TRES Retriever Report October 30, 2026

Upcoming Events

  • October 30 - Final Day to RSVP for Veterans Day Lunch 
  • November 3 - Schools and Offices Closed
  • November 6 - Report Cards Issued, 4pm
  • November 6-19 - Parent/Teacher Conference Scheduling Window (see below)
  • November 10 - Author Visit with all Students
  • November 11 - Veterans Day Celebration
  • November 11 - Volunteer Night (see below)
  • November 13 - 2nd Gr. Field Trip, Baltimore Museum of Industry
  • November 13 - World Kindness Day (wear bright colors and spread kindness)
  • November 16-20 - American Education Week (see below)
  • November 16-20 - Turkey Trot Food Drive (see below)
  • November 19 - Picture Retakes and Make-Up Day (see below)
  • November 20 - PreK Firefighters Visit
  • November 23-24 - Early Dismissal 12:45pm; Parent/Teacher Conferences follow Dismissal (see below)
  • November 23 & 24 - Book Fair (more info coming soon)
  • November 25-27 - Schools Closed for Students; Parent/Teacher Conferences May be Held 11/25

Message from Mr. Morton-Ortega and Mr. Hiel:

Dear Retriever Families,

We have officially wrapped up the first quarter of the school year, and we want to extend a huge congratulations to all of our students for their hard work, dedication, and positive behavior. We are so proud of everything they have accomplished so far, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth in all aspects of school life throughout the rest of the year.

A major highlight of the past few weeks was our annual Boo Bash and Trunk or Treat, which was a resounding success, with nearly 800 students and family members in attendance! We want to send a heartfelt thank you to our phenomenal PTA for planning, supporting, and running such a wonderful event. Organizing a gathering of this scale takes extraordinary effort, coordination, and heart, and we are deeply grateful for everything they do to create memories for our students.

As we move into November, we look forward to a busy, exciting month ahead with our upcoming Veterans Day celebration, TRES Volunteer Night, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please be sure to read through the rest of today’s newsletter for full details on all of these events, and thank you as always for your ongoing partnership and support of our school community!

Warm Regards,
Jason Morton-Ortega, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal

News and Information

Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Opens November 6
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6th, for fall conferences, which will be held Monday, November 23rd, in person and Tuesday, November 24th - Wednesday, November 25th, virtually. When scheduling conferences for multiple children, please allow one full conference time between your meetings to allow for transitions both in person and virtually. The conference scheduling window closes November 19th at 4pm.

  • Parents should schedule a parent conference with their child’s homeroom teacher only. The exception is Ms. Lebowitz’s 4th grade G/T math students, who can also schedule a conference with her. (Families of her other math students will have an opportunity to schedule a conference during the February conference window. Since Ms. Lebowitz has several math classes, this exception allows her to conference with more families during this school year.)  See directions how to register. 
  • Related Arts teachers have a limited number of conference slots available If you would like to schedule with a particular RA teacher.
  • Related Arts teachers also will be hosting one office hour during the conference window. The office hours are for general questions about the content area and expectations. Office hours should not be used for questions specific to your child. The office hours schedule will be shared with parents from the teachers’ Canvas pages.

Join Us for TRES Volunteer Night!
Wednesday, November 11th, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
School Cafeteria 

We need YOU! At Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School, we believe our school community is strongest when many different voices, perspectives, talents, experiences, and families are represented. Volunteer opportunities should not be limited to the same familiar faces! We hope to welcome new families, first-time volunteers, working parents, caregivers, grandparents, community members, and anyone who wants to make a difference for our Retrievers! Whether you have one hour to give or many, prefer working directly with students or behind the scenes, enjoy helping with events, or have a special talent or skill to share, there is a place for you at TRES!

What to Expect: During Volunteer Night, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the full range of school and PTA volunteer opportunities
  • Meet administration and PTA representatives and ask questions
  • Find volunteer opportunities that fit your interests, schedule, and availability
  • Sign up for open volunteer positions on the spot or share your interest.
  • Complete required volunteer training during the event
  • Get connected and ready to make a difference—without a complicated process or a big commitment!

