✨Big news from Dorchester Career and Technology Center and DCPS Career Coaching Program!
We’re thrilled to celebrate Devon Ray, a Collision Repair student at Dorchester Career & Technology Center, who just kicked off his apprenticeship at Composite Yacht in Trappe, Maryland! 🎉
With expert mentor Leon Lahman by his side, Devon is taking the skills he’s learned in the classroom with Mr. Jesse Morris and putting them into action on real-world projects. From collision repair to painting and finishing vessels, Devon is gaining hands-on experience that’s setting him up for an amazing career ahead.
This apprenticeship is a shining example of our commitment to pursuing strong partnerships — a key focus of Priority 3 in our new strategic plan — that help bridge education and industry. Huge thanks to Composite Yacht for investing in local talent and helping build the future workforce! 💪
Devon’s journey shows what’s possible when we lead #withJOY and #BelieveInUs every step of the way. Way to go, Devon! We can’t wait to see where this journey takes you!
Did you know Dorchester County Public Schools offers awesome resources like IXL and Khan Academy to help you prepare? Whether you want to boost your math skills, sharpen your reading, or practice writing, these tools have got you covered — anytime, anywhere! Start prepping now and feel confident on test day. Your future self will thank you! 💪
❔Need help getting started? Ask your teachers or counselors about how to access these resources.
We know you've got this, and we are cheering you on #withJOY! 🚀📝
If you have any games you’re ready to share, please consider donating to help us keep the fun and positive vibes going strong for our students.
You can drop off your donations directly at Mace’s Lane Middle School — every game helps make a difference!
Let’s come together to support our Tigers and make every day a winning day! 🐾#BelieveInUs
👏 Mary Falduto – Teacher of the Month (Mace's Lane)
👏 Natalie Drake – Administrator of the Month (Maple Elementary)
👏 Vicky Johnson – Support Staff of the Month (Mace's Lane)
👏 Katie Scarpati – Specialist of the Month (Maple Elementary)
We are incredibly grateful for these amazing employees who truly exemplify what it means to lead #withJOY every single day! Your dedication and passion inspire us all. Each one of you plays such a vital role here at Dorchester County Public Schools, and it does 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! 💙📚
❔DID YOU KNOW? Our new #BelieveInUs: Achieving Our Potential Together strategic plan was funded by external sources? It's true! We have amazing partners who #InvestInDCPS, and this was one of the major ways our partners have poured into the betterment of our students!
Speaking of this new plan, we invite ALL of our DCPS community to join us for our upcoming community forums! Our new strategic plan is like a puzzle — every piece matters, and only when all parts of our community come together can we see the full picture of success for our students. 🧩
All community forums begin at 6 PM at the following locations:
📅 Monday, 10/6 @ St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Cambridge)
📅 Wednesday, 10/8 @ South Dorchester School S K-8 (South Dorchester)
📅 Thursday, 10/9 @ Hurlock Methodist Church (Hurlock)
🔗If you're looking to get a head start, you can find the strategic plan at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/9162e43a55.html We'll meet you there #withJOY!
In alignment with Priority 1: Advancing Academics in the #BelieveInUs: Achieving Our Potential Together strategic plan, HES is excited to launch the Books, Buddies and Beyond After School Club! This is a new program in partnership with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and John and Janice Wyatt Foundation (J2W), and will meet every Wednesday from 4:00–5:00 PM. This new program will give our youngest learners extra time, attention, and encouragement to grow into confident, capable readers.
Now, here’s where YOU come in! We’re inviting leaders and colleagues across the district to join us in this important work. Just a little bit of your time can make a BIG difference in early literacy and help our students reach this critical milestone. There will be two opportunities to volunteer, with Cohort 1 running from October 1st - December 3rd, and Cohort 2 running from February 4th - May 6th! 🗓️
By supporting the Mighty Eagles, you’re helping build a stronger foundation for success for young learners at DCPS. Together, we can empower every child to step confidently into the next stage of their learning journey!
Ready to get involved? Sign up today at https://forms.gle/xmuSKDbwQjmUsULSA or contact Ms. McBean at mcbeana@dcpsmd.org — let’s inspire the next generation of readers, #withJOY! 📖😊
They'd love to have you join them as they kick off the 2025-2026 school year #withJOY with an evening full of fun, information, and community connection!
🍴 Food Trucks & Vendor Fair start at 5:00 PM — Enjoy delicious eats from a Mexican Food Truck (with 10% off for attendees!) and a sweet treat from the Ice Cream Truck (NDHS students get a free ticket!)
🗺️Explore booths from local organizations supporting families and students, including:
PEP
Dorchester County Health Department
Department of Housing + Community Development
Big Brother Big Sister
NDNS
Shore Up Head Start + Early Head Start
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions
YMCA
Channel Marker
Harvesting Hope
Maple Shade
Wellness – NDHS
Sante Group/Mobile Crisis
Midshore Behavioral Health
Midshore Council on Family Violence
Dorchester County Sheriff Department
Hurlock PD
Jr. Achievement
Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation
Wraparound MD
Midshore Mediation
Dorchester Career and Technology Center
🎤 Presentation begins at 6:00 PM in the NDHS Auditorium and they'll be discussing:
Staff Introductions
Focus and goals for the 2025-2026 school year
Graduation requirements and College & Career Readiness (CCR)
School schedule and course offerings
PowerSchool and parent access
Tips and strategies for success this school year
Let's see those Eagles and families come together for this important night of learning and connection to start the year strong and show how we #BelieveInUs — together!✨
🗓️Mark your calendars for a great evening at North Dorchester High School!
