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
Our middle and high school math educators from across Dorchester County came together recently to celebrate the amazing progress made during the 2024-25 school year—both the big wins and the quiet, behind-the-scenes victories that often go unnoticed. 📊✨
Thanks to their hard work and dedication, DCPS climbed the state rankings in math, with Grade 8 earning an impressive 12th place statewide—one of our strongest performances to date! There was even a special shoutout for Crystal Carpenter and Stacey Meyers, our Grade 8 math leaders, who received flowers as a small token of appreciation for leading with big wins for this standout team! 🌸🌟
These leaders also took time to remind each other to affirm their impact, even when it’s not celebrated publicly— a reminder that very effort, every moment of support, and every student inspired adds up to real progress.
At the same time, they challenged each other to remain humble and focused—while our ranking is impressive, they know there is still work to be done!
Here’s to our dedicated math teachers—thank you for your passion, perseverance, and the unseen impact you make every day. You're a major part of why everyone should #BelieveInUs! 💪
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond, makes a positive impact, or simply brightens the day for students and colleagues? Now’s your chance to shine a spotlight on their incredible contributions!
💬 Submit your nomination and tell us why your pick deserves to be celebrated. Whether it’s their dedication, kindness, creativity, or leadership—we want to hear your story!
Your voice helps us honor the everyday heroes who make our district and community thrive. Let’s celebrate those who make a difference every single day!
👉 Nominate now at http://bit.ly/4m0MyJ6 and help us recognize the amazing people who inspire others to #BelieveInUs!
Most of the students returning today for their “first day” were our secondary students, bringing bringing renewed enthusiasm and bright smiles to our campuses across the county—emphasis on the bright smiles, just check out the photos if you don't believe us! Our executive team and Board of Education President, Sheri Hubbard, made special visits to Dorchester Career and Technology Center, Vienna Elementary, Hurlock Elementary, and Warwick Elementary to cheer on students and staff as they kicked off another fantastic day. 🎉
#BelieveInUs
We are incredibly proud to announce that Dr. Gaven Parker, Principal of Choptank Elementary School, has been named one of the winners of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals 2025 Connected School Leader Award! 🏆✨
This prestigious award recognizes Maryland school leaders who:
• Work With Connectedness: Helping colleagues understand how their efforts fit into the bigger picture.
• Lead With Connectedness: Moving beyond self-interest to grow the unique skills of others.
• Live With Connectedness: Showing how talents, actions, mission, and successes are all connected.
Dr. Parker exemplifies these qualities every day, inspiring collaboration, growth, and support throughout our schools. He is one of just 11 award winners who demonstrate the power of working together and mentoring others to strengthen our profession.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Parker on this outstanding achievement!👏 #BelieveInUs
Do you hear that??? That's the sound of the last bell ringing to close out the first official school day of the 2025-2026 school year at Dorchester County Public Schools! 🎉📚
What a wonderful day filled with familiar smiles, new friendships, fresh ideas, and endless possibilities! Superintendent Dr. Thompson and the executive team, along with DCPS Board of Education President Ms. Sherri Hubbard, visited many schools across the county today, warmly connecting with students and staff to start the year with encouragement and support. Our educators and students are already hitting the ground running, motivated and ready to continue making progress toward becoming the 15th-ranked public school system in Maryland! From excited learners stepping into classrooms to dedicated educators inspiring from Day 1, the spirit across our campuses is truly uplifting. We can't wait to welcome back more of our students over the next two days!
📸 We hope you’ll take a moment to peer into the world we experience every day through the eyes of our educators — the images attached to this post capture the heart and soul of Dorchester County Public Schools, and the WHY behind what we do here!
Together, we’re showing the world why everyone — including ourselves — should #BelieveInUs! Here’s to a year filled with more growth, discovery, and creating meaningful memories! ✨
We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Superintendent, Dr. Jymil Thompson, will be making a splash with a special guest appearance in the dunk tank! 🎯💦
We hope to see you for this event filled with delicious sweet treat trucks, engaging activities, valuable information, and resources — all focused on raising awareness about opioid addiction and how we can come together as a community to fight it. 💪
Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a evening of fun, support, and hope. Let’s stand united and show that Dorchester County is #DOCOGoesPurple strong! 💜
Is that a... dinosaur???
Yup, sure is!
Meet Roary the Raptor — our fun and fearless mascot named after our amazing partners in safety, Raptor Technologies! Roary made a special visit to Hurlock Elementary School, presented by DCPS School Safety and Preparedness Coordinator, Mike Richardson, to celebrate two incredible safety champions, Ms. Michelle Dorsey and Ms. Angela Turner (not pictured), who lead by example every day to keep our Dorchester County Public Schools students safe.🙌💙
We’re so proud of their dedication and grateful for partners like Raptor Technologies who help us create a safe learning environment for our students.
Keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned to see where Roary will show up next! You never know when he might pop in to recognize more outstanding safety heroes! 👀🦖
#BelieveInUs #InvestInDCPS
🎒📚 The countdown is on — our students head back next week and after the excitement of seeing them at open houses yesterday, we truly cannot wait to see them again! 🫶
Here’s the schedule to help you get ready:
📅 Tuesday, September 2nd: Grades 1-6, Grade 9, and SDS Grades 1-8
📅 Wednesday, September 3rd: Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12
📅 Thursday, September 4th: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Earliest Drop-off & Dismissal Times:
🕒Elementary Schools - 8:30AM (Drop-off) & 3:45PM (Dismissal)
🕒CSDHS, NDHS - 7:30AM (Drop-off) & 2:45PM (Dismissal)
🕒DCTC - 7:30AM (Drop-off) & 2:35PM (Dismissal)
🕒MLMS - 7:20AM (Drop-off) & 2:35PM (Dismissal)
🕒NDMS - 7:25AM (Drop-off) & 2:40PM (Dismissal)
We’re so excited to welcome all our students back to campus for a year full of learning, growth, and new opportunities.
Let’s keep climbing, keep striving, and show everyone what it means to #BelieveInUs! ✨
On Monday, August 25th, Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions hosted the 10th Annual Back to School Health and Readiness Event at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School! 🙌
From providing FREE school supplies to sharing important information about youth and family services, the event was packed with resources and services to help our students start the school year strong with confidence. We were thrilled to see so many community partners come together to support our students and families ahead of the start of the new school year!
A huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all the families who joined us. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, and more prepared community! 💪
#BelieveInUs #InvestInDCPS
