Talbot County Public Schools

June 7: EHS Graduation 4:30 pm (rain date June 9th)

June 8: SMMHS Graduation 5:30 pm (rain date June 10th)

June 11: Last Day of School for Pre-K

June 12: Chesapeake Children's Book Festival

June 17: Last Day of School for Students

In a special meeting held on June 2, the Talbot County Board of Education approved the school district’s operating budget for the 2021-2022 school year in the amount of $60,374,913.

The Talbot County Council passed the FY2022 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on May 25, 2021. This provided Maintenance of Effort (minimum funding) for the schools plus $281,198 in additional funding to continue all-day Pre-Kindergarten and provide for an instructor for the new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career and Technical Education program.

The school district’s March 31, 2021 amended budget request in the amount of $61,565,510 had already reflected a reduction of $2,000,000 from their original request. At its June 2nd meeting, the board made the necessary $1,190,597 in additional cuts through cost reductions, purchases prepaid in FY21, and costs shifted to grants. Now this approved budget will go to the Talbot County Council for final approval.

School District officials affirmed their commitment to the priorities outlined by parents through the annual budget survey, which included maintaining lower class size, competitive pay for staff, social-emotional learning, updates to curriculum and technology, and increased security.

“We passed a needs-based budget tonight that had been cut by more than $3,000,000 from the original requests made by school principals, teachers, and other staff,” said Board of Education President Susan Delean-Botkin. “These requests were based on their most basic needs. We have accepted this budget in hopes that in the future we can better provide for the growth and development of all of our students and staff.”

“We are planning and budgeting for a full return to school with the implementation of the new Strive for 2025 strategic plan,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent of Schools. The plan reflects feedback received from parents surveyed, which encompasses four major areas of opportunity after the completion of the 2020 Vision Strategic Plan:

• Recruitment, promotion and retention of staff
• Academic equity and achievement
• Early childhood learning readiness for success
• Social and Emotional Learning Support services

“We are grateful to our community for their support of our students and staff as we continue our commitment to provide the best education possible for all of our students and prepare them to graduate ready to advance to college or a career,” Dr. Griffith added.

Mrs. Kristen Dove has been appointed as Assistant Principal at Easton High School. Mrs. Dove earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master of Science in Education with a dual major in Effective Teaching of Reading and School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University. She holds Advanced Professional Certificates in Reading, Special Education K-8, Special Education 8-transition and Administration 1, and National Board Certification in Reading Language Arts K-8. She joined Talbot County Public Schools in 2020 as an Administrative Intern at White Marsh Elementary School, where she has served as State Testing Coordinator and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Chair, and has conducted staff observations and led staff Professional Development.

Ms. Jordin Fairbank will replace Mrs. Dove as an Administrative Intern at White Marsh Elementary School. Ms. Fairbank has an Associate of Arts in Teaching Elementary and Special Education from Chesapeake College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Towson University, a Master of Arts in Gifted and Talented Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Post Master Certificate in Administration I from Towson University. She has taught Special Education and First Grade at Easton Elementary School since 2013, has served on the Collaborative Action Research for Education Team, is a Mentor Teacher, and is currently the First Grade Team Leader.

Mrs. Cara Breeding will transfer to the position of Administrative Intern at St. Michaels Elementary School (SMES), where she currently serves as School Counselor. Mrs. Breeding earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland, a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Loyola University, Maryland, and Administrator I Certification from Salisbury University. She has been the School Counselor at SMES since 2017, is 504 Plan Chair, a member of the School Improvement and PBIS teams, and a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, and Crisis Prevention Institute. She was a School Counselor at Dorchester County Public Schools prior to joining TCPS.

Mr. Todd Stoker has accepted the position of Administrative Intern at Easton Middle School. Mr. Stoker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Clemson University. He is a candidate for a Master’s in Educational Leadership in August 2021 from the University of Phoenix. He began his career with TCPS in 2008 at Easton Elementary School, where he was a fifth-grade teacher. His school leadership work includes planning and conducting professional development in virtual learning and instructional technology, mentoring student teachers, serving on the school improvement committee, and collaborating with other faculty to modify curriculum and evaluate student learning objectives. Mr. Stoker’s professional experience also includes holding the position of Executive at Oasis Easton Church.

