Aviator Updates

Hello Aviator Families,

Monday, October 2 is Building Service Worker Appreciation Day. The dedication of our BSW team keeps our school running smoothly and their efforts make our learning environment safe and pleasant. We are grateful and fortunate to have this amazing team at CWFDES:

• Mr. Jeffrey Spears, Building Services Manager
• Mr. Ronnie Talbot, Building Services Assistant Manager
• Mr. David Bowles

Reminder: Deadline to complete the AUP Form is TODAY (10/1). All students are REQUIRED to have an acceptable use policy agreement (AUP) on file. PARENTs/GUARDIANs of each student must complete this form. Students whose families do not sign the AUP will lose access to Google apps necessary for 21st-century learning.

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Sun, Oct 1 - TODAY - AUP Due for all students

• Mon, Oct 2 - Building Service Worker Appreciation Day

• Mon, Oct 9 - Asynchronous Virtual Instruction Day & 2-HR Early Dismissal - Parent Conference Day: Students will work independently at home on work assigned by their teacher. Students may bring home their laptops to participate in virtual learning. Stay tuned for more information from your child's teachers.

• Wed, Oct 10 - Fire Prevention Assemblies

• Wed, Oct 11 - Fall Picture Day

• Oct 23 - 27: Red Ribbon Week
  

• Wed, Oct 18 - Unity Day, Wear Orange

• Fri, Oct 20 - Wear LHS Raiders (Homecoming) or CWFDES Spirit Wear

• Fri, Oct 20 - Two Hour Early Release

• Fri, Oct 27 -Two-Hour Early Release and PTA Trunk or Treat Event

During our Boosterthon Fundraiser, Duke spun the "Wheel of Misfortune" and it landed on "Human Ice Cream Sundae". Because we crushed our goal of $20,000 (and actually earned $30,000), our front office team volunteered to become a banana split sundae. Our top 10 student-earners were the ice cream artists and they decked us out with whip cream, chocolate & caramel sauce and sprinkles in front of the entire student body. To see the footage, check out Friday's Duke Morning News (linked below).

If you have old matchbox cars that you wouldn't mind donating, our Pre-K class will gladly take them off your hands! They are creating "Name Parking Lots" and they need "Letter Cars" to park! Thank you!

Please see the attached safety patrol application that is available to our fourth and fifth grade students. Please make note of the return date. Applications should be printed, signed, and returned to classroom teachers by Friday, October 13th. If you need a printed copy sent home, please email your child's teacher.

Information about the Program:

The AAA School Safety Patrol Program assists students by providing leadership and citizenship experiences for our patrol and a safe environment for children in our school. Being a member of the safety patrol means students would be:

• Reminding schoolmates of bus/school expectations

• Reporting safety issues to staff member(s) and/or bus drivers

Each student who would like to apply to be a safety patrol member will need to fill out the application that follows. Being in the safety patrol is a privilege and requires responsibility. Students are expected to demonstrate SOARing behaviors in the classroom and throughout the schoolhouse for the duration of the school year.

Click here for a paper version of the application/permission slip (print).

Captain W.F. Duke Elementary School
10/11/2023

Skip the Order Form!

Click Here to PreOrder: Online Code: captwfd23

Questions? (800) 869-9515 x112

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.

[Current] Menu Changes for this week:

• 10/2~10/6 Turkey and Cheese Lunchable

• Monday, September 25
• Tuesday, September 26
• Wednesday, September 27
• Thursday, September 28 (featuring pig kissing)
• Friday, September 29 (featuring human banana split sundae)

Save the Date: This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!

Impact Aid Forms: Our schools are heavily impacted by federally connected students – those parents/guardians who work on federal property in Maryland, live on federal property in Maryland, and/or are active duty military personnel. Because of this impact, we receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools and enrich school programs. To receive these funds, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires us to survey each student to determine eligibility.

SMCPS is encouraging all parents/guardians to please take the time to access and complete the Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.

Online Emergency Information Update Messaging: 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.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), in coordination with MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (MSMH) and the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), is offering drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for St. Mary’s County residents. Select the links to read the Joint Press Release and visit the SMCHD website.

There will be no school-located flu clinics provided at the public schools this year, so parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their child to one of these locations for flu vaccinations.

Information is forthcoming regarding additional drive-thru flu vaccine clinics that the health department is organizing at different locations throughout the county for individuals 18 years of age and younger.

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!

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