Dorchester County Public Schools -

As we continue to celebrate Career and Technical Education Month, we say hello to Raschid McMillan, a soon-to-be completer of the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness/Criminal Justice program taught by Mr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Thomas at Dorchester Career and Technology Center. Raschid wants to study law to become a trial lawyer, and he made the connection as to how this course could give him useful insight into his future career. After graduating from C-SD with the Class of 2024, Raschid plans to head to Chesapeake College before transferring to a four-year college and then law school – and it all began with a CTE course! #CreateYourFutureDCTC #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Dorchester County Public Schools and offices are closed today, Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents’ Day. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Hurricanes, thunderstorms, and snow, oh my! Third graders throughout Dorchester County Public Schools have been studying weather and climate and making presentations with their new knowledge. Earlier this week, Maple Elementary students took the opportunity to show and tell what they know about all kinds of weather. Here’s a look at some of their models! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, February 22, 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.

Congratulations to Aurora Cantrell, our newest student who has become part of the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program! Aurora attends North Dorchester High School and Dorchester Career and Technology Center, where she is a high-achieving student in the Carpentry program. She is pictured here with Career Coach Shay Lewis-Sisco, Martin Hardy of her new employers Composite Yacht, and Career Coach Audrey Roberts. Are you a student or know a student interested in becoming part of the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program? Contact Shay Lewis-Sisco to find out more: lewiss@dcpsmd.org. High school Juniors, don’t delay! Contact Ms. Lewis-Sisco now to start your (paid) apprenticeship this summer! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It's never too early to learn about service to others, kindness, and good citizenship! Sandy Hill Elementary School’s 2nd grade took a trip to Mallard Bay Nursing and Rehab this past week to spend some social time with residents. The students sang to the residents, including a rousing round of “Happy Birthday” to one, delivered colorful hand-drawn cards, and helped set up for bingo, which the residents and students played together. One of the residents, a former teacher, was overheard remarking how she enjoyed being around youngsters again. Thank you, Mallard Bay, for hosting this intergenerational event! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The 5th grade’s study of the Civil War came together with Black History Month in a local way this past week when Mr. Tarence Bailey Sr., a fifth-generation nephew of Frederick Douglass, visited Maple Elementary School 5th graders to discuss his famous uncle. Frederick Douglass (formerly Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) was born into slavery in Talbot County 206 years ago this month. He taught himself to read and write and became an influential international orator for the abolitionist movement, author, and advisor to President Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Bailey expanded on Douglass’ life and its impact, taking many questions from the students. The students pictured below with Mr. Bailey are the “Douglass Team” of Ms. Trumbull’s class, who focused on Frederick Douglass during the class’ Civil War unit. Thank you, Mr. Bailey, for sharing your time and extraordinary family history with our young scholars! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Superintendent David Bromwell has decided not to seek reappointment to another four-year term. The Board of Education expresses its gratitude to Mr. Bromwell for his many years of dedicated service to the Dorchester County Public Schools, including the last four years as Superintendent. The Board of Education will begin its search for its next superintendent shortly.

Here’s another Class of 2024 CTE completer, prepared to enter the local workforce! Brock Merrick, a North Dorchester High School student, is finishing his Electricity course at Dorchester Career and Technology Center, taught by Mr. Daniel Insley. Brock was attracted to his course by family ties, his own interest in the subject, and knowing it’s a field in which he can make good money. He also credits Mr. Insley’s work with his students and his efforts to connect them with others in the industry. Brock is another example of how students can work to create their future with Career and Technology Education. And if you see this young man today, wish him a happy birthday! #CreateYourFutureDCTC #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Won’t you be my Valentine? Yesterday, Sandy Hill Elementary parents said “Yes!” as they joined their child in their classroom for a visit. Here are a few kindergarten students enjoying Valentine craft time. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Week of Love continues, and today we introduce Nishee Patel, a Substitute Teacher. Ms. Patel finds the flexibility of being a ‘sub’ fits in with her busy life which includes a couple other jobs as well as taking college courses, allowing her to juggle a complex schedule – she works when it is convenient for her! If you want to work on an as-needed basis by joining our substitute pool, check out our website at https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Two things to remember from the Dorchester County Public Schools calendar: Tomorrow, Friday, February 16, 2024 is an early dismissal day for all schools for parent conferences. Also, all DCPS schools and offices are closed on Monday, February 19, 2024 for President’s Day. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

