![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/applebasket.8d7e398b.jpg)
Aviator Updates
SY24 CWFDES Family Issue #7
B WEEK: October 9 - October 13
Hello Aviator Families,
SMCPS receives federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools for federally-connected students. To receive these federal funds, the United States Department of Education (USDE) requires the school system to survey each student.
Online Federal Impact Aid Forms are now available through your student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The deadline for the online submission of Federal Impact Aid Survey forms is November 14, 2023.
Friendly reminder that tomorrow, October 9th, students stay at home for an asynchronous virtual day from 8:30AM-1:10PM only. This means, students will work independently at home on work assigned by their teacher. Please remind your children to bring back their laptop/chargers on Tuesday if they brought them home.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Katie Kortokrax, Principal
Zach Adams, Assistant Principal
HAC Login Information
Email Ms. Stephanie Magill, attendance secretary, if you need your Home Access Center login information: samagill@smcps.org
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)!
Mon, Oct 9 - Asynchronous Virtual Instruction Day & 2-HR Early Dismissal - Parent Conference Day: Students will work independently at home on work assigned by their teacher. Students may bring home their laptops to participate in virtual learning. Stay tuned for more information from your child's teachers.
Wed, Oct 10 - Fire Prevention Assembly for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade
Wed, Oct 11 - Fall Picture Day
Tue, Oct 17 - Fire Prevention Presentation for Pre-K and K students
Wed, Oct 18 - Unity Day, Wear Orange
Oct 23 - 27: Red Ribbon Week (see flyer below)
Fri, Oct 20 - Wear LHS Raiders (Homecoming) or CWFDES Spirit Wear
Fri, Oct 20 - Two-Hour Early Release
Fri, Oct 27 - Two-Hour Early Release and PTA Trunk or Treat Event
SEPTEMBER AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE:
Average Daily Attendance (ADA): The total number of days of student attendance divided by the total number of days in the regular school year. ADA Includes 1st through 5th Grade-
MSDE Target=94%
CWFDES September ADA=94.73%
Fire Prevention Week: October 8-14, 2023
Fire Department Visit
Our 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students will participate in a fire drill and a Fire Prevention Assembly on Tuesday morning. Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students will have their fire-prevention presentation next week.
Please do not be alarmed if you hear sirens or see the fire truck in our parking lot!
K Students Shucking Corn for "Farm to School" Month!
October is FARM TO SCHOOL month. During the month, the students will see fresh, local produce offered in the lunch line.
Supporting Services Update: Cooling to Heating
From the Department of Maintenance - Fall is HERE!
This means that we will be switching over to heat in the near future. Once the forecasted nightly temperatures are consistently below 45 degrees and daytime temperatures do not exceed 55 degrees (for two to three consecutive days) we will begin the process of changing the schools over from cooling to heating mode. This changeover typically takes place by October 15th of each year. However, the changeover will be delayed until the parameters above are met.
It is extremely important that students dress for fluctuating temperatures for the next several weeks. While we are still in cooling mode there will inevitably be some chilly days and once we switch to heating mode we will likely experience several days of warm weather. While the comfort of our staff and students is important to us, we do not have the manpower to switch all of our schools back to cooling mode for a few warm days. Please ensure that your student has a jacket/sweatshirt/sweater available and monitor the daily forecast.
Duke Elementary - Where Children SOAR!
Congratulations to Our PRIMARY Fridge of Fame Students!
Captain W.F. Duke Elementary School
10/11/2023
Skip the Order Form!
Click Here to PreOrder: Online Code: captwfd23
Questions? (800) 869-9515 x112
Equity, Engagement, & Early Access
The SMCPS Equity for All Website features updated monthly celebrations, best practices resources, and a newly added Community Resource page. The purpose of the Equity for All site is to provide resources and supports for promoting excellence and equity in St. Mary's County Public Schools.
News from Our PTA
Duke's PTA is on Facebook!
Box Tops for Education!
Download the Box Tops for Education app, scan your receipts, and earn cash for our school! For over 25 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn for schools with products they already buy. Today, you can find thousands of participating products throughout the store — and all you need is the Box Tops app.
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
[Current] Menu Changes for this week:
10/10~10/13: Cheese Pizza Lunchable
10/10: Blueberries (sub for peach cup)
10/10: Green Beans (sub for Broccoli)
Last Week's Episodes of the Duke Morning News
Red Ribbon Spirit Week Days
SMCPS STEAM Festival
Save the Date: This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!
Support Our School In-Style 😀
Got Matchbox Cars?
If you have old matchbox cars that you wouldn't mind donating, our Pre-K class will gladly take them off your hands! They are creating "Name Parking Lots" and they need "Letter Cars" to park! Thank you!
Helpful Resources & Info Worth Repeating
Attn: 4th & 5th Grade Students Interested in Safety Patrol
Please see the attached safety patrol application that is available to our fourth and fifth grade students. Please make note of the return date. Applications can be filled out online (button below) or can be printed, signed, and returned to classroom teachers by Friday, October 13th. If you need a printed copy sent home, please email your child's teacher.
Information about the Program:
The AAA School Safety Patrol Program assists students by providing leadership and citizenship experiences for our patrol and a safe environment for children in our school. Being a member of the safety patrol means students would be:
Reminding schoolmates of bus/school expectations
Reporting safety issues to staff member(s) and/or bus drivers
Each student who would like to apply to be a safety patrol member will need to fill out the application that follows. Being in the safety patrol is a privilege and requires responsibility. Students are expected to demonstrate SOARing behaviors in the classroom and throughout the schoolhouse for the duration of the school year.
Click here for a paper version of the application/permission slip (print).
St. Mary's County Drive-Thru Flu Vaccine
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), in coordination with MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (MSMH) and the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), is offering drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for St. Mary’s County residents. Select the links to read the Joint Press Release and visit the SMCHD website.
There will be no school-located flu clinics provided at the public schools this year, so parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their child to one of these locations for flu vaccinations.
Information is forthcoming regarding additional drive-thru flu vaccine clinics that the health department is organizing at different locations throughout the county for individuals 18 years of age and younger.
Spotlight on Special Education:
There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in our school.
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