CMES Meerkat Message
August 30, 2026
Cecil Manor Elementary School
Email: cjlong@ccps.org
Website: https://cmes.ccps.org/
Location: 971 Elk Mills Road, Elkton, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 996 - 5090
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecilmanorelementary/
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From Administration
Hello Cecil Manor Families!
It was great to see so many of our families for our Back to School Night. We are excited and ready to start the school year. The first day of school is tomorrow, August 31, 2026. School doors will open at 8:45 AM. Dismissal will begin at 3:25 PM on Monday. Please keep in mind that Wednesdays are 1:45 PM dismissals, which will begin on Wednesday, September 2nd.
Over the summer, our school received a new HVAC system. As project crews continue working to balance and regulate temperatures throughout the building, some classrooms may feel cooler than others. We encourage families to send their child with a jacket or sweater to school. Having an extra layer available will help ensure that students remain comfortable and ready to learn throughout the school day. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued partnership as we work through the final adjustments to our new system!
Dates to Remember
August 31: First Day of School for ALL students
September 7: No School
September 22: Open House (5:30pm - 7:00pm)
Parent Handbook
Please refer to this parent handbook which includes the pertinent information. Policies concerning early dismissal, bullying, cell phones, conferences, visiting the classroom, who to call and much more are included in this handbook. We want to make sure that our parents has the tools and answers to their questions. As a reminder: In an effort to decrease traffic and calls during dismissal that can cause disruption to students leaving the building safely, we ask that all calls concerning changes in how a student will get home be completed prior to 3:00 PM. In addition, if your child needs to be picked up prior to dismissal (3:30 PM), please do so by 3:00 PM. This policy is being implemented to allow for a more orderly and secure dismissal process, ensuring that every student is safely accounted for at the end of each day. We understand that this may require some adjustments to your schedules, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our top priority is the safety of our students, and we believe that this change will help us maintain a secure and efficient dismissal process. We also understand that emergencies may happen and we will address those on a case by case basis. As always, if you have any questions, please contact administration. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us keep our school community safe.
Title I
We continue to be a proud Title I School! This occurs because of the percentage of students who receive Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs). We receive Title I funds based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals and this money is spent to support all of the students in our building. Using these funds, we determine programs and resources for all students to help them meet the state’s standards which may include programs, activities, afterschool tutoring, and other academic interventions necessary to provide a well-rounded education. Through the Title I grant we are able to continue staffing additional positions to support the school environment. In addition, educational materials will continue to be purchased throughout the year with Title 1 funds to ensure our students have the most up to date materials needed to thrive and be successful. Here's what our Title I funding is supporting this upcoming year:
- Dean of Students: Lindsey Steltz - supports with creating and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment
- Teacher
- Early Childhood Paraprofessional
- Parent/Student events and workshops
- Smartboards
Car Riders
Parents/guardians choosing to transport their child(ren) both to and from school should enter the car loop. In the morning, doors to the building will open at 8:45 AM. We ask that you pull forward to the end of the sidewalk so that several cars can unload at one time. Please do not release your child from your car until the doors are opened and staff members are present. It is unsafe to drop students off in any area other than the car loop due to buses and supervision. All car rider families will need to complete the car rider registration form HERE . Please click HERE for an outline of car rider expectations.
Morning
• Students will be able to enter the building, through the side doors, at 8:45 AM. Cecil Manor staff members will be present along the sidewalk and assure students enter the building safely. Please do not let students out of the car before 8:45am, and until you see a staff member at the car loop doors.
• Parents are expected to remain in a single file line. Please DO NOT pass each other to leave the lot. One moment of patience could save an unnecessary injury.
• Students arriving at school after 9:00 AM must be accompanied to the office by an adult and signed in.
• For safety reasons, please have students exit your cars on the passenger side of the car.
Dismissal
• Car riders will be called for dismissal first (3:25 PM on M, T, Th, F; 1:40) An announcement will be made for all car riders to report to the Car Rider room.
• Students are expected to remain in the designated area until the staff members in charge tell them to go to their car. As soon as your child (ren) are in the car, please continue on so we can keep the car loop moving.
• Parents are expected to remain in a single file line. Please DO NOT pass each other to leave the lot. One moment of patience could save an unnecessary injury.
• Students should enter the car from the sidewalk to avoid the possibility of students walking around the car. Parents of older students should remain in their vehicle and begin moving after their child has fastened his or her seatbelt. Please be patient with parents of younger students who may need to exit their vehicle in order to secure their children into car seats before moving.
• Please make your child’s tag (which you will receive) visible for staff members to read.
• If you need to park, please enter the building and sign your child(ren) out in the main office.