The following were the discussion points from the February 19, 2025, Ed Spec Committee Meeting:
Offices Administrative & Support
• Main Office & Reception Area
• Principal’s office
• Assistant Principal’s office(s)
• School Counselor’s office
• School Social Worker’s office
• SRO office
• Outside Mental Health Services office
• Conference Room
large area away from noise
• Staff Workroom
plenty of storage
many outlets
• Staff Lounge
multiple adult bathrooms
sinks
cabinets/storage
• Nurses suite
wellness area - where meds, bandages, etc. are given out
sick/isolation area
own bathroom
plenty of storage
Classrooms/Learning Spaces
• Gen Ed Classrooms
should reflect age group
large spaces
whole group area (circle time)
flexible seating and furniture
plenty of storage
bathrooms
outside windows
• Special Education Suite
sensory-friendly
bathrooms
changing areas
Flexible seating and furniture
• School Psychologist’s Office
• Speech room - away from noisier areas
• PT/OT Room - access to playground
• Art Room
multiple sinks
plenty of storage for supplies and uncompleted projects
display area
appropriate furniture
• Music Room
soundproof space away from learning
plenty of instrument storage
• Media Center
flexible seating and furniture
plenty of shelving units for books
reading nooks
research stations
Makerspace area
• Cafeteria
with multiple lunch lines
bathrooms within
• Gymnasium
plenty of equipment storage
bathrooms
• Stage
off the gym or cafeteria
• STEM/Science lab
• Outdoor learning spaces
• De-escalation/break room
Family/Community Engagement
• Dedicated Judy Center
Own bathrooms
Connected to Early Childhood playground
Easily accessible to families
Large space to have family events
• Family Resource & Community Room
space for parent workshops, playgroups, and community meetings
• Multipurpose Room for Community Use
flexible space for before/after-school programs, parent education,
Transportation & Outside
• Bus & parent drop-off zone
clearly marked
Separate entry and exit points for vehicles
• Bike racks & marked walking paths
• Age appropriate playgrounds (courtyard style for younger students)
Technology & Safety
• Secure Entry & Check-in System – controlled access for visitors and staff.
• PA System & Emergency Communication
• Security Cameras & Alarm System – Covering all entrances, hallways, and key areas
• Interactive Whiteboards & Classroom Tech – Smartboards, projectors, and student devices.
Notice to parents: Remember to attend the community meetings for more information.
The following were the discussion points from the February 5, 2025, Ed Spec Committee Meeting:
Discussed whether to keep the focus on a Pre-K through 5 school or design a school that are grade level banded i.e. Pre-K through 1, 2 through 3, and 4 through 5
After discussion of pros and cons, the decision was made to focus on a Pre-K through 5 school
Discussion took place about what learning spaces would look like
Discussed where the cafeteria, music rooms, and administrative offices would be located
Notice to parents: Remember to attend the community meetings for more information
The following were the discussion points from the January 22, 2025, Ed Spec Committee Meeting:
Focus is on five elementary schools; Hurlock, Maple, Sandy Hill, Vienna, and Warwick
Focus is on addressing the aging open-space classrooms
Plan is to develop a modern elementary school plan
Discussion took place about grade level banding
Notice to parents: Remember to attend the community meetings for more information
Dear Parent/Guardian/Community Member,
Dorchester County Public Schools (DCPS) has initiated a process to modernize its elementary schools, and we need your input in the first step—the Districtwide Elementary School Prototype Educational Specification. This document will identify what an ideal elementary school in Dorchester County should be: the types of instructional and support spaces it will contain, its educational philosophy, and its community features. It will be used to evaluate the older elementary schools in the system, leading to capital improvement projects that will support your children’s needs.
You are invited to a listening session to learn about the process for developing the Districtwide Elementary School Prototype Educational Specification. The first session will be held on March 11, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM, at North Dorchester High School in the auditorium, and the second session will be held on March 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM, at Dorchester Career & Technology Center. At these sessions, you will have the opportunity to provide input on the elementary schools. You do not need to attend both sessions as they will both cover the same information. Additional opportunities will be available later this spring to provide comments as the draft educational specification document is developed.
The Districtwide Elementary School Prototype Educational Specification is the first step in providing modernized facilities for the elementary school students of Dorchester County. Your concerns and observations are crucial to the success of this process. We look forward to seeing you at one or both sessions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jymil Thompson
Superintendent of Schools