Dear Retriever Families,
Since this week’s newsletter is a bit longer than usual, we will keep our message short. We are looking forward to back to school night for grades 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th, next week on September 11th. If you did not stay for our presentation from 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the August back to school night, we highly recommend and encourage you to join us on September 11th. We will be sharing our new school vision, mission, and core values, along with an overview of our yearly school improvement plan. We look forward to connecting with you.
Warmly,
Dr. Tiffany TRESler, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal
Please visit the TRES calendar webpage to view important upcoming dates.
Please Remember Every Family Must Update Emergency Card Procedures with Family File as Soon as Possible
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to supply emergency information. If you have not already done so, parents/guardians please verify and/or update information for your student(s) within the next week. Details on updating your Family File are available online.
Please Note Change to Early Dismissal Procedure
As noted on our website, our school has established norms regarding dismissal, one being that we cannot call students after 3:15 pm for early dismissal (please note this new time). If you cannot arrive on time, please plan to be in the car loop to pick up your student as soon as they dismiss.
Health Services
Health Services information can be found online and will be continually updated. All students, staff and visitors should perform daily health checks and may not enter an HCPSS bus or building if they exhibit any signs of a communicable disease. Details, including infection control protocols for communicable diseases like COVID-19, are available online.
Counselors’ Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Diaz
Greetings, Retriever Families! School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. This year, TRES School Counselors, Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Diaz, are thrilled to be launching the 2024-2025 school year alongside you! Since we'll be working closely with all students, feel free to click on this getting-to-know-us link to read a little more about each of us. This year, we aim to partner and collaborate with students, staff, and families in areas that may involve: personal and academic growth, social/emotional development and interpersonal skills, and laying the framework for informed educational/world of work decision-making. We're here for you and are looking forward to the year ahead. Take care of each other, TRES!
PTA Sponsors/Donors Providing Class Shirts to All Students at No Cost. Parents of Students in Grades 1-5 Please Complete This Form by October 1st
NEW! Through the generosity of 2024 PTA sponsors and donors, all TRES students will receive class shirts provided by the PTA at no cost. These shirts can be worn during the Retriever Run: The STEAMazing Race (November 16th), Field Day (May), and Spirit Days. For each TRES student, complete the class shirt size Google Form HERE. If you have multiple students at TRES, complete a form for each student. Please visit the TRES PTA website, www.trespta.com, for more information on our sponsors and to support these local businesses.
Note: Pre-K students have been provided with their shirts. Kindergarten shirt distribution is in progress. If your kindergartener has not received their shirt, please email Ebbie Hodnett, VP of Social Events, at eslacum@gmail.com. Fifth grade shirts will have a special design featuring student signatures.
Strategic Plan Stakeholder Input Meetings
Community members are invited to attend one of these meetings to help inform the system’s new strategic plan by providing their input about stakeholder values during this virtual, hour-long opportunity facilitated by HCPSS staff. No registration is required.
September 9, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm – Google Meet link
September 10, 2024 – 7:00–8:00 pm – Google Meet link
September 17, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm – Google Meet link
Guidelines for Outside Recess
The decision to go outside or stay inside for recess is the decision of the administrator at individual schools. The following criteria are considered in the decision:
Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95 degrees.
Volunteer Training Required - Complete Now and Be Ready for the Year
NEW THIS YEAR, COMPLETE THIS GOOGLE DOC (no paperwork required). Anyone volunteering at school in any capacity, and parents joining their children for lunch, are required to complete volunteer training prior to their first visit. Thank you in advance for your gifts of service and time.
In order to establish routines during lunch periods, we will welcome parent/family lunch visits beginning October 1. Kindergarten asks that you wait until November 1. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Change of Address
Please remember that families are required by Policy 9000 to notify us/HCPSS if you move to a new home address. Current residency documentation must be updated each time residency changes. Please call our front office if you anticipate moving or have recently moved and have not notified us.
Lightspeed Allows Parents to Monitor Internet Usage
Parents/guardians can monitor their child’s HCPSS Chromebook internet usage by signing up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications to receive a weekly email summary of their child’s usage.
Once parents have signed up for Lightspeed Parent Notifications, the email summary delivered each Sunday will contain a link with access to the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides near real-time information on their child’s internet activity. The Lightspeed Parent Portal offers additional details about internet usage and the ability to control a child’s online activities when they are not on the HCPSS network at school by allowing parents to pause the internet for 1 hour, 3 hours or until 6 a.m. the next morning. Frequently asked questions about Lightspeed and the Parent Portal can be found online.
HCPSS teachers will access Lightspeed in the classroom to monitor student Chromebook usage. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher if they notice their child is regularly on non-academic websites during the day.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review HCPSS Student Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations, which outlines the responsible use of technology in accordance with HCPSS Board Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media.
Food Services Information
It is important to apply for Free and Reduced Meals if you qualify; a Free and Reduced Meals application is REQUIRED to qualify and must be completed every year. Apply HERE. If you do not qualify for this program, breakfast will be $2.00 and lunch will be $2.80.
Read And Earn A Sweet Treat
Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, is offering a special incentive for elementary school students. “Books and Bundts” is a youth reading program through which students can earn a free Bundtlet beginning in September and continuing through May for each month they read 400+ minutes. Students should track their progress on this form and bring the completed tracker to the store to receive their sweet treat. Happy reading!
Join the TRES PTA today! Sign up at Givebacks (memberhub.com). The PTA supports student enrichment, staff appreciation/teacher grants, and social events Without your yearly support, these events would not be possible. Joining does not require attending meetings or volunteering (see this flyer.) Learn more about what PTA does by visiting our newly redesigned website, https://www.trespta.com/, which includes a Google Calendar feature to easily add all events to your phone.
Upcoming PTA Events:
Please visit HERE or see the attached flier for Fall 2024 After School classes offered by Howard County Recreation & Parks here at TRES. These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students.
Triadelphia Ridge ES Fall Before & After School Flier.pdf
The HCPSS Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations. Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.