TRES Retriever Report October 16, 2025

Message from Dr. TRESler and Mr. Hiel:

Dear Retriever Families,

With the beginning of the Zones of Regulation implementation starting last week, we hope that you had the opportunity to talk with your child about the Bridges Home to School Connection that we shared in the last Retriever Report. In the first module, the students learned what Regulation is. In the upcoming two weeks, they are going to learn about the Zones of Regulation. You can view the module 2 Bridges Home to School Connection here. We will continue to share our new learning in each Retriever Report.

As a reminder, the first marking period ends in two weeks on October 31st. It’s hard to believe that 25% of this school year will be over soon! At this point, your child should have several grades for you to view. If you do not know how to check your child’s current graded assignments in Canvas, please check out this guide. Parent conferences are the week of November 24th and scheduling opens on November 7th. Directions to schedule will be sent in the next Retriever Report.

Warm Regards,
Dr. Tiffany TRESler, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Events

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

  • October 17 - Schools Closed
  • October 20 - Schools/Offices Closed
  • October 22 - Wear Orange for Unity Day
  • October 30 - Kindergarten Field Trip, Gaver Farm
  • October 31 - Early Dismissal 12:45pm; 1st Quarter Ends
  • November 7 - Scheduling Opens for Parent/Teacher Conferences, 8am
  • November 12 - Early Dismissal
  • November 14 - 2nd Grade Field Trip, Baltimore Museum of Industry
  • November 18 - Fall Picture/Absentee Retakes, 9:15am

News and Information

Digital Citizenship Week is Next Week from October 20th - 24th
In Technology class, students learn habits and strategies that help them use devices safely and responsibly at school, at home, and within the community. This event serves as a wonderful opportunity to set and/or revisit guidelines for using Technology with your child and spark conversation about media balance at home. Even the youngest students (PreK) can begin to learn healthy habits with balancing screen time.

Ms. Walker and Ms. Jenkins will be posting announcements in Canvas during the week containing excellent resources that you can use with your child. These resources are designed to help spark some conversations about technology use. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Walker (stacie_walker@hcpss.org) or Mrs. Jenkins (patricia_jenkins@hcpss.org).

TRES is Celebrating Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025! 
We are celebrating Veterans Day on Tuesday, November, 11, 2025. 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 student.

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 hand-drawn. Please note that these will be on display and may not be returned, so please do not use original photos.

Please RSVP here by 4:00 p.m. on October 31st  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.

We are looking forward to thanking those who served our country!

Lunch Shifts by Grade:
Pre-K: 12:30
Kindergarten: 11:30 
First: 11:00 
Second: 12:00 
Third:  12:30
Fourth: 1:30
Fifth: 1:00

Fall Picture Absentees and Retake Day Is Tuesday, November 18th
Students may have their portraits retaken on this day. If so, please have your child bring the original portrait package to the photographer on November 18th. The entire portrait package must be returned.

Parents of students who were absent, please see the attached order form below and send in with payment on November 18th in a sealed envelope for your child to give to the photographer.

TRES_SchoolPic_Flyer.jpg

If anyone would like additional portraits please visit www.schoolpix.com.

Young Authors' Contest
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 carefully read the Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. This document contains important contest information, such as word count limits, font requirements, and submission formats. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet, sent as a PDF. In order to type in the form, you will need to go to the “File” menu dropdown and select, “Make a copy.”

Submissions may be emailed to Lauren Rifkin, Reading Specialist, at lauren_rifkin@hcpss.org by December 15, 2025. Feel free to email Mrs. Rifkin with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

Counselors' Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Diaz
Retrievers and Families, let's unite! Please mark your calendars to wear ORANGE on UNITY DAY, WEDNESDAY 10/22/25, in support of kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and bully-proofing efforts. Taking it further, be sure to talk at home about the importance of being an UPstander, being yourself, and accepting others.  At school, in the neighborhood, or with extracurricular activities, if something hurtful is seen/heard, instead of standing by, speak up! Use the STOP-WALK-TALK strategy and turn to a trusted adult for support.  Below are some additional resources:
Link to UPstander Video
Link to Bully-Proofing Signage and Coloring Page

Dismissal and Attendance Notification Information
Please read HERE for important information regarding school notification of dismissal changes and student absences.

