Aviator Updates

Hello Aviator Families,

The 2024 School Year is off to a fantastic start! Our students came to school ready to learn with smiling faces. They are doing an incredible job showing Service, Ownership, Accountability and Respect in all they do. Each class is spending time building community and learning our schoolwide expectations.

A BIG thank you to families who use the student drop-off & pick-up line for following the procedures in place. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure safety.

At the start of every school year, the staff reviews the SMCPS Code of Conduct with students. Sharing a direct link for you to review as needed: Code of Conduct - A Guide for Students & Families.

The staff and I feel privileged to be a part of this school family. We thank you for your support and look forward to working with your children this year. It's a great year to be an Aviator!

Ms. Katie Kortokrax, Principal

All Dismissal Changes need to be routed through our main office.

Please communicate these changes by emailing:

• Ms. Magill, our Main Office Secretary, at samagill@smcps.org.
• Please also "cc" our Secretary to the Principal, Ms. Toothacker (cctoothacker@smcps.org) as well as your child's homeroom teacher.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter!

• Monday, September 4: Happy Labor Day; SMCPS Schools and Offices Closed

• Thursday, September 21st: Two Hour Early Dismissal/ NO School for Pre-K

• Friday, September 22nd: NO School for Students

We are happy to have the opportunity to offer Chorus, Band, and Strings music instruction to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Duke.

• Chorus (singing/voice) is open to all interested 4th and 5th grade students. Chorus singers will meet once a week for 45 minutes.
• Band instruction begins in 4th and 5th grades, and is offered for the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion/bells. Band will meet twice a week for 45 minutes.
• Strings instruction begins in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, and is offered for the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, string bass. Strings will meet twice a week for 45 minutes.

Students may participate in either band or strings, but not both. However, Band and Strings students can also participate in the elementary school Chorus program.

We hope that you will take time to seriously consider this matter. Participating in a musical ensemble and/or learning to play a musical instrument can be one of your child's most cherished learning experiences.

Band and Strings instruction will begin during the third week of September. The online enrollment form is due by Monday, September 11th. Please Note: Students are missing instructional time when enrolled in chorus, band and/or strings; they will be responsible for making up any missed assignments.

SIGN UP FOR CHORUS, STRINGS, OR BAND HERE.

If you have any questions, contact:

• Dr. Alvey (Chorus & Strings) at blalvey@smcps.org
• Mr. Romano (Band) at ppromano@smcps.org (DUKE Band program info)

First Night for Strings 6-8 p.m., September 6, 2023 - Leonardtown High School

First Night for Band 6-8 p.m., September 7, 2023 - Leonardtown High School"

• Student Resource Accountability: Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS assigned resources: print and technology. This document outlines all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices. The student accountability document is also linked in this SMORE. Please complete the Acceptable Usage Policy linked here.

• Students will leave laptops and chargers at school so they are available for instructional learning stations. All laptops and chargers will be labeled with student names.

Duke Elementary is a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) School.

Throughout the first weeks of school, our staff is teaching, modeling, and providing opportunities for our students to practice how to show service, accountability, ownership and respect in all areas of our school.

We encourage you to ask your child about SOAR Tickets and our school-wide expectations: Duke School-Wide Behavior Matrix

If your child completed their summer school packet,

please return it to their homeroom teacher so we can give them their Completion Certificate.

• Wednesday, August 23
• Thursday, August 24
• Friday, August 25

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