April 10, 2025

April

• Autism Awareness Month

April 7 - 11 - Assistant Principals Week

April 10 - New Student Registration Day

April 16 - 22 - Spring Break - Schools Closed

April 21 - 25 - Administrative Professionals Week

April 21 - 25 - Volunteer Recognition Week

April 22 - Earth Day

April 22 - Bus Driver Appreciation Day

May 5 - Community Listening Session - Tilghman Elementary - 5:30 p.m.

May 8 - Community Listening Session - St. Michaels Campus - 5:30 p.m.

June 10 - Last Day of School for Pre-K

June 12 - Early Dismissal for Students

June 13 - Last Day of School students K-12 - Early Dismissal

This is the time of year when we can expect occasional delayed openings due to inclement weather or fog. The delay opening schedule can be found under the About - Schools tab on the TCPS website and is linked below.

Hello, TCPS families! We had some serious April showers this week, so I hope we have lots of May flowers next month. The Eastern Shore certainly is beautiful this time of year.

It's assistant principals week and we have such a great team. They play an important role in the leadership of our schools, and I want to thank them all for what they do each day for our students and staff.

The Board of Education held its regular meeting last night. Three revised policies that have been vetted by the policy committee were presented for First Reader. Three others were reviewed and deemed to be current. I'm pleased with the progress the committee is making as we work to ensure that all of our policies are up to date, and I thank each member that serves on this committee.

We also presented an update on the status of our budget request, as well as recent changes to our state and federal funding. We confirmed the last day of school for students this year, which will be Friday, June 13th, and will be a half day. The last day for pre-K students will be Tuesday, June 10th. A link to all of the details from the Board of Education meeting can be found in this update.

Spring break begins next Wednesday, April 16th. Schools will reopen on the following Wednesday the 23rd, so our next update will be Thursday, April 24th. Have a great couple of weeks, enjoy the break, and remember it's always a great day for success at TCPS!

It's National Assistant Principals Week! Our dedicated team works tirelessly to bolster teachers, motivate students, and support their principals. They create a positive learning community and face many unpredictable challenges. Please join us in celebrating these incredible school leaders!

Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sharon Pepukayi and members of the Board of Education, invite the TCPS community to participate in the upcoming Community Listening Session at Tilghman Elementary on Monday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m, and the St. Michaels campus on Thursday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Talbot Arts supports access to the arts for all citizens and visitors to Talbot County. Art is integral and essential for a healthy, vibrant, and equitable community. Talbot Arts has a particular interest in supporting the underserved, including people in healthcare settings, seniors, racial/ethnic minority groups, economically disadvantaged, and those with special needs. Learn more about Talbot Arts at https://www.talbotarts.org/.

Talbot Arts will be accepting applications for its summer arts scholarship program for Talbot

County high school and middle school students from May 6 through May 21. Students and

families who could benefit from these scholarships are encouraged to attend a Zoom

informational seminar on April 17 at 6 p.m. and visit https://www.talbotarts.org/summer-arts-

scholarships to learn more about the program and the application process.

These scholarships provide students with artistic promise opportunities to participate in summer

arts education programs to enhance their studies and experience. Student applicants must be

residents of Talbot County now enrolled in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

Students can use them for classes, private lessons, camps, workshops, and masterclasses. Eligible

areas of study include animation, band, ceramics, dance, graphic design, filmmaking, music

performance, songwriting, drawing, jewelry design, quilting, weaving and fiber arts,

photography, painting, printmaking, sculpture, theatre, voice, opera, or other areas of artistic

interest. Applications must be complete as missing information may disqualify a candidate for

consideration. Applications will only be accepted until the cut-off date or until funds are no

longer available.

Questions? Contact Joan Levy, Executive Director at 410-245-5195 / jlevy@talbotarts.org

An opportunity to grieve and heal for children in grades 1-8 on the Mid-Shore

When: Saturday, May 17, 9am–3:00pm

Sunday, May 18, 9am–2:00pm

Where: Talbot Agriculture and Education Center

10659 Hiners Lane

Easton, MD 21601

Why: Children need an outlet for their grief, just as adults do. Children express themselves through play and peer support, so camp is the perfect mix of work and fun!

