welcome to 3rd grade!” piney branch elementary school pta
TRANSCRIPT
Piney Branch Elementary School PTA Presents: “Welcome to 3rd Grade!”
A Guide for New Panthers and Families at
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Who to Call or Email: School Contacts & Information
● Piney Branch Elementary School ○ Located at 7510 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 ○ School website:
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pineybranches/ ○ Phone #: 301-891-8000
■ Spanish (Español), Amharic ( አማርኛ) and other interpretation is available by phone in the main office through use of the language line (school staff will connect you when you call the main line).
○ The school’s office hours are 8:30am - 4:00pm. ○ Fax #: 301-891-8011 ○ Contact the main office to receive assistance with your ParentVue account.
■ ParentVue link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/index.aspx?re404=true
○ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pineybranchelementary/ ○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineybranchelementary/
● Hours of Operation: When Is School Open?
○ School Hours: 9:25am - 3:50pm ○ Office Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm ○ Early Release Hours: 9:25am -1:20pm ○ Please check the MCPS 2021-2022 school calendar to view the first day of school,
scheduled early release days, professional days, holidays, and more. ■ https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0350.21c
t_2021-22_SchoolYearCalendar_BOE%20Adopted.pdf
● Bus Routes ○ Please visit the school website for information about bus routes.
● Main School Office Staff
○ Principal Ms. Oberdorf ■ [email protected]
○ Assistant Principal Ms. Cinthea Neuheisel ■ [email protected]
○ Attendance Secretary Marcella Hagens ■ Please call or email if your child will be late or absent from school. ■ [email protected] or 301-891-8000
○ Administrative Secretary Victoria Welch ■ [email protected] or 301-891-8000
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“Welcome!” - Principal Oberdorf & Assistant Principal Neuheisel
● Guidance Office
○ Please contact the guidance counselors if you have behavioral, health, or mental health questions or concerns about your child, or would like school support.
■ Ms. Erin Coco ● [email protected] or 301-891-8000
■ Ms. Karen Johnson ● [email protected] or 301-891-8000
● Contacting Teachers: How do I reach my child’s teacher?
○ Start by sending an email to your child’s teacher. ○ Teacher email addresses can be found here:
■ Piney Branch Elementary staff directory & PBES website . ○ You may write the note in any language. Even if the teacher only speaks English,
someone from the school will translate. ○ It is the policy of our school that staff will respond within 24 hours.
● How to find help with school work and homework
○ Encourage your child to meet with his or her teacher. Teachers can meet with students during office hours and by appointment.
○ MCPS now offers free student online tutoring and homework help. Tutorme.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through MCPS student Canvas and StudentVUE accounts and offers on-demand assistance on any subject from grade 3 through grade 12. Learn more about this service here:
■ https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/communi ty/school-year-2020-2021/Online-Homework-Help-Service.html
○ If your child continues to need assistance, please contact his or her teacher directly and consult with your school’s administration as needed. They will help you determine a path forward together.
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● Please ask your child’s teacher to connect you with their Classroom Parent, who: ○ Shares information from the PTA and teacher with classroom families ○ Plans class activities for interested families ○ Helps organize celebrations for the class and teacher appreciation ○ Coordinates with families to provide supplies for students
● Find help with technology
○ Families who need technical help: ■ Call 240-740-7020. For help in Spanish, call 240-740-7022. ■ Support is available Monday-Friday between 7am and 8pm
○ Email [email protected] (for Spanish/Español email [email protected] ).
○ Parents and guardians can go to 45 W. Gude Dr. in Rockville, Monday through Thursday between 9am-3:30 pm for Chromebook repairs from MCPS central office. You will need ID and the child’s student ID # for a new Chromebook.
○ You can request PTA volunteer assistance with technology by contacting Lara Hinderstein at [email protected].
● Track how your child is performing in school and update emergency contacts:
○ You may view assignments and grades through: ■ ParentVue (Synergy): https://md-mcps-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx ■ MYMCPS Classroom (aka Canvas): https://classroom.mcpsmd.org/
○ Please contact your child’s teacher with specific questions.
● Upcoming events ○ Watch for information from school & the PTA listserv at pbespta.groups.io/g/main
for info about the August Open House, September Back-to-School Night for parents, and other events.
● Winter Weather Advisories: School Delays & Closings ○ Find out about school closings and delays caused by snow here:
■ AlertMCPS: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/alertmcps.aspx
● Receive text messages or emails from MCPS during weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school operations.
■ MCPS homepage: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org ■ MCPS cable channels: Comcast 34, Verizon 36 or RCN 89 & local radio ■ Recorded information: 301-279-3673 or Ask MCPS: 240-740-3000
● Ask MCPS hotline takes calls from 7:30am to 5:00pm, Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish.
■ Twitter: twitter.com/mcps
■ Please make sure emergency contact information in ParentVue is up to date.
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Meet Our 3rd Grade Teachers!
