Aviator Updates

Dear Aviator Families,

Last week was incredibly fun! We had our "Arts in Bloom Concert", the LMS Band came over to play for our intermediate students, we/the PTA hosted our "Donuts with Grown Ups" event, our Kindergarten students had their concert and our week ended with some pretty memorable "Masked Singer/Dancer" performances by our staff members (ask your students about it if they haven't told you already)!

Looking ahead to Memorial Day, let us pause to remember the servicemen and women who have given their lives for our freedom. Let us be thankful for those who are away from their families and friends, dedicating their lives to serving our country.

We are indebted to many and thankful for all!

Kindly,

Katie Kortokrax

• May 29 - Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
  
• June 2 - Field Day (see details below)
• June 6 - 5th Grade Pizza and Pool Day
• June 8 - 5th Grade Picnic with Parents Day

• June 8 - Last Day for Pre-K

• June 9 - Two Hour Early Release; Last day for Students

• June 15 - Final Report Cards Available
  

Music with Mr. Mattera and Mr. Romano

Our Talented Musicians sounded amazing at last Wednesday's "Arts in Bloom" concert! Kudos to Mr. Mattera, Mr. Romano and all of our musicians for excellent band, strings and chorus concerts!

Art with Ms. Huff

Families who attended the concert had the pleasure of enjoying student artwork before and after the show. Kudos to Ms. Huff and all of our students for their brilliant, beautiful, and creative artwork!

[Current] Menu Changes for this week:

• Addition of fish sandwiches to Friday lunches
• 6/2 Due to shortage Limited Stuffed Crust Pizza (12 cheese pizza per grade). addition Ranchero Beef Pizza
• 6/5 Due to shortage Limited Mozzarella cheese sticks - will let you know addition as soon as I find out about it.
• 6/6 Due to shortage Limited Shrimp Poppers and Mac & Cheese , addition Popcorn Chicken

Stay tuned for this week's Duke's Morning News in next week's update:

• Monday, May 22nd
• Tuesday, May 23rd
• Wednesday, May 24th
• Thursday, May 25th
• Friday, May 26th

Q: How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?

A: Ten-tickles

Do you have a joke that you'd like featured in the weekly update? Click here to submit it!

• Friday, June 2nd
• Rain Date - Thursday, June 1st
• 9:30-11:35 --> Primary Grades
• 12:30-2:35 --> Intermediate Grades

Grade-Level colors for Field Day are below. We would love for your child to wear that designated color on June 2nd. DUKE Spirit Wear is totally optional, but you can find the colors (including tie-dye) on the website: https://dukespiritwear.com/

• Please check your child's meal account on MySchoolBucks to make sure your child does not have an outstanding balance. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our cafeteria manager, Keiko Seidenberger @ kseidenberger@smcps.org

• Remind your child to visit the lost and found if you have noticed your student hasn't brought home certain item(s) throughout the year.
• FYI - Report cards will be available on HAC on Thursday June 15th.

Hey Aviators! It's time to clean those bookshelves off from the books you've read once and are done with or purchase a new book to donate!

• For who? Sleep in Heavenly Peace. SHP is a non-profit organization and there's a chapter right here in St. Mary's County! SHP builds beds for those kids in our community who don't have one. SHP to date has built and delivered over 600 beds in their 3 years of existence. Kids are ages 3-17, so all levels of books are appreciated!
• Why? An extra part that SHP likes to do is when they deliver the bed, they like to give the child a book as well. They are running low on books, so your new or very gently used books would be much appreciated.
• How? Bring any books to the Media Center in the box labeled SHP or drop them in the box in Mrs. Snyder's room. For any information on SHP and how you can help, you can look at this link or email Mrs. Snyder (jasnyder@smcps.org) who is involved with the organization. There is also a Facebook page for Sleep in Heavenly Peace- St. Mary's County that you can follow if you're interested in helping sand or build beds. No experience needed!
• When? Now until we say we've collected enough!
• How else can we help? Does this sound like an organization you'd like to help with? Check out the link above or email Mrs. Snyder to find out ways to donate or volunteer.

PreKindergarten Registration

• Opens April 12, 2023
• Child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023
• All Pre-Kindergarten classes for 4 year olds are full day
• Income verification is required of every applicant
• Registration information can be submitted electronically once the links is "live".

Kindergarten Registration

• Opens May 9, 2023
• Child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023
• Students who participated in PK (through CWFDES but not at other sites) will automatically be rolled over into KG at CWFDES. Registration is not required.
• Registration information can be submitted electronically. The link will be shared once it becomes available.

Out-of-District Transfer Requests

• In order to attend CWFDES, a valid proof-of-residence must be provided
• If you do not reside within CWFDES district boundaries, you must submit a transfer request (annually). This does not guarantee placement.

Parents and guardians should be mindful of all debt that their students accrue throughout the 2022-2023 School Year. Student debt could take any one of the following forms:

• Lost/Damaged Computer Devices

• Lost/Damaged Textbooks

• Lunch Debt

Parents/Guardians play a key role in monitoring not only their student's actions but also their fiscal responsibilities regarding lost/damaged issued devices (such as computers and textbooks) and/or food purchases made by your child in our school cafeteria. Payment can be made in the form of cash or check and should include your child's five-digit Student ID# (e.g., #12345). For further convenience, families may also pay by credit card online at http://www.myschoolbucks.com/. All questions and concerns should be directed to Ms. Toothacker (cctoothacker@smcps.org).

PTA Membership Link: We love our PTA. Members can be as involved (or not involved) as they would like. We appreciate any support you can offer; click here to sign up!

Register to be a Volunteer: New for the 2022-23 school year. Volunteers must apply annually for approval. Vetting of applications can take several weeks. Field trip chaperones must have successfully completed the volunteer application process before they can be considered.

Here Comes the Bus App: This application allows parents, guardians and students to receive push notifications and email notifications for when their student’s bus approaches their bus stop.

CWFDES Absence Reporting: Click here to report absences to ensure they are marked lawful.

Meal Benefit Application: Families must submit an application to receive free or reduced-price lunch.

Interested in Subbing at Duke? You will need to attend a one-day virtual class. Pick one day from the several class dates available. Contact Cindy Toothacker with questions at cctoothacker@smcps.org.

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://schools.smcps.org/cwfdes/
Location: 23595 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (240) 309-4658
Twitter: @CWFDES_SMCPS