MENU

Sections

More

June 21, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Education Ed Notes

White Marsh Elementary Team Wins Virtual “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?”

by Leave a Comment

The Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation held its third annual “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” fundraising event after a one year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was pre-recorded and aired on Foundation and TCPS websites and social media pages on Wednesday May 26, 2021.

Six teams of 5th graders from TCPS Elementary Schools tested their knowledge and skills, answering questions from a broad range of categories. Two preliminary rounds were held with three teams each. The winners of the preliminary rounds competed in the final round, with the White Marsh Elementary School team of Calista Freeman, Ryleigh Groce, Aarav Hinduja, Lane Kennedy, Lilly Swann, coached by Mr. Jonathan Elliott winning by 1 point!

Photo: Dr. Griffith and Education Foundation Board members presented medals to the “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” 2021 Champions from White Marsh Elementary School. (left to right) Aarav Hinduja; Ms. Kim Seidel, Principal; Ryleigh Groce; Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent; Lane Kennedy; Mr. David Short, Education Foundation Board Chair for FY22; Lilly Swann; Mrs. Dale Raugh, Education Foundation Board; Calista Freeman.

The following students participated in the event:

Chapel District Elementary: Eliza Kimball, Jordan Langrell, Cole Philip, Ella Pittsinger, and Santiago Mendolia Ponce, coached by Mrs. Becky Crawford.

Easton Elementary Team 1 (winners of round two): Otto Perez Arreaga, Jose Garcia, Arrivillega, Reagen Cain, Violet Masone, and Sylis Showacre, coached by Ms. Kristy Ball.

Easton Elementary Team 2: Amna Asad, Maddie Biringer, Iliana Kahane
Aroldo Velasquez Perez, and Ah’Mir Rhodes, coached Ms. Kristy Ball.

St. Michaels Elementary: Taylor Bowen, Sydney Cummings, Kara James Lila McDermont, Will Moyer, and Kylie Womack, coached by Mr. Dan Bieber.

Tilghman Elementary: Marley Fletcher, Kaelyn Hicks, Sammy Jensen, Ella Marr and Alayna Porter, coached by Mrs. Jess Weems.

White Marsh Elementary (winners of round 1 and 2021 Champions): Calista Freeman, Ryleigh Groce, Aarav Hinduja, Lane Kennedy, and Lilly Swann, coached by Mr. Jonathan Elliott.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Education Foundation’s grants program, and all funds were raised through sponsorships and donations. To date, the Education Foundation has awarded more than $108,000 in grants to TCPS teachers for innovative programs at the elementary and secondary level in nearly every academic discipline.

Mr. Jeremy Hillyard, Easton High Spanish Teacher, It’s Academic Team Coach, and Education Foundation Board Member was Chair of the event. Easton High Juniors Bechora Aguoru, Harrision Fike, and David Gardner, It’s Academic Team members, served as judges, and Mr. James Redman was once again Master of Ceremonies.

“It was a challenge to come up with a virtual format for the event this year,” Hillyard explained, “but we are very pleased with the outcome and believe it gave us a much larger audience than we have had in the past. We are grateful to all of the sponsors for their support, some of whom made their gifts last year!”

A total of $10,170 was contributed through donations and sponsorships to “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” 2021 from the following generous members of our community:

Team Sponsors

Anonymous – In Honor of Dr. Sherry Sutton
Armored Self Storage
Easton Drywall
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union
Hertrich Chevy Buick GMC
Soistman Family Dentistry

Category Sponsors

Easton Utilities
Graham and Brenda Lee
Shore United Bank

Question Sponsors

Stan and Pam Bright, Pamela Clay, Annie Decker, Frances Firth, The Gardner Family, Dr. Kelly Griffith, Anjali Hinduja, Juanita Hopkins, Martha Horner, Lane Engineering, Pete and Mariana Lesher, Mid-ShoreCommunity Foundation, Jo Ann Asparagus Murray, Ellen Rajacich, Dale Rauch, Margaret Rennels, MD, Talbot County Retired School Personnel, David Wheeler

Donors

Childlene Brooks, Mike and Karen Fisher, Michael Garman, Betsy Griffin, Lindsey Higginbottom, Jeremy Hillyard, Andrea Shoener, David Short & Associates LLC, Mark Showacre, Norma Slyder, Sharee Smith, Vickie Wilson

To learn more about supporting the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation, please contact Debbie Gardner, Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs at dgardner@talbotschools.org or by calling 410-822-0330.

