The Falcon News Nest

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

Back-to-School Literacy Activities

• School Supply Alphabet Hunt

• Choose a letter and find something around the house that starts with that sound.

• For an extra challenge, make an A–Z list of school-related words: apple, backpack, crayons, etc.

• First-Day Acrostic Poem

• Use the word SCHOOL or your child's name.

• Each letter begins a word or sentence describing them or their hopes for the school year.

• Silly School Story

• Create a story using three random words such as teacher + dinosaur + pizza.

• The child writes or tells a story that includes all three.

• Letter to My Future Self

• Have your child write a letter about what they hope this school year will be like.

• Seal it and open it near the end of the school year.

• Grocery Store Literacy

• Have your child read labels, make a shopping list, find items beginning with specific letters, or compare words on different packages.

Remember, Reading is FUN-damental and necessary! Let's get back to R-E-A-D-I-N-G!

September Math at Home

Back-to-School Math Fun!

Welcome back to school! September is a great time to make math part of your family’s everyday routines. Here are a few simple ideas to try at home:

Back-to-School Shopping

Compare prices, count items, estimate costs, and look for the best deals.

In the Kitchen
Measure ingredients, count snacks, double a recipe, or talk about fractions while sharing food.

Practice Time
Ask questions like, “How many minutes until bedtime?” or “How long was soccer practice?”

On the Go
Look for shapes, numbers, patterns, and opportunities to count while traveling.

Play a Math Game
Try cards, dice, dominoes, or board games. Games are a fun way to build number sense and problem-solving skills.

Remember:

Ask your child “How did you figure that out?” instead of just asking for the answer. Talking about math helps build confidence and strengthens mathematical thinking! Math is everywhere—let’s make it fun!

Did you know?

Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind.

• Missing 10% (about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1-2 days every few weeks.

• Being late to school often may lead to poor attendance.

• Regular attendance makes children feel better about school and themselves.

  
  

Good attendance means:

• Elementary student read well by the end of third grade

• Middle schoolers pass important exams

• High schoolers stay on track for graduation

• College student earn their degrees

• Workers succeed in their jobs.

When do absences become a problem?

• 9 days or fewer – satisfactory attendance

• 10-17 days – at risk attendance

• 18 or more days – chronic absence

Unlawful Absences

Any child who is repeatedly absent will be contacted by school personnel. Students with excessive absences will receive further intervention to encourage daily school attendance including:

• babysitting

• illness of a family member

• missing the bus

• oversleeping

• employment not approved by the school

• vacation, unless approved by the principal

Situations approved by the principal may include:

• College campus visits or orientations

• Scheduled interviews with prospective employers

• Short-term full-time work assignments with family businesses for students not enrolled in work-study programs

• Participation in activities sponsored by the school, district, county or state agencies

• Lack of authorized transportation: This does not include when a student is denied transportation for disciplinary reasons.

Other emergency or set of circumstances which, in the principal's judgment, is a cause for absence from school.

• State Emergency

• Religious holiday

• Suspension

• Court Summons

Attendance Interventions

• Loss of credit or retention

• Referral to appropriate agencies - Department of Social Services and/or Teen Court Program

• Legal action - Per Maryland law, unlawful absences may lead to a parent or guardian being found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine or imprisonment.

Possible Consequences

• telephone notification to parent/guardian

• written notification to parent/guardian

• parent and/or student meeting held with CCPS staff

• visits to student's home by school officials

The Facts

Maryland law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. If a student is absent for any reason, a written explanation is required within ten (10) school days of the student’s return. Notes received after the deadline may be considered lawful by the principal.

Absences are lawful only under the following conditions:

• Student illness: A doctor's note may be required if a

• student has been excessively absent for illness.

• Death in the immediate family

• Hazardous weather conditions that would endanger the health or safety of the student when in transit to or from school.

• Work approved or sponsored by the school, school system or state. Written approval is needed in advance.

How can the school help?

Your child's school has the resources needed to help with attendance issues.

• Reach out to your child's teacher, school counselor or principal.

• Schedule a phone call or meeting to talk about resources.

  
  

The school can connect you with a pupil personnel worker, school based wellness or mental health services, or the Social and Emotional Well-Being Program's family navigator for community-based resources and referrals.

How families can encourage good attendance?

• Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!

• Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before

• Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.

• Don't let your child stay home unless they are truly sick.

• Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.

7-11 National Payroll Week

7 Labor Day, No School

11 Patriot Day

13-19 Arts in Ed Week

11-13 Rosh Hashanah begins

9.15-10.15 Hispanic Heritage Month

9.14-9.20 Community Schools Coordinators Appreciation Week

15 IT Professionals Day

20 Yom Kippur begins

22 First day of Autumn

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.