🐢We had a wonderful night at Vienna Elementary School's Open House! 🐢
A big thank you to all the families who joined us on Thursday, August 20, 2026. It was great to see so many of you there!
We would also like to give a special shoutout to the Vienna Parents Association (VPA) and Kona Ice for providing such a delicious treat for our students.
We are excited for the fantastic year ahead, Vienna Terrapins! Let's make it an amazing year together! ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
As we get ready for a new school year, don’t just prepare the backpack, school supplies, and clothes. Prepare their heart, boundaries, and courage, too. ️
Here are 15 important talks every child needs before the first school bell rings:
1️⃣ You Don’t Have to Be the Best to Belong
Worth is not decided by grades or popularity.
2️⃣ It’s Okay to Feel Nervous
Bravery can begin while you still miss home.
3️⃣ Asking Questions Is Smart
Not understanding yet does not mean you can’t learn.
4️⃣ Join In Without Changing Who You Are
Real friends never require you to pretend.
5️⃣ Notice the Child Standing Alone
One invitation can change their whole day.
6️⃣ You May Move Away From Unkindness
You do not have to stay near repeated hurt.
7️⃣ A Joke Stops When Someone Is Hurt
“Only joking” never excuses cruelty.
8️⃣ Tell an Adult If You Feel Unsafe
Choose several trusted adults before school begins.
9️⃣ Scary Secrets Should Be Shared
Safe surprises feel exciting, not heavy.
🔟 Listen to What Your Body Needs
Ask for water, food, the bathroom, rest, or help.
1️⃣1️⃣ Different Never Means Less
Every child deserves equal kindness.
1️⃣2️⃣ You Can Use Me as Your Excuse
Say, “My parent said no,” and leave safely.
1️⃣3️⃣ Know the Plan If Things Change
Remember pickup rules, contacts, and the family password.
1️⃣4️⃣ One Hard Day Does Not Define the Year
Difficult moments can be repaired.
1️⃣5️⃣ Tell Me the Truth—Even When It’s Messy
I will listen before judging.
Here's to a wonderful school year filled with courage, kindness, connection, and learning!
📌 Save this post for the night before school.
We’re excited to invite you to Open House Night at Vienna Elementary School! Join us on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM to meet your teacher and kick off the new school year together.
The 2025-2026 Vienna Elementary School yearbooks are here! Don’t forget to pick yours up during Open House Night!
As a special treat, the Vienna Parent Association (VPA) will be serving Kona Ice to all our amazing Vienna Elementary students.
We can’t wait to see you and share in the excitement of the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! Swing by, say hello to your teacher, and enjoy a delicious treat! ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
By setting goals to enhance our skills in teaching various mathematical concepts, we are dedicated to improving the educational experience for our students each year. We were honored to have Dr. Gaven Parker, the Director of Elementary Education, join us on the first day to welcome us and share his insights.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Karen Reinhardt, our expert OGAP instructor, for her invaluable guidance. We are grateful to DCPS and Dr. Parker for making this exceptional training possible, and we look forward to implementing what we've learned for the benefit of our students!
We are extremely grateful to all the Vienna parents who contributed uniforms at the end of last school year, highlighting our community's spirit of support and care for one another. ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Our students had a blast in Ms. Shanna Hubbard's physical education class last year, and we can’t wait to share even more great moments together! ❤️️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
**Battle of Vienna Event**
**Date:** August 29, 2026
**Time:** 10 AM - 4 PM
Join the town of Vienna for an exciting living history event at Handsell Historic Site and the beautiful Vienna Town Waterfront Park. This family-friendly outing will take place on Saturday, August 29th, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 4837 Indiantown Road and Water Street, Vienna, MD 21869.
Experience history come alive for just $10 per adult. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free! This amazing event is proudly presented by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance and the Vienna Heritage Society.
For more details and to purchase your tickets, visit the following: -
[Restore Handsell] https://www.restorehandsell.org -
[Vienna] https://www.viennamd.org -
[Vienna] https://www.viennamd.org/events/battle-of-vienna-august-292026-10am-4pm/
Come enjoy a day filled with adventure and learning!
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, Inc. is helping students get ready for a successful school year! 🎒✏️
Monday, August 17, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
2475 Cambridge Beltway
Cambridge, MD 21613
🎉 WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Students can receive:
🎒 School Supplies — including backpacks
👕 New Clothes & Shoes
✂️ Free Haircuts & Styling — for school-aged students only
🍎 Lunch Provided
🎁 Door Prizes
Let’s get our students ready to learn, grow, and succeed! 💙📚
📞 For More Information: (410) 221-0795
📧 Email: adotson@easternshorewellness.org
Please share this information with families who may benefit from this wonderful Back-to-School Readiness Event! 🎒✨
We invite all students and parents to join us for an exciting Open House on Thursday, August 20, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect and engage with our school community!
