CES Judy Center Newsletter

Calvert Elementary School

1450 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

443-550-8077

Collaboration and partnerships with the community lie at the heart of Maryland's Judy Center Early Learning Hubs. Judy Centers are not childcare centers but a comprehensive hub where families can participate in family learning experiences and receive services and support. In Title I and high-needs elementary schools in every Maryland jurisdiction, Judy Centers empower a child's first teachers - their families - by supporting child development and early learning skills for our youngest learners from birth to kindergarten.

We understand that families may have questions about current Judy Center operations, and we would like to provide an update and reassure our families that we remain committed to serving children and families in our community.

This summer, the Calvert Judy Center has experienced some challenges related to staffing and facilities. Our goal had been to hire a new coordinator who could work alongside Sara prior to her departure; however, this was not possible due to the comprehensive screening, vetting, and hiring requirements that Calvert County Public Schools must follow for all employees working with children. This process has become longer with newly enacted laws in this area.

We are pleased to welcome Elaina Sherwood-Lopez as the new Calvert Judy Center Site Coordinator. Elaina can be reached at sherwood-lopeze@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-8727. Families may also contact Natasha Cole-Spells, the Family Resource Worker at colespellsn@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-8726. If you need assistance, please reach out to either staff member, and they will respond as quickly as possible.

In addition, Calvert Elementary School is currently experiencing well-related issues that have resulted in the temporary loss of functioning bathroom facilities. As a result, Calvert County Public Schools has temporarily closed both Calvert Elementary School and Calvert Country School, which share the same well system. Until the issue is resolved and the building is approved to reopen, Judy Center programming at the school is temporarily paused.

In the meantime, we are actively working to relocate programming to nearby community locations to minimize disruption to families. We are excited that our Summer Club will begin soon, and our weekly Wolf Trap Arts & Learning performances will continue every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. We will continue to keep families informed and will share confirmed program locations as soon as they are finalized.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and ongoing support during this transition. We remain committed to providing safe, welcoming, and engaging opportunities for all children and families.

Hello Judy Center families! Recently, some issues with families receiving our newsletter have been brought to our attention. To ensure you are receiving the newsletter, please be sure to adjust your spam settings to include emails from the following email addresses:

Elaina Sherwood-Lopez - sherwoodlopeze@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Natasha Cole-Spells - colespellsn@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Christina Herrick - herrickc@calvertnet.k12.md.us

We hope that this will resolve the issue with our emails being delivered to spam boxes.

Judy Center End of Summer Foam Party!

August 14, 2026
5pm - 7pm
St. Leonard Elementary School

Fun, Food & Foam! Join all three Judy Centers at St. Leonard Elementary for a super fun foam party!!

Registration is required. Register here: Judy Center End of Summer Foam Party! August 14, 2026 5pm - 7pm SLES Judy Center – Fill out form

Please register by August 10th!

Thurs August 6, 2026

11:30am
Harriet Brown Community Center
901 Dares Beach Rd Prince Frederick, MD

World Dance: Rhythm and Melody from across the Globe

Celebrating over 45 years as a performing arts ensemble, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble is an internationally recognized, roots-based music and dance company showcasing the cultural diversity of percussive dance. Footworks has a reputation for exceptional performances, bringing the joy and energy of percussive dance and music to audiences worldwide. All of Footworks programming is a celebration of cultural diversity and the joy of live music and dance!

Registration is required. Register here: CES Judy Center Wolftrap & Arts for Learning Maryland presents: Footworks! – Fill out form

We are excited Ms. Kara LeClair is back to host Summer Club for us again! We will learn about farming, farm animals and healthy foods. We get to taste some healthy foods too!

🚩 Registration is required to attend. To Register:

August 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Summer Club Aug 3, 2026 10 AM Harriet Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Rd – Fill out form

August 20, 2026 at 11:15 AM: Summer Club Aug 20, 2026 11:15AM Harriet Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Rd – Fill out form

❗*Playgroups will be held at the Harriet Brown Community Center while the CES well is being fixed*❗

* All playgroups will be held at 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

August 4, 2026 at 10AM: Baby Eagles August 4, 2026 10AM Harriet Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Rd. – Fill out form

❗*Playgroups will be held at the Harriet Brown Community Center while the CES well is being fixed*❗

* Playgroup is open to children 18 months through age 2 1/2
* Space is very limited, and registration is required.

* If you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we may offer your spot to a family on our waiting list.

🚩 Registration is required to attend.

August 4, 2026 at 11:15AM: Flying Eagles Aug 4, 2026 11:15 AM Harriet Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Rd. – Fill out form

Ages 9 months - 2 years

Join us for a sensory play and art exploration class! All materials will be taste safe, multi-sensory and chose specifically to aid in your little one’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Dress for mess!

* Space is very limited and registration is required. If you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we may offer your spot to a family on our waiting list.

Date: August 31, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM

🚩 Registration is required to attend. To Register: Baby and Toddler Art and Sensory Play Aug 31, 2026 10:00 AM Harriet Brown Community Center – Fill out form

We welcome you to our playgroup with Kids Art Skool!

Art is fun for all ages! Join us as we explore art in different ways by using a variety of materials and mediums to get the kid’s creativity flowing! Each month will be a different art adventure chosen specifically to aid in your child's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Dress for a mess!

This playgroup is open to ages 2 - 4 years old.

Date: August 31, 2026

Time: 11:15 AM

🚩 Registration is required to attend. To register, please click here: Kids Art Skool Aug 31, 2026 11:15 AM Harriet Brown Community Center 901 Dares Beach Rd – Fill out form

Join the Judy Center and Garrett Music Academy for a musical playgroup. Miss Krista of Garrett Music Academy will lead this musical playgroup. Come read a book, make some friends, make music and have a blast! Through the use of hand instruments such as shaker eggs as well as using the body like an instrument, to produce rhythmic sounds. This playgroup will help your child build language skills, increase their IQ, support music skills, improve social skills, while learning rhythm and other musical concepts, develops their auditory discrimination, builds fine motor and gross motor coordination, develops body awareness, builds social skills as they work together to create musical sounds and improve attention space and focus.

