Eagle's Nest

Welcome Back Dream Team,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! I hope you were able to relax, unwind, and enjoy, your summer vacation. I am optimistic about the work we will be doing together this year. The 2022-2023 school year will present opportunities for us to focus on student learning needs, social and emotional learning, school culture, and wellness. As you approach this school year, think about the value YOU add to the Tayac ES learning community. Each person in our community is here by design, and I value your presence and ideas. We will share our expertise and network to support our Eagle Scholars as they work to EXCEED BEYOND EXPECTATIONS. I am excited to build on last year's successes as a means to make Tayac Elementary School amongst the highest ranking schools in the nation. We have wonderful things to do this year and I am excited about working with parents and community members to achieve together.

Educating our Eagle Scholars is a huge undertaking and it takes a special team to educate with love, patience, and care. I am proud of the team members that have come on board for the new school year. They were all strategically and intentionally selected as their professional goals aligned with our goal to work to make Tayac Elementary School amongst the highest achieving schools in the nation. There are two dynamic teams not featured on the School Team Flyer which is our Custodial Team and our Food and Nutrition Team.

Mr. Eric Hill, Building Supervisor

Mr. John Stewart, Night Lead

Mr. Jonathan Forrester, Night Cleaner

Mrs. Sherri Oats, Cafeteria Supervisor

Mrs. Ruth Vinson, Cafeteria Support Staff

Mrs. Ansberta Dorado, Cafeteria Support Staff

Meet our amazing Tayac Elementary School Team for the 2022-2023 school year.

Upcoming Important Dates

August 15-18 - The building is open for teachers and staff to work in their rooms

August 19- New Student Registration (Call to make an appointment with Ms. Lambert)

August 22 - Back to School Kick-Off | Party in the Park with the Principal @ 6:00pm-8:00pm

August 26- Student Orientation and Sneak- A- Peek Event @ 9:00am-10:15am

August 29- First Day of School

September 5- Labor Day (Schools and Offices Closed)

September 6- Terrific Tayac Tuesday

September 8- Back to School Night @ 5:30pm-7:30pm

September 9- Breakfast with Grandparents

September 9- Tayac Community Booster Club (TCBC) "Happy Cart"

September 19- Good News Club @ 2:15pm

September 23- Tayac Community Booster Club (TCBC) "Happy Cart"

September 26- Good News Club @ 2:15pm

September 27- Kindergarten through Second Grade Culinary Arts Club @ 2:15

September 28- Third through Fifth Grade Culinary Arts Club @ 2:15

September 30- Professional Development (Schools and Offices Closed)

School Hours

7:45 AM-1:55 PM

Student Hours

7:30 AM-1:55 PM

Teacher Hours

7:15 AM-2:45 PM

Office Hours

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM

School Website

https://schools.pgcps.org/tayac/

The first duty day for teachers and staff is Friday, August 19, 2022. The duty day begins at 7:15 AM and end at 2:45 PM. All staff must enter through the front door to sign in.

During our pre-service week we will engage in systemic professional development in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year. There will be multiple opportunities to focus on team building, wellness, curriculum, and the learning environment. Please review the preservice agenda linked below.

We have planned two staff events (The Saff Color Mixer and The Staff Paint Party) to enjoy. I have a protocol for the color mixer so that you will have context related to the event. I hope you will join us as we work to strengthen our Tayac Family bonds. Please RSVP by Friday, August 19 at 2:45pm for both events using the Google Form Linked below. Your timely RSVP will help us plan to have enough materials for everyone.

Please review the Preservice Week Agenda for more details.

Link | RSVP Color Mixer and Paint Party (Due Aug. 19 by 2:45pm)

Link | Staff Color Mixer Protocol

Link | Preservice Week Agenda

August marks a time of anticipation and preparation as parents, students, and teachers prepare for a new school year to begin. With this anticipation, expectation will help teachers know what's expected of them throughout the school day. This allows teachers to feel more confident, engaged and connected to the school community. It also makes it easier for administrators, visitors, and parents to recognize positive behaviors and opportunities for growth.

