Stay up to date with the latest district news, student highlights, upcoming events, and valuable resources — all in one place. We’re committed to keeping our community connected and informed every month, #withJOY!
🔗Check out the May District Newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/d19y3
#BelieveInUs

NOUN /ˈtēCHər/
A person who educates, inspires, and changes the world one student interaction at a time.
It's #TeacherAppreciationWeek, and we have the BEST at DCPS! Our teachers show up daily #withJOY, determination, creativity, and care, always going above and beyond to help every student succeed. Their commitment and intentionality shapes the future of Dorchester County, and we’re grateful for each of them! 🍎
#ThankATeacher
#BelieveInUs

From serving nutritious meals that fuel our students’ success #withJOY, to leading with vision and heart, our lunch heroes and principals play vital roles in shaping the futures of our students!
Thank you for your hard work, passion, and commitment— we appreciate you today and every day! 💙
#BelieveInUs


‼️Attention: Out of District PreK4 Enrollment is NOW OPEN!‼️
🗓️Deadline to apply: July 20, 2026
⚠️ Please note: No Out of District PreK3 requests will be considered
Apply now at https://form.jotform.com/261113508954153

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the third and final round of community engagement sessions focused on identifying priorities to guide future school construction projects across the district.
These sessions brought together a diverse group of community members who collaborated with professional planners to develop a comprehensive evaluation rubric. This rubric reflects the values and priorities most important to our community and has been used to assess the condition and needs of each school facility.
The evaluation identified Warwick Elementary School as having the highest level of need. However, the assessment also highlights that all DCPS elementary schools face significant facility challenges that require attention. With this valuable information, DCPS now begins the critical process of determining which school construction project will be submitted first to the state for consideration and funding.
We encourage continued community involvement as we move forward. The full report is available on our district website, dcps.k12.md.us, and community members are invited to share their feedback. Additionally, public input can be provided in person at the DCPS Board of Education meeting on May 21, 2026.
In accordance with state requirements, the DCPS Board of Education will vote on June 18, 2026, to select the school construction project to advance in its formal request to the state. Electronic public feedback will be accepted leading up to this vote. Scan the QR code below or go to bit.ly/4cNettq to share your input on any additional factors you believe the DCPS Board of Education should consider when deciding which elementary school to recommend for replacement first.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to all community members who have participated in this process, contributing their time, insights, and collaboration to help shape the future of our schools.
#BelieveInUs

🐎 Registration Round-Up is HERE!
Enrollment for PreK-3, PreK-4, & Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year is NOW OPEN!
🔹 PreK-3: Must be 3 by Sept 1st | Limited spots at Sandy Hill, Maple, Vienna & Hurlock | Proof of income required
🔹 PreK-4: Must be 4 by Sept 1st | Proof of income required
🔹 Kindergarten: Must be 5 by Sept 1st | Attendance is mandatory by Maryland law
📋 All enrollments require:
• Proof of age
• Proof of residency
• Proof of relationship
• Up-to-date immunizations
⏳ PreK spots are limited — don’t wait!
🔗 Find registration information and links at dcps.k12.md.us/article/2828445
#BelieveInUs












Elementary School Modernization Prioritization Study
🗓️April 29, 2026
⏰5:30-6:30 PM
📍Mace's Lane Middle School
Learn about the future modernization process for the following elementary schools in Dorchester County.
Hurlock
Maple
Sandy Hill
Vienna
Warwick
Topics to Cover:
Recently approved educational specification and feasibility study
Methodology for prioritizing schools
Community engagement process and next steps
All meetings will be livestreamed and recorded. Use https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe to access the live stream and recordings.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: July 20, 2026
⚠️ Please note: No Out of District PreK3 requests will be considered
🔗Apply beginning May 1st at https://form.jotform.com/261113508954153
#BelieveInUs

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Join the FREE 8-week Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) designed to help you strengthen family connections, support mental health, and encourage your child’s success in school, #withJOY!
🗓 When: Every Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, beginning April 22nd
📍 April & June sessions: In person at Hurlock Elementary (301 Charles St., Hurlock, MD 21643)
💻 May sessions: Online via Zoom
🍽 Free dinner & childcare provided during in-person sessions!
🔗Register today at tinyurl.com/PEP-HES
#BelieveInUs


🐎 Registration Round-Up is almost here!
Enrollment for PreK-3, PreK-4, & Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year opens April 30th! The registration link will be forthcoming.
🔹 PreK-3: Must be 3 by Sept 1st | Limited spots at Sandy Hill, Maple, Vienna & Hurlock | Proof of income required
🔹 PreK-4: Must be 4 by Sept 1st | Proof of income required
🔹 Kindergarten: Must be 5 by Sept 1st | Attendance is mandatory by Maryland law
📋 All enrollments require:
• Proof of age
• Proof of residency
• Proof of relationship
• Up-to-date immunizations
⏳ PreK spots are limited — don’t wait! Get your documents ready and register beginning April 30th!
#BelieveInUs


As students across DCPS begin participating in the the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) and/or Advanced Placement exams this Spring, please help us support our students navigate testing season by:
📅 Helping students get to school on testing days, check out our Spring MCAP/AP Calendar here: https://bit.ly/4sdQCZU
💻 Support students in accessing practice test materials before testing here: https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/
🚫 Please remember personal electronic devices are not permitted in the testing environment. This includes any device that can receive or send a message, take or send pictures, etc. including cell phones, airpods, meta glasses or cameras.
#BelieveInUs

🎉When passion and celebration collide, DCPS shines brighter than ever! Last night was truly unforgettable as we celebrated excellence at our Awards Gala #withJOY! We had the honor of recognizing 70 finalists across all categories for their influence and dedication, and it was certainly an evening to remember.
We are proud to announce our 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Cierra Robinson from Maple Elementary School, and our Early Excellence Educator, Ms. Olivia Gisriel from Choptank Elementary School! We are honored to have both of these outstanding educators represent Dorchester County Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year in their respective categories!
We are also thrilled to announce our 2026 Team Members of the Year in the following categories:
✨ Community Connections – Sarah Hopkins, North Dorchester High School
✨ Impact – Shay Lewis-Sisco, Dorchester Career & Technology Center
✨ Leadership – Natalie Drake, Maple Elementary School
✨ Service Above Self – Crystal Carpenter, North Dorchester Middle School
And a special shoutout to Dorchester Educators Education Support Professional of the Year, Ms. Shay Lewis-Sisco!
It takes an entire community to pull off an event like The Best of DCPS Awards Gala, and we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all our sponsors and supporters whose generosity made this unforgettable evening possible for our finalists and attendees!
Congratulations again to our winners and all our finalists! ✨
#BelieveInUs





















📅 Helping students get to school on testing days, check out our Spring MCAP/AP Calendar here: https://bit.ly/4sdQCZU
💻 Support students in accessing practice test materials before testing here: https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/
🚫 Please remember personal electronic devices are not permitted in the testing environment. This includes any device that can receive or send a message, take or send pictures, etc. including cell phones, airpods, meta glasses or cameras.
#BelieveInUs

