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,

This week, Cecil County Public Schools is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a festive Spirit Week! In addition, social studies classes will highlight Constitution and Citizenship Day on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Please note the following spirit days for next week:

• Monday, 9/14/26 - Red, White & Blue Day! Wear a combination of red, white, and blue.
• Tuesday, 9/15/26 - State Shirt Day! Wear a shirt highlighting one of our great 50 states or one of our National Parks.
• Wednesday, 9/16/26 - Rights & Responsibilities Day! Wear a team jersey or shirt representing how you play a part in democracy.
• Thursday, 9/17/26 - Stars & Stripes Day -Wear American flag gear. Show off your Star-Spangled Bling.
• Friday, 9/18/26 - Future of America Day! Students dress as what they want to be in the future, looking forward to the next 250 years.

Back To School Night is Wednesday, September 16th, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Come meet your child's teachers, learn about the curriculum, join PTO, and more! Additionally, we will have Volunteer/Mentor Training the same evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. We hope that you're able to join us!

Arrival and dismissal are beginning to go more smoothly; we appreciate your patience and understanding. Please review the arrival and dismissal reminders below to help us ensure student safety during arrival and dismissal. I cannot thank our secretaries enough as Mrs. Rhinehart and Mrs. Reynolds have gone above and beyond to keep parents, teachers, and staff informed to ensure that our students arrive home safely.

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.

Committed to serving our school community,

Mrs. Ashlee Groce, Principal

Ms. Melissa Pratt, Asst. Principal

The PTO Joe Corbis Fundraiser began this week with our kick off assembly on Thursday. Students should have brought home a Joe Corbis packet on Thursday or Friday. Funds raised will e used by the PTO for events/activities, such as monthly student birthday recognitions, Fall Movie Night, and Teacher Appreciation Week.

If your family qualified for Free & Reduced-Price Meal Benefits last school year, you must submit a new application for the current school year by Monday, October 12 to continue receiving benefits.

If a new application is not submitted by this date, your meal benefits will expire, and your student will be moved to full-pay meal status.

We encourage all families to complete an application, even if you do not believe you qualify. The application process is 100% confidential, and no information is shared with any outside agencies.

To apply, please visit: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

If you received a letter from the Food & Nutrition office that stated that your family has been approved for Free meals this school year then there is NO need to fill out the application.

If you have any questions regarding meal benefits, please contact the Food & Nutrition Department at 410-996-6257.

We are excited for our second year of implementing Illustrative Mathematics! IM promotes independent problem solving skills while building a deep understanding of mathematics. Families can access the Family Support Hub to find out what students are learning and how to support their learning at home. Check it out!

Check out the September Cecil County Connections Newsletter to discover free support, services, and resources available to all county families! This month’s edition highlights a variety of helpful programs designed to support our students and caregivers both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to funding from the Maryland Consortium on Consolidated Community Supports, these services are available to ALL families completely free of charge, regardless of income or ability to pay. Take a moment to explore the link today to see how these wonderful community resources can benefit your family and help your student arrive at school on time, every day and ready to learn!

Join Cecil County parents, caregivers, and community members working together to support kids with special education needs.

When: September 17, 2026 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

Where: North East Public Library

Topic: IEP Meeting Readiness.

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

Please remember that students may only receive up to 5 days of excused absences for vacation. If you are going on vacation (or have been on one), please send in a note for principal approval. When emailing, please send an email to Mrs. Reynolds (srreynolds@ccps.org) and Mrs. Groce (ajgroce@ccps.org), and the homeroom teacher. We ask that you consider the student's number of absences when planning student vacations.

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!

Donuts for Grownups @ 8:00 a.m.

Monday, 9/28/26

Interim Period Ends (Grades 2-5)

Grade 2 to Fair Hill Nature Center