Dorchester County Public Schools -

SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE The school year has been off to a strong start with the introduction of the Ron Clark Academy House system in those of our schools that had not yet adopted a House system. This means that all our students are not only Vikings or Eagles, Huskies, or Hummingbirds, but are now also members of a House, a smaller, connected community within the wider school community. Houses rely on inclusion and encourage each member’s talents, abilities, and participation to reach specific goals. It has been shown that Houses have the potential to build a sense of belonging that we hope to leverage to increase academic engagement, and we look forward to their activities as the year progresses. We have begun a reorganization of the Alternative Education Program for our most challenging learners. The Board of Education has agreed a contract with Vision Quest, the organization operating Morning Star Youth Academy in Woolford, to work with Dorchester County Public Schools in providing educational and therapeutic services to some high school students who might have previously attended DCPS’ New Directions Learning Academy (NDLA). NDLA will continue to serve and support middle school students as well as provide a learning environment for some high school students receiving remote instruction from their classroom teachers. Beginning in December and continuing over the following few months, I will be holding an evening Superintendent’s Forum in every school. This will give families and the community the opportunity to hear about important issues such as what the implementation of the Blueprint means to our schools, the challenges of next year’s budget, our MCAP data, as well as ask me questions. The first Forum will be at Maple Elementary on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:00 pm, followed by Choptank Elementary on Wednesday, December 7 and South Dorchester School on Wednesday, December 13. Superintendent Forums at other schools will follow in the new year. I’m pleased to say that the gains identified in the recently released results from the MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) taken by our students last spring offer reason for optimism. Significant growth was shown in ELA (reading and writing) at several schools, including Hurlock Elementary, Sandy Hill Elementary, Vienna Elementary, Warwick Elementary, and C-SDHS. In math, our results were not as good as hoped, mirroring the results of the state as a whole. However, the most promising growth occurred at Hurlock Elementary and South Dorchester School. School-level data summarizing the county’s results can be found at https://tinyurl.com/abn7a3ry. Lastly, as the Thanksgiving break approaches next week and we reflect upon our blessings, I am grateful for the trust you put in Dorchester County Public Schools to help shape the future of our children and our County. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

As American Education Week ends, let’s have one more look at a few of the ‘favorites’ our students have about their schools. Take it away, Luis, Jamie, and Jayonna: Luis, 12th grade, North Dorchester High School: “The teachers work hard to make a difference.” Jamie, 2nd grade, Maple Elementary School: “I like when we have House meetings because they’re so fun.” Jayonna, 12th grade, C-SD: “The best thing is Power Hour – it gives us time with friends and time for meetings, like Student Government.” #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

As part of American Education Week, Maple Elementary invited parents and grandparents into the school earlier this week for Family Reading Day, to share a book with their child during reading time. Thank you, families, for helping reinforce the importance (and joy!) of reading! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It’s American Education Week, and we asked students what they like best about their school. Today we hear from Brodie, Rachel, and Karma. Brodie, 3rd grade, Hurlock Elementary School: “We do fun activities with our Houses.” Rachel, 11th grade, DCTC: “We do a lot of hands-on things and that’s how I learn best.” Karma, 4th grade, Sandy Hill Elementary School: “My favorite thing is my friends and learning.” #AllHandsOnDeck

It's American Education Week, and we’re asking our kiddos what they like best about their schools! Today we hear from Jai’Quan, Olivia, and Malakhi: “Doing math is my favorite because it’s so fun.” – Jai'Quan, 1st grade, Maple Elementary School. “The people and how nice they are.” – Olivia, 5th grade, Vienna Elementary School. “The teachers are the best because they really help me learn a lot.” – Malakhi, 6th grade, Mace’s Lane Middle School #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

We love our ESP’s – Education Support Professionals - and American Education Week gives us a good reason to show it! Today is ESP Day, and our ESPs were treated to lunch – delicious barbecue straight from Jamie Petrides’ grill - as a ‘thank you’ from Dorchester County Public Schools and Dorchester Educators, with volunteer support from the Dorchester Retired School Personnel Association. Who are the ESP’s? Broadly speaking, those who work for the school district supporting the good work of our certificated staff. We’re talking Instructional Assistants, food service staff, custodians, office staff, administrative assistants, technical staff, Educational Specialists, maintenance staff, transportation staff, and any others who help keep DCPS afloat and on course. Our ESPs are Extra Special People! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Naval Academy was invaded by enthusiastic Eagles last weekend as the North Dorchester High School Cheer Team, led by Ms. Amber Knoepfel, joined other schools to be part of a 400-strong cheer squad at the Midshipmen’s football game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham! It must have worked, as Navy beat UAB 31-6. Spread that Eagle magic! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