**Mark Your Calendar!**
🏫 **County-Wide Elementary Open House**
**Date:** Thursday, August 20, 2026
**Time:** 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there! ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Vienna Elementary School is pleased to share this month’s FREE virtual Mental Health Series from ParentGuidance.org / The Cook Center.
📚 Educate. Inform. Empower.
Explore this month’s virtual sessions covering today’s most important parenting topics. Join as many sessions as you’d like! Sessions are offered at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (ET).
️ August Session Topics
Monday, August 3 – Your Child’s Anxiety
Tuesday, August 4 – Building Your Child’s Confidence
Wednesday, August 5 – Tools to Support Your Child’s Mental Health
Thursday, August 6 – Bullying: Stop the Cycle
Monday, August 10 – Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What’s Wrong
Tuesday, August 11 – Social Media: Protecting Your Child
Wednesday, August 12 – What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention
Thursday, August 13 – Establishing Healthy Boundaries
Monday, August 17 – Everyday Happiness
Tuesday, August 18 – Compassionate Parenting & Self-Compassion
Wednesday, August 19 – Body Positivity: Nurturing Self-Image
Thursday, August 20 – Understanding Loneliness in Children
Monday, August 24 – Emotional Regulation: Strategies to Replace Negative Emotions
Tuesday, August 25 – Helping Your Child Succeed: Three Parenting Styles
Wednesday, August 26 – Why Our Children Self-Harm
Thursday, August 27 – Understanding Eating Disorders
Monday, August 31 – Recognizing Child Abuse
⭐ Special Live Events
🗣️ Ask A Therapist Live
August 25 at 8:00 p.m.
🔗 Register: cookcenter.info/ATLAug25
👨👩👧 Watch Together Series
August 12 at 8:00 p.m.
🔗 Register: cookcenter.info/WTPAugust
🔎 Discover the Mental Health Series
Visit: parentguidance.org/mhs-catalog/
📧 For support or questions, contact: info@cookcenter.org
These resources are designed to help families support children’s emotional well-being, build resilience, and strengthen positive mental health habits at home.
What a wonderful event at the North Dorchester Math 24 Tournament County Competition on May 21, 2026, hosted by Hurlock Elementary School!
A huge thank you to our outstanding Math Coaches — Mr. Shane Abbott from Vienna Elementary School, Mrs. Caroline Marshall from Hurlock Elementary School, and Mrs. Janelle Koski from Warwick Elementary School — for planning and organizing such a successful event. Your dedication and hard work made this competition a memorable experience for all of our students.
We are so proud of all the amazing mathematicians from Vienna, Hurlock, and Warwick Elementary Schools in grades 1–5. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and problem-solving skills were truly impressive!
Thank you as well to all the teachers, principals, custodians, and parents for your continued support and encouragement of our students. It truly takes a community working together to create opportunities like this for our children.
We are so proud of everyone who participated and represented their schools with excellence! #withJOY ❤️💚💙💙🐢❤️💚💙
In March, students in PreK 3, PreK 4, and Kindergarten at Vienna Elementary had a special visit from Lucky the Leprechaun.
Lucky helped teach our young learners about the dangers of household products that can sometimes look like candy or drinks. Students had fun learning how to stay safe and practiced “stamping out” dangerous items on their activity sheets! 🚫🧴
Thank you to Mrs. Marcia Spicer, school health nurse supervisor, for coming to share this important and life-saving information with our Vienna Terrapins! 🐢
👏 A special shoutout to our fabulous school nurse, Mrs. Shelby Melton, for supporting this meaningful learning experience!
😊 And we have to ask… who remembers Mr. Yuck from their childhood? That bright green sticker is still helping keep kids safe today! ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙 #withJOY
🐢Career Day in May was an inspiring event that opened our students' eyes to a world of possibilities. It provided them with a valuable opportunity to explore diverse careers while preparing for their futures in college and beyond.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Winn for her incredible planning and organization of this impactful event. We are also grateful to the dedicated professionals who shared their personal journeys and insights, helping to guide our students toward their goals.
