Dorchester County Public Schools -

Dorchester Career and Technology Center recently hosted an inspiring Business Breakfast #withJOY, welcoming local community partners to see firsthand how DCTC is paving the way for students to step confidently into careers after graduation. Guests had the opportunity to speak directly with students across a variety of CTE programs and witness their skills in action. The event also highlighted exciting opportunities for businesses to partner with DCTC—especially through future apprenticeships that connect students with real-world experience. Together, we’re building a stronger community and brighter futures! #BelieveInUs

In partnership with Campaign For Grade Level Reading and ParentPowered, we bring you language skills facts and tips!

📚 Fact: Asking your child questions throughout the day builds their language skills. Strong language skills help kids read, write, talk, and understand others.

💡 Tip: Start your day with a silly question! In the morning, ask, "If you could ride an animal to school, what would you pick? Why?" Don’t forget to share your answers too — it’s a fun way to spark conversation and learning!

Let’s keep growing those language skills and advancing our students #withJOY!

#BelieveInUs

Who says lions (and the Lorax?!) don’t love to run? 🦁 Maple Elementary School’s 15th Annual Turkey Trot was full of energy, excitement, and community spirit as our Lions proudly embraced their 25-26 slogan, “Going for Gold!” Our amazing CSD and North Dorchester XC teams helped guide the runners along the course, making sure every Lion found their way—and the Lions are thankful for their support! We’re also incredibly grateful to the generous donors who provided turkeys and snacks, including Myesha Ford and family, Dani and Mike Willey, Matt Daniels, Dean and Lauren Samuel, Jessica LaPerch (Cabin Fever), Jacquelyn Wright, and John Pritchett at C Albert Matthews Inc., a longtime supporter of this yearly event. Winners by grade: Pre K: Amani Gibson, Jayden Campos Garcia K: Rayne Perry, Eder Valdez-Lopez 1st grade: Ian Alvarado Martinez,KeYoni Dashiell 2nd grade: Carter Aviles, Dannah Tsala 3rd grade: Jai’Quan Copper, Meira Hasala 4th grade: Darell Gonzales, Rian White 5th grade: Juel Bolden, Audrey Tsala Congratulations to all the winners, especially overall champions Darrel Gonzales and Rian White, and a special shoutout to Jana Robinson for being the fastest staff member—again! Thanks to the incredible generosity of Maple families, the Lions raised $824 to sponsor youth athletics in our community! We were proud to watch the Lions run #withJOY and we can’t wait to see them continue to shine this year! 🏅

📢 We’re excited to share an important mental health resource: "Grief – The Healing Process After Loss," a special series provided through parentguidance.org in partnership with The Cook Center.

There are two opportunities to join this supportive series on November 12, 2025:
🕖 7:00 PM
🕘 9:00 PM

This series offers guidance and healing strategies for coping with loss—an invaluable resource for families and caregivers.

Register now to reserve your spot:
🔗 7PM Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UZ1PrOhMR22dRTkuPpMVkA#/registration
🔗 9PM Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gjOC_IJKQ4GUeBfDjfxmNg#/registration

👂We want to hear from YOU! As part of the DCPS Strategic Plan, DCPS is actively collecting input through our Culture and Climate Survey, and your feedback will help shape positive, supportive learning environments for all students.

Here's what you need to know:
📅 Surveys are open from now until November 14
🎒 Students will take the survey at school
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families & staff will receive survey links from their school (Unique survey links will be provided for each school — information will be forthcoming from your student’s school)
✅ Responses will help guide school improvement and student success


📌 Opt-Out Reminder: Families will receive an opt-out form which only need to be returned if you do NOT want your student to participate.

#BelieveInUs

🐝The hive was buzzing with smiles and support this morning as Sandy Hill families came together to celebrate their October Students of the Month! This event recognized the hard work, kindness, and dedication of students that make their school community shine. Congratulations to all our bees who earned this incredible accomplishment! Keep soaring #withJOY as you continue to grow and inspire, bees! 🌟 #BelieveInUs

This #NationalSchoolPsychologyWeek we want to take a moment to recognize our school psychologists and the important work they do in our district for our students #withJOY! Their dedication, compassion, and expertise make a profound difference in the lives of so many young people. They support the emotional well-being of our students by helping students overcome challenges and thrive.

Today, and every day, we say thank you to our team for being a steady source of guidance, understanding, and hope. We are truly grateful for all that you do every day to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for our entire school community! 💙✨

#BelieveInUs

The CSD Vikings know how to celebrate, and that’s exactly what they did this morning as a newly announced 3-star school! 🌟🌟🌟 ☀️🎶The Vikings kicked off the day with a sunrise breakfast celebration for their incredible staff — the music was bumping, the dancing was nonstop, and the smiles revealed their pride in this "level up"accomplishment! But they didn't stop there — to keep the vibes rolling, students and staff were greeted with celebratory stickers, buttons, and water bottles #withJOY as they arrived. 🥓🍳 Here’s to our Vikings continuing to shine and groove their way to even greater success! 🎉 #BelieveInUs

✨The newly established Dorchester Education Foundation invites you to their Inaugural Fundraising Event on Saturday, November 8th, from 2 PM – 5 PM!

