Elk Neck Express

Ashlee Groce, Principal, ajgroce@ccps.org

Melissa Pratt, Assistant Principal, mapratt@ccps.org

Website: https://enes.ccps.org/

Location: 41 Racine School Rd., Elkton, MD, 21921

Phone: 410.996.5030

Hello Elk Neck Elementary Families,

We are excited to welcome our students back tomorrow, Monday, August 31, 2026! Please remember that the school doors open at 8:45 a.m. with school beginning at 9:00 a.m. Dismissal will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. (1:45 p.m. on Wednesday). The arrival and dismissal process may take a little longer during the first week of school as we ensure that all of our learners arrive and dismiss safely. Please be sure to download the Where's The Bus App so that you can track your child's bus. We appreciate your patience!

Families that are dropping or picking their children up in the car loop should remain in their vehicles and await the instructions of the car loop staff. Please do not pass other vehicles in the car loop in order to keep everyone safe. We ask that you do not park and enter the building to pick up your children once dismissal begins as the office can be quite busy. Parents/guardians will need to complete the Car Rider Loop Application. Anyone picking up a student must have photo identification.

As always, we are here to serve our families, students, teachers, and the community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Please reference the Who To Contact document to reach the staff member who can best respond to your needs.

We can't wait to have students back in our school again! We look forward to a great year of learning together.

Committed to serving our school community,

Mrs. Ashlee Groce, Principal

Ms. Melissa Pratt, Asst. Principal

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. April Zeauskas. Mrs. Zeauskas was a valued and dedicated member of our school community who deeply cared for the success and well-being of every student. Though her time at Elk Neck Elementary was brief, her warm humor, radiant positivity, and genuine care for our students left a lasting mark on our school. Her loss is felt deeply by all of us.

This year, we welcome the following staff members to the Elk Neck community:

• Ms. Melissa Pratt, Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Emma Crowder, Art Teacher
• Mrs. Lisa Hatfield, General Assistant
• Ms. Shannon Mellott, Information Literacy and Computer Science Teacher
• Ms. Alexia Nguyen, K-3 Math Tutor

We wish the best to the following staff members in new roles:

• Mrs. Katy Blessing, Grade 4 Teacher
• Mrs. Heather Ganzzermiller, Special Education Paraprofessional
• Mrs. Linsey Webb, Grade 3 Teacher

We say farewell to the following staff members and wish them the very best:

• Mrs. Bridget Cook, Information Literacy and Computer Science Teacher
• Ms. Debra Brown, Special Education Paraprofessional
• Mrs. Jessica Heffelfinger, Special Education Paraprofessional
• Ms. Bernadette "Bunny" Laird, Special Education Paraprofessional
• Ms. Taylor Rapposelli, Grade 3 Teacher
• Mrs. Jessica Rowland, Assistant Principal

• Ms. Breelyn Young, Grade 1 Teacher

The 2026-2027 Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Applications are available online. Please go to the following link to fill out the application: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application.

If you filled out an application last school year, you must complete a new one for this school year. If you have any questions, please call the Food & Nutrition Office at (410) 996-6257.

ALL students are eligible to receive a FREE breakfast on school days. Students can select a FREE grab-and-go breakfast when entering the school in the morning. A nutritious breakfast is essential to being ready to learn each day.

School Supplies

Please let Mrs. Amy Cook know if your child needs a bookbag and/or school supplies. alcook@ccps.org 410-996-5030

How to help your child out the door in the morning:

• Make a checklist for your child (things to do before bed, things to do to get ready in the morning)

• Good Night’s Sleep- get them to bed as early as possible (see bedtime chart below)

• Get yourself to bed on time too

• Build in extra time in the morning

• Get ready the night before (pick out an outfit, pack up a bookbag, make lunches, get papers signed, etc.…)

• Save 5 minutes to talk or have extra snuggle time in the morning

• Talk out loud and praise your child’s efforts to follow the routine, “I like the new shirt you picked out to wear today all by yourself.”

• Keep routines simple (Ex: easy breakfast options)

• Give choices (Ex: Do you want to put your shoes on first or eat breakfast first?)

• Allow your child to share his/her feelings about school. Let them know that it is normal to feel anxious.

• Run through their schedule for the day. Going over their daily routine can ease anxious feelings.

• Practice first-day conversations (how to greet their teacher or a new friend)

• Try to make it fun (Ex: Make a special goodbye handshake or come up with a special goodbye saying)

• Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 9:15 a.m.
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m.

We are continuing to track attendance data in the new year. Our goal is to have an attendance rate of 94% each month. Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 16 or more school days. Please remember that students may only receive up to 5 days of excused absences for vacation. If you are going on vacation, please send in a note for principal approval. When emailing, please send an email to Mrs. Reynolds (srreynolds@ccps.org) and the homeroom teacher. We ask that you consider the student's number of absences when planning student vacations.

Monday, 8/31/26

First Day of School for Students!

Friday, 9/4/26

ENES Spirit Day! Wear an ENES shirt or green.

Monday, 9/7/26

Labor Day Holiday - No School

Friday, 9/11/26

Volunteer/Mentor Training @ 9:15 a.m.

PTO Joe Corbi Fundraiser begins

Monday, 9/14/26

CCPS Celebrates America's 250: Spirit Week! Wear red, white, and blue.

Tuesday, 9/15/26

CCPS Celebrates America's 250: Spirit Week! Wear a state shirt.

Wednesday, 9/16/26

CCPS Celebrates America's 250: Spirit Week! Wear a team jersey or shirt.

Volunteer/Mentor Training @ 5:30 p.m.

Back To School Night @ 6:00 -7:00 p.m.

Thursday, 9/17/26

CCPS Celebrates America's 250: Spirit Week! Wear American flag gear.

Friday, 9/18/26

CCPS Celebrates America's 250: Spirit Week! Dress like your future career.

Wednesday, 9/23/26

PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m.

Friday, 9/25/26

ENES Spirit Day! Wear a hat.

Bubble Gum Day!