Upcoming Events
- November 6-19 - Parent/Teacher Conference Scheduling Window (see below)
- 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 20 - Deadline for Memory Book Cover Contest (see below)
- November 23-24 - Early Dismissal 12:45pm; Parent/Teacher Conferences follow Dismissal (see below)
- November 23 & 24 - Book Fair (see below for times and order info)
- November 25-27 - Schools Closed for Students; Parent/Teacher Conferences may be Held 11/25
- Due to school being closed November 27th, our next Retriever Report will be shared Monday, November 30th.
- December 9 - Early Dismissal, 12:40pm
Message from Mr. Morton-Ortega and Mr. Hiel:
Dear Retriever Families,
We were excited and privileged to honor our TRES veterans and their families on Wednesday for Veterans Day. A heartfelt thank-you to our PTA for organizing a wonderful lunch for our veterans, and to our Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for leading a beautiful flag-raising ceremony to start the day. It was a special opportunity to come together as a school community and recognize those who have served.
We’re looking forward to welcoming families next week for American Education Week! We’re proud of the learning happening at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School and can’t wait for you to see our students and staff in action. Before your visit, please read the American Education Week section of this newsletter carefully and follow the directions provided. Your preparation will help make the visits run smoothly so everyone can enjoy their time in our classrooms. We look forward to seeing you!
Warm Regards,
Jason Morton-Ortega, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal
News and Information
Note of Concern Regarding Student Safety in the Car Loop: In order to ensure student safety, please do not go around another car in the car loop. Please wait for all cars in front of you to advance or leave before you continue driving forward. Thank you for considering the safety of our students during dismissal.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to TRES!
The Book Fair will be held during Fall Conference Days on Monday, November 23rd from 12:00 - 7:00 pm and Tuesday, November 24th from 12:00 pm - 5 pm. Please visit the Book Fair in the TRES Gym. Classes will learn about the book fair in library media classes the week of November 16th.
The Book Fair will be filled with great series, fun nonfiction, and other exciting reading choices. Credit card payments preferred; cash, check and Scholastic eWallet also accepted. Funds from the Book Fair help us purchase new books for the media center, support classroom libraries, and host a spring author visit.
Visit the TRES Scholastic Book Fair Homepage https://www.scholastic.com/bf/triadelphiaridgeelemsch
Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Window Closes November 19th
Registration continues 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.
TRES Memory Book Cover Art Contest - Deadline for Submissions is November 20th
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 overflowing with items. 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 November counselor blurb comes with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Just as we have been encouraging our Retrievers to slow down to look with an attitude of gratitude, as counselors WE want to extend a huge thank you to our TRES families, staff, and administration. It's special to be part of such a dedicated and supportive learning environment with strong, positive partnerships between home and school. One way to continue with connection is to take a few minutes to view the most recent TRESmission video with footage from around the building, celebrations, recognition, and more.
Thanks for remembering that today, Friday, November 13th, is World Kindness Day. TRES students were encouraged to color the world with kindness by wearing bright colors, rainbow, or tie-dyed clothing - in addition to spreading some sweet kindness!
LINK to 11 minute November TRESmission video. Enjoy!
Link to TRES Kindness Day Coloring Page and Video, Just for fun.
Family Resource: 10 Fun Ways to Celebrate World Kindness Day. Get in on the kindness action!
LINK to Fall Howard County Mental Health Newsletter - Provides many tips, strategies, and family resources.
LINK to November Newsletter - Office of Children and Families - Informative resources and family workshops.
HCPSS Celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November
Please find more information in this Native American Heritage Month Newsletter
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
TRES welcomed author Miranda Mittleman this past week. Students enjoyed her visit and meeting Mascot Weaver who shared positive messages about kindness. To learn more about the author and/or purchase her published works, please visit https://www.pawsandthinkbooks.com/order. Use promo code TRES to receive your special discount of 25% off your order (+shipping).
Upcoming PTA Events and Information: TRES PTA Fall 2026 Newsletter
- November 15th - Registration Due for TRES Stem Fair
- Wednesday, December 9th: TRES Stem Fair will be held from 6-8:30pm in the TRES cafeteria and gym.
- Sign up by November 15th: Stem Fair Registration LInk
- STEM Fair Handbook: Please click here to access our Handbook!
- November 16th -20th - Turkey Trot Canned Food Drive
- 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.
- We are still looking for two volunteers to assist in delivering items to OMHS. Please email julie.c.nikkel@gmail.com if you can assist on Tuesday, 11/24, between 10am and 12:00pm.
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 -- Drop Off by December 7th: Giving Tree Signup
- Gifts should be wrapped and labeled with F#C# listed in description. This identifies what family and children the gifts are destined for. Gifts will be delivered to BWES the second week of December.
- Gift cards in $25 increments from Target, Walmart, Amazon, Grocery Stores, etc, are being collected for our local TRES community.
- These gift cards can either be dropped off in an envelope at the front office or to Julie Nikkel (please email julie.c.nikkel@gmail.com or text 301-788-7678 to arrange drop off/pick up.)
- If you want to order online, please contact Julie for her address as she would be happy to wrap for you. Thank you for your support and generosity!
- Walking Wednesday is on! WW is scheduled on Wednesdays during recess for K-5th grade through November 18th, weather permitting.
- Signup Genius for volunteers: Walking Wednesday Signup
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.