Dorchester County Public Schools face urgent challenges, but with a new community-driven strategic plan and encouraging progress, now is the time to unite in support of our students and educators. The Dorchester Education Foundation was created to meet this need by providing grants that empower teachers, inspire students, and strengthen our community—an effort that relies on leaders like you to help build a brighter future for all.

Enjoy an afternoon filled with:
✨ Light hors d'oeuvres + complimentary drinks
✨ Silent auction featuring local getaways
✨ Celebration of our 2025 Distinguished Alumni Honorees
✨ “Fund A Need” presentations from local educators
✨ An exciting special announcement!

🎫Tickets are $75 (+ service fee), and you can secure your spot today at: docoeducationfoundation.brownpapertickets.com

Let’s come together #withJOY to support the future of Dorchester County! We'll meet you there!

🍎For more info about the foundation, visit dorchestereducation.org

🎉Dorchester County Public Schools is excited to share the 2025 Maryland School Report Card results — and the news is full of progress and promise for DCPS!

This year, 82% of our rated schools earned 3-star or higher ratings, showcasing the dedication of our students, teachers, and staff to excellence and student success.

Here are the highlights:

💫 Cambridge-South Dorchester High School soared to a proud 3-star rating!

💫 Choptank Elementary boosted its score by over 10 points and is just under 2 points away from hitting 3 stars!

💫 Hurlock Elementary continues to shine, maintaining its solid 3-star status

💫 Maple Elementary made a huge leap—up 10+ points and closing in on a 4-star rating!

💫 North Dorchester High School held strong with its 3-star rating

💫 North Dorchester Middle School jumped nearly 8 points and is just shy of 4 stars!

💫 Sandy Hill Elementary climbed up to earn a well-deserved 3-star status!

💫 South Dorchester School proudly kept its impressive 4-star rating

💫 Vienna Elementary skyrocketed with a 10+ point increase, earning a 4-star status!

💫 Warwick Elementary is just 0.5 points away from that 4th star!

💫 Mace’s Lane Middle School met improvement flags across all academic achievement measures!


District-wide:

🌟 2 schools earned 4-star ratings

🌟 7 schools earned 3-star ratings

🌟 2 schools earned 2-star ratings


Our schools are growing, thriving, and reaching new heights #withJOY and we're not done yet!✨

🎃👻 The Warwick Huskies wrapped up October with a spooktacular Trunk or Treat last Friday, October 31st! Thanks to the amazing Warwick PAWS Parent Group, their parking lot was transformed into a festive, fun-filled Halloween extravaganza. Students enjoyed creative decorated trunks, tasty treats, and plenty of spooky surprises #withJOY — all while celebrating positive behavior and school community spirit through PBIS! A big shout-out to everyone who made this event so fantastic! Here’s to more fun and "pawsitive" vibes at Warwick Elementary! 🐾 #BelieveInUs

🌿🐦 This week, the Choptank Elementary School Hummingbirds have been hard at work bringing new life to their school courtyard! Thanks to the generous support of The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Robert F. Schumann Foundation, along with the expertise of JM Landscapes, this outdoor space is being revitalized into a vibrant hub to connect learning and nature. In collaboration with our community partner ShoreRivers, students and volunteers planted over 500 native Maryland plants to create a thriving habitat for pollinators. Dorchester Career and Technology Center also built brand-new picnic tables and installed a walking path, making the courtyard a perfect spot for outdoor lessons to enhance student learning. As a certified Maryland Green School, Choptank Elementary continues to lead the way in environmental education, integrating hands-on projects like this courtyard planting into the curriculum. A special shout out to CES Principal Dr. Gaven Parker for making it all happen, Mr. John Kahl for writing the grant, Ms. Haugh for supporting the space with science ideas, and Mr. Snyder for his long-time care and passion for the courtyard! We’re so proud of our Hummingbirds and grateful to everyone in our DCPS community who helped bring this project to life! 🌸🐝

Who stole my leaf?! That’s exactly what our young readers at the Rising Star Program were investigating last week as they dove into some fun, fall-related learning activities inspired by the book The Leaf Thief! 🍂 Our students didn’t just read the story—they brought it to life through hands-on activities that helped them make meaningful connections and explore the changing of the season. We were also thrilled to welcome parents and guardians as special guests #withJOY for some of our Rising Star learners, making the experience even more memorable! And wouldn't you know it, our RSP kiddos figured out it was that pesky fall wind that stole the leaf! Keep shining, Rising Stars! 🌟

