TRES Retriever Report September 4, 2026

Upcoming Events

  • September 7 - Schools/Offices Closed
  • September 9 - TRES PTA Back to School Picnic (see more below)
  • September 21 - Schools/Offices Closed
  • September 30 - Early Dismissal, 12:45 pm
  • October 2 - 2nd Grade Field Trip, Fire House Visit

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

Dear Retriever Families,

We wrapped up another smooth and successful week here at Triadelphia Ridge! Our teachers have done a wonderful job building positive, supportive classroom communities, and our students are now diving full-steam into instruction across all core subject areas.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our first PTA meeting this week. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, and we are so grateful for our PTA's continued collaboration, energy, and support.

Looking ahead, we hope to see you all at our Back-to-School Picnic next Wednesday, September 9, at 6:00 PM! It will be a fun, relaxed evening to celebrate the new school year together as a community.

We wish all of our students and families a wonderful, safe, and restful Labor Day weekend!

Warmly,
Jason Morton-Ortega, Principal
Kory Hiel, Assistant Principal

News and Information

Student Attendance
Attendance is crucial for student success from kindergarten to high school. Missing school impacts academic and social achievements.

  • Significance: Missing 10% or more can harm academic success. In 6th grade, absenteeism signals a higher risk of dropout. By 9th grade, regular attendance is a strong predictor of graduation.
  • Maryland Focus: The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) set a 10% absenteeism threshold for intervention, starting 2023-2024.
  • Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) aims for 94-96% attendance for all students.

HCPSS Attendance Interventions:

  1. 5% Absence: Care and Concern Call or letter sent to parents/guardians to improve attendance.
  2. 10% Absence: Attendance conference may be arranged. Additional supports deployed.
  3. 15% Absence: Attendance support plan may be required.
  4. 20% Absence: Attendance Commitment Agreement may be required. Potential referral to the Central Attendance Team or State’s Attorney’s Letter may be sent.

With parents, staff, and students working together, we can improve attendance and student success.

If your child will be absent, please send all absence notes to our dedicated email: TRESabsence@hcpss.org and copy the homeroom teacher. We are required to have documentation regarding student absences.

  • Include your child(ren)’s  full name in the subject line.
  • Include parent’s full name and phone number.
  • Include the date your child(ren) was absent and the reason (i.e. illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation).
  • Include doctor’s notes or other documentation as attachments if needed.

Discretionary Days: HCPSS students are granted 3 days a year to use at their discretion for scheduled interviews with prospective employers, visits to post-secondary institutions, family trips, civic engagement, and other special events. Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing periods unless authorized by the principal/designee. A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be submitted at least one week in advance to the principal/designee. Please download the PDF fillable Discretionary Absence Form and email it to TRESabsence@hcpss.org.

If you are requesting a day for a religious holiday not identified by the Howard County Public School System school calendar, please download the PDF fillable Religious Obligation Form and email it to TRESabsence@hcpss.org. 

Bullying Prevention & Response - What to Know and What to Expect When You Report
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, including hate/bias incidents, and intimidation.

HCPSS recently launched a new Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation (BCHI) Reporting Form that allows students, staff, and families to easily and confidentially report concerns. The BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report known or suspected incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, and hate/bias incidents. These may include physical aggression, threats, retaliation, teasing or name-calling, rumors, exclusion, threatening gestures, online/social media behavior, or conduct related to a student's identity or characteristics.

What happens after you report?
The school will address any immediate safety concerns. The targeted student's parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible and an administrator will begin the investigation within two school days. Both families will receive written notice of the outcome within 15 calendar days, excluding extenuating circumstances.

A Note About Cyberbullying
In today's digital world, bullying can extend beyond the school day. Cyberbullying can occur through social media, text messages, group chats, gaming platforms, apps, and other digital spaces. Online behavior that occurs outside of school may still require school intervention when it has a connection to the school setting and impacts a student's safety or educational environment. Families are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about responsible online behavior and to save screenshots, messages, posts, or other evidence when concerns arise.

