CWFDES Summer Bulletin
Summer 2022 & School Year 2023 Preview
We wish you the very best that summer can bring. Enjoy these last few weeks!
Our News Bulletin outlines info about:
- Introductions: New Admin Team
- Mark Your Calendar: Popsicles with the Principals
- Register a New Student
- SY23 CWFDES Supply List
- Summer Reading Resources
- Free & Reduced Meal Benefits (SY23) - apply today!
- Pre-K applications
- Kindergarten registration
- SMCPS Virtual Pathway Program
- Fall SMAC Admission Updates
Hello Duke Families,
We hope your summer is off to a great start and filled with lots of excitement and some much-needed rest & relaxation.
Mr. Adams and I are excited to join your community as Principal and Assistant Principal of CWFDES. Our educational philosophy is based on the belief that when children are excited to attend school, the learning takes care of itself. We look forward to getting to know each of your students and making the 2022-23 school year their best one yet.
Between the two of us, we have 30 years of experience in St. Mary’s County Public Schools. We worked together as Raiders at Leonardtown High School and are excited to SOAR together as Aviators here at Duke.
As elementary parents ourselves, we truly believe that the home/school connection is essential for the success of students. Be on the lookout for future communications from us as we get closer to Wednesday, August 24th (the first day back for students). In the meantime, enjoy these precious summer months and time spent with your families.
We can’t wait to start this journey together.
Respectfully,
Katie Kortokrax and Zach Adams
Registering a New Student
Welcome to Duke Elementary School!
Your student will love being an Aviator.
- Select the link for our checklist to Register a New Student.
- You may email completed files to kmokeefe@smcps.org or contact us to schedule an appointment for support with registration or to submit paper documents.
We can't wait to meet you!
Notable Dates
2022-2023 School Year Opening - SY23 Calendar
August 17: Teachers Return
August 22: SMCPS Open Houses
CWFDES Open House:
- COMPASS: 9:00-10:00 AM
- Grades K-5: 1:00-3:00 PM
- Pre-Kindergarten Open House - Time/Date TBD
August 24: First Day for Students
Summer Reading Resources
Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Forms
Pre-K/Head Start Online Application
Update 6/2/2022 Press Release
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will offer full-day Pre-Kindergarten for four-year-old students in elementary schools for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year for eligible students. There will be no half-day spaces in Pre-Kindergarten 4.
To enter a 4-year-old class for the 2022-2023 school year, a child must have a birthdate on or before September 1, 2022.
Please review the 2022 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Table. Students will be admitted in rank order beginning with those children whose families are at or below 185% and eligible for Free and Reduced Meals. After those students have been placed, full-day Pre-Kindergarten 4 spaces will be offered to students whose families’ incomes are up to 300% until spaces are filled.
Families exceeding an income of 300% of the FPL will not be offered a space in Pre-Kindergarten 4 for the 2022-2023 school year. If you need assistance locating childcare, please visit the child finder link from MSDE at https://www.checkccmd.org/ for assistance.
For more information about the full-day Pre-Kindergarten 4 program, visit www.smcps.org/ssp/early-childhood-education. Questions may also be submitted to Pre-K Questions or call (301) 475-5511, ext. 32136.
Kindergarten Registration
Open registration for students who will be five years old by September 1, 2022 continues throughout the summer. Select the link to view the SMCPS Press Release.
In order for us to most efficiently serve you, we recommend scheduling an appointment to register your student. Please call our main office at (240) 309-4658 or email kmokeefe@smcps.org.
We look forward to assisting you through the registration process.
SMCPS Registration Information
Required documents include:
- Proof of residence
- Evidence of Birth
- Immunization Record
- Court papers regarding custody (if applicable)
- Photo ID of parent/guardian
SMCPS Virtual Pathway
Information on the Virtual Academy can be found by visiting schools.smcps.org/virtual.
Fall SMAC Admission Updates
The admission fee for regular-season sporting events will increase from $5.00 to $6.00 at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year for varsity, junior varsity and freshman games including all double/triple headers. Admission fees for SMAC Championship events will be $8.00.
Please click here for additional information: Update for Community