Cheetah Chatter Parent Update
Chapel District Elementary School August 20th-27th
Parent Teacher Conferences 8/26 and 8/27
Chapel Families,
We had a great first week back with our Chapel staff! Our theme this year is, "Here Comes the Sun, as we remain full of hope and positivity for an amazing school year! We are so excited for the 2021-2022 school year!
A reminder that your child's teacher either already has reached out to you to schedule your meet and greet conference OR will be reaching out to you by the end of the day Monday. Parents have the option of a virtual or in-person conference. We encourage your child to attend if you are coming to CDES for your in-person conference. In addition, you may bring your child's school supplies to place in your child's desk. During your 30 minute conference, teachers will ask/review the following:
- Your child's area of strengths/areas of opportunity for growth
- Discuss typical day in your child's grade level
- Transportation to/from school (car or bus rider) (if bus rider- share bus pick up and drop off times, bus number/color)
- Lunch preference (buyer or packer)
- TCPS iPad agreement, review iPad damage fees
- Complete Free and Reduced Meals Application Form (FARMS Form- this assists with school funding for CDES- please complete even if you do not think you will qualify)
- Grade level curriculum and grading expectations
- Review info/flyer to join our PTO
- Answer any questions or concerns you may have
Please be reminded that all students, staff, and families in the building will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status, during parent teacher meet and greet conferences.
Our first day of school is August 30th with arrival time at 8:35 a.m. and dismissal at 3:35 p.m. Breakfast is served from 8:35-8:55 a.m. for any students who would like breakfast. Our instructional day beings promptly at 8:55 a.m. Please be reminded for those students who will be car riders, that efficiency is key for a smooth car rider line. Please have students:
- Ready with their masks on to exit the car
- Ready with their book bag and other items ready to exit the car
- Begin to practice getting in/out of their car seats independently (if your child is too young to do this independently, please try to be as quick as possible, as not to hold up the car rider line)
Parents will not be permitted to walk their child to class the first day of school, as we are trying to limit visitors to the building and maintain safety for our students. There will be lots of staff outside and inside of the building to escort students to the correct classroom.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have to your child's teacher, or to the administrative team (Dr. Clow, Mrs. Palmer).
We look forward to seeing all of our Chapel Cheetahs on August 30th!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kari M. Clow
CDES Principal
Fall 2021 Return to School Update (From Dr. Griffith, TCPS Superintendent of Schools)
August 17, 2021
Dear TCPS Families,
With the start of the new school year rapidly approaching, our primary goal is for a full safe return to in person learning five days a week, with layered preventative measures in place. School districts have received updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to assist us in responding to COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to rapidly evolve.
The newest guidance was developed to support the re-opening of schools for in-person learning at full capacity, as recommended by the CDC. We are told by MSDE that schools must follow attendance policies at this time, and the virtual option is no longer available. Based on the recommendations of the Talbot County Health Officer, and our current trend of “High” according to the Community Transmission Risk chart, the following layered prevention strategies needed to protect students and staff will be effective immediately:
Requiring universal indoor masking for individuals age 2 years and older, including students/children, teachers, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
Promoting vaccination among teachers, staff and students.
Maintaining physical distancing of three feet to the extent possible without excluding students from in-person learning.
Offering rapid COVID-19 testing in schools if needed.
Maintaining adequate ventilation of all buildings to support air quality
Following health department guidance regarding contact tracing, isolation and quarantine for staff or students who are sick, have COVID-19 symptoms, are exposed to someone with COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 according to the Talbot County Health Department Quarantine Policy .
While this is not the way we hoped to be starting the school year, we will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis and will make revisions accordingly. The good news is that we have 88% of our staff and almost 50% of our 12 -17 year-olds vaccinated so we remain encouraged and hopeful about a healthy and productive school year. Stay Healthy! Stay Safe! Stay Tuned!
