Talbot County Public Schools

September: Suicide Prevention Month

September 13-17: Arts in Education Week

September 15- October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 30: Webinar "What Parents Need To Know About Teen Addiction and the Addiction Cycle

October 1: Early Dismissal - parent-teacher conferences

October 13: FARMS Applications Due for Gift Card Drawing

October 15: FARMS Gift Card Winners Announced

October 20: Board of Education Meeting

TCPS participates in the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program for grades 3-12.

“Be-A-Link Save-A-Life”

It’s OK To Ask 4 Help”

Help Is Just A Phone Call Away

1-800-273-8255

We Are Waiting For Your Call

Chapel District Principal Dr. Kari Clow, Assistant Principal Amy Palmer, and teacher Becky Crawford updated the Board on 2021-22 Chapel District initiatives and goals during the Board Work Session. "Here Comes the Sun" is the Chapel District theme for the 2021-22 school year and Dr. Clow presented CDES themed beach towels and sunglasses to Board Members.

The Board of Education recognized students who have achieved the status of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar through their performance on AP exams during their September meeting. AP exams are scored on a 5-point scale, with many colleges and universities granting credits for scores of 3, 4 or 5. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam indicates that a student is considered “qualified” for college credit and capable of being successful in a college level introductory course in the particular content area.

There are 3 levels of AP Scholar, with definitions as follows:

AP Scholar with Distinction – Average score of 3.5 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams

AP Scholar with Honor – Average score of 3.25 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on four or more Exams

AP Scholar – Score of 3 or higher on three or more exams.

Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction shared performance trends in AP testing over the past seven years, in addition to data for the 2020-2021 school year. A total of 359 students took at least one of the Advanced Placement tests given last year. Of the 538 tests taken, 242 or 45% earned a qualifying score of 3 or above.

“I would like to highlight an important aspect of our AP data this year,” said Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction during her presentation. “While we still have work to do in ensuring commensurate enrollment by race in our AP programs, we did see an increase overall in the number of students of color who enrolled and took AP exams last year. This is a result of our district racial equity focus over time as well as our partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools. This will continue to be a priority to make sure we are fostering higher-level course opportunities for all students.”

“Given the immense challenges of last year, TCPS should be proud of the number of students who continued to challenge themselves to do higher level coursework and who were successful in earning qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement exams,” Dr. Einhorn concluded.

The following members of the Class of 2022 earned Advanced Placement Scholar Recognition:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Victoria Batley, David Beakley

AP Scholar with Honor: Calvin Davis, Rachel Davis, Harrison Fike, Desmond Fitzroy, Julia Fitzroy, Sophie Leight, Anna Lesher, Mariana Parkinson

AP Scholar: William Burgess, Riyanna Desai, Ahmed Ezzaki, David Gardner, Chiara Kalinski, Gregory Meredith, Emily Middleton, Liam Nuthall, James O’Connor, Madeline Principe, Spencer Rada, Ava Reid, Stevie Shaak, Zachary Spofford, Elaina Steinly

The following students are Talbot County Public Schools’ Advanced Placement Scholars for the

Class of 2021:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Luke Adelman, Andre Davis, Elizabeth Harris, Giselle Harris, Matthew Herron, Molly Johnson, Carter Kelly, Kristin Lednum, Maxwell McCall, Naiset Perez, Catherine Toby

AP Scholar with Honor: Lillianna Ball, Jadon Cornish, Jane DeLashmutt, Logan Devaric, Van Arden Dukehart, Molly Fullerton, William Haufe, Madelyn LaBelle, Vladislav Rada, Cindy Rodriguez, Hannah Seek

AP Scholar: Karli Abbott, Owen Baum, Henry Booth, Thomas Brennan, Chloe Briner, Katherine Chapple, James DeLauder, Michael Disilvestro, Emily Dobson, Bradley Duley, Daniela Garcia, Julia Hammons, Bree Haufe, Julie Ireland, Nicolas Lopez, Andrew Matsche, Sarah Mooney, Madeline Morrell, Charles Mueller, Lukas Nilsen, Zoe Pochron, Reid Roach, Anna Roser, Raffaele Verteramo

Senior Joel Duah will represent Easton High School as a Student Board of Education member for the 2021-2022 school year.

St. Michaels Middle High School Senior Macy Motovidlak has been appointed to represent her school as a Student Board of Education member for the 2021-2022 school year.

Easton High School Senior Joel Duah and St. Michaels High School Senior Macy Motovidlak will represent their schools as members of the Talbot County Board of Education for the 2021-2022 school year. The students were chosen following an application and interview process, and were officially sworn in during the September Board Meeting.

“We are so thrilled to have our new student Board members join us,” said Board of Education President Susan Delean-Botkin. “They provide the Board an intimate look at the daily life of our high school students, and provide input on student concerns and successes.”

