Message from Dr. TRESler and Mr. Hiel:

Dear Retriever Families,

As we approach the end of the first marking period, we would like to remind you of the academic resources available on the HCPSS website. You can select the content you are interested in learning more about to support your child’s learning at home. The mathematics family support center and the English/Language Arts pages by grade include activities and lessons for the major skills taught in each grade. These include how to help your child pick a “just right book” to read at home, and the compensation strategy for addition and subtraction.

Should you have further questions about your child’s progress and learning, please save the date for parent conferences the afternoon/evenings the week of November 25th. Watch for more detailed information in upcoming Retriever Reports and school news about how to schedule your parent/teacher conference. Thank you for being a partner in your child’s education!

Warmly,
Dr. Tiffany TRESler, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Events

Please visit the TRES calendar webpage to view important upcoming dates.

• October 18 - Schools Closed for Students
• October 30 - 1st Marking Period Ends
• October 31 - Schools Closed for Students
• November 5 - Schools/Offices Closed, Election Day
• November 8 - 1st Grade Field Trip, Robinson Nature Center
• November 11 - Veterans Day Celebration (see below)
• November 15 - Deadline for Memory Book Cover Art Contest (see below)

News and Information

TRES Memory Book Cover Art Contest
Original student artwork for the front and back cover of the 2024-2025 Memory Book is being accepted through November 15th.  Winners will be announced prior to winter break.  The theme for this year’s memory book is the Treasure Traits (respect, responsibility, integrity, and care). In order to be considered, artwork must meet the following criteria:

• Size 81/2 by 11
• Art should fill the entire paper or the majority of the paper
• Submissions should be original student work
• Writing should be proofread to ensure correct spelling
• Student name and teacher name should be written on the back of the submission

All entries should be turned in to the front office. Only entries that meet all of the criteria and theme will be considered.  Questions should be directed to Dr. Tresler at tiffany_tresler@hcpss.org.

TRES is Celebrating Veterans Day on Monday, November 11th
We are celebrating Veterans Day on Monday, November, 11th, and are looking forward to thanking those who served our country! We will read information about Veterans Day on the morning announcements and students will have the opportunity to share with their classmates about the Veterans in their family. We are also welcoming our TRES family Veterans to lunch with their student(s)! We will have special tables reserved for our honored guests and their students.

First, if your child is sharing information about the Veterans in their family, please help them to create a mini-poster (8x10 or 11 x17). See Dr. Tresler's sample here. The students can do this electronically with Google Slide, Wixi (access under hcpss.me) or create a hand-drawn poster. Please note that these will be on display and may not be returned, so please do not use original photos. If you do not have access to a color printer, and your child creates via Google Slide or Wixi, please email to denise_snider@hcpss.org AND karen_johnson@hcpss.org. Include your child’s name and homeroom teacher, and email by Wednesday, November 6th, to ensure printing time.

Please RSVP here by November 1, 2024 to join us for lunch. This will ensure that we have enough space and food. Due to space, we are asking that only our TRES Veterans join us for lunch on this day.

Lunch Shifts by Grade:
Pre-K: 12:45-1:15
Kindergarten: 11:45-12:15
First: 11:15-11:45
Second: 12:45-1:15
Third: 10:45-11:15  
Fourth: 12:15-12:45
Fifth: 1:15-1:45

Counselors' Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Diaz
Thank you to the many staff, students, and family members who intentionally wore ORANGE this past Wednesday on Unity Day.  More important than the dress-up, it’s about showing support of friendship, belonging, and bully-prevention efforts. By definition, bullying usually involves intent, power, and a repetition of targeted words/actions.  At school, students are learning this as “BOO:”  Being mean, On purpose, Over and over again.  How can you help?

1. It’s helpful to check in with your Retriever periodically to ask how relationships and interactions are going. “Is there anyone who is positively building you up with friendly words/actions? Are there any situations that you are having trouble navigating with someone being hurtful, perhaps on purpose?” (Students are encouraged to report concerns to a trusted school adult, preferably someone immediately nearby using the “Stop-Walk-Talk” strategy.)
2. With regard to your student’s digital activity, familiarize yourself with the platforms your child uses. Explain to your child how the online and the offline world are connected and warn them about the different risks they’ll face online.  Close adult monitoring of social media and internet-use is not a matter of an adult overstepping boundaries of privacy (despite how kids may protest). These check-ins can protect your child while at the same time encouraging accountability and wise choices when it comes to a person’s digital footprint. Keep a look-out: Tech teachers, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Jenkins, are also sending info on cyberbullying and responsible decision-making.

