Hey everyone! Just a friendly reminder to read Chapter 4 of your Humphrey books this weekend. Each day, all students at Vienna Elementary School have the chance to answer a fun question about the chapters.
Currently, Mr. Sorrells’ 5th graders took the lead on answering the trivia question for the first couple of days, but Miss Perry’s 4th grade homeroom snuck up and took over first place today!
Find out what Humphrey is up to in the next chapter called, “The Most Important Man in the World”! (This book is a great read-aloud, too! If you got behind, catch up, please!)
Happy reading, reading, reading!

Students at Vienna Elementary School, PreK 4, experienced this firsthand with their teacher, Mrs. Jodie Condon, as they explored their five senses through outdoor activities.
The nature walk helped the students focus their attention on the world around them, appreciating all the details using their senses.
During the walk, students collected small items such as leaves, acorns, and feathers. Once back inside, they discussed their finds. Questions like "What kind of bird do you think this feather came from?" and "Look at the beautiful pattern on this leaf!" sparked their curiosity.
Bravo, Mrs. Condon! You truly excelled with this activity!


**All About Apples**
In Mrs. Valerie Friedel's PreK 3 class, students explored the wonderful world of apples! They learned about the vibrant colors of apples, how they grow, the different varieties, and delicious recipes that can be made with them.
Mrs. Friedel's creative use of apples inspires learning and engagement among her students, helping them develop essential skills. The students had a great time working on their fine motor skills through apple stamping, and making delicious applesauce for their Friday treat was the cherry on top!
As the old proverb goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!" We are thoroughly impressed with how much our PreK 3 Terrapins have learned!








The Good News Club is a FREE, exciting, fun-filled, weekly Bible club that meets across America. Good News Clubs emphasize respect for authority, Moral values, and character development based on Biblical principles. Your child will enjoy Bible lessons, songs, scripture memory, and games with new friends, along with a snack.
Good News Clubs are sponsored by specially trained Christians in your community who are concerned for the spiritual well-being of your child. All club workers are screened as required by the Child Evangelism Fellowship's (CEF) Child Protection Policy to ensure your child's safety.
Students in grades 1-5 are invited to attend, with parental permission, regardless of religious background. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Contact Christie Hubbard at 443-225-8848
Sponsored by Mid Shore Maryland Child Evangelism Fellowship, P.O. Box 1429, Cambridge, MD 21613.
Paulette Cheesman is the Ministry Coordinator, 443-521-0454, and can be reached by Email at cheesmanpaulette5@gmail.com
Click here for more information about CEF, visit https://cefmaryland.org/, or Email: picconesheila@gmail.com

Flu can lead to severe symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches, causing children to miss school and potentially spreading illness to others at home, including vulnerable family members. Vaccines help keep your child and their loved ones safe by reducing the risk of contracting and spreading these viruses.
These clinics are conveniently located at schools, which means less time away from work and class.
For students, parents MUST sign a consent form for their child(ren) to be vaccinated. Forms are available from the school or the health department.
Please call the health department at 410-228-3223 with any questions.

**ONE BOOK, ONE SCHOOL!**
Beginning tonight, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Vienna Elementary School will participate in a special school-wide community reading event. Every family will receive a copy of the book "Humphrey" and will be encouraged to read it together at home over the next few weeks. We invite you to make the time to participate in this meaningful activity.
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it helps prepare your child to become an effective reader, and it also provides a fun and worthwhile family experience. With this program, we aim to build a Community of Readers within our school. Everyone, students, parents, teachers, and even administrative staff will be reading along together.
Tonight, along with the book your child will bring home, you will receive a reading schedule to help you keep track at home. We ask parents to dedicate about 15 minutes (1 step) each night to read "Humphrey" as part of the total 30 minutes (2 steps) that your child is encouraged to read with you every evening.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Happy Reading! Read, read, read, and love it! #withJOY


Harvest Fest
**Theme: Chili and a Book**
Vienna Elementary School students and families are invited to the Harvest Fest, hosted by our partner, the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, at the Dorchester County Public Library, located at 303 Gay Street in Cambridge, Maryland 21613. Join us on Saturday, November 8th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
There will be games, food, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a fun raffle, and many more free family activities!
Raffle prizes from the Dorchester County Public Library include a $50 gift card to Food Lion, Cabin Fever, Altitude Trampoline Park, and a free swim lesson at the YMCA.
This event is for students up to 3rd grade, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun!
For questions, please contact bwhittington@ymcachesapeake.org or call 410-221-0505.

