TCPS TEAM HUDDLE
June 6, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES
August 7 - First Year Teachers Report
August 9 - Fall Sports Begin
August 14 - 2nd/3rd Year Teachers Report
August 17 - All Teachers Report
August 24 - Opening Day
August 28 - First Day of School for Students
September 30 - Final SafeSchools Deadline - all staffHuddle Report from Dr. Pepukayi!
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
COMMUNICATIONS
Interested in learning more about how REMIND can help you communicate effectively with students (13+), families, or staff teams? Check out the resource guide linked below!
We are trying to better understand and manage our work flow! If you need help from the
Communications Team with photos, graphics, press releases or other writing, videos, etc. please use the Communications Project Request form, also linked below.
HUMAN RESOURCES
HUMAN RESOURCES STAFF
Lynne Duncan
Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Support Services
· Employee Relations
· Negotiations
· ESMEC & MABE Representative
Paula Yiannakis
Personnel Supervisor
paula.yiannakis@talbotschools.org
· Hiring
· Teacher Certification
· MD State Retirement
Regina Villers
Administrative Assistant
regina.villers@talbotschools.org
· FMLA
· Tuition Subsidies
· Benefits
Marie Larmore
Secretary
juliann.larmore@talbotschools.org
· Badges & TimeClock
· SafeSchools
· Wellness Program
Legalization of Marijuana
As of July 1, 2023, recreational use of marijuana (cannabis) became legal in Maryland. However, the policies and regulations set forth by the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act apply directly to the use of cannabis in schools including child care facilities located in schools. All employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors are required to comply with this law and may not distribute, possess, use or be under the influence of cannabis while in schools or during working hours including but not limited to while transporting students or attending school sponsored activities.
The State Superintendent has reminded all school systems that cannabis is still classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law and its use remains illegal under federal law. Compliance is a legal obligation. Non-compliance could jeopardize a schools’ eligibility for federal funding and significantly impact the quality of education provided to students. A controlled substance test shall continue to be administered as part of the application process prior to the offer of employment as a school vehicle driver/trainee. Random testing will continue once employed.
NEGOTIATIONS
Union contracts are completely open for negotiations this school year. Suggestions for changes are welcomed and should be emailed to Lynne Duncan.
TCPS is required to meet a minimum salary of at least $60,000 for teachers by July 2026. Current starting salary is $52,919.65.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Be on the lookout for lots of new information from the Office of Safety and Security. We will be exercising our minds on a regular basis with virtual table top exercises from the Maryland Center for School Safety. I have 18 on deck for this academic year! (Don’t worry they will only take you about 15 minutes!)
The civilian security staff is spending 74 hours in training during the month of August to get their School Security Employee certifications through the Maryland Center for School Safety. We will also be implementing lots of new things with the security staff this academic year. The changes will be seamless and subtle but should improve our efficiency.
The security team will be sending out some virtual training for staff to keep us alert, aware and evolving! The Office of Safety and Security will be publishing regular Security Briefs with pertinent school safety related topics and there are many more things to come! Keep your eyes open for updates to help us all provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff!
STUDENT SERVICES
Teacher Well-Being: Taking Care Of You! TCPS Cares
In recent years, the teaching profession has become quite challenging to say the least, yet it continues to be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling professions to choose. Teachers are experiencing higher rates of stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression than ever before (Agyapong et al., 2022). Although some amount of stress is normal, there are things you can do to help manage the impact of stress on your overall well-being:
1. Become more active in your school culture by suggesting and participating in staff activities like pickle ball teams, book clubs, covered dish lunches, exercise afterwork, or bake-offs at school.
2. Build peer-to-peer mentorship. This is a proven strategy in sharing ideas and advice, troubleshooting, and building trust.
3. Find laughter, as stress increases our humor can typically decrease. So, find funny people and laugh at yourself. We all do funny things!
4. Share any concerns you have with your administrative team member, as they too may be experiencing similar emotions.
5. Exercise has proven to counter stress and fights depression. Find a yoga, cardio, or Pilates class, go for a run or walk.
6. Some of our biggest protective factors are our families, church, friends, and a pets.
7. Please don’t be afraid to simply Ask-4-Help at any time. TCPS offers a great Employee Assistance Program free of charge.
FINANCE
ALL TCPS SCHOOLS APPROVED FOR FREE BREAKFAST
We have recently been notified that all TCPS schools have been approved for free breakfast in the classroom for FY 2024. New to the program are Chapel District Elementary and St. Michaels Middle High. Training for teachers and administrators before school begins is mandatory.
This was made possible both due to a $4.5 million increase in state funding for the program and due to all of your hard work to get those FARMs applications completed and submitted last year. So Thank YOU!! FY 2024 FARMS applications will be available very soon!
The TCPS Education Foundation is Accepting Grant Applications!
The TCPS Education Foundation invites you to apply for grant funding for innovative teaching and learning programs and materials for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Education Foundation grant application and guidelines may be found using this link: Grant Application Form. Approved proposals may be included in their November 17 fundraising event, Mission Possible if submitted by Friday October 6.
Grant applications must be approved by your school principal, and will be reviewed by the Curriculum Department. They will then be submitted to the Education Foundation grants committee for consideration for funding. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $150,000 in grants to TCPS teachers. If you have questions, please contact Debbie Gardner, Communications Officer - dgardner@talbotschools.org
Recent Projects Funded by the Education Foundation
New Uniforms for the Easton High Marching Band!
Easton Middle School National History Day
CDES Class Set of Ukeleles
News from Choptank Community Health
Choptank Health’s three medical teams will be increasing their availability for the upcoming school year, with the following schedule:
School-Based Health Center Full-Day Hours – 2023/2024 School Year
Easton Elementary School - Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Easton Middle School - Tuesdays, Thursdays*
Easton High School - Mondays, Wednesdays
St. Michaels High School - Tuesdays, Thursdays
White Marsh Elementary School - Mondays, Wednesdays
*Pending a new provider joining the Choptank Health team.
School-Based Health Centers also offer summer appointments on Mondays and Thursdays at Easton Elementary School for students and staff to help address urgent care needs, with services including diagnosing illness, writing prescriptions, performing lab tests, and more. You can make an appointment by calling 443-496-3201.
News from the Talbot County Health Department
Please note, the Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all TCPS Staff.
Employee flu vaccines will also be offered in the Fall.
Staff enrollment forms for Choptank are available in all School Health Offices.
TCHD will have Back to School Vaccine Clinics in our new mobile van beginning June 21st at Easton Middle School from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.