Seahawk News

Week two is under our belts and a three-day weekend is here! Woohoo!

During the first few weeks, our staff focuses on establishing and practicing the routines and procedures that help reduce cognitive demands on the brain. This allows for the brain to focus and take on new learning. This is one key component behind the science of learning.

Having routines at home are equally as important. During our assembly this week, we discussed responsibility and having chores at home. We encouraged students who do not have chores to ask for them since it is one way they can support at home with responsibility. Consistent, non-rushed morning routines, homework routines, and bedtime routines all help to support learning at school.

We launched and made a school wide pledge to Choose to be Nice. Students committed to be an upstander and help each other. Everyone has a mean moment at times, but those are occasional. We discussed what students can do when they experience or witness a mean moment. Helping guide students to solve their problems creates a solid foundation for lifelong skills that will serve them well.

Some of our 4th and 5th graders participated in training for our Anchored4Life program where students help students! We love to provide opportunities to build leadership among our students. Anchored4Life is a program where students help other students when they are new to our school, leaving our school, have a parent who is being deployed, etc. The focus on the program is to help students deal with change and build resiliency.

I have attached the Choose to be Nice information and Anchored4Life info below. We appreciate and value your partnership.

~Pam Myrick, Principal

• No School on Monday! Happy Labor Day!
• Fall MUM SALE: Help support our school. Our FSO has a MUM Sale that is now open. Each year, the mums have been so beautiful and healthy. CLICK the flier below.
• Picture Day is coming on September 17, 2026. Check out the flier in Resources below.
• All community fliers will be in the Resources and Forms section. Click the button for Community Happenings!
• Please read the Counselor's Corner below for important beginning of the year information. The information will be updated monthly.
• Volunteers Needed for the Splash Cash Cart: Can you help us with students spending their Splash Cash? The dates are for the year so sign up here: https://sunderlandfso.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=c60ad165-137f-41fe-832d-48c54b51dd5c~s.9223370248911951153
• 4th and 5th Grade Families: Is your student interested in being a member of the Band and learning how to play an instrument? If so, scan the QR code on the flyer below.
• The Power Point from the New Family Orientation is in the Resources and Forms section.

Welcome Back, Seahawks! We are thrilled to begin another school year! It was such a joy to see our returning students and to meet our newest Seahawks. We also were excited to visit each classroom on the first day to say hello and personally welcome everyone back. In the month of September, we’ll begin our Classroom Counseling lessons, and we can’t wait to get started!

What does a School Counselor do?

An elementary school counselor supports the academic, social-emotional, and career development of students. They help students develop the skills needed to succeed in school and in life. School counselors collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and community partners to identify and address barriers to student success.

Here are a few of our key responsibilities:

· Deliver classroom lessons focused on social-emotional learning, academic success, and career awareness.

· Provide individual (limited) and small group counseling services.

· Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, social, or emotional challenges.

· Assist with crisis response.

· Analyze student data to identify needs and measure program outcomes.

· Advocate for equity, inclusion, and student well-being.

· Connect students and families with school and community resources.

· Promote a positive school climate and culture.

New Student Lunch Bunch

“New Student Lunch Bunch” is offered for all new students in 1st through 5th grades. The lunch bunches are a great opportunity for new students to get to know each other and for us, the counselors, to connect with them in a fun and welcoming environment. This week, we had the opportunity to meet with all of our new students! Welcome to Sunderland!

Monthly Character Traits

Each month we will focus on a different character trait, beginning with RESPECT in September.

Next week, we’ll kick off our monthly Character Assemblies, where we introduce the character trait of the month and explore ways students can demonstrate the trait in their daily lives. Each assembly also celebrates our Student of the Month—someone who has been recognized for consistently showing that month’s featured trait.

Calling all Seahawk News Anchors!!

We are now accepting applications for Seahawk News! If your student is in 4th or 5th grade and would like to be an anchor on the Seahawk News, please have them submit an application. Applications are due NO LATER than Wednesday, September 9th and can be submitted to your classroom teacher, Ms. Walzer, or Ms. Williams. If you need an application, please reach out to your teacher or your school counselor.