🍂Creating opportunities for our older learners to give back to our younger learners – this is what supporting the growth of our students sometimes looks like! Last Friday, October 24th, Dorchester Career and Technology Center warmly welcomed our Maple Elementary Lions for a fun-filled Fall Fest! Thanks to DCTC’s Teacher Academy of Maryland, our young learners enjoyed enriching hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and creativity. Meanwhile, the Cosmetology students brought extra smiles by treating our littlest learners to fabulous fall-themed face painting designs that were as unique as they were colorful!🎨 It’s inspiring to see our students learning, leading, and lifting each other up across our campuses #withJOY! Here’s to many more moments of connection and growth! #BelieveInUs

As October comes to an end, we are shouting from the rooftops all of our appreciation for our incredible staff! You nominated, and the selections are in – a huge congratulations goes out to our October Staff of the Month recipients, chosen from the wonderful online submissions by the Dorchester County Public Schools community! 🎉✨ Each recipient was honored with a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication, and seeing their smiles and reactions to this Monday morning surprise will never get old! Our October recipients are:

👏 Katelyn Koch – Teacher of the Month (WES)
👏 Anne Wheeler – Administrator of the Month (Central Office)
👏 Janelle Koski – Specialist of the Month (WES)
👏 Sharnice Harris – Support Personnel of the Month (SHES)
👏 Everett Young, Jr. – People’s Choice Award (C-SD)

We are incredibly grateful for these outstanding employees who truly embody what it means to lead #withJOY every single day! Your passion and commitment inspire us all. Each of you plays a vital role in making Dorchester County Public Schools a place where students and staff thrive, and your efforts do not go unnoticed!

Know a great DCPS employee who deserves recognition? Submit your nomination here: http://bit.ly/4m0MyJ6

Let’s keep celebrating the heart and soul of our schools! 💙

It may be spooky season, but it's all treats and no tricks for our students this month! Last night, South Dorchester School hosted their FIRST EVER community Trunk or Treat Event, and it was a monster-mashing success! Families and community members came together for a night full of fun, candy, and community spirit — a perfect way to celebrate #withJOY! Right on time for School Bus Safety Week, Dr. Thompson even made an appearance as a crossing guard with his bus riders on Bus 15! But the fun doesn’t stop there! Other DCPS schools are joining in with their own upcoming community Trunk or Treat events: 🎃 Hurlock Elementary School: Friday, October 24th at Hurlock Elementary, 5:30 PM 👻 Vienna Elementary School: Saturday, October 25th at Vienna Elementary, 3–5 PM 🕸️ Choptank, Maple, Sandy Hill, & Mace’s Lane: Thursday, October 30th at Mace’s Lane, 5–7 PM Bring your costumes, your smiles, and your sweet tooth — we can’t wait to see you there! 🦇 #BelieveInUs

If today was a color, it would be ORANGE! 🟠 Today at Dorchester County Public Schools, we came together #withJOY for Unity Day to send a clear message: we stand united against bullying! After all, you can't have community without "UNITY"! Our students and staff proudly wore orange to show their commitment to kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Across all our schools, everyone joined in fun and meaningful activities that help build a community where everyone feels safe and valued. We’re also excited to share that in an interview with WMDT-47, Ms. Branch and Ms. Cook talked about the importance of Unity Day and how we’re working together to create safe, welcoming spaces for every student, and spreading the word about how important it is to stand together. Together, we are making a difference — because kindness is contagious and inclusion starts with us, and we are aiming to live that #UnityEveryDay! 🧡 #BelieveInUs

We are proud to celebrate three amazing DCTC students who have just signed for PAID apprenticeships as teacher aides — yes, you read that right, paid apprenticeships! 💼✨ These paid apprenticeships are an extension of the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program, and junior and senior students who are part of this program are eligible for this incredible opportunity to earn money while being enrolled! Congratulations to Camille Padilla, the first CSD student to sign for an apprenticeship this school year, along with Abigail Mills and Alyssa Thompson. Camille and Abigail will be gaining hands-on experience at Maple Elementary School under the inspiring leadership of Principal Myesha Ford, while Alyssa will be making a difference at North Dorchester Middle School with Principal Vaughn Evans. These talented students are taking incredible steps toward their futures as educators #withJOY, and we couldn’t be prouder! Here’s to the next generation of teachers making an impact — one classroom at a time. 📚🍎 #BelieveInUs

🚍🎉 Get ready for Episode 2 of the DCPS Press, airing just in time for National School Bus Safety Week! This week, we’re diving into School Bus Safety with a very special guest — Buster, the friendly neighborhood DCPS bus! 🚌 Last week, Buster stopped by to visit the Choptank Hummingbirds, sharing important safety tips and fun stories that every student and family should know. Don’t miss this engaging episode packed with valuable info to keep our kids safe on the bus, at the bus stop, and on the road! Tune in at https://youtu.be/Na9sH83cPGo and join the conversation — because safe rides make happy riders! 🚦✨