The Gunston School’s 110th Commencement Honors 49 Students

by Leave a Comment

The Gunston School celebrated its 110th commencement this past Saturday, June 12, honoring the Class of 2021 with a waterfront ceremony overlooking the Corsica River, as family and friends looked on. The procession began with Bagpiper Robert Wallace, followed by school faculty and staff, and then the graduating seniors. Senior Class President and Valedictorian Lydia Periconi, who is headed to Penn State Schreyer Honors College to study veterinary and biomedical science, greeted the audience and her peers before each graduate shared their senior quote aloud.

Photo: Front row, from left, Lillian (Lilli) Ward, Sydney Nittle, Lydia Davis, Adison (Adie) Parish, Glynis Gardner, Lydia Periconi, Kayla Flood, Reagan Gessford, Marion Riddle, Lily Berntsen, Emily Ryon. Second row, from left, Helen Boone, Avy Aubin, Phebe Wood, Hannah Worth, Olivia Hershey, Hannah Beckman, Isabella (Bella) Adams, Erin McDonald, Emma McClary, Erika Lee. Third row, from left, Yongah (Jonathan) Choi, Brianna (Brie) Barrett-Kennedy, Henry Shifrin, Orion (Rion) McCluskey, Charles (Charlie) Shifrin, Colin Ward, Sean Riley, Carter Janney. Standing, fourth row, left to right, Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, Head of School John Lewis, Ethan Nuessle, Samuel (Ranger) Hightower, Maxmillian (Max) Brady, Christian Walker, Campbell Parkhurst, Severin Schut, Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Graduation Speaker Ben Dize, Chair of the Board of Trustees Patrick Shoemaker ’03. Fifth row, left to right, Aidan Myers, Joseph (Brennan) O’Connor, Henry Sheets, James Fordi, Jack Pigman, Owen Santora, Connor Reichardt, Kylee Rushton and Joshua (Josh) Sanford. Not pictured are Suah Choi, Hyunseok (Luke) Lee, and Yi (Lily) Zhang.

Head of School John Lewis then introduced the commencement speaker, Mr. Ben Dize, a retiring faculty member who has spent just over 50 years teaching, with the last 22 spent at Gunston as the chair of the art department. “Born in Crisfield, Maryland as the oldest of three children, Mr. Ben Dize spent his formative years living a true Eastern Shore childhood from a bygone era,” began Mr. Lewis. “Immersed in the waterman culture, and without a television until the 9th grade, he was part of a small graduating class of 58 at Crisfield High School. From there, he migrated to College Park, Maryland, graduating in 1968, and then earning his Master’s degree at Towson in 1974. He started teaching in the Kent County Public School System in 1969 before coming to Gunston in 1999. For 22 years, he’s been a fixture as a teacher and advisor, seeing the school through growth and change.”

Mr. Dize posed the question “What is it about Gunston that makes it special? Every senior here probably has a slightly different answer. For some, it’s the lifetime friendships that were made here. For others, it’s a certain teacher who saw in them something they did not see themselves. It might have been the freedom to be an individual, or the chance to be a leader. Whatever your path has been, Gunston has played a role in your becoming. Gunston changes lives, alters attitudes, opens doors to self-discovery, challenges ways of thinking, and makes written communication an essential part of an individual’s educational journey. For all of us, the past 15 months has been a time of historic challenges and changes. We all have a shared story here—shared loss, shared pain, shared disappointments. But there are things I would like you to remember: BE KIND. As our parents used to say, ‘it doesn’t cost you anything.’ And, as a teacher colleague of mine used to say, ‘Do not mistake kindness for weakness.’ REMEMBER TO THANK PEOPLE. You didn’t get here by yourself.  Also, don’t wait until it’s too late. BE GENEROUS. You’ll probably run out of time before you run out of money. I love quotes, and perhaps my favorite is, ‘Life is not about getting and having, it is about being and becoming.’ This is your time to be and become.”

