What do you get when you combine watermelon, a “story stroll”, 600 Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten students, and a librarian? Pure Joy! That is what happened in Talbot County during the month of Maywhenfive public elementary schools held Raising A Reader Blue Bag Bashes. All PreK and Kindergarten students participated in a program called Raising A Reader, an evidence-based family engagement literacy program designed specifically for young children and their developing brains. The program aims to substantially increase the number of families who frequently and routinely share picture books and stories with their children. Each week young learners take home red bags containing four high-quality diverse books. Loving adults “book-cuddle” with children to encourage development of early language and literacy skills that are critical for academic and life success.

“Our family loves the Raise a Reader program. Our daughter Jordan is so excited to get new books to read every week. We put all the books out and read each title and then let Jordan decide which one she wants to read first. After we read all the books Jordan will grab two books and ask us which one we want to read.” says one Easton parent, highlighting the importance of fostering intrinsic reading motivation. “Children are more likely to enjoy something that they see their families enjoying. Bonding over books encourages young children to form positive associations with books and reading now that will carry through later in life,” says Katie Fox, a program co-coordinator.

“Usually, at the end of the school year, PreK students celebrate the program’s culmination by taking a field trip to the library. They receive their library card, a blue library book bag to keep, tour the library, listen to a story, and check out books. It’s so exciting and meaningful. Supporting families in enhancing or establishing home-based literacy routines is the most important part of this program. The library is the cornerstone of that.” explained Amy Walstrum, the other program co-coordinator. “But COVID made us think differently about providing access to the program and to the library. Our current Kindergarteners missed out completely last year. We felt compelled to include them somehow in the program. I mentioned it at a Talbot Early Childhood Advisory Council (TECAC) meeting. Our Judy Centers jumped on the opportunity to provide the classic red bag rotation for our Kindergarten students in Easton and St. Michaels and local funds were prioritized for our three other schools. We more than doubled the number of families engaged in the program. We also expanded the program at Critchlow Adkins Childcare Centers to include two and three year-old’s! It was a very productive TECAC meeting.” The site coordinator of the St. Michaels Judy Center, Genevra Farrare adds, “Our kids and their families have missed out on so much. Stepping up to expand this literacy program is everything The Judy Center stands for. Partnering in this way is the least we can do to support our children and their families.”

For most of the year field trips were not allowed due to the pandemic, so Fox and Walstrum worked to bring the library celebration to the schools. Students rotated between three read-aloud stations including a “story stroll”, a snack, and blue bag presentations by the librarians. “It was so fun. The kids were so engaged. It was amazing to see them so happy about receiving their blue bags and library cards.” says Sue Tucker, a Kindergarten teacher at White Marsh Elementary.

The Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) staff processed over 400 Library cards! “We designed a specific bi-lingual library card application. 80% of our PreK and K students now have their very own library cards along with their very own blue library book bag,” says Fox. “It’s nothing short of amazing and speaks volumes to the dedication TCFL has to our young readers and their families.”

The program was a massive success due to the collaboration among many community partners; The Judy Centers of Easton and St. Michaels, University of Maryland Extension Office SNAP-Ed, Chapel District PTO, Tilghman Area Youth Association, The Talbot Family Network, and of course the Talbot County Free Library.

“We dedicated May as Blue Bag Month. Families started showing up at the library immediately after the first bash.” Says Laura Powell, the TCFL’s Children’s Librarian. “The children are so excited to complete the scavenger hunt, choose a prize, register for our summer reading program, and most importantly, check out books!”

A St. Michaels parent sums up the incredible impact of this program, “I knew how much my older son enjoyed Raise a Reader when he was in PreK, so I was thrilled to have Sadie experience it this year in Kindergarten. We love visiting the library as a family and she was so excited to receive her own library card. Her blue bag hangs proudly in our entryway at home!”

The Easton Middle School Chapter of The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) held a ceremony to induct new members for the 2021-2022 school year.

NJHS recognizes outstanding middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) officially established NJHS in 1929, eight years after it founded National Honor Society for high school students.

Students who qualify must submit an application and essay, and are selected based on the five criteria.  Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through
active involvement in school activities and community service.

The current officers of the Easton Middle School Chapter of NJHS are Addison Eader, President; Samantha Townsend, Vice President; Lily Secrist, Secretary; My’A Johnson, Treasurer; Mary Claire O’Connor, Historian.  Mrs. Lindsay Matthews, Social Studies Teacher, serves as Advisor for the club.

