Upcoming Events
- October 8 - Fall Picture Day (see more below)
- October 9 - Kindergarten Field Trip, Gaver Farm
- October 16 - Schools Closed for Students
- October 21 - Wear Orange for Unity Day
- October 24 - PTA Boo Bash & Trunk-or-Treat (see more below)
- October 27 - 1st Quarter Ends
- October 28 - Schools Closed for Students
- November 3 - Schools and Offices Closed
- November 6 - Report Cards Issued
Message from Mr. Morton-Ortega and Mr. Hiel:
Dear Retriever Families,
Welcome to October! It is hard to believe that we are already more than halfway through the first marking period. Our students and staff have built great momentum, and the school year is well underway.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible PTA for generously stocking the staff lounge with delicious drinks and treats. Our teachers and staff felt so appreciated, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful boost!
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue with the Zones of Regulation curriculum during our daily 15-minute social/emotional learning (SEL) block, starting next Monday, October 5th. Every two weeks, students will explore a new concept and learn practical tools for emotional and sensory regulation. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they are learning and discuss the regulation tools they find most helpful.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Warm Regards,
Jason Morton-Ortega, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal
News and Information
SMILE: Fall Picture Day Is Next Thursday, October 8th
Flyers will be sent home today and envelopes with orders should be brought in by your student(s) the morning of picture day, October 8th. You can Pre-Order Online by visiting www.schoolpix.com. Use Pre-Order Code: TRESF26. Please see the attached flier for order options. We look forward to seeing your smiles on Picture Day!
Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP) Family Communication
Please see this linked SRIP flyer for information about eligibility, communication and progress monitoring, and ways you can support reading at home.
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 read the Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines.
Stories and poems must be typed and emailed for submission as a Word Doc or Google Doc. All entries must also have a completed YAC Cover Sheet in PDF form emailed with the entry. Submissions should be emailed to Lauren Rifkin (Reading Specialist at TRES) at lauren_rifkin@hcpss.org by January 8, 2027. Feel free to contact 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. Desir
Congrats, Families! We've reached the month of October and hopefully school aspects are feeling more settled with routines and expectations. We want you to know that October is National Bullying Awareness Month. At TRES, we will implement bully-proofing instruction, reminders, and strategies throughout the year including:
- Bullying = "BOO" Being mean, On purpose, Over and over again. Most often, there is also an imbalance of perceived power involved. This is different than conflict, someone being rude/mean, or bugging.
- Upstander = Someone speaks up/stands up on behalf of others (instead of standing by idly with an awareness of any nearby wrong-doing).
- STOP-WALK-TALK = A simple strategy to speak up for yourself/others. This takes your power with you as you get help from a trusted adult, if needed.
Please take a moment to review these important topics with your Retriever. Reinforcing lessons will occur in homerooms this month and strategies will be shared in our upcoming TRESmission (available to families for viewing in mid-October. Stay tuned).
To show that TRES is a united community that shows kindness and stands tall to bullying behaviors - WEAR ORANGE on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21st for UNITY DAY.
HCPSS Observes LGBTQ+ History Month throughout October
Please see the attached LGBTQ+ History Month Newsletter.
Coloring Book Contest for 3rd-5th Grade Students
The Howard County Recycling Division is challenging Howard County third, fourth and fifth graders to draw pictures of how they Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at home or school. The top 13 drawings will be featured in a coloring book, with the “Best-in-Show” appearing on the cover. Please review this flyer for more information and contest rules. Entries must be received by January 15, 2027.
Volunteer/Visitor Training Required Every Year
THIS TRAINING MUST BE COMPLETED EVERY YEAR (no paperwork required). Anyone volunteering at school in any capacity is required to complete volunteer training prior to their first visit. Thank you in advance for your gifts of service and time.