Mr. Lewis and Gunston’s Chair of the Board Patrick Shoemaker ’03 then presented each graduate with their diploma, individually handcrafted by faculty member Michael Kaylor on an antique letterpress. This year’s senior class had a successful college admission season and worked hard to earn $7.3 million dollars in merit scholarships. The graduates are listed here with the honors presented to them the day before on Friday, June 11 during the school’s Green & White Awards Ceremony. Student government and team captains are also noted.

Isabella Webster Adams (Captain of Green Team), Zachary Richard Anderson (Moore Award for Improvement), Avy Rose Aubin (Sandra Slacum Spears English Award, State of Maryland Merit Scholastic Award), Brianna Ranae Barrett-Kennedy, Hannah Eve Beckman, Lily Marie Berntsen, Kenneth Charles Bonuccelli, Helen Abigail Boone (Science Award), Maxmillian Xavier Brady (Captain of Green Team), Suah Choi, Yongah Choi, Lydia Marie Davis, Kayla Irene Nicole Flood, James Philip Fordi, Glynis Paige Gardner, Reagan Olivia Gessford (U.S. Naval Academy Prep School, Class Representative), Olivia Louisa Hershey (Environmental Stewardship, Student Government President), Samuel Ranger Hightower, Carter Watts Janney, Erika Uta Lee, Hyunseok Lee, Emma Katherine McClary, Orion Timothy McCluskey (Senior Paradigm, Diversity Leader Award, 2021 Van Hollen Public Service Award), Erin Ann McDonald, Aidan Thomas Myers, Sydney Gail Lorraine Nittle (Anita Gruss Athletic Award, U.S. Naval Academy Appointment, Class Representative, Captain of White Team), Ethan Nathaniel Nuessle (Computer Science Award, Mathematics Award), Joseph Brennan O’Connor, Adison Dryden Parish, Campbell Hawkins Parkhurst (Capt. John P. Vest History Award, Captain of White Team), Lydia Grace Periconi (Valedictorian, State of Maryland Merit Scholastic Award, Spanish Award, Science Award, Senior Class President), Jack Ryan Pigman (The Gunston Award), Connor Kevin Reichardt, Marion Somervell Riddle (Faculty Award), Sean Patrick Riley (Class Treasurer), Kylee Whitman Rushton (Anita Gruss Athletics Award), Emily Catherine Ryon, Joshua Seth Sanford (Engineering Award), Owen Edward Santora, Severin Suhaili Schut (Theatre Award), Henry Bennett Sheets IV, Charles Robert Shifrin (Faculty Award), Henry William Shifrin (Art Award, Leadership Award, Class Vice President), Christian James Walker, Colin James Ward, Lillian Taylor Ward (Hila C. Ferguson Literature Award, Marguerite Thomas Community Service Award, Class Secretary), Phebe Lace Wood (Music Award), Hannah Margaret Worth (Senior Paradigm, Art Award), and Yi Zhang.

Along with Mr. Dize, two other beloved faculty and staff retired this year including Mrs. Weixing Shepardson, who spent 19 years teaching mathematics at Gunston, and Mrs. Becky Schmier, who spent 16 years as the school’s business manager. Additionally, Gunston’s Board of Trustees honored three long-serving board members who are retiring and include Mrs. Betsy McCown, a former parent and Bay Studies Partner who served for a decade and provided invaluable leadership on the Chesapeake Watershed Semester advisory committee; Mr. Mark Freestate, a former Gunston parent and great champion of the school who completed his third tour on the Board and has also served as Chair; and Mr. Jim Wright, who leaves the board after serving five terms since 2008, having served as board chair, helped to bring both Horizons and the YMCA summer programs to Gunston and this past year, and served on Gunston’s COVID response team.

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

Easton High Teacher is Maryland TESOL Teacher of the Year

by Leave a Comment

Mrs. Heather Andrews

The Maryland TESOL (Teachers of English Speakers of Other Languages) Association has recognized Mrs. Heather Andrews as the 2021 ESOL Teacher of the Year for K-12.

The ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) Teacher of the Year Award honors two ESOL educators, one K-12 and one Higher Education, who go above and beyond in their job duties inside and outside of the classroom, and have distinguished themselves within that year for specific reasons. Nominees must be ESOL educators in the State of Maryland and a member of Maryland TESOL. The Award is presented at the Annual Spring Dinner and Meeting which was held virtually on May 20, 2021.

Mrs. Andrews teaches 9th and 10th graders EFL II and Sheltered English 9 at Easton High. She was nominated by Mrs. Renee Warfield, a fellow ESOL Teacher, who said the following:  “Heather Andrews has been a fiercely advocating ESOL teacher and tutor for elementary school students and high school students for a decade. She always goes above and beyond to make families feel a great sense of belonging when they transition into a new life here in Maryland. From family picnics, evening phone calls, handwritten letters, coordinating pen pal pairs with Spanish students, coordinating support with counselors, to researching her craft to bolster her students’ literacy, Heather always puts 110% of her time, energy, mind and heart into her students who often continue to reach out to her to stay in touch post-graduation.  In a time of uncertainty, her care for her students and knowledge of what is going on in each and all of their lives, Heather’s approach to learning has always been all in for the human experiences she is privileged to have everyday with students from around the world. Maryland is better to have her!”

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent the TESOL profession and the MD TESOL Association,” Mrs. Andrews said. “I am grateful to my esteemed colleagues, the staff and administrators at each school where I have worked, as well as my family who believed in me. I am honored to accept this award.”

Maryland TESOL is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the improvement and advancement of teaching English to speakers of other languages. Maryland TESOL is an affiliate of TESOL, the international organization of professionals interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

TCPS Announces Administrative Changes

by

Top, L-R: Mrs. Kristen Dove, Ms. Jordin Fairbank. Bottom, L-R: Mrs. Cara Breeding, Mr. Todd Stoker

Mrs. Kristen Dove has been appointed as Assistant Principal at Easton High School.  Mrs. Dove earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from University of Maryland College Park and a Master of Science in Education with a dual major in Effective Teaching of Reading and School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University.  She holds Advanced Professional Certificates in Reading, Special Education K-8, Special Education 8-transition and Administration 1, and National Board Certification in Reading Language Arts K-8.  She joined Talbot County Public Schools in 2020 as Administrative Intern at White Marsh Elementary School, where she has served as State Testing Coordinator and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Chair,  and has conducted staff observations and led staff Professional Development.

Ms. Jordin Fairbank will replace Mrs. Dove as Administrative Intern at White Marsh Elementary School.  Ms. Fairbank has an Associate of Arts in Teaching Elementary and Special Education from Chesapeake College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Towson University, a Master of Arts in Gifted and Talented Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Post Master Certificate in Administration I from Towson University.  She has taught Special Education and First Grade at Easton Elementary School since 2013, has served on the Collaborative Action Research for Education Team, is a Mentor Teacher, and is currently the First Grade Team Leader.

Mrs. Cara Breeding will transfer to the position of Administrative Intern at St. Michaels Elementary School (SMES), where she currently serves as School Counselor.  Mrs. Breeding earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland, a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Loyola University, Maryland and Administrator I Certification from Salisbury University.  She has been the School Counselor at SMES since 2017, is 504 Plan Chair, a member of the School Improvement and PBIS teams and a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, and Crisis Prevention Institute.  She was a School Counselor at Dorchester County Public Schools prior to joining TCPS.

Mr. Todd Stoker has accepted the position of Administrative Intern at Easton Middle School.  Mr. Stoker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Clemson University.  He is a candidate for a Master’s in Educational Leadership in August 2021 from University of Phoenix. He began his career with TCPS in 2008 at Easton Elementary School, where he was a fifth grade teacher.  His school leadership work includes planning and conducting professional development in virtual learning and instructional technology, mentoring student teachers, serving on the school improvement committee, and collaborating with other faculty to modify curriculum and evaluate student learning objectives.  Mr. Stoker’s professional experience also includes holding the position of Executive at Oasis Easton Church.

