Tilghman Tiger Talk
Aug 2021 Principal Update
The 2021-2022 School Year
Tilghman Families,
It with great excitement that I share our plan for the 2021-2022 school year!
Please help us welcome the following TES staff members:
Mrs. Laura Holmes (Pre-K)
Ms. Eileen Gillette (3rd, 4th, 5th- English/Language Arts)
Mrs. Julie Ireland (3rd, 4th, 5th- Science and Social Studies)
Mrs. Kelly Green (Pre-K- 5 Special Educator)
Ms. Jessica Cronin (Guidance Counselor)
Mrs. Sarah Kusinitz (Speech Pathologist)
As many of you know, Mrs. Angie Asmussen will be teaching Math at St. Michaels Middle/High School this coming year. We thank her for her contributions and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors! Additionally, Mrs. Bev Mayhew retired at the end of last year. We appreciate her professionalism, advocacy, and the positive impact she had on our students and school. We wish her much health, happiness, and relaxation in her retirement.
This year we will be departmentalizing in grades 1-5. Mrs. Jessica Weems will be teaching grades 1 & 2 English/Language Arts and Social Studies. Mrs. Faith Mitchell will be teaching grades 1 & 2 Math and Science.
For the upper elementary students (Grades 3, 4, and 5), Ms. Eileen Gillette will be teaching English/Language Arts. Ms. Miranda Larrimore will be teaching Math and Mrs. Julie Ireland will be teaching Science and Social Studies. Students will have the opportunity to rotate between teachers. Individual student schedules will be shared with families during the Back to School Conferences on 8/26 and 8/27.
Your child’s teacher will be contacting you this week to schedule your parent/teacher Back to School conference. At this time, we are planning on giving parents the option of a virtual or in-person 30 minute conference. These conferences will take place on Thursday, August 26th and Friday, August 27th. Teachers will be reaching out to you to determine which date/time works best with your family’s schedule. Our teachers are flexible and will work with you if you are not available on either date. Conferences provide an opportunity for teachers to learn about your child in order to best meet his/her needs for the start of school on August 30th. (Feel free to bring school supplies at this time.)
Safety for staff, students, and families remains a priority! Like last year, we will continue enhanced cleaning measures. TCPS is using three-foot distancing when possible. Please plan to send a water bottle to school with your child. The water-filling station will be available. Please see the letter below that addresses the need for masks. I know this decision is disappointing to some but I would encourage patience, respect, flexibility, and positivity. We must continue to model the kind of behavior we want our children to demonstrate. As always, we will work together to make the best choices for our children. I am excited and grateful to have students back in the building five days a week.
#smallbutmighty
Ms. Kelly Murdoch, Proud TES Principal
August 17, 2021 Dear TCPS Families, With the start of the new school year rapidly approaching, our primary goal is for a full safe return to in person learning five days a week, with layered preventative measures in place. School districts have received updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to assist us in responding to COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to rapidly evolve. The newest guidance was developed to support the re-opening of schools for in-person learning at full capacity, as recommended by the CDC. We are told by MSDE that schools must follow attendance policies at this time, and the virtual option is no longer available. Based on the recommendations of the Talbot County Health Officer, and our current trend of “High” according to the Community Transmission Risk chart, the following layered prevention strategies needed to protect students and staff will be effective immediately: Requiring universal indoor masking for individuals age 2 years and older, including students/children, teachers, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Promoting vaccination among teachers, staff and students. Maintaining physical distancing of three feet to the extent possible without excluding students from in-person learning. Offering rapid COVID-19 testing in schools if needed. Maintaining adequate ventilation of all buildings to support air quality Following health department guidance regarding contact tracing, isolation and quarantine for staff or students who are sick, have COVID-19 symptoms, are exposed to someone with COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 according to the Talbot County Health Department Quarantine Policy . While this is not the way we hoped to be starting the school year, we will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis and will make revisions accordingly. The good news is that we have 88% of our staff and almost 50% of our 12 -17 year-olds vaccinated so we remain encouraged and hopeful about a healthy and productive school year. Stay Healthy! Stay Safe! Stay Tuned! Kelly L. Griffith, Ed.D. Superintendent
Meet our New TES Staff Members
Mrs. Kelly Green- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Jessica Cronin- School Counselor
Hello, my name is Jessica Cronin, and I am so excited to be the new school counselor at TES! I grew up in Brookeville, Maryland, and graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in Psychology. I went on to earn a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Walden University. I fell in love with the Eastern Shore when I attended Salisbury and have recently made Preston, Maryland my home. My years in the school system began seven years ago, working as an instructional assistant in special education and general education classrooms. I enjoy cooking, traveling, and being with friends and family in my free time.
I am looking forward to a fantastic start to the school year!
Mrs. Laura Holmes- Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Eileen Gillette- English Language Arts Teacher Grades 3-5
Mrs. Julie Ireland- Science/Social Studies Teacher Grades 3-5
Hello, my name is Mrs. Ireland and I love teaching! I am very excited to be teaching Social Studies and Science to our third, fourth and fifth grade students at Tilghman Elementary School this school year.
I have earned degrees in Social Work and Elementary Education. I have been with TCPS for about 21 years. Eleven as a substitute teacher for SMMH and SMES, and 10 years as an elementary school teacher. During my tenure I have taught second, fourth and fifth grades.
I currently reside in Bozman, Maryland with my husband John. Our children are all adults now, but graduated from St. Michaels High School. I also have grandchildren who currently attend Tilghman Elementary.
I am looking forward to becoming a member of the Tilghman Island Elementary School team and all of the adventures that lie ahead.
Mrs. Sarah Kusinitz- Speech-Language Pathologist
Hello TES families, I'm Sarah (McCarty) Kusinitz and am the new speech-language pathologist. I'm returning home to Talbot County after 8 years in an Annapolis private practice. I'm excited to provide speech therapy to students at SMES, SMMHS, and TES. I live in Easton with my husband, Kenny, and 2.5 year old daughter, Rebecca. Spending time with my family and being outside are my favorite things.
School Hours
Dismissal is at 3:20 PM. We will start dismissing the car riders utilizing both loops followed by the bus students. More specifics about this procedure will be shared closer to school starting.
Tips for Getting Ready for the Year
For our New Pre-K and K Families-
Practice eating "school lunch" with your child. Please practice having them open each item they have for lunch. Encourage them to eat within 20-25 minutes, and allow them to clean up their area by throwing away their trash. This practice will help prepare them for school lunch, which can be a big adjustment. We appreciate your help and support in preparing your child for his/her school experience!
Another helpful hint for students who are going to be car riders to/from school: Please begin having your child practice buckling and unbuckling his/her seatbelts. This will foster independence while keeping the car rider line moving quickly!
Bus Information for 2021-2022
ALL TCPS STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR THE ENTIRE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
2021-2022 TES Supply List
Tilghman Elementary School
Pre-Kindergarten
· 1 Pack of Pencils
· 1 Box of Crayons
· 1 Pair of Scissors (Blunt Tip)
· 4 Glue Sticks
· 1 Composition Notebook (Not Spiral)
· 1 Box of Kleenex
· 1 Container of Clorox wipes (or off brand)
Kindergarten
· 1 Pack of Pencils
· 1 Box of Crayons
· 6 Glue Sticks
· 1 Set of Watercolor Paints
· 1 Container of Clorox Wipes (or off brand)
Supplies for Grades 1st or 2nd
· 2 Packs of #2 Pencils
· 1 Box of Crayons- 31
· 3 Highlighters
· 4 Glue Sticks
· 1 Pack of Post-It Notes
· 4 pocket folders (Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue)
· 2 Primary Ruled Composition Books
· 2 Containers of Clorox Wipes (or off brand)
· 1 Box of Kleenex
Supplies for Grades 3rd, 4th, or 5th
· 1 Supply Box
· 2 Packs of #2 Pencils
· 1 Pack of Highlighters
· 1 Pack of Colored Pencils
· 2 Glue Sticks
· 2 Black/White Composition Books
· 4 Pocket Folders (Red, Blue, Yellow and Green)
· Headphones
· 1 Box of Kleenex
Important Upcoming Dates
- Week of the 16th- Teachers Contact Families to Schedule Conferences
- 8/19- All Staff Report to TES
- 8/26- Back to School Conferences
- 8/27- Back to School Conferences
- 30th- First Day of School for All Students
September:
- 9/6- NO SCHOOL- LABOR DAY!
- 9/16- Back to School Showcase (5:00-6:30)
- 9/23- Interim 1 Ends
- 9/29- Interims Issued
October:
- 10/1- Early Dismissal/Parent Teacher Conferences PM- 12:05 p.m. dismissal
- 10/14- PTO Meeting 5:30 p.m. (Zoom)
- 10/25-10/29- Red Ribbon Week
- 10/27- Picture Day
- 10/29- Early Dismissal 12:05 p.m.
Tilghman Elementary School
Email: kmurdoch@talbotschools.org
Website: https://tcps.k12.md.us/
Location: 21374 Foster Rd, Tilghman, MD 21671, USA
Phone: 410-886-2391
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tilghmanelementary