October 31, 2024

October 31 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all who celebrate!

November

• Native American Heritage Month

November 3 - "Fall Back" - Daylight Savings Time ends
November 5 - Election Day; Schools closed for students

November 6 - Community Veteran's Celebration - Talbot County Auditorium

November 7 - Early dismissal- Elementary Conferences /Secondary Teacher In-Service

November 8 - Schools Closed

November 11- 15 - National School Psychology Week

November 15 - TCPS Education Foundation - Mission Possible

November 18 - 22 - American Education Week

November 18 - Board of Education Work Session - 5:30 p.m.

November 20 - Board of Education - Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break

Hello TCPS Families!

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate! Today we officially begin the second quarter of the school year. I can't believe how fast the school year is moving.

I'm recording this week's update in front of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, where early voting is taking place. Whether you choose to vote now or on Election Day, your vote will help shape the future of our schools and community. So please make sure your voice is heard.

Don't forget to prioritize your health as we enter flu season. The Talbot County Health Department is offering free flu vaccine clinics for students and staff, and I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to protect themselves. The schedule for the remaining clinics can be found in this week's update.

As a reminder, Friday, November 1st, is an early dismissal day for students. Schools are closed on Tuesday, November 5th for Election Day. Thursday, November 7th is an early dismissal day and schools are closed Friday, November 8th for the Waterfowl Festival, a weekend full of lots of events in town.

We will skip next week since there's so much going on, and our next weekly update will be Thursday, November 14th. Thank you for your continued support. Have a great weekend; enjoy next week, and remember, it's always a great day for success at TCPS!

As a vital part of our community, your voice shapes our future and the future of our schools. Every ballot helps determine the resources, programs, and leadership that impact our students and their education. Mark your calendars and make your voice heard on Election Day!

Easton High School - Friday 11/1/24 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Easton Middle School - Thursday - 11/7/24 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

On October 23 and 24, the TCPS Fine Arts Department held a collaborative professional learning event and field trip, an experience entirely generated and planned by our art teachers. This learning experience at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum brought together visual arts students from Easton High and St. Michaels Middle High along with all visual arts teachers across the district. Stemming from our department’s goal to increase collaboration across schools and grade levels and provide teachers with content-specific professional learning, the event reflected our teachers' commitment to impactful, hands-on art experiences.

Local artist Tim Beall led students and teachers in the plein air painting process, sharing his techniques with materials, color choices, and his approach to building up layers of color. He also guided them in exploring composition, light, and color theory. Beyond technique, Tim spoke about his experience as an artist—embracing the freedom to paint what inspires him, taking creative risks, and focusing on the process with confidence rather than perfection.

This experience captured our department’s dedication to meaningful, real-world learning, enriching both students’ and teachers’ artistic perspectives. Our teachers returned to their classrooms with new insights and skills, ready to inspire students with fresh approaches to art.

The 7th Annual Mid-Shore S.T.E.M Festival will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center, located on the Chesapeake College campus, in Wye Mills, Maryland. The event will be held rain or shine from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm and is free, open to the public, and geared toward youth ages 8-16.

The Mid-Shore S.T.E.M Festival is focused on providing hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning for youth of all ages and their families. Activities will include interactive displays, activity stations, makers space, demonstrations and workshops. This year’s theme is “Engineering: Ideas to Reality” with many activities focused on the theme, as well as many other STEM topics. This is a great event to make career connections and learn about the future of science and science-related careers and opportunities.

Join us to participate during the Maryland STEM Festival here on the mid-shore on November 2nd for a fun science-filled day! We will have lunch and refreshments for sale. Remember, the event is FREE and open to all!

For more information, please contact Navonne Owen, UME Caroline County 4-H, at nowen@umd.edu or (410) 479-4030. This is an equal opportunity and equal access program.

The TCPS Education Foundation is very excited to announce the sixth annual “Mission Possible – Celebrating TCPS Alumni and Supporting Teachers” fundraiser, to be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Oxford Community Center. The purpose of the event is to recognize distinguished alumni, celebrate public education in Talbot County, and raise funds, awareness, and support for the Education Foundation. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Distinguished Alumni!

The Perkins Family YMCA will be holding TRYOUTS for the Boys and Girls Middle School Basketball! Tryouts are open to anyone in the community in 6th – 8th grades as long as the student can make the scheduled practices and games.

Tryouts are as follows…

DATES: Monday, November 4th; Wednesday, November 6th; Thursday, November 7th

TIMES: Boys 5-6:15pm; Girls 6:16-7:30pm

LOCATION: St. Michaels Elementary School Gymnasium

If your son or daughter are planning to try out for middle school basketball, please note that students are NOT allowed to remain on school property after school while they wait for their tryout times. Members of the YMCA may come to the YMCA after school while they wait. Otherwise, students will need to go home and return to the school at the time of their respective tryouts.