“I am very excited to see these outstanding members of our staff step into such important leadership positions,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent.  “Their backgrounds and skills will complement the administrative teams at their respective schools, as we look forward to new beginnings and initiating our Strive for 25 Strategic Plan next school year.”

Talbot County Board of Education Approves FY22 Budget

by

In a special meeting held on June 2, the Talbot County Board of Education approved the school district’s operating budget for the 2021-2022 school year in the amount of $60,374,913.

The Talbot County Council passed the FY2022 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on May 25, 2021.  This provided Maintenance of Effort (minimum funding) for the schools plus $281,198in additional funding to continue all-day Pre-Kindergarten and provide for an instructor for the new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career and Technical Education program.

The school district’s March 31, 2021 amended budget request in the amount of $61,565,510 had already reflected a reduction of $2,000,000 from their original request. At its June 2nd meeting, the board made the necessary $1,190,597 in additional cuts through cost reductions, purchases prepaid in FY21, and costs shifted to grants.  Now this approved budget will go to the Talbot County Council for final approval.

School District officials affirmed their commitment to the priorities outlined by parents through the annual budget survey, which included maintaining lower class size, competitive pay for staff, social emotional learning, updates to curriculum and technology, and increased security.

“We passed a needs-based budget tonight that had been cut by more than $3,000,000 from the original requests made by school principals, teachers and other staff,” said Board of Education President Susan Delean-Botkin.  “These requests were based on their most basic needs.  We have accepted this budget in hopes that in the future we can better provide for the growth and development of all of our students and staff.”

“We are planning and budgeting for a full return to school with the implementation of the new Strive for 2025 strategic plan,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent of Schools. The plan reflects feedback received from parents surveyed, which encompasses four major areas of opportunity after the completion of the 2020 Vision Strategic Plan:

  • Recruitment, promotion and retention of staff
  • Academic equity and achievement
  • Early childhood learning readiness for success
  • Social and Emotional Learning Support services

“We are grateful to our community for their support of our students and staff as we continue our commitment to provide the best education possible for all of our students and prepare them to graduate ready to advance to college or a career,” Dr. Griffith added.

Wye River Upper School Celebrates Class of 2021 Graduates

by

Wye River Upper School is proud to announce the class of 2021 graduated in an outdoor ceremony held last evening on the grounds adjoining the school. The commencement address was given by Chrissy Aull, the founder of Wye River Upper School.

Wye River School, the brainchild of Aull and co-founder Patricia McGlannan, opened its doors in September of 2002 when Aull struggled to find a high school for her son with learning differences. Almost 20 years and 800 graduates later, Wye River continues to provide the educational and social experiences for students to become successful and fulfilled in all walks of life. This year, those paths include a student who hopes to eventually attend medical school, one who is seeking a Broadway career and one who aspires to be an underwater welder.

Seven awards were presented at last evening’s ceremony including one for spirit and values, digital arts and technology, environmental studies and advocacy, portfolio (a requirement for graduation), a merit scholarship and one from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

About Wye River Upper School

Wye River Upper School is an independent high school serving the strengths and needs of bright students with learning differences. Located in Centreville, MD, Wye River is approximately 20 minutes east of the Bay Bridge. For more information about the school, contact traciespence@wyeriverupperschool.org or call 443-262-8294.

Easton High School Students are Inducted into National Technical Honor Society

by

A virtual ceremony was held earlier this month to induct new members into the Easton High School chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).  NTHS recognizes achievement in the Career and Technical Education Pathways offered at Talbot County Public Schools.  Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a curriculum aimed to guide, educate and prepare students for today’s workforce or for collegiate study in a career field. TCPS CTE includes programs such as Culinary Arts, Interactive Medial Production, Biomedicial Science, Carpentry, and Computer Science.

