TRES Retriever Report October 3, 2025

Message from Dr. TRESler and Mr. Hiel:

Dear Retriever Families,

We will begin implementing the Zones of Regulation curriculum during our 15 minutes of daily social/emotional time on October 6th. Every two weeks students will learn a new concept and how to use a regulation tool. As the students learn, we will be including the Zones of Regulations Bridge to Home Connection in the Retriever Report. You can view the first one here. During the first two weeks, students will learn what nervous system regulation is and begin to identify some ways that a person can regulate themselves. We encourage you to discuss the information in the Bridge to Home Connection with your child. 
    On a side note, we look forward to seeing many of our families at the PTA Boo & Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 25th! It’s one of our favorite fall events! See more information below in the PTA section of the newsletter.

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

Upcoming Events

Please visit the TRES calendar webpage to view important upcoming dates

  • October 8 - Fall Picture Day (see more below)
  • October 17 - Schools Closed
  • October 20 - Schools/Offices Closed
  • October 30 - Kindergarten Field Trip, Gaver Farm
  • October 31 - Early Dismissal 12:45pm; First Quarter Ends

News and Information

SMILE: Fall Picture Day Is Next Thursday, October 8th
Fliers have been sent home, and you can Pre-Order Online by visiting www.schoolpix.com.  Use Pre-Order Code: TRESF25.  Please see the attached flier for order options. We look forward to seeing your smiles on Picture Day!

Young Author’s 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.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2024–2025 Annual Snapshot is now available.

The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The Snapshot highlights the essential role our partners play in ensuring every student has the tools to succeed beyond graduation.

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

Counselors' Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Diaz

Happy Fall Y'all! This week, our second TRESmission video was released and viewed in homerooms. This would be a great one to watch at home, too, since it celebrates recent Retriever Award winners, reviews our 4 TREaSured Traits in an exciting way, and introduces the framework for Zones of Regulation which we will be utilizing throughout the year in helping students to develop coping skills and regulate emotions. This month's installment also speaks to some of the language/strategies connected to bully-proofing efforts which will be encouraged all year, not just in October (which is National Bullying Prevention Month). In support of belonging and taking a united stand against bullying, please make a note to wear ORANGE on Wednesday, 10/22 for UNITY DAY.

Link to TRESmission: Goodbye September, Hello October (19 min) Enjoy!

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

  • LAST DAY: TRES Annual Winter Coat Drive
    • Please donate gently worn coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves (all adult and children sizes). Drop off in the lobby vestibule during Back-to-School Night or send with your child.
    • To arrange a pickup, email katelmccall@gmail.com or lehigh.mearns@gmail.com. Thank you for your generosity and support of our Howard County neighbors!
  • Wednesday, October 15th - Ledo Pizza Clarksville Fundraiser (River Hill Shopping Center)
    • Mention the fundraiser before the end of your transaction when ordering over the phone/in person or enter code "Fundraiser" when ordering online. 20% of sales will be donated.
    • See: Ledo Pizza Flyer
  • 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.
  • Wednesday, September 24th: Walking Wednesday
  • 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

Empowered Online - Tools & Tips for Raising Responsible Digital Citizens

Join the Office of Instructional Technology & Library Media for an informative session where you will discover the HCPSS Digital Citizenship Curriculum and explore effective ways to support your student(s) as they navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Click here for the flyer. This virtual event is designed for families with elementary-aged students and will be held on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:30-7:30 pm, via Google Meet. Click here to register.

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.