Ms. Kristen Dunlap, [email protected] I am originally from Philadelphia, but have been living in DC for the past 20 years. I am obsessed with beach volleyball and play year round in DC. Yes... even in the snow and freezing cold. :) I used to compete in doubles tournaments up and down the east coast, but now just play for fun. I am in love with my first niece, Maddie, and see her and my sister and brother almost every weekend in Baltimore. As a teacher, I value effort, persistence, and kindness above all else. Ms. Brandi Giles, [email protected] I'm originally from Landover, MD and a graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools. A true life long learner, I have LOVED school since I started going to school. I'm currently obsessed with figure skating, which I started learning in 2018. I just started learning jumps and spins when I broke my ankle. I hope to eventually work my way up to Adult Nationals! Other obsessions include anime and dance which I did from age 5 until college! One of my fondest memories is living out my dream and being on a HBCU Band Dance Line (like the movie Drumline) at Clark Atlanta University! I finished undergrad as a journalist, but soon caught the teaching bug
through community service at the Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta. I love that everyday is new and exciting as a teacher. Ms. Erika Granados, [email protected] Hi families! Maryland is my home! I grew up and attended Montgomery County Public Schools <3. Surprisingly, I stayed in Maryland to attend the University of Maryland for my Bachelor's, and I am currently working on my Masters :). My family is originally from El Salvador, which makes me fluent in both English and Spanish. I am a proud first-generation university graduate from my family. I enjoy bringing in my culture inside my classroom (yes, I throw out Spanish words to the students) and celebrating my students' cultures too. I love doing what I do everyday! I am a huge fan of country music, and I love listening to my favorite country morning show "The Bobby Bones Show" every morning! <3
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Ms. Desiree Hernandez, [email protected] I am originally from New York City. At six months old we moved to the Dominican Republic where my family is from. I completed kindergarten there and then moved back to NYC. I arrived knowing no English and had wonderful teachers who helped me. My family moved to Maryland my Junior year of high school. I have a degree in elementary and in bilingual special education. I love baking and everything that is crafty. My husband attended Piney Branch when he was in elementary school and we have two boys, who are 11 and 7. I enjoy reading and listening to audio books.
I love teaching and getting to know all of my students in my classroom and the Piney Branch Community. Ms. Samantha Meyer, [email protected] Hello! I am originally from Long Island, NY. I was a dancer from age 2 to college and I danced competitively for 8 years! I went to college at Towson University and decided to stay in Maryland and was lucky enough to start my career at PBES! I am currently pursuing my masters degree in school counseling. I am OBSESSED with my dog Dax and I love to read and draw. I am SO close to my family & try to go home to visit as much as I can. I am a HUGE New York Mets fan! A couple years ago, Kristen Bell (yes, THE
Kristen Bell) picked me on her instagram account for something called #10featuredteachers 🤯. We messaged back and forth and I almost lost my mind! (I am a HUGE fan of Kristen & Dax). Hence why my dog is named Dax. Strangers from around the world sent me packages from my Amazon wishlist and my class received 150 packages. Teaching has changed my life, working in Takoma Park has made me a better person, and I feel so lucky I get to do my dream job! Ms. Taylor Claxton, [email protected] I grew up doing a lot of activities outside of school! I was a dancer for 14 years, played the flute since 4th grade, and participated in theatre! I actually knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in fourth grade. I remember doing all this book work out of a text book and thought to myself, "When I am a teacher one day, I want to make learning more fun!" Being engaged is so important and I try every day to think of ways to engage my students!
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Ms. Emily Rawson, [email protected] I grew up in Derwood, MD and have attended MCPS schools my entire life. I have swum for many swim teams and was captain of my college team. After graduating, I was hired at PBES by my third grade teacher Mr. G. My first year teaching, I taught 5th grade next to Mrs. Luker. She told me about her daughter’s swim team needing a swim coach, and I’ve been coaching Daleview ever since. Many of my former students are on or have graduated from the team. I have swum across the Chesapeake Bay ten times for a total of 45 miles.
Mr. Devon Rook, [email protected] I am a DC Native. Although I love to travel, I always end up coming back home. People may know that I play the piano, but you may not know that I also play West African drums. I've always been fascinated with rhythms (yes, I was that annoying pencil tapper sitting behind you in class...), and I love the power of multiple rhythms playing together. Ms. Francine Yerkes, [email protected] I have moved recently to Maryland from New Orleans after a year in England. Outside the classroom, you'll likely find me painting, planting, or watching things in French. This little guy in my photo (Maximus) is also an amateur gardener, helping mainly with the digging and not so much in the planting or maintenance phases... Oh well, there is always time to learn! As a teacher, I value and appreciate children for exactly who they are, and I love the intellectual creativity of my job.
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Introducing Our 2021-2022 Piney Branch PTA Officers:
*If you are interested in helping support our school by serving as Executive Vice President or
NAACP Representative, please contact Jaslynn Laurence at [email protected] .
Join the PTA for Support and Connections
Learn more about how to join the PTA and connect with other school families at www.pbespta.org . Starting July 1, 2021, membership in the PBES PTA is free (donations
welcome and appreciated). The PTA also sells Panther shirts and other gear online.
Join the PTA Email List for School Information Don’t miss important announcements and community-building opportunities!
Join the free PTA listserv at pbespta.groups.io/g/main ! To join the list and receive information by email, go to the link, scroll down & click the blue rectangular button on the left that says
“+Apply For Membership In This Group.”
We’re on Facebook at “Piney Branch ES PTA” https://www.facebook.com/pineybranchpta . Click “like” to follow.
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Positions Name Email
President Jaslynn Laurence [email protected]
Executive Vice President*
Treasurer Kate Bauer [email protected]
Secretary Kawsar Talaat [email protected]
Vice President Communications Emma Cheuse [email protected]
Vice President Membership Kathryn Bacon Goldman [email protected]
Vice President Fundraising Jocelyne DeHaas [email protected]
Vice President Equity Michelle Hill [email protected]
MCCPTA Delegate Jaime Koppel [email protected]
NAACP Representative*