March 27, 2025

March

• Art in Our Schools Month
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
• National Nutrition Month
• National Reading Month
• National Women's History Month

March 28 - End of Quarter

March 28 - Early Dismissal - PM Teacher Grading

March 28 - 7pm - Easton High Theatre Presents Sister Act

March 29 - 7pm - Easton High Theatre Presents Sister Act

April

• Asian Pacific Heritage Month

April 2 - "Talbot Stars" Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Celebration

April 8 - Community Listening Session - Chapel District Elementary - 5:30 p.m.

April 10 - New Student Registration Day

April 16 - 22 - Spring Break - Schools Closed

April 22 - Earth Day

This is the time of year when we can expect occasional delayed openings due to inclement weather or fog. The delay opening schedule can be found under the About - Schools tab on the TCPS website and is linked below.

Hello TCPS Families, we have come to the end of the THIRD quarter of the 24-25 school year! It has been a terrific year so far, with so many outstanding achievements by our students and staff. I look forward to all of the fun activities and celebrations that the fourth quarter brings!

We continued our community listening sessions this week with a visit to White Marsh Elementary School on Tuesday. Our next stop is Tuesday, April 8th, at Chapel District Elementary. Feel free to attend any of our listening sessions, regardless of which schools your children attend. Hear a brief update on our district and share your feedback with me and members of the Board of Education. All of the dates for the remaining listening sessions are posted on the TCPS website.

March is “I Love to Read” month! Before it ends, we will be posting a story read by me. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoy reading, which I do whenever I get the opportunity.

As a reminder, tomorrow, Friday, March 28th, is an early dismissal day for students to allow teachers time to complete grading.

The final two performances of ‘Sister Act’ are this Friday and Saturday evening at Easton High. Check it out if you can. It's an outstanding production!

Have a great weekend, and remember, it's always a great day for success at TCPS!

Friday 3/28, 7pm

Saturday 3/29, 7pm

The following new National Board Certified Teachers were recognized by Dr. Pepukayi and the Board of Education for their recent accomplishment: Bridget Whited, SMMHS; Kathleen Regan, SMES; Heather Ewing, EES; Jennifer Wedin, EES; Holly Sump, CDES; Rebecca Phillips, CDES; Charlotte Compton, EES; Tracy Detrich, EHS (unavailable); Melissa Schnaitman, EES; Angela Nestel, SMMHS; Lutisia Blessing, WMES; James Kunz, SMMHS (unavailable). National Board Certification (NBC) in education is a voluntary process involving the completion of a series of components, including a portfolio and an assessment. NBC is designed to improve student learning and school quality nationwide, while also recognizing accomplished teachers. It is considered the most respected professional certification in K-12 education. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

At the March Board of Education meeting Mayor Megan Cook and Coach "Joe Cap" (Capozzoli) provided an update on the success of the The Easton High School Target Team's season. Coach Joe Cap extended an invitation to all Board members to participate in the team's practices and events. Mayor Cook spoke in support of the team and gave an overview of the team's activities and accomplishments including the awards received by members of the team.

Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sharon Pepukayi and members of the Board of Education, invite the TCPS community to participate in the upcoming Community Listening Session at Chapel District Elementary on Tuesday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m and the St. Michaels campus on Thursday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m.

We are excited to feature this month’s TCEC lobby artwork by EHS students under the instruction of Visual Arts Teachers Matt Ghrist and Chase Nepert!

An opportunity to grieve and heal for children in grades 1-8 on the Mid-Shore

When: Saturday, May 17, 9am–3:00pm

Sunday, May 18, 9am–2:00pm

Where: Talbot Agriculture and Education Center

10659 Hiners Lane

Easton, MD 21601

Why: Children need an outlet for their grief, just as adults do. Children express themselves through play and peer support, so camp is the perfect mix of work and fun!

For more information, contact:

Judy Gunn, Grief & Spiritual Care Chaplain

410-822-6681 ext. 116

jgunn@talbothospice.org

talbothospice.org

The Talbot County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the launch of its 2025 Citizens Police Academy, an educational program designed to provide Talbot County residents with an in-depth understanding of law enforcement practices and the role of citizens in ensuring community safety.