Volunteer Training Required Every Year for all Visitors and Volunteers - Take 5 Minutes to Complete Now and You're Set for the 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.

School Schedule
The TRES Daily Schedule including arrival and dismissal times, and lunch/recess times for all grades, can be found on our school website under the “ABOUT” tab. 

TRES PTA

JOIN THE TRES PTA TODAY! Join by November 1st for a chance at winning a 2nd Dream Auto Detailing gift certificate and score an extra entry by making an additional donation. (Everyone who has already joined will be entered and entries can win once.)

PTA TRES Directory: All PTA members will have access to a TRES Directory that can be used to plan events, playdates, and more. Please make sure to sign up for the PTA and update your Family File so that you give permission to share contact information.

Join or donate HERE. See: PTA FLYER

NEW UPCOMING PTA EVENTS AND INFORMATION: TRES PTA EVENTS CALENDAR 25-26

  • Saturday, October 25th - Boo Bash & Trunk-or-Treat, 2:30-4:30PM
  • BOO-tiful Pumpkin Contest
    • Students are invited to take part in our BOO-tiful Pumpkin Contest, where ordinary pumpkins are transformed into extraordinary masterpieces. Whether spooky, funny, most adorable, most creative, or most realistic, every pumpkin adds to the fun!
    • See flyer for contest rules and the sign-up link: BOO-tiful Pumpkin Contest Flyer
  • November 9th, Reflections Art Competition Submission Deadline
    • Reflections is a national arts contest where students submit artwork (in visual arts, literature, photography, music composition, dance choreography and/or film production). See PTA Reflections website
    • This year’s theme is “I Belong!” We are looking for judges with background or experience in these mediums to virtually judge TRES students' artwork. Please email tres.reflections@gmail.com to participate.
  • November 10th-25th, Giving Tree Holiday Drive
  • November 11th, Veterans Day Lunch-RSVP by 10/31
    • TRES is celebrating Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025!  We are welcoming TRES family Veterans to lunch with their students. Due to space, we are asking that only our TRES Veterans join us for lunch on this day.
    • RSVP: Veterans Day Lunch
  • November 12th-13th Nora’s Kabob Ellicott City Fundraiser
    • Please order from TRES PTA Sponsor Nora's Kabob at their Ellicott City location (9338 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042) to support the PTA.
    • Mention TRES on November 12th and 13th 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: Nora's Kabob Flyer
  • Wednesdays through November 19th: Walking Wednesday
  • SAVE THE DATE! December 5th-Cultural Night, 6:30-8:30PM
    • TRES students and their families can celebrate our diverse community with an evening full of student-led performances, including dance, music, and more.
    • If you plan to attend — or if your child would like to perform — please make sure to register in advance here: Cultural Night RSVP
    • See: Cultural Night Flyer
  • Seeking PTA Sponsors: The TRES PTA is looking for businesses or individual sponsors to augment our operating budget. If interested, email TRESPTA1@gmail.com.  See: TRES PTA Sponsor Letter
  • TRES Spiritwear: Order HERE

Stay in Touch: Visit www.trespta.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trespta.

Community News and Events

West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an OPEN HOUSE    SUNDAY, October 19th 12pm – 4pm
October is Fire Prevention Month – COME VISIT US!
12535 Old Frederick Road • Sykesville, MD 21784
HIGHLIGHTS: Fire Apparatus Displays, Volunteer Opportunities, Fire Fighter Obstacle Course for Kids, Demonstrations, Hot Dogs, Funnel Cakes and more!
It’s fun and informative for the whole family! Visit our website – WFVFD.org

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.