For more information, contact:

Judy Gunn, Grief & Spiritual Care Chaplain

410-822-6681 ext. 116

jgunn@talbothospice.org

talbothospice.org

Talbot County Public Schools in partnership with People for Change Coalition is offering the Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP)- a FREE hands-on experience designed to spark interest in high-demand career fields!

Students will explore:

• Animation

• App Development/Gaming

• Careers in Health Care

• Chess

• Cybersecurity

• Drones

• Media Arts

• Presentation/Video Design

• Robotics

Location: Easton High School

Transportation Available from SMMHS, EES, WMES, and Cordova Firehouse

Breakfast & Lunch Provided

Two Sessions Available:

Session 1: July 7-July 17, 2025 (Mon-Thurs, 9 -1 PM)

Session 2: July 21-July 31, 2025 (Mon-Thurs, 9 -1 PM)

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore future careers in a fun and engaging environment!

Visit https://pfccoalition.org/scep.asp for registration details!

Talbot County Parks and Recreation summer camp registration opened this week. There is a scholarship program that reduces the fee to $180 for qualifying families. Here is the link to register! Talbot County Parks & Recreation: Summer Camp 2025

Registration for students living in Talbot County not currently enrolled in TCPS (PK, K, and all other grade levels) will be held on March 14th, April 10th, May 6.

Registration will take place during school hours. Please call the school to schedule an appointment.

Easton Elementary: 410-822-0550

Chapel District Elementary: 410-822-2391

St. Michaels Elementary: 410-745-2882

Tilghman Elementary: 410-886-2391

White Marsh Elementary: 410-476-3144

Easton Middle: 410-822-2910

Easton High: 410-822-4180

St. Michaels Middle High: 410-745-2852

For information about needed documents and other requirements for registering, click on the link below.

Join the TCPS Team! We have many certificated and support positions available! Use the link below for more information and to apply!

This guide provides a comprehensive list of behavioral health resources across Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties.

Come Explore with Us! ITCH (Introduction to Careers in Healthcare), a free program that introduces healthcare possibilities and pathways, is offering a new season of its FREE programming for middle and high schoolers with opportunities in Easton.

• Career Exploration
• Experiential Hands On
• Pathways to Success
• Internships
• Jobs
• Scholarships
• Careers

For more information and to register: https://www.itchmed.org/itch-in-action.

Space is limited!

Universty of Maryland Shore Health System Locations:

UM Shore Regional Health at Dorchester

UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton

Third Thursday of each Month:

January 16 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

February 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

March 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

April 17 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

May 15 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

June 19 - Culminating Tour - Chesapeake College Health Science Simulation Center

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the approaching tax season. Please take a moment to review important messages from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding federal tax credits that can significantly benefit individuals and families.

This year TCPS is going “cashless” for tickets for all of our athletic events using GoFan. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gate using a credit or debit card. GoFan accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Admission to all events at the Easton High and St. Michaels High Stadiums and Gymnasiums is $6 (children 6 and under are free). Cash payment will not be accepted at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased using the following links:

Easton High

St. Michaels Middle High

Join the parents, teachers, and students who have already made the important decision to enroll in SafeTime. The app is designed to both empower us all with a super easy social media integrated tool to alert the proper authorities if we see something suspicious, AND to raise student self-esteem via the creation and exposure to fun, positive messaging.

Safe Schools Maryland - an ANONYMOUS and FREE reporting system available to students, teachers, school staff members, parents, and the general public to report any school or student safety ​concerns, including mental health concerns. Safe Schools Maryland operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Your anonymous report can be submitted by calling the tip line (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233), completing an online form (below), or downloading the free Safe Schools Maryland app from the App Store or Google Play.​

Shore Legal Access connects Eastern Shore individuals and families in need of legal representation with volunteer attorneys to ensure that justice truly is for all.

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), Faith & Blue, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) are collaborating on a new initiative. The program provides free medical equipment to residents of Maryland who are facing financial constraints. The available equipment includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats.

Details:

• Free Equipment Available: Wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats

• Free Delivery: Within Maryland, depending on distance

• No Cost to Recipients

• Simple Application Process

Contact Information: