Thanks to the outstanding leadership, meticulous planning, and dedication of Dr. Aberg and CSD Vikings' Ms. Thomas, this event was nothing short of a huge success. The energy, collaboration, and learning that filled the room set a new standard and left everyone inspired and eager for the 2nd Annual AVID Conference!
From a warm breakfast kickoff to engaging sessions and thoughtful closing reflections, DCPS truly nailed it. This conference was meaningful, memorable, and a shining example of what’s possible when passionate educators come together.
We can’t wait to see what next year's conference brings! 🚀
In her new role, she is looking for to getting to know our students, families, and staff of Dorchester County Public Schools and learning how she can best serve them!
When she’s not diving into the realm of all things special education, she enjoys watching her kids in all of their activities., walking her dog Kiya, and traveling! She loves a good trip to North Carolina, Cape Cod, Maine, or just day at the beach! Other ways she enjoys spending her free time include watching the Chiefs play football and having a good campfire with her Dad! 🏈✈️🔥
Please join us in giving Ms. McMahon-Vargas a warm welcome as she embarks on this exciting new journey with Dorchester County Public Schools! ✨
A huge THANK YOU to every student who participated in the DCPS Summer Math Challenge. Keep up the great work, and remember: every step forward in learning is a victory! 🎉
📚Let’s keep the momentum going into the 2025-2026 school year!
Just this week, our dedicated leaders were collaborating in inclusive, cross-county teams to bring our brand-new Strategic Plan to life. Together, they’re rolling up their sleeves and turning the DCPS vision into action!
These leaders took a deep dive into powerful conversations about the many lenses through which a leader can view their role—and how those perspectives shape their impact in education. One thing is clear: excellence and equity must always go hand in hand to create the best possible experience for every student.
We’re energized, united, and ready to make this school year the best one yet! 💙📚 Let’s go, DCPS!
In his new role, he’s all about creating a positive, supportive environment where every tiger can roar with success and reach their full academic potential! 📚
Off the clock, you’ll find Mr. Giddens staying active with sports or kicking back with a good movie. And here’s a fun tidbit — his greatest adventure? An unforgettable cruise to Jamaica! 🌴🚢
We’re thrilled to have Mr. Giddens on our team and can’t wait to see all the amazing things he’ll accomplish with our Mace’s Lane Tigers!🐅
Let's give a warm DCPS welcome to the 2025-2026 New Teacher Cohort of Dorchester County Public Schools!
Our newest educators kicked off their journey on Wednesday, August 13th with an inspiring New Teacher Orientation filled with warm welcomes and exciting opportunities. They were greeted by our amazing HR team and treated to special goodies on their way through the door courtesy of the Sante Group—because every great start deserves a little extra sparkle! ✨
Our new teachers heard from incredible leaders including Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson, New Teacher Coordinator Ms. Renee Warfield, and DASA Treasurer Mr. Mark Pages, who shared valuable insights to prepare them for the year ahead.
To top it all off, the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, represented by Ms. Thornette Lee and Ms. Robin Burton, presented our new teachers with welcome totes packed with thoughtful gifts and community support. 🎁
We’re so excited to have this talented group join the DCPS family and can’t wait to see the amazing impact they’ll make in our classrooms! ✨✏️
If conversations are catalysts, Dorchester County Public Schools is making strides forward for great change!
We’re proud to share that the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce—one of our longest-standing partners—invited DCPS Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson to present the DCPS Strategic Plan to current and prospective business leaders and partners from across Dorchester County and beyond. The presentation occurred at their Dorchester Chamber Business Lunch on Tuesday, August 12th at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Resort & Spa.
The luncheon and Dr. Thompson's corresponding presentation sparked many insightful discussions about how investing in our schools can propel us toward our bold goal of becoming 15th in the state of Maryland! The energy in the room was electric, with businesses eager to play a vital role in shaping the future of education in our community.
Even more exciting? Several businesses committed financial partnerships before the event ended, demonstrating their strong belief in our vision and the power of collaboration.
Together, with community support and shared commitment, we’re building a brighter future for our students and our county. Stay tuned—big things are happening in Dorchester County Public Schools! ✨📈 📚
Ms. Vogler shares with us, “I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge, gained over years of experience, with staff members.” We can’t wait to see the amazing impact she’ll have on our team and students!
When Ms. Vogler isn’t busy inspiring minds, you’ll find her outside soaking up nature and diving into all kinds of outdoor adventures. And here’s a fun fact: this year, she took on her greatest adventure yet — walking the legendary Camino de Santiago! Talk about dedication and spirit! 🌲☀️
Join us in giving Ms. Vogler a warm Sandy Hill welcome! Let’s make this an unforgettable chapter together! 🐝✨
In her new role, she is eager to provide instructional coaching that will help boost student achievement and support our teachers in delivering the best learning experiences possible.
When she’s not inspiring educators and students, Ms. Giddens loves spending quality time with her grandchildren and exploring new places through travel.🌍✈️
Please join us in giving her a warm welcome as she embarks on this exciting journey with Mace's Lane Middle School! 🐅
He shares, "I hope to help continue the growth at NDHS for everyone that lives in the community." We can’t wait to see the positive impact he’ll make!
When he’s not leading NDHS, Mr. Thompson loves spending time boating and hunting with his family. He also enjoys training his dogs—sometimes solo, sometimes with his kids by his side. 🎣🐶
One of his greatest adventures? Watching his children and nephews experience Disney World, just as he did as a kid. For him, that nostalgic feeling is truly indescribable!
Join us in giving Mr. Thompson a warm welcome to the NDHS family! We know he will have those Eagles soaring to new heights! 🦅💫
With 12 incredible years in education, Ms. Robinson is passionate about creating a warm, inspiring environment. She shares, “I am looking forward to building strong relationships with students, staff, and families — and inspiring every student to BEE the best they can BEE!”
