February 29, 2024

February:

• Career and Technical Education Month

• Black History Month

• Music in our Schools Month

March 1: Early Dismissal - Parent Conferences

March 1: SMMHS Production of Frozen Jr. 7:00 PM

March 2: SMMHS Production of Frozen Jr. 7:00 PM

March 3: SMMHS Production of Frozen Jr. 2:00 PM

March 3-9: School Social Workers Week

March 4-8: Read Across America Week

March 8: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 9: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 10: EHS Production of Footloose 2:00 PM

March 13: Early Dismissal - Teacher Inservice

March 14: St. Michaels Campus Community Listening Session

March 15: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 16: EHS Production of Footloose 7:00 PM

March 17: Easton St. Patrick's Day Parade - 5:30 p.m.

March 18: Board of Education Public Work Session

March 20: Board of Education Meeting 6:30 PM

March 21: World Downs Syndrome Day

March 22: Early Dismissal- PM Teacher Grading- End of Quarter

March 25- April 1: Spring Break!

Welcome to Dr. Pepukayi's PepTalk Podcast! In today's episode, we have a special panel of guests sharing their experiences as Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. Joining us are Elizabeth Johnson, a sophomore and Certified Nursing Assistant student; Faith Walstrum, a senior and an Auto Tech enthusiast; Braxton Cain, a senior who completed the Business Pathway; and Nathan Henckel, a senior and Biomedical Science completer. We also have TCPS Supervisor Robin Werner with us to give us an overview of the program.

Listen to the Full Episode on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../peptalk-with.../id1665278065

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uohePxAsTWyPojtdJ3cB4

PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-gcak3-1597ac7

DON'T MISS FROZEN JUNIOR!!! Our SMMHS students and staff have been working extremely hard! Please come and see our production of FROZEN JR. Tickets are on sale now at GOFAN. Tickets are $7.00 for senior citizens/students and $12.00 for adults. (there is a $1.00 surcharge per ticket) See the links below to purchase beforehand and then show your phone at the door. If tickets do not sell out ahead of time, tickets will be on sale at the door using a credit card or Apple Pay. Hope to see you at the show!

DOORS OPEN 1/2 hour before show time.

2/23-7:00pm-Frozen Jr. 2/23/2004

2/24-7:00pm-Frozen Jr. 2/24/2024

3/1-7:00pm Frozen Jr. 3/1/2024

3/2-7:00pm Frozen Jr. 3/2/2024

3/3- 2:00pmFrozen Jr. 3/3/2024

Who’s ready to kick off those Sunday Shoes and CUT LOOSE?!?! Under the Direction of Richard A. Vitanovec, EHS Theatre Department takes you on a wild ride from Chicago to the small farming town of Bomont. Set in 2024, we follow Ren McCormack trying to adjust from city life to small town living. Of course, an adjustment period at his new high school is inevitable, but he’s not prepared for the rigorous local ways, including a ban on dancing. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose TRULY celebrates the idea of a community coming together. *Tickets are ONLY sold online. **THIS SHOW IS RATED PG-13 FOOTLOOSE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Purchase Tickets Here: www.showtix4u.com/events/EHSSHOW

Dr. Pepukayi and TCPS CFO Sarah Jones will present the TCPS FY25 Budget request to the Talbot County Council on March 11 at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. They will highlight our Priorities and Progress, and the many accomplishments and initiatives that are reflected in the request.

A co-worker nominated Ray because...

"Ray really does it all at TES!! Here are a few ways he has used his strengths to transform and perform for our students. Most notably, Ray started student led announcements last school year and has continued this practice in school year 23-24. It took time for students to learn their different roles, but Ray now has a tech team of 5th graders that run announcements. This gives 5th graders meaningful practice with how tech can be used in real-world scenarios. Our students also LOVE the announcements, a variety of segments, such as; joke of the day, questions for the Principal, and special features to celebrate diversity, such as Black History Month.

Ray has also started a band at TES. He started the band in school year 21-22, with only a few students who were interested. In year three, the band has tripled in size and is thriving! The kids are learning a variety of string and percussion instruments. He even gives some of the students lessons before/after school or on his planning. His commitment to the band over the past 3 years absolutely shows in their more sophisticated performance at this year's winter concert. Lastly, Ray created a PAWS board that uniquely celebrates our monthly PAWS winners with pictures and crowns. The board is fun and students look forward to being on display for their hard work and positive behavior."

Congratulations to Andrew Germaine, Easton Middle School Teacher who received the Giant Teacher Award! Thank you Andrew for all you do for EMS students!!

Talbot County Public Schools Announces School Year 2024-2025 Registration for students living in Talbot County not currently enrolled in TCPS (PK, K, and all other grade levels).

Registration will take place during school hours. Please call the school to schedule an appointment.

When: March 6th, April 12th, & May 2nd

Where:

Easton Elementary: 410-822-0550

Easton Middle School: 410-822-2910

Chapel Elementary: 410-822-2391

Easton High School: 410-822-4180

St. Michaels Elementary: 410-745-2882

St. Michaels Middle High: 410-745-2852

Tilghman Elementary: 410-886-2391

White Marsh Elementary: 410-476-3144

If you would like to complete the registration forms ahead of time, you can find them on

https://tcps.k12.md.us/students-and-families/enrollment/

*Bring the following:

1. Up-to-date immunization record 6. Proof of Current Grade (if transferring

2. Birth Certificate from another school)

3. Social Security Card 7. Income verification (Pre-K only)

4. Parent with ID 8. Proof of Residency (signed

5. Proof of custody if applicable lease/deed and two utility bills).

Community Listening Sessions are informal discussions with TCPS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Pepukayi and Talbot County Board of Education Members. The sessions provide the opportunity for advocacy and sharing of feedback about our school system.

Dr. Pepukayi, Board President Emily Jackson and Board Member Amy Dodson were at the Easton Elementary Listening Session on Wednesday February 21st. Mark your calendar for the St. Michaels Campus March 14th Listening Session!

This week the Spotlight is on Ms. Gia Ristvey! Ms. Ristvey is a TCPS Teacher Academy Instructor and Biology and Aquatic Science Teacher based at St. Michaels Middle High School. She teaches students from both Easton High and St. Michaels Middle High who are pursuing careers in Education. A member of the TCPS Team for 21 years, she holds a Bachelor's degree from Millersville University, PA in Marine Biology and a Master's Degree from Salisbury University in Post-secondary Education.

What are your favorite things about your job?

“Watching the students grow and succeed in what they set out to do; working with an amazing staff.”

How long have you been in your current position? "18 years"

What is something most people don’t know about your job? “I work with Teacher Academy of Maryland teachers from all over the state to help improve the program and the opportunities.”

What are some "extra-curricular" things you do with/for students, staff, families, and the community? “I am the advisor for the SMMHS SHOP (Students Helping Other People)/Interact Club; I also help with the National Technical Honor Society.”

What is something most people would be surprised to know about you? “I love to ghost hunt!”

What are your favorite things to do when you are not working? “Spending time in nature/fishing.”

What would you like to share about your family? “Watching my child graduate from SMMHS and pursue a dream career in Art History has been just amazing!”

NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE FOR THE EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT!

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.