Participating organizations included:
- Sheriff's Department
- Salisbury Medical Laboratory Science and Chemistry Department
- Maryland Diesel and Fuel Injection
- Poultry Farming
- Health and Wellness
- Business Owners
- Registered Veterinary Technicians
- Emergency Management Services
- Neuroscientists
- Tile Installation
- Zoologists from Salisbury Zoo
Your contributions made a significant difference in inspiring the next generation! ️ ️❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙 #withJOY
Each day, the VPA set up fun treats and games in the staff lounge for everyone to enjoy. It was a delightful way to celebrate!
Thank you once again to our incredible parents and the VPA for your unwavering love and support. Your efforts truly make a difference, and we deeply appreciate all that you do for us. #withJOY ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Uniform Reminder
Tops: Solid dark navy blue, light (pastel) blue, light (pastel) yellow, or white polo shirts, sweatshirts, or sweaters (no logos or designs).
Bottoms: Khaki (not brown), navy blue, or black pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, or dresses.
👖 Jeans are only permitted on designated HOUSE days.
Hooded sweatshirts are allowed; however, for safety, students may not wear the hood over their heads while inside the building.
🎒 Don't Forget!
Students should bring:
💧 A clear water bottle
🎒 A clear backpack
📌 Save the Dates!
🏫 County-Wide Elementary Open House
Thursday, August 20, 2026
🕒 3:00–5:00 p.m.
🎒 PreK3, PreK4 & Kindergarten Student & Parent Orientation
(Attend ONE session)
• Monday, August 24 – 1:00–2:30 p.m.
OR
• Tuesday, August 25 – 9:00–10:30 a.m.
🎉 First Day of School – Grades 1–5
Monday, August 24, 2026
☀️ First Day of School—PreK3, PreK4 & Kindergarten
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
We can't wait to welcome our amazing Terrapins back for another fantastic school year filled with learning, growth, friendship, courage, and dreams! ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Vienna Elementary School 2026–2027 School Supply Lists
🍎 PreK3 and PreK4 Supply List
4 jumbo purple glue sticks
2 boxes of regular crayons
1 box of washable markers
2 containers of Play-Doh
1 pack of multi-color construction paper
1 watercolor paint palette
1 bottle of liquid glue
1 fitted crib sheet (for rest time mats)
1 clear (see-through) backpack
1 clear (refillable) water bottle
1 complete change of uniform clothes, including underwear and socks (to remain at school)
❤️ Optional, but greatly appreciated:
Boxes of tissues
Disinfectant wipes and/or hand sanitizer
Gallon or sandwich-size Ziploc freezer bags
🍎 Kindergarten Supply List
• 1 fitted crib sheet
• 5 fat (thick) black dry erase markers
• 1 plastic pencil box
• 1 clear (see-through) backpack
• 1 clear (refillable) water bottle
• 2 three-prong pocket folders
• 2 packs of #2 pencils (not mechanical)
• 2 boxes of regular crayons (16 or 24 count)
• 2 large glue sticks
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 set of iPad-compatible headphones
• 1 complete change of uniform clothes (including underwear and socks) to be kept at school
❤️ Optional, but greatly appreciated:
• Ziploc-style freezer bags (quart or gallon)
• Disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Tissues
🎒 PreK3, PreK4 and Kindergarten Student & Parent Orientation (Attend ONE session)
• Monday, August 24 – 1:00–2:30 p.m.
OR
• Tuesday, August 25 – 9:00–10:30 a.m.