Kelly L. Griffith, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Bus Information for 21-22
Chapel Families-
Bus route information will be posted in the parent portal of your student's PowerSchool account by the TCPS Transportation Department as soon as routes are available. You will also be provided information on your child's bus number/color and pick up/drop off times at your Parent Teacher Meet and Greet Conference on 8/26 and 8/27. You can also download the "Here Comes the Bus" app in the meantime. Thank you!
ALL TCPS STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR THE ENTIRE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
Important Upcoming Dates
AUGUST
*8/19- All teachers report
*8/26 and 8/27- Parent/Teacher Welcome Back Conferences
*8/30- First Day of School!
SEPTEMBER
*9/1- Grandparents Club Meeting 6:00 p.m. (You may attend in Media Center or on Zoom)
*9/6- NO SCHOOL- LABOR DAY!
*9/8- TCPS BOE Meeting 6:00 p.m.
*9/13- CDES Panera Bread Spirit Night 5-9 p.m. (must mention CDES to get credit)
*9/14- Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
*9/14- PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. (You may attend in Media Center or on Zoom)
*9/15- Back to School Night! 6:00-7:30 p.m.
*9/17- PTO Family Cornhole Tournament 6:00-8:00 p.m.
*9/20-9/24- Fall MCAP Testing (Grades 3-5)
*9/23- Interim 1 Ends
*9/29- Interims Issued
*9/30- Picture Day!
OCTOBER
*10/1- Early Dismissal/Parent Teacher Conferences PM- 12:20 p.m. dismissal
*10/6-Grandparents Club Meeting 6:00 p.m. (You may attend in Media Center or on Zoom)
*10/12- Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
*10/12- PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. (You may attend in Media Center or on Zoom)
*10/25-10/29- Red Ribbon Week
*10/29- CDES Halloween Celebration, Early Dismissal 12:20 p.m.
Communications Platforms- PowerSchool Parent Portal, School Messenger
TCPS Attendance Policy
Research on Child Development
How to Sharpen Your Child's Executive Functioning Skills
Human Connection is KEY! Put Down Those Devices, Parents!
CDES Spirit Night at Panera Bread 9/13
Want an easy way to help CDES raise money for the upcoming school year? Bring the whole family and participate in our Panera Bread fundraiser on September 13th from 5-9 p.m. Please be sure to show the flyer to mention to the cashier that you are supporting Chapel District Elementary School, in order for our school to get credit. 20% of sales will get donated back to CDES, which will be used for our PBIS incentives for students! Thank you for supporting CDES!
For an online Rapid Pick-up/ Curbside order to count towards your fundraiser night, customers MUST enter the promo code “PRFUND” on the promotional flyer when checking out. If the code is not entered, we will be unable to track and record the transaction.
If you place a delivery order, your order must be placed through panerabread.com delivery service. Just like RPU/ Curbside, the Promo code must be entered at checkout. We cannot track orders placed through DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, or Postmates.
Available Designs- CDES Online Spirit Wear Store!
CDES PTO Updates
PTO Officers:
Co- Presidents: Bernadette Golt and Taren Knopp
Vice President: Katie Callahan
Treasurer: Julie Callahan
Secretary: Ashley Foster
PTO Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Meetings held in person in the Media Center OR you can attend virtually on Zoom!
*Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4701100564
*Please email any questions or comments to cdespto@gmail.com
Please link your E-Vic Card TODAY! You must renew your membership each year. Thank you!
Support Our PTO- Re-Link or Link Your Harris Teeter E-Vic Card! Must renew this annually!
CDES Grandparents Club Info
President: Mike Butler
Vice President: Carla Callahan
Treasurer: Cindy Doupnik
*Meetings will take place the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings held in person in the Media Center OR you can attend virtually on Zoom!
Next Grandparents Club Meeting: September 1st at 6:00 p.m
Zoom link- https://us05web.zoom.us/j/88366253821?pwd=RUJHb1JzRUVDeXoxRlFKWDNFZURsdz09
Please be sure to print out the Grandparents Club membership form below, complete, and to pay your $5 dues to be a member! We are looking for new members!