Seahawk News

• We are looking for some helping hands for the YEARBOOK! Please see the flier below and email Ms. Crabb!
• 5th Graders only- The Yearbook Cover Contest is here! See the flier below!

From Melissa Sydnor for GATE:

• 3rd grade ELA – We used “The Year of Miss Agnes” to develop vocabulary words used in context, author’s point of view, and parts of a story, such as main idea/details and text structure.
• 4th grade ELA – Over the last few weeks, we have been reading multiple accounts on the same topic to compare and contrast different points of view; “Demand the Brand”, “Thank You Ma'am”, and soon to come, “Mother to Son”. Skills practiced are main ideas and sequencing events.
• 5th grade ELA – “Would you Drink That?” is our theme. We are learning about how clean air and clean water, or lack thereof influence one another. We have read “Summary of the Clean Air Act” and are about to read “Flint Water Crisis”. This paired text comparison allows students to analyze different accounts on two related topics, all while thinking critically using our shared inquiry model.

In Math, grades 3-5, we are working on leveled fraction competency based on grade proficiency and standard. All while focusing on the importance of reasoning and modeling while solving mathematical tasks. The standards are as follows:

Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

· make sense of quantities and their relationships in problem situations

· decontextualize—to abstract a given situation and represent it symbolically and manipulate the representing symbols as if they have a life of their own, without necessarily attending to their referent

· contextualize, to pause as needed during the manipulation process to probe into the referents for the symbols involved

· create a coherent representation of the problem at hand

· consider the units involved

· attend to the meaning of quantities, not just how to compute them

· flexibly use different properties of operations and objects.

Model with mathematics.

· apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace. For example, students:

o write an addition equation to describe a situation (elementary school)

o apply proportional reasoning to solve a problem (middle school)

o use geometry to solve a design problem or use a function to describe how one quantity of interest depends on another (high school)

· make assumptions and approximations to simplify a complicated situation, realizing that these may need revision later

· identify important quantities in a practical situation and map their relationships using such tools as diagrams, two-way tables, graphs, flowcharts, and formulas

· analyze relationships mathematically to draw conclusions

· routinely interpret mathematical results in the context of the situation and reflect on whether the results make sense, possibly improving the model if it has not served its purpose.

The Calvert County Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee (SECAC) invites parents and guardians to nominate the CCPS staff who have made a difference in the life of your child with an IFSP, IEP or 504 accommodation plan in the 2024-2025 school year. This nomination can be an individual staff member or a team of up to 5 people. Nominations can be submitted online, by mail, or drop-off and are due Friday, February 28, 2025. Please help Calvert SECAC recognize all the good that happens every day in classrooms across Calvert.

Begin your nomination by clicking the following link https://forms.office.com/r/fv8ntBpV9r

You may also download the attached nomination form.

For more information, please visit https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/secac.

• Looking ahead to March 7th, we will have the Vocabulary Parade in school for all students. Start discussing what vocabulary word your student wants to be in the parade! Get creative and have fun learning a new word and what it means! Last year, we had some very inventive multiple meaning words and costumes! Our inspiration was the book Miss Alaineus by Debra Frasier!
• The Mod Pizza Spirit night is February 27th in Dunkirk! See the flier below.

From Ms. Lendacky- Art Teacher: Please check out the flier for the Logo Contest for the Andrews Airshow that is coming up in September 2025. She will review details with students in class.

Mabel's Labels: We have an open campaign with Mabel’s Labels for fundraising. Here is the link to the campaign page: 'Mabels Labels: Support a fundraiser See the fliers below.

In School Events/Volunteers:

If you want to attend any IN-SCHOOL event such as VIP Day, Career Day, Field Day, field trip chaperones, etc you will need to be a registered approved volunteer. This is for safety of all students. Each of the special events that we have within our school day allows for you to engage with the students. You are not kept separated, instead, we have interactive activities and will need all adults (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) who plan to attend to be an approved volunteer. The process takes less than 10 minutes. Please register as a VOLUNTEER. Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

The following link includes events, activities, and opportunities for young people offered by organizations in the community.