No pressure. No experience required. No need to sign up for everything! Come learn about the possibilities and discover a volunteer opportunity that feels right for you. Our goal is to build a volunteer community that reflects the wonderful diversity of Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School. We hope to see some familiar faces, but we are especially excited to meet families who may be thinking, “I’ve never volunteered before, but maybe this year is the year!”

Your voice. Your perspective. Your talents. Your time. They all matter.

Come see how you can be part of the TRES community and help us make this an incredible year for our students, staff, and families!
Note:  Volunteer training can still be completed online.  We are offering this optional night in hopes of enriching and expanding our volunteer team here at TRES!
We hope to see you there!

TRES Memory Book Cover Art Contest
Original student artwork for the front and back cover of the 2026-2027 Memory Book is being accepted through November 20th. The theme for this year’s memory book is Building our Future. 

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 (spelling errors will disqualify the submission)
  • 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 Mr. Morton-Ortega at jason_morton-ortega@hcpss.org.

Fall Picture Absentees and Retake Day is Thursday, November 19th
School PIctures returns the morning of November 19th to photograph students who were absent or who would like photo retakes.  Please note the following:

  • Students who were absent need to bring a printed/completed order form linked HERE. Please send in with payment November 19th if you are ordering portraits. No online ordering is available for this session.
  • If you are requesting a retake, the entire original portrait package must be returned; please have your child bring the portrait package to the photographer on retake day.
  • Photographers are scheduled to be here until 10:00 a.m. or when they finish retakes, whichever comes first. 

American Education Week is November 16-20
We are excited to welcome TRES parents/guardians during American Education Week and invite you to visit on Wednesday, November 18th. Please remember to complete the Volunteer Training prior to your arrival if you have not already done so, and bring your driver’s license with you. As shared by HCPSS, due to space concerns and school security, no visitors will be allowed at lunch or recess. 

  • You must sign in at the front office and wear your visitor badge in a visible location at all times. 
  • Due to space, we ask that you limit your visit to one hour. The schedule is linked here. 
  • Some grades will share via an email announcement special activities scheduled for that day to help you plan your visit. (Please note not all grades are doing this and you are free to visit when your schedule allows.)
  • No cars can be parked in the bus area from 8:45-9:30 am
  • All cars must leave the bus area by 2:50 pm
  • Do not park in the fire lane and car riders pick up/drop off area.
  • Do not park in reserved spots or spots with cones.
  • Please be considerate of our neighbors and do not park in their yards.
  • Parking available in the overflow lot (grass lot).

Turkey Trot Canned Food Drive November 16-20
Join this TRES annual tradition. All food collected will be delivered to the Oakland Mills High School Food Bank November 23rd. Please wear SNEAKERS to participate.

Please follow the grade-level wish list below as you're able to support:

  • Pre-K/Kindergarten - Peanut butter/jelly (plastic bottles/jars preferred)
  • 1st grade - Canned fruit/fruit cups/applesauce
  • 2nd grade - Canned soup and/or vegetables
  • 3rd grade - Canned meat (tuna, chicken, salmon, ham)
  • 4th grade - Juice/shelf-stable milk (either individual serving or full size bottle/carton)
  • 5th grade - Canned pasta (Chef Boyardee/spaghetti-o’s)/pasta sauce; plastic bottles/jars preferred)
  • Diapers and baby wipes are also gratefully accepted

Lost and Found
The lost and found collection is now overwhelming. If your student is missing a jacket or water bottle, please visit lost and found. After the Thanksgiving Holiday all remaining items will be donated.

Counselors' Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Desir
This is an exciting time of year, filled with many sweets and treats!  If your retriever will be out-and-about with trick-or-treating, please stay safe!!

  • To stay visible, carry lighting, wear bright colors, and/or reflective tape.
  • Prevent trips by making sure costumes fit properly and don't drag.
  • Choose walking areas with sidewalks and lighting and be sure to cross at corners or crosswalks, never between parked cars.
  • Supervision is key.  Elementary students should walk with an adult.
  • Inspect FIRST.  Discard any unwrapped/unsealed/damaged treats.  
  • Just for fun: Link to Safety Tip Coloring Page

Let's avoid the sugar rush! Establish clear rules/limits about still maintaining a healthy lunch and balanced diet. If needed, portion only 1-2 pieces of candy in a lunchbox.  You'd be surprised how many empty wrappers we can encounter during a lunch shift!

Another sweet aspect: As we approach November, mark your calendar that Friday, November 13th, is World Kindness Day. TRES students are encouraged to color the world with kindness. Wear bright colors, rainbow, or tie-dyed clothing (in addition to spreading some sweet kindness!)

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. 

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

 

Claire Reinken and Lisa Paddy, Boo Bash co-chairs, would like to extend a big thank you to the TRES community for coming out and spending a beautiful Saturday with us. With over 800 attendees, it was the biggest Boo Bash and maybe even biggest TRES event ever! Big thanks to the 29 families who hosted a Trunk this year. There were some truly amazing entries. 

  • 1st place winner with 144 votes was the Goel Family- they were awarded a HUGE trophy and a certificate for an overnight stay at Turf Valley Resorts.
  • 2nd place with 126 votes was the Lefcourt Family- they were awarded a trophy and a gift certificate to Stratosphere Social of Eldersburg.
  • 3rd place winner with 121 votes was the Chiang Family- they were also awarded a trophy and some entree vouchers for Chipotle. 

*Thank you to all these local businesses for their generosity in donating these prizes.

We had 35 entries in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest this year and Mr. Morton-Ortega had a hard time deciding on the winners. Each winner earned a medal, and each participant received a $5 coupon for the Pottery Stop in Ellicott City, which was also donated. 

  • Funniest- Kieran Gowda
  • Most Creative- Ashmeira Rajawat
  • Best Wizarding Theme- Anisha Mahajan
  • Spookiest- Henrik Cavanaugh
  • Best Pop Culture/Movie themed- Philip Buswell

The winner of the Guess the Every Flavored Jelly Bean contest was Neev Manvar and the Yedururi and Agrawal family both won a family 4-pack of passes to the Braglio Farms Halloween Trail. We’d love to see your photos for use in the yearbook. Please upload your Boo Bash photos here: Boo Bash Photo Link.

Upcoming PTA Events and Information: TRES PTA Fall 2026 Newsletter

  • November 1st - Entries Due for 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.
    • To submit your entry or for other Reflections information, check the TRES PTA Website
  • TWO DAYS, November 4th & 5th -  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) on Wed, Nov 4th and Thurs, Nov 5th to support the PTA
    • Visit https://www.noraskabob.com/ or call 410-418-5911. Mention TRES PTA when ordering. See: Nora's Kabob Flyer
  • November 10th - Local Author Miranda Mittleman Visiting TRES
  • November 15th - Registration Due for TRES Stem Fair
  • November 16th -20th - Turkey Trot Canned Food Drive
    • PTA is partnering with the TRES PE team to help stock the Food Bank at Oakland Mills High School.
    • Join this TRES annual tradition. All food collected will be delivered to the Oakland Mills High School Food Bank on November 23rd, after students participate in the Turkey Trot during Related Arts Classes. Please wear SNEAKERS to participate. If able to assist in delivering items to OMHS on 11/23 or 11/24 please contact Julie Nikkel (julie.c.nikkel@gmail.com)
      o   Please follow the grade-level wish list below as you're able to support:
      • Pre-K/Kindergarten - Peanut butter/jelly (plastic bottles/jars preferred)
      • 1st grade - Canned fruit/fruit cups/applesauce
      • 2nd grade - Canned soup and/or vegetables
      • 3rd grade - Canned meat (tuna, chicken, salmon, ham)
      • 4th grade - Juice/shelf-stable milk (either individual serving or full size bottle/carton)
      • 5th grade - Canned pasta (Chef Boyardee/spaghetti-o’s)/pasta sauce (plastic bottles/jars preferred)
      • Diapers & baby wipes are also gratefully accepted
  • TRES PTA Giving Tree -- more details to come in an email soon!
    • We are accepting donations of gift cards from grocery stores, Walmart, Target or Amazon, in $25 increments, to help families in need. Please drop off in the school front office.
  • Walking Wednesday is back! WW is scheduled on Wednesdays during recess for K-5th grade through November 18th, weather permitting. 

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

Community News and Events

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.