RES Family Update
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Schools are closed Monday, March 14th for teacher Professional Development
RES is holding a Domino's Pizza Dough Raiser
The PBIS team at RES is holding a Domino's Pizza Dough Raiser on Monday March 14th. While your kids are home from school, grab some pizza from the Denton Domino's and support the school! Use the flier or state that you are ordering for the RES fundraiser and a portion of your payment will be donated to RES. Thank you for your support.
Calendar:
March 14
NO SCHOOL for Students - Professional Development Day for Teachers
March 15
Board Work Session Virtual Meeting
March 17
Wear Green Spirit Day
March 21 - 25
Book Fair
March 25
Maryland Spirit Day - Wear your MD gear
Community Conversation
Join Us! The Human Services Council is sponsoring a Community Conversation. Be a part of building a community plan that creates opportunities for Caroline students & families.
Opportunities on March 16, 6-7:30 at the Federalsburg Town Council Building, March 22, 1-2:30 virtually, or March 22, 6-7:30 at the Greensboro Town Council Meeting Room.
Reserve your seat today by registering at bit.ly/2022CCCI
Interim Report Cards to be Issued in Printed and Digital Formats
This year, 3rd quarter interim report cards will be delivered to parents in two ways:
Printed paper report card given to students to take home and
Digital report card delivered via email. (The parent/guardian that is listed as a student’s first contact in PowerSchool will receive the email.)
Both delivery methods will continue with the interim and final report cards for the reminder of the school year. For the 2022-2023 school year, we hope to be able to offer parents the ability to opt-out of a printed paper copy.
Families needing to update their contact information in PowerSchool may do so on the CCPS website.
Interim Superintendent’s Message Regarding Face Masks
Dear Caroline Family,
Beginning Monday, February 28, masks will be optional in all CCPS buildings.
This change comes as a result Maryland State Board of Education rescinding its emergency regulation mandating face masks in schools. This decision was upheld today by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR).
Locally, we are supported by the Caroline County Health Department (CCHD), who cite our improving local metrics and our continuation of other layered prevention strategies such as regular cleaning protocols, distancing to the extent possible, and quarantining positive cases.
Other important details:
Updated: Face masks are no longer required on school buses.
Students testing positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven (7) days as per CCHD guidance. No additional changes have been made to current contact tracing protocols.
In accordance with direction from the Bayside Conference, the vaccination-or-test program that has been in place in the winter season will not be required for spring high school student-athletes. Testing for winter student-athletes will continue through the end of the winter season.
I appreciate the State Board returning this decision to school districts, and continue to be thankful for our partnership with Health Officer Robin Cahall and the CCHD. Their expertise has been invaluable with decisions such as this, and enables us to act in the best interest of our students and staff. We will continue to work closely with CCHD, as well as follow Maryland Department of Health guidance on communicable diseases including COVID-19. Staff and students are reminded that it is vitally important to remain at home when exhibiting symptoms of COVID or other illness.
I’m also grateful for the patience and support of the CCPS staff, students and families as we have navigated these challenging times together. COVID is not over and we will no doubt continue to face difficult decisions, but today we can appreciate taking one more step towards normalcy.
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Board Approves 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
At their February meeting, the Board approved the 2022-2023 school year calendar.
Director of Instruction Lindsey McCormick and Director of Special Programs & Student Services Elizabeth Anthony reviewed the legal requirements for school calendars and the process for arriving at a recommendation for the Board.
It was explained that two draft calendars were developed by staff and presented for review to the School System Improvement Council (SSIC) and Citizens Advisory Council (CAC). Those drafts were shared with the school community and a survey conducted to solicit feedback. The survey asked respondents to choose the most preferred calendar. Seventy-nine percent of respondents chose calendar option A as their preference. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to adopt option A.
For more information on the school calendar, please visit the Caroline County Public Schools website.
Choptank Health’s School Based Health Centers Are OPEN
Every child needs healthcare to thrive and SBHCs can help them get there. Did you know that Caroline County, is the only public school system in the entire state to offer school based health center services in each of their schools?
Choptank Health’s School Based Health Centers Are OPEN and IN THE OFFICE!
DES SBHC is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 667-248-8030
RES SBHC is open Mondays and Wednesdays 410-634-9153
Other SBHC are also open during the week.
Appointments can be made through the school nurse’s office by sending a note to school with your child or by calling the school based health center directly.
Common medical concerns and illnesses can be addressed during visits. Visit reasons could include:
· Well Child Checks and Sports Participation Physicals
· Medication refills
· COVID-19 symptoms/testing
· Cold and allergy symptoms
· Asthma and breathing problems
· Stomachaches
· Headaches
· Rashes and other skin complaints
· UTIs
· Minor injuries
· Other common complaints
After School Online Tutoring Available for Students
Caroline County Public Schools partners with an online provider to offer after school tutoring to students. Students receive tutoring in Math, Reading and Language Arts using an online program called Exact Path, which is offered through Edmentum.
