Ms. Hartman's Newsletter
August Edition
Mark your calendars:
Thursday, August 13
Kindergarten Playdate
📍 DCES Playground | ⏰ 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14 (Rain Date)
Kindergarten Playdate
📍 DCES Playground | ⏰ 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Monday, August 17:
Kindergarten Orientation – "How to Kindergarten" (Parents Only)
⏰ 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18:
Expressions Open House
⏰ 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18:
Open House (Students & Parents)
⏰ 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies and meet their teacher.
Wednesday, August 26:
Back-to-School Night: Expressions Families & Grade 1-5 Parent Only
⏰ 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Additional Information:
- Pre-K: Parents will meet with the teacher during Open House. Pre-K students will begin school the following week.
- Kindergarten: Students will participate in staggered entry August 19–21. Additional information will be shared with Kindergarten families in the coming weeks.
Overview: FCPS Students must follow "off and away" expectations for personal communication devices throughout the school day. Students must keep cell phones, smart watches, and other personal communication devices out of sight and not in use. These expectations support the new Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, and help create distraction-free learning environments.
Letter sent out July 29,2026
Dear DCES Families,
As we prepare to welcome our students for the start of the school year, we wanted to provide an important update regarding classroom teacher assignments and upcoming dates for our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten families.
Due to the district's staggered start schedule, it is especially important that our PK and Kindergarten families have as much advance information as possible to prepare for their child's first days at Deer Crossing Elementary School.
This year, Frederick County Public Schools has transitioned to a new student information platform. As a result, Monday, August 10 is the first day families will have access to Schoology to view classroom teacher assignments.
We also recognize some Kindergarten families are new to FCPS and may not yet have Schoology access established. Our staff is working diligently to ensure communication reaches every family as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this new district platform together.
Thank you for your continued support. We are excited to welcome our students back to DCES and look forward to a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Destinie Hartman
Principal
Deer Crossing Elementary School
