The Falcon News Nest

Dear Falcon Families,

At our school, we are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for every student. As we continue to review and refine our School Improvement Plan and make decisions regarding the use of Title I and Concentration of Poverty grant funding, we value your input and perspective.

We invite you to share your feedback on:

• Our current school goals and priorities
• Areas where you feel our school is doing well
• Opportunities for improvement
• How grant funds can best support student learning, family engagement, and academic success

Your feedback is an important part of our planning process and helps ensure that our decisions reflect the needs of our students, families, and community.

Please complete the survey using the link below. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can help all students achieve success.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Brohawn

Fall Vocabulary Hunt

• Take a walk outside and look for signs of fall.

• Children list or draw things they see (leaves, acorns, squirrels, pumpkins).

• Use each word in a sentence.

• Challenge: Sort words into categories (animals, plants, weather).

Family Prompt:
"What was the most interesting thing you observed today?

Letter & Word Scavenger Hunt

• Find 5 objects that begin with a chosen letter.

• Say the sound and name of each object.

• Find items that contain a spelling pattern:

• -at

• -ing

• sh

• ch

• th

Gratitude Journal Each day, write 3–5 sentences about something you are thankful for.

Writing Prompts:

• A person I appreciate is...

• A challenge I overcame was...

• My favorite family tradition is...

• Something that made me smile this week was...

Challenge: Use descriptive adjectives and details.

AT-HOME READING BEGINS……

it’s as easy as sweet potato pie! Read, record titles, parent signature and RETURN the log sheet to school!!!

Building Mathematical Thinkers This Fall

As the leaves change and the holiday season approaches, November is a wonderful time to look for math all around us. Whether counting pumpkins, comparing recipes, or planning family gatherings, math helps us make sense of the world. Our students are learning that mathematicians don't just find answers, they explain their thinking, look for patterns, and persevere through challenges!

🎯 Monthly Math Focus: Problem Solving

This month, all grade levels are focusing on:

✅ Making sense of problems before solving
✅ Using models and drawings to show thinking
✅ Explaining answers with math vocabulary
✅ Checking work for accuracy

A helpful family question:

"How do you know your answer is correct?"

🦃 Family Math Activity: Thanksgiving Table Challenge

Before a holiday meal, ask your child to help plan the table.

Questions to Try:

• How many plates are needed?

• If each person needs a fork and spoon, how many utensils are needed altogether?

• If 24 rolls are shared by 8 people, how many rolls does each person get?

For younger students:

• Count place settings

• Compare which group has more or fewer items

For older students:

• Multiply, divide, and create fraction problems using real objects

➕ Math at Home

You can strengthen math skills every day by:

🍂 Estimating grocery totals before checkout

🍂 Measuring ingredients while cooking

🍂 Counting and organizing collections

🍂 Reading schedules and calendars

🍂 Playing card games and board games

Just 10 minutes of math talk each day can make a big difference!

🧩 November Math Riddle

I am an odd number.
Take away one letter and I become even.
What number am I?

Answer: Seven (remove the "s" to get "even").

Thank You!

Thank you for partnering with us to support mathematical learning. Together, we are helping students build confidence, curiosity, and strong problem-solving skills every day.

Dear Parents,

As the holidays approach, it’s easy for routines to change—but keeping good habits helps children stay healthy and ready to learn. Here are five simple ways to support your child’s wellness this season:

1. Keep a bedtime routine. Children need plenty of sleep to grow and focus at school.

2. Wash hands often. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while washing hands for a proper wash, especially before meals and after play, to keep germs away.

3. Get moving. Dancing, jumping, or outdoor play helps children burn energy and stay strong.

4. Eat colorful foods. Add fruits and veggies to every meal, even during holiday treats.

5. Keep calm. Discuss feelings and maintain steady home routines to help your child feel safe.

Our Choptank Health providers play a crucial role in preparing our students for learning by offering

medical, dental, nutrition, and behavioral health services, all on a schedule that also benefits our

parents.

They work with your primary health care provider to keep your students as healthy as they can be. You can enroll your child in School-Based Health at any time throughout the year. For more information, including enrollment forms, locations, and contact details, visit www.choptankhealth.org/schoolbased.

• Native American Heritage Month
• 11/2 Daylight Savings Time Ends
• 11/2-6 School Psychologist Week
• 11/3 Election Day
• 11/8 STEM and STEAM Day
• 11/11 Veterans Day
• 11/16-20 American Education Week
• 11/21 Substitute Educators Day
• 11/26 Thanksgiving

We understand many of our families are impacted by the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. We want to reassure parents and guardians that free breakfast and lunch at every school will continue to be available for all students every day. These meals are funded through a separate program and are not affected by SNAP.

In addition to daily breakfast and lunch at school, all of our schools continue to offer

weekend food support through the Backpack Program, made possible by Food for Learning. This program provides shelf-stable food for students to take home on weekends. For more information and to request services, please complete a Backpack Program form.

Lastly, meals at participating afterschool programs will continue to be served.

Additional Resources for Families

• For a local listing of community resources, including food, please visit Caroline Better Together.

• For resources throughout the mid-shore, please visit the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition.

• For resources through the state, please visit the 211Maryland website.

If you have any questions or need assistance connecting with these resources, please contact your school’s Community School Coordinator or school counselor.

This information may also be viewed on the CCPS website.

The Aaron's Place Food Pantry at the Federalsburg Elementary School Judy Center Early Learning Hub is open to any Maryland resident. Located at 323 South University Avenue, Federalsburg our typical hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 9 am - 3 pm. Note: We follow the Caroline County Public Schools calendar. For more information call the center at 410-479-3050.

The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information in writing from the school principal:

• Any college or university degree, major, or certification held by the teacher

• Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area

• Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate

• The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student

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.