Dorchester County Public Schools -

Oh no! St. Patrick’s Day may be today but those naughty leprechauns knew Vienna Elementary would be closed, so they made their mischief on Friday instead! Ms. Dechert’s kindergarten classroom was invaded at lunchtime when those sneaky leprechauns knew no one was there, and they created havoc! What a mess! However, there was gold at the end of the rainbow – quite literally – when the children discovered that the leprechauns had left behind gold coins and had fun hunting the coins down. It should be noted that Ms. Kenney’s pre-kindergarten class made leprechaun traps so those wily leprechauns knew which classroom to avoid! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center, 2465 Cambridge Bypass in Cambridge, with the open session beginning at 6:00 pm. The agenda and related documents will be found online via Board Docs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us. The public is welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit comments electronically to be included in the minutes, email them to comments@dcpsmd.org by 2:00 pm on the date of the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Dorchester County, be proud of your C-SD Vikings! The boys' basketball team may have fallen in today’s 1A state championships to Baltimore’s Edmonston-Westside 69-65, but the guys played with real heart, fighting back from several deficits and staying in it against the defending champs until the end. Congratulations on an amazing 25-3 season that earned a place in the state finals! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Whether medical, technical, or trade-oriented, 8th graders from Mace’s Lane Middle School, South Dorchester PreK-8, and North Dorchester Middle School got a glimpse of possible futures for themselves this week, thanks to the JA Inspire event in Salisbury! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It’s great to have friends, and we are grateful for the generosity of the Hurlock Lions Club as it remains a loyal friend of North Dorchester Middle School. Here are the most recent bikes donated to the school by the Lions to present to two students chosen for their consistent great effort and behavior. Congratulations to 7th grader Aimar Penuelas and 8th grader Jack Banda-Perez, seen here with the Lions and Principal Vaughn Evans. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing another Teacher of the Year finalist who came back and is giving back! Jennifer Filipovic grew up in Cambridge, graduating from C-SD in 2008. From high school she went to Chesapeake College for her A.S., then to Salisbury University for her B.S., culminating her studies (so far) with a Master’s degree in Teaching Strategies for the 21st Century Learner at LaSalle University. For the past 10 years, Ms. Filipovic has been teaching kindergarten at Hurlock Elementary School, practicing her teaching philosophy: “Give and show love. Students will always remember the teachers who cared.” She continues: “Dorchester built me. DCPS provided me with the skills needed to be successful in life. Being able to give back to my community by teaching and loving our youth . . . well, there is nothing more rewarding than that.” Our hearts are full that you’re completing the circle, Ms. Filipovic! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

This Spring students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program. Learn more about the assessment and access practice events by visiting https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/. Remember, all results factor into a school’s star rating on the Maryland Report Card and can influence your students schedule for next year. No personal electronic devices are permitted during an assessment administration. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

A woman who has shared a picnic with a bear should have no problem dealing with a class of 4th graders, and that is true for Teacher of the Year finalist Christie Carels. Once when picnicking on vacation in the mountains, a bear climbed unseen onto their deck to join her family, but thanks to their alert dog everyone got out of the bear’s way! (Note to bears: don’t mess with elementary school teachers!) A 12-year teaching veteran at South Dorchester School, Ms. Carels wanted to become a teacher because she “wanted to spark a love of learning in students”. How? “I think learning should be fun! I incorporate as many kinesthetic activities, learning games, and collaborative projects as possible to keep students engaged.” Ms. Carels holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University, a master’s degree from Gratz College, and has earned her master’s +30 from the University of San Diego. Dorchester County Public Schools is lucky to benefit from Ms. Carels love of learning – and teaching! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

