Aviator Updates

Hello Duke Aviator Families,

It was an absolute joy to see so many of you at our Santa Fly-In Event this past Friday. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our amazing PTA who never cease to amaze us with their ability to put on fun & festive events for our students and families to enjoy.

We look forward to seeing all the Holiday SPIRIT this week (see themes below) and welcoming students with festive music as they enter the building. Friday is our last day together until schools reopen on Tuesday, January 2. You will receive the next Aviator Update on Sunday, December 31st. Please accept our heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy winter break.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2024!

Warm regards,

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Dec 11: Last day to donate towards our Toy Drive (more info below)
• Dec 11: Spirit Night @ Ledo's Pizza from 4-8
• Dec 11 - 15: Winter Spirit Week (see flier below for details)
• Dec 16 - Jan 1: Winter Break
• Tues, Jan 2: Schools reopen for students

The PTA surveyed Duke Staff and put together a list of "Favorite Things". They asked that I share it in the newsletter in case any families were interested. Here is the link!

Click here for the Menu. Due to supply chain issues, menu changes occur. We recognize that the decision to bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from school is often dependent on the menu.

• Monday, December 4th
• Tuesday, December 5th
• Wednesday, December 6th
• Thursday, December 7th
• Friday, December 8th

It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week! Flu can be wild for kids — but a flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, flu related hospitalization, and death. There’s still time to get your child vaccinated — talk to their health care provider. For more on flu: https://bit.ly/3sBiHS4

NED's Mindset Mission is a character education program that centers around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best. During the assembly, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor and yo-yo tricks.

Select the links below to learn about available resources in our area.

• Current List of Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens in St. Mary's County
• Local Resources for Children, Youth, and Families in St. Mary's County

Calendar Survey - School Year 2024-2025: The SMCPS Calendar Committee is seeking input in the development of the 2024-2025 school year calendar. Please respond to this Calendar Survey to provide your input.

• Direct Link to survey-- https://bit.ly/SMCPS24calendar

I am so pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 Annual SMAMUN Conference is now open! Our SMAMUN Conference will take place on Friday, February 9th, 2024 and Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at Leonardtown High School and is open to any SMCPS student from 5th to 12th grade. Participants will enjoy exciting exposure to and deliberation on a variety of major real-world issues from across the globe, all through warm collaboration with fellow SMCPS students.

• SMAMUN Website: https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/smamun/home
• SMAMUN Commercial: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mIreZPPxUOy69YbNeIqeGw444g08fH2S/view?usp=sharing

In implementing the requirements and reform initiatives associated with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, St. Mary’s County Public Schools is inviting stakeholders to learn about each pillar of the Blueprint, its requirements, and current status. As part of the Town Hall sessions, stakeholders will be able to ask questions of staff and provide input in responding to the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of the Blueprint.

• Pillar 1: Early Childhood Education - Tue, November 7, 2023

• Pillar 4: Resources for Student Success - Tue, December 5, 2023

• Pillar 3: College and Career Readiness - Thur, February 8, 2024

• Pillar 2: High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders - Tue, March 12, 2024

All sessions will be held at 6 PM at the Dr. J. A . Forrest Career and Technology Center, and will be livestreamed at www.smcps.org/streaming.

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