Elk Neck Express

Ashlee Groce, Principal, ajgroce@ccps.org

Melissa Pratt, Assistant Principal, mapratt@ccps.org

Website: https://enes.ccps.org/

Location: 41 Racine School Rd., Elkton, MD, 21921

Phone: 410.996.5030

Hello Elk Neck Elementary Families,

We had another great week of learning this week culminating with a PBIS Assembly. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Support. PBIS is a systems-wide process designed to build safer, more effective school environments and improve overall school climate. Rather than serving as a fixed curriculum or program, PBIS focuses on teaching and supporting positive behavior across the entire student body and staff in every setting. Our school relies on a dedicated PBIS committee led by Mrs. Cook, the School Counselor, and Ms. Pratt, the Assistant Principal, to implement and evaluate strategies that recognize positive choices while offering targeted support for students exhibiting undesirable behaviors. At Elk Neck, our core values are safety, respect and responsibility. Ask your child about what they learned at our assembly!

Next week, we will be Showing Up in September! All students who are have no absences, tardies, or early dismissals from 9/21/26 through 9/25/26 will receive a popsicle treat on 9/28/26. Help us reinforce to students that every minute counts when it comes to their education.

To keep our students safe during morning arrival, please remember to avoid parking on the shoulder of the road near the school entrance, as this blocks visibility for drivers attempting to safely exit the lot. Additionally, if you are approaching the car loop line from the opposite direction, please use a nearby side street to turn around safely rather than making an illegal U-turn. Thank you for your continued cooperation in ensuring our students arrive at school safely!

As always, we are here to serve our families, students, teachers, and the community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Please reference the Who To Contact document to reach the staff member who can best respond to your needs.

Committed to serving our school community,

Mrs. Ashlee Groce, Principal

Ms. Melissa Pratt, Asst. Principal

All proceeds go towards supporting our PBIS program.

Parenting in today's fast-paced world comes with unique challenges, but you don't have to navigate them alone! Through Cecil County Public Schools’ partnership with The Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org, all district families have access to free, confidential 1-on-1 Parent Coaching. Whether you're working through daily stress, behavioral hurdles, or screen-time habits, this service pairs you with a dedicated coach to provide customized tools, guidance, and support. Registration is quick, anonymous, and HIPAA-protected—visit ParentGuidance.org to get matched with your personal coach today.

Take advantage of this free resource today! You can register and get matched with your personal coach by visiting ParentGuidance.org.

Registration is entirely easy, anonymous, confidential, and HIPPA protected! To see how a coach can help you navigate modern parenting with greater balance, check out this quick video on How to Register for Parent Coaching.

Supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports.

PBIS Updates: Read ALL ABOUT IT!

• Congrats to our 17 Elk Neck Retrievers who received SUNSHINE CALLS so far this September!

• Upcoming Spirit Day- Friday, Sept. 25th HAT DAY (Bumble Gum Day too!)

Congratulations to these amazing Elk Neck Retrievers who earned the Above and Beyond Award in September:

Rease in Mrs. S's Class

Olivia in Mrs. O'Brien's Class

Boe in Mrs. O'Brien's Class

Liam in Mrs. Taylor-Fink's Class

John in Mrs. Miller's Class

Evelyn in Mrs. Walker's Class

Tripp in Ms. Reilly's Class

Malia in Ms. Moore's Class

Allias in Mrs. Cantera's Class

Bellamee in Mrs. Hubb’s Class

Colton in Mrs. DiPietro's Class

Logan in Mrs. Jacob’s Class

Alden in Ms. Boswell's Class

Presley in Mrs. Webb’s Class

Brady in Mrs. Lyneis' Class

Gavin in Mr. Gilbert's Class

MJ in Mrs. Blessing's Class

Matthew in Mrs. Hartman's Class

Layla in Mrs. Strauss' Class

Thrive School-Based Therapy

Are you interested in school-based therapy for your child? Tiffany Showells and Nick, our school-based therapists, are taking new referrals. Here is the referral link if you are interested in pursuing therapy for your child. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Cook, alcook@ccps.org Thrive School Based Therapy Link

Parenting Advice

Helpful one-liners to say to your kids:

• You can always tell me the truth

• It’s always okay to cry. We all do sometimes.

• Your voice matters. Don’t be afraid to speak up!

• My feelings are mine; they are never your fault.

• You’re capable of more than you realize.

• I love who you are.

• Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you.

• I'm always on your team.

• We will figure it out together.

Goal Setting Sundays: Set a simple behavior or academic goal for the week. Parents share a goal, too. This helps children build their focus, planning, and agency. It encourages accountability in a safe and supportive way. Check back in as a family at the end of the week and celebrate any efforts made towards reaching their goals!

If your family qualified for Free & Reduced-Price Meal Benefits last school year, you must submit a new application for the current school year by Monday, October 12 to continue receiving benefits.

If a new application is not submitted by this date, your meal benefits will expire, and your student will be moved to full-pay meal status.

We encourage all families to complete an application, even if you do not believe you qualify. The application process is 100% confidential, and no information is shared with any outside agencies.

To apply, please visit: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

If you received a letter from the Food & Nutrition office that stated that your family has been approved for Free meals this school year then there is NO need to fill out the application.

If you have any questions regarding meal benefits, please contact the Food & Nutrition Department at 410-996-6257.

We are excited for our second year of implementing Illustrative Mathematics! IM promotes independent problem solving skills while building a deep understanding of mathematics. Families can access the Family Support Hub to find out what students are learning and how to support their learning at home. Check it out!

Join Cecil County parents, caregivers, and community members working together to support kids with special education needs.

When: September 17, 2026 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

Where: North East Public Library

Topic: IEP Meeting Readiness.

Please remember that students may only receive up to 5 days of excused absences for vacation. If you are going on vacation (or have been on one), please send in a note for principal approval. When emailing, please send an email to Mrs. Reynolds (srreynolds@ccps.org) and Mrs. Groce (ajgroce@ccps.org), and the homeroom teacher. We ask that you consider the student's number of absences when planning student vacations.

Wednesday, 9/23/26

PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m.

Friday, 9/25/26

ENES Spirit Day! Wear a hat.

Bubble Gum Day!

Donuts for Grownups @ 8:00 a.m.

Monday, 9/28/26

Interim Period Ends (Grades 2-5)

Grade 2 to Fair Hill Nature Center

Thursday, 10/1/26

Code Yellow Drill

Friday, 10/2/26

PTO Joe Corbis Fundraiser Ends

Monday, 10/5/26

Blue Shirt Day for Bully Prevention: Wear a blue shirt!

Wednesday, 10/7/26

Fire Drill

Thursday, 10/8/26

Bus Evacuation Drill

Monday, 10/12/26

Fall Picture Day

Wednesday, 10/14/26

PTO Meeting at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, 10/15/26

Great Shake Out: Earthquake Drill

Friday, 10/16/26

Professional Day: Schools closed for students.