August 27, 2026
Superintendent's Weekly Update
IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT BUS TRANSPORTATION!
FINAL BUS TRANSPORTATION OPT-IN/OPT-OUT DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4!
As a reminder, families MUST complete a new opt-in/opt-out form each school year. The Transfinder opt-in opt out form has now expired. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY REQUESTED TRANSPORTATION, YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS TIME.
If your child requires bus transportation for this school year and you have not yet submitted a request please use the form linked below. The final deadline to request transportation for the 2026–2027 school year is Friday, September 4, 2026. Thank you!
NO CELL. BELL TO BELL.
TCPS has implemented a “no cell, bell to bell” regulation for 2026-2027. Students in all grade levels will not be permitted to use cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, or other personal communication devices during the school day.
This change is in response to the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which was passed during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. Across the country, schools where phone-free policies have been implemented have noted many improved outcomes, including less distraction, less cyberbullying, fewer fights, increased engagement, improved attendance, and healthier school environments overall.
Please note that exceptions may be made, including for documented medical needs or approved accommodations. Consequences for non-compliance without approved exceptions are as follows:
First Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the student can pick it up at the end of the day.
Second Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the parent has to pick it up.
Third Offense- Office referral, and the parent has to pick the phone up.
Fourth Offense- Office referral. Students are required to turn in their phones to the office daily for the remainder of the quarter.
This is aligned with the TCPS Student Code of Conduct. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss digital device expectations and review the TCPS Student Code of Conduct with students before the start of the 2026-2027 school year. We appreciate your support and partnership with these new expectations.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE REGULATION REVISIONS
Revisions to Student Attendance Administrative Regulation 10.2 are being impemented to comply with Maryland Law.
1 - Since family vacations have always been unexcused absences, TCPS will no longer have an internal code or approval process for family vacations. In accordance with Maryland Law (COMAR 13A.08.01.03-.04), these absences can only be coded as unexcused.
2 - The state has instituted a new absence code for students participating in civic engagement. These absences will be excused with prior authorization by school administration.
3 - TCPS will no longer count six tardies as one unexcused absence.
4 - The state does not recognize tardies as excused or unexcused, so we will not code those as such. They will simply be coded as a tardy.
5 - If a student has a chronic illness, absences will no longer be classified as CHIPS (Chronic Health Impairment for Students). Families will need to talk to their school counselor and complete the Home/Hospital process for intermittent services. This will ensure that students suffering from chronic health issues continue to receive educational services.
Please carefully review the updated Student Attendance Administrative Regulation linked here: Policy Code 10.2 AR
TCPS Grading Policy Updates 2026-2027
Over the past year, TCPS has conducted a comprehensive review of its grading practices in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families. Informed by district data, research, community feedback, and grading simulations, TCPS will implement the following new grading practices for the 2026-2027 school year.
Key Shifts in Elementary (PreK-5th Grade)
Competency-based standards (SP / DP / AP / EM / NM) will be used for ALL grades PreK-5. Previously, grades 3-5 received traditional letter grades.
Why: Competency standards are clusters of related skills within a subject that are assessed together and reported using a four-level scale instead of a single letter grade. This model creates one consistent reporting model across every elementary grade. A proficiency scale shows what a student can actually do, rather than compressing that into a single letter — giving a clearer, more accurate picture of learning and growth for young learners.
Parents/guardians will be able to see progress on individual assignments and observations throughout the marking period, not just at report card time.
Why: Increases transparency and keeps families informed in real time, so concerns can be addressed early rather than coming as a surprise at the end of the marking period.
Progress is evaluated as both academic and developmental, using work samples, performance-based tasks, observational data, and classroom curriculum assessments.
Why: Reflects that early learning includes developmental growth alongside academics, and ensures grading is based on multiple, well-rounded sources of evidence rather than a single test or assignment.
Competency Standards Proficiency Scale (PreK-5)
SP — Surpassing Proficiency: skills and understanding exceed grade-level expectations in this area.
DP — Demonstrating Proficiency: skills and understanding meet grade-level expectations in this area.
AP — Approaching Proficiency: skills and understanding are approaching grade-level expectations.
EM — Emerging: skills and understanding are just beginning to develop in this area.
NM — Not Measured: this skill has not yet been taught or assessed in this marking period.
Key Shifts in Grades 6-12
Grading Weight
Formative weight: previously 30% of the reported grade, now 40% of the reported grade.
Summative weight: previously 70% of the reported grade, now 60% of the reported grade.
Grading Scale (6-12)
Grades 6-12 use a hybrid model: traditional letter grades (A+ through F, including I and M for incomplete or missing), paired with a 4-point quality scale, with no artificial floor on individual assignment scores (minimum “50% as the floor grading” is eliminated).
For more information on the grading scale, please visit this additional resource.