The 2021-2022 inductees are as follows:

Fall Inductees

8^th Grade

Madelyn Abbatiello, Ella Ball, Kali Gregory, Megan Kirby, Miranda Stup, Gemma Vogel

Spring Inductees

8th Grade

Cayce Allen, Ali Bahar, Dustin Blue, Annalyn Crist, Jada Drummond, Eliot Hunter-Watts, Briana Ocampo-Serrano, Destiny Strawberry, Ryan Tate, Serenity Velez, Toren Willis

7th Grade

Claire Adelman, Paige Bodle, Miles Chaney, Hunter Colombo, Charlotte Cordeiro, Carolyn Crist, Sean Curry, Hannah Dahlen, Austin Eader, Caroline Fink, Corey Fisher, Emmett Fox, Finley Golden, Shiza Gondal, Cassidy Gwin, Samantha Haas, Ella Hines, Landon Hollingsworth, Jordan Horsey, Chandan Hosamani, KJ Howie, Christopher Jackson, Cruze Janes, Abigail Jobeck, Morgan Kelly, Maddie Knight, Alexander Knopp, Addison Knox, Nicholas Lesher, Oliver Lloyd, Paige Marion, Anthony Melendez-Martinez, Nergiz Mentese, Adeline Moore, Jonah Morris, Cole Murphy, Heaven Murray, Luke Myers, Charlotte Newman, Penelope Nowak, Alison Ocampo-Serrano, Riley Pedersen, Stella Petrichenko, Benjamin Phillips, Nicole Phillips, Brooklyn Pierce, Ryann Quicke, John Seymour, Kyleigh Simpkins, Daniel Smith, Gabby Smith, Maxwell Smith, Georgia Spies, Avery Stamerro, Annie Straczewski, Chloe Swartz, Elena Szwaja, Ava Thomas, Ava Timms, Sterling Washington, Jordyn Wilson-Colbert, Kylee Zajac

The Talbot County Board of Education approved several administrative appointments for the 2022-2023 school year at a special meeting held on May 31.

Ms. Kelly Murdoch will become Principal of Easton Middle School, as Dr. Jodi Colman has accepted a position out of the county.  Ms. Murdoch has served as Principal of Tilghman Elementary School since 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Master of Arts in English (ESOL) from Salisbury University, and she is certified at the Administrator II level.  She began her career in education at Fort Worth Independent School district where she taught first grade.  She joined TCPS in 1999 as a teacher at White Marsh Elementary, where she remained until 2014.  She held the role of Administrative Intern at both White Marsh and Chapel District Elementary and was Assistant Principal at Easton Elementary.

Mr. Corey Devaric has been promoted to Principal of Tilghman Elementary School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from York College, a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Wilmington University, and is certified at the Administrator II level. After coming to Talbot County in 1998, Mr. Devarictaught multiple grades at Chapel District Elementary, Easton Elementary and White Marsh Elementary. He has served as an administrator at Easton Middle, Chapel District Elementary and Easton High.

Ms. Nicole Sherrod-Hill will replace Mr. Devaric as Assistant Principal of Easton High School. Ms. Sherrod-Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Carlow University, a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Administration from McDaniel College, and holds a Maryland Advanced Professional License, Administrator II.  She has more than 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher in Maryland school districts, including teaching third grade at White Marsh Elementary. She gained leadership experience in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina as a School Wide Academic Facilitator, Project Lead the Way Administrator, Instructional Coach and Grade Level Administrator.

Ms. Ashley Quicke will assume the role of  Administrative Intern at Easton Middle School. Ms. Quicke has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Liberal Arts and Technology from Stevenson University, a Master of Science in Education: Mathematics K-6 from Walden University, and she is currently pursuing Administrative Certification.  She was an elementary classroom teacher and Dean of Students for Dorchester County Public Schools from 2006 – 2020. She joined the TCPS team as a 7^th grade mathematics teacher at Easton Middle for the 2020-2021 school year.

“These experienced leaders will have a tremendous impact on the learning environment, and overall school culture and community,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent of Schools.  “Their enthusiasm and commitment to our mission will be an asset in these essential leadership positions.”

Three Talbot County Destination Imagination (DI) Teams will travel to Kansas City, Missouri to participate in the Global Finals.  The teams are managed by volunteers and are seeking community support to help cover the costs, which include a $5,500 registration fee per team, and travel and lodging expenses. Their fundraising efforts have included donations from other community organizations, corporate sponsorships, and participation in pit beef sales, bake sales and other events.

