September 11, 2025
TCPS Weekly Update
Talbot County Public Schools will be transitioning to a new school, staff, students, visitor’s emergency notification system. This system brings the school system more in line with Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland Center for School Safety’s encouragement to use plain language rather than codes or numbers in the event of a crisis or emergency.
This system is the Standard Response Protocol from the I Love You Guys Foundation. It is data-driven, researched, and based on relevant experiences. The Standard Response Protocol uses an “All Hazards Approach” which means that staff, students, and visitors are prepared to respond to any situation during a school day. Incidents or events such as weather events, accidents, intruders, fires, and other extreme to severe threats to personal safety. Quickly and clearly directing all students and staff to take immediate, specific actions to prevent harm is critical to our emergency preparedness and safety of all. Using a single word and accompanying phrase allows for this message to be very simple and understood.
This new system will not change the operation or action involved in each operation but, it changes the verbiage or the school’s announcement for the emergency or exercise at hand. The Standard Response Protocol is being used in school systems across the United States and with school systems here in Maryland. If you are looking for more information on the Standard Response Protocol and the I Love You Guys Foundation, please refer to https://iloveuguys.org/
There are five designations that Talbot County Public will use:
Hold – this is when there is an issue that would require our teaching staff to hold classes until the reported issue is addressed.
Secure – this is when there is an emergency that would in the community close to the school. This could be a law enforcement or fire/rescue emergency. Note, the emergency well outside of the school.
Lockdown – this is when there is an emergency in one of our schools. This would be an incident that would be a danger to person or persons in the school.
Evacuate – this is when there is a need to have all persons to leave the school.
Shelter – this is when there is an emergency such as a Tornado in close proximity to the school.
Talbot County Health Department Hosts Free Screening of "Screenagers: Under the Influence" — A Documentary on Teens, Substance Use, and Digital Influence
The Talbot County Health Department invites the community to a free screening of the new documentary Screenagers: Under the Influence on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Easton Flagship Cinemas. Attendees will receive complimentary popcorn and drinks, with a panel of local experts available for discussion following the film.
Screenagers: Under the Influence explores how the digital age is shaping teen attitudes and behaviors around substances like vaping, alcohol, cannabis, and more.
The documentary goes beyond scare tactics, drawing on the latest scientific research and personal stories to reveal how social media, movies, music, and celebrity culture influence young people’s choices. The film also offers practical strategies for parents, educators, and teens to foster healthy decision-making and open family communication about substance use.
After the screening, a panel of local health and prevention experts will answer questions and provide resources for families and youth.
“In a world where teens are constantly bombarded by messages about substances, often glamorized or downplayed online, events like this are more important than ever,” said Stephanie Latham, Coordinator of Special Programs at Talbot County Health Department. “We want to empower families with real information, open up honest conversations, and help our community’s youth make healthy choices in the face of today’s unique pressures.”
Advance registration is strongly encouraged as seating is limited. To register, visit talbothealth.org or call 410-819-5600.
TCPS has partnered with Cook Center for Human Connection to bring you parentguide.org: an online service by licensed therapists. It provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions at no cost.
APPTEGY
TCPS launched a new user-friendly website and mobile app on July 1, in partnership with Apptegy, an education technology company based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The new website and app include the same information as our current website, and will also enable real-time communication. The free app for Android and iPhone sends emergency notifications directly to those who download the app and provides consistency with the website.
The technology is designed with both families and school leaders in mind and will hopefully make communication easier and faster. Check out the short video below for a quick introduction to the app that comes with the new platform. You can also find and download the new app now by searching "Talbot County Public Schools" in the app store. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Gardner, Director of Communications at dgardner@talbotschools.org. You can find more information about Apptegy here: https://www.apptegy.com/
Here Comes the Bus®
Available to parents of Talbot County Public Schools students.
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
- Receive push notifications or email alerts
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the button "Sign Up" button
- Enter school code 87314 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number (student ID number can be found in the Power School Parent Portal on the Bus Information page or contact your child’s school)
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
*Available at the App Store and Google Play
Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia
Solutions™ LLC
The 2025 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.
This year TCPS is going “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:
