Seahawk News

As we are all settling into our routines for the new year, please continue to encourage students to be responsible for their homework, learning, lunches, water bottles, projects and getting ready for school. As parents, we all put systems of support in place so that students can move towards independence with being responsible, so it looks different at each age. All students can be taught routines and learn to become more independent.

Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist who offers much advice through her podcast and other resources for Good Inside. Her focus is on growing resilient children and teaching responsibility. If you have not had the chance to listen to her podcast, it's worth a listen! Check out the summary and links for more information.

~Pam Myrick, Principal

Dr. Becky’s Approach to Teaching Responsibility to Children

Dr. Becky Kennedy teaches responsibility by helping children understand their emotions, hold clear boundaries, and learn to cope with frustration — all within a “Good Inside” framework that balances empathy with accountability.

Core Principles

Dr. Becky’s method, called Good Inside, is built on five steps:

1. Chaos – Recognize the hard moments.

2. Understand – See beneath the behavior to the child’s needs.

3. Sturdy – Hold a clear, consistent boundary.

4. Repair – Reconnect after conflict.

5. Reset – Trust yourself as a parent Good Inside.

She emphasizes that responsibility starts with emotional regulation. Children must learn to identify and manage feelings like disappointment, frustration, and envy before they can act responsibly Upworthy.

Building Responsibility Through Resilience

Kennedy argues that resilience is more important than constant happiness because it equips kids to handle life’s inevitable challenges Upworthy. She advises parents to:

• Teach coping skills for tough emotions, not just “cheer up” moments.

• Allow the “learning space” — the uncomfortable gap between wanting something and having it — so children can practice persistence www.readandrewhuberman.com.

• Support, not rescue — instead of removing obstacles, help children work through them to build capability and confidence www.readandrewhuberman.com.

Practical Strategies

• Set true boundaries: A boundary is what you will do, regardless of the child’s compliance, not a repeated request Mini Magazine.

• Model emotional regulation: Show children how to modulate frustration (e.g., from a 9/10 to a 7/10) so learning can happen www.readandrewhuberman.com.

• Use daily check-ins: A 10‑minute bedtime conversation can help children process feelings and practice self‑regulation Upworthy.

• Encourage problem‑solving: Guide children to think through solutions rather than giving immediate answers www.readandrewhuberman.com.

Why This Works

By combining empathy (validating feelings) with accountability (holding boundaries and expectations), Dr. Becky’s approach helps children internalize responsibility. They learn that responsibility isn’t about never feeling upset — it’s about managing those feelings and taking action despite them Upworthy+2.

In short: Teach responsibility by helping children understand their emotions, hold firm boundaries, and practice coping with frustration — so they can act responsibly even when it’s hard.

Open House

• It is coming next week on September 23rd! Classrooms will be open for students and families to visit with the classmates and teacher. Students will be able to share some of the work they have been doing to grow as learners. The classrooms will be open from 5:30 to 6:00 for drop in visits. Please make your way to multiple classes if you have multiple students. The Book Fair will only be open for this night only from 5:30-7:00. Food trucks and the playground equipment areas will be available for families to get to know each other. Thank you to the FSO for organizing the trucks and Book Fair! We look forward to seeing you!

• Thank you for ensuring your student is arriving on time to school and has time to settle in for the day of learning! At SES, we have a low chronic absence rate, and Ms. Myrick will be calling the families who have consistently had chronic attendance issues in previous years and are showing the same pattern today. Our goal is to schedule time to develop a plan to improve. Being chronically absent is defined as missing 10% of the expected attendance days. So, if we have been in school 12 days and your student missed 1 day, they are chronically absent at this point of the year. To date, our overall attendance average is 96.99%. Third grade students have the highest rate of attendance at 97.49%. The lowest rate of attendance is 96.43%. Last year, SES maintained one of the highest attendance rates in the county, so we look forward to maintaining or exceeding that standing!

FSO

Spirit Nights

• The FSO has arranged 3 Spirit Nights where we earn a portion of the profits to support activities within our school! Check out the fliers below!

• The minutes from the September 9th meeting are available on the FSO website and in the FSO section below.

September is Head Lice Prevention Month

As part of Head Lice Prevention Month, we would like to share some helpful information with families about head lice, including prevention tips, signs to watch for, and our school's procedures should lice be identified.

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. They are a common occurrence among school-aged children and are not related to cleanliness or hygiene. Lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact and cannot jump, fly, or hop.

Signs of Head Lice

A child with head lice may:

• Scratch their head more than usual
• Report an itchy scalp
• Have a tickling sensation in their hair
• Have live lice or small eggs (nits) visible near the scalp, especially around the ears and the back of the neck

What Should I Do If I Find Lice?

If you discover lice on your child:

1. Treat your child using an over-the-counter or healthcare provider-recommended lice treatment.
2. Carefully remove nits using a fine-toothed lice comb.
3. Check other household members for signs of lice.
4. Wash bedding, hats, hair accessories, and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry on high heat.
5. Vacuum furniture, carpets, and vehicle seats where your child has recently spent time.