The teams competed at DI tournaments where they presented their Team Challenge solutions for feedback and scores. Each Team’s scores from their Team Challenge are then ranked against others solving the same Challenge in their level. Top placing teams are invited to the next tournament in their Affiliate or to DI’s Global Finals, whichever comes next. A total of 45 students participated in DI this year.

Three Talbot County teams placed 1^st at the Maryland State Tournament and will advance to Globals.

The Easton Middle School team is the“EMS DI Squids”: Reagen Cain, Maddie Biringer, Violet Masone, Emme Aleman, and Alden Gibbons-Neff, all current 6^th graders. Their Team Manager is Kim Gibbons-Neff.  The team chose the Fine Arts Challenge this year.  They had to create a story that involved a trickster who had to overcome. a tricky situation, as well as design a costume transformation and have an illusion that enhanced their story.

The Senior Level St. Michaels High School DI Team is, “SMHS Henckel & the 1st Borns”: Sophie Anderson, Sean Gunshenan, Paige Simonsen, Mackenzie Fox, Nathan Henckel, and JT Lizewski. The Team Managers are Kate Fox and Amy Anderson. They came up with a solution to the Scientific challenge called “Up Close.”

The St. Michaels Middle School DI team that came in 1^st was “SMMS DI & the Seven Saints:” Miles Fox, Tyler Murphy, Ryley Beers, Brody McDaniel, Ethan Royer, Johnny Mautz & Sebastian Cornish, all in 8^th grade. Team Managers are Kim Beers & Rebecca Mautz. They came up with a solution to the Service Learning Project Outreach challenge called “For the Future”.

According to the organization’s website, “The Destination Imagination global community is united by a core belief that when students have the freedom to grow and collaborate without boundaries, their confidence explodes and the world opens up to them in new ways. We enable this transformation by providing challenges rooted in STEAM subjects that inspire unique solutions through the use of the creative process.  Through STEAM challenges and teamwork,DI participants learn the 21st Century skills necessary to become lifelong problem solvers who are inspired to innovate and create solutions to real-world challenges quickly and collaboratively.”

“With the cost of Globals being what it is, we can only afford to send our first place teams even though others qualified,” said DI Coordinator, Sharon Rieck.  “Some of our students would not have the opportunity to be exposed to a worldwide event otherwise or may never have the opportunity to meet and interact with children from other countries,” she added. “The Global Finals experience can provide them with a reason to learn about other cultures they may have discussed in a classroom setting. The teamwork and collaboration skills learned through DI may only be touched upon in the classroom but are brought home in full force through our project.”

If you would like to support the Talbot County DI Teams, please contact Kim Gibbons-Neff at [email protected] for the Easton Middle School team and/or Sharon Rieck at [email protected] for the St. Michaels teams.

The Easton High School J. Willard Davis Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) held an induction of new members on April 21, 2022. Mr. James Redman, Curriculum Supervisor for Fine Arts was the guest speaker.

NHS is a national organization established in 1921, which serves to recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. To be considered for induction into the National Honor Society, students must meet minimum criteria which include a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 86.5%, cumulative attendance rate equal to or greater than 94%, no more than 2 disciplinary referrals, and completion of at least 100 service learning hours. Qualifying students are given the opportunity to submit applications and recommendations, which are reviewed by Easton High School faculty.

“The soaring achievement that has brought you this far is built upon your exceptional character, driven service, empathetic leadership, and a fervor for scholarship. I believe the greatest of these is character.” Mr. James Redman remarked, “Once you have lived a long and storied life with adventures and successes and failures, character is all you’ll have left. It is who you are and who you will be.”

“I hope that you find a path in life that brings you the unwavering joy that being an educator has brought me,” he added, “and you understand how each of the pillars you are pledging to uphold tonight hold the power to forever change the future. Congratulations on reaching this new beginning!”

The April 2022 Easton High NHS inductees are as follows:

Senior: Samantha Elben

Juniors: Sophie Anderson, Ella Chandler, Maddison Spies, Jenna Stein

Sophomores: Emily Branic, Allison Curry, Morgan Fike, Aashreya Govindu, Bailey Harper, Katherine Hills, Jake Jacobs, Isabella Jobeck, Sydney Lanier, Anna Kate Leight, Kayla Murphy, Autumn Redman, Anna Szwaja, Van Le Tran, Lydia Walter, Isabella Westerfield, Catherine Zheng

The following students hold officer positions in the Chapter:
President – Sara Chapple
Vice President – Harrison Fike
Treasurer – Kaitlin Flaherty
Secretary – Sophie Leight
Parliamentarian – Spencer Rada
Historian – Joel Duah
Junior Representatives – Julian Bauer and Caitlin Rahilly

Ms. Samantha Wasson, Science Teacher, is the Advisor for the Chapter and coordinates the application process and induction.

