DES Family News

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend! It's hard to believe we are moving into April already! Please read this newsletter for more information about upcoming events, school happenings and helpful resources to support your child’s success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Crebs-Oberdorf

Here is the Rec & Parks summer camp homepage, which contains links to and copies of the registration: https://www.carolinecounty.org/696/Summer-Camp-2025. Please also feel free to come out and register in person at their orientation meetings, as they are accepting on-site signups.

Next DES orientation meeting is April 22 from 6:15 – 7:00 pm

Caroline County Public Schools is aware of concerns regarding recent changes to U.S. immigration policy and enforcement. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has provided guidance which reinforces our own belief that every student—regardless of immigration status—receives the support they need from our educational system. Please visit the CCPS website for complete information.

The 2025-2026 Application for a Change of Student School Assignment is available online from March 1 through June 1. Please visit the Caroline County Public Schools webpage for requirements and application.

The Board of Education is currently considering revisions to the Dress Code Policy. Please visit the district website for complete details and information on providing feedback.

● Previously: March 21, no school for students; professional development for staff

Amended: MARCH 21, HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS;
Half day professional development for staff

● Previously: April 16, half day for students

Amended: APRIL 16, FULL DAY FOR STUDENTS

● Previously: April 17, schools and offices closed

Amended: APRIL 17, HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS

If you have any questions or concerns related to transportation, please contact Mrs. Amy Barnes our Transportation Secretary. She can provide assistance with all things related to car-rider, walker or bus rider information at DES. The school office is open from 8:30-4:00 pm each day.

April 1st, BOE Meeting 6:00 pm

April 2nd, Quarter 3 Ends

April 2nd, Early Dismissal for CCPS

April 3rd, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

April 7th-April 11th, Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

April 9th, Quarter 3 report cards sent

April 17th, Early Dismissal CCPS

April 18th-21st, Spring Break

April 21st-April 25th, Public Volunteer Appreciation Week

April 21st-April 25th, Afterschool Professionals Week

April 22nd, Earth Day

April 22nd, Bus Driver Appreciation Day

April 23rd, Administrative Professionals Day

May 1st, DES Spring Concert @ 6:30 pm- NCHS

May 2nd, PreK Walking Field Trip to Martinek

May 5-9th, Staff Appreciation Week

May 6th, BOE Meeting

May 8th, Nurse's Appreciation Day

May 8th, Q4 Interims Issued

May 16th, Career Day

May 26th, No School, Memorial Day

May 30th, Field Day

The enrollment process is now open for eligible Prek and Kindergarten students, and all other students new to Caroline County Public Schools.

Please note:

• If your child is currently in PreK-4, there is no need to enroll again.

• If your child is currently in PreK-3, they need to be enrolled for PreK-4 at their school of residence and requalified.

The enrollment process is explained on the Enrollment & Attendance page of the Caroline County Public Schools website. Families are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible.

For more information about PreK and Kindergarten, please visit the Prek and Kindergarten page of the website.

Please remember, for all notifications, parent/guardian numbers and emails are taken directly from information provided by the family in PowerSchool. Staff contact information is taken directly from the Employee Access Center.

School delays and closings are shared via:

• a phone call, text, and email through our notification system

• a message on the CCPS Mobile App the district website (carolineschools.org)

• social media: Facebook (Caroline County Public Schools and all school pages), and Instagram (carolineschoolsmd)

• some local news and radio stations

The process for making weather-related decisions is outlined on carolineschools.org.

Caroline Families, start your summer planning now with a FREE PROGRAM for rising 6th, 7th 8th and 9th graders!

Summer Career Enrichment Program

Session I: July 7 - July 17, 2025

Session II: July 14 - July 31, 2025

Location: Easton High School (free transportation provided)

This program will engage students in hands-on activities that lead to career paths in cybersecurity, media arts, video design, health, computer science, and engineering.

Classes offered will include: Animation, App Development, Careers in Healthcare, Chess, Cyber Security, Drones, Media Arts, Presentation/Graphic Design, and Robotics.

The program is in partnership the People for Change Coalition, Mid-Shore Regional Council, Rural Maryland Council, and Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot County Public Schools.

