**Red Ribbon Campaign**
**Life is a puzzle; live it drug-free.**
These meaningful words resonate with the Dorchester County Health Department. On Monday, October 27, 2025, Ms. Kirsten Hurley, Ms. Shannon Proffitt, and Ms. Robin Stanley from the Dorchester County Health Department visited Vienna Elementary School to talk with students in grades 3 through 5 about the dangers of drug abuse.
The presenters emphasized that drugs can negatively impact students' brains and bodies, as well as their mental health. They also discussed how drug abuse affects the community, environment, friends, and family.
Nicotine, for example, can hinder brain development and harm the heart. Additionally, cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can harm others through secondhand smoke, making it crucial to protect our loved ones.
Alcohol, one of the most commonly used drugs, can also impair a young person's brain development. The speakers showed slides highlighting the differences between cannabis, candy, and medicine, reminding students to always consult a trusted adult before taking anything.
They explained that cannabis can damage the lungs and heart. While people often turn to drugs to cope with stress, this solution is not effective in the long run. Instead, healthier ways to manage stress include getting enough sleep, reading, and listening to music.
The presenters also addressed the role of peer pressure in drug use and provided tips on what to say when someone offers you drugs. To promote awareness, they presented a banner for students to sign and display at our school.
For more information, visit www.redribbon.org.
We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween with their little pumpkins.
We had a howling good time here at Vienna Elementary School on October 31, 2025! #withJOY
### Important Dates to Remember for November 2025:
- **November 1**: Daylight Saving Time Ends
- **November 5**:
-End of Term 1
-VES Running Club every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. through November 12
- **November 6**:
- 1st Grade Field Trip to Furnace Town
- 2nd Grade Field Trip to JZ Farms
- Good News Club for Grades 1-5 every Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
-**November 7**:
-½ Day for Students
- Wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt.
- **November 8**: Dorchester County Library Harvest Fest in Cambridge
- **November 11**: Veterans Day
- **November 12**:
-Report Cards will be sent home.
-VES Running Club continues every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- **November 13**:
-Thanksgiving “Dinner”: $7 per adult, with two adults from each family invited. All money is due on November 7th.
-Good News Club for Grades 1-5 every Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- **November 14**:
- Gaming Truck, Term 1 Incentive (Kindness)
- Wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt
- Blue Sky Puppet Theater at 2:30 p.m.
- **November 15**: Mystery Prize Bingo, formally known as Blind Date Bingo at East New Market Firehouse, 11:30 a.m.
- **November 18**: Turkey Trot; Running Club participants should wear their Running Club shirts
- **November 19**: 5th Grade at NorthBay
- **November 20**:
- 5th Grade at NorthBay
- Good News Club for Grades 1-5 every Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- **November 21**:
- 5th Grade at NorthBay
- Wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt
- Pep Rally
- **November 24**: Turkey Trot Rain Day
- **November 25**: ½ Day for Students and Staff
- **November 26 to November 30**: School Closed
### Important Dates to Remember for December 2025:
- **December 2**: McTeacher Night, Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
-**December 4**:
-Picture Retakes Day
-Good News Club for Grades 1-5 every Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
**Spooky fun ahead!**#withJOY
Join us for a ghoulish good time tomorrow, Friday, October 31, 2025, at 9:40 a.m. for a "FANG"tastic costume parade through the town of Vienna! Let's celebrate the spirit of Halloween together, weather permitting.
Additionally, please note that students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!
Join us for a ghoulish good time tomorrow, Friday, October 31, 2025, at 9:40 a.m. for a "FANG"tastic costume parade through the town of Vienna! Let's celebrate the spirit of Halloween together, weather permitting.
Additionally, please note that students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!
***Something is in the A I R!***
Tomorrow, Thursday, October 30th, 2025, is our "HOUSE" Meeting.
Don't forget to wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt. New "HOUSE" t-shirts are going home today!
Let's celebrate #withJOY!
Tomorrow, Thursday, October 30th, 2025, is our "HOUSE" Meeting.
Don't forget to wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt. New "HOUSE" t-shirts are going home today!
Let's celebrate #withJOY!
We had an unforgettable experience at the Fall Festival at Vienna Elementary School on Friday, October 24, 2025! The event was a success, thanks to the community, parents, and Vienna Elementary School staff.
Mrs. Valarie Brinsfield, a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau Board of Directors, visited to read "The Soil in Jackie's Garden," sparking meaningful discussions about the vital role of soil in our ecosystem. Before heading home for the day, each student received a cute bookmark and a potato, generously donated by Mr. Jake Lovett and Sons in East New Market, Maryland. How cool is that? But there's more! Mrs. Brinsfield also presented Mrs. Renee LeMire, our Media and Art Specialist, with a copy of the book for our school library, allowing all our students to enjoy it for years to come.
Adding to the excitement, Mr. John Brinsfield, Mr. Balvin Brinsfield, Mr. Josh Brinsfield, and Mr. Dale Collins treated us to tram rides through the town of Vienna, coordinated by the Dorchester Farm Bureau. During our tram ride, we stopped at Hebron Savings Bank, where Mrs. Amber Bramble, the Regional Manager (also known as Morticia Addams), and Ms. Mea Abramowicz, the Head Teller (also known as Wednesday Addams), generously handed out candy donated by the bank to each student.
Our fantastic staff made the day even better by running various fun stations. Mrs. Diffenbach wowed the crowd with her excellent pizza-making skills using her handy-dandy pizza maker. She made the pizza in front of each class, and one student wanted to see her toss the pizza dough in the air, but we couldn't persuade her to do it. After her demonstration, the students enjoyed a slice of pizza. Mr. Abbott organized a puzzle station, and Ms. Hubbard hosted a bowling activity complete with a light show in the gym! Mrs. LeMire crafted adorable fall magnets with the students, while Mr. Burris got everyone dancing with some entertaining videos.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Margaret Diffenbach for her exceptional organization of this fantastic event, along with the Dorchester Farm Bureau, Hebron Savings Bank, the dedicated staff at Vienna Elementary School, and all the parents who participated! Your support truly makes a difference in our community! #withJOY
Frankenstein's Pick or Treat has been crowned the winner of Best Trunk at the Trunk or Treat event organized by the Vienna Parent Association!
Erynn, a talented third-grade student from Vienna Elementary School, and her family created an unforgettable trunk that truly impressed everyone.
A heartfelt thank you to the VPA for putting together such a wonderful event! Let's keep the community spirit alive #withJOY!
Mrs. Diffenbach is such an amazing first grade teacher at Vienna Elementary School and a proud member of the House of Isibindi! She brings strength and courage to her classroom every day, passionately dedicated to her students' learning. With a warm yet firm approach, she helps her students make good choices and manages any situation with ease.
In her classroom, her little learners are having a blast mastering the art of decoding words during their Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) lessons. They get to use fun techniques like blending, tapping, and spelling, and Mrs. Diffenbach's deep knowledge of the CKLA curriculum really shines through as she guides them to develop these important skills.
With years of experience under her belt, Mrs. Diffenbach is not just meeting her students' needs; she's helping them grow and reach their full potential. She also goes above and beyond to support her fellow teachers and staff with kindness, always ready to lend a hand or share her advice. She truly is the heart of the classroom and exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional teacher! #withJOY
See it. Hear it. Report it!
** SAFE SCHOOLS MARYLAND VIRTUAL PRESENTATION**
The Maryland Center for School Safety is hosting a 30-minute virtual presentation for parents and caregivers. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:00 P.M.
The presentation will provide an overview of the Safe Schools Maryland Anonymous Reporting System, which is available to all K-12 schools across Maryland. It will explain how to use the system effectively and will highlight what should and should not be reported. There will be a question-and-answer session at the end, allowing parents to ask questions related to the Safe Schools Maryland program and other school safety topics.
Parents can register using the link below. After registration, staff from the Maryland Center for School Safety will send the meeting link to the email address provided within 24 hours of the meeting.
Click the link to register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=20399306&appointmentType=36637332
Don’t miss this great opportunity!
** SAFE SCHOOLS MARYLAND VIRTUAL PRESENTATION**
The Maryland Center for School Safety is hosting a 30-minute virtual presentation for parents and caregivers. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:00 P.M.
The presentation will provide an overview of the Safe Schools Maryland Anonymous Reporting System, which is available to all K-12 schools across Maryland. It will explain how to use the system effectively and will highlight what should and should not be reported. There will be a question-and-answer session at the end, allowing parents to ask questions related to the Safe Schools Maryland program and other school safety topics.
Parents can register using the link below. After registration, staff from the Maryland Center for School Safety will send the meeting link to the email address provided within 24 hours of the meeting.
Click the link to register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=20399306&appointmentType=36637332
Don’t miss this great opportunity!
** HAPPY MAIL**
Something is in the A I R at Vienna Elementary School! We just wanted to take a moment to brag about our outstanding students! Each Happy Mail note is color-coded to represent their "HOUSE" color, and our students can earn points for their "HOUSE" by showing off some fantastic positive behaviors, such as:
-Being a good friend
-Showing great improvement
-Showing kindness
-Excellent behavior ALL day
-Uplifting others
-Working well with others
-Helping others
-Following instructions
-Moving up a level in reading
We are so proud of our Vienna Terrapins and all their accomplishments! Keep up the great work! #withJOY
Something is in the A I R at Vienna Elementary School! We just wanted to take a moment to brag about our outstanding students! Each Happy Mail note is color-coded to represent their "HOUSE" color, and our students can earn points for their "HOUSE" by showing off some fantastic positive behaviors, such as:
-Being a good friend
-Showing great improvement
-Showing kindness
-Excellent behavior ALL day
-Uplifting others
-Working well with others
-Helping others
-Following instructions
-Moving up a level in reading
We are so proud of our Vienna Terrapins and all their accomplishments! Keep up the great work! #withJOY
A friendly reminder to read Chapter 13 of "The World According to Humphrey" this weekend. Titled, “Thanks, but No Thanks," this chapter is sure to be an exciting read! (This book is a great read-aloud, too! If you got behind, catch up, please!)
Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with reading and adventure, just like Humphrey! Happy reading, reading, and reading! #withJOY
Join the Vienna Parent Association (VPA) for our second annual TRUNK OR TREAT event at Vienna Elementary School TOMORROW, Saturday, October 25th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is open to all Vienna students and our school community.
Prizes will be awarded for the best trunk decoration.
Costumes are encouraged but not required. We hope to see you there!
Vienna Elementary School's Fall Festival will take place tomorrow, Friday, October 24, 2025.
Please wear FLANNEL to show your friendship at the festival! Keep in mind that some events will be held outdoors, so dress appropriately.
Students must have written permission to ride the tram. We hope everyone has submitted their permission slips.
**Due to liability and capacity issues, the tram ride is for students only.**
We look forward to seeing you there!#withJOY
Unity looks amazing on us!
On Wednesday, October 22, the Vienna Elementary School Terrapins wore ORANGE to unite in kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in our fight against bullying! We spread positivity #withJOY and unity. Way to go, Vienna!
**Tomorrow, Thursday, October 23:** Let's GLOW together and stand OUT in BRIGHT colors. Vienna Terrapins stand UP for each other #withJOY!
**Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22:** Let's wear ORANGE to unite in kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in our fight against bullying!
Join us in spreading positivity! #withJOY
Join us in spreading positivity! #withJOY
**Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21:** Strike a Pose for Positivity! Remember, KINDNESS looks good on EVERYONE! Come dressed in your best for school picture day!
**The fun starts tomorrow!**😊
**Your Character Counts**
**Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week at Vienna Elementary School!**
Get ready for an exciting week! The fun begins on Monday, October 20, 2025, and continues through Friday, October 24, 2025!
**Monday, October 20:** Wear your favorite hat to "put a lid on BULLYING."
**Tuesday, October 21:** Strike a Pose for Positivity Because KINDNESS looks good on EVERYONE! It’s school picture day!
**Wednesday, October 22:** Wear ORANGE to demonstrate CommUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying!
**Thursday, October 23:** Let's GLOW together and stand OUT in BRIGHT colors. Vienna Terrapins stand UP for each other #withJOY!
**Friday, October 24:** Wear FLANNEL for FRIENDSHIP at the Fall Festival.
It's going to be a meaningful week filled with unity and fun. Our Vienna Terrapins always bring their best and support one another.
Vienna Elementary School Fall Festival is on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Join us for a day filled with fun activities, including:
-Tram ride through the town of Vienna
-Fall craft
-Digging in the straw and other relay games
-Fall music activities
-Farm Bureau presentation
Please note that some events will be outside, so please dress appropriately!
**Tram Ride Permission:**
Students must have written permission to ride the tram. Please sign and return the permission slip that was sent home this week. Due to liability and capacity issues, the tram ride is for students only.
**Volunteer Opportunities:**
Approved volunteers are welcome to assist at the other stations. Volunteers must reapply for the 2025-2026 school year online by visiting the Dorchester County Board of Education website at http://dcps.k12.md.us/o/dcps/page/parents and scroll down to the volunteer form to complete the raptor form.
**Important:**
Sign and return the permission slip to ride the tram by Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for a day filled with fun activities, including:
-Tram ride through the town of Vienna
-Fall craft
-Digging in the straw and other relay games
-Fall music activities
-Farm Bureau presentation
Please note that some events will be outside, so please dress appropriately!
**Tram Ride Permission:**
Students must have written permission to ride the tram. Please sign and return the permission slip that was sent home this week. Due to liability and capacity issues, the tram ride is for students only.
**Volunteer Opportunities:**
Approved volunteers are welcome to assist at the other stations. Volunteers must reapply for the 2025-2026 school year online by visiting the Dorchester County Board of Education website at http://dcps.k12.md.us/o/dcps/page/parents and scroll down to the volunteer form to complete the raptor form.
**Important:**
Sign and return the permission slip to ride the tram by Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Three smiling sisters proudly show off their colorful band-aids on flu shot day at Vienna Elementary School. Students and staff had the opportunity to receive flu shots to stay healthy and to avoid contracting the flu this winter.
A special thank you to the Dorchester County Health Department for coming out to administer the flu shots to both staff and students!
A special thank you to the Dorchester County Health Department for coming out to administer the flu shots to both staff and students!
