Talbot County Public Schools

May 26: Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?

May 31: Memorial Day - Schools Closed

June 7: EHS Graduation (rain date June 9th)

June 8: SMMHS Graduation (rain date June 10th)

June 17: Last Day of School for Students

Dr. Indra Bullock, SMES Principal, presented an update on St. Michaels Elementary and "Strawberries for a United Maryland" a video showing the 3rd-grade student-led. integrated instruction project.

Dr. Rachel Strang, TCPS Curriculum Supervisor K-12 Social Studies, updated the Board on the new k-6 Social Studies curriculum that was piloted this year.

Mrs. Linda Brown presented Service Star Awards to EHS seniors who have achieved 550+ Service Learning hours! Karli Abbott, Kate Chapple, Billy Haufe, Bree Haufe, Margaret Keswick, Eric Milhollan, and Tyler Redman.

Naiset will be a 2021 graduate from both Easton HIgh School and will earn an Associate's Degree Chesapeake College!

Mrs. Lynne Duncan, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the following individuals for their leadership and tireless efforts in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and their outstanding commitment to vaccinating our Talbot County Public School staff and students.

From Choptank Community Health:

Kim Fitzgerald

Sara Rich

From Talbot County Health Department

Megan Greenwood

Elizabeth Whitby

Maria A. Maguire, MD, Talbot County Health Officer

From TCPS Human Resources:

Paula Yiannakis

Regina Villers

Tacha' Marine-Jenkins

Heather Andrews, Easton High School ESOL Teacher, has received the 2021 Maryland TESOL Association Teacher of the Year Award for K-12. Heather was nominated for being a "fiercely advocating ESOL teacher and tutor for elementary school students and high school students and always going above and beyond to make English learners' families feel a great sense of belonging. The award was presented at a virtual celebration on Thursday May 20.

This is a 5-year award totalling 1.5 million ($300,000 per year). TCPS is one of three schools districts in Maryland to receive this grant. The grant includes funding for three new hires: Grant Coordinator, Family Navigator, Teacher Consultant/Behavior Specialist

TCPS will also use the funding for the following TRAININGS/PROGRAMS:

•QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention

•Yellow Ribbon (Suicide Prevention/Intervention Program)

•Youth & Adult Mental Health First Aid

•ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences Interface)

•Trauma Informed Practices

•Conscious Discipline (Social Emotional Learning Program)

•SHAPE (School Health Assessment Performance Evaluation)

•MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) for Behavioral Health

•Telehealth for Behavioral Health Services

•CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute)

GRANT GOALS:

•Train as many TCPS personnel as possible about behavioral health issues and programs of support

•Extend training opportunities to community members and community agencies/partners

•Offer more broad and intense behavioral health services to students

•Offer additional supports to staff in identifying and addressing behavior health issues in schools and classrooms

•Evaluate and reflect on current status of TCPS efforts to address behavioral health issues

•Develop plans to continuously improve TCPS efforts to address behavioral health issues

Report of Progress to Date:

•All bus drivers have received the Youth Mental Health First Aid training

•All instructional assistants are being scheduled to receive the Youth Mental Health First Aid training

•Started to expand Youth Mental Health First Aid training to teachers

•An advisory committee has been formed, and will meet quarterly, to guide and evaluate the progress of the grant implementation

•A mental health team has been formed, and will meet quarterly, to monitor and assess mental health services for our students

•Core student services team members have completed training in ACEs and Trauma Informed Practices

•Select staff are receiving training to be trainers of ACEs, Yellow Ribbon, CPI, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Adult Mental Health First Aid (this will provide us with program sustainability well after the grant is over)

•Purchased support materials for elementary schools to fully implement Conscious Discipline

•Completed the SHAPE for year 1 with a gold level achievement

•Summer sessions are scheduled to train food services staff and various community members in Youth Mental Health First Aid

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!