For Choptank Elementary Pre-K4 teacher and finalist for Dorchester County Public Schools First Class Teacher of the Year Jordan Lewis, it’s all about family. “One of the most important things I have learned . . . is the importance of establishing a classroom community at the beginning of the school year,” she says. “Teaching students that they not only have a family at home, but we will be a family at school too, laid a foundation for my students’ success this year, socially, emotionally, academically.” The role of ‘family’ continues with Ms. Lewis’ philosophy about teaching: “Creating a warm, welcoming learning environment for my students where they feel safe, loved, and look forward to coming to school each day is my ‘why’”. Ms. Lewis followed her graduation from North Dorchester High School with an A.A.T. from Chesapeake College and a B.S. from Salisbury University in Early Childhood Education. We’re so glad you’ve now returned to your DCPS family! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It takes a caring community to ensure the generations who came before us are given proper respect and protection, and a group of Senior students in the Welding program at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, taught by Mr. Chris Baker, have stepped up to this challenge. “Silent City Cemetery”, located off Bayly Road and Mace’s Lane, had been nearly forgotten when the graves were located by the Lower Shore Cemetery Preservation Organization, Inc., a non-profit organization specializing in cemetery restoration. The group contacted DCTC for help in ensuring that nearly 150 graves without tombstones or any identifying information would no longer go unmarked. We are proud of our students who are working to fabricate and weld almost 150 stainless steel grave markers in the form of a cross to complete the unmarked sites, practicing their trade while giving back to the community. Kudos go to welding students Jaden Ferguson, Gavin Adshead, Wesley Windsor, Jacob Perry, Reilly Ketterman, and Brayden Messick. Thank you to C&K Lord of Cambridge for their support of this project by providing material at a reduced cost and visiting the classroom to demonstrate proper techniques and tips for completing the project. Thanks, too, to the Lower Shore Cemetery Preservation Organization for their donation to DCTC to assist with this project. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Our teachers come to us from many directions, and Teacher of the Year finalist Anthony ‘Tony’ Thomas’ background is particularly unique. When the 25-year veteran of the Easton Police Department retired in 2013, he began taking education classes with the idea of teaching at the elementary level. However, when the Emergency Management, Criminal Justice and Forensic Science course opened at DCTC, he applied, as he enjoyed his time as a field training officer while on the Easton Police and wanted to help teach a new generation of criminal justice professionals. Mr. Thomas has now been in his DCTC classroom for nine years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master’s in Emergency Management from American Public University. Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for using your law enforcement background and education to keep serving our community. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Check out these Dorchester County Public Schools students - they're on the Bus to the Future! Today’s destination is the Teach Maryland Conference in Baltimore, organized by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to encourage young people to pursue careers in education. Keynote speakers include the 2023 National Teacher of the Year and the Maryland Teacher of the Year. Other presentations will include features on STEM education, diversity and equity, inspiring educational journeys and supporting a diversity of learning needs. The DCPS visitors were organized by Ms. Cherie Robinson, Teacher Academy of Maryland instructor at DCTC. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Today’s Teacher of the Year finalist has grown into her job while working for Dorchester County Public Schools. Christy Starling joined Sandy Hill Elementary School 12 years ago as an Instructional Assistant, having received her A.A.S. in Early Childhood Development from Chesapeake College. While assisting in a classroom, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salisbury University in 2017 and became a teacher. She has since added a master’s degree from Gratz College to her qualifications and now teaches our littlest learners in the PreK – 3 classroom at Sandy Hill. A Cambridge native (although now living in North Dorchester), Ms. Starling was a C-SD graduate in the Class of 2001, and we are happy she has stuck with us as she has successfully developed her career in education! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The DCPS Out of District application is now open for the 2024-2025 school year. This application is only good for the current school year and a new application must be submitted for approval each school year. For the 2024-2025 school year we are continuing the completely online application process. The link is also posted on the DCPS webpage For Parents. The application must be completed by April 30, 2024 for consideration. The only exceptions are for families that move after June 1, and/or Pre-K enrollment – that enrollment period for Out of District is from September 1 to September 13, 2024. Pre-K is not included in this process; enrollment for PreK will open in May as a separate link. Families with difficulty accessing the online link should contact your current school to schedule an appointment to assist. All applications will be processed through the Student Services office and families will receive notifications by June 30. As a reminder, no transportation is provided for out of district students. Students may only ride their assigned buses (home school) and parents are responsible for transportation for all out of district approved placements. To register for out of district, please use the link below. If you have questions, please call 410-901-6944. We look forward to a successful end of the 2024 school year and a fantastic 2024-2025 year! Link to register for out of district: https://form.jotform.com/240213779892162 #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

They read sitting in chairs, they read lying on floors, they read singly or pairs, they read in groups three, four, or more. Yes, it has been Reading Across America Week, with all sorts of special activities in the schools to encourage kids to read, read, read, and love it! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Teacher of the Year finalist Kierra Farrare is in her 7th year of teaching math to 7th graders at Mace’s Lane Middle School. A Cambridge native and 2012 graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, Ms. Farrare cites former DCPS social studies teacher Mr. Eric Otey as an inspiration. Each day Mr. Otey would give the class a quote to remember, and even now she remembers some of them word-for-word. Ms. Ferrare became a teacher “to join the group of people who take on the great responsibility of imparting wisdom into the youth”, believing teaching is “a calling”. Ms. Farrare has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Small Business Entrepreneurship from Frostburg State University, and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Wilmington University. When not in the classroom, she can be found coaching basketball, playing chess, learning about different cultures, or just visiting restaurants with her friends and loved ones. But when she is in the classroom, we’re glad she’s in ours! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Thank you to the Cambridge Walmart team (aka Sam-I-Am, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and the Cat in the Hat) who stopped by Maple, Choptank, and South Dorchester School this week to share a few books with the kiddos, all in celebration of Read Across America Week! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Once a student has been part of Emma Brant’s classroom, they have a cheerleader for life! The Dorchester County Public Schools Teacher of the Year finalist says, “I want to make sure that every child that I have the privilege to teach knows that they have someone in their corner who will be here for them for the rest of their lives.” She continues, “I build lasting relationships with the students I teach, which allows me to set my expectations high.” Ms. Brant is Dorchester County born and bred, and a proud graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Salisbury University, and a master’s +30 from LaSalle University. Ms. Brant has taught for ten years, all at Choptank Elementary School, and this year teaches 3rd grade. We are so glad you came back and keep giving back to Dorchester County children, Ms. Brant! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Sweet, sour, or bitter? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Does it have fat? Vegetable, fruit, or something else? Culinary Arts and the Teacher Academy of Maryland, both programs at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, joined forces yesterday to answer these questions and more at ‘Child Nutrition Day’ at Maple Elementary School, sponsored by the award-winning DCTC chapter of SkillsUSA. Grades Pre-K to 5th took turns at stations run by the DCTC students comparing the tastes and textures of various foods, trying foods new to them, and learning basic information with which to make healthy food choices. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing our first First Class Teacher of the Year finalist! Brianna Sann is spending her first year of teaching in a 1st grade classroom at Sandy Hill Elementary School – that’s a lot of firsts! A product of Dorchester County Public Schools and a completer in the Teaching Academy of Maryland program at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, Ms. Sann graduated from North Dorchester High School in 2018. She then earned an A.A.T. from Chesapeake College, a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Wilmington University, and is working on a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. That’s a lot of education, but there’s still so much to learn by being in charge of your own classroom. What’s Ms. Sann’s big takeaway this year? “Flexibility is the key. Teaching in an ever-changing environment encourages us as educators to be flexible and adaptable.” Thank you, Ms. Sann, for choosing to be in a Dorchester County Public Schools classroom! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS