March 14, 2024

March:

• Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
• Music in our Schools Month
• Women's History Month

March 14: St. Michaels Campus Community Listening Session

March 15: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 16: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 17: Easton St. Patrick's Day Parade - 5:30 p.m.

March 18: Wear Green for Cerebral Palsy Awareness!

March 18: EHS Youth Apprenticeship Information Night 6-7PM in the Cafeteria

March 18: Board of Education Public Work Session

March 19: SMMHS Youth Apprenticeship Information Night 6-7PM in the Media Center

March 20: Board of Education Meeting 6:30 PM

March 21: World Downs Syndrome Day

March 22: Early Dismissal- PM Teacher Grading- End of Quarter

March 25- April 1: Spring Break!

April 1: Talbot Day Poster Contest Entries Due - for more information visit: https://talbotcountymd.gov/TDpostercontest

Who’s ready to kick off those Sunday Shoes and CUT LOOSE?!?! Under the Direction of Richard A. Vitanovec, EHS Theatre Department takes you on a wild ride from Chicago to the small farming town of Bomont. Set in 2024, we follow Ren McCormack trying to adjust from city life to small town living. Of course, an adjustment period at his new high school is inevitable, but he’s not prepared for the rigorous local ways, including a ban on dancing. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose TRULY celebrates the idea of a community coming together. *Tickets are ONLY sold online. **THIS SHOW IS RATED PG-13 FOOTLOOSE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Purchase Tickets Here: www.showtix4u.com/events/EHSSHOW

Congratulations to our elementary students (Chris Calabro-Chapel District Elementary, Alberto J Perez-Esparza-Easton Elementary School, Aubree Allen-White Marsh Elementary School, Nicholas Werner- St Michaels Elementary School, Kennedy Smith-Tilghman Elementary School, and Lucas Lindsey-St. Michaels Elementary School), who participated in Sodexo's Future Chef competition! It was an outstanding evening filled with unique and delicious recipes. Lucas Lindsey earned the top prize and his recipe will move on to the regional Future Chef competition. We are so proud of all of our young chefs for showcasing their creativity and culinary skills. Keep up the great work!

Congratulations to our EMS students who participated in the Great History Challenge! The competition started with an online quiz taken before winter break, and the top-scoring students were invited to the Region Championships last week. They competed with other talented students across the state at Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie. We're thrilled to announce that three 7th-grade students from EMS - Emma Liller, Austin Smith, and Callen Ball - did an incredible job and have qualified for the National Championships in Chicago this May!

Talbot County Public Schools is hosting two Youth Apprenticeship Information Nights.

• Easton High School: Monday, March 18, 2024, 6 – 7 pm in the Cafeteria
• St. Michaels High School: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 6 – 7 pm in the Media Center

These sessions are a great opportunity for students, families, and businesses to learn more about the Youth Apprenticeship program and meet with currently approved Youth Apprenticeship employers. The Youth Apprenticeship program partners with local employers and the Maryland Department of Labor, allowing students to “earn while they learn!” Juniors and seniors are eligible to work in career-track occupations while provided fair compensation. Students will earn up to four high school credits upon completing the program. Businesses can hire and mentor their future employers by developing the in-demand skills needed for their industries!

We hope you will join us! Please direct questions to Danielle Haley: danielle.haley@talbotschools.org.

Support Staff of the Year Finalists-From Top Left: Rosario Steele, Chanae Neal, Regina Coleman Teacher of the Year Finalists- From Bottom Left: Marissa Carter, Tish Blessing, Jeremy Hilliard

Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) honors teachers and support staff through the annual Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year Program. The program recognizes outstanding educators who implement innovative ideas, focus positive attention on education, and demonstrate superior commitment to students and the community.

Any member of the community may nominate teachers or support staff for these prestigious awards. The nomination period runs from early January through early February. A committee that includes former Talbot Teachers of the Year and TCPS Administrators reviews the resumes of the nominees who choose to formally apply, and selects the Teacher of the Year Finalists. Finalists prepare packets that highlight their work in their school and community. These packets are reviewed by the committee, and the Talbot Teacher of the Year is announced in April.