As you prepare your classroom to be a warm and welcoming environment for students, consider ways you can leave room for creativity, curiosity, and opportunities for discovery. I am excited to see all of our Dream Team members begin classroom set-up. The doors of the building are open Monday - Friday from 6:30am-4:30pm for teacher early entry to work in their rooms. I have linked the classroom expectation for SY23 to guide your work around classroom set-up.

Link | Classroom Expectations

Party in the Park with the Principal

We are excited about the new school year and we want to kick our 2022-2023 School Year off with "Party in the Park with the Principals!" This event will take place August 22, 2022 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. All students, families, and community members are welcomed. Please bring your lawn chairs and enjoy live music, entertainment, and games. This event is designed to allow the community to relax and have a good time with administrators, teachers, students, and families. We would like our students to meet each other and feel a sense of comfort prior to Orientation/Sneak-A-Peek and the First Day of School.

Giveaways

There will be several booths set us to giveaway school supplies, groceries, and books. Feel free to bring bags so that your goodies will be easy to carry.

Tayac Community Booster Club Sign-Up

Parents please stop by the Tayac Community Booster Club (TCBC) Booth to complete a membership form. We need all parents to become an active member of the organization. This organization was created by parents and teachers for parents and teacher. TCBC will lead in efforts to ensure that our Eagle Scholars have the best 2022-2023 school year.

Concessions

Snowcones, popcorn, drinks, and candy will be sold. The funds collected from the proceeds will be used to purchase technology, instructional materials and to sponsor teacher/student events.

Link | Party in the Park with the Principal Protocol

Student Orientation and Sneak-A-Peek will be hosted for all students on August 26, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15am. Parents are also welcome to join students for this event. Students and parent will have an opportunity to attend two session designed to prepare our community for the first day of school. This will be our communities first opportunity to formally meet the teacher, see the classrooms, and to drop off school supplies. Transportation will not be provided by the district. Please join us for this exciting event. Please review the links below to create your presentations and to find more about these events.

LInk | Orientation and Sneak -A- Peek Protocol

Link | Orientation Presentation Pre-Kindergarten

Link | Orientation Presentation Kindergarten

Link | Sneak-A- Peek Presentations Grades 1-5

Link | Sneak-A-Peek Teams and Schedule

The Tayac Community Booster Club (TCBC) was created by parents and teachers for parents and teachers. The driving force of the organization is to support the needs of students and teachers. The goal of TCBC is to foster new ideas, concepts, strategies, and technologies to enhance teacher's instructional delivery and encourage student enjoyment within the learning process.

Members of TCBC are volunteers who will engage and support Tayac Elementary School through donation of service and time, fundraising, developing partnerships and community outreach.

We are inviting all parents, teachers, and community members to join the Tayac Community Booster Club. The membership is free. If you are interested in becoming a member please email: TayacCBC@gmail.com. Your email should include your name, student's name, teacher, grade , your contact number, interest, and availability.

Our goal is to have 100 active members in the Tayac Community Booster Club.

Ms. Zee Taylor - President

Mrs. Kimberly Johnson - Secretary

Mr. Chris Lewis - Treasure

If you know anyone who would like to volunteer, student teach, chaperone a field trip/event or perform work as a contractor in Prince George’s County Public Schools go to https://bithgroup1.schedulista.com/ to schedule an appointment for your background check and fingerprinting.

Services and Fees

• Fingerprinting and Child Protective Services(CPS) Clearance $62.25
  For all PGCPS employees, volunteers assisting on campus more than once each school year with students and/or chaperoning on field trips, and independent contractors. Fee may be waived if volunteer parent or guardian has a child in the Free and Reduced Meal Program (FARM). Parent or guardian must bring a copy of the FARM letter to the fingerprint office to qualify for the free fingerprint. This process takes approximately 15-20 days to complete and will need to be complete as soon as possible.

