Takoma Park Middle School

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Have a High schooler? Take the survey asap – High School Instructional Continuity Survey

High School Instructional Continuity Survey
Last spring, MCCPTA passed a resolution asking MCPS to prioritize teacher continuity in full-year high school courses and avoid routine mid-year teacher and schedule changes.
Now that schedules are available for the new school year, MCCPTA would like to understand what families are actually seeing across MCPS high schools. Please take 2 minutes to complete this short survey about your student’s schedule.
The survey is available in English and Spanish , includes directions for checking your student’s second-semester schedule, and is anonymous. If you have more than one high school student, please submit a separate response for each student.
Please respond ASAP.
Thank you for helping MCCPTA understand how instructional continuity is being implemented across MCPS high schools.
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PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Survey on Continuity of Instruction in Secondary Schools
Last spring, MCCPTA passed a resolution calling on MCPS to prioritize continuity of teachers in year-round courses and to avoid routine mid-year teacher and schedule changes.
Now that schedules for the new school year are available, MCCPTA wants to know what families are seeing in MCPS high schools. Please take two minutes to complete this brief survey about your student’s schedule.
The survey is available in English and Spanish , includes instructions for reviewing your student’s second-semester schedule, and is anonymous. If you have more than one high school student, please submit a separate response for each student.
Please reply now.
Thank you for helping MCCPTA understand how continuity of instruction is being implemented in MCPS high schools.
Regan
MCCPTA Curriculum Committee

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Join the Regional Program Center Listserv

Hello! I’m Rebekah, the chair of the new committee for Regional Program Centers. I want to invite you all to subscribe to the listserv for this new committee. I hope it will become a valuable resource for sharing information about the new regional program centers. You can subscribe by sending a request to regional-program-centers+subscribe@mccpta.groups.io.
I look forward to answering questions and bringing your suggestions to MCPS!
Rebekah Kuschmider,
Chair, Committee on Regional Program Centers
Einstein Cluster Coordinator
Delegate, Einstein High School
President, Patrons of the Arts Community at Einstein (PACE)
“If not us, who? If not now, when?”

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Due 9/30 – Screen Use Survey for Upcoming Listening Session

MCCPTA is currently planning for a listening session to be led by a Maryland delegate that would include legislators, Board members, candidates, and MCPS leaders. The focus of the listening session would be to: 1) hear parent concerns about screen use in school; and 2) make practical recommendations to MCPS to address excessive and harmful screen use.

Please complete a BRIEF survey to help us collect some basic data about Chromebook access at your school and your support for a list of recommendations. You can also share this survey with friends who may like to join!

Complete the SURVEY SUPPORTING SCREEN USE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MCPS

(SBS-MCPS, MCCPTA Tech Committee)

Deadline: September 30

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MCCPTA: 9/15 – NTIA Listening Session on Screens in Schools

NTIA LISTENING SESSION ON SCREENS IN SCHOOLS (9/15, 7PM)
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) wants to hear from parents, students, and educators about how screens are used in education. On Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4 pm PST/7 PM est they are holding a public listening session, and everyone is encouraged to come. NTIA Senior Advisor Matthew Plaster recently spoke at a symposium on screen harms to children, and he described his vision of K-12 education in this one minute statement. (The symposium on screen harms, which was hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, can be accessed here.)

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MCCPTA: SEEKING BUILDING EXPERTS: Facilities Advisory Committee Applications Open

Dear PTA colleagues,

MCPS’s capital budget is on a 6-year cycle, reviewed in full every two years. This means, for example, that if the County Council approves a $1.8 billion budget, only $300,000,000 is available in a given year for construction projects, system replacements, building improvements, and the like. Watch for training on the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) later this fall.

Today, let’s focus on the 6-year part of the CIP. While that can feel like a long time if the project at your school is scheduled for the later years, with a portfolio the size of MCPS’s (224 buildings), it’s important to also take a longer view and consider what needs shold be expected in 10-15 years and even further into the future. Regulation FAA-RA, which guides the processes for Educational Facilities Planning, includes a provision for a Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) to make suggestions about that long-term planning (see section IX.D. on p. 13 at the link).

This FAC has been dormant for many years, but the upcoming MCPS real estate portfolio review and advocacy by some of our highly-engaged MCCPTA CIP leaders of past years has motivated MCPS to re-constitute the committee. They want to tap into the wealth of experience and knowledge that members of the Montgomery County community have regarding long-term facility planning issues and strategies. Indeed, the FAC has the potential to be an effective group and perhaps a source of long-range expertise and advice for MCPS.

For the first two years of the FAC’s re-existence (i.e., during the real estate portfolio review and elementary boundary study), the committee may meet as often as monthly. In the future, the commitment will likely be for a quarterly meeting. The initial term of service is for the 2026-27 school year.

Please share this opportunity with your networks, especially folks who work in any aspect of real estate, construction, environmental, or transportation/logistics careers. The blurb distributed by MCPS is below my signature. The direct link to the application is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSF3-tHBGn4c0rkx0tUZVihyqlcvh1-q17Yv48h56LZtuj5A/viewform . Submissions close on Friday, September 4.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me and/or to Joseph Finneran, MCCPTA’s Data Subcommittee chair, cipdata@mccpta.org or joseph@podiumarts.com .

Thanks,

Amy A-H

Amy Ackerberg-Hastings, PhD

Interim CIP Chair

(as well as hopefully soon-outgoing MCCPTA Central Area Vice-President)

301-275-4019

cip@mccpta.org

Help Shape the Future of MCPS School Facilities

MCPS is seeking community members to serve on the Facility Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 school year. Committee members will share their knowledge, experience and perspectives to help inform long-term planning for MCPS school facilities. Members of this committee will advise MCPS on a variety of topics related to the community’s vision for school facilities and planning that are outside the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) time frame, but that may require attention in the 10-15 year time frame or beyond.

If you’re interested in helping shape the future of MCPS facilities, complete the application by Friday, Sept. 4.

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MCCPTA: Seeking Volunteers for Regional Program Committee

Dear PTA Members,

At the last Board of Directors meeting, MCCPTA approved forming a special committee on Regional Programs.

We are seeking volunteers from each of the six regions to participate in this committee. Cluster coordinators, PTSA board members, and community members are welcome to participate.

This committee will meet twice per month: one monthly meeting with MCPS staff to discuss regional program implementation plans, and one meeting of committee staff to debrief and develop materials about the regional programs to share with local PTAs and other MCCPTA committees.

The goals of the committee are:

  • Two-way communication with MCPS about planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs under the new regional model
  • Collecting and disseminating information for MCCPTA and local PTAs so they can provide support for programs in their schools
  • Gathering feedback about programs from local PTAs to share with MCPS, and to inform the work of curriculum, CIP, technology, and other MCCPTA committees
  • Advocate for accountability and data transparency to ensure programs across regions are comparable in enrichment opportunities, course offerings, curriculum used, and instructional quality.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Committee on Regional Programs, email Rebekah Kuschmider at einstein2@mccpta.org.

Rebekah Kuschmider,
Einstein Cluster Coordinator
Delegate, AEHS

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Wanted: A Voice for Blair Cluster Schools — Become a Cluster Coordinator

We no longer have anyone serving as MCCPTA Cluster Coordinator for the Blair area schools. We need 1–2 people to step into this role.

Each cluster can have up to three Cluster Coordinators. Right now, Blair has only one — Adam Lee — who is covering the role on a temporary, as-needed basis.

Why This Matters Right Now

This isn’t a moment to leave the role empty. Two big issues are heading our way that our cluster needs someone paying close attention to:

  • Capital Improvement needs — it will soon be time to advocate for funding and projects that affect our schools.
  • The MCPS ES Boundary Study — a process that could directly affect where our children go to school. Our cluster needs someone tracking this closely and speaking up on our behalf.

Without dedicated Cluster Coordinators, our schools risk being left out of these conversations at exactly the moments when input matters most.

What Does a Cluster Coordinator Do?

Please see the information About the Role for full details on the role.

Who We’re Looking For

Ideally, this is someone who:

  • Is willing to reach out across all the schools in the Blair cluster to gather input and feedback
  • Does not currently hold a Board position at any of the schools, to keep the role independent
  • Cares about staying informed and being a consistent, engaged voice for our schools

How to Get Involved

If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please reach out to Narissa Johnson as soon as possible — the sooner we fill this role, the better positioned our cluster will be as these issues move forward.

— Narissa Johnson, AVP, DCC <narissa.johnson@gmail.com>

About the Role:  Cluster Coordinator Job Description and guidance
In the world of PTA, Cluster Coordinator is a position unique to MCCPTA. It is simply defined in our
bylaws as:

Section 3. Cluster coordinators a. A cluster shall consist of a high school plus its feeder schools. Each cluster shall have a cluster coordinator(s), the total number not to exceed three (3). The cluster
coordinator(s) shall serve for a term of one (1) year, and not more than four (4) consecutive terms, until the election of their successors. An individual shall not serve as cluster coordinator for more than one
cluster at the same time. b. Cluster coordinators shall conduct meetings of the cluster PTA leaders; shall serve as a link between the area vice presidents and the local PTAs; shall represent the cluster at meetings
of the Board of Directors, at meetings with the area vice president responsible for the cluster, at meetings with MCPS, and at other meetings; coordinate testimony of the cluster before the Board of Education and the County Council; shall assist the area vice presidents in the administration of PTA business; and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

What is critical to note is that the Cluster Coordinators actually have 2 distinct roles. Their primary role, like all of us in MCCPTA is advocacy for every child, and in the case of the Cluster Coordinator that would be every child within their cluster. The secondary role is to represent the MCCPTA as the focal point for maintaining strong compliant local units and where necessary assisting in the creation or
recreation of local units.

