Talbot County Public Schools

September 15: Board of Education Meeting

October 1: Early Dismissal - parent-teacher conferences

October 13: FARMS Applications Due for Gift Card Drawing

October 15: FARMS Gift Card Winners Announced

Dear TCPS Families,

As our second week of school comes to a close, I want to once again thank you all for your support and patience as we work through the challenges of returning to full-in-person learning, while the COVID-19 pandemic still continues to impact us. In spite of it all, we are off to a great start, and it is a joy to see our school buildings filled with students and staff! Our athletes have begun their competitions, clubs, and activities have started, and teaching and learning are in full swing. While it will not be easy, we remain committed to keeping our children safely in school, as we know this is truly what is best for them.

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I hope you are able to take a few moments to remember the families who lost loved ones, and reflect on the many sacrifices that were made on that day, and in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed.

The Talbot County Board of Education will meet next Wednesday 9/15/21. You can find the agenda and access to the meeting here: TCPS Board of Education Meeting and Agenda Links. Please note that public access to the meeting is limited to the first ten attendees and all are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

Please continue to stay safe, stay hopeful, stay healthy, and stay tuned!

Kelly Griffith Ed.D.

The Here Comes the Bus® App is now available to parents of TCPS students! Here Comes the Bus® allows you to:

• View the real-time location of your child’s bus
• Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
• Receive push notifications or email alerts
• Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time

How to get started:
1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com.
2. Click the “Sign Up” button.
3. Enter school code 87314 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm.”
4. Complete the “User Profile” box.
5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number. (If you have used Here Comes The Bus in the past, you will need to delete and re-enter your student this year). The student ID number can be found in the PowerSchool Parent Portal under the Bus Information tab. If you have not yet set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal, please do so using the instructions below. This will be necessary in order for you to access your child’s transportation information in the future.
6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

If you have any issues with your Here Comes the Bus account please contact Customer Support using this link: Here Comes The Bus Customer Support

*Available at the App Store and Google Play
Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC

Information about the Fall administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessments (MCAP) is linked below for your review. More details will be forthcoming from your child's school.

Please fill out the 2021-22 Free & Reduced Meal Form. While all students will receive a free breakfast and lunch during the 2021-22 school year, qualifying families are eligible for additional programs and benefits. Please turn forms into your school office and contact your school counselor if you have any questions.

Parent CRAFT is a self-paced online video course that teaches parents, caregivers and concerned others the skills and techniques needed to meet the risks of substance abuse and encouraging a young person to enter treatment. Parents and caregivers learn skills to address adolescent and transitional-age youth (TAY) substance abuse through highly engaging online video segments that include structured suggestions for practicing the skills.

The Parent CRAFT course consists of five sections, with each section building on previous skills learned. The video portion of each section is less than one hour. Parents are encouraged to complete the sections over a period of several weeks and practice the skills before moving on to a new section. Components of Parent CRAFT include:

1. Understanding teen’s triggers for use, maintaining factors, and potential negative long-term consequences.
2. Learning communication skills for discussing concerns about teen’s drug use: use of understanding statements, accepting partial responsibility, and use of specific behavioral examples.
3. Using positive reinforcement to influence and change behavior.
4. Allowing for natural consequences to unfold (stopping enabling and protecting).
5. Suggesting professional help.

Parent CRAFT has been shown to be highly effective, with a 71% success rate in getting adolescents and TAY into treatment. Treatment providers are also encouraged to explore the Parent CRAFT course to better assist parents and caregivers in supporting adolescent and TAY abstinence.

Click the link below to access this free resource!

https://www.cadenceonline.com/maryland/

This resource is available to all Maryland parents and caregivers for FREE (a $200 value) through Maryland Family and Youth Interventions for Substance Use (Maryland FYI). Maryland Family and Youth Interventions for Substance Use (Maryland FYI) is part of the Maryland State Opioid Response, funded by SAMHSA.

For more information on substance use prevention and intervention training

opportunities available through the NCSMH, please contact:

Melissa Ambrose, LCSW-C

mambrose@som.umaryland.edu

Training Director for Substance Use Initiatives | National Center for School Mental Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics are every Wednesday from 12 PM to 6 PM

At the Talbot County Health Department

100 S Hanson St.

Easton, MD 21601

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson available at every clinic

WALK INS ARE WELCOME

Please call 410-819-5641 for assistance

COVID-19 Testing: Monday -Friday from 9 AM to 2:30 PM

Talbot Business Center

900 Glebe Rd

Easton, MD 21601

Appointments Required

Call: 410-819-5632 to Schedule

Bring your card if you have Health Insurance

Drive-up and stay in your car.

We can help with providing resources for the following: food insecurity, registration, obtaining school records, proof of residency, referral to free legal advice, mental health services, and more. CLICK FOR DETAILS