School Procedure

If live lice are identified at school, a parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up the student. Students may return to school the following day after receiving treatment at home. Before returning to class, the school nurse will reassess the student's scalp to ensure treatment has been initiated and determine if the student is cleared to rejoin class. To be able to return to class, the child must be lice and nit free upon assessment by the nurse.

Prevention Tips

You can help reduce the spread of lice by encouraging children to:

• Avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities.
• Avoid sharing hats, brushes, combs, hair accessories, helmets, headphones, and similar personal items.
• Keep long hair tied back when possible.
• Participate in regular head checks at home, especially if lice have been reported in your child's classroom or among close contacts.

A Final Reminder

Head lice are a common childhood nuisance and can affect anyone. Early detection, prompt treatment, and routine scalp checks at home are the best ways to prevent lice from spreading within families and the school community.

If you have any questions about head lice or would like assistance identifying lice or nits, please contact Nurse Pepper.

• Fall Clubs: We would love to have you share something you love with the students through a before or after school club! Get creative and sign up Before or After School Clubs for Fall 2026-2027 – Fill out form All parents who run a club will need to be fingerprinted. Once you submit your club, we will share information for that process.
• We LOVE our Volunteers and couldn't do without YOU!

  EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleaned out and you must reapply. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.

  Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info: Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• Mark Your Calendars!
  On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, CCPS' Family Support System is thrilled to present the “Fall in Love With Literacy” Festival at Calvert Middle School!

  This fun-filled evening is designed for the whole family and features:

  • Interactive games and stations to spark a love of reading
  • Free books for children
  • Exciting prizes

  Registration is encouraged but not required. Flier is below.

• Fall MUM SALE: Help support our school. Our FSO has a MUM Sale that is now open. Each year, the mums have been so beautiful and healthy. CLICK the flier below.

Welcome Back, Seahawks! We are thrilled to begin another school year! It was such a joy to see our returning students and to meet our newest Seahawks. We also were excited to visit each classroom on the first day to say hello and personally welcome everyone back. In the month of September, we’ll begin our Classroom Counseling lessons, and we can’t wait to get started!

What does a School Counselor do?

An elementary school counselor supports the academic, social-emotional, and career development of students. They help students develop the skills needed to succeed in school and in life. School counselors collaborate with teachers, administrators, families, and community partners to identify and address barriers to student success.

Here are a few of our key responsibilities:

· Deliver classroom lessons focused on social-emotional learning, academic success, and career awareness.

· Provide individual (limited) and small group counseling services.

· Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, social, or emotional challenges.

· Assist with crisis response.

· Analyze student data to identify needs and measure program outcomes.

· Advocate for equity, inclusion, and student well-being.

· Connect students and families with school and community resources.

· Promote a positive school climate and culture.

New Student Lunch Bunch

“New Student Lunch Bunch” is offered for all new students in 1st through 5th grades. The lunch bunches are a great opportunity for new students to get to know each other and for us, the counselors, to connect with them in a fun and welcoming environment. This week, we had the opportunity to meet with all of our new students! Welcome to Sunderland!

Monthly Character Traits

Each month we will focus on a different character trait, beginning with RESPECT in September.

Next week, we’ll kick off our monthly Character Assemblies, where we introduce the character trait of the month and explore ways students can demonstrate the trait in their daily lives. Each assembly also celebrates our Student of the Month—someone who has been recognized for consistently showing that month’s featured trait.

Calling all Seahawk News Anchors!!

We are now accepting applications for Seahawk News! If your student is in 4th or 5th grade and would like to be an anchor on the Seahawk News, please have them submit an application. Applications are due NO LATER than Wednesday, September 9th and can be submitted to your classroom teacher, Ms. Walzer, or Ms. Williams. If you need an application, please reach out to your teacher or your school counselor.

HeartFELT (Filling Empty Little Tummies) Program

SES has joined with Friendship Community Baptist Church for our HeartFELT Program. The HeartFELT Program provides qualifying students with meals and snacks each weekend. If you would like more information or would like your child to participate in the HeartFELT program, please contact us to sign up.

Donated Backpacks

We currently have several donated backpacks available at school. If your child needs a backpack or any school supplies, please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help!

Exciting Tie-Dye Week Ahead with Our PBIS Team!

Get ready for some vibrant creativity and fun as we host Flock Tie-dye Parties! Students will come together with their entire flock to create colorful tie-dye shirts.

Schedule:

• Tuesday, Sept. 8th – Red Flock
• Thursday, Sept. 10th – Yellow Flock
• Friday, Sept.11th – Orange Flock
• Tuesday, Sept. 15th – Green Flock
• Friday, Sept. 18th – Purple Flock

***All students are encouraged to bring a white T-shirt for tie-dyeing! These shirts can be worn throughout the year on Flock Fridays. If you need assistance providing a white T-shirt, please reach out to your student's teacher or school counselor. Let’s make colorful memories!

