Aviator Updates

Hello Duke Families,

Tomorrow isn't just any ordinary day; it's the 100th day of school! 🎉 Our Duke Aviators are officially crossing the 100-day mark, and you know what that means – they're 100 days smarter! 💯 Join us in celebrating this milestone as we reflect on the incredible journey of learning and growth.

All the best,

Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

• Mon, Feb 5- 100th Day of School
  
• Tues, Feb 6- Report Card Distribution
• Fri, Feb 9- Two Hour Early Release
• Mon, Feb 19- No School; Presidents' Day
• Fri, Mar 1 - Professional Day, No School for Students

Marking Period 2 Standards-Based Report Cards will be available on the Home Access Center [HAC] on Tuesday, February 6.

• LINK: Directions for Accessing Report Cards from Home Access Center
• LINK: Elementary Standards Based Reporting

If you have questions or need your login information, please contact Stephanie Magill (samagill@smcps.org).

Teachers will email narrative reports to parents/guardians on Tuesday, February 6.

Please join me in recognizing Ms. Osborne for the help and support she provides for our Duke Aviators! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU Ms. Osborne! Happy National School Counseling Week!

National School Counseling Week highlights the positive impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. The 2024 theme is "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused."

-American School Counselor Association

Each February we celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month was instituted to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. History. In honor of Black History Month, our students will hear announcements highlighting the inspirational stories and contributions of African Americans.

This year's theme for Black History Month is "African Americans and the Arts," which includes visual arts, music, dance, media art, theater, and more. Visit the February 2024 page of the Equity for All SMCPS Website.

SMCPS Press Release: The Board of Education of St. Mary’s County finalized its recommended 2024-2025 school year budget and forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners of St.

Mary’s County for consideration on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

In a letter to the Commissioners, Superintendent J. Scott Smith outlined significant challenges in

preparing for next year's budget, including the end of federal and state pandemic funding, the

impact of mandates associated with the Blueprint legislation, compensation needs for staff,

transportation needs, increased health care costs, and inflationary operational costs.

To review the Board’s recommended budget, visit https://www.smcps.org/about-us/budget.

While he's undeniably cute, Phil's track record in predicting weather is a bit... unpredictable!

Continue to check the forecast and dress for the weather.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will offer 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.

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

Click here to order yours today.

Our February Attendance is off to a GREAT start! If we can get our overall ADA to 94% by the end of February, we will DUCK TAPE a staff member to the wall during lunch one day soon. Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade are in the green right now - keep it up!!! Thank you for your help with getting your kids to school daily.

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, January 29
• Tuesday, January 30
• Wednesday, January 31
• Thursday, February 1
• Friday, February 2

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

I am so pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 Annual SMAMUN Conference is now open! Our SMAMUN Conference will take place on Friday, February 9th, 2024 and Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at Leonardtown High School and is open to any SMCPS student from 5th to 12th grade. Participants will enjoy exciting exposure to and deliberation on a variety of major real-world issues from across the globe, all through warm collaboration with fellow SMCPS students.

• SMAMUN Website: https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/smamun/home
• SMAMUN Commercial: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mIreZPPxUOy69YbNeIqeGw444g08fH2S/view?usp=sharing

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