HeartFELT (Filling Empty Little Tummies) Program

SES has joined with Friendship Community Baptist Church for our HeartFELT Program. The HeartFELT Program provides qualifying students with meals and snacks each weekend. If you would like more information or would like your child to participate in the HeartFELT program, please contact us to sign up.

Donated Backpacks

We currently have several donated backpacks available at school. If your child needs a backpack or any school supplies, please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help!

Exciting Tie-Dye Week Ahead with Our PBIS Team!

Get ready for some vibrant creativity and fun as we host Flock Tie-dye Parties! Students will come together with their entire flock to create colorful tie-dye shirts.

Schedule:

• Tuesday, Sept. 8th – Red Flock
• Thursday, Sept. 10th – Yellow Flock
• Friday, Sept.11th – Orange Flock
• Tuesday, Sept. 15th – Green Flock
• Friday, Sept. 18th – Purple Flock

***All students are encouraged to bring a white T-shirt for tie-dyeing! These shirts can be worn throughout the year on Flock Fridays. If you need assistance providing a white T-shirt, please reach out to your student's teacher or school counselor. Let’s make colorful memories!

We hope everyone had a fantastic first week back and are looking forward to a great year ahead!

Courtney Williams, School Counselor,

Last Names A-K williamscr@calvertnet.k12.md.us 443-550-9474

Danielle Walzer, School Counselor,

Last Names L-Z walzerd@calvertnet.k12.md.us 443-550-9387

🍎 2026-2027 Meal Prices:

Breakfast: $1.85; Elementary Lunch $3.00; Secondary Lunch $3.25; Student Milk $0.65.

🍎 Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. Check out the Link to the September Menu

🍎 Meal Benefit Application

The Free and Reduced Meal Program is now available. A new application must be submitted each school year. Complete and submit one meal benefit application per household.

Applications can be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com.

You may also ask for a paper copy of the application from the school's Main Office.

🍎 Sign up for LINQ Connect today (see info flyer)

🍎 Student Lunch Deposits

Calvert County Public Schools no longer accepts ACH payments directly from your bank account. At this time, you have the following options to add money onto your child's meal account:

• Online using a credit or debit card through LINQ Connect

• LINQ connect charges a convenience fee when making online payments.

• Send in cash, a check, or a money order to the school's cafeteria with your student. This provides a fee-free option for families who prefer not to use a credit or debit card.

• If you choose this option, the funds will be deposited directly into the student's meal account that day by cafeteria staff.

• This form is to be completed for those who will be Daily Car Riders only. By listing adults to pick up, you are giving that adult permission to pick up your student. We encourage all students to ride the bus.
• Please tell your child that they will NOT have their name called. They are to dismiss when they hear Daily Car Riders are dismissed. This list will be shared with the teachers, too who will help the students initially.
• Please have your state issued ID at all times when entering the school to pick up your student. You will need to have your ID out to show the staff, even if we know you!
• One adult will be expected to come into the cafeteria to sign out their Daily Car Rider student(s). We will open the exterior cafeteria door at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) to allow for students to be signed out. Promptly at 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), Daily Car Riders will be called to the cafeteria. You and your child will exit. When you sign in, you will be given a card signifying how many students you are picking up. You will turn in your card as you leave the cafeteria. If an adult is not present by 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), the student will be sent home on their assigned bus.
• If your child is a bus rider and needs to be picked up due to an appointment, please arrive at the front office before 3:45PM (1:45PM on Early Dismissal Days).Our office staff and duty staff start preparing for Daily Car Riders and bus dismissal at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) We have a 10 minute bus window to dismiss between 600-700 students, with limited staff, so we will need to keep our focus on the dismissal process.
• Please complete the survey questions below by Monday, August 24th by 5:00PM so that we can be prepared for dismissal the first day of school. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Myrick at myrickp@calvertnet.k12.md.us or at 443-550-9390.
• Non-Daily Car Riders :
• We will permit Non-Daily Car Riders but we are not able to accommodate Drop in, Surprise Car Riders. For Non-Daily Car Riders, you MUST send a paper note, NOT AN EMAIL, with your child, EACH day that you plan for them to be a car rider. Please prepare your child and let them know that they must dismiss with the Daily Car Riders at 4:05PM when announced. We will NOT call individual students down for dismissal. Please do not send a note saying “every Tuesday” instead, send a note every Tuesday. We can not expect teachers to keep up with all students’ special request schedules. We ask that you send a paper note each day because there could be a sub in the class instead of the teacher.

EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleaned out and you must reapply. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.

Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:

Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• Please review the Health Room Guidelines attached below in Resources.
• A list of FSO events for the year is attached below.

• Exciting Tie-Dye Week Ahead with Our PBIS Team!

  Get ready for some vibrant creativity and fun as we host flock tie-dye parties! Students will come together with their entire flock to create colorful tie-dye shirts. All students are encouraged to bring a white t-shirt for tie-dyeing! These shirts can be worn throughout the year on Flock Fridays. If you need assistance providing a white t-shirt, please reach out to your student's teacher or school counselor. Let’s make colorful memories!

  Schedule:

  • 9/8 Tie dye (Red) 9:15
  • 9/10 Tie dye (yellow) 9:15
  • 9/11 Tie dye (orange) 9:15
  • 9/15 Tie dye (green) 9:15
  • 9/18 Tie dye (purple) 9:15
• We need VOLUNTEERS to help Tie -Dye! We hope you are able to join us. Make sure you are an approved volunteer and sign up at https://sunderlandfso.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=c60ad165-137f-41fe-832d-48c54b51dd5c~s.9223370248912778866

REPEAT

• Open House is scheduled for September 23rd from 5:30PM-7:00PM. It will be a blended event with food trucks and social time with other families in your child's class. More details to come.
• CCPS Parent Information- There is a great deal of information on the Parent website: Parent/Guardian Information - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)
• Online payments for the Seat Sack can be found at our school website: Home - Sunderland Elementary (calvertnet.k12.md.us) Students in Kdg and new to the school are encouraged to purchase a Seat Sack. It will be used throughout elementary school and is a tool used to help with organizational skills. Students in grades 3-5 will use an agenda books as a tool to help establish good habits that will support them in middle school and beyond.
• Laptops: All 3rd -5th graders will receive a laptop for school use. Students will be using the device at school. Laptops will not be sent home for use. Homework assignments will not require computer use.
• SES Parent Handbook: Please review the attached SES Parent Handbook. It contains a great deal of information to help you better understand our school's procedures and routines that support a safe, organized school for all. It will be in the Resource section of every weekly newsletter.
• Please register as a VOLUNTEER. You must REAPPLY EVERY YEAR. If you want to attend any IN-SCHOOL event such as VIP Day, Career Day, Field Day, etc you are encouraged to be a registered approved volunteer to avoid delays. You are required to be an approved volunteer for chaperoning trips and working with students in any capacity. This is for safety of all students. Each of the special events that we have within our school day allows for you to engage with the students. You are not kept separated, instead, we have interactive activities and will need all adults (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) who plan to attend to be an approved volunteer. The process takes less than 10 minutes. Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• CCPS Phone-Free School Day: New Expectations for 2026–2027

Beginning this school year, CCPS students may not use personal electronic communications devices during the school day—from the time they enter the building until dismissal. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, SMART Glasses, and similar devices during arrival, classes, transitions, lunch, recess, assemblies, and dismissal.

For elementary and middle school students, these expectations are largely consistent with current practice. The most significant change is at the high school level: students may no longer use cell phones during lunch.

The districtwide expectations, outlined in CCPS Policy 3175: Cell Phones in Schools, are designed to reduce distractions, support learning, strengthen face-to-face connections, and provide consistent expectations across CCPS.

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact your school’s main office. Thank you for partnering with us to help students stay focused, engaged, and connected.

• Morning Arrival Window: 9:15AM -9:25AM
• Instructional School Day - 9:25AM – 4:05PM
• Afternoon Dismissal Window: 4:05PM car riders; 4:10-4:20PM Bus Riders
• School Colors - Blue and White – Friday Spirit Days- Classes are assigned a Flock color as well. Your teacher will let you know your flock assignment.
• School Mascot/Motto -“SPIRIT” the Seahawk -Sunderland Promotes Independence Responsibility Integrity and Trust