Fingerprinting and Background Check Locations

Sasscer Administration Building – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

14201 School Lane Room #128

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

410-707-1657 / 410-962-1188 Ext. 49

Online Scheduler for Prince George's County Public Schools BITHGROUP Technologies Inc. (schedulista.com)

HBI & Associates – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

9500 Medical Center Dr. Suite #380

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

240-770-7370

HBI & Associates (hbi-associates.com)

Grand Mission Consult, LLC – NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

7515 Annapolis Road #203

Hyattsville, MD 20784

301-429-0525

Grand Mission Consult Grand Mission Consult (grandmissions.com)

For more information visit Prince George's County Public School's Website

Link | https://www.pgcps.org/offices/humanresources/fingerprinting#volunteer

School breakfast and lunches will be available on the first day. Students will eat breakfast in the classroom from 7:30-7:40 am. Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. The federal waiver that provided free lunch and breakfast for all students during the pandemic has expired. During the 2022-2023 school year, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will pay for meals at school. Please make sure your child has money for breakfast and lunch if your family does not qualify for free breakfast/lunch. The computer maintains a declining balance as each meal is purchased. To avoid reaching a zero balance, parents are encouraged to deposit money on their child’s account regularly.

Students will use a personal identification number (PIN) to access the meal program. Students enrolled at a Prince George’s County Public School last year will use their same PIN. New students will be assigned a PIN during the first week of school. This number must be memorized immediately and this number should not be shared with other students.

ONE APPLICATION PER FAMILY is required. Once applications are submitted/processed, you will receive an approval sheet confirming your child’s status. Please DO NOT ASSUME YOUR CHILD WILL RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH simply because the application has been turned in. You have to have received a response from the Free & Reduced Meals Program office to qualify.

Families who do not submit a new application will be rolled over to regular lunch pricing at the end of the grace period.

'22-'23 School Year Meal Prices
Elementary (Pre K through Grade 5)
Breakfast: $1.60/day
Lunch: $2.75/day

View lunch menus: https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/PrinceGeorgesCounty

There is no cost to students who are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals.

We encourage all families to consider applying for free and reduced price meals! Visit https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict to apply online today!

To apply, you will need:
The name, school, and grade for your school-age children
The name of all adults living in the home
Income information for all adults living in the home
Student ID Numbers for your school-age children

Applications will also be sent home with students the first week of school. Applications are available at all PGCPS schools and can be submitted at any time.

How to pay for lunch: MySchoolBucks is an online payment service through which parents can securely pay for meals and monitor student cafeteria purchases. Meal payments can be made online or through the mobile app.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.

Family Portal is an initiative designed to support continued partnership between parents and teachers, as they work together to monitor student attendance and academic progress. Utilizing the Family Portal, parents will be able monitor student attendance, grades, report cards, progress report, and transportation information. You will need your child's 9-digit identification number. Please sign up to be a member of the family portal.

Link | Family Portal Video

Link | Family Portal

We have copies of the school supply list at the school as well as have it posted on our school website, https://schools.pgcps.org/tayac/. You can also click on the pictures of the school supply list in this newsletter to expand the pictures for access to the supply list. When supplies are purchase, consider buying extra items in order to replenish your child’s supplies during the year. Please label everything with a permanent marker including sweaters, coats, book bags, pencil cases and lunch boxes so that items can easily be returned to a child if items are misplaced.

Parents please bring your child's school supplies to the Orientation/Sneak-A-Peek event on August 26, 2022 from 9:00am-10:15am so that students will not have to carry extra supplies to school on the first day of school.

In light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice, effective Monday, August 15. This decision was recommended by the Prince George’s County Health Department.