For more info: contact@pfcoalition.org, 310-772-1552

In collaboration with the Caroline County Council of the Arts, a student art exhibition is scheduled for April 11, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at The Foundry, 401 Market Street in Denton. The exhibition will feature a diverse range of mediums and subjects, created by our students and curated by their art teachers. Admission to the event is FREE! Attendees may explore and purchase artwork, which will be on display throughout April.

The 2024-25 Student Benefits Form (Household Income Data Collection) information is used to help provide school meals at no charge to all students, along with other districtwide services. It also provides individual benefits to students and families such as:

• discounts for summer and recreational programs

• Discount internet access

• Discounted fees for SAT and AP testing and college applications

• Increased scholarship opportunities

• eligibility for Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)]

• Increased funding to the school system to support instruction, technology, student services, and programs like Community Schools, tutoring and free meals.

Questions? Please email student.services@ccpsstaff.org.

Student Benefits Form

CCPS uses an online form (no paper!) to verify or update student information through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The process typically takes less than five minutes per student, and allows families to verify that all of the student's data is correct and provide updates for any important data that has changed. This process replaces the old paper form sent home in previous years.

Please note: If the student’s address has changed, proof of residence will be required. This may be uploaded through PowerSchool or provided directly to the school.

For more information, please see the CCPS news post on this topic.

In collaboration with the Caroline County Health Department and Choptank Community Health, we are working to prevent the spread of colds and flu in our schools. Please review the following measures that will aid in keeping your family healthy.

• If your child is sick, especially with a fever*, keep him or her at home until he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

*Fever: oral temperature of 100° or more, or ear or forehead temperature of 100.4° or higher

• Follow up with your child’s health care provider if he/she becomes ill.

• Encourage your child to cover his/her mouth and nose with tissues when sneezing or coughing. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the bend of the elbow.

• Remind your child to wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Remind your child to keep his or her hands away from the face.

• Avoid being around people who are sick.

• Make sure your child and family members receive a seasonal flu and COVID vaccine if recommended by their doctor.

• Make the school aware of new or changed contact numbers so that we may reach you promptly.

The staff at each school will be reinforcing these measures with the students. In addition, we are asking that if your child is at home sick with a fever and symptoms of an influenza-like illness (cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose), please let your child’s school nurse know. This will enable CCPS to track and identify patterns of illness more quickly.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school’s Health Room, or your school’s School Based Health Centers.

Healthy vision and hearing is important for your child’s success in school. State law requires school systems to have students’ hearing and vision screened when they enter the school system and again in first and eighth grades. Hearing and vision screenings are scheduled to begin on October 16, 2024.

Students who should not be included in the screenings include:

• Those whose parents/guardians object in writing to the screenings on the grounds that it conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination of which they are a member;

• Those with known hearing loss, including but not limited to, students with cochlear implants or hearing aids; and

• Those who present evidence of testing within the last year.

If your child falls into any of these categories or if you have any questions, please reach out to the school nurse at 410-479-2916 or via email at miller.rachel@ccpsstaff.org

Beginning November 1, 2024, CCPS will start holding students accountable for damaged or missing technology equipment, including laptops, iPads, carrying cases, chargers, and charging cables. The CCPS Student Technology Obligation Program encourages responsible use of technology and curbs rising repair costs through a tiered pricing system.

For questions and program details, please visit the link below: Student Obligation information

Parent coaching can be that breath of fresh air that guides you to sunnier days. Parent Coaching is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL resource provided by your school district that connects you with a coach and content created by therapists. All coaching correspondence is HIPAA protected. Click here to register for on-going support from a coach: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

Después de un largo invierno, llega la primavera con esperanza. Asesoría para Padres puede ser la brisa fresca que te guía a días más soleados. Asesoría para Padres es un recurso GRATIS y CONFIDENCIAL disponible en su distrito escolar que lo conecta con un asesor y contenido creado por terapeutas. Toda la correspondencia de asesoría está protegida por las leyes HIPAA. Presione aquí para registrarse y recibir apoyo continuo de un asesor https://cookcenter.info/coaching

Ask a Therapist LIVE events are a part of our free mental health resources for parents. This offers a unique opportunity for parents to engage directly with a licensed family therapist. Parents can ask questions anonymously and receive personalized answers in real-time.

Register: tinyurl.com/5xh226ss

More about our free mental health resources available to parents: tinyurl.com/2z6ettyn

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

Assistant Principal Mrs. Lindsay Grow

Email: grow.lindsay@ccpsstaff.org