Dragon Dispatch
Week of April 1st- April 5th
Hello Dragon Nation!
This month marks the beginning of Spanish Heritage Month, and we're excited to celebrate! Over the coming weeks, we'll be highlighting various Hispanic Americans and their significant contributions to our country.
I'd also like to extend an invitation to all parents and guardians interested in representing Dynard Elementary School (DES) on the SMCPS Educational Equity Citizens Advisory Committee (EECAC). This committee offers a great opportunity to have your voice heard at the district level. The first quarterly meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday at the Board of Education Office from 4:30-6:30 PM.
This year, the committee will be focusing on attendance issues districtwide.
We're eager to have a community representative who can speak on behalf of DES. If you're interested in this role, please email me at ajschiefer@smcps.org.
Let's make this week a great one, Dragons!
Respectfully,
Andy Schiefer, Principal
Online Emergency Information Update
Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.
Our upcoming Coffee and Connection sessions offer exciting opportunities for engagement. The October 4th session still has a few slots available for those interested in joining. Looking ahead, we're also accepting sign-ups for our November session, which will have a special focus on our school improvement plan. During the November meeting, we'll be discussing and developing strategies to implement this important initiative. Whether you choose to attend in October or November, these sessions provide valuable chances to connect and contribute to our school's progress.
School Based Health Centers
School-Based Health Centers are open and ready to provide high-quality care for your student and family! School-based health centers are exactly what the name implies: a health center in the schools where they are based. At the health centers, students and their families can rely on our doctors, nurse practitioners, and other support staff to provide well-child care and emergency care if your child is sick or injured, as well as a full range of age-appropriate health care services, including:
- Primary medical care
- Health education and promotion
- Case management
Students can be treated for acute illnesses, such as flu, and chronic conditions, including asthma and diabetes. They can also be screened for dental, vision, and hearing problems. With an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and risk reduction, school-based health centers counsel students on healthy habits and how to prevent injury, violence, and other threats.
Asthma Program
"Our Asthma Control Program offers free support to families of children who have asthma, to include:
- Home visits with the Health Department (in-person, virtual, and phone options available)
- Education and guidance relating to asthma and related medications
- Environmental assessments to identify and reduce household triggers
- Free tools to help with asthma control, such as green cleaning supplies, spacers, pillow covers, mattress covers, vacuum cleaners, and more! (available via delivery or scheduled curbside pickup, while supplies last!)"
Volunteers Needed
Dynard is excited to announce our upcoming Farm to School event on October 3rd. This educational experience will give our students the opportunity to meet local farmers, learn about agriculture's vital role in our community, and enjoy delicious food raised and grown right here in St. Mary's County. To make this event a success, we're seeking 8-10 volunteers to assist with various activities. If you're available and interested in helping, please reach out to Mr. Schiefer at ajschiefer@smcps.org to sign up. Volunteer spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't hesitate to get in touch. This promises to be an engaging and informative day that will connect our students with the rich agricultural heritage of our area, and your participation can help make it truly memorable.
So many fantastic things are happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in your school or department!
