Aviator Updates

Happy Super Bowl Sunday, Aviator Families!

We will be celebrating "Random Acts of Kindness" all week long here at Duke Elementary. We will kick-off each day with a kindness meditation during our Duke Morning News. We will "Chalk the Wall" with kind messages out at recess and have students be on the lookout for random acts of kindness throughout the week. We want to celebrate our students showing next-level kindness on Friday with some "Music and Movement" to end our week on a high note!

Please consider chatting with your student(s) about acts of kindness they've shared and received this week.

All the best,

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Feb 12-16 - Kindness Week (see flyer below)
• Mon, Feb 19- No School; Presidents' Day
• Fri, Mar 1 - Professional Day, No School for Students

Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority at Duke Elementary. As such, I'd like to remind all parents who participate in the carpool system to drive with heightened awareness and caution, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times.

It has come to our attention that some instances of careless driving have occurred within our school vicinity, posing protentional risks to children who walk or bike to school.

By driving safely and attentively, we can collectively ensure the well-being of all our students! #NoNeedForSpeed

The Maryland School Report Card provides information about our school's performance for the 2022-2023 school year. You can find a link to our school's SY23 report card by visiting the Quick Links on our school's website. In addition, you can view the January 11 presentation to the Board of Education about system-wide data or visit www.smcps.org/about-us for additional information. Here is a direct link to Duke's Report Card.

We are only 0.76% away from our overall ADA goal of 94% by the end of February. We are confident that we will meet that goal, and we're looking forward to DUCK TAPING a staff member to the wall during lunch at the end of the month. Thank you for your help with getting your kids to school daily.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is offering a series of Conscious Discipline workshops to Pre-Kindergarten families, Kindergarten families, and local childcare providers.

Participants will learn how to implement effective routines that utilize strategies based on brain science to foster self-regulation skills. These live virtual evening sessions will allow you to interact with a Conscious Discipline Master Instructor from the comfort of your home from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Please select this link for dates and registration information.

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.

• 2/20/24 Chicken Quesadilla (we have some Cheese and Beef burritos)

• 2/27/24 Corn Dog Nuggets (we have some Beef Rib Q)

• Monday, February 5
• Tuesday, February 6
• Wednesday, February 7
• Thursday, February 8
• Friday, February 9

Capture this year's school memories by ordering your yearbook TODAY!

Click here to order yours today.

3rd Grade

MCAP ELA: April 15, 17, 22, 24

MCAP Math: April 29, May 1, 6, 8

4th Grade

NAEP: February 27 (more information coming)

MCAP ELA: April 16, 18, 23, 25

MCAP Math: April 30, May 2, 7, 9

5th Grade

MISA Science: March 12 and 14

MCAP ELA: April 16, 18, 23, 25

MCAP Math: April 30, May 2, 7, 9

Evening Counseling: SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.

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