March 31: Special Board of Ed Meeting, 4:30 Closed Session, 5:00 Meeting VIEW AGENDA

April 1: End of Quarter and Early Dismissal

April 1: Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Announcement

April 2-9: Spring Break

April 12: School re-opens

April 15: 2020-21 New Student Registration

As we look toward the final week of the third quarter, we are continuing to prepare for the next phase of our Hybrid Learning plan.

Now that the Governor has accepted the newly released CDC guidelines for social distancing in schools, we have the opportunity to bring students back into school buildings for more in-person instruction. It is important to note, however, that while students are now able to be at a 3 ft. distance in classrooms, the guidelines still require 6 ft. distancing in common areas, such as hallways, cafeterias, lobbies, and outdoor events.

On April 12, we will proceed with bringing current in-person elementary (Pre-K - 5) students back for 4 days per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. We are able to do this at this time because elementary students remain in their classrooms, and don’t have to move throughout the building for meals, specials or other activities during the day.

For our secondary students, we will need to look carefully at school and classroom capacity and logistics. Please keep in mind that our secondary students have been and will continue to receive synchronous instruction four days per week. More information will be forthcoming about any possible change for secondary students after Spring Break.

Thank you for your continued patience and support during this very dynamic and challenging school year, and please stay safe, stay healthy, stay hopeful and stay tuned!

Kelly L. Griffith, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Next week, the Evening Meal Distribution will take place on Thursday, April 1 instead of Friday, April 2 since schools are closed 4/2. Food services will be giving out meals for 8 days as follows:

• Produce bag - a 2 lb. bag of romaine lettuce, a pint of cherry tomatoes, 2 cucumbers, 1 lb. bag of baby carrots, a pint of strawberries, 6 apples, and 6 oranges

• Food bag - 20 piece chicken nugget, 4 packages of macaroni & cheese, 3 Cini minis, 3 packages of mini pancakes, 2 oatmeal breakfast rounds, 8 fruit cups, 4 packages of Cheez- its and 4 packages of Goldfish crackers, and up to 2 gallons of milk

• Whole pizza

Over the next week, TCPS will be highlighting our outstanding Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Finalists on Social Media! We will announce the 2021 winners on April 1st!

Mrs. Donna Ewing, Easton Middle School Band Director, has been recognized as VFW Teacher of the Year at the Post, District, and State level for the VFW Department of Maryland. Additionally, she was recognized at the VFW National level for being one of the State level winners in her category.

The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and Patriotism to their students. This year due to the pandemic ALL Teachers who made it to the top level in their state were given National recognition. Not all states had a candidate for Teacher of the Year so she was in a select group that received this honor.

“Mrs. Ewing is very deserving of this award,” said Dr. Jodi Colman, Principal of Easton Middle School. “She devotes a significant amount of time and energy inspiring her students to not only be good musicians but to also understand the impact that they can have through music.”

The awards were presented at the school by Mr. Mike Johnson, VFW District 4 Commander, and Mr. Kenley Timms, VFW Post 5118 Commander. “We were honored to have Donna as our candidate as she is an exemplary role model for Americanism and Patriotism,” said Mr. Mike Johnson.

A webinar on teen substance-use prevention. The program covers:

• Young children and teen substance use
• Recognizing signs
• Primary prevention tips/strategies
• What to do if you suspect or know
• Local resources

Guest Speakers from the Health Department:

Beth Williams - Prevention Consultant

Logan Harris - Community Health Educator

If you any questions, please contact:

Madison Elliott

Addictions Interventionist

madison.elliott@talbotschools.org

Talbot County Public Schools

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 8, 2021. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 21, 2021. The survey may also be completed online. Parent feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com

New patients are always welcome! Please call your school to join the Choptank Health Program!