TRES PTA
Join or donate HERE. See: PTA FLYER
Upcoming PTA Events and Information: TRES PTA Fall 2026 Newsletter
- FINAL DAY: Winter Gear Drive
- TRES PTA is partnering with the Multiservice Center in Laurel to help local families stay warm this winter. We are collecting new or clean, gently used winter clothing for neighbors in need.
- We are accepting winter gear for all ages and sizes—from infants through adults, including coats, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, heavy/winter socks.
- Drop-Off Location: A collection bin is in the TRES school vestibule. If you have a donation but need help getting it to the school, please email Julie Nikkel to coordinate (julie.c.nikkel@gmail.com)
- Winter Drive Flyer
- October 1st - November 1st: Reflection Art Competition
- Students may create original art (dance choreography, visual arts, music composition, photography, film production, or literature) based on the theme “What My Culture Means to Me.” All works are created at home and submitted electronically.
- Entries may be submitted October 1st - November 1st.
- If you have questions, consider attending a virtual Q&A meeting 10/20 at 6pm. For that meeting link, to submit your entry, or for other Reflections information, check the TRES PTA Website
- October 7th: Tony’s of NY Pizza Ellicott City Fundraiser (In Person or Phone Orders Only)
- Support the TRES PTA by ordering from Tony’s of NY Pizza in Ellicott City,10040 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Order in store or call (410) 988-5820. Mention the TRES PTA when ordering or show the flyer below. Online ordering DOES NOT count toward the fundraiser.
- Tonys Flyer Fall 2026
- October 7th: Walking Wednesday is back! Stay tuned for more details and volunteer sign-up coming very soon on the PTA Facebook page
- Save the Date! Saturday, October 24th - Boo Bash & Trunk-or-Treat, 3:30-5:30pm. To learn more about this year's Wizarding World Themed Boo Bash, see the PTA Website.
- We need at least 20 trunks for this event to be successful, and we only have 10 registered to date. Please consider decorating a trunk and the PTA can help by providing the candy.
- RSVP Here! Optionally, donate to the "candy monster" located in the TRES vestibule from October 5th-23rd. See the Amazon or Target wishlists. Thanks for your donations!
- Register to Decorate a Trunk or Hand Out Candy! Use your own candy or PTA-provided treats! Optionally, donate to the "candy monster" at TRES from October 13th-23rd.
- Top Trunk Prizes
- 1st Place: HUGE Trophy & Overnight Stay at Turf Valley Resort
- 2nd Place: Tall Trophy PLUS one hour of Bowling for six people at Stratosphere Social Eldersburg
- 3rd Place:Trophy PLUS two Entrees from Chipotle
- ALL Trunks will be entered to win a Dream Auto Detailing gift card!
- Top Trunk Prizes
- TRES Boo Bash Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Winners will receive a special medal. All entries will receive a coupon to The Pottery Stop. Categories include Spookiest, Most Creative, Best Wizarding Theme, Funniest, and Pop Culture/Movie Themed
- Volunteer Here! Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up and check-in. All volunteers will be entered to win pizza gift cards from Papa Johns!
- Save the Date! Wednesday, December 9th: TRES Stem Fair, 6-8:30pm, TRES Cafeteria and Gym
- Seeking PTA Sponsors: The TRES PTA is looking for businesses or individual sponsors to augment our operating budget. If interested, Sponsor HERE or email TRESPTA1@gmail.com. See: TRES PTA Sponsor Flyer
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 11th, 12pm – 4pm
October is Fire Prevention Month – COME VISIT US!
12535 Old Frederick Road • Sykesville, MD 21784
HIGHLIGHTS: ATV Rides, Fire Apparatus Displays, Volunteer Opportunities, Demonstrations, Food and more!
It’s fun and informative for the whole family! Visit our website – WFVFD.org
Registration is now open for Howard County Recreation & Parks Fall 2026 Before & After School Classes (Session 2) for Triadelphia Ridge ES. These classes provide fun, structured, educational and enriching activities for students on site at TRES. Please see THIS FLIER for all information and visit HERE to register.
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.