Within our organizational structure, the Cluster Coordinators work with and are guided by the Area Vice President. Area Vice Presidents (AVP) are defined in our bylaws as:

Section 2. Area vice presidents a. An area shall consist of specific groups of clusters designated by the Board of Directors and approved by a delegate assembly. Each area shall have an area vice president. The area vice president shall serve for a term of one (1) year, and not more than four (4) consecutive terms, until the election of their successor. b. Area vice presidents shall help to extend PTA work in all local PTAs in the specific clusters which they represent; shall assist in the training of PTA leaders in their areas; shall assist in the organization of new PTAs in their areas; shall coordinate the work of cluster coordinators; shall meet with MCPS to coordinate between and among cluster schools; and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Basically, the CC is responsible for all of the schools in the cluster and the PTA organizations. They are the interface between the local unit and the MCCPTA as well as the interface with MCPS, the Board of Education and the County Council. All areas where they would represent the needs of their Cluster or any unit in their Cluster. As such, they are the spokesperson and/or the lobbyist for the cluster. It is important to note the split in their duties and their place in the hierarchy. In all cases, the Cluster Coordinators work with their Area Vice Presidents, who in turn work at the direction of the President of MCCPTA.

However, depending on which duty they are carrying out at the time, the CC and the AVP will find it necessary to coordinate with other members of the Executive Committee or committees under them. In the advocacy portion, working with the VP for advocacy and the committees thereunder such as the Capital Improvement or the Operating Budget committees. At other times they will need to coordinate with the VP for Administration when questions of the Standards of Affiliation come up, along with the Treasurer when a local unit needs guidance regarding reporting, records and accounting. It will be the duty of the Cluster Coordinators when they learn of an issue to take that issue to the appropriate responsible party for resolution, be that MCCPTA officers or MCPS staff. And it shall be their duty to follow up and protect the interests of the local unit and the PTA organizations

In every case, in all cases, the Cluster Coordinator is expected to adhere to the bylaws of MCCPTA,
operate and represent the individual cluster units in a manner consistent with the guidance of the Board of
Directors and the Advocacy Priorities as set in place by the Delegates Assembly.

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Aug 21, 2026 @5-7pm – Annual Welcome Picnic Potluck

Join us for our annual Welcome Picnic Potluck on Friday, August 21 from 5-7pm!

This event is open to all TPMS families as a celebration back to school.

What to expect:

  • Meet new and returning TPMS families and students,  Teachers and Administrators
  • Tour the school building with administrators
  • Enjoy food and drinks brought in by the TPMS PTSA and families just like you
  • Play games, listen to music, enjoy the day!

 

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8th Grade Dance 2026

Last Friday night, 6/12/2026, the PTSA threw an epic Dance Party to celebrate our 8th graders launching into High School. It’s amazing to see 200+ 8th graders dancing and singing together, and cementing their friendships.  What a great group of kids!

 

Events like these don’t run themselves; it takes some vision, planning, preparation and then making it happen with a team of people contributing in large and small ways. This year’s dance was led by Meg Kiernan, who did all this without breaking a sweat.  If you are going to tonight’s Promotion and you see Meg, please give her a huge thank you.If you’re a parent/caregiver of a rising 8th grader – please consider leading next year’s 8th grade dance party. Dances like these are memory-making, character-building events, celebrating a major milestone in our student’s lives. If you’d like to learn more, contact me at: tpms.pta.president@gmail.com

Please find a list of everyone who supported the 8th Grade Dance Party, including parent and student volunteers, donors, and vendors.  Thank you for all your contributions.

Donors
Manny & Olgas Pizza (10 pizzas)
4 Corners Pub (5 pizzas)
Ledo Pizza Wheaton (6 pizzas)
Pizza Boli (5 pizzas)
*Special thanks to Sonya Edelman for securing these pizza donations and coordinating pickup. It was a lot of work!
Vendors
PTSA
Emily Modde
Mic Murphy
Ramata Diop
Student Volunteers
Emma E.
Elliana C.
Mikaela C.
Lulu T.
Teacher & Students
Mr. Landry Dunand
The TPMS Art Class students that created the mural
Parent Volunteers
Meg Kiernan
Bonita    Williams
Tracee    Matthias
Alisa    Tang
Fatou    Tamba
Ann    Schaeffler
Kelly    Doordan
Beverly    Hassell
Sonya    Edelman
Manju    Bolleddu
Ella    Nickerson
Mary    Masland
Desha    Fisher
Sally    DeLeon
Jessica    Glover
Desha    Fisher
Pavy    Bacon
Malawi    Welles
Image from the glow in the dark space mural.

This dance is for 8th Grade Takoma Park Middle School Students ONLY. All others will be turned away (including siblings)

When: Friday, June 12th, 7-9pm

Where: Takoma Park Middle School

Ticket Sales are now over:  $7.  Buy them online until Friday at 5pm (below).   No tickets sold at the door.

See flyer for more details.

Dress your best for fun in what feels right for you!  Let’s celebrate!

Please enter your student’s first and last name(s) when purchasing the ticket. 

You will not receive a ticket or confirmation after purchase, instead your name will be added to a list.  At the dance you will give your name at the door and we will know you’ve made a purchase.