TPMS Weekly Community Newsletter

I hope this message finds you enjoying the end of the Winter Olympics!

As we prepare for this week, I want to highlight the upcoming Annual Books and Basketball Event that will take place this Friday and Saturday. This year we are doing the basketball a little bit different! Please join us Friday night for the basketball tournament where 8 student teams will compete in a bracket style competition. The winning team will take on our staff team for the championship game! Additionally, Friday evening and Saturday morning, we will hold the book sale and silent auction! Check out the silent auction website and begin bidding! Please read the newsletter for the key details.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Mr. Loznak on completing his practicum experience! I enjoyed spending my time with the littles and I am excited to be back with our wonderful staff and students. I also wanted to share that I will be taking medical leave beginning March 13th through June 13th. During this time, Mr. Loznak will resume the acting principal position and we will be bringing in an administrative substitute to support the team.

Sincerely,

Erin Martin

February Events:

February 26: Girls Basketball vs. SSI (3:20 pm) - Boys Away

February 27: Early Release (12:30 pm)

February 27: Books and Basketball (6-8 pm)*

February 28: Books and Basketball (10am -2 pm)*

*More information can be found in Upcoming Night Events and Due Dates

This year, our community calendar will be housed on the TPMS webpage. We have intentionally migrated the calendar to this format based on community feedback. Providing the calendar to you in this format will allow you to view both MCPS and TPMS events and closures, migrate events to your calendar and access related documents within each event. You can click on the calendar (below) and it will take you to our TPMS website calendar page.

Did you miss a newsletter? Are you looking for information from a previous newsletter? Click on the link below for a complete list of all community newsletters.

TPMS Community Newsletters

Registration for the soccer team will open on 1/26/2026. The posted deadline is 3/3/2026. Parents must submit the medical forms and registration on ParentVue. Click the TPMS Athletic Webpage for more information and the Cleared to Play List.

Bidding is now LIVE for the silent auction happening as part of Books & Basketball. Click this link and discover the amazing items up for bid: outings to museums and theaters, wine classes and vineyard tours, professional coaching, and so much more. It's easy to participate - check out the items, set up an account to start bidding, and receive automated notifications when you've been outbid. We'll have a table set up during Friday's game and the book sale to help you navigate the auction site and check out the items in real life. Bidding ends on Saturday at 12:00pm and winners can pick up their items at the book sale.

Join us on Friday February 27 night at 6pm for the basketball game and book pre-sale, and on Saturday February 28 from 10-1 in the TPMS cafeteria for our book sale.

We need your help with volunteering during the event! We will not be able to do it without you. Please sign up at the various Sign-up Genius. Here is how you can help:

• Volunteers:
• We still have plenty of slots to be filled. If you are able to volunteer either Friday or Saturday, please sign up here to sign up for a shift.
• Bake Sale:
• As part of both the basketball game and the book sale, we will be holding a bake sale. Please sign up here to donate baked goods. We would ask you to drop your baked goods either on Friday February 28 3-5 pm or Saturday March 1st 9:30-10 am or Friday by Sarah Corcoran’s place (you can email her at sia2210@yahoo.com for the address).

Also:

• Ticket sales:
• Student tickets are $3 for the basketball game and accompanying adults are free for up to three students. Ticket sales will begin before school the week of February 23 to Feb 27. Ticket sales during the time will be cash or check only.
• Tickets may also be purchased at the door using cash, Venmo, check or Paypal.
• We need parents to help staff the ticket sales in the week up to the game from 7:55 am to 8:15 am. If you can volunteer for that brief time, please sign up here.

• Book Donations: If you still have books you would like to donate, here is where you can drop them:
• You can have your child drop them in the box outside the office labeled Book Sale. The box will be there until February 27
• You can also drop your books on the porch at 409 Beech Ave (celineallard@yahoo.com) or on the porch of 902 Gist Ave, Silver Spring (summersmith100@gmail.com).

And finally, students can earn SSL hours for volunteering at either the basketball game or the book sale through Difference Makers. Sign up today through Difference Makers.

Thanks for helping us make Books and Basketball awesome!

The TPMS PTSA Books & Basketball Committee

Keeping kids safe online can feel like a challenge with new technology popping up every day. Join us for a helpful workshop on Internet Safety and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn how these new tools work. We will talk about "deepfakes" and the real risks kids face, such as online bullying and fake images. You’ll learn simple ways to fix privacy settings and how to teach your child to think twice about what they see. We will also show you how to report problems and where to get help if something goes wrong. This session is all about giving you the confidence and tools to keep your family safe in a digital world.

Join us for our virtual workshop on March 5, 2026, from 12pm – 1pm. Sign up using this Cyber Safety Workshop google form and we will send you the zoom link as we get closer to the event.

The WeShine Club gives students the opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and the Arts through meaningful, student-led passion projects. In a supportive and creative environment, students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning while collaborating with peers and expressing their unique interests. WeShine encourages curiosity, creativity, and student voice—helping learners shine both in and beyond the classroom.

