Dear Retriever Families,
We know that December can be a busy month for some families, so we will keep our message brief for this week’s newsletter. If you have the means, please consider donating to the PTA outreach efforts this month to support TRES families and our sibling school community. With the costs of basic necessities continuing to rise, we want to ensure that every family experiences joy this holiday season. Please read more below.
Warmly,
Dr. Tiffany TRESler, Principal TRES
Mrs. Heather Moraff, Assistant Principal TRES
TRES Twitter Handle: @hcpsstres
Please visit the TRES calendar webpage to view important upcoming dates.
Last Call for the Maryland Young Authors Contest - Entries Due Tomorrow 12/10
The Maryland Young Authors Contest is a great way for students in grades 1-5 to showcase their writing talents. Students may submit a creative, original piece of writing in the poetry category, the short story category, or both. School winners from each category move on to the county competition. All entries are due tomorrow, December 10th, to our TRES YAC coordinator, Lauren Rifkin, at lauren_rifkin@hcpss.org.
Students should submit an electronic or paper copy entry that meets contest guidelines with a cover sheet.
HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academy - Social Emotional Well-Being - Register Today for Session Tomorrow 12/10
Join HCPSS and the Council of Elders (TCOE) virtually on December 10 from 9:00 - 10:30am for an engaging session regarding student well-being. HCPSS staff will provide information about mental health resources within the school system and representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness will share how to identify behaviors that affect your child’s social/emotional well-being and strategies to openly discuss suicide prevention and mental health awareness (such as depression and anxiety). This session is for families of students at the elementary, middle, or high level. To register, please complete the registration form linked HERE. Please see the flier for more information: TCOE Social Emotional Well-Being.
Federal Impact Aid Forms Due by December 12
Only a few days remain for eligible parents/guardians to complete the Impact Aid section of Family File. Parents/guardians who work on a federal property in Maryland and/or are a member of a uniformed service qualify HCPSS to receive additional federal funding. The Federal Impact Aid programs provide financial assistance to school districts that enroll federally connected children. In HCPSS, Impact Aid supplements the operating budget to enhance the teaching and learning that takes place in Howard County classrooms. Please visit HERE for more information and directions on completing the form.
Cardboard Challenge Planned for January - Students Must Register to Participate by December 22
The Cardboard Challenge is coming to TRES! Students are invited to create a cardboard project using their imagination and engineering skills. Each class has learned about the Cardboard Challenge in Library Media Class.
The Cardboard Challenge is for students in every grade level. Students can work alone or with a partner and participation is optional. Projects with families and friends are welcome. Students decide what to build using mainly cardboard but can use other recyclable materials and decorative pieces.
The Cardboard Challenge will be held on Thursday, January 12th, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at TRES. Bring your projects with you on the evening of the Cardboard Challenge. Projects will be shared in the TRES Gym and Cafeteria.
Questions? Please email Ms. Spangler at laura_spangler@hcpss.org or Mrs. Jenkins at patricia_jenkins@hcpss.org.
SIGN UP HERE to participate by Thursday, December 22nd.
Upcoming Events and News
Our TRES website is a valuable resource for all our families to find upcoming events including testing dates on our school CALENDAR. Our school newsletters are also posted there for review/reference under the NEWS tab.
When Your Child is Absent From School
Please see guidance for reporting absences or early dismissals HERE.
Giving Tree Supports Families
Support families in our TRES community as well as the Bryant Woods Elementary School community (our sibling school) by participating in the TRES Giving Tree. You can provide wrapped gifts or gift cards; collection continues through December 13th. SIGN UP HERE to participate.
*Wrapped and labeled gifts can be dropped off inside the vestibule at TRES where they will be collected daily and stored in a safe place.
*Gift cards can be turned into the front office directly for safe keeping.
Gifts of Gratitude for TRES Staff
Show your thanks and appreciation for the TRES faculty and staff who do so much for our children! Visit HERE to give a monetary gift to as many staff members as you choose. Gifts can be from $2-$20 per staff member, per family. All gifts will be added up and applied to gift cards of the staff member's choice. Staff will receive a list of names of the families who contributed to their gift. Amounts will be kept completely confidential. Deadline to give is Thursday, December 15th.
Thank you for supporting our amazing community!. If you have any questions please contact your TRES Outreach team: Sarah (sarahjknaup@hotmail.com) or Andrea (andreafuhrman@yahoo.com).
International Night - Volunteers and Performers Needed!
The PTA is excited to host International Night on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm at TRES. Come travel the world in one exciting night of fabulous performances, delicious food, an amazing display of artifacts from around the globe and fun cultural activities! We need volunteers for food, performances and more to make this event another huge success, and we want to make sure all cultures and talents across TRES are showcased! Please complete this International Night Interest Form by December 16, 2022.
If you have any questions about International Night please email trespta1@gmail.com
Donation Drive
Visit HERE to learn about the many ways the PTA supports our students, staff, and school. With your support we can continue funding these fun and important programs!