Seahawk News

In honor of National Assistant Principals Week next week, we are so grateful for the role that Amanda Merillat plays in supporting all aspects of our school! One of her primary areas of focus is leading the special education team! Our team has developed strong relationships to help grow each other so that our students have the best experience possible! Courtney Simmon's role also supports all aspects of our school with her primary focus on the instructional leadership, coaching, and using data to help teachers support the learning! I love that they are part of my team, and I feel so blessed to have these two outstanding educators within our school family! I hope you can share in celebrating these two amazing educators and all they do to support all students at SES!

• Thank you to all the parents who signed up to present on Career Day! We look forward to an amazing day learning about your career! More to come from Ms. Walzer and Ms. Williams.
• Check out the updates in the Counselor's Corner and the Students of the Month for March!

• Sunderland Elementary Spring Picture Day will be Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Class photos will be taken, which means all the students will be photographed. Order forms for spring picturs will be sent home after Spring Break. Only students who place an order online or with the order form will be photographed individually.

• Our annual Art and Music show is coming up next week! Volunteers are needed for set up on April 7-9th from 9:30am to 3:30pm each day. We also need volunteers for clean up after the show on April 9th from 8:00-8:30pm. Please sign up via sign-up genius if you would like to help. If spots are full on a day you can volunteer, please contact Ms. Patten in the front office. We would love to have your help! Thank you!

  Sunderland FSO: Art Show Help 2025

• GATE From Melissa Sydnor:

In Math, grades 3-5, our focus has been on the questioning techniques of curriculum writers. We have been breaking down the iReady and MCAP problems to determine what the questions are about, what the solver needs to know and do with each question, as well as finding the why behind the wrong answers with proof derived from reasoning and modeling.

3rd grade ELA – Students have read and discussed the aerodynamics of crickets, why scientists would study such a topic, and generalized the pros and cons of using animals for research. Next week, we will read the comparison text about bumblebees to compare and contrast the two. We will also use AI to connect words to visual representations.

4th grade ELA – While comparing poetry, plays, and other forms of prose, we have interpreted visual information using AI sources.

5th grade ELA – Students read about mindsets, their importance and the fringe benefits of failure. Using multiple text sources, they were able to understand and write supporting information based on several prompts. After they completed their writing, they were able to apply their knowledge to “hot topics” through classroom led discussions.

• FROM CCPS:

On April 7th, 2025, the Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee (SSWAC) will be hosting its second quarter Public Input Session at 6:00 PM. The meeting will take place at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center in Prince Frederick, but participants may also join via Zoom. The meeting will also be streamed via Calvert County Government’s YouTube channel. Learn more about the event at https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=19440&month=4&year=2025&day=7&calType=0.

The purpose of the Public Input Session is to provide interested citizens an additional opportunity to come out and learn more about the Committee’s work. The Committee will present on its work during its second quarter, including a summary and analysis of speakers that have recently come before the Committee. The meeting will also feature a public comment period, allowing attendees to address the Committee directly. These comments will be taken into consideration as the Committee develops its policy recommendations. This session provides a valuable chance to gain insights into the SSWAC’s mission and ongoing efforts.

Find out more about the SSWAC at https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/sswac. For any questions regarding the meeting, please email SSWAC@CalvertCountyMD.gov.

REPEAT:

• Art and Music Bash is coming! We hope to see you for this annual event! See the flier below!

• Yearbook sales are still on! Click on the flier below to purchase! Deadline is April 16th.

• Special Education Parents: Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 14, 2025. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 30, 2025. The Survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com
• 5th Grade Parents: Calvert Yard Signs is offering a special yard sign for your Seahawk as they go to middle school! Click the flier below.

• 5th Grade Looking ahead: 5th grade Recognition/Picnic will be June 12th in the afternoon. Since this is an event where guests will be openly engaging with all students and interacting in activities, all guests must be approved volunteers.

• ALL students: Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 30th with the rain date on June 6th. Since this is an event where guests will be openly engaging with all students and interacting in activities, all guests must be approved volunteers. We do not have staffing to be able to manage a spectator only section so if you plan to attend, you must be an approved volunteer.

In School Events/Volunteers:

If you want to attend any IN-SCHOOL event such as VIP Day, Career Day, Field Day, field trip chaperones, etc you will need to be a registered approved volunteer. This is for safety of all students. Each of the special events that we have within our school day allows for you to engage with the students. You are not kept separated, instead, we have interactive activities and will need all adults (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) who plan to attend to be an approved volunteer. The process takes less than 10 minutes. Please register as a VOLUNTEER. Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

The following link includes events, activities, and opportunities for young people offered by organizations in the community.

These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/district-information/community-partnerships-and-engagement/community-events

Counselor’s Corner from Ms. Walzer and Ms. Williams: April 2025

Our character trait for the month of March is COURAGE! We held our character trait assemblies this week. During the assemblies, we introduced the newest character trait and recognized March’s Students of the Month. Our students of the month for March were selected by their teacher to demonstrate the character trait teamwork.

The Student of the Month for March:

• Pre. K.: Emma Carter, Bodhi Worrell, Leon Willett, Legend Morsell. Kindergarten: Liv Andelin, Madelynn Wilkinson, Hannah Cederberg, Madison Newman
• 1st grade: Elijah Stancil, Fae Demski, Grant Winchell, Ayanna Wells, Grace Isabella Araiza
• 2nd grade: Max Corrice, Nora Hayden, Addilyn King, Austin Raso, Stella LaBriola
• 3rd grade: Skylar Lugaila, Paxton Polak, Emmett Herbertson, Dean Hudson, and Team Williams
• 4th grade: Braedyn McIntosh, Lisa Albaugh, Nick Alexander, and Stella Costa
• 5th grade Colton Billhartz, Paisley Jarboe, Jacob Westman, Amora Gross and Ana Schmidt
• Related Arts Classes: Scarlett Briggs, Olivia Ledee, Teagan Mcduffie and Isaree Ikarintaragen

Our classroom counseling lessons in April will focus on calming strategies and coping skills when overcoming challenges. Each class will practice deep breathing techniques and be given various coping strategies to utilize and practice during their classroom lessons. In Pre-K. through 1st grade, we will read A Little Peaceful Spot. 2nd grade through 3rd grade we will read the A Little Emotion Coach. 4th grade through 5th grade will read A Little Calm Spot and discuss calming strategies when dealing with test taking and everyday stressors.

Career Day is scheduled for April 11th and we are so excited to have our families and community members share insightful information about your amazing careers!

Each year, SES joins with Friendship Community Baptist Church for our HeartFELT (Filling Empty Little Tummies) program. The HeartFELT program provides qualifying students with meals and snacks each weekend. If you would like more information or would like your child to participate in the HeartFELT program, please contact your counselor to sign up.

Courtney Williams - School Counselor, Last Names A-K

williamscr@calvertnet.k12.md.us

443-550-9474

Danielle Walzer - School Counselor, Last Names L-Z

walzerd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

443-550-9387

SES FSO Website: FSO | Sunderland Family Student Organization (FSO | United States

Calendar

Mar 24th - 28th , Book Fair (BOGO)**

Apr 1st 6-7pm, FSO Meeting**

April 9th- Art and Music Show

April 25th and 26th - Drama Club Performance

April 30th 5-7pm, Military Family Dinner## (updated)

May 6th 6-7pm, FSO Meeting**

May 5th - 9th, Teacher Appreciation Week

June 3rd 6-7pm, FSO Meeting - Elections**

Board Members

Serena Hight, President

Niki Moore, Treasurer

Hannah Stanislawski, Secretary

Toni Crabb, Grade Level Representative

Sally Wolfe, Staff Liaison

• Daily Car Riders must complete the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/UtcfJihh7H
• This information will be used for Tuesday's sign out. This form is to be completed for those who will be Daily Car Riders only. By listing adults to pick up, you are giving that adult permission to pick up your student. We encourage all students to ride the bus.
• Please tell your child that they will NOT have their name called. They are to dismiss when they hear Daily Car Riders are dismissed. This list will be shared with the teachers, too.
• Please have your ID at all times when entering the school to pick up your student. You will need to have your ID out to show the staff, even if we know you!
• Daily Car Riders: One adult will be expected to come into the cafeteria to sign out their Daily Car Rider student(s). We will open the exterior cafeteria door at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) to allow for students to be signed out. Promptly at 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), Daily Car Riders will be called to the cafeteria. You and your child will exit. When you sign in, you will be given a card signifying how many students you are picking up. You will turn in your card as you leave the cafeteria. If an adult is not present by 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), the student will be sent home on their assigned bus.
• If your child is a bus rider and needs to be picked up due to an appointment, please arrive at the front office before 3:45PM (1:45PM on Early Dismissal Days).Our office staff and duty staff start preparing for Daily Car Riders and bus dismissal at 3:55PM (1:55PM on Early Dismissal Days) We have a 10 minute bus window to dismiss between 600-700 students so we will need to keep our focus on the dismissal process.
  
