Dent Dolphin Details
Family Issue #1
A Week: 8/19 - 8/23/2024
Hello LMDES Families,
We’re delighted to welcome you back as we gear up for an exciting new school year!
Our teachers and staff are eagerly preparing for a fantastic year ahead and can't wait to see all of you at Monday’s Open House from 2:00-3:30 pm. Open House is a wonderful opportunity to get a sneak peek at your child’s classroom, meet their teacher, and drop off any school supplies. We’ll have paper copies of our Open House handout ready for you at each of our entrances.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take a moment to complete the transportation form for each of your students. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already taken care of this important task!
Keep reading for more important details to help ensure a smooth and joyful start to our school year together.
See you soon,
Mrs. Lindsay Brenfleck, Principal
Mr. Joseph Farrell, Assistant Principal
- LMDES Student Arrival/Dismissal Forms -
Please Complete These Transportation Forms Today!
There's no need to wait until Open House!
Satellite Placard Pickup: The '24-'25 Afternoon Satellite Placards are now available for pick up in the front office. The new placards are GREEN - last year's BLUE ones must be discarded.
Bus/Transportation Info
Complete the 2024-2025 LMDES Student Bus/Transportation Info Form for each of your LMDES students.
Select one format that works best for you:
Afternoon Satellite Pickup
Afternoon Satellite is for students who are picked up every day.
Complete one form per family to place students on the LMDES Satellite Pick Up List for the 2024-2025 school year.
Select one format that works best for you:
Here Comes the Bus App
Select this link to learn how to view the real-time location of your child's bus. We highly recommend signing up for this helpful app!
Contents:
LMDES Renovation: Exciting Updates
We can't wait for you to see the exciting updates at LMDES! We are over halfway through our limited renovation which is schedule to conclude in August 2025. Modern enhancements to our school are creating an even better learning environment for all. We appreciate your continued support and patience during this transformative period.
A Note for Our First Grade Families: Three of our four 1st grade classrooms are next to be renovated! Temporary 1st grade classrooms are located in the learning cottages on the left side of our building (when you face the main entrance).
- Ms. Davis - in building
- Ms. Deibert - Mobile 3
- Ms. Finch - Mobile 2
- Ms. Kemp - Mobile 1
Due to the upcoming renovation, teachers who will be moving classrooms are limiting classroom décor. Wall space will be reserved for student work and instructional aids.
UPCOMING DATES
- HAC Opening -
The Home Access Center (HAC) opened on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
Email ldbattenfield@smcps.org if you need your HAC credentials.
Please Note: Official teacher assignments for students will be available at Open House. Information in HAC is subject to change based upon student and school needs. While the HAC opening date for parents/guardians is August 16th, FINALIZED class lists will be published at Open House.
- Open House Information -
Grades K-5 Open House
Monday, August 19
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Avoid the crowds and lines! Teachers and staff will be available to meet students and families throughout the entire 90 minutes of Open House. A later arrival may mean less time in line!
Rita's at Open House!
Thank you, PTA, for scheduling Rita's Italian Ice for our Open House!
The Rita's truck will be parked in our visitor spaces at the front of the building.
- Maryland Tax Free Week -
- First Day of School -
Grades K-5
Wednesday, August 21
First Day of Pre-K
Thursday, August 22
SMCPS Cell Phone Policy
"Bell to Bell Ban" for Elementary Students: Cell phones are discouraged and shall not be used anytime during the instructional day.
Response to Inappropriate Mobile Phone Use
In classrooms, staff contacts the administrator who goes to the classroom, the student is directed to the hallway, the student turns the phone off, phone is confiscated by the administrator and stored in a secure location in the administrative office.
In hallways, mobile phones should be off and away. Staff will remind students to put phones away. Administrators will confiscate phones and store them in a secure location in the administrative office.
Returning Mobile Phones - Only a parent or guardian can pick up an elementary student's phone. The phone will not be returned to students.
Medical Forms for School Nurse
Please review the list of medical forms: https://www.smcps.org/health-safety/immunizations-medical-forms.
If your student takes medication at school, requires an Emergency Action Plan, or has any other unique medical needs, please take the pertinent form(s) to your student's medical provider to complete them before the start of the school year.
Back to School Resources
You may also check out the Students & Families Resources Page for even more resources.
Food Services Information
Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00.
Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Please complete the meal benefit application.
SMCPS Student Accident Insurance
Recognizing that accidents do occur and understanding that each family's insurance situation may be different, St. Mary's County Public Schools has arranged with Bob McCloskey Insurance to offer student accident insurance.
Please read the information in this Student Accident Insurance Folder for more details and enrollment instructions.
Technology Information
Acceptable Use Policy
Within the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. In order for students to have access to "additional services," the form granting your student access must be completed.
Student Laptops
Does your student know where their laptop and charger are? Please take a few minutes before the start of the year to power on the device, run all of the updates, and ensure it is in working order.
Students are responsible for their SMCPS laptops, which require the same care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops, and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please look at the student accountability newsletter included in each weekly school newsletter.
Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary
Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal
Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal
We welcome your questions and inquiries. Please call 301-472-4500, refer to the SMCPS Website, or our LMDES website for additional information.
Website: https://lmdes.smcps.org/
Twitter X: @lmdes_smcps
Phone: 301-472-4500