Timber Talk Community Newsletter

Our Vision:
Baltimore County Public Schools will be among the highest performing school systems in the nation as a result of creating, sustaining, and investing in excellence for every student, every school, and every community.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to provide all students with outstanding teaching and learning in order for all of our children to become globally competitive graduates.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year, Timber Grove Tigers! We are so excited to announce that we are now a Community School! There are a lot of exciting things to look forward to this school year, and we can't wait to share them with you.

Our monthly school community newsletters will be sent out on the first Thursday of each month. This newsletter will be for staff, students, families, and community members.

Arrival is from 8:05-8:20

Dismissal is from 3:05-3:20.

Your student is considered late if they arrive after 8:20.

If you need to pick your child up early, please try and do so 30 minutes prior to dismissal (3:05).

Please be mindful of where you are parking in the morning during arrival to drop off your student. There are no drop-offs on the side staff parking lot. You must use the carpool loop line to drop off your student or park on the street to walk them up.

Last year, our chronic absenteeism percentage was at 37% and our overall attendance was 90% when it should be at least 94%. If a student is absent 10% or more of the school days that have occurred, they are considered chronically absent😧

According to the Maryland Compulsory Attendance Law, "Under Maryland law, a truant student is one who is “unlawfully absent” from school for more than:

• 8 days in any quarter,
• 15 days in any semester, OR
• 20 days in a school year."

Dear Students & Families,

I hope you all had a fantastic summer! As we gear up for the new school year, I am excited to welcome both returning and new students to our school community. Our dedicated teachers & staff have been busy preparing engaging lessons & activities to make this year memorable and enriching for every student.

Let’s work together to make this school year a great success. Remember to check our website regularly for updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Mr. Audlin

Community Schools bring staff, students, families, community members, organizations, & businesses together to promote student achievement, create safe & welcoming conditions for learning, & support the health & well-being of families & the community.

Mrs. Galvin, our Community School Facilitator, will be conducting a needs assessment survey this year to collect data on what Timber Grove's strengths are & what we can do to continue improving.

If you need assistance with completing the survey, want to serve on our shared-decision making team, have ideas about events or activities, would like access to various community resources, please reach out to Mrs. Galvin at cgalvin@bcps.org or 443-809-2088.

We value your opinion & want our events and activities to reflect what YOU want. Take this confidential needs assessment to help us prioritize how we run future community events and student programs!

English Version for Families of Students: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/45b549a1bd8b45009a669542d63b1d5d

Spanish Version for Families of Students: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d1bda408a8ab4af9aeb23d2a95f8e94a

English Community Member Survey:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2a7a6efe0ae74a6aafc71a391c9572c6

Spanish Community Member Survey:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/cb88ad4de0a04f4e807f8bdc0523ef30

A special thank you to the DK Law Group for surprising our staff with breakfast last Friday! They wanted to show their appreciation for all the hard work that educators do and we are so appreciative of their support!

DK Law Group is an estate law practice located in Owings Mills.

Website: https://www.dklawmd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianka_esq/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dklawgroupmd/

Each month we will share information on one of our partnerships that support Timber Grove. We will highlight the incredible hard work, generosity, and positive impacts they have on our school and community. We are excited to grow our community school partnerships and are always looking to expand!

Our first shout out of the year goes to the women of Stevenson University's Tau Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc!

Through their dedication to service and community empowerment, the sorority will be working closely with our school to provide educational resources, every day necessities, and enriching programs for our students, families & community. This collaboration embodies the spirit of their sisterhood and service. We are thrilled about the positive impact it will have on our school community!

Catch them at our Back To School Night!

To learn more, visit their website: https://aka1908.com/about/

9/10/24- Back to School Night & Annual Title I Meeting at Timber Grove from 5-7 PM

9/17/24- First PTO and Shared Decision-Making Team Meeting VIRTUAL from 6-7 PM (see link below)

9/28/24- Magnet Program Expo from 9:30 AM- 12 PM at CCBC Essex Wellness & Athletic Center

We can't wait for our back to school night event on Tuesday, September 10th from 5-7 PM!

The following organizations will be in attendance to provide resources & information:

• Baltimore County Health Department
• Our PTO
• Caliday
• Stevenson University's Tau Theta Chapter & Phi Sigma Sigma Zeta Chi Chapter
• YES Soccer Program
• Timber Croft Apartments
• Our Mental Health school based therapists
• The ESOL Mobile
• Owings Mills Public Library

Please check the link below frequently for all the lost and found items. This will be updated daily.

Our new Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grade School Counselor is Mrs. Cerda! She has 3 years of counseling experience and has joined us this year from Halstead Academy. Please give her a warm welcome to Timber Grove if you see her!

Ms. Atherton will continue to work with her students in Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Ms. Atherton is also the Magnet Program liaison this year, so please reach out to her with any questions regarding magnet schools.

Ms. Atherton- satherton@bcps.org 443-809-1883

Ms. Cerda- scerda@bcps.org 443-809-3210

Throughout the year, Mrs. Cerda and Ms. Atherton will be going to classrooms to teach counseling lessons. September's theme is about school success.

Our School Social Worker, Mr. Levi, is here on Mondays, Thursdays, and every other Friday. His information is dlevi3@bcps.org or (443) 809-7984.

Our School Psychologist, Ms. McCombs, is here on Wednesdays & Thursdays. Her information is lmccombs@bcps.org or (443) 809-1714.

We look forward to supporting your student towards their academic and social emotional success!

Magnet EXPO!

Mark your calendars!

Saturday, September 28, 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at CCBC Essex Wellness & Athletic Center.

