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Dent Dolphin Details

Family Issue #20

Dent DolphinDetailsFamily Issue #20

A Week: 1/20-24/2025

Hello Lettie Dent Families,


Shortly after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at Oberlin College where he challenged those in attendance with the words above. We often talk with our students about integrity - doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. We encourage you to talk with your students about integrity and how they can show it both at home and at school.


As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on the profound impact of his legacy. Let us continue to work together to create an environment where every child feels valued and respected. Thank you for your ongoing support in shaping a community that celebrates diversity and promotes kindness.


Have a great week,

Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal

Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal

📄 In This Issue 📄

Attendance Matters!

Link: Absence Reporting Form
If your child needs to miss school, you must report the absence. Complete the linked form OR email ldbattenfield@smcps.org with the reason for the absence.

Notable Dates

  • Mon, Jan 20 - No School, MLK Jr Day
  • Jan 16-27 - PTA Boosterthon
    • Mon, Jan 27 - BoosterThon Fun Run
  • Tues, Jan 28 - Report Card Distribution
  • Wed, Jan 29 - Winter Concert
    • Band students report to Media at 5:30 and perform at 6:00
    • Chorus students report to Art at 6:00 and perform at 6:30
    • Strings students report to Media at 6:30 perform at 7:00
  • Fri, Jan 31 - Professional Day; No School for Students


Movement Mondays:

Wear athletic gear!


Fridays are School Spirit Days:

Wear Red & Gray or an LMDES Shirt!

LMDES Math Team Kick-Off

Our 4th and 5th Grade Math Team kicked off their first session last Thursday!


Ms. McNeeley and Ms. Deighan are thrilled to guide our mathletes each week as they gear up for the April SMECO Math Challenge.


We're excited to see their skills shine!


Air Show Logo Contest

An Exciting Opportunity for our Dolphin Artists

Joint Base Andrews (JBA) is inviting all K-12 students to participate in their Air Show Logo Contest. The only requirement is that art work includes an aircraft – the rest of the design is up to the artist!

LMDES student designs are due Tuesday, February 11.

PTA News & Information

PTA Boosterthon Updates

Our Dent BoosterThon kicked off last Thursday! Our goal is to raise $20,000, and, if you’d like to, we are inviting YOU to help!


Here’s how you can support Lettie Marshall Dent Elem:

  1. Register on mybooster.com. It’s so easy!
  2. Share about our fundraiser with your family and friends using the SHARE BUTTON on mybooster.com.
  3. Give a donation, if you are able.



❗️ Bonus prize alert! ❗️

Your student can be earning an extra prize for getting us closer to our $20,000 by getting donations for this weekend ONLY! Learn more about the mystery bonus prize on MYBOOSTER.COM. 👀 All they need is to raise $60 in NEW DONATIONS over the weekend to earn this time sensitive prize!

❗️This is a limited time window, so head to MYBOOSTER.COM today to learn more. ❗️



Thank you for supporting our school! We can’t wait for the Dent Fun Run happening on 01/27/2025!

Fun Run Volunteers

BoosterThon Sign-Up Genius

We need volunteers to help mark shirts on our Fun Run Day!


Sign-Up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A8A629A3F5C52-54398399-funrun

Check our Nutrislice Webpage to:


  • View Helpful nutrition info
  • Download our FREE mobile app!
  • Print menus
Meal Benefit Application
Children need healthy meals to learn. SMCPS offers healthy meals every school day.
Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00.
Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Please complete the meal benefit application.
My School Bucks
SMCPS families may pay for school meals with MySchoolBucks! View balances and purchases, schedule automatic payments, receive notifications when your student's meal balance is low, and make payments on the go with the mobile app.
Food Services Updates
What's New With School Meals?

Helpful Information Worth Repeating

LMDES School-Wide Expectations

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!

Bus Safety & 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 Policies and Guidelines

Box Tops for Education App

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


Thank you for your support!

Technology Information

LMDES_SMCPS Student Laptop Expectations
Please review the laptop expectations with your student.

Digital Citizenship Resources

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



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:

Sharing time with your student discussing such important thing can lead to a calmer, more confident child.
Link: Directions to Receive Text Alerts
Stay up to date on events, closings, and alerts from LMDES and SMCPS.

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

LMDES School Vision
LMDES strives to create a nurturing and inclusive community where every student thrives socially, emotionally, and academically. We prioritize strong relationships among all stakeholders, open communication, and meeting students' diverse needs. We aim to develop well-rounded, future-ready learners who embrace lifelong learning and contribute positively to our community.