Outside of school, Ms. Robinson loves diving into a good book and spending joyful moments playing with her one-year-old daughter. 📚
Join us in giving a big, buzzing welcome to Ms. Tiana Robinson — we can’t wait to see all the amazing ways she’ll shape Sandy Hill Elementary! 🐝✨
With 5 years of experience in education, Ms. Hayden is passionate about empowering students. She is determined to set our students up for success in every way, sharing with us, "I’m eager to work alongside students, staff, and parents to help our students grow socially, emotionally, and academically."
When she’s not inspiring young minds, you’ll find Ms. Hayden soaking up the sun at the beach with her family. 🌊☀️ One of her most unforgettable adventures? Traveling to Australia and New Zealand, where she got to hold a koala bear and snorkel the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef! 🐨🐠
Join us in giving a warm welcome to Ms. Ashley Hayden — we can’t wait to see the amazing things she’ll accomplish with the Rising Star Program! 🌟
🎉She's new to Dorchester County Public Schools but no stranger to education on the Eastern Shore! This upcoming school year, we are excitedly welcoming Dr. Yolanda Holloway as our new Director of Student Services!
Dr. Holloway comes to us with 25 years of educational experience, and she is looking forward to supporting our district efforts to decrease chronic absenteeism through community engagement!
When she’s not inspiring students and staff, she loves traveling to new places and attending concerts. Her greatest adventure of all? Parenthood — a journey filled with love, growth, and unforgettable moments. 🎶✈️
Join us in giving a warm DCPS welcome to our new Director of Student Services, Dr. Yolanda Holloway! ✨
🎉Dorchester County Public Schools is proud to announce Ms. Natalie Drake as the new Assistant Principal of Maple Elementary School!
Ms. Drake, who brings 10 years of educational experience, is no stranger to the Maple Elementary Lions and is excited to get to know all of the new teachers and staff members at MES!
When she’s not at school, Ms. Drake loves playing pickleball! The greatest adventure she has ever been on was a trip to Hawaii, where she even went on an exciting ATV adventure!
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Drake as she begins this new role with her Maple Elementary family! 🦁🌟
📢Important Update: Strengthening School Safety at DCPS
Dorchester County Public Schools is enhancing school safety by adopting the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the "I Love You Guys" Foundation. Recommended by the Maryland Center for School Safety, this protocol will replace A.L.I.C.E. for ALL emergency situations, making our schools safer than ever.
In March, 28 dedicated DCPS staff members completed intensive instructor training and are now nationally certified to teach this life-saving protocol. Moving forward, the Standard Response Protocol will be fully integrated into every aspect of our School Safety plan.
We are committed to keeping our students and staff safe—together, we’re building a stronger, safer DCPS community.💙
🔗 Learn more about the Standard Response Protocol at iloveuguys.org/
🎉Dorchester County Public Schools is excited to welcome Ms. Melanie Holliday as the new Assistant Principal of Hurlock Elementary School!
With over 20 years of experience in education spanning both elementary and middle school, Ms. Holliday is passionate about helping students grow academically and personally. She is always eager to collaborate and learn alongside fellow educators.
A proud graduate of North Dorchester High School, she says, “Becoming an Eagle again feels like coming home in the best possible way!”
When she's not at school, Ms. Holliday loves enjoying the outdoors and reading—especially when she can combine the two. Her greatest adventure? Motherhood. Over the past few years, she’s traveled to Montana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia to support her children at graduations and celebrations, making motherhood her most rewarding journey yet.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Ms. Melanie Holliday to Hurlock Elementary! We know she will help our Mighty Eagles soar to success!🦅✨
A new school year brings new changes and additions to leadership for Dorchester County Public Schools, and we want to introduce you to some new and familiar faces around the county! Stay tuned over the next several weeks as we showcase some of our new leaders who are taking on new and exciting roles this upcoming school year!
🎉To kick it all off, Dorchester County Public Schools is proud to announce Ms. Kesha Cook as the new Principal of Mace's Lane Middle School!
Ms. Cook shares with us, "I am looking forward to the many opportunities to build positive relationships, learn, grow and promote student achievement."
With 24 years of dedicated experience in education, Ms. Cook brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our school community. When she’s not inspiring students and staff, her favorite way to spend free time is with her family. One of her greatest adventures? Swimming in the beautiful Baltic Sea! 🌊
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Cook to Mace's Lane Middle School! Here’s to a bright future ahead for our Tigers! 🐅🌟
DCPS Seeks Public Input on a Proposed Update to our Cell Phone Policy
Dorchester County Public Schools invites students, parents, teachers, and community members to provide feedback on a proposed update to our cell phone policy aimed at improving the learning environment in schools.
Over the past year, the district conducted a pilot program in select schools to test various approaches to cell phone use during the school day. The pilot provided valuable insights into what was needed to update the current policy.
THE DRAFTED POLICY https://5il.co/3lzgo outlines guidelines for cell phone use during school hours as well as consequences for misuse. The district hopes the policy will help minimize distractions in the classroom.
The district is requesting your input about the changes by August 15, 2025. Community members can submit their feedback via email to Nancy Harrington at harringtonn@dcpsmd.org.
There were nothing but smiles as Christopher “Jackson” Nehring and Andrew Mitchell were recognized for their commitment and true passion for the trade during their signing for the apprenticeship with GKD. Under the leadership of Leon Shockley and with mentorship from Lamar Dockins, these two young apprentices will enhance the skills they have already acquired from the DCTC Welding Program. These apprenticeships deepen our partnerships with local businesses and provide invaluable hands-on experience and professional development opportunities, preparing our students for successful careers in the local industry.
✨ Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping the safety of our schools and students a top priority!
