DES Family News

I hope you have enjoyed your break! We look forward to what 2025 brings for our school community and we can't wait to do it together. Please read on for important dates, events and information related to CCPS and DES happenings.

Kind regards,

Dr. Crebs-Oberdorf

Anyone picking up students as walkers or car-riders must present your assigned number. If you forget your number you will be sent to the front office where Mrs. Barnes is happy to help you get another copy of your number. At anytime you can request additional copies, but our procedures are for the safety of our students. While we are always looking for ways to improve our procedures, profanity toward staff or the school on school property is not tolerated.

If you have any questions or concerns related to transportation, please contact Mrs. Amy Barnes our Transportation Secretary. She can provide assistance with all things related to car-rider, walker or bus rider information at DES. The school office is open from 8:30-4:00 pm each day.

January 1st, New Years Day

January 7th, Board of Education Meeting, 6pm

January 9th, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 14th, PTA Meeting at 6:00 pm

January 20th, School Closed, Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 24th, Early Dismissal Day all CCPS, Quarter 2 ends

January 27th, School Closed for students

January 31st, Quarter 2 reports cards emailed

Please remember, for all notifications, parent/guardian numbers and emails are taken directly from information provided by the family in PowerSchool. Staff contact information is taken directly from the Employee Access Center.

School delays and closings are shared via:

• a phone call, text, and email through our notification system

• a message on the CCPS Mobile App the district website (carolineschools.org)

• social media: Facebook (Caroline County Public Schools and all school pages), and Instagram (carolineschoolsmd)

• some local news and radio stations

The process for making weather-related decisions is outlined on carolineschools.org.

Attention parents, guardians, caregivers, and daycare providers of children ages birth to eight! Join us for a four-part workshop to learn strategies used in PreK and beyond, and how these strategies can be used at home.

All details available at: carolineschools.org/article/1920932

#Caroline Family

The 2024-25 Student Benefits Form (Household Income Data Collection) information is used to help provide school meals at no charge to all students, along with other districtwide services. It also provides individual benefits to students and families such as:

• discounts for summer and recreational programs

• Discount internet access

• Discounted fees for SAT and AP testing and college applications

• Increased scholarship opportunities

• eligibility for Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)]

• Increased funding to the school system to support instruction, technology, student services, and programs like Community Schools, tutoring and free meals.

Questions? Please email student.services@ccpsstaff.org.

Student Benefits Form

CCPS uses an online form (no paper!) to verify or update student information through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The process typically takes less than five minutes per student, and allows families to verify that all of the student's data is correct and provide updates for any important data that has changed. This process replaces the old paper form sent home in previous years.

Please note: If the student’s address has changed, proof of residence will be required. This may be uploaded through PowerSchool or provided directly to the school.

For more information, please see the CCPS news post on this topic.

As we get into our busy winter sick season, the Choptank School Based Health Center (SBHC) staff is asking for your support in ensuring each patient gets the time and attention they need during their visit.

Christina Crigger, the patient support specialist in the SBHC is available during the school day to schedule appointments for students and staff. Any assistance or medical advice that Rachel Spellman provides must be documented through an appointment.

While SBHC staff try to check their email a few times a day, sometimes on busy days- it is after school hours. Please don't rely on an email to get a same day appointment. It is best to call the SBHC- 667-248-8030 or stop in and speak to Christina to schedule. Remember, we are now here at Denton Elementary School every school day, and after school until 5:30pm most Mondays-Thursdays.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding! We wish you a healthy and restful holiday season!

Healthy vision and hearing is important for your child’s success in school. State law requires school systems to have students’ hearing and vision screened when they enter the school system and again in first and eighth grades. Hearing and vision screenings are scheduled to begin on October 16, 2024.

Students who should not be included in the screenings include:

• Those whose parents/guardians object in writing to the screenings on the grounds that it conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination of which they are a member;

• Those with known hearing loss, including but not limited to, students with cochlear implants or hearing aids; and

• Those who present evidence of testing within the last year.

If your child falls into any of these categories or if you have any questions, please reach out to the school nurse at 410-479-2916 or via email at miller.rachel@ccpsstaff.org

Beginning November 1, 2024, CCPS will start holding students accountable for damaged or missing technology equipment, including laptops, iPads, carrying cases, chargers, and charging cables. The CCPS Student Technology Obligation Program encourages responsible use of technology and curbs rising repair costs through a tiered pricing system.

For questions and program details, please visit the link below: Student Obligation information

DES is a Title I School receiving federal funds to improve instruction in math and reading.

Parents of students attending Title 1 schools may request information about the professional qualifications of their child's teachers. Parents of elementary students may request in writing to the school principal information about their child's teacher including:

* Any college or university degree or certification held.

* The subject area of the teacher's degree or certification.

* Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a grade level or subject area.

* Whether the teacher holds a provisional certificate.

* Whether the child is served by paraprofessionals and, if so, parents may request their professional qualifications.

All DES dismissal changes must be made by 12:00pm each day. This allows time to ensure that the teacher, student, and dismissal staff are all aware of the changes.

Caroline County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.

Email: crebs.sarah@ccpsstaff.org
Location: 303 Sharp Road, Denton, MD, USA
Phone: 410-479-1660

Assistant Principal Mrs. Lindsay Grow

Email: grow.lindsay@ccpsstaff.org