Cheetah Chatter Parent Update
Chapel District Elementary School November 7th-14th
CORE VALUES of CDES: Community, Relationships, Equity, Excellence
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to work together to support students as they grow in the areas of academics, socio-emotional awareness and mental health. We will strive to prioritize community, relationships, equity, and excellence for all students.
Veterans Day Slideshow Pictures Due TODAY, Brick Fundraiser Due 11/13
Chapel Families,
Report cards for Q1 will be emailed to families TODAY, while parent/teacher conferences will be held Wednesday, November 12th in the PM (Early Dismissal at 12:20 p.m.). Please reach out to your child's teacher if you are interested in a conference or have any questions about your child's progress in Q1. There is NO SCHOOL for students on 11/13 & 11/14 due to Teacher Inservice and the Waterfowl Festival.
Our Veterans Day Program will be held for students Tuesday 11/11, where we will be highlighting pictures of veterans who are family and friends of Chapel students and staff. If you would like pictures included in our annual slideshow, please email them to Mrs. Leffler (aleffler@talbotschools.org) TODAY!
Also, don't forget our CDES Brick Fundraiser is due November 13th! thatsmybrick.com/ChapelDESPTO
Upcoming Reminders
11/7- Q1 Report Cards emailed to families
11/7- Veterans Day Slideshow pictures due to Mrs. Leffler (aleffler@talbotschools.org)
11/11- Chapel Kids Care Food Drive Begins (w/Higginbottom Orthodontics)
11/11- PTO Meeting 6:00 p.m. CDES Cafeteria
11/12- Early Dismissal- Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences in PM
11/13- NO Students- Teacher Inservice
11/13- CDES Brick Fundraiser Orders Due (for new playground)
11/14- TCPS Schools Closed- Waterfowl Weekend
11/19- Fall Picture Re-takes
11/26-11/30- TCPS Thanksgiving Break- Schools Closed
12/9- CDES Winter Concert @ EHS 6:00 p.m. (K-5th)
Thank you again for your partnership as we are building and living our Chapel legacy this year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kari M. Clow
CDES Principal
Chapel Week in Review!
Pre-K Celebrates 50th Day of School!
Maryland Science Center Traveling Science Program
Science Experiments in Action
VETERANS DAY PICTURES DUE TODAY!
Be A Part of The Chapel Cheetah Legacy- "That's My Brick!" Fundraiser
Calling all Chapel Cheetah students, parents, families, alumni, and community! Would you like to be a part of our new school's renovation and our Chapel legacy? Consider participating in our "That's My Brick" CDES PTO fundraiser and have your custom brick part of our new playground pathway! All funds raised will go directly to our new playground equipment! Flyers will go home with students this week OR you may order online at: thatsmybrick.com/ChapelDESPTO
Help Us Cut Down On Screen Time for Our Chapel Students!
Chapel teachers are attempting to limit the use of iPads when students arrive in the morning and during indoor recess time. We feel that our students get plenty of screen time, so we're hoping to facilitate positive peer interactions by engaging students in constructive play during these less-structured times of the day. If you would like to help us in this endeavor, please check out the Amazon Wishlist linked here to donate the items requested. All items will be sent directly to CDES. Thank you for helping!
PTO's Popular Adopt-a-Classroom Program is Back!
We are looking for families and organizations to help adopt our classrooms at Chapel to help them with expenses for the school year. Please reach out if you are interested! This is a great opportunity to help out the community! cdes.pto@gmail.com
Important Car Rider Line Information
Please see the map above to outline the new car rider traffic pattern. Families will enter through the same car rider entrance, will utilize the same double-lanes, will merge at the orange cones, and then will enter a single-lane drop off area from in front of the new Critchlow Adkins entrance to the curb closest to the gym. We will temporarily have students entering through a side entrance into the main hallway for arrival and dismissal. There will be lots of Chapel staff on site the first few weeks to assist families in getting the hang of our new car rider line!
The Talbot County Sheriff's Office has been assisting with traffic on Cordova Road and would like to remind families coming from the Easton direction of Cordova Road to NOT turn left off of Cordova Road. Instead, they recommend driving past CDES and using the turn around on Old Cordova Road to then be in the right lane to turn into the car rider lane.
CDES Renovation Update- 2024 to 2026
Below is some general information about the CDES building's past and where we are headed for a beautiful new PK-5 school!
Will be a full renovation (46,070 SF)
9,600 SF addition (new CACC site)
Design Capacity- 431, Grades PK-5
Estimated Cost of Project: Construction and site work estimated $25 million, Total Project cost closer to $30 million (60% paid locally- $17M, 40% paid by state)- $13M
Phase 1 of the project is complete and includes the new Critchlow Adkins Childcare Center.
Phase 2 is currently underway, which includes the kitchen, cafeteria, gym, PK & K classrooms, and the addition of a classroom on that wing.
Phase 3 will take place this fall and will include the renovation of the existing spaces of the building (existing front hall, front office, building of new media center, etc.)
More information to come in the fall regarding specific school day logistics and safety protocols specific to Phase 3.
There will be significant impacts to the car rider loop and bus loop.
Parking will continue to be VERY limited at the school, which may impact larger events we typically have.
Important Upcoming Dates- Mark Your Calendar!
November
*11/7- Q1 Report Cards Issued
*11/11- Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 5:00 p.m. Zoom
*11/11- PTO Meeting 6:00 p.m.
*11/12- 12:20 p.m. Early Dismissal (Parent Teacher Conferences)
*11/13- NO SCHOOL for Students
*11/14- TCPS Schools Closed (Waterfowl Weekend)
*11/17-11/21- American Education Week
*11/19- Fall Picture Retakes
*11/26-11/28- TCPS Schools Closed- Thanksgiving Break
December
*12/3- Grandparents Club Meeting 6:00 p.m.
*12/9- CDES Winter Concert @ EHS 6:00 p.m. (K-5th)
*12/9-12/11- Penguin Patch Gift Shop
*12/20-1/4- TCPS WINTER BREAK- Schools Closed
Parent Note Template- Absences, Early Leave, Arrive Late
CDES PTO Updates
*2025-2026 PTO Officers:
Co- Presidents: Julie Callahan
Vice President: Katie Callahan
Treasurer: Laura Taylor
Secretary: Michelle Callahan
*PTO General Meeting Dates for 24-25: 11/11, 1/13, 3/10, 5/12 @ 6:00 p.m.
*Please email any questions or comments to cdespto@gmail.com
Please link your E-Vic Card TODAY! You must renew your membership each year. Thank you!
Support Our PTO- Re-Link or Link Your Harris Teeter E-Vic Card! Must renew this annually!
CDES Grandparents Club Info
President: Carla Callahan
Vice President: Donna Parks
Treasurer: Terri Hiner
Secretary: Wanda Weaver
Next Grandparents Club Meeting: 11/5 6:00 p.m. in the CDES Cafeteria
*Meetings will take place the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.