• We will permit Non-Daily Car Riders but we are still not able to accommodate Drop in, Surprise Car Riders. For Non-Daily Car Riders, you MUST send a paper note, NOT AN EMAIL, with your child, EACH day that you plan for them to be a car rider. Please let your child know that they must dismiss with the Daily Car Riders at 4:05PM when announced. We will NOT call individual students down for dismissal. Please do not send a note saying “every Tuesday” instead, send a note every Tuesday. We can not expect teachers to keep up with all students’ special request schedules. We ask that you send a paper note each day because there could be a sub in the class instead of the teacher.
  

EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleaned out and you must reapply. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.

Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:

Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• Morning Arrival Window: 9:15AM -9:25AM
• Instructional School Day - 9:25AM – 4:05PM
• Afternoon Dismissal Window: 4:05PM car riders; 4:10-4:20PM Bus Riders
• School Colors - Blue and White – Friday Spirit Days- Classes are assigned a Flock color as well. More to come on that!
• School Mascot/Motto -“SPIRIT” the Seahawk -Sunderland Promotes Integrity Responsibility Independence and Trust

• Art and Music Bash is coming! We hope to see you for this annual event! See the flier below!

• Yearbook sales are still on! Click on the flier below to purchase! Deadline is April 16th.

• Congratulations to Melissa Sydnor, GATE teacher, on the arrival of her new granddaughter. Baby Stella arrived this week and we look forward to meeting her!

• Special Education Parents: Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 14, 2025. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 30, 2025. The Survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com
• 5th Grade Parents: Calvert Yard Signs is offering a special yard sign for your Seahawk as they go to middle school! Click the flier below.

• Career Day Presenters Needed: On Friday, April 11, 2025, Sunderland Elementary will host Career Day! This is an amazing opportunity for our students to become more aware of the world of work and see the many different career choices of parents, family, and members of our community. Here's the link to sign up to present: https://forms.office.com/r/DQjBaV6RnX.

  
  We invite you to participate as a CAREER DAY PRESENTER! There will be multiple rotations within the same grade. Presentations should be interactive, and we ask that you share information about your daily work activities, education needed, related careers within your field, and anything else you believe may be of interest to the students. Please keep in mind that students are between the ages of 4 to 11 (you will be assigned accordingly based on the career). You are welcome to bring videos, handouts, brochures, etc. Computers and internet will be available for your use.
  
  Please be aware that due to scheduling, you may or may not present to your own child’s class.
  
  We would love to have a variety of careers represented (trades, agriculture, public safety, IT, business, health services, etc.) and we need your help! If you, or a family member, are interested in being a Career Day Presenter, please complete the attached form and return it to school by Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (Please indicate AM, 9:30-11:15 or PM, 2:00-3:45 preference). If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact me directly. COME AND HAVE SOME FUN! Thank you for all your support! **Please note: All presenters MUST be approved volunteers!**

• 5th Grade Looking ahead: 5th grade Recognition/Picnic will be June 12th in the afternoon. Since this is an event where guests will be openly engaging with all students and interacting in activities, all guests must be approved volunteers.

• ALL students: Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 30th with the rain date on June 6th. Since this is an event where guests will be openly engaging with all students and interacting in activities, all guests must be approved volunteers. We do not have staffing to be able to manage a spectator only section so if you plan to attend, you must be an approved volunteer.

In School Events/Volunteers:

If you want to attend any IN-SCHOOL event such as VIP Day, Career Day, Field Day, field trip chaperones, etc you will need to be a registered approved volunteer. This is for safety of all students. Each of the special events that we have within our school day allows for you to engage with the students. You are not kept separated, instead, we have interactive activities and will need all adults (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) who plan to attend to be an approved volunteer. The process takes less than 10 minutes. Please register as a VOLUNTEER. Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ø Director of Student Services

Ø Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

************************************************

Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that they have been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.