Aviator Updates

Hello Aviator Families,

We have an exciting week ahead at Duke Elementary! On Wednesday, we are having a school-wide assembly about the benefits of a positive mindset and we are ending the week with our PTA's Santa Fly-In Event from 3:30-5. Please remember that Friday is a 2-Hour Early Release Day.

Warm regards,

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Fri, Dec 8:
• Two Hour Early Dismissal
• Yearbook Cover Contest Submission Due
• Santa Fly-In Event
• Dec 11 - 15: Winter Spirit Week (see flier below for details)
• Dec 16 - Jan 1: Winter Break
• Tues, Jan 2: Schools reopen for students

This year's yearbook cover contest is underway! Our theme will be "Aviator Adventures!" Thank you to Makayla M. from Mrs. Grabenstein's class for submitting the idea; she will receive a free yearbook at the end of the year. Please submit your drawings to Mrs. Magill in the front office by December 8th. Drawings must adhere to the following guidelines (see below). The winner of the Cover Contest will also receive a free yearbook. Good luck :)

The PTA surveyed Duke Staff and put together a list of "Favorite Things". They asked that I share it in the newsletter in case any families were interested. Here is the link!

Click here for the Menu. Due to supply chain issues, menu changes occur. We recognize that the decision to bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from school is often dependent on the menu.

• Monday, November 27
• Tuesday, November 28
• Wednesday, November 29
• Thursday, November 30
• Friday, December 1

• Your student should have brought back a proof that looks like the one below.

• Instructions are on the proof you received on how to order pictures from picture day.

• If you did not receive this proof from your student, please contact our office. Pictures will be mailed directly to your home.

• Customer service 800 869 9515 ext.112

NED's Mindset Mission is a character education program that centers around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best. During the assembly, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor and yo-yo tricks.

Select the links below to learn about available resources in our area.

• Current List of Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens in St. Mary's County
• Local Resources for Children, Youth, and Families in St. Mary's County

Calendar Survey - School Year 2024-2025: The SMCPS Calendar Committee is seeking input in the development of the 2024-2025 school year calendar. Please respond to this Calendar Survey to provide your input.

• Direct Link to survey-- https://bit.ly/SMCPS24calendar

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO) fully recognize the immeasurable value of a safe, nurturing learning environment and community for children. We want to provide students with the best opportunity possible to succeed in school and eventually in their life’s endeavors.

The Adopt-A-School Program matches current St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s deputies with elementary schools that currently do not have the direct support of a school resource officer. The deputies, who volunteer to participate in the program, will “adopt” their matched elementary school for the purpose of fostering a positive relationship with the school’s students. The deputies will enhance law enforcement service to their school and act as an advisor to staff. All will work together to keep students in school and improve their opportunities for success.

We have had a deputy show up twice within the last couple weeks just to familiarize himself with the building and get some facetime with our students and staff! We welcome and are grateful for this partnership with local law enforcement.

I am so pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 Annual SMAMUN Conference is now open! Our SMAMUN Conference will take place on Friday, February 9th, 2024 and Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at Leonardtown High School and is open to any SMCPS student from 5th to 12th grade. Participants will enjoy exciting exposure to and deliberation on a variety of major real-world issues from across the globe, all through warm collaboration with fellow SMCPS students.

• SMAMUN Website: https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/smamun/home
• SMAMUN Commercial: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mIreZPPxUOy69YbNeIqeGw444g08fH2S/view?usp=sharing

In implementing the requirements and reform initiatives associated with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, St. Mary’s County Public Schools is inviting stakeholders to learn about each pillar of the Blueprint, its requirements, and current status. As part of the Town Hall sessions, stakeholders will be able to ask questions of staff and provide input in responding to the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of the Blueprint.

• Pillar 1: Early Childhood Education - Tue, November 7, 2023

• Pillar 4: Resources for Student Success - Tue, December 5, 2023

• Pillar 3: College and Career Readiness - Thur, February 8, 2024

• Pillar 2: High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders - Tue, March 12, 2024

All sessions will be held at 6 PM at the Dr. J. A . Forrest Career and Technology Center, and will be livestreamed at www.smcps.org/streaming.

We welcome your questions and inquiries. Please call 240-309-4658, refer to the SMCPS Back to School website, or our CWFDES website for additional information.

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

Email: klkortokrax@smcps.org
Website: https://cwfdes.smcps.org/
Location: 23595 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (240) 309-4658
Twitter: @CWFDES_SMCPS