Aviator Updates
SY24 CWFDES Family Issue #13
A WEEK: November 27- December 1
Hello Aviator Families,
We hope this issue of the Aviator Update finds you full of gratitude and feeling recharged after the Thanksgiving Holiday. December is nearly here!
Thank you for all you do to keep your student's routines as consistent as possible during this busy time of year. Believe it or not, we have just three weeks before we break again for the winter holidays. I'm looking forward to the full week ahead!
Warm regards,
Katie Kortokrax, Principal
Zach Adams, Assistant Principal
Upcoming Notable Dates:
- Fri, Dec 8 - Two Hour Early Dismissal
- Dec 16 - Jan 1 - Winter Break
- Tues, Jan 2 - Schools reopen for students
SMCPS is Looking for Calendar Input for SY25
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
Thank you for supporting our Read-A-Thon! Congratulations to the classes below!
Duke Elementary extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to our school community! We're incredibly proud of our readers and grateful for your support, which made our fundraiser a success. Our students had a wonderful time reading. We can't wait to host another Read-A-Thon next year!
Attendance - Every Day Counts!
Join Our Anchored 4 Life Students During this Season of Giving!
2024 Yearbook Cover Contest
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 :)
St. Mary's County Adopt-A-School Program
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.
Duke Elementary - Where Children SOAR!
Congratulations to Our PRIMARY Fridge of Fame Students!
News from Our PTA
Staff Favorites List
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!
Our PTA provided a delicious Coffee and Caffeine Bar for teachers and staff prior to the Thanksgiving break. We all enjoyed this special treat!
The PTA also purchased $100 worth of Recess Supplies for each grade-level (Pre-K through 5th Grade). We are grateful for all our PTA does for our students, staff, and school. THANK YOU :)
Ms. Cocimano's Class enjoying the new recess equipment from Duke's PTA!
Harvey and Purcell's classes were the winners of the Impact Aid Submission Challenge
Mr. Adams, Mr. Spears and I had a great time with the students during the extra recess they earned!
Cafeteria Info (& Menu Changes)
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.
Once I receive the image for this week's menu, I will update the newsletter.
Thank you for your patience!
Last Week's Episodes of the Duke Morning News
The "Flags for 1st Graders" Program put on by the SOMD American Legion!
Local Resources & Food Pantries
Select the links below to learn about available resources in our area.
2024 Annual SMAMUN Conference
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
Helpful Resources & Info Worth Repeating
Online Emergency Forms
Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through your student’s Home Access Center (HAC).
It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool.
The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31, 2023. Select the link for the Blank Emergency Form.
Thank you for completing this important action item as soon as possible. Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS)! If you have HAC questions, please email Ms. Stephanie Magill at samagill@smcps.org.
Blueprint Town Halls
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.
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary
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