

February 27, 2025
TCPS Weekly Update

Upcoming Dates
February
- Black History Month
- Career and Technical Education Month
February 28 - Early Dismissal - Secondary Conferences/Elementary Teacher In-Service
February 28 - 7pm St. Michaels Musical Theatre presents Snow White and the Prince
March
- Music in Our Schools Month
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- National Women's History Month
March 1 - Spring Sports Begin
March 1 - 7pm St. Michaels Musical Theatre presents Snow White and the Prince
March 2 - 2pm St. Michaels Musical Theatre presents Snow White and the Prince
March 2 - Read Across America Day
March 3 - 8 - National School Social Worker Week
March 3 - Community Listening Session - Easton High
March 7 - 7pm St. Michaels Musical Theatre presents Snow White and the Prince
March 8 - 7pm St. Michaels Musical Theatre presents Snow White and the Prince
March 11 - Community Listening Session - St. Michaels Campus - NEW DATE
March 14 - NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DAY
March 14 - Early Dismissal - Elementary Conferences/Secondary Teacher In-Service
March 28 - End of Quarter
March 28 - Early Dismissal - PM Teacher Grading
April 16 - 22 - Spring Break - Schools Closed
This is the time of year when we can expect occasional delayed openings due to inclement weather or fog. The delay opening schedule can be found under the About - Schools tab on the TCPS website and is linked below.
Dr. Pepukayi's Update
FULL TEXT OF DR. PEPUKAYI'S FEBRUARY 27, 2025 UPDATE
Hello TCPS families!
March begins on Saturday and what a full month it is! The countdown to arrival of spring can begin, Woohoo!
Read Across America Day is celebrated on Sunday, March 2nd to celebrate literacy and encourage the love of reading. We can all participate by reading, volunteering or donating to a literacy organization or library.
Next week is National School Social Worker Week, highlighting the vital role schools social workers play in fostering connections, advocating for students and families, and providing resources for social and emotional growth. We’re grateful for the difference they make in ensuring all students thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
We had a great turnout at Easton Middle School for our Community Listening Session this week. I want to thank the families, staff, and students who joined us for meaningful dialogue about what's going well and opportunities for improvement. The next stop will be Monday, March 3rd at Easton High School–we look forward to seeing you.
As a reminder, tomorrow, February 28th, is an early dismissal day for students to allow for secondary conferences and elementary teacher in-service.
Have a great first weekend in March, and remember, it's always a great day for success at TCPS!
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The TCPS Blueprint Buzz—a newsletter designed to keep our students, staff, families, and community informed with the latest updates with Talbot County Public Schools' progress with Blueprint Implementation. Over the past year, we've been hard at work, and this newsletter issue offers a closer look at some of the local and statewide progress.
Community Listening Sessions
Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sharon Pepukayi and members of the Board of Education, invite the TCPS community to participate in upcoming Community Listening Sessions Easton High School on Monday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. and St. Michaels Campus on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m.
What: Teen Health Fair
Where: 510 Cadmus Ln. Easton, MD
When: Friday, February 28 from 1-4 p.m.
The Talbot County Health Department is generously hosting! There will be a free taco bar, games, swag and theatre gift cards and a chance to learn about important teen health issues and concerns!
SMMHS MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS - Snow White and the Prince!
STARTS THIS FRIDAY
Friday 2/28, 7pm
Saturday 3/1, 7pm
Sunday 3/2, 2pm
Friday 3/7, 7pm
Saturday 3/8, 7pm
Congratulations to Kendall Roberts, Special Education teacher at St. Michaels Elementary, for being named Acme Teacher of the Month! Mrs. Roberts is a dedicated educator who not only supports her students but also aids fellow teachers. This year, she has played a key role in assisting new 4th-grade teachers while co-teaching and co-planning. Thank you, Mrs. Roberts, for your hard work, leadership, and commitment to our students' success!
Deadline for submissions: Friday, February 28, 2025
Calling all K-8th artists and writers! Have you ever wanted to have your creative work published? Here’s your chance! For questions, please email Lyndsey Basham at Lbasham@talbotschools.org.
Deadline for submissions: Friday, March 7, 2025
Spindrift has become a yearly time capsule of our diverse student body’s voices and visual expression. Through the years we have captured visual artwork in countless media along with diverse written prose featuring excerpts in native languages to the passionate lyrics of our songwriters. High school students, pease consider submitting your artwork or writings to the 2025 edition, and feel free to reach out to our faculty advisors with any questions! The deadline is March 7, 2025.
TCPS Online Gallery Featuring Easton Middle Artists!
We are excited to feature this month’s TCEC lobby artwork by EMS students under the instruction of Visual Arts Teacher, Mr. Shawn Leffler!
Talbot County Public Schools Announces 2025-2026 NEW Student Registration
Registration will take place during school hours. Please call the school to schedule an appointment.
