CWFDES Back-to-School Update

The start of the 2023-2024 school year is just around the corner. This Back to School issue of our Aviator Updates has all of the information and resources you need to get ready for a fantastic year! A weekly issue of our Aviator Updates will be sent each Sunday evening to parents and guardians. They will contain notable dates, highlights from our school, and important information from SMCPS.

We are looking forward to partnering with you in your child's education this school year! Enjoy these last two weeks of summer!

Kindly,

Ms. Katie Kortokrax

HAC Opens for Parents: Friday, August 18th at 5:00 PM

Open House Compass: Monday, August 21st from 9:00-10:00AM

Open House K-5: Monday, August 21st from 1:00-3:00 PM

First Day of School K-5: Wednesday, August 23rd

Open House Pre-K: Wednesday, August 23rd @ 9:00-10:00AM (Orientation will include a classroom and a bus introduction!)

First Day of School Pre-K: Thursday, August 24th

Labor Day (Schools Closed): Monday, September 4th

We can't wait to welcome all of our students and families back into the building. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us so you can meet your student's teachers, visit classrooms, visit the PTA table, and enjoy the excitement of a new school year.

Avoid the crowds and lines! Teachers and staff will be available to meet students and families throughout the entire 120 minutes of Open House. A later arrival may mean less time in line! Feel free to bring in school supplies the day of Open House to leave in the classrooms!

*Please note: There will be no classroom changes on the day of Open House.*

COMPASS Open House: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

K-5 Open House: 1:00-3:00 pm

Pre-K Open House will start promptly at 9 on Wednesday, August 23rd.

Friday, August 18 - Home Access Center opens by 5:00pm.

You will NOT be able to get into HAC prior to 5PM on 8/18.

Please Note: Official teacher assignments for students will be available at Open House. Information in HAC is subject to change based upon student and school needs. While the HAC opening date for parents/guardians is August 18th, FINALIZED class lists will be published at Open House.

Parents who are in need of their HAC login information should email Ms. Stephanie Magill at samagill@smcps.org. She will retrieve the information at her earliest convenience and will email the information to you. HAC login information will not be provided over the phone.

In recent weeks, phishing attempts have been targeted at SMCPS student accounts using methods outside of SMCPS managed services.

Phishing is a method where malicious individuals attempt to trick you into providing them with information about you and your online account information. These methods can take many forms, so staying vigilant for anything that seems out of the ordinary when online is important.

Additionally, please note that SMCPS IT support will never contact you on Discord, Steam, or any other application that is not managed by SMCPS and will never ask you for your account password. If you are contacted on any outside application stating to be SMCPS IT, please DO NOT respond, block/report the individual and inform your site administration so that it can be escalated. Contact your building-level tech or the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) at your first leisure for more information.

If you are electing to transport your child home from school, you need to sign up for a carpool pass PRIOR TO THE 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL by entering information on this form (or by clicking the red button below). Your carpool placard will be ready for pick-up on Monday at Open House if you complete the survey by COB Thursday, August 17th. You will be asked to present ID in order to receive your carpool placard.

• Completion of the survey will generate an assigned number that will enable us to match a vehicle with a child/children. You will only need 1 number for your family.
• Up to 3 placards with the same number may be generated for you.
• We are not able to accommodate changes to carpool throughout the week. If you choose carpool, we ask that you use this method each day for pick-up.
• You do not need a pass in order to drop your child off in the morning.
• Student pick up begins at 3:10.

For students who may be walking or biking to and from Duke daily, please fill out this form (also linked below). After you submit, we will print the agreement, but we will also need your hand-written signature which you can provide at Open House on August 22nd. It is recommended that walkers/bikers also complete car rider paperwork to receive a vehicle placard (for cases of inclement weather).

*Please note that all pre-k and kindergarten walkers/bike-riders must be signed out daily by an adult. Permission to sign out a student is reserved for the parent/guardian or an adult who is listed on the child’s emergency contact list.*

Bus Routes are now available through the SMCPS online look-up feature. These routes and stops will be constantly updated between now and the start of school.

Select this link to learn how to view the real-time location of your child's bus. We highly recommend signing up for this helpful app!

• Online tickets can be purchased through GoFan at www.gofan.co.
• Tickets can only be purchased online or through a card reader at the gate.

Please select this link for more information.

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: Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School, Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD, 20650
Phone: (240) 309-4658
Twitter: @CWFDES_SMCPS