DES Family News

Thank you for an amazing week at DES! We hope you enjoyed our events and we look forward to what this week brings. Please take a few moments to read through the updates and reminders below so you don’t miss any of the exciting opportunities coming up this week.

Thank you for being an important part of our DES community!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Crebs-Oberdorf

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 27th, 2025.

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

• Walkers and car-riders are required to have a number, so please make sure you still have your assigned numbers or call the school and talk with Mrs. Amy Barnes for assistance. All car-rider and walker numbers MUST be displayed by 9/16, in order to safely pick up your student.
• Please do not get out of your car in the car-rider lane, it is very dangerous for our students and the flow of the car-rider lane. If you need to get out to put your student in the car, please let our car-rider staff know and they will allow you to pull up to do so.

Last year, our Title I Parent/Family Engagement funds provided important resources to our students and families, including family academic nights and engaging materials for all elementary schools. Each year we base our programs on your feedback. Please help us again this year by taking the Title I survey.

November 17th, No School for Students

November 18th, Picture RETAKE DAY

November 26th-November 30th, Fall Break

December 2nd, Special Education Day

December 2nd, BOE Meeting @ 6:00 pm

December 8th, Computer Science Education Week

December 11th Winter Concert @ NCHS 6:30 pm

December 14th, Hanukkah begins

December 19th, Early Dismissal for all CCPS

December 21st, First day of winter

December 25th, Christmas

December 26th, Kwanzaa begins

We love having parents volunteer at DES! Please consider completing the volunteer paperwork to help out at events, support students in the cafeteria, read with students etc.

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.

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.

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.

Dear DES Families,

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I want to share an important focus for our school community: student attendance.

Every day in school matters. When students attend consistently, they not only build a strong foundation in academics but also develop important social and emotional skills. Regular attendance allows students to stay connected to their teachers, peers, and learning opportunities, which directly impacts their confidence, growth, and overall success.

This year, Denton Elementary will be following the state’s attendance requirements and Caroline County Public Schools’ (CCPS) policies closely. Our goal is not to be punitive, but to ensure that every child receives the full benefit of the education they deserve. We know that strong attendance is one of the best predictors of long-term achievement, and we are committed to working together with families to support this.

We also understand that challenges can sometimes make daily attendance difficult. Please know that our team is here to partner with you. By communicating openly, we can find solutions and build the trusting relationships that help our students thrive.

Together, we can make this a bright and successful year for your child. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child’s education.

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

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