Date: Wednesday August 19, 2026, at 10AM

🚩 Registration is required to attend. To register, please click here: Garrett Music Academy Aug 19, 2026 10 AM Harriet Brown Community Center – Fill out form

Mindfulness & Me

(Mindful Moms)

Date: Thursday August 13, 2026

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

🚩Location: PAC Judy Center in the Appeal Elementary School building

11655 H. G. Truman Rd. Lusby

A 1-hour interactive support group to learn the benefits of mindful parenting, deep breathing, journaling, how to handle tough moments with a clear mind, and so much more.

Mindfulness & Me and Crystal Hall are such a loved resource that we are now opening it up to our Calvert and St. Leonard Judy Center families!

Children are welcome and will participate in fun activities and play next door in the PAC Judy Center playroom.

Registration is required. Please register here: Mindfulness & Me (Mindful Moms) 10:00am - 11:00am PAC Judy Center – Fill out form

Join our Swim Safety Clinic, specially designed for children with special needs and their parent / guardian! This fun, engaging class helps children develop water safety skills while empowering parents with the knowledge to reinforce those skills at home. Enroll today and support your child in becoming a confident, safe swimmer. Parent participation is required.

To register or for more information:

Call: 410-414-8350

Website: https://calvertcounty.perfectmind.com/

🌞Calvert County Public Schools will be starting the week of June 21st. During Summer hours school buildings will be open 8am-4pm Mon-Thurs and closed Fridays until mid-August.🌞

Parents can enter the Healthy Families program prenatally or before a baby is three months old. Family Support Workers partner with parents to help build a nurturing relationship between parent and child, provide information on how children develop, and suggest ideas for activities for parents to engage with their child. Services are provided where it is most convenient for the participant – usually at home.

Healthy Families Participants receive:

• Connection to needed services such as help with food, housing, medical, education and training so that parents can focus on themselves and their children.
• Information on how children develop and learn.
• Materials and ideas for activities to do with children to strengthen the bond between parent and child.
• Knowledge and skills to help parents prepare children for success in school.
• Support for parents with children up to age 5.

Home Instruction of Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)

Support through Healthy Families can continue until a child is age three and eligible for the HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) program. Parents of children ages 2-4, not already enrolled in the Healthy Families Program, may be eligible to enroll in HIPPY. The HIPPY Program continues to focus on supporting parents through home-visiting but with an emphasis on school readiness.

HIPPY Home Visitors meet parents weekly for 30 weeks providing the HIPPY curriculum, books and educational materials. Parents are trained to use the curriculum and educational materials with their child, supporting the parent’s ability to be their child’s first teacher. The curriculum provides activities for parents to do for 15-20 minutes daily for five days. The suggested activities include language/literacy, math, science and motor activities.

For more information:

Learning begins at home HIPPY | Home Instruction for Parents and Preschool Youngsters (hippyus.org)

Infants and Toddlers is birth to age 3 years of age and provides an array of early intervention services for children and their families birth to the age of three. Children, birth through the age of three, who are experiencing a developmental delay, or who have an established condition or disability are eligible. Early intervention services are family-centered, functional and based on individual family routines and activities. Services may include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Special Instruction, Audiology, Family Counseling and Training and Vision Services. The goal of the Calvert County Infants and Toddlers Program is to provide family-centered support and services to infants and toddlers with delays/disabilities to help them reach their potential and be prepared for school.

The Calvert County Infants and Toddlers Program (ITP) serves children birth through two years of age who reside in Calvert County and meet state eligibility requirements. Services are provided year-round at no cost to families. If your child is found eligible, the Infants and Toddlers Program (ITP) can target the following areas:

• Cognition
• Communication
• Social/Emotional
• Self-help
• Fine Motor
• Gross Motor
• Hearing
• Vision

To be eligible for our program, children must have a 25% delay in at least one area of development (cognitive, communication, social-emotional, self-help, fine & gross motor), atypical development, or a high probability of delay due to a diagnosed medical condition. Services offered:

• Audiology
• Family Counseling/Training
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Special Instruction
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Vision Services

Services are provided in home, community, or center-based settings depending on the needs of your family and child. Sessions are scheduled with your individual service provider(s) Monday through Friday.

Infants and Toddlers - Calvert County Public School District

Are you concerned about your young child’s development? Do you think your child has difficulty with movements, talking, understanding, learning, socializing, playing, or eating?

For more information, contact one of the following programs.

The Judy Center at Calvert Elementary School (Ages 0 to 5 years old). Call 443-550-8077

Infants and Toddlers Program (Birth to 35 months) Call 443-550-8405 for a developmental evaluation or visit the website at: Infants and Toddlers Program - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

Child Find (35 months to 5 years/prekindergarten) Call 443-550-8373 for a developmental evaluation or visit the website at: Child Find - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides healthy supplemental foods, as well as nutrition and breastfeeding education and counseling for pregnant and post-partum women, infants and children under age 5. The Southern Maryland WIC Program serves participants in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties at 5 sites located in White Plains, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Solomons, and Prince Frederick.

To learn more about WIC: Pages - MD WIC (maryland.gov)

Have you been thinking of finishing or continuing your education?

The Judy Center is offering resources to assist parents in starting Adult Education classes.

For more information contact the Judy Center at 443-550-8077.

Judy Center programming is developed with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood

The content and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Maryland State Department of Education.