Macy Motovidlak has demonstrated leadership in the classroom at St. Michaels Middle High and through her extra-curricular activities. She has been active in the Student Government Association, currently serving as President, and is a member of the Students Helping Other People (SHOP) Interact Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Biomedical Engineering Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Macy has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll. She is also active in athletics, earning recognition as MVP of the Varsity Field Hockey team as well as playing Varsity Basketball.

Macy expects to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Allied Health Studies from Chesapeake College in May of 2022 in addition to her high school diploma. Her long-term goal is to become an Emergency Room Physician.

“I am honored to be able to represent St. Michaels as a whole; the student body, athletes, and the community, and help to make a positive impact on education.”

After graduation from Easton High School, Joel Duah plans to attend college and also hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. Joel is a high achiever in both academics and athletics. He holds a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society, has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school, and is a Carson Scholar. He is President of Brothers Entering Success Together (BEST) and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joel is also a member of the Varsity Football team and the Indoor and Outdoor Track teams.

"I want to thank the staff of Easton High School, the Board, and Dr. Griffith for this opportunity,” Joel said. “I feel honored to be granted this opportunity, for now, we have the potential to work together to serve everyone in the county.”

Maryland State Board of Education and Department of Education Gains Approval on Masking Requirement to Help Keep Schools Open and Safe; School Indoor Masking Requirement Aligned with CDC Recommendations

BALTIMORE, MD (September 14, 2021) – In support of continuing efforts to keep students and school staff safe and ensure schools remain open for in-person learning during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Maryland State Board of Education, together with the Maryland State Department of Education, today received approval of a statewide masking requirement for all public schools.

Following public testimony today, the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee approved the emergency regulation, which will be in effect for 180 days.

The emergency regulation requires any person inside a public school facility to wear a face covering, with certain exemptions in place. Aligned with all available health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health, the new regulation is necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Maryland public schools, prevent school closures, and limit the number of students required to quarantine out of the classroom.

“Our foremost priority as a Board is always the safety of everyone in our school buildings - we take the health and safety of students and school staff in every part of our State very seriously,” said Board President Clarence C. Crawford. “Circumstances require the need for a universal, statewide approach to masking in schools to keep our school communities safe and give every one of Maryland’s students the opportunity to learn in-person with as few interruptions as possible.”

“Masking inside schools helps protect our students, teachers and school staff as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury. “It is critical that all school systems follow this emergency law, and immediately implement face covering requirements as one of several layered public health strategies to keep schools open and safe.”

Currently, nearly all, 22 of 24, local school systems require face coverings inside schools; local systems may establish and implement further masking policies and procedures in addition to the minimum requirements outlined in the emergency regulation. The new regulation will be enforced immediately.

Congratulations to St. Michaels Elementary teacher Mrs. Kelly Coutts for being recognized as the September Giant Teacher of the Month!

Information about the Fall administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessments (MCAP) is linked below for your review. More details will be forthcoming from your child's school.

Please fill out the 2021-22 Free & Reduced Meal Form. While all students will receive a free breakfast and lunch during the 2021-22 school year, qualifying families are eligible for additional programs and benefits. Please turn forms into your school office and contact your school counselor if you have any questions.

TCPS office of Student Services and Addictions Specialist Madison Elliott will moderate a Webinar: "What Parents Need to Know About Teen Addiction and the Addiction Cycle" on September 30, 2021. To register: https://talbotschools.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TfA6SqWWRvO6xwRUFCUyeQ

SAFE CONVENIENT EFFECTIVE

Need to throw away old/expired prescriptions? TCPS is offering Deterra at your child’s school! The pouches will be given to parents upon request and picked up by the parent.

Three easy steps to disposing of your prescription meds away!

1. Tear open pouch and place unused medicines inside

2. Fill pouch halfway with warm water and wait 30 seconds

3. Seal pouch tightly, gently shake and dispose of the pouch in normal trash

Families who live in the Easton Utilities service area AND qualify for Free and Reduced Meals may apply for a special FREE program sponsored by Easton Utilities, TCPS and the TCPS Education Foundation. Apply by filling out this: form:

https://tcpsforms.org/view.php?id=19463

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:

• Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

For more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit and to find out if you qualify check the website: https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics are every Wednesday from 12 PM to 6 PM

At the Talbot County Health Department

100 S Hanson St.

Easton, MD 21601

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson available at every clinic

WALK INS ARE WELCOME

Please call 410-819-5641 for assistance

COVID-19 Testing: Monday -Friday from 9 AM to 2:30 PM

Talbot Business Center

900 Glebe Rd

Easton, MD 21601

Appointments Required

Call: 410-819-5632 to Schedule

Bring your card if you have Health Insurance

Drive-up and stay in your car.

We can help with providing resources for the following: food insecurity, registration, obtaining school records, proof of residency, referral to free legal advice, mental health services, and more. CLICK FOR DETAILS