It’s the Week of Love, and Dorchester County Public Schools Instructional Assistant and future teacher Beverly Mitchell has at least three reasons to love working with us. One, she loves working with kids and we have plenty of those; two, working in a classroom with students is terrific experience for someone who aspires to teach; and three, not only does she get paid for her IA role, but we provide financial support for IA’s and others actively working towards their teaching certificate. What’s not to love? We’re looking to fill positions both now and for the 2024-25 school year. Find out more on our website https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/ #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

He may only be in 2nd grade, but Vienna Elementary School student Juan Chan Chan has already figured out the way to a lady’s heart on Valentine’s Day, as he surprises Principal Susie Price with a red rose. <3 #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing another soon-to-be graduate of a CTE program at Dorchester Career and Technology Center! This is Haylie Seigle, who is completing the Culinary Arts program at the school. Why did she choose this program? “Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a chef and open my own restaurant,” she says. And her next step? Haylie says, “I want to go to a four-year college – I hope Salisbury University – to study business to give me the background I need to run my own restaurant.” Baking is her favorite, she says, although she also enjoys cooking. With the skills she has learned, there are probably some tasty meals served at the Seigle home! #CreateYourFutureDCTC #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Week of Love continues, with another member of DCPS telling us what she loves about working here. First year teacher, Devyn Thompson, a Language Arts teacher at Mace’s Lane Middle School, loves that “veteran teachers support me and my students trust me.” <3 Become part of DCPS and feel the love. Check out our website at https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/ #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

One day last week, a student in Ms. Tabita Enciu’s geometry class at North Dorchester High School looked out the window and noticed an American flag looking rather worse for wear on a neighboring flagpole. The class started talking about the flag, concluded a new American flag was needed for the neighbor to display, and the old one should be retired respectfully. The students pooled some money, the American Legion Post 91 was contacted, and Mr. Walt Moore and friend from the American Legion showed up at the school yesterday with a brand-new flag - for no charge - taking the old flag away to be disposed of properly. Ms. Enciu’s students watched from outside the school as the new flag was raised. Thank you to Ms. Enciu and her students for caring and thank you to Mr. Moore and American Legion Post 91 for making it all happen. Today there’s one more American flag flying proudly over North Dorchester - this is what community looks like! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Welcome to the Week of Love! We love our staff and this week we are sharing some reasons why they love working for us too! First up is Michelle Lewis, Head Custodian at Warwick Elementary School. Ms. Lewis says she loves working at Dorchester County Public Schools because of “all the smiles and hugs from the kids” and how she “feels appreciated by the students and staff”. <3 Want to be part of DCPS and feel the love? Check out our website: https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/ #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing January’s Athletes of the Month! At North Dorchester High School, all the honors went to basketball players. Varsity Boys Athlete of the Month is senior Jamar Williams; the Varsity Girls recognition went to junior Jules Tobat; and the Junior Varsity award was picked up by Christian Chase. Thank you to Farm Creek Insurance for sponsoring the Varsity awards and to Triton Entertainment (Cambridge/Easton Premier Cinemas) for the Junior Varsity awards. Over at C-SD, Athlete of the Month honors went to 12th grade George Spry from the wrestling team and swimmer Christina Hyde, a swimmer. Congratulations to all these star athletes! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Recently the “Science of Reading” has been in the news, as the Maryland State Board of Education passed a resolution calling for all Maryland school districts to use literacy instruction based on the Science of Reading by the 2024-2025 school year. Here in Dorchester County Public Schools, we’re already ahead of the curve, with most of our reading instruction based on elements of the Science of Reading for over a decade and continuing under our Supervisor of Reading/English Language Arts K-12 Dr. Laura Aberg. Here are just a few of our 30+ elementary teachers who last week spent a day continuing their in-depth training in LETRS – Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling – as part of our ongoing commitment to the Science of Reading. We currently have 96 people in LETRS training, including all K-3 teachers not previously trained, and by the end of the summer will have three staff who have undergone the rigorous training necessary to be LETRS facilitators. We’re working hard to ensure that #WeAreReadersDCPS #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS