Talbot County Public Schools

February 1-5: TCPS returns to Hybrid Learning Model

February 1: Start of Second Semester

February 12: Early dismissal, PM Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 14: Valentine's Day

February 15: Presidents Day, Schools Closed

February 17: Board of Education Meeting

Dear TCPS Community,

We have been working very closely with the Talbot County Health Department and relying on their guidance regarding return to school. Based on review of all data, we will proceed with our plan to resume our Hybrid Model beginning Monday, February 1.

As a reminder, Transition Day, which was originally planned for February 1, 2021, will now be this Friday, January 29th. This is a teacher work day for planning and grading purposes with no school for students. Beginning Monday, February 1, all A-Day students will attend school in person on Monday/Tuesday and B-Day students will attend in person on Thursday/Friday. Wednesdays will remain asynchronous. We will provide information about extra-curricular activities and athletics as soon as it is available.

We are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all staff who have requested them as they become available through the Talbot County Health Department and/or Choptank Community Health. I know we would all like to see the vaccination plan move more quickly, but the pace is dependent upon the quantity of vaccines distributed to our county.

For the protection of our students and staff we will continue to follow the safety protocols outlined in our recovery plan. This includes temperature checks, social distancing, wearing face coverings, and encouraging hand washing/sanitizing.

We are excited to welcome our students back into our buildings and look forward to making the most of every day in our commitment to provide the best possible education in the safest environment possible for ALL of our students. Thank you for your continued support, and please stay safe, stay healthy, stay hopeful, and stay tuned!

Kelly L. Griffith, Ed.D.

Superintendent

TCPS continues to coordinate with the Talbot County Health Department and Choptank Health to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all staff. At the end of this week approximately 390 staff members will have received vaccinations.

TCPS Addictions Interventionist Madison Elliott, BSW, teamed up with Logan Harris, Julie Jones and Beth Williams of the Talbot County Health Department to present a webinar/information session on teen use of prescription drugs and vaping.

The recorded program is embedded above and includes the following topics:

• Signs and symptoms of vaping and drug use

• How vaping and prescription drugs can lead to using other drugs and addiction

• Why vaping is not less harmful than cigarettes, and the risks and health effects

• Commonly used and abused prescription drugs

• Local resources to get help

• Tips on talking with your child about the subject

The J. Willard Davis Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) has announced that new members were appointed to the organization in 2020. The traditional induction ceremony was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHS is a national organization established in 1921, which serves to recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. To be considered for induction into the National Honor Society, students must meet minimum criteria which include a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 86.5%, cumulative attendance rate equal to or greater than 94%, no more than 2 disciplinary referrals, and completion of at least 100 service learning hours.

Qualifying students are given the opportunity to submit applications and recommendations, which are reviewed by Easton High School faculty. English Teacher Shelby Swann served as Easton High School’s National Honor Society Faculty Advisor for the 2019/2020 school year.

The 2020 NHS inductees are as follows:

Class of 2021 (admitted as juniors)

Olivia Brown, Tristan Cassell, Martha Harrison, Molly Johnson, Andrew Matsche, Max McCall, Madeline Morrell, Christian Ottey, Jennifer Shaw, Max Vener, Jarin Winters

Class of 2022 (admitted as sophomores)

Ahmed Ezzaki, Kiersten Chaney, Sara Chapple, Rachel Davis, William Dickerson, Amanda Dolle, Joel Duah, Jack Dukehart, Harrison Fike, Kaitlin Flaherty, David Gardner, Hannah Greene, Julia Hammons, Kennedy Hayton, Leanna Kennedy, Olivia Kilbourne, Katherine Knox, Elise Lankford, Rachel Lapp, Sophie Leight, Ashley Malczewski, Ashton Milhollan, Brian Milhollan, Pippa Milhollan, Teagan Miller, Caroline Nagel, Baker Newcomb, Coco Ni, James O'Connor, Hailey Orellana-Reyes, Cole Paradine, Spencer Rada, Emily Royer, Jose Santizo-Gonsalez, Joseph Szymanski

“I congratulate all of these students on this outstanding accomplishment, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Mrs. Sherry Bowen, Easton High School Principal. “They have exemplified perseverance and a commitment to making most of their high school experience, however different it has been!”

The Tidewater Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) School has announced that new members were appointed to the organization in 2020. St. Michaels High School’s unique “Tapping Ceremony” was held last Spring in a drive-by, socially distanced fashion while schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHS is a national organization established in 1921, which serves to recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Eligibility is open to juniors and seniors with a 3.2 GPA and 75 service learning hours completed. Those students receive an application to submit, and it goes before a Staff Review Committee comprised of teachers, club advisors, and coaches to review and select students. Selection is based on the 4 NHS Principles: Character, Leadership, Service, and Scholarship.

Mr. JR Burkhardt, Guidance Counselor serves as St. Michaels High School’s National Honor Society Faculty Advisor.

The 2020 NHS inductees are as follows:

Class of 2020 (admitted as seniors)

Lilly Evans and Lexie Jordan

Class of 2021 (admitted as juniors)

Lily Ball, Owen Baum, Andre Davis, Logan Devaric, Michael DiSilvestro, Emily Dobson, Bradley Duley, Molly Fullerton, Carter Kelly, Madelyn LaBelle, Meghan Lawrence, Kristin Lednum, Cindy Rodriguez, Hannah Seek, Katie Stang, Mia Terry, Catherine Toby

“I am extremely proud of these students for their work both in and out of the classroom and their positive influence on their school community,” said Mrs. Theresa Vener, Principal. “I know they will continue to demonstrate the NHS principles here at St. Michaels High School and beyond.”

Talbot County Public Schools is excited to announce that the process to select the 2021 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year has begun! Is there a teacher or member of the TCPS support staff who is truly outstanding, has made a significant impact on your family, and/or goes above and beyond in their commitment as a professional? The Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year programs are a fantastic way to recognize educators who exemplify excellence.

Any individual within the school system or any member of the community may nominate a candidate to apply to be Talbot’s Teacher of the Year or Support Staff of the Year. The nomination forms are linked below. Nominations for both Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year are due by Friday, February 5, 2021.

Please note: nominations from family members will not be considered.

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Formulario de nominación de maestro del año

Support Staff of the Year Nomination Form

Formulario de nominación del personal de apoyo del año

TCPS meal distribution resumed this week. Meal pick up is offered at all locations except Easton High School on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. for all children ages 2-18.

CARE PACKS will also be distributed to any TCPS family at 28712 Glebe Road (Old Black and Decker Building) see flier below!