When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. In July, PGCPS transitioned from mandatory mask-wearing to a mask-optional policy for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Mask policy is subject to change according to local and/or state health department guidance and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

To secure school bus transportation for the start of the 2022-23 school year, your student must be registered for school by Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Elementary school students residing one and one-half miles or more from their assigned school, and middle school and high school students residing two miles or more from their assigned school are eligible for transportation.

To view bus stops near you, use our Infofinder tool: https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=PGCPS5UR2GLJ6U

School Finder (Use this tool to help find program and school assignments for a particular address. The information reflects the current school boundaries for the 2022-2023 school year.) https://gis.pgcps.org/schoolfinder/findschool2.asp

Transportation FAQs: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/transportation/frequently-asked-questions

Questions on student bus assignments?

Our Transportation Call Center will be open two weekends prior to the first day of school to answer questions:(301) 952 - 6570.

Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday - Aug. 27, 2022: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday - Aug. 28, 2022: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Submit a question online:
https://apps.pgcps.org/pls/apex/f?p=358:1::::::

We are excited to have your child(ren) and family join us at Tayac ES. Mrs. Peoples-Lambert is the school registrar and she can support you during the student registration and withdrawal process. Please contact Mrs. Peoples-Lambert for more information regarding the student withdrawal process.

The easiest way to register your child for school is online: https://pgcpsmdc.scriborder.com/

Questions on what documents you need to register? https://www.pgcps.org/about-pgcps/registration-enrollment#how_to_enroll

Lawanda Peoples-Lambert

Phone: 301-449-4840

Email: Lawan.peopleslambert@pgcps.org

Free and Reduced Price Meals Application: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict

Health forms: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/school-health/health-forms-for-parents-and-prescribers

Volunteer application: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/compliance/student-safety/frequently-asked-questions-background-checks-and-volunteers

2022-23 Publicity Release Form: https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/newsroom/docs---newsroom/pgcps-publicity-release-form.pdf

Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/student-services/anti-bullying

Arrival and Departure of Team

It is the professional responsibility of DreamTeam members to arrive to school no later than 7:15 AM daily. All persons should arrive to their assigned duty posts by 7:25 AM. Classroom Educators should greet students at the threshold of the classrooms at that time. The work day ends at 2:45 PM. Departure from the school building school not occur before that time.

School Arrival and Dismissal

Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m. (Staff members are not responsible for students who arrive before this time.) No student will be allowed into the building or be supervised before 7:30 a.m. Students are given an opportunity to eat breakfast in their classrooms from 7:30 am-7:40 a.m. All students must be in their Homeroom before 7:45 a.m. At 7:46 a.m. students are late. If students arrive late to school they must be escorted in the building and sign-in by an adult. Dismissal will be begin at 1:55 p.m. All students must be picked up or be departed from school property by 2:00pm.

Submission of Leave Requests

If you plan to take leave you must notify the principal of your absence. My phone number is 301-996-5334. Texting me without a response is not a form of notification. Once the absence is confirmed, you must place your leave in Oracle. Dr. Cumberland supervises substitutes, however she can not approve your leave. You must share your absence with Dr. Cumberland to secure a substitute. The sooner you know you will be absent it a professional courtesy to inform the principal so Dr. Cumberland can plan for the supervision, safety and security of students.

When submitting leave in Oracle, most positions require a substitute. The only positions we cannot secure substitute teacher coverage for are ISEAS, ILT, and Counselor. If you are a specialist and will be our request a substitute. The goal is to ensure that arrival, dismissal, lunches, and duty post are covered when specialist are on leave. If you have any questions regarding leave procedures please let me know.

Hallway Passes

Eagle Scholars are expected to transition throughout the hallway with a pass, provided by their teacher. They must travel in groups of two. In the event that Eagle Scholars are dropping a student off to a different location, it is expected that students travel in groups of three.