Parent Encouragement Program(PEP) Family Resiliency Program
What is it?
A FREE 8-week program at Maple Elementary School for parents and caregivers to learn tools to strengthen family connections, support mental health, and encourage success in school. Open to all Dorchester County Public School parents and caregivers.
Details:
Sessions are held on Tuesdays at Maple Elementary School in Cambridge, MD 21613 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from October 21st to December 16th.
Dinner and childcare are provided!
Choose the group you would like to participate in:
K-12 Group: For parents of children in Kindergarten to 12th grade.
PreK Group: For parents of children ages 2 to 5.
Register today for in-person sessions at Maple Elementary School by clicking here: tinyurl.com/PEP-Maple
Receive a $50.00 Gift card, if you engage in 5+ sessions and complete the evaluation. Limited one per household.
**Virtual sessions are also held weekly on Zoom from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can choose either Thursday evenings (starting October 16) or Sunday evenings (starting October 19). REGISTER TODAY for virtual sessions by clicking here :tinyurl.com/DoCo-PEP
The Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) is a nonprofit working to help children become confident, capable, and resilient by providing guidance and support to their parents/caregivers. | 301-929-8824 | frp@PEPparent.org



**Vienna Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences**
**Important Reminder: No School for Students on Monday, October 6, 2025!**
On this day, teachers will be available for scheduled Parent-Teacher conferences. Please note that each teacher has a designated time slot for each requested meeting.
Conferences will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress, achievements, and any concerns you may have.
We look forward to meeting with parents and families!

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










Tomorrow, Friday, October 3, 2025, we encourage everyone to wear their "HOUSE" t-shirt. If you don't have a "HOUSE" t-shirt or if it no longer fits, please wear your uniform instead.
Last call to order "HOUSE" t-shirts! Please send in your order form for red, green, or blue t-shirts featuring our three turtles logo on the front. Youth-size t-shirts are $10.00, and adult-size t-shirts are $15.00. Please make checks payable to Vienna Elementary School.
Thank you for your support!


**National Custodians Day!**
At Vienna Elementary School, we want to celebrate our incredible custodians: Head Custodian Mr. Chris Casado and 2nd Shift Custodian Mr. Jacob Whipple. They work diligently to keep our school clean, safe, and a welcoming environment.
Every day, they perform a variety of tasks, including cleaning classrooms, restrooms, and the cafeteria to ensure everything is spotless. In addition to cleaning, they handle minor repairs, restock supplies, manage waste disposal, and secure the building to maintain safety.
Mr. Casado and Mr. Whipple also assist with event setups, making sure everything is just right for our students and staff. They consistently go above and beyond for us, and we truly appreciate their efforts in making our school a great place to learn!

This pep rally is the perfect chance for our three houses to unite in a thrilling celebration filled with dancing, energy, and spirited chants of our “HOUSE” cheers. It's all about showcasing our pride and passion for Vienna!
Our students are eager to demonstrate their enthusiasm with powerful chants for each “HOUSE”:
1. **The House of Amistad (Red)** - Embracing the spirit of friendship, characterized by kindness and loyalty. Join us as we chant: **A-M-I-S-T-A-D!**
2. **The House of Isibindi (Green)** - Representing courage, known for our bravery and strength. Let's unite and shout: **B-I-N-D-I, B-I-N-D-I, BINDI!**
3. **The House of Rêveur (Blue)** - Celebrating creativity, where imagination knows no bounds. Let our dreams soar as we chant: **R-Ê-V, R-Ê-V-E-U-R!**
We believe in unity in everything we do here at Vienna Elementary School! Let's make this year amazing together!



📢 Hey DCPS Community! We’re excited to invite YOU to our upcoming community forums where YOUR role matters! Join us to dive into the #BelieveInUs strategic plan and discover exactly where your unique piece of the puzzle fits as we work together to build an even stronger future for our schools. 🧩✨
Mark your calendars and come ready to engage, share, and be part of the movement toward greater success for all! All forums start at 6PM:
📅 Monday, 10/6 @ St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Cambridge)
📅 Wednesday, 10/8 @ South Dorchester School K-8 (South Dorchester)
📅 Thursday, 10/9 @ Hurlock Methodist Church (Hurlock)
Let’s move forward #withJOY and make a difference together— we'll meet you there! 🤝

The Vienna Elementary School Running Club will begin on Wednesday, October 1st. We are excited to get our students moving, strengthen relationships, and build confidence!
** Important Details: **
- The Running Club will meet every Wednesday from October 1st through November 12th, from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Vienna Elementary School.
- Please ensure your child wears comfortable running shoes, brings a water bottle, and wears athletic clothing. They may change out of their school uniform after regular school hours.
- Snacks will be provided.
- Please pick up your child promptly at 4:45 p.m.
- We will not cancel sessions due to poor weather; instead, we will meet in the gym.
We look forward to a fantastic season of fitness, friendships, and fun! Thank you for your support in helping our students stay active and healthy.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Connar Winn at hughesco@dcpsmd.org or call 410-943-3775, ext. 1913.