At the same time, a separate committee reviews the Support Staff of the Year nominations and resumes and selects the finalists. This winner is also announced in April. Three finalists have been selected from the nominations for Teacher of the Year and three were selected for Support Staff of the Year. TCPS is pleased to recognize these outstanding educators.

Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Lutisia (Tish) Blessing – Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, White Marsh Elementary
• Marissa Carter –3rd Grade Mathematics Teacher, St. Michaels Elementary
• Jeremy Hillyard – Easton High School, Spanish and ESOL Mathematics Teacher, Grade 9-12

Support Staff of the Year Finalists:

• Regina Coleman – Easton Middle School Security
• Chanae Neal – Easton Elementary School, Instructional Assistant – Special Education
• Rosario Steele – Easton High School, Instructional Assistant - ESOL

“I am very proud of the exemplary commitment, enthusiasm, and varied professional experiences represented by this outstanding group of finalists!” said Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, Superintendent. “I would like to thank everyone who nominated members of our staff for this honor, and I congratulate all of the nominees and finalists!”

The 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the year winners will be announced at the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year gala, Talbot Stars, which will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at The Elks Lodge in Easton.

Talbot County Public Schools is recommending a new reading program for PreK and Elementary grades K-5. The Public has the opportunity to review the materials and provide feedback to inform the Board’s decision on implementing the program. The materials are available for review at the Talbot County Education Center. The Leads Grant will fully fund the new program, so it will not impact the local budget!

Recommended PreK Curriculum:

Three Cheers for PreK

SAVVAS Learning Company

Recommended K-5 Curriculum:

Benchmark Advance

Benchmark Education

Please send any feedback to Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning: heinhorn@talbotschools.org

Dr. Pepukayi, Dr. Einhorn, and TCPS CFO Sarah Jones presented the TCPS FY25 Budget request to the Talbot County Council on March 11. They highlighted our Priorities and Progress, and the many accomplishments and initiatives that are reflected in the budget request.

CONGRATULATIONS to SMES Instructional Assistant Sharon Jenkins-Truxon, our TCPS Applebee's Support Staff Award - March 2024

Talbot County Public Schools Announces School Year 2024-2025 Registration for students living in Talbot County not currently enrolled in TCPS (PK, K, and all other grade levels).

Registration will take place during school hours. Please call the school to schedule an appointment.

When: April 12th, & May 2nd

Where:

Easton Elementary: 410-822-0550

Easton Middle School: 410-822-2910

Chapel Elementary: 410-822-2391

Easton High School: 410-822-4180

St. Michaels Elementary: 410-745-2882

St. Michaels Middle High: 410-745-2852

Tilghman Elementary: 410-886-2391

White Marsh Elementary: 410-476-3144

*Bring the following:

1. Up-to-date immunization record 6. Proof of Current Grade (if transferring

2. Birth Certificate from another school)

3. Social Security Card 7. Income verification (Pre-K only)

4. Parent with ID 8. Proof of Residency (signed

5. Proof of custody if applicable lease/deed and two utility bills).

Details can be found on:

https://tcps.k12.md.us/students-and-families/enrollment/

Community Listening Sessions are informal discussions with TCPS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Pepukayi and Talbot County Board of Education Members. The sessions provide the opportunity for advocacy and sharing of feedback about our school system.

The County Council asks residents (including school students) to create a poster that shares what makes Talbot County special. The 2024 Talbot Day Poster Contest must depict the theme: “What Talbot County Means to Me”. Talbot County Council members will serve as judges. Winning designs will be displayed on banners in downtown Easton, and artists will be invited to participate in the Talbot Day Celebration on April 25, 2024.

More information can be found at talbotcountymd.gov/TDpostercontest

This year TCPS is going “cashless” for tickets for all of our athletic events using GoFan. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gate using a credit or debit card. GoFan accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Admission to all events at the Easton High and St. Michaels High Stadiums and Gymnasiums is $6 (children 6 and under are free). Cash payment will not be accepted at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased using the following links:

Easton High

St. Michaels Middle High

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. For more information and to apply visit: https://www.fcc.gov/acp

Join the 70+ teachers, administrators, and support staff that have already enrolled in the TCPS SafeTime registration drive. This all-new app is designed to both empower us all with a super easy social media integrated tool to alert the proper authorities if we see something suspicious, AND to raise student self-esteem via the creation and exposure to fun, positive messaging.