Talbot County Public Schools

June 19: Juneteenth

June 21: Summer Programs Begin!

July 21: Board of Education Meeting

August 30: First Day of 2021-22 School Year!

TCPS recognizes Juneteenth and we are excited to see it added as a National Observation. The new holiday will be taken into consideration when reviewing next year’s school calendar.

Beginning next Monday 6/21 children attending summer school will receive breakfast and lunch at school Monday through Thursday. On Thursday they will take home one day meal bags with breakfast and lunch for Fridays.

Thursday evening meal distribution will continue at White Marsh Elementary, Chapel District Elementary, Easton Elementary, Tilghman Elementary, and St. Michaels Middle High School. Easton Elementary School will now be the only distribution site in Easton. These meal bags will include breakfast and lunch for 5 days.

Since 2016, Talbot County Public Schools has been celebrating and thanking Community Partners at an annual breakfast prepared by the district’s Culinary Arts Program. A District Community Partner of the Year is recognized, as well as a partner of the year for each school and one for the Internship Program. This year, Dr. Griffith and school Administrators visited each recipient personally to deliver their awards and breakfast baskets prepared by the culinary students, and shared testimonials about how the partnerships made a difference in the lives of students and staff.

“We realize that we cannot not do what we do without the support of our community,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “Our community partners give so much to our students and staff, so every year we take time out to give back and thank them for all that they do.”

Ms. Amanda Priestly-Callis presented Service Star Awards to SMMHS seniors!

Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, presented the latest changes to the Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements (COMAR13A.03.02) to the Talbot County Board of Education at their June meeting.

In May, the Maryland State Board of Education approved revisions to COMAR13A.03.02, which outlines the Graduation Requirements for Public High Schools in Maryland. The following changes have been approved by MSDE:

Graduation Requirements

· The number of credits required to graduate will increase from 21 to 22 for the incoming 9th grade class (Class of 2025). This was an existing graduation requirement for Talbot County Public Schools.

· The number of mathematics credits required will increase from three to four.

· Students will now be required to earn a full credit in Health instead of the half credit previously required.

· Computer science and engineering will be added to the subject of Technology Education.

· The Advanced Technology course will be deleted as an option for meeting graduation requirements. TCPS has already phased out advanced technology while expanding Career and Technical offerings for students.

In addition, the credits required for science must include courses in life science, physical science, and a course that integrates earth/space science.

State assessments for English, Algebra, Science and Government will move from stand-alone assessments that students must take and pass, to end of course assessments which count as 20% of the final grade beginning in 2022-2023. Taking the assessment in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 will meet the graduation requirement.

The MSDE also acted to adopt a College Ready State Endorsement and a

Career and Technical State Endorsement for diplomas.

According to Dr. Einhorn, “All of these changes will necessitate us making revisions to our Program of Study.” She noted that, “I am working on these changes so we can advise incoming 9th graders and their families this summer and incorporate a review of these changes as a component of our 9th grade orientations and Back-to-School activities.”

Spindrift, the TCPS Literary Arts Magazine was unveiled June 15th in an online Zoom celebration. Students read their work and shared the creative process of putting the magazine together. View the 2021 SPINDRIFT PUBLICATION