Denton Dolphin News
January 5, 2022
Message from Dr. Simmons, Interim Superintendent of Schools
December 31, 2021
Dear families and staff,
I hope this finds everyone enjoying the holidays and time with family and friends. Over the break, I have been in regular contact with Caroline County Health Department (CCHD) Health Officer Robin Cahall to review COVID-19 data and receive guidance regarding reopening schools in January. While some adjustments will be made to quarantine procedures based on new federal and state guidelines, students and staff will be welcomed back as scheduled on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Several important points were factored into the decision to continue as scheduled:
CCPS follows mitigation procedures that are not the norm outside of schools. These include the masks requirement, regular cleaning protocols, distancing to the extent possible, quarantine of positive cases and unvaccinated close contacts, and regular consultation with CCHD.
According to current outbreak definitions, CCPS has not experienced a COVID-19 outbreak since October. (At that time, three classrooms in one school were closed due to spread in the classrooms, as opposed to community spread.)
According to the data available at this time (medical, academic, and social-emotional) the overwhelming benefit of providing in-person learning for as many students as possible outweighs any benefit gained from closing schools for all students.
Updated quarantine and isolation guidance may be found on the CCPS website.
Our goal remains to keep schools open full time for in-person learning for all students. This will continue to take each of us working together and following best practices, individually and collectively. Continue to mask in schools and public places. If you have not yet been vaccinated, talk with your medical provider or CCHD to get the facts. Continue to monitor yourself and children for COVID-19 symptoms and act accordingly for your safety and the safety of others.
We will continue to work through and rise above these challenges. As we have since March 2020, we’ll make adjustments as needed, advise of any changes as soon as possible, and continue to make decisions we believe are in the best interest of our students.
Happy New Year,
Derek L. Simmons, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Health Department & Choptank Health COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for CCPS Students and Staff
The Caroline County Health Department and Choptank Community Health will be providing curbside COVID-19 testing for CCPS students and staff only on the following schedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 4 and Jan. 11, 4:00-5:00 pm at Greensboro Elementary
Wednesday, Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, 4:00-5:00 pm at Federalsburg Elementary
Thursday, Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, 4:00-5:00pm at Preston Elementary
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the health department at 410-479-5880 or contact your School Based Health Center. No on-site walk-up appointments will be accepted; appointments for CCPS staff and students only.
Promoting a Safe and Healthy Environment for ALL Students and Students
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.
Denton Elementary is a Title I School
Vision of Excellence:
The Denton Elementary School Family will promote our core values of S.W.I.M. by supporting a challenging curriculum, honoring individuality, and working collaboratively.
S: Stay Safe
W: Work Hard
I: Include Everyone
M: Make Responsible Choices
Email: mccandless.susan@ccpsstaff.org
Website: dentones.org
Location: 303 Sharp Road, Denton MD
Phone: 410-479-1660
Facebook: facebook.com/dentondolphins
Twitter: @SusMcCand