Other Key Changes
Every unit must include formative assessment(s) before the related summative, covering all the same learning outcomes, with adequate time for feedback and reteaching first.
Why: Ensures students have practiced and received feedback on a skill before being formally evaluated on a summative assessment.
Teachers must keep gradebooks current, entering grades within 5 school days of submission (up to 8 school days for lengthy summatives like major projects, labs, or essays, if communicated in advance).
Why: Keeps grade information current so students and families can respond quickly, and sets a consistent, predictable timeline for feedback across all teachers and schools.
Grades cannot be disproportionately entered near the end of a marking period in a way that significantly changes a student's grade, without prior documentation and communication with the family.
Why: Avoids last-minute grade surprises and keeps families informed early enough to provide support.
Missing or incomplete formative work can be submitted for full credit if completed before the related summative. Students present on a summative's due date must complete it that day or within 5 school days, unless the teacher approves an exception. However, tests must be completed on the day of administration if the student is present.
Why: Encourages students to complete practice while still holding a firm, fair line on summative timeliness so grades reflect actual mastery.
Reteaching/reassessment applies to formative work only: mandatory for a D+ or below, available upon request for a C- or above. It must happen before the related summative, within the same marking period. Summative assessments and final exams are not eligible for reassessment, except for verified extenuating circumstances or principal approval.
Why: Gives every student a path to mastery while a skill is still being built, without opening the door to endless retakes on final assessments — preserving the integrity of summative grades.
These updates are designed to make grading more accurate, consistent, and transparent. They will also provide a clearer picture of student learning and growth, strengthening partnerships between families and teachers in support of student progress.
TCPS is “cashless” for tickets for all of our athletic events using GoFan. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gate using a credit or debit card. GoFan accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Admission to all events at the Easton High and St. Michaels High Stadiums and Gymnasiums is $6 (children 6 and under are free). Cash payment will not be accepted at the gate.
Tickets can be purchased using the following links:
Cook Center for Human Connection - ParentGuidance.org Mental Health Newsletter - August Issue
Loneliness and Isolation
Loneliness and isolation are related but different. Social isolation is a lack of interaction, often caused by bullying, exclusion, depression, anxiety, or technology addiction. Loneliness is more about feeling sad or a sense of solitude. Both can harm your mental health.
Review August Issue to learn more about signs and feelings of loneliness in children and teens and how parents can help.
What’s Cooking This School Year?
Healthy meals. Simpler ingredients. Great taste.
SIMPLER Ingredients, Same Great Meals
We’ve simplified ingredients by removing select additives and artificial dyes.
Student-Approved healthy Meals
Meals are designed with student feedback and built to meet USDA nutrition standards.
Fresh Ingredients, LOCAL FOCUS
We prioritize fresh ingredients and source locally whenever possible.
More to Look Forward To
Global flavors, limited-time menu features, school promotions, and taste tests keep meals fresh and exciting all year long.
2026–2027 MEAL PRICES:
Breakfast: FREE FOR ALL TCPS STUDENTS!
Elementary Lunch: $2.85
Middle/High Lunch: $3.10
Menus are available here:
Free meals are available for eligible students through the Free & Reduced Meals Program.
QUESTIONS?
FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE AT:
https://www.tcps.k12.md.us/page/food-service
or contact us at:
Lamar Braxton – Food Service Director
640-258-6452
Menu Updates You Can Feel Good About
Menu Changes
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year school menus have been updated to remove products containing certain artificial dyes and additives. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to nutrition quality, ingredient transparency, and meeting evolving state and federal standards.
The good news? Most of our core menu items were already free of these ingredients, so students are unlikely to notice major changes. In fact, many of the updates involve items you might not expect—such as condiments, sauces, and other commonly used ingredients.
Our Commitment
We’re committed to:
- Providing safe, high-quality meals
- Meeting or exceeding state and federal guidelines
- Preparing more foods with simple, recognizable ingredients
- Making thoughtful changes so students continue to enjoy their meals
What’s Out
Artificial Dyes
- Blue 1
- Blue 2
- Citrus Red 3
- Green 3
- Orange B
- Red 40
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6
Food Additives
- Azodicarbonamide
- Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Potassium Bromate
- Propylparaben
- Titanium Dioxide
What does this mean for Students?
Most meals will look and taste the same.
Our culinary and nutrition teams carefully reviewed products and recipes to maintain the flavors students enjoy and the quality families expect.
Favorite menu items are staying on the menu.
Where changes were needed, we worked with suppliers to find alternative products or updated recipes that help preserve familiar flavors and student favorites.
More foods will be prepared with simple ingredients.
These updates support our continued focus on ingredient transparency and preparing foods with ingredients families recognize and trust.
The 2026 Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. Resource Guide is now available!
This guide provides a comprehensive list of behavioral health resources across Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties.