The Citizens Police Academy is open to all Talbot County residents aged 18 and older. The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with members of the Sheriff's Office, gaining insight into various law enforcement procedures and community policing efforts. The academy will consist of a 10-week course beginning on April 8, 2025, and concluding with a graduation on June 10, 2025. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Course Details

• Academy Start Date: April 8, 2025
• Graduation Date: June 10, 2025
• Duration: 10 weeks (Tuesday evenings, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
• Location: Talbot County Sheriff's Office
• Limited to 20 participants
• Participants may not miss more than two classes to graduate
• Background check required for all applicants

This program will cover topics such as criminal law, emergency response procedures, and community engagement strategies. It is designed to foster a better understanding of law enforcement operations and strengthen the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and the community.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy funded this project under subaward CGPF-2025-0021. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State or Federal Agency.

Registration Information

Interested individuals can apply online here. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025.

Register Online

Talbot County Public Schools in partnership with People for Change Coalition is offering the Summer Career Enrichment Program (SCEP)- a FREE hands-on experience designed to spark interest in high-demand career fields!

Students will explore:

• Animation

• App Development/Gaming

• Careers in Health Care

• Chess

• Cybersecurity

• Drones

• Media Arts

• Presentation/Video Design

• Robotics

Location: Easton High School

Transportation Available from SMMHS, EES, WMES, and Cordova Firehouse

Breakfast & Lunch Provided

Two Sessions Available:

Session 1: July 7-July 17, 2025 (Mon-Thurs, 9 -1 PM)

Session 2: July 21-July 31, 2025 (Mon-Thurs, 9 -1 PM)

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore future careers in a fun and engaging environment!

Visit https://pfccoalition.org/scep.asp for registration details!

Talbot County Parks and Recreation summer camp registration opened this week. There is a scholarship program that reduces the fee to $180 for qualifying families. Here is the link to register! Talbot County Parks & Recreation: Summer Camp 2025

Registration for students living in Talbot County not currently enrolled in TCPS (PK, K, and all other grade levels) will be held on March 14th, April 10th, May 6.

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

Easton Elementary: 410-822-0550

Chapel District Elementary: 410-822-2391

St. Michaels Elementary: 410-745-2882

Tilghman Elementary: 410-886-2391

White Marsh Elementary: 410-476-3144

Easton Middle: 410-822-2910

Easton High: 410-822-4180

St. Michaels Middle High: 410-745-2852

For information about needed documents and other requirements for registering, click on the link below.

Join the TCPS Team! We have many certificated and support positions available! Use the link below for more information and to apply!

This guide provides a comprehensive list of behavioral health resources across Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties.

Come Explore with Us! ITCH (Introduction to Careers in Healthcare), a free program that introduces healthcare possibilities and pathways, is offering a new season of its FREE programming for middle and high schoolers with opportunities in Easton.

• Career Exploration
• Experiential Hands On
• Pathways to Success
• Internships
• Jobs
• Scholarships
• Careers

For more information and to register: https://www.itchmed.org/itch-in-action.

Space is limited!

Universty of Maryland Shore Health System Locations:

UM Shore Regional Health at Dorchester

UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton

Third Thursday of each Month:

January 16 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

February 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

March 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

April 17 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

May 15 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

June 19 - Culminating Tour - Chesapeake College Health Science Simulation Center

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the approaching tax season. Please take a moment to review important messages from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding federal tax credits that can significantly benefit individuals and families.

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

Join the parents, teachers, and students who have already made the important decision to enroll in SafeTime. The 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.

Safe Schools Maryland - an ANONYMOUS and FREE reporting system available to students, teachers, school staff members, parents, and the general public to report any school or student safety ​concerns, including mental health concerns. Safe Schools Maryland operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Your anonymous report can be submitted by calling the tip line (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233), completing an online form (below), or downloading the free Safe Schools Maryland app from the App Store or Google Play.​

Shore Legal Access connects Eastern Shore individuals and families in need of legal representation with volunteer attorneys to ensure that justice truly is for all.

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), Faith & Blue, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) are collaborating on a new initiative. The program provides free medical equipment to residents of Maryland who are facing financial constraints. The available equipment includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats.

Details:

• Free Equipment Available: Wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats

• Free Delivery: Within Maryland, depending on distance

• No Cost to Recipients

• Simple Application Process

Contact Information: