Fairlead Families,

Welcome to Fairlead Academy!

The beginning of a new school year can be an exciting time for students. It is an opportunity for students to grow, learn and push themselves to reach the next level of academic achievement.

I am excited for this school year because we are finally returning to some sense of normalcy after these last few years of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. During the 2022-2023 school year we will teach and challenge our students to show characteristics of Leadership, Effort, Accountability, and Determination. We believe that these core values will assist them throughout their lives to overcome any obstacles, academic or personal, that they may encounter.

High School is an influential time in a students' educational pathway. So, it is fortunate that your student is continuing their educational journey with us here at Fairlead Academy. In sailing terms, a fairlead is a device that guides a rope in the right direction so that the rope does not become frayed. Fairlead Academy has a similar purpose. Our staff specializes in meeting students where they are, providing students with guidance, individualized attention, and instructional strategies to help them excel. Simply stated, the Fairlead Academy staff is prepared to support your child so that they can become a confident and successful student.

Finally, please know that it is my absolute pleasure to work together with the Fairlead staff, parents/guardians, and students to make this year positively extraordinary for our students.

Respectfully,

Lisa M. Johnson, Ed.D.

Academic Dean

August 24th: Schools Open for Students

September 5th: Holiday - Schools & Offices Closed

September 22nd: Two Hour Early Dismissal

September 23rd: Professional Day - No School for Students

Families and students should also be advised that there are a lot of additional benefits by 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. In an effort to aid parents who may have trouble locating or filling out the online meal benefit application, Food and Nutrition Services has recreated two screencasts. Please share these links with your school community: (i) Quick Start Guide to Meal Benefit Forms and (ii) Detailed Instructions on Filling Out Meal Benefit Forms.

ALL students in SMCPS must have a completed Acceptable Use Agreement on file for School Year 2022-2023.

Please choose the appropriate link below to complete this for your student(s).

These are due by September 15th.

Elementary (PreK-5th) Link: https://bit.ly/22022-2023_Elementary_AUPForm

Secondary (6th-12th) Link: https://bit.ly/2022-2023_Secondary_AUPForm

Here are the guidelines care.

1. Keep you laptop in a secure place. The laptop should not leave home or be taken on vacations.
2. Please review the procedures in our Accountability Document for "Care of Laptops Offsite"
3. If you need help with your device please submit a helpdesk ticket using these directions.
4. All students are issued a school laptop.
5. It is your responsibility for the care and upkeep of your device.
6. A school laptop costs 380.00. Laptop charger replacements cost 40.00.

If you break a laptop, there is a repair cost. Please take care of your device.

Guidelines

As a reminder: Students are asked to continue to bring their Laptops with them to school everyday along with any charging devices.

It is a good practice to make sure that laptops are plugged in and charged at night in order to be ready for school the next day.