Aviator Update
October 15, 2021
Thank You For A Great Week, Aviators!
Thank you all for a very successful week. We recognized National Walk to School Day (see pictures below) this week and hosted many parent/teacher conferences. Please reach out to your child's teacher to schedule a conference if needed.
Our Flu Clinic takes place this week, so if you are interested in having your child be vaccinated at school, please register below.
Monday is B Week!
Ms. Denise Mandis, Principal
Fall Book Fair News
The Book Fair is almost here. We need volunteers. If you are interested, please click the Enchanted Book Fair Homepage link. There is an online volunteer sign-up tool included on the homepage. Enchanted Book Fair Homepage
We will have an evening shopping event. See the flyer for details.
October 29th Candy Walk
National Walk To School Day
Attention Biker Families
Car Rider Reminders
Beginning Monday, Duke staff will be asking for your help to provide space before the bus turn in, as several of our buses have middle school runs and arrive after our car rider line has begun. Mr. Spears has put in a work order to mark the bus turn zone, and staff will be trying to reserve space where our buses can safely turn into the bus loop in the afternoon. Thank you for your assistance there.
- During morning Drop Off, please do not allow your child out of the car if you are parked before the crosswalk at the end of the car loop. This becomes a safety issue if students start unloading and they aren't in the car drop off loop.
- During PM pick up, in the event of rain, please don't leave your car to come to the school and get your child out of line. This becomes a safety hazard when parents leave their cars and we aren't able to keep track of what adult is getting which children.
Thank you for working to keep our Aviators safe!
MakerSpace Items Needed
Duke Outreach Program
When is TOO Sick for School?
- temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher (without fever-reducing medication)
- throwing up or diarrhea within 24 hours
- pink and crusty eye(s)
- COVID-like symptoms
We have many individuals within our school community who may be particularly vulnerable to illness of any kind. Your concern for their well-being and the health of our entire school is greatly appreciated.
Our nurse, Dana Lowien, is available to answer your questions! As we navigate the return of 530+ students, we appreciate your close communication. Please do not hesitate to call if you have ANY questions about your child's health needs.
COVID Testing Protocols
Free Covid testing is available without an appointment from SMCHD. The testing location has been moved from the Health Department on Peabody Street to Hollywood Volunteer Fire House.
Please check the HD portal for Covid test results. The HD will tell you that the results won't be back for 3 to 4 days but students are often able to get the results back in 1 to 2 days by checking online.
Fever of 100.4 or higher, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting or new onset of a severe headache or new loss of taste or smell.
A student with any one of the above symptoms will need to have a negative COVID test (either a PCR or an Antigen test) or a doctor's note with an alternative diagnosis for their return to school. Home Covid tests are not acceptable for a student's return. The student's symptoms must be resolved or be significantly improved and the student must be fever free for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medications.
Another option is for the student to remain home for 10 days from symptom onset in case it is a COVID illness.
The Health Department offers free COVID testing with no appointment. SMCPS is now accepting NEGATIVE rapid antigen COVID tests for return to school. If both tests (antigen and PCR) are performed and the send out PCR lab later results in a POSITIVE COVID test, the student will then have to remain home to complete their isolation period as determined by our local health department.
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine Information
COVID-19 Testing Now Offered at Mass Vaccination Site in Hollywood
LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 20, 2021) - In order to meet increased demand for COVID-19 testing locally, the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is moving COVID-19 testing operations to the mass vaccination site at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department beginning September 22, 2021. COVID-19 testing will no longer be available at the SMCHD main office in Leonardtown, though will continue to be available at the SMCHD Hub in Lexington Park.
SMCHD COVID-19 Testing (effective September 22, 2021)
- Locations:
- Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department at 24801 MD-235 in Hollywood
- Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Drive-thru only
- Behavioral Health Hub at 21625 Great Mills Rd in Lexington Park
- Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Drive-thru, bike-thru, or walk up
- Enter from Saratoga Drive and follow directional signage (traffic pattern has changed from former PNC Bank)
- Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department at 24801 MD-235 in Hollywood
- Pre-registering is recommended for reduced wait times at both locations
- No appointment or doctor’s order needed for testing
- Free of charge (no out-of-pocket cost, co-payment, co-insurance, etc.)
- Available for those who live or work in St. Mary’s County
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available in Hollywood and Lexington Park for anyone age 12 and older. Appointments are highly recommended; walk-ups will be accepted as vaccine supply allows. For more information or to make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit smchd.org/covid-19-vaccine or call the SMCHD COVID-19 Community Hotline at (301) 475-4330. Please review the allergy guidance and the FAQs for SMCHD COVID-19 Vaccination prior to registering for a vaccine appointment. Pre-registration is available for those who are waiting to become eligible for their initial or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information about COVID-19 updates and information, visit smchd.org/coronavirus.
PTA Information
This school year is an election year for the Duke PTA executive board and a new board will be elected in April. If you have at all considered taking a more active role in supporting your school’s students and staff this is the job for you! Have questions or want more information, email the current board at cwfdespta@gmail.com.
Be on the look out for more information from your Duke PTA about some of our upcoming events, including a Chick-fil-a meal sale fundraiser and a Halloween Candy Walk and food truck night!
Did you know the PTA has several ongoing fundraisers? You can earn money for Duke easily in your everyday life!
Amazon Smile: follow these directions to link your Amazon account and earn money for Duke on most purchases.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F
Scrip Gift Card Program: download the Raise Right app and use the following enrollment code to link your account to Duke. We get a portion of each gift card sale. Any questions about the program email DukePTA.scrip@gmail.com
Enrollment Code: 669ECLCL52733
Box Tops for Education: box tops have gone digital! Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts to give Duke credit for your box tops purchases.
Box Tops For Education
Upcoming Key Dates
October 20: Flu Clinic (pre-registration required)
October 20: Chick-fil-a fundraiser meal pickups 5-6pm (more information to come from the PTA)
October 21: Zoutman/Cocimano to Sotterly
October 22: Paz & R. Schou to Sotterly
October 29: PTA Candy Walk & Food Truck Night 5:00-7:00 (More information to come)
November 10: Picture Re-take/Make up Day