Although we would like to keep all students that try out, the coaches have determined that they will take up to 12 players per team in order to ensure that those on the team have the opportunity to have significant playing time. Anyone not making the roster may have the opportunity to practice with the team as a developmental player. This will be discussed with the player and family on a case by case situation.

If you would like to be placed on the tryout roster, please contact Brodie Steen, Aquatics and Sports Director, at the Perkins Family YMCA at bsteen@ymcachesapeake.org. Being on the tryout roster is not necessary, but if does ensure that if there are any changes to tryouts, you will be contacted ahead of time. Please provide Brodie with your child’s name, grade, your name, phone number, email address, and YMCA membership status.

NOTE: There is no pre-registration required. Only those students that get a spot on the roster will be invited to register. Registration packets will be provided on the last day of tryouts and those packets and registration payment must be returned by Monday, November 11th. The YMCA offers financial assistance to families who receive free and reduced meals through TCPS as well as anyone that has submitted a financial assistance application with the YMCA of the Chesapeake.

The Talbot County Public Schools neither endorses nor sponsors the organization(s) or activity(ies) contained herein. The views contained herein are those of the author and are not necessarily shared by Talbot County Public Schools. The availability of this material is provided as a community service. Financial assistance is available.

A community veterans celebration remembering those who served!

When: November 6th, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Where: EHS Auditorium

Talbot County Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball League for boys & girls grades 1st - 8th. Practices begin the week of January 6th. Games begin January 11th. Registration - $85 per player. Scholarships are available. Register by December 5th.

2024 - 2025 Youth Sports Programs for Perkins Family and Easton Family YMCA

Indoor Soccer: Ages 2-11

· Season Runs January 11, 2025 - March 1, 2025 with Saturday practices and games

· Early Bird Registration runs October 7 - November 17: $75 Members / $100 Participants

· Standard Registration runs November 18 - December 18: $85 Members / $110 Participants

· Sponsors and Coaches needed. Discount may apply to registration fee with coaching commitment

Contact:

Perkins Family YMCA Programs:

Tracy Eutsler - teutsler@ymcachesapeake.org or

Jennifer Dean - perkinssports@ymcachesapeake.org

Easton Family YMCA Programs:

Bunky Murray - jmurray@ymcachesapeake.org

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE

The Talbot County Public Schools neither endorses nor sponsors the organization(s) or activity(ies) contained herein. The views contained herein are those of the author and are not necessarily shared by Talbot County Public Schools. The availability of this material is provided as a community service.

District Electronic Device and Magnetic Pouch Guidelines

Pilot Program at Easton Middle School

At TCPS, we are dedicated to creating a safe and conducive learning environment for our students while also ensuring the best possible conditions for our staff to support them. Following the successful implementation of an updated cell phone policy in 2022, we are excited to launch a next-step approach at Easton Middle School. Starting Monday, December 2, 2024, EMS will begin our pilot program with the Yondr Pouches. This pilot program was presented to the TCPS Board of Education during their October 14, 2024, work session.

During school hours, students will be required to secure all personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds, in locked Yondr pouches. Pouches will be numbered and assigned to all EMS students. Each student will be responsible for keeping their pouch in their possession (iPad case) throughout the day. At dismissal time, students will have access to unlocking magnets in order to unlock their pouches to retrieve their devices. Students will take their pouches home along with their iPads and cases.

Students are only allowed to possess or use personal electronic devices on school property or at school-sponsored events according to the following guidelines:

- Before school until the beginning of the school day and/or building entry.

- After school, after the student has exited the building.

- For medical purposes, supported by appropriate documentation provided to the school nurse.

In the event of a situation requiring communication from families to students or students to families, the school phones will be used. (410-822-2910) Our school staff will promptly assist students, parents, or other responsible adults with relaying important information.

In the case of a school emergency, our school administration and selected staff will have the ability to unlock student pouches using handheld portable magnets.

We know families will have many questions. The EMS Administrative Team is committed to continuous communication regarding the Yondr program. More information will be provided via our emailed communication, the EMS Gazette, and our daily morning announcements. Thank you for your continued support.

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:

• Special Education Teacher
• Behavior Counselor

• School Bus Driver | salary range: $23.51 - $31.77 per hour
• Alternative School Vehicle (Van) Driver
• School Bus Aide
• Instructional Assistant

With the new school year approaching, now is a great time to think abut safety. Join the 350 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.

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.

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