During the ceremony Inductees recited a pledge to uphold the standards of conduct and achievement of NTHS and to continue to strive for excellence. The new 2020 and 2021 members were officially inducted together and are as follows:

Tracey Abance, Katelyn Allen, Sarah Anthony, Talbot Arnold, Katherine Boldt, Darlene Boyleyley, Nathan Book, Chloe Briner, Tyler Brinsfield, William Burgess, Tristan Cassell, Allison Cherwien, Allison Councell, Calvin Davis, Chloe Dixon, Isaac Dressler, Joel Duah, Courtney Fike, Harrison Fike, Daniela Garcia, David Gardner, Hannah Greene, Austin Griffin, Julia Hammons, James Harris, Martha Harrison, Kennedy Hayton, Katherine Knox, Alice Ledford, Lyndsey Lyons, Gary Magill, Jenna Maki, Maxwell McCall, Kayla McMichael, Jacob Meredith, Ashton Milhollan, Brian Milhollan, Eric Milhollan, Pippa Milhollan, Timothy Miller, Sarah Mooney, TristynMosslih, Andrew Ni, CoCo Ni, Lukas Nilsen, Liam Nuthall, Cole Paradine, Olivia Peterson, John Remaniak, Anna Roser, William Ross, Isabella Shortall, Madison Spies, Elaina Steinly, Emily Strother, Kaleigh Titz, Alexia Williams

Wofford Sculpture Studio: Harriet Tubman “The Beacon of Hope”

by

We are honored to announce we are partnering with Alpha Genesis CDC to create a new monument. We were humbled by the overwhelming public response to Harriet Tubman – “The Journey to Freedom” and believe that part of the reason for its impact is the severe lack of cultural representation in our public sculptures in America, and subsequently the public’s desire for them. These spaces need to equitably reflect the entirety of the American story, and we want to advocate for that positive change. Recent events have ignited our activism, and we are committing ourselves to be part of the movement helping to create culturally diverse, informative, and uplifting public spaces.

Harriet Tubman – “The Beacon of Hope” will be permanently installed at the Dorchester County Courthouse in Tubman’s birthplace of Cambridge, Maryland. After its inaugural installation, variations of the 11-foot bronze sculpture will be available for other locations wishing to celebrate and honor this American icon. Each additional cast can be uniquely customized to reflect its geographic location, local history, or a more universal message of equality.

It is our hope that together, these installations would create a sculptural network: one that tells Harriet Tubman’s story, so that all may learn from it; that amplifies her message of equality, so that all may hear it; and that chronicles her journey, with the hope that we all find the inspiration and the courage to walk in her footsteps.

The narrative of this sculpture depicts the transformation of young Araminta Ross to the American icon that is Harriet Tubman. Harriet, the free woman, is reaching down with an encouraging hand to help the child who was just struck in the head with a weight. Little Araminta cannot see the path of her life or the legend that she will become, yet she finds inspiration within herself to push forward although there are many obstacles in her path. Harriet is stepping up and over an oxen yoke; a metaphor for the yoke of slavery, but also a historical detail. The young Araminta was known to drive a team of oxen while working with her father cutting trees in Dorchester County.

The pile of chains, shackles, manacles, and collars represent the weight and horror of slavery. Many of the them are open and represent the people Harriet personally rescued. But many are still closed, and represent those she was unable to liberate as well as the repercussions of slavery that carried into the future and continue to adversely affect people of color. Harriet does not hold the lantern often portrayed with her story, but actually becomes the light of inspiration for others to follow by her heroic actions. She used the North Star to navigate herself out of slavery, and became that same guiding star for others to follow. Generations of children and adults alike can relate and draw strength from this powerful story.

Pictured here is the initial design maquette which is still in development. If anyone is interested in being one of the first cities to participate in this new endeavor please contact Odyssey at o@woffordsculpturestudio.com.

For details on how to customize this sculpture for your town or city, please email Odyssey at o@woffordsculpturestudio.com or call the office at 828-547-2452.

Chesapeake College to Resume In-Person Activities

by

In response to improved statewide Covid-19 metrics and the easing of many pandemic restrictions, Chesapeake College will re-open to the public on June 1.

“We’re excited to welcome our students and members of the community back to our Wye Mills Campus and the Cambridge Center. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, and we’re so happy to have reached this point,” said Chesapeake President Clifford P. Coppersmith. “The health and safety of our students and employees continues to be our top priority, and we’re pleased that conditions allow our safe return to campus. Scientific data and health expert recommendations support our return to in-person operations.”

