September 14, 2023

September: Talbot Goes Purple Month! A substance abuse prevention initiative.

September 10-16: Arts in Education Week

September 15- October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 18: Board of Ed Work Session- 5:30 at TCEC

September 20: Board of Ed Meeting - 6:30 at TCEC

September 23: Frederick Douglass Day (Talbot)

September 28: What Parents Need to Know Webinar: Current Trends of Teen Prescription Drug Misuse

September 29: Early Dismissal- Secondary Conferences- Elementary Teacher In-Service

National Arts in Education Week celebrates the essential role of arts education in students' lives across the United States. This week-long event recognizes the power of the arts to inspire creativity, foster critical thinking skills, and promote social and emotional development. The arts are integral to a well-rounded education, from music and dance to theater and visual arts. National Arts in Education Week is a time for educators, students, and communities to celebrate the arts and advocate for their continued importance in our schools. To learn more: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy/arts-in-education-week

Dear parents/guardians,

This letter is to notify you that we have been seeing a higher than usual volume of students attending school sick, going to the School Nurse and then going home due to illness.

Please be advised that if your child is not feeling well they need to stay home from school. If your child experiences any of these symptoms; fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea they need to stay home and not attend school that day.

If your child has a fever equal to or greater than 100.4 they must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications before returning to school. If you are unclear of when that return date should be please reach out to the school nurse for guidance. The school nurse has the ability to excuse the absences related to a fever after having a discussion with you. The same guidance applies for vomiting and diarrhea, as the student must be free from all symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

COVID guidance for schools remains the same at this time. If your child tests positive they must stay home for 5 days after the day of the test or 5 days after the first day of symptoms. The first day of symptoms and/or the positive test date is considered day 0, not day 1. Before returning to school the student must have an improvement in symptoms, no fevers for 24 hours and the recommendation is for them to wear a mask for days 6-10.

We are aware that with illness comes the issue of attendance. We encourage you to call the school nurse and have a discussion with them in regards to your child’s illness. We have the ability to excuse absences for illness if we deem it appropriate after having a discussion with you.

The beginning of the school year is an incredibly busy time for TCPS and for the school health staff. We are asking for your help to keep your children healthy and also assist the school nurses to decrease the numbers of sick students in the school building.

Regards,

Megan Greenwood, BSN, RN, CEN

Director of School Health

Talbot County Health Department

• Monday, September 18, 2023 is the Board Work Session. The session will begin at 5:30 with a school tour. The Work Session Live Stream will start at 6:30.
• Wednesday, September 20, 2023 is the Board Meeting
• View Live-Stream, Meeting Agendas and Supporting Documents: https://talbotschools-md.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

Talbot County Education Center

12 Magnolia St.

Easton, MD 21601

Mr. Devon Beck is the Facilitator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Talbot County Public Schools. In this role, he guides leaders and organizations to remove barriers to inclusion. He oversees recruiting and retention of staff in our county, as well as the Grow Our Own and Employee 2 Teacher programs. In addition he plays an integral role in professional development and our Annual Equity Summit.

Mr. Beck is a leader, builder, and connector who has successfully navigated leadership roles in education, community development, and the music business. In each sector, he created inaugural roles to meet growing organizational needs. After receiving his undergraduate degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Devon began working in the school system, mentoring and leading young students with those very lessons. During this part of his career he became a Teacher’s Assistant, Behavior Specialist, Geometry/Algebra Teacher, a Family & Student Liaison, and then a Pre-Referral Coordinator at Talbot County Board of Education. Through each of these positions he was able to learn more about actively and effectively helping students who had difficulties learning. Devon realized reaching students during this important part of life could have a life-long impact on so many levels- even in their future adulthood. He reached the youth through his motivational speeches, school assemblies, career fairs, and his mentorship program. His most popular speeches have been at North Caroline High School, Chesapeake College, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Morgan State University, where he focused on racial/social injustices and how to navigate through these obstacles while focusing on a successful and positive future.

Thank you to Brianna Crow, TCPS Communications Intern, for photos!

TGP Clubs are underway! Madison Elliott, B.S.W., TCPS Substance Abuse Specialist, is leading the clubs and distributing TGP Anti Vaping T-shirts this week!

Throughout September TGP will be posting daily messages on Social Media Pages. Click today's message below to view all.

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!