🎉🙌 It’s Community School Liaison Week, and we’re celebrating the BEST of DCPS! 🙌🎉
Our incredible Community School Liaisons and Community School Coordinator, and those who assume the role because they wear many hats, are the champions who connect students, families, and schools — making sure everyone has the support they need to thrive. From building bridges to breaking down barriers, these amazing individuals go above and beyond every single day to create stronger, healthier, and more connected communities across our county. 💙🌟
To all our liaisons and those who step up to fill this vital role — THANK YOU! Your dedication, compassion, and hard work don’t go unnoticed. You are the difference-makers, the problem-solvers, and the champions of our students’ success.
Alexis McBean - Hurlock Elementary
Brittany Taylor - Choptank Elementary
Chris Branch - Mace's Lane
Cleotrina Tinch - CSD Vikings
Connar Winn - Vienna Elementary
Cynitha Woolford - Sandy Hill Elementary
Jessica Johnson - North Dorchester Middle School
Katelyn Helwig - South Dorchester School
Nicole Higgins - Maple Elementary
Sarah Hopkins - North Dorchester High School
Stephen Scott - Warwick Elementary
Let’s give them the shoutout they deserve! Drop a comment below to share your appreciation or a story about how a Community School Liaison has made an impact in your life or school #withJOY!
Together, we #BelieveInUs and the power of community! 💪✨
We are hiring — come join our team! 🚨
Dorchester County Public Schools is looking for Instructional Assistants and Physical Management Assistants to join our team immediately! 🎉
If you’re passionate about making a difference in students’ lives and want to be part of a supportive, energetic school community, this is your chance!
💡 Instructional Assistants help our students shine every day with hands-on learning support
💪 Physical Management Assistants play a key role in keeping our schools safe and positive for everyone
Ready to jump in and make an impact #withJOY? Apply today at https://dcps.schoolspring.com and start your rewarding journey with DCPS!
Tag a friend who’d be perfect for this! 👇#BelieveInUs
You’ve heard us reference it again and again, now it’s time to dive in! ✨YOU'RE INVITED✨ to attend our upcoming community forums in October as we discuss our new strategic plan!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about Believe in Us: Achieving Our Potential Together, Dorchester County Public Schools’ inspiring three-year roadmap to empower every student, support our educators, and strengthen our community! If you're looking to get a head start, you can find the strategic plan at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/9162e43a55.html
All community forums begin at 6 PM at the following locations:
📅 Monday, 10/6 @ St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Cambridge)
📅 Wednesday, 10/8 @ South Dorchester School S K-8 (South Dorchester)
📅 Thursday, 10/9 @ Hurlock Methodist Church (Hurlock)
Together, we’ll unlock potential, embrace innovation, and build a brighter future #withJOY for all learners in Dorchester County. Be part of the journey—your voice matters!
Let’s #BelieveInUs and achieve greatness—together. We'll meet you there! 🤝
Our Dorchester County Public Schools Board of Education members gathered with purpose and passion for a powerful
Board Retreat ahead of the new school year — and what a game-changer it was!
Since November 2024, this dynamic team — Dr. Cumberland, Ms. Lamonica, Mr. Wheedleton, Ms. Hubbard and Ms. Chikwendu — has been navigating some of the toughest budget challenges in decades, crafting a new Strategic Plan shaped by YOU, our community, and reimagining how various resources are used in classrooms.
While they have always championed professional development for our educators and staff, the Board realized they hadn’t taken that step for themselves — until now! Thanks to the incredible generosity of the John and Janice Wyatt Foundation (J2W), they partnered with Dr. Brian Perkins of Perkins Consulting to design a retreat focused on sharpening their skills, boosting collaboration, and setting the stage for an impactful year ahead — all at
no cost to DCPS.
Dr. Perkins guided them through essential topics like:
✅ Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a School Board
✅ Communicating effectively with each other and our community
✅ Planning intentional, student-focused Board meetings
✅ Supporting our Strategic Plan and DCPS goals with purpose
Board member Mr. Wheedleton, reflecting on his three summers of retreats, said, “This was the most well-planned, intentional, and outcomes-based retreat I’ve been a part of. We learned to work more collaboratively, gained tools to make meetings more effective, and will have ongoing support to keep improving.”
Board President Ms. Hubbard added, “I’ve been through 8 retreats, and I completely agree — with this generous support, we’re using this opportunity to be better than ever.”
This retreat wasn’t just a meeting — it was a commitment #withJOY to growth, teamwork, and excellence. Here’s to a year of strong leadership and bright futures for Dorchester County Public Schools! 💪✨#BelieveInUs
THIS is partnership in action! 🤝🔥
We’re thrilled to announce that First Financial Credit Union stepped up with a generous $500 donation to support our schools during the Delmarva Shorebirds' Teacher Appreciation Night on Friday, September 4th!
Our very own Dr. Michael Collins, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, proudly accepted this incredible gift on behalf of Dorchester County Public Schools — a true symbol of community coming together to lift up our educators and students.
A massive THANK YOU to First Financial and the Shorebirds for celebrating our teachers and fueling the amazing work happening across our district. This is what happens when we join forces — making a real difference, #withJOY, for every learner in Dorchester County! 📚 #BelieveInUs
