Message from Dr. TRESler and Mr. Hiel:
Dear Retriever Families,
We hope that our Retrievers enjoyed the break and are refreshed and ready to give their best until winter break.
Today, we will begin the fourth concept in our school-wide Zones of Regulation curriculum. From the Zones of Regulation Teacher’s Guide:
In Concept 4 (C4), learners explore the body signals and sensations that relate to their feelings. Understanding these feelings is also known as the interoceptive sense. The brain perceives the physiological cues and sensations in the body before it catches up and labels the emotion. These cues or signals alert us that our feelings are changing. For example, you sense the tension in your neck and jaw and recognize you’re stressed, or you feel the flutter of butterflies in your stomach and identify you are nervous. For many learners who have difficulty naming their emotions, learning to tune into their body signals can be an entry point for building self-awareness. Noticing our body signals is also a basic mindfulness practice, giving us a moment to integrate our body, mind, and emotional state. As we build this interoceptive awareness, we can identify our feelings and Zones with greater ease, and more readily notice when we are becoming less regulated. This self-awareness is foundational to self-regulation.
You can read the Bridge to Home for C4 here. We encourage you to discuss the learning at home with your child.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Tiffany TRESler, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal
Upcoming Events
Please visit the TRES calendar webpage to view important upcoming dates)
- December 5 - PTA Cultural Night, 6:30-8:30pm (see PTA News below)
- December 15 - Young Authors' Contest Submissions Due (see more below)
- December 18 - Winter Advanced Orchestra/Band Concerts, 6:30pm
- December 24-January2 - Winter Break; Schools Closed
- January 14 - Chorus Winter Concert, 6:30pm
- January 15 - Yearbook Group Photos
- January 15 - Cardboard Challenge, 6:30-8pm (see below)
- January 16 - First Grade Field Trip, Robinson Nature Center
- January 19 - Schools/Offices Closed
- January 21 - Kindergarten Field Trip, Glenwood Library
- January 22 - Early Dismissal, 12:45pm
- January 23 - 2nd Quarter Ends
News and Information
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
December is a special time of year for so many. Through our most recent TRESmission video installment, students are encouraged to SHINE with kindness and continue following our 4 TREaSured Traits. Feel free to view at home to stay connected with common language, events, and school footage. You won't want to miss our special reward with Dr. Tresler (happily?) taking a pie to the face after students pulled together to reach our PAWS hallway goal.
Link to December Community TRESmission (15 min)
Family Resource Article - for anyone looking to help family and friends through holiday and winter blues
Coloring activity for kids (optional)
The Cardboard Challenge is Coming to TRES! Students are invited to create a cardboard project using their imagination and engineering skills.
- Who: TRES Retrievers! TRES students can work alone or with a partner. Projects with families and friends are welcome.
- What: You decide what to build using your imagination and engineering skills. Cardboard should be the main building material but you can use other recyclable materials and decorative pieces.
- Where: Projects will be shared in the TRES Gym and Cafeteria.
- When: Thursday, January 15th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Bring your projects with you on the evening of the Cardboard Challenge.
Information will be shared during Library Media classes the week of December 1st.
Registration for BSAP Saturday Math Academy
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy Spring Session is approaching! The BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12, based on course availability. Registration will take place online on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:00 am until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect Website on the registration date. For more information, please visit HCPSS News.
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 January 1st for a chance at winning five hours of care from Brandon Dean childcare. (Everyone who has already joined will be entered and entries can win once.)
PTA TRES Directory: All PTA members now have access to a TRES Directory that can be used to plan events, playdates, and more. Email TRESPTA1@gmail.com if you have not received the directory.
Join or donate HERE.
Thank you to Edwards Lawn & Landscaping and Vision Wealth Partners for supporting the Giving Tree!
NEW UPCOMING PTA EVENTS AND INFORMATION: TRES PTA DECEMBER NEWSLETTER and TRES PTA EVENTS CALENDAR 25-26
- December 1st through December 23rd: Gifts of Gratitude
- Show your appreciation to all the amazing staff at TRES by contributing to a monetary gift and leaving a note of thanks.
- This is a great way to reach the many staff who support and care for your student, including outside of the classroom.
- Use Gifts of Gratitude Link or scan QR code on the flyer. See Gift of Gratitude Flyer
- December 3rd from 7am-7pm, Rosie’s Delicatessen Fundraiser
- Support the PTA by ordering from Rosie’s (2465 Route 97, Suite 15 Glenwood, MD 21738, https://rosiesdelicatessen.com
- Use the code “TRESPTA”. See Rosie's Delicatessen Flyer
- December 5th-Cultural Night & Silent Auction, 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 create a heritage table — please make sure to register in advance here: Cultural Night RSVP
- See: Cultural Night Flyer
- Cultural Night will feature the conclusion of a week-long TRES Silent Auction! Bid online at the TRES PTA Silent Auction webpage on baskets with generous donations from over 30 local businesses. Bidding begins November 28 at 8 PM and ends December 5 at 9 PM. See: Silent Auction Flyer
- We also need volunteers for set up and clean up. We need at least 10 volunteers to run this event and only have 3 so far. Please consider volunteering Culture Night Volunteer Signup
- December 10th from 7-8pm TRES PTA General Membership Meeting
- Please join us in the TRES cafeteria for our winter Membership Meeting!
- December 16th from11am - 9pm, Walker’s Restaurant Fundraiser
- Support the TRES PTA by ordering from Walker’s (2465 MD-97, Glenwood, MD; Phone: 410-801-9400, https://eatatwalkers.com
- Show the flyer when dining in person or mention the fundraiser when ordering over the phone
- See: Walkers Restaurant Flyer
- TRES Yearbook Pictures Needed by February 15th
- We have an album set up in the Yearbook Software for people to submit photographs for consideration for the yearbook. Thank you for the Boo Bash pictures already!
- Please submit pictures from Pajama Days, Orchestra Concerts, Holiday Celebrations, etc. Use TRES Yearbook Pictures Link
- Password: TRESYearbook1!
- 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
Homewood Center Holiday Treasure Sale
Please consider helping Homewood students share and experience the holiday joy of giving. Your generosity provides students the opportunity to "purchase" items for their families and loved ones. You can help by purchasing items from the wish lists below or bringing NEW, or LIKE NEW, unwrapped items to Homewood by December 10th.
Homewood Treasure Sale Amazon Wish List
Homewood Treasure Sale Target Wish List
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.