Like educational institutions across the country, Chesapeake suspended in-person activities and operations switched to remote in March of 2020. In the months that followed, small groups of employees returned to campus with a small number of labs and training classes conducted face to face. In-person activities increased this spring, with additional face-to-face classes and some intercollegiate athletics competition. On May 17, Chesapeake entered Phase Blue of its five-level status plan in preparation for the Phase Green full re-opening.

Many students will return to campus for the first time in 14 months on May 26 for Commencement. Two in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies are planned for the day with each graduate allowed to bring four guests. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed for those who do not attend in person. Graduates from both 2020 and 2021 were invited to participate.

Masks are no longer required indoors or out at Chesapeake. Though Chesapeake is not requiring students or employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Dr. Coppersmith said both groups are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine. Those who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue masking when on campus. As of June 1, Chesapeake will no longer require quarantine procedures for students, faculty or staff.

Summer classes — which begin June 14 — are all online, so the summer provides a good opportunity for the college to transition to normal, on-campus operations.

Staff will be available to provide in-person admissions and registration services to students by appointment. For appointments, please call 410-822-5400, ext. 2240. Based on student feedback, many services will also continue to be accessible remotely. Those remote services include admissions, advising, registration, financial aid services and testing.

Both Sodexo food services and the Barnes & Noble bookstore will also resume on-campus services on June 1. The Todd Performing Arts Center will remain closed for the time being, but other facilities on campus will be available for community rentals.

For more information about Chesapeake’s re-opening, please visit www.chesapeake.edu.

Washington College Set to Host 238th Commencement Exercises on May 22

by

Washington College will host the 238th Commencement Exercises on the Campus Green beginning at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 22. This in-person event is open only to the 306 graduates and their registered guests.  For all others, the event will be live-streamed here, beginning at 10:25 AM on graduation day.

Katie Hood, the chief executive officer of the One Love Foundation, will deliver the keynote address during the ceremony. Under her leadership since 2014, this high-profile organization created in honor of Yeardley Love has become the nation’s leading educator of young people on the topic of relationship abuse. Hood will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.

Paris Young ‘21 was selected as the senior class speaker and will offer her remarks immediately following Interim President Wayne Powell’s welcome. Young is a Political Science major who also has a double minor in Black studies and justice, law and society. Young worked for the Starr Center for the past three years and interned at the National Museum for African American History in her hometown of Washington, D.C. She is currently a team leader for the Chesapeake Heartland’s oral history program.

The highlight of the ceremony is the public conferral of degrees on over 300 Washington College graduates. Wayne B. Powell, Interim President, will officially confer the degrees earned and Interim Provost and Dean Michael Harvey will individually present each graduate. A small number of graduates elected to participate virtually via a prepared slide that will be presented on the large video screens.

Harvey will also present the College’s faculty and student awards, as well as the senior honors and prizes. These include the Alumni Association’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Jane Huston Goodfellow Memorial Prize, the Sophie Kerr Prize and the George Washington Medal and Award, among others.

This week there are also numerous events and celebrations leading up to Commencement, to include various Departmental Receptions hosted by faculty, the Senior Awards Ceremony (May 20 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM) which can be viewed here, and the announcement of the Sophie Kerr Prize (May 21 at 7:30 PM), which can be viewed here. The six finalists for this prestigious prize were just announced – see full release.

Over the past few weeks, the College has been sharing the voices of members of the Class of 2021 through a series of Senior Spotlights. These stories can be viewed here.

Graduates and their guests are required to abide by the College’s COVID protocols, which includes producing a negative COVID test result. Masks are required. Each graduate could invite two guests. For more information about the schedule of events or general information about commencement, visit the Commencement webpage.

Founded in 1782, Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the nation and the first chartered under the new Republic. With an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning in the arts and sciences, and more than 40 multidisciplinary areas of study, the College is home to nationally recognized academic centers in the environment, history, and writing. Learn more at washcoll.edu.