Welcome to the start of the 2022-2023 school year! We are so happy that you & your PAWSitively Amazing children are a part of our Panda Nation family! In just a few days, our hallways and classrooms will be filled with joy, laugher, and students ready to learn and show their Panda Pride. We can’t wait to see you at our Open House" Back to School Blast" on Monday, August 22nd from 2-4pm! You can meet your teacher, see your classroom, catch up with old friends, pick up some cool supplies, and so much more! Let's get ready to start another PAWSitively Amazing year with you!!!

August 19th: HAC (Home Access Center) Opens for Families

August 22nd: 2:00-4:00pm Open House for all!

August 24th: First Day of School for K-5 Students

August 25th: Pre-K Orientation-more details to follow soon!

August 26th: First Day of School for Pre-K

Bus Stop Locator & Here Comes the Bus App

Bus Routes are now available through the SMCPS online look-up feature. These routes and stops will be constantly updated between now and the start of school.

Select this link to learn how to view the real-time location of your child's bus. We highly recommend signing up for this helpful app!

Free & Reduced School Lunch Program

The meal benefits that allowed us to provide free meals to students regardless of income status has ended. Free and reduced-price meals are still available, but families must submit an application for this benefit.

An electronic application submission is quick and easy, but don't worry, we'll have paper copies if you need to apply that way. At Open House we'll have kiosks where you can complete your application AND on the first day of school we'll be sending home paper copies. Don't miss out!

There are many additional benefits of submitting a meal application form. These perks include waivers on college applications, dual-enrollment courses with the College of Southern Maryland, and discounted fees to participate in St. Mary’s County Parks and Rec programs. Families can request more information by contacting SMCPS' Food and Nutrition Services Office at 301.475.4256, Option 5, or via email at foodservice@smcps.org.

This year in an effort to keep a safe and orderly environment on our school buses we will be having a Bus Conduct Contest. The contest will begin on September 6th. We encourage you to speak with your child(ren) about bus safety. I have included a live link. SMCPS Bus safety video

The rules for this contest are simple! They are all about following bus procedures

and arriving at school safely! Each bus driver has a copy of the 6 items listed below.At the end of the week, the bus driver will submit a safe behavior ticket for the bus, if the rules are followed.

• Bus of the Week - Bus displays award- students are entered for a chance to win a small prize.

• Bus of the Month - Bus gets to hold the bus trophy for the Month!
• Bus of the Year - Ice cream party for students and driver AND the bus driver receives a gift!

BUS SAFETY REMINDERS

• Stay seated in your assigned seats and NEVER leave your seat while the bus is
• moving
• Always face forward
• Use indoor voices
• Use appropriate language
• Listen to your driver
• Raise your hand if you need the driver’s attention

Make sure you update Your Laptop!

If you haven't been using your laptop this summer, be sure you turn it on and install updates before you come back to school. There may be a lot of updates to install and it could take a while.

Select this link for SMCPS Technology Support information.

Please see this document for information about the care and liability of your SMCPS devices and other school resources.

New Panda Nation students will receive devices during the first few weeks of school.

Join our team! Select this link for more information.

• SMCPS has multiple positions available to support our students and staff, including full-time and part-time positions in various areas. Employment opportunities can be found on the SMCPS website: https://www.smcps.org/hr/employment-opportunities

• The Abacus Corporation provides part-time/temporary positions to support SMCPS as well. Various positions are also available through the Abacus Corporation and can be found on their website: https://www.abacuscorporation.com/find-jobs

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