Parents interested in learning more about the program and whether it would be a good fit for their child are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Anthony (anthony.elizabeth@ccpsstaff.org), Karin Miller (miller.karin@ccpsstaff.org) or email ExactPathTutoring@CCPS.org. email ExactPathTutoring@CCPS.org.
Changes to COVID Communication Protocols
CCPS will now limit contact tracing notifications to siblings and household members of positive cases and students participating in school athletics. General email notifications will continue to be sent from the school when a positive case is reported, and the CCPS website dashboard will continue to be updated weekly.
CCPS continues to follow health and safety precautions as outlined in our Reopening Plan, and in consultation with the Caroline County Health Department. As always, it is vitally important to follow safety precautions and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If your student develops COVID-like symptoms or any symptoms of illness, please do not send them to school. Contact a doctor so that your student can be evaluated and tested immediately. Continue to notify the school if your child has tested positive or needs to quarantine due to a community exposure.
CCPS Calendar Changes
The 2021-2022 school year calendar has been amended as detailed below. Changes impacting student days are highlighted with BOLD.
April 1, 2022 is currently scheduled as half days for students so teachers may complete grading for the end of the semester. All teachers will now have the option to work virtually after students are dismissed.
April 13, and May 27, 2022 have been changed to half days for students, with April 13 and May 27, 2022, early dismissal for all staff.
For complete details of these changes, please see the news release (Board Amends 2021-22 School Year Calendar) on the CCPS website.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11
For complete information about the vaccine, now available for children ages 5-11, please visit the Caroline County COVID-19 website which includes FAQs: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11 and Vaccine Clinic Information.
Update Regarding Potential COVID-19 Impact
Please see the message from Dr. Simmons regarding the possibility of short-term classroom/grade or school closures. Please note:
Teachers will post on their Google Classroom if the class will be synchronous (live instruction online) or asynchronous (assignments posted in Google Classroom).
Teachers will be taking attendance for synchronous classes just like they do for regular school days. Asynchronous class assignments will be used to record attendance for those classes. If a student is unable to log in for a synchronous class, the student should email the teacher requesting work so that the teacher knows the student is engaged in learning.
Students will follow the same class schedule as they do in person.
To prepare for the possibility of a virtual day:
Designate a space at home for your student to work with a power source nearby to charge the device.
If you do not have internet or your internet does not work well enough, please contact the front office at the school directly to ask about a Kajeet (hotspot) device.
Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance for PreK-12 *
Fully Vaccinated Individuals (completed primary series or booster) who test positive-
Must isolate for 5 days from symptom onset (or from date of test if asymptomatic)
Can return to work/school on day 6 with no symptoms or symptoms resolving and fever free for 24 hours prior
Must wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days
Unvaccinated Individuals who test positive-
Must isolate for 7 days from symptom onset (or from date of test if asymptomatic)
Can return to work/school on day 8 with no symptoms or symptoms resolving and fever free for 24 hours prior
Must wear a mask around others for an additional 3 days
Fully Vaccinated Individuals (completed primary series or booster) who have close contact with a positive individual-
Are not required to quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic
Continue to wear a mask when around others
Unvaccinated Individuals who have close contact with a positive individual-
Must quarantine and monitor for symptoms
Can return to work/school:
after 10 days (return on day 11) from exposure and symptom free or
after 7 days (return on day 8) if a negative PCR test is completed on or after day 5 from exposure and symptom free
*At this time, no changes are being made to protocols for student athletic programs. These updates apply only to the regular student day.
Contact Tracing Updates
Contact tracing will be completed in settings where masks are removed such as the cafeteria and high school sports programs.
Principals will send an email to the parents/guardians of students who have been identified as close contacts in unmasked settings.
The general positive notification will continue to be sent to all students and staff.
Attendance Modifications for Quarantined Students
Attendance procedures for quarantined students have been modified as of the 2nd quarter of this school year (Nov. 8). This modification was made based on guidelines set by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
For quarantine students who are unable to participate in academic activities:
An isolated student who is ill and unable to participate in academic activities will be reported as absent, which follows the CCPS attendance policy.
For quarantined students who are able to participate in academic activities:
Quarantined students who are healthy will be reported as present and are expected to participate in meaningful academic activities that advance student learning. CCPS will continue to use Google Classroom for access to class assignments and offer Zoom tutoring to support students who are quarantined.