“I am very excited to see these outstanding members of our staff step into such important leadership positions,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “Their backgrounds and skills will complement the administrative teams at their respective schools, as we look forward to new beginnings and initiating our Strive for 25 Strategic Plan next school year.”

During your formative high school years, the classes you take, your peers, and your teachers, all shape you into the person that walks across the stage at graduation. This year, one defining event shaped all of us, that being the global pandemic that turned our year upside down. This year was filled with uncertainty, as students and parents had to adjust to the changing schedules. There was a lack of normal structure within our school system and beyond. Applying to college and scheduling tours were all definitely made harder due to the pandemic. This is especially the case for those who were looking to go to a college or university and participate in collegiate athletics, since up to the last semester of the year, we were unsure if we’d even have a senior year of sports. Despite the setbacks, the class of 2021 has an impressive future ahead of them, everything from 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, to working in a field, or in the military, and everything in between.

In the last few weeks of the 2020-2021 school year, we conducted a survey of both Saint Michaels Middle High School and Easton High School seniors, to find out what different career paths members of our class of 2021 are pursuing. Out of 57 responses submitted by students at EHS and SMMHS, 47 of them are from students attending a 4-year university, and at least 27 of those students are attending a 4-year college out of state.

Here are a few far places our students are headed. One Saint Michaels Student, Lillianna Ball, will be attending Texas Christian University, and will be majoring in Marketing. Sarah Prosser, a senior at EHS, is going to Fordham University, and majoring in Communications.

Galen Marquess will be pursuing her Graphics Design degree by studying at PrattMWP College of Art and Design.

A considerable number of students are looking at a local two-year education before moving onto a 4-year school. Katharyn Morales, a SMMHS student said, “I want to take a year gap and then go to college and go for 2 years to Chesapeake college and study translating and sign language for a court or for people.”

Von Burgstahler says, “This fall I will be attending Chesapeake College. I will first go through the Drafting and Design course in order to receive a certificate, then I plan on transferring those credits into Computer Science Technology and finish that to earn my associate’s degree. I'm really fond of engineering, and I'm looking to dive deeper into the field in order to become an even more valuable asset when it comes to my love of carpentry/construction work.” Similar to Von, Chloe Briner, Ellie Morris, Evan Moseley, Jane Delashmutt, and Abby Farr are all attending Chesapeake for two years, primarily with the hopes of moving onto another college or program after this.

Many students will be playing sports at the college level next year. Olivia Brown will be playing softball at Marietta College next year. Ryan O’Connor will be attending the University of Delaware and will playing D1 Football. Lukas Nilsen will be attending Detroit Mercy University to be a part of their engineering and technology department and focus on automotive technology. Lukas will also be playing D1 Lacrosse for DMU. Alice Ledford not only is studying Equine science and Animal Health at Centenary University, she will also start off on the schools Equestrian Team.

When it comes to in state schools, Haley Nestel, Jenna Sparks, and Sarah Anthony are all attending Salisbury University this upcoming fall. Also, Karlie Roberts, Shanille Rollins, and Cat Pratt will all be attending Towson University.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 87% of students in Maryland graduate, 41% of graduates enroll in college after the fact. However, some people choose to take a different career path. Two students within the survey responded with ambitious career paths ahead of them not regarding college. Shamere Jenkins is planning on going to a beauty school to study Cosmetology. Also, Hannah Diefenderfer will also go into art school after High School. Some students are recruited and commit to the military after high school. Mason Von will be joining the Army next year and is preparing for basic training over the summer.

Sources: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/csb

EHS YouTube:
https://youtu.be/gWbO6DizGEw
EHS Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/midshorecommunitytv/posts/4022568401162710

SMMHS YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JNXW6pXiGV8
SMMHS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midshorecommunitytv/posts/4022562891163261

Our 2021 Champions - The White Marsh Elementary School team of Lane Kennedy, Aarav Hinduja, Ryleigh Groce, Lilly Swann and Calista Freeman, coached by Mr. Jonathan Elliott!

Meal distribution is now every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at all schools except Easton High. Each meal kit includes food for 5 days!