Aviator Update #9

Dear Duke Families,

As we wrap up our fundraiser, we are thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Thanks to your incredible support and generosity, we have not only met but exceeded our fundraising goal of $20,000.

This also means that our staff will get to treat your children to our 2nd "Masked Singer/Dancer Extravaganza". We can't wait!!!! If you want to see a preview from a performance from 2022-2023, please click here. Trust me, it's worth the watch! (Thank you Ms. Byrnes and Ms. Redman for allowing me to share!)

Here are some key highlights and updates:

1. 🥁Fundraiser Total: Together, we have raised a total of $33,955! We are profoundly humbled at your generosity. We still can't believe that number!
2. 🎉Impact: Your donations will go directly toward making Duke the best place to learn (and teach) in St. Mary's County. The profits from the event will be split between the school and the PTA, but will ultimately all go back to serving your children. We are over-the-moon excited for the new sound and projector system for our cafetorium, and our teachers are ecstatic for the funds that will be designated for their classrooms!
3. 🙌THANK YOU: We want to extend a BIG thank you to our volunteers who played a crucial role in making this fundraiser a resounding success (especially you, Mrs. Marcum). Your dedication to our school community is deeply appreciated!

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word. Your involvement has made a tremendous difference and showcases the strength of our school community! I'm so proud to be an Aviator.

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Oct 14-18 - Digital Citizenship Week
• Mon, Oct 14 - Two Hour Early Release/Family Conferences
• Tues, Oct 15 - Conscious Discipline Parent and Childcare Provider Workshop
• Wed, Oct 16 - Unity Day - Wear Orange!
• Fri, Oct 18 - Two Hour Early Release
• Fri, Oct. 25: End of 1st Marking Period
• Oct. 25-31- Red Ribbon Spirit Week
• Mon, Oct 28 - PTA Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat
• Oct 21-25 - Bus Driver Appreciation & Transportation Safety Week

Fridays are School Spirit Days

Wear Red, White and/or Blue or an CWFDES Shirt!

Wednesday is National Unity Day. Schools all over the country will be wearing orange to stand up against Bullying. We are encouraging all students, staff, and community to wear orange to send a visible message to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Visit https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp for more information about Unity Day.

Join us in promoting a healthy, positive approach to technology use!

• Supporting Your Child's Online Safety & Growth
• For Families & Parental Controls

Please consider sharing these social emotional learning and digital citizenship conversation starters in the car, at the table or at another time you can have a connection to learn more about your child and guide them to the best version of themselves:

• Resource for Pre-K - 2nd grade
• Resource for 3rd-5th grade

Sharing time with your student discussing such important thing can lead to a calmer, more confident child.

Congratulations to the following students:

• Adeline Aina

• Norah Dyson

• Henry Hines

• Greta Isom

• Cade Kuta

• Marina Melrose

Check our Nutrislice Webpage to:

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

• Monday, October 7
• Tuesday, October 8
• Wednesday, October 9
• Thursday, October 10
• Friday, October 11

As we approach the cooler months, nighttime temperatures have dropped significantly, which means our buildings may feel quite cool in the mornings, even though we're not yet ready to turn on the boilers and switch to heat. Given these fluctuating temperatures over the coming weeks, we encourage everyone to dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is recommended to ensure comfort throughout both the warmer and cooler parts of the day.

Once the forecast indicates that nighttime temperatures will consistently fall below 45 degrees and daytime temperatures remain below 55 degrees, we will begin the two-day process of transitioning our school climate control systems from cooling mode to heating mode for the rest of the season. This change typically occurs by October 15th each year; however, we may postpone this switch if extended forecasts suggest a streak of warm weather ahead.

Monday, October 14, is a two-hour early release for students. SMCPS has designated the two-hour afternoon block (1:30-3:30 pm) for Family/Teacher Conferences.

Due to the limited timeframe, teachers will reach out to students’ families only if they feel a conference is necessary. If you do not receive a communication from your child’s teacher by Tuesday, October 8, but would like to discuss your student’s progress, please contact the classroom teacher. Family/teacher conferences can be scheduled anytime throughout the school year!

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.

There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in your school or department!

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 18, 2024) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will host FREE drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for children ages six months to 18 years. No appointments are necessary.
Clinics have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
Great Mills High School

• Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

St. Mary’s County Health Hub

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SMCHD Main Office in Leonardtown

• Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

“Annual flu vaccinations are the most effective tool we have for preventing infection and serious illness from seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We hope parents will take advantage of these convenient drive-thru clinics to get their children vaccinated and help us prevent influenza complications in our community. Local pharmacies and medical practices are also offering flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.”

For more information about seasonal flu, please visit smchd.org/flu.

Within the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. In order for students to have access to "additional services," the form granting your student access must be completed.

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

Ms. Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Mr. Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

We welcome your questions and inquiries. Please call 240-309-4658, refer to the SMCPS Website, or our CWFDES website for additional information.

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