We hope everyone had a fantastic first week back and are looking forward to a great year ahead!

Courtney Williams, School Counselor,

Last Names A-K williamscr@calvertnet.k12.md.us 443-550-9474

Danielle Walzer, School Counselor,

Last Names L-Z walzerd@calvertnet.k12.md.us 443-550-9387

🍎 2026-2027 Meal Prices:

Breakfast: $1.85; Elementary Lunch $3.00; Secondary Lunch $3.25; Student Milk $0.65.

🍎 Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. Check out the Link to the September Menu

🍎 Meal Benefit Application

The Free and Reduced Meal Program is now available. A new application must be submitted each school year. Complete and submit one meal benefit application per household.

Applications can be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com.

You may also ask for a paper copy of the application from the school's Main Office.

🍎 Sign up for LINQ Connect today (see info flyer)

🍎 Student Lunch Deposits

Calvert County Public Schools no longer accepts ACH payments directly from your bank account. At this time, you have the following options to add money onto your child's meal account:

• Online using a credit or debit card through LINQ Connect

• LINQ connect charges a convenience fee when making online payments.

• Send in cash, a check, or a money order to the school's cafeteria with your student. This provides a fee-free option for families who prefer not to use a credit or debit card.

• If you choose this option, the funds will be deposited directly into the student's meal account that day by cafeteria staff.

• This form is to be completed for those who will be Daily Car Riders only. By listing adults to pick up, you are giving that adult permission to pick up your student. We encourage all students to ride the bus.
• Please tell your child that they will NOT have their name called. They are to dismiss when they hear Daily Car Riders are dismissed. This list will be shared with the teachers, too who will help the students initially.
• Please have your state issued ID at all times when entering the school to pick up your student. You will need to have your ID out to show the staff, even if we know you!
• One adult will be expected to come into the cafeteria to sign out their Daily Car Rider student(s). We will open the exterior cafeteria door at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) to allow for students to be signed out. Promptly at 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), Daily Car Riders will be called to the cafeteria. You and your child will exit. When you sign in, you will be given a card signifying how many students you are picking up. You will turn in your card as you leave the cafeteria. If an adult is not present by 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), the student will be sent home on their assigned bus.
• If your child is a bus rider and needs to be picked up due to an appointment, please arrive at the front office before 3:45PM (1:45PM on Early Dismissal Days).Our office staff and duty staff start preparing for Daily Car Riders and bus dismissal at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) We have a 10 minute bus window to dismiss between 600-700 students, with limited staff, so we will need to keep our focus on the dismissal process.
• Please complete the survey questions below by Monday, August 24th by 5:00PM so that we can be prepared for dismissal the first day of school. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Myrick at myrickp@calvertnet.k12.md.us or at 443-550-9390.
• Non-Daily Car Riders :
• We will permit Non-Daily Car Riders but we are not able to accommodate Drop in, Surprise Car Riders. For Non-Daily Car Riders, you MUST send a paper note, NOT AN EMAIL, with your child, EACH day that you plan for them to be a car rider. Please prepare your child and let them know that they must dismiss with the Daily Car Riders at 4:05PM when announced. We will NOT call individual students down for dismissal. Please do not send a note saying “every Tuesday” instead, send a note every Tuesday. We can not expect teachers to keep up with all students’ special request schedules. We ask that you send a paper note each day because there could be a sub in the class instead of the teacher.

EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleaned out and you must reapply. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.

Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:

Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• No School on Monday! Happy Labor Day!
• Fall MUM SALE: Help support our school. Our FSO has a MUM Sale that is now open. Each year, the mums have been so beautiful and healthy. CLICK the flier below.
• Picture Day is coming on September 17, 2026. Check out the flier in Resources below.
• All community fliers will be in the Resources and Forms section. Click the button for Community Happenings!
• Please read the Counselor's Corner below for important beginning of the year information. The information will be updated monthly.
• Volunteers Needed for the Splash Cash Cart: Can you help us with students spending their Splash Cash? The dates are for the year so sign up here: https://sunderlandfso.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=c60ad165-137f-41fe-832d-48c54b51dd5c~s.9223370248911951153
• 4th and 5th Grade Families: Is your student interested in being a member of the Band and learning how to play an instrument? If so, scan the QR code on the flyer below.
• The Power Point from the New Family Orientation is in the Resources and Forms section.

• Morning Arrival Window: 9:15AM -9:25AM
• Instructional School Day - 9:25AM – 4:05PM
• Afternoon Dismissal Window: 4:05PM car riders; 4:10-4:20PM Bus Riders
• School Colors - Blue and White – Friday Spirit Days- Classes are assigned a Flock color as well. Your teacher will let you know your flock assignment.
• School Mascot/Motto -“SPIRIT” the Seahawk -Sunderland Promotes Independence Responsibility Integrity and Trust