Families are encouraged to have their students join WeShine and discover what sparks their curiosity. Please see the flyer and/or link for meeting dates, times, and additional details. We hope to see you in April!

Link:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG4ZaroCcU/OTEs66Oxnd8mRP0l6v-1qA/view?utm_content=DAG4ZaroCcU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h7ef8c533bd

On Thursday, Feb. 19, during its regular business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted technical changes to the 2025–2026 school-year calendar following multiple weather-related closures in late January and early February. Learn more about why these changes are necessary, what is required by the state of Maryland and why the calendar may need further adjustments later this spring.

Key updates include:

● Friday, March 20, 2026 (Eid al-Fitr) will remain a non-instructional day for students. This is a change from the previous announcement that MCPS would make March 20 an instructional day.

● The last day of school for students will now be Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Read more.

When gun violence touches our community, its impact is felt by everyone, especially in our schools, which should always be safe spaces to learn and grow. Responsible gun safety plays a critical role in safeguarding students and families in every community. We want to draw your attention to a critical issue affecting the safety and well-being of our children. Firearm-related injuries and deaths among youth have become a leading cause of death for children and teens (ages 1–19) in the United States. Read more.

If your family is facing hardship, SoWhatElse? is here to provide free groceries and pantry items to help make ends meet and keep your family strong. Your privacy is important to us.

We understand that food budgets can be tight. SoWhatElse? pantry is designed to provide consistent, supplemental food support for households in Takoma Park. We offer a rotating selection of fresh produce, shelf-stable staples, and frozen items. We are a dependable resource for you and your children.

• WHEN: Every other Wednesday, we will have food delivery to TPMS. Parents can pick up a bag full of food between 12:00 noon and 4:30pm.

• We can also send the food home with your child if you indicate the need.

• WHERE: TPMS

If you are in need for food assistance, please click here and complete the google form

We are excited to be partnering with the JSSA Therapeutic Mentoring program through this school year. Students within this program are provided with a personalized plan designed to their individual needs and strengths. Support for building communication skills, handling conflicts in healthy ways and increasing confidence in social situations are some of the ways they can support your student. It is a free short-term resource. Please find more details and how to refer your student within this document.

STRIVE for 75! Our aim is for every TPMS scholar to earn their 75 student service learning hours by the end of their 8th grade year! There are several opportunities through the school year that can support your student reaching 75 SSL hours! Please find TPMS opportunities at this link: https://bit.ly/TPMSSSL

As a result of the recent winter storm, MCPS needs to make up four instructional days. Two non-instructional days will be changed to instructional days: Friday, March 20 and Thursday, June 18, which will be an early release day and the new last day of the school year. Students observing Eid al-Fitr on March 20 will receive an excused absence.

Other make-up days are being considered, but no decisions have been made. MCPS will request a waiver from the state for some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome, the district will update its make-up plan and share a revised school calendar with families.

Marking Period 3 officially started on Tuesday, Feb. 3. With the start of a new semester, families have the opportunity to reestablish communication to ensure everyone remains on the same page about student progress throughout the marking period and second semester. Read more for tips for a strong start and key dates.

During the Board of Education’s work session today (Feb. 5), Superintendent Thomas Taylor presented a set of boundary recommendations regarding Charles W. Woodward and Thomas S. Wootton high schools. He also proposed a regional secondary model that would provide students with increased access to a broad range of programs. Read more.

Make your voice heard on the MCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Recommended Operating Budget! It is critical that our elected leaders hear from you about the essential role school plays in your students’ lives, and the importance of giving students access to the opportunities and resources they need to be successful. Read more for a budget timeline and upcoming meetings where you can provide input.

Did you know that in Maryland, students need 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to graduate? Doing community service is an opportunity to build skills, such as responsibility, teamwork and leadership. Students can start earning hours the summer after fifth grade by volunteering with approved organizations or joining school-sponsored activities. Read more. Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

During its work session on Thursday (Feb. 5), the Board of Education is discussing math policy and practice. Be sure to check it out. The Maryland State Department of Education has released a Math Policy that reimagines how students become college- and career-ready. One part identifies competencies for PreK-8 math that students need to know each year. More information

During Black History Month, the Board of Education is proud to honor the power, resilience and enduring legacy of Black history in Montgomery County. Learning, leadership and community first came together at Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church in Potomac, a space that became a foundation for education and opportunity. Read more and watch Echoes of the Ancestors.

Heads Up, Phones Down: Create a 30-second video promoting pedestrian safety. Champion the importance of focusing on your surroundings and not your phone while walking, driving or riding a bike. Submissions can be in English or Spanish. Win a Macbook Air or hundreds in Visa gift cards. Deadline: Saturday, Feb. 28

Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/takomaparkms/
Location: 7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (240) 740-5220

Email: Mrs. Martin: Erin_L_Martin@mcpsmd.org

Mr. Loznak: Jesse_Loznak@mcpsmd.org

Instagram: @ms_martintpms; @takomaparkms; @mr.loznak; @mrs_sorianotpms