As American Education Week continues, let’s hear from DCPS students Victor, Domir, and Aubrey and why they like their schools: “My favorite thing is the sense of community.” – Victor, 10th grade, C-SD. “I love the teachers and the energy here.” – Domir, 6th grade, North Dorchester Middle School. “There’s a lot of kind people.” – Aubrey, 4th grade, South Dorchester School. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Welcome to American Education Week, the annual celebration of our nation’s public schools! Exactly what is there to celebrate? We asked some of our students what they liked best about their school and will be sharing their thoughts throughout the week. Today we hear from Domanyc, Za’Meriah, and Grace: “I like to learn about science because you get to do experiments sometimes.” – Domanyc, 4th grade, Choptank Elementary. “Cheer team – it motivates me to keep my grades good.” – Za’Meriah, 7th grade, Mace’s Lane Middle School. “Lunch, gym, and recess!” – Grace, Kindergarten, Warwick Elementary. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Congratulations to the Athletes of the Month for October! The North Dorchester Eagles soaring high include junior Emily Freeman from the varsity volleyball team, girls’ soccer team stalwart Emilee Cohee, a junior; and freshman Adi Thomas, a varsity cross-country runner who qualified for the Maryland state championship in her first year of high school! Thank you to this month’s sponsors – Metal Arc Fabrication and Easton/Cambridge Premier Cinemas. Viking Athletes of the Month are Laila Insley, a mainstay of the girls’ soccer team, and Cross-Country runner Te’kai Drummond who just this past weekend picked up a medal for his 19th place finish in the state championships. They are pictured with Assistant Principal Everett Young and C-SD Athletic Director Casey O’Bier. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center, 2465 Cambridge Bypass in Cambridge, with the open session beginning at 6:00 pm. The agenda and related documents will be found online via Board Docs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us. The public is welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit comments electronically to be included in the minutes, email them to comments@dcpsmd.org by 2:00 pm on the date of the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

National Apprenticeship Week is November 13-19, 2023 and what better way to observe it at C-SD than to introduce more students to the great opportunities of apprenticeships? Just a few things that are happening this week: • Calling all parents! A Parent Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15 from 6:00-7:00 pm in C-SD’s auditorium to share information about potential apprenticeships, as well as hearing about ALL the resources available to help C-SD students be successful. Apprentices in the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program earn credit towards graduation, get paid, and receive training. What’s not to like? This event is hosted by C-SD’s Career Coach, Next Generation Scholars, School Counselors, and C-SD’s School-Community Liaison, with a giant Thanksgiving basket including a $50 Walmart gift card, as a door prize. • Career Coach Sandy Shaw will be meeting with all Juniors this week to talk about apprenticeships, with students able to begin their apprenticeship next summer as they prepare to enter their Senior year. • A booth will be set up in the cafeteria every day with materials and handouts about the Maryland Apprenticeship Program. Here is Ms. Shaw doing her thing by spreading the word about the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program to C-SD students! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It’s Veterans Day and Dorchester County Public Schools salutes all who have served in the armed forces to assure our protection and freedom, including many of our own staff at all levels up to and including Superintendent. As part of an expression of gratitude, North Dorchester Middle School held its annual Veterans Day assembly yesterday as a salute to all who served. Opening with a color guard of NDMS students who are members of Boy Scout Troop 754, there were musical tributes by the NDMS Chorus and Band as well as spirited performances by the Pom, Cheer, and Flag teams. The guest keynote speaker was County Councilman Mike Detmer, a DCPS alumnus, who served in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. All veterans in the audience were recognized and given ‘thank you’ cards created by students, and there was a moment of silence for the fallen, broken by ‘Taps’ performed flawlessly by 8th grade trumpeter Ayden Phillips. Veterans, when our nation called, you answered. Thank you for your service. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Thanks to our DCPS Lunch Legends working hard in the cafeteria kitchens, it was Thanksgiving Dinner with turkey and all the trimmings yesterday for lunch at our schools, with some of the schools inviting family and community to join in! There’s lots to be thankful for – when asked what she was thankful for, one youngster answered jubilantly, “Everything!” Here are some South Dorchester School families sharing the school Thanksgiving meal, which was so popular that families spilled over from the cafeteria to the gym! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Just a reminder that Friday, November 10, is an early dismissal day! Secondary teachers have report card prep and elementary teachers will be doing school-based professional development. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

There might have been a traffic jam on Egypt Road where Barbie cars and dragon cars, Hot Wheels cars and unicorn cars, all lined up to get into the Maple Elementary Drive-In Theatre! Maple organized two drive-in movie nights as House family events, one in October for the Houses of Sphinx, Hippogriff, and Griffin and one last week for the Houses of Phoenix, Pegasus, and Dragon. Parents and children designed and constructed imaginative ‘cars’ and ‘drove in’ wearing their child’s house colors to see Wreck-It Ralph and enjoy refreshments, all for family fun! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Students from the nationally-recognized SkillsUSA chapter at Dorchester Career and Technology Center were off to the Maryland SkillsUSA Leadership Conference in Ocean City last week for two days of informative and interactive workshops. Jessica Cowgill, a North Dorchester High senior and student in DCTC’s Teacher Academy of Maryland program, is a Maryland state officer of SkillsUSA and part of the statewide team that planned and facilitated the event. Congratulations to the 30 students who became more effective members by earning their Statesman or Advanced Statesman Award by demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of the goals of SkillsUSA! Chef Charlene Zinnel is the chapter’s advisor. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Rotary Club of Cambridge made a stop at Vienna Elementary School last week as part of their annual program to distribute dictionaries to all Dorchester County Public Schools 3rd graders. Thank you, Rotarians, for your generosity to our schools! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Today is the start of National School Psychology Week, and we salute our School Psychology team and the important work they do! With the broad remit of supporting students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach, they partner with families, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments, strengthening connections between home, school, and the community. Thank you to our DCPS School Psychologists - • Kim Parker – North Dorchester Middle School, North Dorchester High School, Vienna Elementary School • Christy Lantz – Hurlock Elementary School, Cambridge-South Dorchester High School • Abby Pluta – Choptank Elementary School, Warwick Elementary School • Katie Scarpati – Maple Elementary School, Mace’s Lane Middle School • Emily Moore – Sandy Hill Elementary School, South Dorchester School #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

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