Keep taking care of each other, TRES!  Enjoy the long weekend.

It’s Young Authors’ Time!
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must be typed and sent as a Word document, with a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions and questions may be emailed to Lauren Rifkin at lauren_rifkin@hcpss.org by December 20, 2024.  All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

All students who participate will be invited to a Young Authors’ Tea in the spring, where they will have a chance to celebrate their story/poem and be recognized for their hard work!

LGBTQIA+ History Month
October is LGBTQIA+ History Month. Let’s celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ community! Click here for the LGBTQIA+ History Month Resource.

Attention Parents of Rising Kindergarteners: Don't Wait for Summer to Address Developmental Concerns!
If you have concerns about your child's development - whether it's their speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting until the summer for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before starting kindergarten. Contact us today to schedule a screening. Let's work together to ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten! Call 410-313-7046 or email ChildFind@hcpss.org

Volunteer Training Required for all Visitors and Volunteers - Must Complete Every 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 every school year. Thank you in advance for your gifts of service and time.

TRES PTA

Join the TRES PTA today! Sign up at Givebacks (memberhub.com). Learn more about what PTA does by visiting our website, https://www.trespta.com/, which includes a Google Calendar feature to easily add all events to your phone. TRES PTA is seeking a second PTACHC Delegate; email TRESPTA1@gmail.com if interested.

• TODAY - Thursday, Oct. 17th, Nora's Kabob Ellicott City Restaurant Fundraiser. Order from Nora's Kabob at their Ellicott City location (9338 Baltimore National Pike) to support the PTA. See Nora’s website HERE. Mention TRES and Nora's will donate 10% of sales to the TRES PTA. PLUS, they'll make a second donation that matches the total raised from this restaurant night. See the flyer here. 
• Saturday, Oct. 26th, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Boo Bash & Trunk or Treat.  Please RSVP by October 21st. Event information as well as volunteer opportunities can be found at the PTA website. Candy donations may also be fed to the "monster" in the TRES front office. 
• Friday, Nov. 1st, Veterans Day lunch registration deadline. TRES family Veterans are invited to lunch with their students on Veterans Day -  Monday, November 11th. Register here. 
• DEADLINE EXTENDED - Monday, Nov. 4th, Reflections Arts Competition Submission Deadline. Students can create original art including dance choreography, visual arts, music composition, photography, film production, or literature based on the theme “Accepting Imperfection.” All works are created at home and submitted electronically. See PTA Reflections webpage HERE.
• Retriever Run: The STEAMazing Race, Saturday, Nov. 16th, 11:00am-2:00pm Register for the Retriever Run: The STEAMazing Race HERE! For more information, see the flyer. After the 1-mile fun run/walk, participants can attend a STEAM Spectacular (see the flyer), including a performance by Eric Energy. This year’s registration giveaway includes custom Treasure and TRES Paw Print Crocs Charms (see the flyer).
• Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 3:45-4:45pm, TGA Tennis & Golf Winter Session After School Classes Begin. Register HERE. 10% of the registration fees will be donated to the PTA. 
• Purchase your TRES spirit wear HERE.

Community News and Events

West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an OPEN HOUSE:
October is Fire Prevention Month – COME VISIT US!
SUNDAY, October 20th 12pm – 4pm
12535 Old Frederick Road • Sykesville, MD 21784
HIGHLIGHTS: Tower Rides, Fire Apparatus Displays, Volunteer Opportunities, Fire Fighter Obstacle Course for Kids, Demonstrations, BBQ and more!
It’s fun and informative for the whole family! Visit our website – WFVFD.org

Don’t miss the magic on stage as the Glenelg High School Theatre Department presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Bring the whole family to enjoy the next chapter of Harry Potter. Whether you’re a fan or new to the magic, it’s fun for everyone!
Performances are:
October 24 at 7pm
October 25 at 7pm
October 26 at 2pm and 7pm
All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or ONLINE.  

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.