These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/district-information/community-partnerships-and-engagement/community-events

Counselor’s Corner from Ms. Walzer and Ms. Williams: February 2025

Our character trait for the month of February is FRIENDSHIP! We had our character trait assemblies this week to introduce the character trait of the month and recognize January’s Students of the Month. Our students of the month for January were selected by their teacher for demonstrating the character trait responsibility. Congratulations to the following students for going above and beyond: Braelynn Savoy, Kobi Lane, Xavier Davis, Cayde Boling, Isaac Abresch, Adrianna Turner, Cannon Hall, Morgan Hitt, Rosemary Russ, Camilla Tittel, Remi Parks, Madelyn Brunclik, Baylee Hawkins, Paul Chen, Savannah Thomas, Ben Hall, Sutton Rawlings, Cheyenne Pratt, Clark Hayden, Maxwell Jones, Avri Dorn, Ilyanna Pickle, Dominic Raffa, Blake Lenhart, Athena Pickle, Belinda Marcella, Dayton Thomas, DJ Queen, Gemma Troccoli, Lucas Hall, Layla Rickert, Calvin Finamore, Briley Griffin, Addison Assia, Gabby de la Cerda, Connor Osborn, Zaria Jones, and Olive Clark.

Our classroom counseling lessons will also focus on friendship. In Pre-k, we will read “Rainbow Fish” by Edgar Mitchell and have students make their own rainbow fish. In kindergarten, we will read “Best Frints in the Universe” by Antoinette Portis and make a friendship booklet. First graders will read, “Peanut Butter & Cupcake” by Terry Border and make a friendship flower. In 2nd grade, students will be able to identify characteristics of a good friend and read “How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Third grade will read, “A Little Spot Makes Friends” by Diane Alber, discuss the characteristics of a good friend and make a spot of friendship. Fourth and 5th graders will discuss healthy vs. unhealthy friendships.

We would like to welcome our School Counseling Intern, Ms. Campbell! We are lucky to have her join our nest until May. Below is a message from Ms. Campbell.

Courtney Williams - School Counselor, Last Names A-K

williamscr@calvertnet.k12.md.us

443-550-9474

Danielle Walzer - School Counselor, Last Names L-Z

walzerd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

443-550-9387

Hi Seahawks! My name is Emily Campbell and I am so excited to be here learning alongside Ms. Walzer and Ms. Williams. Although this is my first time at Sunderland Elementary, I have worked in the county as a PreK teacher! Aside from my passion for helping all students, I love Taylor Swift, traveling, and spending time with family. I can’t wait to get to know you and see what being a Seahawk is all about!

SES FSO Website: FSO | Sunderland Family Student Organization (FSO | United States

Calendar

Mar 4th 6-7pm, FSO Meeting**

Mar 14th (in school performances only), Talent Show

Mar 24th - 28th , Book Fair (BOGO)**

Apr 1st 6-7pm, FSO Meeting**

April 2nd 5-7pm, Military Appreciation Dinner

April 9th- Art and Music Show

April 25th and 26th - Drama Club Performance

May 6th 6-7pm, FSO Meeting**

May 5th - 9th, Teacher Appreciation Week

June 3rd 6-7pm, FSO Meeting - Elections**

Board Members

Samantha Manley, President

Nobert Akas, 1st Vice President

Serena Hight, 2nd Vice President

Niki Moore, Treasurer

Hannah Stanislawski, Secretary

Toni Crabb, Grade Level Representative

Sally Wolfe, Staff Liaison

• Daily Car Riders must complete the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/UtcfJihh7H
• This information will be used for Tuesday's sign out. This form is to be completed for those who will be Daily Car Riders only. By listing adults to pick up, you are giving that adult permission to pick up your student. We encourage all students to ride the bus.
• Please tell your child that they will NOT have their name called. They are to dismiss when they hear Daily Car Riders are dismissed. This list will be shared with the teachers, too.
• Please have your ID at all times when entering the school to pick up your student. You will need to have your ID out to show the staff, even if we know you!
• Daily Car Riders: One adult will be expected to come into the cafeteria to sign out their Daily Car Rider student(s). We will open the exterior cafeteria door at 3:50PM (1:50PM on Early Dismissal Days) to allow for students to be signed out. Promptly at 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), Daily Car Riders will be called to the cafeteria. You and your child will exit. When you sign in, you will be given a card signifying how many students you are picking up. You will turn in your card as you leave the cafeteria. If an adult is not present by 4:05PM (2:05PM on Early Dismissal Days), the student will be sent home on their assigned bus.
• If your child is a bus rider and needs to be picked up due to an appointment, please arrive at the front office before 3:45PM (1:45PM on Early Dismissal Days).Our office staff and duty staff start preparing for Daily Car Riders and bus dismissal at 3:55PM (1:55PM on Early Dismissal Days) We have a 10 minute bus window to dismiss between 600-700 students so we will need to keep our focus on the dismissal process.
  
• We will permit Non-Daily Car Riders but we are still not able to accommodate Drop in, Surprise Car Riders. For Non-Daily Car Riders, you MUST send a paper note, NOT AN EMAIL, with your child, EACH day that you plan for them to be a car rider. Please let your child know that they must dismiss with the Daily Car Riders at 4:05PM when announced. We will NOT call individual students down for dismissal. Please do not send a note saying “every Tuesday” instead, send a note every Tuesday. We can not expect teachers to keep up with all students’ special request schedules. We ask that you send a paper note each day because there could be a sub in the class instead of the teacher.
  

EVERYONE must reapply for being a volunteer. The system was cleaned out and you must reapply. Remember, if you want to be a chaperone or work events, you must be approved. If you are an employee of CCPS, you still need to complete the volunteer process for participation in events at school.

Even if you are not sure if you will be able to attend anything, please sign up early. Here’s the CCPS link of info:

Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)

• Morning Arrival Window: 9:15AM -9:25AM
• Instructional School Day - 9:25AM – 4:05PM
• Afternoon Dismissal Window: 4:05PM car riders; 4:10-4:20PM Bus Riders
• School Colors - Blue and White – Friday Spirit Days- Classes are assigned a Flock color as well. More to come on that!
• School Mascot/Motto -“SPIRIT” the Seahawk -Sunderland Promotes Integrity Responsibility Independence and Trust

As we know it is a busy time of year for illnesses especially flu, strep, respiratory illnesses and even the stomach virus. It is very important parents keep students' home when they are sick to prevent the spread of germs.

We are sending this excerpt from the Health Room Handbook sent earlier this year because it has been a problem where sick students, with fevers, are being sent to school on the bus and some who have not been vomit free or fever free for at least 24 hours.

Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. When trying to decide, use the guidelines below to help you.

Go to School - If your child has any of the following symptoms, they should probably go to school:

• Sniffles, a runny nose and a mild cough without a fever (this could be an allergic response to dust, pollen or seasonal changes),
• Vague complaints of aches, pains or fatigue.

Stay at Home - If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child at home or make appropriate childcare arrangements:

• APPEARANCE, BEHAVIOR - unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or irritable. This is sufficient reason to keep a child at home.
• EYES – With pink eye (conjunctivitis) you may see a white or yellow discharge, matted eyelids after sleep, eye pain and/or redness. A student with pink eye may not return to school until they have been cleared to return by their doctor and have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
• FEVER - temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Remember that a child must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
• GREENISH NOSE DISCHARGE AND/OR CHRONIC COUGH - should be seen by a health care provider. These conditions may be contagious and require treatment.
• SORE THROAT - especially with fever or swollen glands in the neck. In cases of strep throat, the student must be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
• DIARRHEA - three (3) or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if the child acts or looks ill. Diarrhea needs to have ended for 24 hours before a student return to school.
• VOMITING - needs to have ended for 24 hours before a student return to school.
• RASH - body rash, especially with fever or itching. Heat rashes and allergic reactions are not contagious.
• EAR INFECTIONS WITHOUT FEVER - do not need to stay home, but the child needs to get medical treatment and follow-up. Untreated ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
• LICE - may not return to school until they have been treated and are free of live lice.
• CHICKEN POX - may return to school when all lesions are crusted, generally Day 6 after the onset of rash; may be fewer days especially in students who have been vaccinated.
• RINGWORM – Circular or ring-like lesions with a raised edge. Students cannot attend school until treatment has been started and the lesions are covered.

IF YOUR CHILD SHOWS ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PICK HIM/HER UP FROM SCHOOL PROMPTLY.

It is the responsibility and obligation of all parents to promptly make arrangements for their child to leave school in cases where a communicable illness may be suspected. This means that someone should come for the child within 30 minutes after the school nurse has contacted the family, left a message, or otherwise tried to reach the family.

Sending a child to school with any of the above symptoms puts other children and staff at risk of getting sick. While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, in the long run this means fewer lost workdays and less illness for parents.

When children return to school, they should pose no risk of illness to others.

Cough drops may be kept in the nurse’s office if they are provided to the nurse in their original package and with written permission from the parent/guardian. This is only for students experiencing minor cough/cold symptoms and will not exceed 3 days past the date of parental permission.

Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated by all students and staff members who are entitled to study and work in a safe environment.

~Pam Myrick, Principal and Alyssa Pepper, Nurse

• Thank you to the FSO, especially the event planner, Serena Hight, for the wonderful Heart Rock Dance! The "dancing" was fun for the students while it was great to see parents connecting, as well!
• Tuesday, February 11th will be the 100th day of school!
• Sunderland's Got Talent will be coming soon! It will be an in-school performance only with special invitations for parents of the performers. Registration is at https://forms.gle/U3318dWBxbUthY2w7 See the details in the attached flier below!

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ø Director of Student Services

Ø Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

************************************************

Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that they have been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.