DES Family News

We have certainly flown through September! We continue to appreciate your partnership and collaboration to make it an amazing year. There are great things coming up at DES so please take a moment to carefully read school and county-related updates, policies, and information. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Sarah Crebs

Principal of Denton Elementary School

Good attendance for your student begins on the first day of the school year. Consider the following facts:

• Chronic absenteeism may prevent children from reaching early milestones.

• Chronically absent students have difficulty keeping up with the pace at which they are expected to learn and grow.

• Students who are absent even a day or two every few weeks fall behind their peers.

• Irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out before graduation than test scores.

• Consistent, on-time attendance is a habit that lasts into adulthood.

In addition to wanting the best possible education for your child, we also closely monitor absences because Maryland law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. Students may be withdrawn if not attending school regularly; students not enrolled or attending will be considered truant.

How Can Parents Encourage Good Attendance?

• Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!

• Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before.

• Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.

• Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick.

• Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.

CAR RIDERS......A few reminders -Efficiency is key for a SAFE and smooth car rider line.

• Have students ready with their book bag and other items ready to exit the car.
  

• Practice getting in/out of their car seats independently (if your child is too young to do this independently, please try to be as quick as possible, as not to hold up the car rider line-or wait to pull up to the front of the line.)

• DO NOT PASS OTHER CARS IN THE CAR-RIDER LINE. WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT GET OUT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR.

• Parents may not walk up students to the car rider door in the morning. Parents may not walk to the car rider staff to pick up their children. This causes a break in the system of getting kids out of school and safely in vehicles. Safety must remain our number one priority.

• Celebrate our DES team! The first days will be slower and at times confusing-it's ok! We have students (and parents) doing this for the first time. Some of our new staff will be learning our system. Let's work together with our fellow families and our Dolphin Trainers. We will only get better each day as we continue to work together and each do our part.
  REMINDERS FOR BUS RIDERS: The routes will be adjusted each day for the first few weeks. Please be patient with pick up and drop off times.
  The DES staff and I are honored to be an important part of your student's school journey. Our student's safety, learning and happiness are a top priority. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions, concerns and compliments!
  WALKER UPDATES

• We will be starting a new walker system in October, please stay tuned for more information soon!

From Choptank Health
Principal’s Message – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot County Public Schools

September 2023

Dear Parents,

Be sure to set your students up for a healthy school year by ensuring they are enrolled in our School-Based Health Centers.

Enrollment forms, locations, contact information, and enrollment forms can be found at www.choptankhealth.org/schoolbased.

Not sure what our School-Based Health Centers provide? Listen in to Choptank Health’s Director of Community-Based Programs Chrissy Bartz, PA-C as she answers your questions in this video, Choptank Health Ask a Provider: School-Based Health Centers.

All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, including cough drops and ointments, must be kept in the health room with the exception of state mandated emergency medications. Medications must be brought to school by a parent or responsible adult, be in the original labeled container and must be accompanied by a Maryland State School Medication Administration Form signed by both the prescribing medical or dental provider and the parent or legal guardian. A new medication administration form is required at the beginning of each school year for each medication and each time there is a change in dosage or time of administration of a medication. Any medications remaining after the order is discontinued or at the end of the school year will be destroyed unless picked up by a parent or other responsible adult within the designated time frame.

All Caroline County Public School students may eat breakfast and lunch free of charge this year, with no application needed. CCPS now participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows free meals for all students in schools in low-income areas. There will still be a charge for extra items such as snacks. School menus may be found on the Caroline Schools, MD free mobile app and on all CCPS websites.

DES Office HOURS: 8:00-4:15 pm Monday-Friday

DES Teacher Hours: 8:30-4:00 pm Monday-Friday

Instructional Day: Doors open @ 8:45 and dismissal begins at 3:40 pm

September

September 29th, No School For Students

Down the line....

October

October 2nd, Custodian Appreciation Day

October 5th, BOE Meeting @ 6:00 pm

October 9th, Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day

October 9th, PTA Meeting at 6:00 pm

October 9th-13th, School Lunch Week

October 12th, Quarter 1 Interims Issued (3-5)

October 16th-20th, Safe Schools Week, School Bus Safety Week and Digital Citizens Week

October 20th, School Closed, National Teacher Convention

October 23rd-27th, Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Week

October 26th, 46th Annual County wide, 5th grade Spelling Bee @ DES 7:00pm

October 30th-November 3rd, DES BOOK FAIR (more information to come)

October 28th, National First Responders Day

October 31st, Early Dismissal (begins at 12:40 @ DES)

October 31st, Happy Halloween (Fall Character Parade @ 9:25am)

November

Native American Heritage Month Begins

November 2nd, Fall Academic Night (more information coming soon!)

November 7th, Election Day

November 8th, End of First Quarter

November 8th, Early Dismissal (DES begins dismissal at 12:40pm)

November 17th, Parent Visitation Day (more information coming soon!)

November 22nd, November 27th Fall Break

November 27th, Parent Teacher Conferences

As changes and or more updates arise we will keep families informed on Apptegy.

DES is a Title I School receiving federal funds to improve instruction in math and reading.

Parents of students attending Title 1 schools may request information about the professional qualifications of their child's teachers. Parents of elementary students may request in writing to the school principal information about their child's teacher including:

* Any college or university degree or certification held.

* The subject area of the teacher's degree or certification.

* Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a grade level or subject area.

* Whether the teacher holds a provisional certificate.

* Whether the child is served by paraprofessionals and, if so, parents may request their professional qualifications.

All DES dismissal changes must be made by 12:00pm each day. This allows time to ensure that the teacher, student, and dismissal staff are all aware of the changes.

Caroline County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.

Email: crebs.sarah@ccpsstaff.org
Location: 303 Sharp Road, Denton, MD, USA
Phone: 410-479-1660