Students interested in applying for magnet programs for next year are invited to attend this event. Twenty-four BCPS schools with magnet programs will be present to talk about their programs with you and your family. The CTE office will also have representatives there with demonstrations from their programs. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the different magnet programs available to you.

Another important date to remember is November 1, 2024. All magnet applications must be completed and submitted to BCPS Magnet Programs by November 1, 2024, for your application to be considered.

Information about magnet applications will be available ONLINE at BCPS Magnet Programs’ Web site, by Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Applications MUST be submitted by 1 p.m. on November 1, 2024; late applications will not be accepted.

Magnet Application Information Meetings:

Magnet Programs will be hosting two sessions where families may learn about the magnet application process. They will be held on September 17, 2024, at Kenwood High School, and September 25, 2024, at Milford Mill Academy. Both meetings will start at 6 p.m.

Please contact Ms. Atherton, the Magnet Programs Liaison for Timber Grove if you have any questions at satherton@bcps.org or 443-809-1883

Please contact Nurse Brown at 443-809-6051 or jbrown44@bcps.org for any medical concerns your student has.

Not sure whether or not to keep your student at home due to illness? Take a look at the guide below. Your student's health & attendance are important to us!

If your student needs prescribed medication during the day, please print & fill out a parent request to administer medication form using the link below. If you need assistance with printing, please come to the front office to pick up a form.

ELD families (formerly ESOL,) please look out for Parent Notification Letters. They need to be signed and returned to school.

We did get to know you activities for the first week and then the students did some free draw that could either be a summer memory or an art memory.

Click here to view the art gallery!

Please make sure to check your child's special areas schedule. Students will need to wear tennis shoes/sneakers on their assigned PE days. No crocs, sandals, heels, boots are allowed. Thank you.

5th Grade Parents/Guardians,

Your child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument this year here at Timber Grove ES during the school day. 5th Grade students received information about this on August 28, 2024. All parents/guardians are asked to fill in the permission slip stating whether or not your child is interested in learning an instrument. Your children have the option of playing one of the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, violin, viola, cello, bass, snare drum, or bells.

Permission slips are due no later than September 16, 2024 as lessons will begin that day. Please be sure your child has an instrument and the method book Sound Innovations by the first week of lessons. If you have any questions about the instrumental music program, please feel free to contact me at Lgoldman@bcps.org.

Please use the link below from the Office of Food & Nutrition for information on menus, MySchoolBucks account for snacks, pin numbers, and much more.

Co-Presidents: Danielle Jorden-Ellis & Shirelle Jones

Secretary: Stacie Mendoza

Treasurer: Monique Carr

Please read the PTO's welcome back letter attached.

PTO Meetings @ 6-7pm, Every 3rd Tuesday Each Month

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dzj-nbpd-rmz

• Sept 17 (virtual)

• Oct 15 (TGES Library)

• Nov 19 (virtual)

• Dec 17 (virtual)

• Jan 21 (virtual)

• Feb 18 (virtual)

• Mar 18 (virtual)

• Apr 8 or 22 (virtual)

• May 20 (TGES Library)

Upcoming Events/Fundraisers Flyers Below

• No Fuss Fundraiser

• Aug 29: Sunset Slush Fundraiser

• Sept 10: Back to School Night/The Ice Bowl Fundraiser

• Sept 24: Ledo Pizza Restaurant Night Fundraiser

• Oct 17: Red Robin Restaurant Night Fundraiser

• Oct 25: Trunk or Treat

Check out these local resources and events!

All potential volunteers must complete the BCPS Volunteer Application and participate in an orientation/training session annually. This includes field trip chaperones.

Complete the BCPS Volunteer Application. Complete and save a copy to your computer or device. This application is not submitted automatically. You will need to provide a copy to Stephanie Blockston, our school-based coordinator, either by email or by providing a hard copy.

Applications are also available in the following languages: Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, French, Nepali, Russian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba

Complete the online Volunteer Orientation training. The training is available in English and Spanish. Once the user has logged in, language selection is at the top right next to the profile picture.

• New Users
• Returning Users

If you have completed training in the past but don't remember your login information, please email Mrs. Galvin, our school's volunteer coordinator, for assistance in recovery. cgalvin@bcps.org

Once you've completed the training you will be provided with a certificate. Please save a copy (electronic or printed) for your records.

Send your certificate and application to Mrs. Galvin, our volunteer coordinator. She will work with you to find the perfect placement! cgalvin@bcps.org

Caliday partners with our school to provide a fun before and after care experience inside of the school building.

Visit www.caliday.org to learn more and enroll!

Email: pdctimbergrove@caliday.org

Join Your Caliday Community Facebook Page

The BCPS Parent University offers resources, videos, workshops, and system updates to support the needs of your family.

Check out the Parent University website's Resource Library for information on academics, college & career, community resources, English Language Learners, health & safety, leadership & advocacy, mental health, personal growth, special education, virtual calming room, and when school is out.

Follow Parent University on Social Media! We are @BCPSParentU on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Focus App Directions for Staff and Parents - Spanish

Parent Password Reset - Spanish

Directions for Creating a Parent Account for Focus/Schoology

Parent Viewing Report Cards

Technology FAQs

BCPS Technology Support

Schoolwide Title I Fact Sheet

Policy 1270 Community Involvement

Rule 1270 Community Involvement

TGES Family Engagement Plan

FY25 TGES Home School Compact

FY25 Right to Know Letter - English, Spanish, Burmese, Chinese, & Urdu

FY25 TGES Community Feedback Survey