**October Calendar for Vienna Elementary School 2025**
- **October 1 (Wednesday):** Interim Reports will be sent home. The Vienna Elementary School Running Club meets every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. until November 12.
- **October 3 (Friday):** Wear your "House" shirt day.
- **October 6 (Monday):** No school for students; Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place.
- **October 7 (Tuesday):** ONE BOOK, ONE SCHOOL - Humphrey books will be sent home. Home Reading will begin.
- **October 8 (Wednesday):** 4th-grade field trip to Blackwater. VES Running Club will also meet.
- **October 9 (Thursday):** Good News Club for Grades 1-5 meets every Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- **October 10 (Friday):** "House" t-shirt day and the 4th-grade Sultana Field Trip.
- **October 13 (Monday):** The Dorchester County Health Department will be at the school to administer flu shots for those students who signed up.
- **October 15 (Wednesday):** VES Running Club will meet.
- **October 16 (Thursday):** Good News Club will meet.
- **October 17 (Friday):** No school for students; Dorchester County Public School offices will be closed.
- **October 21 (Tuesday):** Fall pictures will be taken.
- **October 22 (Wednesday):** PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten Field Trip to Oakley's. Wear orange shirts for Unity Day! VES Running Club will meet.
- **October 23 (Thursday):** Good News Club will meet.
- **October 24 (Friday):** Fall Festival, please wear your "HOUSE" t-shirt with jeans.
- **October 25 (Saturday):** Vienna Parent Association Trunk or Treat from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- **October 27 (Monday):** Red Ribbon Assembly for Grades 3-5 at 9:00 a.m.
- **October 29 (Wednesday):** VES Running Club will meet.
- **October 30 (Thursday):** "HOUSE" Meeting, 2nd-grade Field Trip to JZ Farms, and Good News Club will meet.
- **October 31 (Friday):** Costume Parade in the morning; 1/2 day for students.


On Meet Around the Flagpole Day, we united to reflect on these important topics. It transcended any specific religion; instead, it was about joining forces for the benefit of our students, parents, Dorchester staff, the government, and the entire world, striving for the best for everyone. #withJOY


We had so many awesome students and staff from Vienna Elementary School who helped out at the Ironman event in Cambridge! Our students created some adorable cards for the athletes, and one athlete even sent a thank-you gift bag with Ironman goodies to our second grader, Raelyn.
On the day of the event, our fantastic volunteers were busy setting up the stations, handing out medals, and providing water and other supplies to the athletes.
Volunteering is such a great way to jump into the action and see the race from a different angle. Our volunteers became part of a lively community of athletes and supporters.
And who doesn't love a little bonus? Volunteers got stylish pink t-shirts as a perk!
Thanks for stepping up and representing Vienna Elementary School #withJOY! We're so proud of you all!



Join us promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria for a presentation by our principal, Mrs. Susie Price. Mrs. Price will share Dorchester County Public School's strategic plan and vision for the future.
Following the presentation, check out the resource fair, where you'll find valuable information about clubs and activities available to our students for the 2025-2026 school year. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair!
We're also thrilled to announce that Chilly Billy's will be there! Children will receive a ticket for one complimentary dip of ice cream, redeemable only on Back to School Night. Adults can purchase ice cream too! Who doesn't love a sweet treat?
Your timely arrival is essential not only for securing a great seat but also for ensuring you don't miss any important information. We look forward to seeing you there!


Get ready for an amazing adventure at our Book Fair next week, hosted by Mrs. LeMire, our Art and Media Specialist. Students will have the chance to explore and shop during their regular Art and Media class times. Also, the Book Fair will be open on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.!
To make shopping even easier, Mrs. LeMire is offering a convenient e-wallet option. Vienna families can set up an e-wallet quickly through the link below.
E-wallet sign-up is easy. First, create an account and one e-wallet for each student in your family. Next, add funds using a credit card. The funds will be instantly available in the school register, allowing Mrs. LeMire to track the exact amount each student has to spend.
Here is the link to our Book Fair homepage, where you can set up an e-wallet for your child. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/viennaelementaryschool1
Experience a cash-free, stress-free shopping experience at the Book Fair with e-wallet—it's the best way to shop!