Three students from Talbot County Public Schools have been named 2022 Carson Scholars. The Carson Scholars Fund, Inc. was founded in 1994 by former Johns Hopkins Pediatric Neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson, M.D. and his wife Candy.  The fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities. Previous winners of Carson Scholarships may reapply for Carson Scholar recognition each year and the students are recognized at regional award ceremonies in the Spring.

This year’s TCPS Carson Scholars are as follows:

New Carson Scholar
Kadence McGuckin – 8th grade – Easton Middle School

Recognized Carson Scholar
Tessa Diefenderfer – 6th grade – Easton Middle School
Autumn Redman – 10th grade – Easton High School

For the first time in two years, in person ceremonies were held to induct new members into the St. Michaels Middle High School and Easton High School chapters of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).  NTHS recognizes student achievement in the Career and Technology Education Pathways offered at Talbot County Public Schools, such as Culinary Arts, Biomedical Technology, Interactive Media Production, Carpentry, and Teacher Academy of Maryland, among others.  Inductees recited a pledge to uphold the standards of conduct and achievement of NTHS and to continue to strive for excellence. Members who had been inducted virtually due to pandemic restrictions were also recognized.

The 2022 inductees are as follows:

St. Michaels Middle High – Bailey Blades, Avery Brown, Kiara Brummell, Rebecca Dean, Chandler Dyott, Matt Fisher, Mackenzie Fox, Nick Grassini, Hannah Hock, Finn Kealy,  Abbie Kemp,  JT Lizewski, Yarivel Mazariegos-Bartolon, Ethan Rash, Ava Reid, Taylor Rupp, Janya Seth, Makayla Sisco, Madison White, Olivia Windsor, AlyssaWojcik, Alexys Young.

Easton High – Bechora-Chaviva Aguoru, Carson Allen, Ian Branic, Cathryne Christopher, Emily Dickinson, Angelina Duschel, Emily Englehart, Ashtyn Finney, Ashley Granados-Martinez, Leanna Kennedy, Graham Haddaway, Lily Harrison, Peyton Jones, Olivia Kilbourne, Molly Kroeger, Sandra Lane, Elise    Lankford, Terynn Laws, Kaiya       Lewis,  Abigail Meadows, Teagan Miller, Annah Mooney, James O’Connor, Elijah Palmer, Madeline Principe, Caitlin Rahilly, Jasmyn Richardson, Ca’Ley Ricketts, Harrison Shindler, Jackson Short, Aidan Sundt, Alecx Valdez, Ella Wise.

Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) announced the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year at a celebration held at Easton Elementary School. The Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Program recognizes outstanding educators who have innovative ideas, focus positive attention on education, and demonstrate superior commitment to students.

The 2022-2023 Talbot Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Katie Spies, Easton Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher. Mrs. Spies earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master’s Equivalency from Gratz College. She has taught Kindergarten at Easton Elementary since 2015, having previously taught in Anne Arundel County.

Mrs. Spies has held many leadership roles, including the Social Studies Curriculum Review Committee, Kindergarten Math Committee, School Based Literacy Team, and Primary Talent Development for TCPS Gifted and Talented. She has served as both Lead Teacher and Mentor Teacher, and presented professional development sessions for her fellow educators on subjects such as Early Childhood Resources, Rethinking Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Virtual Learning. She has served the community coaching youth swim and field hockey teams, and lives in Cordova with her husband and four daughters.

Photo: Talbot County Public Schools has announced that Mrs. Berenice Orellana (left), Easton High Multilingual Family Liaison, has been named Support Staff of the Year and Mrs. Katie Spies (right), Easton Elementary Kindergarten Teacher, has been chosen as Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023.

“Katie Spies is an inspired, innovative educator who has a gift for helping all students reach their ultimate potential,” said Dr. Lisa Devaric, Easton Elementary School Principal. “I am so proud and happy to see her receive this recognition for her work as a valued member of our team at Easton Elementary School.”

Mrs. Berenice Orellana, Easton High School Multilingual Family Liaison, has been chosen as the 2022-2023 Support Staff of the Year. Mrs. Orellana joined the TCPS team in 2017 to assist and facilitate communication between staff, students and parents of students who are English Language Learners. In this vital role, she monitors students’ academic progress and ensures they stay on track for graduation. She also provides interpretation services for parent communications and conferences, translates and administers assignments and assessments, serves as an instructional assistant, assists student services with home visits and addressing attendance issues, and collaborates with local partners to fulfill student needs.