Grading and Reporting

It is important that the Grading and Reporting Procedures be adhered to with fidelity. The submission of grades will be monitored and reports will be pulled every Monday at 9 AM by School and Area Office personnel. Please be reminded that if a class meets 3-4 times during the week, a minimum of two numerical grades per week in each subject for each student (RELA/Oral & Written Communication, Math, Science, Social Studies) should be submitted. If a class meets once a week then only one grade will be recorded (Health). Grades must be recorded in each category quarterly (class work, independent assignments, and assessments).

Student Attendance Monitoring

It is important that the Attendance Procedures be adhered to with fidelity. Attendance must be submitted no later than 9 AM daily. This will be monitored and reports will be pulled daily by School and Area Office personnel.

Notification of Covid Positive Cases

Immediate notification is required when employees are informed of a Covid Positive Case. The employee should notify Dr. Wright-Roberts directly.

Asynchronous Assignments

Asynchronous Assignments should not be given to students unless approved by the principal. It is important that students receive direct instruction from their teacher. In addition, parents and other teachers impacted by the asynchronous assignment should be notified in advance.

Recess

Withholding recess as a punishment or because a child did not complete an assignment is strictly prohibited. The appropriate amounts of physical activities impacts the health and wellness of students. Recess should be considered for an inside activity if the following conditions exist:

(1) Temperature with or without a wind chill factor is below 32 degrees.

(2) Definite rain, sleet or snow with accumulation.

(3) Soggy, wet conditions.

(4) Heat temperatures that fall within the categories for a Code Orange, Code Red or Code Purple.

In these instances, the administrative team will notify the teaching staff that recess and physical activities will be held indoors.

Early Dismissal

The Early Departure process must be complete by 1:15pm. Please assist the teachers and office staff by sending communication ahead of time.

School Safety

It is Critically Important that:

1. ALL visitors are consistently vetted through the main office through the Raptor system and provided a visitors badge.

2. ALL school staff are properly identified (wearing an ID badge) and redirecting visitors to the main office when they aren’t wearing or showing a visitors or staff badge.

3. ALL school staff enter and exit the school building through the front doors/main entrance, when arriving and leaving work. This expectation must be adhered to, no exceptions. ALL doors are locked from the outside at all times.

Visitors Policy

A Visitors Policy is a vital component of ensuring the safety and security of students, parents, and teachers. Our goal is to promote a culture where administrators, teachers, staff, and community members recognize and report any and all suspicious or improper behavior.

Entering the Building

All visitors are required to enter a school building through the designated exterior electronic access entry doors equipped with a video intercom system. This entrance at Tayac ES is the main entrance.

When answering the door for visitors the following steps must be taken:

1. The visitor must ring the buzzer.

2. At the ringing of the buzzer, the receptionist should respond:

Welcome to Tayac Elementary School, please state your name and purpose for your visit. (This interaction must be done through the video intercom system.) Please place your ID or Employee Badge up to the camera screen. You will need to keep your ID available. and sign in using the Visitors Log in the main office. All visitors will be vetted and verified using their state issued ID and the Raptor System.

Visitors Inside the Building

All visitors must wear their white verification badge on the outer layer of their clothing. Any visitor not wearing a badge will be escorted directly to the main office and may be asked to leave the building.

Visitor Dropping off Items

The visitor that is dropping off something to the student must be verified. Once verification is made, the office staff should take the item and deliver the item to the student. If the verification is not made, the visitor will be told that outside items can not be given to the student. Verified visitors are parents or parent designees. The designee must be listed in SchoolMax, on the student's birth certificate, court documents, or listed on the student's emergency form.

• Play tag.
• Toss a ball.
• Jump rope.
• Hula-hoop.
• Dance to music.
• Play a dancing video.
• Walk the dog.
• Go for a jog.
• Go on a bike ride.
• Head to the park.

Email: Latonya.wright@pgcps.org
Website: https://schools.pgcps.org/tayac/
Location: 8600 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD, USA
Phone: (301)449-4840
Facebook: facebook.com/TayacESEagles
Twitter: @TayacES