachael Pierotti, PBES PTA Treasurer

Report on financial review by Sara - committee of 3 (Sara Lewis, Mary Kathryn Lee, and April Cockerham - non-signatory board members) convened to review financials with Rachael, found everything in order and to be accurate.

 

Budget was approved in June. Vote needed on amendment

 

Amended Budget: 

 

 

Vote: Approved.

 

Regarding Agenda item 5 - Over time for meeting. We will do Back to School Q&A at next meeting

 

8:00 PM: THANK YOU & Next Steps (Ingrid Gardiner, PBES PTA President) 

  • Reminder that next meeting will be on October 1st at 7 PM 

 

Extra Questions from Chat:

 

Q: How do we know our child’s ability ?

A: Students bring home work with feedback. Also, scores from assessments will be shared at the end of the assessment window.

 

Q: What grade level does the math enrichment start?

A; Math enrichment is available at all grade levels when students show readiness. Enrichment may be implemented differently at each grade level. The teacher will be able to provide more specifics.

 

Q: Is there a caregiver hub password? (For Amplify)

A; A password is not required. The link takes you right to the information page. Students have a username and password to access.

 

Q: Do we have to sign up for childcare for Back to School Night @ PBES in advance?

A: No, advance registration is not required. 

 

Q: Piney Branch/ Is ClassDojo free or do we have to pay for it?

A: There is no charge.

 

Q: Is there STEM at PBES?

A: PBES does have a STEM teacher. Ms. Rawson is at Piney Branch 1.5 days each week.

 

Q: Is it common for these meetings to contain lots of information about curriculum and school vs. PTA issues?

A: PTA meeting content varies.  Meetings often contain information about classes, curriculum, etc.  Meetings also address issues impacting our school community (E.g., smart phones, etc.).




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