Dear LMDES Families,

I want to share an important update about a leadership change at Lettie Dent. Beginning Monday, March 10, I will transition into a new role as a Supervisor in the Department of Human Resources with SMCPS.

With this change, Mr. Joseph Farrell will serve as Acting Principal. Having been part of our school community for several years, he is a dedicated and solution-oriented leader who cares deeply about our students, staff, and families. In support of him, Mrs. Kim Edwards will step into the role of Acting Assistant Principal. Her deep knowledge of our school and strong leadership skills will ensure a smooth transition. Together, they will continue the incredible work happening at LMDES and provide a strong, supportive environment for our students and staff.

Lettie Dent is a truly special place, and I am grateful for the time I have spent as your principal. While this transition is bittersweet, it is what is best for Lettie Dent, SMCPS, and my family as I focus on my health (February 2 Personal Update). Mr. Farrell and Mrs. Edwards will provide exactly what our school community needs: steady, positive, and solution-oriented leadership to carry Lettie Dent forward. Thank you for your ongoing support!

All the best,
Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck

• Notable Dates
• Read Across America Spirit Week
• SMCPS Calendar Amendment
• Attendance Matters: February Data
• National School Social Worker Week
• Safety Drills
• Yearbooks on Sale
• PTA News & Information
• March 11 PTA Meeting
• Camp Dare 2025 Opportunity
• Action Item: Impact Aid Forms

Food Services Info

• Weekly School Menu
• Meal Benefit Application - more than a meal application!
• My School Bucks

Helpful Links & Info Worth Repeating

• Attention Pre-K Families: Upcoming Opportunities
• Lost & Found Videos
• 2025 Dent Talent Show
• School-Based Health Centers
• Spotlight on Special Education & CASCE Rise Up Award
• LMDES Schoolwide Expectations
• Bus Safety & Expectations
  
• SMCPS Policies and Guidelines
• SMCPS Title IX Information
• LMDES Birthday Celebration Policy
• Dolphin Reader Program & Forms
• Technology Info

• Mar 3-7: Read Across America Spirit Week
• Fri, Mar 7: Two Hour Early Release
• Mar 10-13: 5th Grade MISA
• Tues, Mar 11: LMDES PTA Meeting

Movement Mondays:

Wear athletic gear!

Fridays are School Spirit Days:

Wear Red & Gray or an LMDES Shirt!

March 2nd is Read Across America Day, a day to celebrate reading! Established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, this day aims to inspire a love of reading in children. It takes place annually on the birthday of beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss.

Throughout this week, Lettie Dent will have spirit day themes tied to Read Across America Week. The fun starts tomorrow, March 3rd, so be sure to check out the flyer below. The week will end on a high note with a Book Character Parade, where students can dress as their favorite book characters and bring their favorite stories to life. We look forward to a fantastic week of reading fun!

The Board of Education approved an amendment to the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar to provide a make-up day for the use of inclement weather days.

Schools will be in session on Friday, March 7, 2025, with a 2-hour early dismissal.

To view the full school year calendar, visit www.smcps.org/calendar.

Linked is the SMCPS 2024-2025 Amended Calendar.

LMDES February Average Daily Attendance (ADA) = 89.8%

Maryland's Standards for ADA Rates:

• Proficient - 94%
• Advanced - 96%

Congratulations to 3rd grade for having the highest ADA of our intermediate (3-5) grades! Congratulations to 2nd grade for having the highest ADA of our primary (PK-2) grades again this month!

This week, we celebrate National School Social Work Week, a time to recognize and appreciate the profound impact our school social worker, Mrs. Bianca Ruslander, has on our school community. Mrs. Ruslander tirelessly provides emotional support, guidance, and resources that enhance our students’ academic and personal growth. Mrs. Ruslander is always there with a compassionate heart and expert advice.

Join us in expressing our deepest gratitude for Mrs. Ruslander's dedication and commitment. It’s through her efforts that we see the true spirit of LMDES shine—supportive, inclusive, and always striving for the best in each student. Thank you, Mrs. Ruslander for being an essential part of our school family and for all the incredible work you do every day!

Ms. Finch's 1st graders used the engineering process to build robots that could draw by themselves. We collaborated in teams to design, build, and test our robots.

On March 14, LMDES will conduct a lockdown drill to practice emergency safety procedures in compliance with Maryland Law. Regular safety drills are important to ensure students know the proper protocols to follow in the event of an emergency. During the lockdown drill, students and staff will follow steps to secure the building. Please reassure your child that this is just a practice and reach out with any questions.

Mrs. Alderson and Mrs. Koerper's kindergarteners completed the STEM activity of building a shelter for a mouse. They tested their shelters by using a LEGO for the mouse and Mrs. Koerper used Pete the Cat to test out the protection quality of the shelters.

The Sherriff's Department is looking for interested campers and counselors.

If not, Online Federal Impact Aid Forms are still available through the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online Impact Aid 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.

If you already completed this important action item, thank you!

Check our Nutrislice Webpage to:

• View Helpful nutrition info
• Download our FREE mobile app!
• Print menus

Food Service Award Nomination Form: Silver Spatula

Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary is a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) School.

We encourage you to ask your child about "Dolphin Dollars" and our LMDES Schoolwide Expectations!

Please take a few moments to view the video below and review the Student Rules for Transportation with your student(s). Student safety on the bus is the shared responsibility of students, parents, bus drivers, and the school.

Regularly reviewing bus expectations with your student will help ensure a safe ride to and from school each day. Riding the bus is a privilege; it takes all of us to safely transport our students each day. Thank you for your support!

• SMCPS Student Handbook
• SMCPS Code of Conduct
• SMCPS Cell Phone Policy

Download the Box Tops for Education app, scan your receipts, and earn cash for our school!

Thank you for your support!

Join us in promoting a healthy, positive approach to technology use!

• Supporting Your Child's Online Safety & Growth
• For Families & Parental Controls

Please consider sharing these social emotional learning and digital citizenship conversation starters in the car, at the table or at another time you can have a connection to learn more about your child and guide them to the best version of themselves:

• Resource for Pre-K - 2nd grade
• Resource for 3rd - 5th grade

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