
Dent Dolphin Details
SY24 Family Issue #29
Greetings Dolphin Families!
We hope your spring break was filled with smiles, laughter, and fun. We can't wait to welcome our students back to LMDES tomorrow!
This week's issue of the Dent Dolphin Details is packed full of important info and reminders:
- Deadline to Order a Yearbook - extended to April 18!
- Spring Picture Day
- Spring MCAP Testing
- SMCPS Solar Eclipse Press Release
and much more!
Kindly,
Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal
Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal
Newsletter Contents
- Online Yearbook Order Deadline
- Spring Picture Day
- Math Team Challenge
- Spring MCAP Testing Dates
- Solar Eclipse Information
- April is School Library Month
- Dress for the Weather
- SMCPS Academy Information
- Pre-K Parent & Family Events
- School Lunch Highlights
- Helpful Resources & Info Worth Repeating
Notable Dates
- Tues, Apr 2 - Students Return to School
- Tues, Apr 2- Applications for STEM 6 open (& close on Apr 30)
- Thurs, Apr 4 - SMECO Math Challenge
- Fri, Apr 5- Spring Picture Day
- Mon, Apr 8- Daniels (K) to Elms
- Tues, Apr 9- Musgrove & Alderson (K) to Elms
- Wed, Apr 10- Grade 5 to St. Mary's City
- Wed, Apr 10- Report Cards Available on HAC
- Thurs, Apr 18 - Deadline to Order a Yearbook
- Fri, Apr 19- Purple Up! Day
Online Yearbook Order due date extended to April 18!
Steps:
- Visit barksdalephoto.com
- Select "What are you looking for?" and "Order Your Yearbook"
- Enter 18843YB as the Access Code.
Deadline to Order Extension: April 18, 2024
Don't miss the memories!
Spring Picture Day is Friday, April 5!
SMECO Math Challenge
Best of luck to our 4th and 5th grade students who are participating in this Thursday's Annual SMECO Math Team Challenge! Special thanks to Mrs. Dawn Kirkland, our math team coach!
4th Grade Team
Luke Carroll, Jamie Clarke, Austin Hager, Bryce Moraz, Jameson Price, Carly Weimert, Dayne Wilson
5th Grade Team
Nathan Brown, Paisley Copeland, Lorena Empederado, Jax Hall, Carter Hall, Mia Mildenstein, Braden Quade
March was Music in our School Month
Primary Concert
Kudos to Mr. Christian, Mrs. Holm, our primary students, and special guest "rappers" Mrs. Scarborough and Mrs. Rackey for an outstanding primary concert in honor of Music in our School Month! Your exceptional performance and enthusiasm made it a truly remarkable event.
A big thank you to all the family members who came out to show their support and encouragement.
Reading is Fun with Flashlights!
Spring Testing Dates - Mark Your Calendar!
Select your child's grade level photo below to view their testing dates. If your child is not able to attend school on their assigned testing days/time, your child will be removed from class for a "make-up" session. Please make sure your child brings their charged laptop to school, as this is how they access the tests.
Encourage your child to do their very best on the assessments.
Ensure they get a good night's sleep and plan to either have breakfast at home or breakfast at school.
Our students make us proud!
SMCPS Press Release: Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024, in St. Mary’s County. The eclipse will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and end just after 4:30 p.m., with maximum coverage at approximately 3:20 p.m. During the eclipse, there will be 86-88% coverage, during which it will get darker outside, but there will not be total darkness.
All St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) dismiss at some point during the eclipse period. Families and students should be aware of the following safety tips:
- Never look directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse. It is dangerous and can cause permanent damage to the eyes. Do not look at the sun through sunglasses, telescopes, or binoculars.
- Anyone using special viewing glasses or filters should only use those that conform to all International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
- If you purchase special viewing glasses, ensure they are from reputable manufacturers. There have been reports of counterfeit products labeled as if they conform to international safety standards. The American Astronomical Society, whose products are known to conform to ISO standards, provides a list of reputable companies that conform to safety standards.
Eclipse resources for elementary students, including how to safely view the eclipse, will be
shared with schools on April 2.
Students and families are encouraged to read more about solar eclipses and safety and enjoy
experiencing this exciting phenomenon.
Families and students can safely view the eclipse via live stream here: NASA live stream of the
Access the full Press Release here.
April is School Library Month!
Dress for the Weather
Cooling Changeover
Once the forecasted daily temperature is consistently above 68 degrees and daytime temperatures exceed 72 degrees for two to three consecutive days, SMCPS Operations begins the two-day process of changing the schools over from heating mode to cooling mode for the balance of the season. This changeover typically takes place by April 15th of each year.
Spring weather in Southern Maryland can be unpredictable. Families, work with your student to monitor the forecast and dress in layers to remain comfortable throughout the day.
Kindergarten Courtyard Egg Hunt
Academy Applications & Information
Applications for STEM 6 will open on April 2 and close on April 30, 2024. No late applications will be accepted. The online application will be found on the Academies page of the SMCPS website.
The annual Academy Open House will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 10th starting at 5:30 pm. More information is available via the Academy Open House Google Site.
Pre-K Parent & Family Engagement Events
School Lunch Highlights
Childhood Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Nutrition is closely linked to overall physical health and is a correlate of academic performance. Meeting both nutritional and physical activity recommendations together is associated with higher academic performance.
MyPlate (https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids) has a variety of helpful resources, games, and activities to get kids started on a healthy eating adventure!
Resource: Start Simple with MyPlate
Helpful Resources & Info Worth Repeating
Dolphins are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn!
Summer Sports Academies
SMCPS Approved Calendars
The Board of Education approved the school year calendars for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
View the calendars at http://smcps.org/calendar. Watch the BOE presentation here.
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
SMCPS Evening Counseling
PTA News & Events: Join the PTA!
Select the link to join the LMDES PTA: 23/24 PTA Fam Membership Form - Google Forms.
Why join the PTA? With your help, we will make a big impact this year by advocating for our students, teachers/staff, and school! Your membership helps support a variety of school activities and programs while creating a fun, engaging, and positive community.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $7.00 Single Person Membership // $12.00 Family Membership
By becoming a member, there is no obligation to volunteer but if you would like to do so, please be sure to check "YES" & complete the volunteer registration at the link provided.
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.
Thank you for your support!
Cafe & Food Services Information
Meal Benefit Application
Children need healthy meals to learn. SMCPS offers healthy meals every school day.
Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00.
Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Please complete the meal benefit application.
My School Bucks
SMCPS families may pay for school meals with MySchoolBucks! View balances and purchases, schedule automatic payments, receive notifications when your student's meal balance is low, and make payments on the go with the mobile app.
School Menus
Check our Nutrislice Webpage to:
- View Helpful nutrition info
- Download our FREE mobile app!
- Print menus
Technology Information
Student Laptops
All SMCPS laptops come with the same responsibility of care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please refer to the student accountability newsletter that will be included in each weekly school newsletter.
Schoology
Schoology is the SMCPS Learning Management System (LMS).
Schoology has a Mobile App!
Directions to Log Into the Schoology Mobile App.
New families that did not receive the notification about their Schoology Parent Account should email schoology@smcps.org to inquire about their account.
Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new application every school year.
Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary
Home of the Dolphins
Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal
Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal
We welcome your questions and inquiries. Please call 301-472-4500, refer to the SMCPS Website, or our LMDES website for additional information.
Website: https://lmdes.smcps.org/
Twitter: @lmdes_smcps
Phone: 301-472-4500