Dorchester County Public Schools -

Hello DCPS families and staff—this is a quick update from Winter Weather Headquarters ❄️

After Monday and Tuesday’s snow days, we’ve officially used all the snow days in our calendar. That means Wednesday, January 28, 2026, will be a virtual learning day for students.

Students should either log in for virtual learning, or—if your family requested a paper packet—work on the packet that was sent home last Friday.

Schools shared virtual learning details last week, so families should already have schedules and login information. If you need a refresher, please check your school’s messages.

Just a reminder that Thursday and Friday are professional development and semester transition days, so students will not be in session. Staff will participate in virtual professional development and should check their email for details.

Thanks for your flexibility—stay warm, and we’ll see our students online tomorrow!

Due to the poor weather conditions, Dorchester County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. All schools and offices will be closed. Please be safe!

Good Afternoon!

Due to the poor weather conditions, Dorchester County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026. All schools and offices will be closed. Please be safe!

⚠️Winter Weather Update from DCPS⚠️

A winter storm may impact our area this weekend (Jan 24-25, 2026). DCPS plans to open on a regular schedule on Monday, January 26, but we will monitor conditions closely and keep you informed of any changes.


❄️School Schedule - DCPS is scheduled to open for a normal school day on Monday, January 26.
❄️Weather Monitoring - If the storm moves in this weekend, we may need to close schools. Weather-related updates will be provided through the DCPS app, social media platforms, email, phone system, and website.
❄️Snow Days - DCPS has 2 more snow days built into our 2025-2026 school calendar. Maryland law requires us to use all built-in snow days before considering virtual instruction.
❄️Virtual Instruction - If the storm results in school closures beyond 2 days, we will switch to virtual instruction. Grades 1-12 will log into their devices to connect with teachers online. PK and K students will receive paper copies and can contact teachers for help.
❄️Preparation - Students with device agreements will bring devices home Friday; all other students and students in PK and K will receive paper assignments.


📅Possible Closure Plan:
❌Monday 1/26: If closed, no school
❌Tuesday 1/27: If closed, no school
💻Wednesday 1/28: If closed, virtual instruction begins
❌Thursday 1/29: Schools Closed for Staff Professional Development
❌Friday 1/30: Schools Closed for Change of Semester


We’re committed to being prepared and will keep you informed.

#BelieveInUs

Nominations are now open for the 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year, Early Excellence Educator, and DCPS Team Members of the Year! All nominations must be submitted online by 8:00PM on January 21, 2026 to be considered.

Teacher of the Year
Nominees must have completed at least five years of successful teaching by the time of nomination. They must be professionally licensed, highly qualified full-time teachers who spend the majority of their time teaching. Nominees must continue teaching in Dorchester County through the 2026-2027 school year and be available to attend all events related to the Teacher of the Year program.

Selection process: Nomination lists will be sent to each school principal, who will select one school finalist. Finalists will be notified by DCPS Human Resources and will submit an application portfolio, participate in an interview, and have a classroom visit scored by a panel of judges. Scores from these components will determine the DCPS Teacher of the Year, announced at the DCPS Awards Night on April 9, 2026.

🔗Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Early Excellence Educator
Nominees must be non-tenured teachers with fewer than three years of successful teaching experience and on track to achieve tenure. They must be highly qualified and spend the majority of their time teaching. Nominees must continue teaching in Dorchester County through the 2026-2027 school year.

Selection process: Nomination lists will be sent to each school principal, who will select one school finalist. Finalists will be notified by DCPS Human Resources and will submit an application portfolio along with a video recording of a lesson. A panel of judges will score these materials to select the DCPS Early Excellence Educator, announced at the DCPS Awards Night on April 9, 2026.

🔗Early Excellence Educator Nomination Form

Team Members of the Year
Nominees must be full-time Dorchester County Public Schools employees. Eligibility for finalists will be determined by their supervisor and/or school principal. One winner in each of the following categories will be selected by a panel of judges based on a rating rubric:

Service Above Self

Community Connections

Impact

Leadership

🔗Team Member of the Year Nomination Form

All finalists will be notified by Friday, February 27, 2026 and celebrated at the DCPS Awards Gala on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Casey O'Bier (obierc@dcpsmd.org) or Mrs. Shamya Johnson Stover (johnsonsh@dcpsmd.org), your Teacher of the Year and DCPS Awards co-coordinators.