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Dent Dolphin Details

SY24 Family Issue #30

Dent DolphinDetailsSY24 Family Issue #30
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Greetings Dolphin Families!


We had a fantastic first week back! Students, teachers, and staff returned with enthusiasm and excitement for learning. We spent time reteaching and reviewing our Schoolwide Expectations. We appreciate all that our families do at home to reinforce the importance of being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn.


Together, let's carry this positive energy forward into the fourth quarter as we continue to live our LMDES School Vision.


With gratitude,

Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal

Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal

Dolphins are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready!

LMDES Schoowide Expectations Matrix
Select the button to review the LMDES Expectations with your student.

Newsletter Contents

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Notable Dates

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  • Mon, Apr 8- Daniels (K) to Elms
  • Tues, Apr 9- Musgrove & Alderson (K) to Elms
  • Tues, Apr 9- April PTA Meeting
  • Wed, Apr 10- Grade 5 to St. Mary's City
  • Wed, Apr 10- Report Cards Available on HAC
  • Thurs, Apr 18 - extended Deadline to Order a Yearbook
  • Fri, Apr 19- Purple Up! Day
  • Fri, Apr 19- Two Hour Early Release
  • Fri, Apr 26- PTA Chalk the Walk & Food Truck Event

Announcing the LMDES Talent Show!

SMECO Math Challenge

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Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade students who participated in last 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

Upcoming PTA Events

April PTA Meeting

Event Information

LMDES PTA Meeting

All are welcome to join us in person in the LMDES Media Center or virtually through Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/kky-oexo-wkt

When?

Tuesday, Apr 9, 2024, 04:15 PM

Where?

LMDES Media Center or Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/kky-oexo-wkt

PTA Chalk the Walk & Food Truck Event

MP3 SBRC & Narrative Distribution

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Marking Period 3 Standards-Based Report Cards will be available on the Home Access Center [HAC] on Wednesday, April 10.



If you have questions or need your login information, please contact Linda Battenfield (ldbattenfield@smcps.org).



Teachers will email narrative reports directly to parents/guardians on Wednesday, April 10.

Our Dolphins Made us Proud at the 2024 Spring Games!

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James earned 1st in the long jump, 1st in the 50 yard dash, and 2nd in the softball throw.

Humza earned 1st in the softball throw, 2nd in the long jump, and 2nd in the 50 yard dash.


Congratulations!

Purple Up! for Military Kids

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!

School Lunch Highlights

Childhood Nutrition & Healthy Eating

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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

Partial Solar Eclipse

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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.


For more information, read last week's Dent Dolphin Details and the full SMCPS Press Release.

Spring Testing Dates - Mark Your Calendar!

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Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) this Spring, with 5th graders starting next Monday.



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.

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5th Grade Dates

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4th Grade Dates

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3rd Grade Dates

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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!

April is School Library Month!

Select this button for Digital Reading Resources
Research shows that reading is the key to improvement student achievement!

Summer Sports Academies

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Summer Sports Academies: SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday -Thursday. Click below for more information. Registration begins March 1st. Don't miss this opportunity.

Academy Applications & Information

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  • 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.

SMCPS Approved Calendars

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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

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Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from MSDE during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Parent feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in SMCPS. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.

SMCPS Evening Counseling

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SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.

PTA News & Events: Join the PTA!

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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School Menus

Check our Nutrislice Webpage to:

  • View Helpful nutrition info
  • Download our FREE mobile app!
  • Print menus

Technology Information

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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

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Schoology is the SMCPS Learning Management System (LMS).

SMCPS Schoology Google Site


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.

Become a Registered Volunteer
Volunteer service is an essential component to student success!
Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new application every school year.

Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary

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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

LMDES School Vision

Home of the Dolphins
LMDES strives to create a nurturing and inclusive community where every student thrives socially, emotionally, and academically. We prioritize strong relationships among all stakeholders, open communication, and meeting students' diverse needs. We aim to develop well-rounded, future-ready learners who embrace lifelong learning and contribute positively to our community.