If a quarantined student does not return to in-person, in-school instruction after the assigned quarantined period, the normal attendance or make-up work policies for absent students will be followed.
Tutoring for Quarantined Students
Afterschool Tutors Available for Quarantined Students
Quarantined students in need of help with assignments may now connect with a tutor at their school.
Elementary School: 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Monday and Wednesdays, beginning Thursday, September 23
Zoom links for tutors may be found on student’s Google Classroom.
School Meals for Quarantined Students
Posted on September 25, 2021
Students who are not in school due to being quarantined as still eligible for free meals. Families interested in receiving meals may complete a form:
Student Meal Form, English
Student Meal Form, Spanish
Questions or concerns may be directed to Caroline County Public Schools Food Services, 410-479-3261.
The form also has information about Caroline Helping Hands which is a volunteer-based organization in partnership with Caroline County Public Schools, serving the children of Caroline County with holiday & weekend food bags.
If requested on the form, this program will provide children in need with a nutritious care pack of food to have as a supplement for weekend meals. This program is provided by generous donations and will continue to serve the community as long as funding is available. This program is absolutely FREE, there is no cost to the family.
Please Keep Students with Symptoms of Illness at Home
We are doing our very best to keep students in school but we need the help of our families. We are finding that some students who come to school with symptoms of illness are then testing positive for COVID-19. This leads to having to identify close contacts who then must be quarantined, meaning more students are missing school.
PLEASE help us keep students safe and in school as much as possible. Keep your child at home if they have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness or have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Back Pack Program
Look for the Caroline County BackPack Program Registration/Renewal Form in your child's backpack, call Mrs. Buffenmyer to request a form or get additional information or use the link below to complete the form online.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYSOvXNI-lNSkn_57ko6dJaRvvJyMkfVFGZuos0jFDONi-eg/viewform
Draft Reopening Plan and Survey
Posted on August 12, 2021
Accessible View on CCPS Website
All Maryland school systems are required to provide a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (Reopening Plan) that addresses the reopening of schools for the 2021-2022 year. This plan must provide for the continuity of services that address and maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and staff. There are 11 requirements necessary for a complete plan that will be submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The draft document is intended to provide an overview for public input. The final document will include more detailed information and reflect insight from our community survey.
We would appreciate you reading through the draft Reopening Plan and completing the survey that follows. Should you have any difficulty with the survey, please email PIO@ccpsstaff.org (Public Information Officer) for assistance.
Promoting a healthy and safe environment for ALL students and staff.
CCPS is committed to providing a safe, respectful, nurturing educational environment where the worth and dignity of individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. Behaviors that compromise this environment, interfere with school operations or are otherwise contrary to the basic mission of our public schools will not be tolerated. Bullying, hazing, harassment or other discrimination affecting a student or a staff member should be reported by a victim, parent/guardian, witness, staff member or other person having knowledge.
Staff members with knowledge of such conduct are required to promptly report it to the building principal.
RES Office Hours
School office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
Non Discrimination Statement
RES is a TITLE I School
RES is a progressive community of learners collaboratively supporting each other through intentional planning in a risk-taking and trusting environment, leading to rigor, student autonomy, and mastery of content standards in all learning settings.
For more information, feedback, or input on the School Improvement Plan, please contact the school. The School Improvement Plan can be found on the RES Website and in the Parent Information Resource Center located in the school's lobby area.
Parents Right to Know
The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:
Any college or university degree, major or certification held by the teacher
Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area
Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate
The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student
If you would like to request the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.
Parents may also request information on the level of achievement and academic growth of their child, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments.
Parents will receive timely notice if the student has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.
Parents May Request Teacher Information
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 provides parents of students attending Title 1 schools the opportunity to 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 college/university degrees of certification held, subject area of the teacher's degree or certification, and Maryland certification status. Additionally, if your child is served by paraprofessionals, parents may request their professional qualifications.
Parent Information Resource Center
Parents are encouraged to visit our Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) located in the lobby outside of the front office. The PIRC has a variety of parenting resources and informational brochures and flyers. These materials are all free. Parents can find the School Improvement Plan, RES School Family Engagement Compact, booklets from The Parent Institute on topics such as “Seven Habits of Highly Responsible Students; Help Your Child Balance School and Extracurricular Activities; and Helping Children Learn to Resolve Conflicts.” Parents can also find information regarding Caroline County Recreation and Parks, Caroline County Library, Imagination Library and Maryland Department of Health . Please be sure to check out our Parent Information Resource Center next time you come to the school.
Lee Sutton, Principal
Email: sutton.lee@ccpsstaff.org
Website: ridgelyes.org
Location: 118 North Central Avenue, Ridgely, MD 21660
Phone: 410 479 3243