Ms. Hartman's Newsletter

DCES has had a great kickoff to the school year! We began by welcoming our staff back together with a shared focus on TEAM — Together Everyone Achieves More. We wear our TEAM shirts on the last Friday of each month as a reminder that it takes everyone to continue building a positive school community where all staff, students, and families feel connected, valued, and welcome.

During our opening meeting, we talked about the importance of being intentional in how we communicate with our students and families and how each interaction contributes to the culture we are building together. For those who joined us for Open House, you may have noticed the various colored shirts our team leaders wore to represent their departments and grade levels. This was another small but intentional way for us to highlight that while we each have different roles, we are all part of one DCES TEAM.

As we welcomed our students back, Ms. Williams, our Assistant Principal, and I ended their first three days with a DCES Town Hall. We spent time talking about who we are as a school, practicing our call-back for large-group settings, and reviewing the DCES Pledge that we recite each day following the Pledge of Allegiance.

One of our continued areas of focus this school year is kindness and remembering that what we say can stick. We challenged our students to think about a simple question:

If you say something to an adult or a peer that they cannot fix within 30 seconds, is it a kind thing to say?

We practiced this idea together and discussed examples of what kindness can look and sound like throughout our school day. We even talked about something as simple as saving a seat in the cafeteria. While telling someone that a seat is saved may not feel hurtful to the person saying it, it can be very hurtful to the student who is told they cannot sit there especially when it is something they cannot fix within 30 seconds.

These conversations may seem small, but they are incredibly important. We want our students to understand that kindness is not just about our intentions; it is also about how our words and actions make others feel.

I truly believe the start to this school year has created such positive momentum within our school walls, and that momentum is possible because of our incredible DCES families. Thank you for making sure your children have a positive start to their day, helping them arrive at school on time, and, most importantly, entrusting us with the privilege of supporting and growing your children this school year.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us with your children. We are so excited about what this year will bring, and we are grateful to be on this journey together.

Together Everyone Achieves More!

Sincerely,

Destinie Hartman

Principal

Deer Crossing Elementary School

Monday, September 7: Labor Day (Schools & Offices closed)'

Monday, September 14: IEP & 504 Information Night (7:00 pm- 8:00 pm)

Tuesday, September 15: DCES Chipotle Spirit Night 5pm

Friday, September 18: 2 hr Early Dismissal (Mid-Term)

Saturday, September 19: DCES PTA Movie Night @ Frederick Keys Stadium (7pm-10pm)

Monday, September 21: Yom Kippur (Schools closed)

Friday, September 25: 3.5 hr early dismissal

• Be on the lookout for a DCES Family Directory for families to opt into
• A Principal Coffee Chat at the end of September will also be developed and starting by the end of September. Be on the lookout for more information!

On Friday, September 11, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown and extends through Saturday September 12. Yom Kippur starts at sundown on Sunday, September 20 through Monday, September 21. Schools will be closed for students on Monday, September 21. The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest time of the year for many of our Jewish families, students, and community members.

September 15–October 15

At DCES, we value learning about and celebrating the many cultures, histories, and contributions that make our community unique. During Hispanic Heritage Month, our students will have opportunities to learn about Hispanic and Latino cultures, traditions, histories, and the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

The celebration begins on September 15, a significant date as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence. Other important dates include Mexico on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21.

We look forward to using this month as an opportunity to learn, celebrate, and strengthen our commitment to a school community where everyone feels seen, valued, connected, and welcome.

Want to learn more?
Families can explore resources from the Smithsonian Latino Center here:
Smithsonian Latino Center – Latin Independence Days

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we begin a new school year, we are excited to welcome you and your child(ren) into the Deer Crossing community! We know that the start of the school year can bring a mix of emotions for both children and parents. One common experience for young students—especially in the first few weeks—is separation anxiety.

It’s completely natural for children to feel uneasy or nervous when saying goodbye at drop-off. Please know that our staff is trained and prepared to support your child through this transition. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where they can build confidence, friendships, and a love of learning.

Here are a few tips that may help ease the process:

• Keep Goodbyes Short and Positive: A quick, cheerful goodbye reassures your child that everything is okay. Lingering can sometimes increase anxiety.

• Establish a Routine: Consistent drop-off routines help children feel more secure and know what to expect.

• Be Patient and Encouraging: Some children adjust quickly, while others need a little more time. Every child is different, and that’s okay!

If you have time before the school year starts here are some book recommendations for separation anxiety:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick

Daniel Goes to School (Daniel Tiger) by Becky Friedman

Jasper Lizard Wants to Stay Home by Ashley Bartley

Rest assured, we will be offering plenty of support, smiles, and encouragement to help your child adjust. We will always reach out if we feel your child is having a particularly difficult time. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or questions you may have.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Warm regards,
Stacey Mitchell (Prek-2nd School Counselor)

Deena Michael (3rd-5th School Counselor)

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.

• One Page Flyer
• FCPS Cellphone Policy Webpage

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS)! Family and community volunteers play an important role in supporting student success and strengthening our school communities.

Get Started:

FCPS has launched a new, streamlined volunteer registration process that combines the required volunteer training and application into one convenient online experience.

Before You Begin

Please review the following important information before starting your application:

• The required volunteer training video must be viewed in its entirety before the application becomes available.
• The training is approximately 25 minutes in English and 31 minutes in Spanish.
• The training video cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded.
• If you exit before completing the training, your progress will not be saved, and you will need to restart the training from the beginning.
• We recommend setting aside enough time to complete both the training and application in one sitting.

FCPS Volunteer Link: https://www.fcps.org/families_students/family_community_involvement/volunteer_in_fcps