Easton Elementary: 410-822-0550
Chapel District Elementary: 410-822-2391
St. Michaels Elementary: 410-745-2882
Tilghman Elementary: 410-886-2391
White Marsh Elementary: 410-476-3144
Easton Middle: 410-822-2910
Easton High: 410-822-4180
St. Michaels Middle High: 410-745-2852
For information about needed documents and other requirements for registering, click on the link below.
The 2025 Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. Resource Guide is now available!
This guide provides a comprehensive list of behavioral health resources across Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties.
Come Explore with Us! ITCH (Introduction to Careers in Healthcare), a free program that introduces healthcare possibilities and pathways, is offering a new season of its FREE programming for middle and high schoolers with opportunities in Easton.
- Career Exploration
- Experiential Hands On
- Pathways to Success
- Internships
- Jobs
- Scholarships
- Careers
For more information and to register: https://www.itchmed.org/itch-in-action.
Space is limited!
Universty of Maryland Shore Health System Locations:
UM Shore Regional Health at Dorchester
UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown
UM Shore Medical Center at Easton
Third Thursday of each Month:
January 16 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
February 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
March 20 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
April 17 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
May 15 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
June 19 - Culminating Tour - Chesapeake College Health Science Simulation Center
Registration Deadlines for Parks & Recreation Winter Programming Approaching
Ice Skating Programs for All Skill Levels
Discover the joys of skating with a diverse array of winter ice programs at the Talbot County Community Center. Whether for beginners or advanced skaters, there’s a class tailored to every skill level:
- Learn to Skate: Introduces foundational skating skills in a supportive environment.
- Adult Ice Skating Lessons: It’s never too late to learn the basic skills of ice skating! Adult ice skating lessons are designed for beginners and include six 30-minute sessions.
- Jamie Webb Ice Hockey: Offers aspiring hockey players expert instruction and practice opportunities.
- Power Hockey Skate: Focuses on enhancing speed, strength, and control for intermediate skaters.
- Power and Edge Skate: Helps advanced skaters refine edge work and technique.
For more details on skating programs, visit talbotparks.com/programs/ice-skating.
Dance Through the Winter Season
Engage in creative movement and build confidence with winter dance classes. These sessions are tailored to nurture imagination and physical fitness:
- Tiny Toes / Preschool Ballet: Designed for ages 2-3, this class encourages motor skill development through music and dance with instructor Bri Garland from To the Pointe Dance Company.
- Hip Hop, Ballet Stories, and More: Winter sessions include fairytale ballet featuring Disney princesses, “Disney Grooves” Hip Hop, “Fairies” Ballet Stories, and “Disney Channel Favorites” Hip Hop, with classes available for ages 4-12.
For full class descriptions and registration details, visit talbotparks.com/programs/dance.
Drop-In Indoor Pickleball
For those seeking a fun, fast-paced activity this winter, drop-in indoor pickleball is the perfect choice. All skill levels are welcome, and no registration is required.
Pickleball sessions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For a full schedule and details, visit talbotparks.com/programs/pickleball.
Talbot County Public Schools neither endorses nor sponsors the organization(s) or activity(ies) contained herein. The views contained herein are those of the author and are not necessarily shared by Talbot County Public Schools. The availability of this material is provided as a community service.
Important Tax Credit Information from the Maryland Higher Education Commission
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the approaching tax season. Please take a moment to review important messages from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding federal tax credits that can significantly benefit individuals and families.
ARE YOU TALBOT READY?
Cashless Ticketing for Athletic Events
This year TCPS is going “cashless” for tickets for all of our athletic events using GoFan. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gate using a credit or debit card. GoFan accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Admission to all events at the Easton High and St. Michaels High Stadiums and Gymnasiums is $6 (children 6 and under are free). Cash payment will not be accepted at the gate.
Tickets can be purchased using the following links:
Join the parents, teachers, and students who have already made the important decision to enroll in SafeTime. The app is designed to both empower us all with a super easy social media integrated tool to alert the proper authorities if we see something suspicious, AND to raise student self-esteem via the creation and exposure to fun, positive messaging.
Safe Schools Maryland Anonymous Reporting System
Safe Schools Maryland - an ANONYMOUS and FREE reporting system available to students, teachers, school staff members, parents, and the general public to report any school or student safety concerns, including mental health concerns. Safe Schools Maryland operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Your anonymous report can be submitted by calling the tip line (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233), completing an online form (below), or downloading the free Safe Schools Maryland app from the App Store or Google Play.
SHORE LEGAL ACCESS
Shore Legal Access connects Eastern Shore individuals and families in need of legal representation with volunteer attorneys to ensure that justice truly is for all.
Talbot County Food Pantries
Free Medical Equipment Assistance in MD!
The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), Faith & Blue, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA) are collaborating on a new initiative. The program provides free medical equipment to residents of Maryland who are facing financial constraints. The available equipment includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats.
Details:
Free Equipment Available: Wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats
Free Delivery: Within Maryland, depending on distance
No Cost to Recipients
Simple Application Process
Contact Information: