Dorchester County Public Schools -

This December, Sparkles the Elf made a special journey from the North Pole to visit our youngest learners at every elementary school across Dorchester County! With her magical North Pole germs in tow, Sparkles showed students just how easily germs can spread from person to person. Through fun demonstrations and engaging conversations, she helped our students understand why handwashing is so important and how clean hands keep our whole community healthy. At DCPS, we’re proud to bring lessons #withJOY that keep our students safe and thriving! #BelieveInUs

‼️Reminder‼️

Dorchester County Public Schools will:
📆operate on a HALF DAY schedule today, Friday, December 19th
📆be CLOSED December 22nd - January 2nd for break

On Tuesday, December 16th, Maple Elementary School buzzed with excitement and community spirit as families from across Dorchester County gathered for a special PEP celebration event. This joyful evening was a collaboration between the PEP partnership and the Maple Judy Center Early Learning Hub, who extended a warm invitation to families from across Dorchester to join in the festivities. The event was a proud moment to honor 35 parents—both English and Spanish speakers—who completed the PEP-Family Reading Program (PEP-FRP) this fall. These dedicated parents have taken important steps to support their children’s learning at home, and this celebration recognized their commitment and growth. Families were inspired by powerful words from Dr. Thompson and Joy Thomas Moore, a literacy specialist, parenting author, and mother to Governor Wes Moore. Their messages highlighted the importance of family engagement and literacy in shaping successful futures for our students. Throughout the evening, families enjoyed engaging activities, meaningful conversations, and the chance to connect with one another. At DCPS, we know that strong partnerships between schools and families are the heart of student success. Events like this remind us all that when we come together #withJOY, we build a stronger, more vibrant community for every child. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this celebration so special! #BelieveInUs

We are proud to announce the talented students who were selected as winners of our DCPS Holiday Card Contest! Their creativity and artistic skills truly captured the spirit of the holiday season! ❄️ 👏 This year’s winners are:     •    Hazel Coulbourn – Vienna Elementary     •    Marlee Rogers – Vienna Elementary     •    Addison Maier – South Dorchester School     •    Kiedia Woolford – CSD We are so proud of these students for sharing their creativity and holiday cheer with our DCPS community #withJOY. Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to our winners on a job well done! 🎨🎉 #BelieveInUs

We were wrapped in warmth, laughter, and community at the Family Ugly Sweater Party, hosted by Sandy Hill, Choptank, Mace’s Lane, and CSD. We were filled #withJOY to see families come together for this celebration that blended fun with purpose. This gathering marked the second event in a four-part Music and Movement for Mental Health series, thoughtfully presented by our school social workers and community school liaisons. The room was alive with music, movement, and meaningful connection—reminding us that mental wellness grows strongest when families and schools support one another. Smiles filled the space, laughter echoed throughout the evening, and creativity shined through every wonderfully ugly sweater. More than just a party, the event created a sense of belonging and togetherness that reflects the heart of our Dorchester County school community. We’re grateful to our schools, families, and community partners for making this night so special—and we can’t wait to continue the journey with the next events in the series. 🎶🧣 #BelieveInUs

Due to hazardous road conditions and freezing temperatures, Dorchester County Public Schools will open on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, December 15, 2025. Please be safe!

Sometimes the smallest initial interactions lead to the most remarkable partnerships. At Maple Elementary School, a simple question from DEPCOM sparked a powerful collaboration that has made a lasting impact on students, staff, and the entire school community. DEPCOM, a solar engineering company, recently started construction across from Maple Elementary School, and they had asked if MES would be okay with them parking in the school lot when space was available. Without hesitation, Principal Ford agreed. At the end of last school year, DEPCOM again reached out to Principal Ford, this time asking what how they could invest in students over the summer. With minimal funding available for summer tutoring or programming, DEPCOM stepped in to fill the gap—purchasing every student a copy of the same book to launch a schoolwide One School, One Book summer reading and activity program. They also showed appreciation for the Lion's hardworking staff with an end-of-year luncheon. But their support didn’t stop there. Throughout the summer, DEPCOM stayed in close contact, continually asking how they could help. As the new school year began, they welcomed staff back with a breakfast and organized a supply drive that resulted in a generous donation of school supplies for students and teachers. Most recently, after learning more about the ongoing needs of Maple’s students, DEPCOM made a generous $10,000 donation to support critical student programs and resources. One DEPCOM team member said, "we know having a construction site this close to campus isn't ideal, but we are thankful. Moreso, we are just very grateful that you are building the future through your students, and we want to help in any way we can." This partnership is a shining example of how community engagement and genuine care can create meaningful change. We are grateful to DEPCOM for their ongoing commitment to our students and staff—and for showing how gestures of any size can grow into deep care and support. #withJOY #BelieveInUs

It was all smiles and giggles #withJOY at the DCPS Infants and Toddlers Celebration on Monday! Thank you to DCPS Family Support Services for hosting such an incredible event for our families at Cabin Fever! ❔Did you know: DCPS Family Support Services offers valuable resources for early intervention? If you're concerned with your child's development speak to their health care provider to determine if early intervention services are right for you! #BelieveInUs

📢 We’re Hiring! Join the DCPS Team!

Dorchester County Public Schools is looking for passionate and dedicated professionals to join us in supporting our students’ success. We have openings for:

• Special Education Instructional Assistant
• Early Childhood Behavior Intervention Teacher
• Physical Management Assistants

If you’re committed to making a difference in the lives of students and want to be part of a dynamic, inclusive school community, we want to hear from you!

🔗 Apply today at dcps.schoolspring.com

#BelieveInUs

‼️Reminder‼️

There will be a half day for DCPS students tomorrow, December 10, 2025.

He’s at it again! If there’s one thing we know, it’s that North Dorchester teacher Mr. Dave Morrissette understands the value of creating opportunities for his students beyond the traditional ways of learning. Over the past several weeks, Mr. Morrissette has welcomed a variety of experts into his strength and conditioning classes to share their knowledge and inspire our students #withJOY. Students have had the opportunity to learn from: • Cindy Vroman – Personal Trainer at Pure Fitness in Seaford, DE • Jeremy Warner – Head Coach and Soft Tissue Therapist from Functional Human Solutions • AJ Angello – Strength Trainer at A4 Training of Salisbury, MD Thanks to these guest teachers, our students are gaining valuable insights into fitness, health, and wellness from professionals in the field – in real time! That’s the kind of real-world learning that prepares our students for success! #BelieveInUs

Calling all members of our DCPS community.... Yes, YOU! We are actively seeking your input to help us close the gender gap we are seeing on ELA MCAP assessments. Please use the link below to give us your feedback!

🔗Gender Gap Survey: https://bit.ly/48AUDja

#BelieveInUs

You’ve heard of service with a smile, but how about services that give a smile? That's exactly what Mace’s Lane Middle School did when they teamed up with Catering by Jamie to host a special fundraiser aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students and staff this school year. Community School Liaison Mr. Branch was on hand to help lead the charge and personally thank everyone who showed up and supported MLMS yesterday. Together, we’re building a stronger community and brighter futures for our Tigers—#withJOY! #BelieveInUs

‼️Dorchester County Public Schools is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Tradesman I/General Maintenance Technician and Tradesman II / Licensed General Maintenance Technician. We are looking for a skilled, motivated, and self-driven professional with proven leadership abilities and expertise in multiple trades, including but not limited to carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. These positions will be responsible for performing a variety of maintenance tasks to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff.

📝If you are a dedicated maintenance professional ready contribute to our school facilities, please apply at dcps.schoolspring.com

November has come and gone in a flash, but now it's time to raise our voices high to celebrate the amazing dedication of our incredible staff! You nominated, and the selections are in – a huge congratulations to our November Staff of the Month recipients, whose smiles during this Tuesday morning surprise truly poured right back into us! Our November recipients are: 👏 Dave Morrissette – Teacher of the Month (North Dorchester High School) 👏 Linda Barnes – Administrator of the Month (North Dorchester Middle School) 👏 Shayna Church – Specialist of the Month (Hurlock Elementary) 👏 Jerrad Thomas – Support Personnel of the Month (CSD) 👏 Felicia Blount – People’s Choice Award (Choptank Elementary) We are so grateful for these outstanding employees who lead #withJOY every day! Your passion and dedication 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 never go unnoticed! Know a great DCPS employee who deserves recognition? Submit your nomination here: http://bit.ly/4m0MyJ6 Let’s keep celebrating those who are dedicated to leading and empowering across our district! 💙 #BelieveInUs

Today on National Special Education Day, Dorchester County Public Schools honors the unique strengths and potential of every learner. We also celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of our Special Education team, whose commitment to inclusion helps every student thrive. Thank you for making our schools a place where all learners are supported and valued #withJOY!

#BelieveInUs

On Tuesday, November 25th, our Choptank Elementary Hummingbirds took an important step in emergency preparedness by participating in an evacuation drill that advanced into a modified reunification process. This hands-on practice helps ensure that in the event of an emergency, our students, staff, and families know exactly what to do. This drill was an extension of Priority 2: Optimizing Operations from our Strategic Plan and was made possible through the collaboration of district and school officials, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cambridge Police Department. Together, we strive to create a safe and secure learning environment for all. 🚌🚔 #BelieveInUs