Mrs. Orellana currently serves on the Board of Talbot Family Network and the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation. She has been a member of the Department of Social Services Advisory Board and the Child Advocacy Center Board, and is a volunteer with CarePacks. She resides in Easton with her husband and three daughters.

“Mrs. Orellana truly goes above and beyond to serve the students of EHS, particularly our ELL students and their families,” said Ms. Sherry Spurry, Easton High Principal. “She works tirelessly on their behalf and is respected and appreciated by our entire school community, and we congratulate her on this award.”

“These outstanding members of the TCPS team both demonstrate exemplary work ethic and commitment to ensuring that all students succeed,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “I congratulate Mrs. Spies and Mrs. Orellana, as well as all of this year’s finalists on their well-deserved recognition.”

Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS)  has announced the following administrative appointments for the 2022-2023 school year, effective July 1, 2022.

Mr. Todd Stoker has been appointed Assistant Principal at Easton Middle School, having served as Administrative Intern for the 2021-2022 school year.  Mr. Stoker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Clemson University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership 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 will replace Mrs. Alison Strickland, who is transferring to a grant funded position as an Engagement Facilitator.

 

 

Mrs. Amy Walstrum has been appointed to the position of Curriculum Supervisor, Early Childhood Education.  Mrs. Walstrum earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Salisbury University and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from McDaniel College.  She began her career with TCPSin 2002 as a first grade teacher at Easton Elementary, where she remained until 2014.  She then taught Kindergarten at Chapel District Elementary until 2018, when she became an Early Childhood Literacy Coach.  In this role she has provided literacy training to teachers, and assisted in administering state assessments and analyzing data to support student needs.

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Amy Palmer has been appointed to the position of Curriculum Supervisor, Elementary English/Language Arts.  Mrs. Palmer holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Penn State University, an Elementary Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, and a Master’s in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Salisbury University.  Mrs. Palmer taught grades 3-5 at St. Michaels Elementary School from 2008 – 2018, and subsequently served as a TCPS Literacy Coach. For the past two years, she has been an Administrative Intern at Chapel District Elementary.  Her experience includes observing and evaluating instructional personnel, monitoring curriculum implementation, and leading instructional teams in data analysis and planning.

“These outstanding members of the TCPS team have a broad spectrum of valuable professional experience that has prepared them well for their new roles,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “I know they will continue to give their all on behalf of Talbot County children and their families as they fulfill their new responsibilities, and I wish them continued success!”

For the first time in two years, in person ceremonies were held to induct new members into the St. Michaels Middle High School and Easton High School chapters of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).  NTHS recognizes student achievement in the Career and Technology Education Pathways offered at Talbot County Public Schools, such as Culinary Arts, Biomedical Technology, Interactive Media Production, Carpentry, and Teacher Academy of Maryland, among others.  Inductees recited a pledge to uphold the standards of conduct and achievement of NTHS and to continue to strive for excellence. Members who had been inducted virtually due to pandemic restrictions were also recognized.

The 2022 inductees are as follows:

St. Michaels Middle High – Bailey Blades, Avery Brown, Kiara Brummell, Lilyanna Cook, Rebecca Dean, Chandler Dyott, Matt Fisher, Mackenzie Fox, Nick Grassini, Hannah Hock, Finn Kealy,  Abbie Kemp,  JT Lizewski, Yarivel Mazariegos-Bartolon, Ethan Rash, Ava Reid, Taylor Rupp, Janya Seth, Makayla Sisco, Madison White, Olivia Windsor, AlyssaWojcik, Alexys Young.

Easton High – Bechora-Chaviva Aguoru, Carson Allen, Ian Branic, Cathryne Christopher, Emily Dickinson, Angelina Duschel, Emily Englehart, Ashtyn Finney, Ashley Granados-Martinez, Leanna Kennedy, Graham Haddaway, Lily Harrison, Peyton Jones, Olivia Kilbourne, Molly Kroeger, Sandra Lane, Elise    Lankford, Terynn Laws, Kaiya       Lewis,  Abigail Meadows, Teagan Miller, Annah Mooney, James O’Connor, Elijah Palmer, Madeline Principe, Caitlin Rahilly, Jasmyn Richardson, Ca’Ley Ricketts, Harrison Shindler, Jackson Short, Aidan Sundt, Alecx Valdez, Ella Wise.