Not sure if it's bullying? Please still tell us. Peer conflict or other concerning behavior may not meet the definition of bullying but may still require school support and follow-up. Students and families do not need to decide whether something “counts” as bullying before asking for help.

For additional information or to submit a report, visit the HCPSS Stop Bullying website or review HCPSS Policy 9460.

Update Your Student/Family Emergency Information Today!
HCPSS utilizes Family File for families to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians can now access and complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect, selecting Online Registration/Family File at the top right of the page and then selecting Family File Verification. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child each school year. 

You Must Opt In to Receive HCPSS and TRES Text Messages
HCPSS and schools regularly send text messages for items of timely importance. To comply with wireless carrier requirements, parents/guardians must opt into receiving HCPSS and school text message alerts. Standard data fees and text messaging rates may apply based on your mobile plan. If you are unsure if you have already opted in, text the word “YES” to 67587 from the cell phone number on file in HCPSS Connect. 

Take a Tour of Our Website
You'll find lots of helpful information including the TRES Daily Schedule, Staff Emails, the latest news on the home page including information throughout the year about picture days, conference scheduling, yearbook ordering, and much more. There are also direct links to HCPSS Connect and other services.  

Counselors' Corner - A Message from Mrs. Wolf and Ms. Desir
Welcome back and Happy September!  We are excited to partner with you as we help TRES Retrievers with learning, growing, and experiencing a strong sense of belonging at school.  Please know that we will be collaborating together to help ALL families.  Classroom lessons can be anticipated from Mrs. Wolf in grades K, 2, 3, 5, while Ms. Desir ("Day-zeer") will implement lessons in grades 1,4. If you'd like to learn a little more about us, CLICK HERE for a deeper introduction.  We wish everyone a wonderful start to a happy and successful school year!

Link to HCPSS School Counseling Page   
HCPSS Model for Mental Health Supports in Schools

Food Resource   
There will be a free food and fresh produce distribution from 12-2 on Monday, September 28th.  Sponsored by The Salvation Army, it will be held at 3267 Pine Orchard Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21042.  There is a drive-through option and attendees should bring an ID.  

HCPSS Seeks Advisory Committee Members by September 11
HCPSS is seeking community members to serve on curriculum advisory committees, which provide a forum to share ideas and support continuous academic excellence. Interested stakeholders should submit an online interest form by September 11. Please click here for more information and to submit your application.  

HCPSS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Please see the linked Hispanic Heritage Month Newsletter for more information.

Registration for Girls on the Run’s Fall 2026 Season opens Sunday, August 16 at noon! Join the team here at TRES!
Girls on the Run® inspires participants in grades 3–5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident through evidence-based lessons that combine relationship building, community strengthening, goal setting, and physical movement. See flier attached below.

Triadelphia Ridge ES will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45–5:00 p.m., beginning September 15. The season-ending Howard County Celebration 5K will be held the morning of Saturday, November 21, 2026.

The program registration fee is $210, and financial assistance is available. Register before September 14 to secure your spot! For more information and to register, visit www.gotrcentralmd.org. Questions? Contact Girls on the Run Central Maryland at susan.gartner@gotrcentralmd.org or 443-583-7740.

FA26 Flyer GOTR Participants.pdf 

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 the TRES PTA Today! Your annual membership provides opportunities for academic enrichment, social events, community engagement, and staff appreciation.

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

Upcoming PTA Events and Information:

  • Wednesday, September 9th - Back to School Picnic, 6-8pm 
  • TWO DAYS, September 16th and 17th - Cilantros Neighborhood Cantina Fundraiser
  • 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 Daily Prophet Newsletter. 
    • RSVP Here!
    • 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!
    • TRES Boo Bash Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Sign up HERE.
      • 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
      • Sign up to 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!
  • Staff Appreciation: Stock the Staff Lounge
    • Please help the Staff Appreciation Committee stock the staff lounge with goodies to show our appreciation for all they do for our children! Feel free to purchase from the Amazon Wishlist (be sure to select "ship to Catherine Loomis" at checkout) or bring donations to the BTS Picnic on Sept. 9th. Thank you in advance for your support!
    • Staff Lounge Wishlist
  • 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

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.