🍎 Grade 1 Supply List
1 clear (see-through) backpack
1 clear (refillable) water bottle
1 large chunk eraser
6 fat (thick) dry erase markers
2 plastic pencil boxes
2 packs of #2 pencils (not mechanical)
2 boxes of 24-count Crayola crayons
2 large glue sticks
1 pair of scissors
1 set of iPad-compatible headphones
🍎 Grade 2 Supply List
1 clear (see-through) backpack
1 clear (refillable) water bottle
1 large chunk eraser
1 pack of thin dry erase markers
1 pack of fat dry erase markers
1 plastic pencil box
2 packs of #2 pencils (not mechanical)
1 box of 24-count Crayola crayons
1 pack of Crayola colored pencils
1 pack of Crayola thin markers
1 pair of scissors
1 set of headphones (No Bluetooth)
❤️Optional, but greatly appreciated for 1st and 2nd grades:
• Family-size boxes of tissues
• Quart or gallon-size Ziploc-style freezer bags
• Disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer
• Inexpensive paper towels
🍎 Grade 3 Supply List
1 clear (see-through) backpack
1 clear (refillable) water bottle
2 stitched composition notebooks
1½" 3-ring binder with pockets
1 pack of cap erasers
2 glue sticks
1 pack of dry erase markers
3 folders with pockets
1 pencil pouch with 3 holes
2 packs of #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils)
1 box of Crayola crayons (24 count)
1 pair of scissors
1 set of headphones (no Bluetooth)
🍎 Grade 4 Supply List
1 clear (see-through) backpack
1 clear (refillable) water bottle
2 stitched composition notebooks
2 two-pocket folders (1 red, 1 blue)
1" 3-ring binder with pockets
1 pack of 5-tab binder dividers
1 pack of wide-ruled notebook paper (3-hole)
10 black chisel-tip dry erase markers
2 large glue sticks
5" x 8" pencil box or zippered pencil bag
2 packs of #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils)
1 box of Crayola crayons (24 count)
1 pack of Crayola colored pencils
1 pack of Crayola thin markers
1 pair of scissors
1 set of headphones (no Bluetooth)
🍎 Grade 5 Supply List
2 stitched composition notebooks
1" 3-ring binder with pockets
1 pack of 5-tab binder dividers
1 pack of wide-ruled notebook paper (3-hole)
10 black dry erase markers
2 large glue sticks
5" x 8" pencil box or zippered pencil bag
2 packs of #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils)
1 box of Crayola crayons (24 count)
1 pack of Crayola colored pencils
1 pack of Crayola thin markers
1 pair of scissors
1 set of headphones (no Bluetooth)
❤️ Optional but greatly appreciated for grades 3rd – 5th:
• Family-size boxes of tissues
• Quart or gallon-size freezer bags
• Disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer
Uniform Reminder
Tops: Solid dark navy blue, light (pastel) blue, light (pastel) yellow, or white polo shirts, sweatshirts, or sweaters (no logos or designs).
Bottoms: Khaki (not brown), navy blue, or black pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, or dresses.
No blue jeans except on designated House Shirt days.
Hoods may not be worn on students' heads while inside the building.
Save the Dates!
🏫 County-Wide Elementary Open House
Thursday, August 20, 2026
3:00–5:00 p.m.
☀️ First Day of School for PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten
Wednesday August 26, 2026
🎉 First Day of School for Grades 1–5
Monday, August 24, 2026
A printed copy of these supply lists will also be posted on the front door of Vienna Elementary School for your convenience.
Our little Terrapins enjoyed jumping around and learning gymnastics at Beach Bounders, and they had so much fun discovering all the amazing animals at the zoo.
A huge thank you goes out to our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Jo Ann Dechert; our PreK3 teacher, Mrs. Valerie Friedel, and our PreK4 teacher, Mrs. Sherri Todd, for putting together such a fantastic trip!
We also want to give a big shout-out to our amazing instructional assistants: Mrs. Katie Reid, Ms. Chloe James, Mrs. Carol Malchow, and Mrs. Rebecca Compton. And a special thanks to our special education instructional assistants, Ms. Chela Hernandez and Ms. Ginger Oakes, for all their support!
Let’s not forget Mr. David Higgins, our awesome ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher, who joined us on this adventure. Together, we made some truly unforgettable memories that we’ll cherish for years to come! #withJoy ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Students began with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, followed by our Pledge for Success. To celebrate their participation, our Terrapins were rewarded with a cool “HOUSE” pencil or a fun “HOUSE” bracelet! #withJOY ❤️💚💙🐢❤️💚💙
Vienna Elementary School is pleased to share this FREE virtual Mental Health Series from ParentGuidance.org. These online sessions are designed to educate, inform, and empower parents with practical strategies to support their children's mental health and well-being.
Sessions are held throughout July at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (ET).
Join as many sessions as you'd like!
July Topics
July 1: Everyday Happiness
July 2: School Avoidance
July 6: Your Active Child: ADHD
July 7: Emotional Regulation – Interrupting Negative Emotions
July 8: What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention
July 9: Understanding Video Game Addiction
July 13: Navigating Divorce When Children Are Involved
July 14: Effects of Screen Time & Your Child's Mental Health
July 15: Bullying – Stop the Cycle
July 16: Body Positivity: Nurturing Self-Image
July 20: Mindfulness for Improved Mental Health
July 21: Parenting Through Anxiety & Depression
Ask a Therapist LIVE – July 21 at 8:00 p.m. (Registration required)
July 22: Why Our Children Self-Harm
July 23: Recognizing Child Abuse
July 27: Your Child's Anxiety
July 28: Building Your Child's Confidence
July 29: How to Motivate Your Child
July 30: Supporting Your Child After Trauma
Visit ParentGuidance.org to explore the Mental Health Series and register for the Ask a Therapist LIVE event.
Together, we can support the mental health and well-being of our children and families.
