January 25, 2024

January:

• National School Board Appreciation Month
• National Mentoring Month

January 22-26: Great Kindness Challenge

February:

• Career and Technical Education Month

• Black History Month

February 7: Early Dismissal Teacher Inservice

February 9: Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Nominations Due

February 12: Board of Education Public Work Session 5:30 PM

February 14: Board of Education Meeting 6:30 PM

February 19: President's Day Holiday Schools Closed

February 21: Easton Elementary Community Listening Session 6 PM

February 23: SMMHS Production of Frozen Jr. 7:00 PM

February 24: SMMHS Production of Frozen Jr. 7:00 PM

Thanks to all who joined Dr. Pepukayi and Board Members, Emily Jackson, Candace Henry and Amy Dodson for the Easton Middle and Easton High Community Listening Session. Listening Sessions are an opportunity to discuss educational issues with the Superintendent and Board of Education members in an informal roundtable setting. Our next session will be at Easton Elementary Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 6PM.

This week, from January 22-26, is the Great Kindness Challenge, a national movement to promote positivity and prevent bullying in schools. It's all about performing as many acts of kindness as possible! Let's improve our school community, one small act of kindness at a time!

Congratulations to Ms. Dawn Wirtz, St. Michaels Middle High School Social Worker, for receiving this month's APPLEBEE'S SUPPORT STAFF AWARD!

We are excited to feature student artwork from Bridget Whited’s classes at St. Michaels Middle High School in our online art gallery! Check out the fantastic, creative work of our talented artists!

The first draft of the 2024-25 TCPS School Calendar was presented at the January 18th Board Meeting. Please review the calendar and give us your feedback. Survey results will be presented at the February Board Meeting.

Superintendent Sharon Pepukayi Ed.D. and TCPS CFO Sarah Jones, CPA, presented the second reader of the FY25 TCPS Budget. The presentation slides are linked below .

Please email comments on the TCPS FY25 Draft Budget to publiccomments@talbotschools.org.

Talbot County Public Schools is excited to announce that the process to select the 2024 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year has begun! Is there a teacher or member of the TCPS support staff who is truly outstanding, has made a significant impact on your family, and/or goes above and beyond in their commitment as a professional? The Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year programs are a fantastic way to recognize educators who exemplify excellence.

Any individual within the school system or any member of the community may nominate a candidate to apply to be Talbot’s Teacher of the Year or Support Staff of the Year. The nomination forms are linked below. Nominations for both Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year are due by Friday, February 9, 2024.

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Formulario de Nominación de Maestro del Año

Support Staff of the Year Nomination Form

Formulario de Nominación del Personal de Apoyo del Año

Maryland Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program renewals are not automatic this year. If anyone in your family has Maryland Medicaid or Maryland Children’s Health Insurance you must complete the proper paperwork to maintain coverage—and if you can, please help spread the word to other parents. Even if you think you are no longer eligible, you should respond as your child could still be eligible. Visit https://bit.ly/48eyCpl or call 855-642-8572 to learn more.

Kids need to be in school so they don't miss foundational skills! Just missing 2 days a month means missing 10% of the school year! #attendancematters

This year TCPS is going “cashless” for tickets for all of our athletic events using GoFan. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the gate using a credit or debit card. GoFan accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Admission to all events at the Easton High and St. Michaels High Stadiums and Gymnasiums is $6 (children 6 and under are free). Cash payment will not be accepted at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased using the following links:

Easton High

St. Michaels Middle High

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. For more information and to apply visit: https://www.fcc.gov/acp

Join the 70+ teachers, administrators, and support staff that have already enrolled in the TCPS SafeTime registration drive. This all-new app is designed to both empower us all with a super easy social media integrated tool to alert the proper authorities if we see something suspicious, AND to raise student self-esteem via the creation and exposure to fun, positive messaging. Students will be encouraged to share their creativity with opportunities to win $1000 scholarships. Parents/guardians and students will be invited to register starting September 17. Thank you!