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Good morning everyone. At this time, I'd
like to call the board of education

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meeting to order. As you can see, we do
have a quorum present today. Can I have

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a motion and a second to approve today's
board meeting agenda?

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» Motion.
>> Motion by Mr. Smack.

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» Second.
>> A second by Mr. Gordy. All those in

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favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Thank you very much. And

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now can I have a motion to enter session
under provisions of article 3-35B of the

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annotated code of Maryland for the
following reasons. To discuss personal

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personnel matters section 3-305B1
I

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00:15:16,959 --> 00:15:24,160
and discuss legal matters section
30-305B7

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and to discuss school safety section
3-305B10.

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So I need a motion and a second to enter
into session.

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» Motion
>> motion by Miss Cutlip and a second by

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Miss Mccomomas. All those in favor?
>> Any opposed? We are now in close

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session.

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Good afternoon everyone.
>> Good afternoon.

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02:14:43,040 --> 02:14:48,639
» What a full house we have today. It's
nice to see everybody here today. Um at

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this time I'd like to reconvene the
board of education meeting. Uh today we

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had a closed session meeting that was
held pursuant to general provisions of

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02:14:53,920 --> 02:14:59,599
article 3-305B
of the annotated code of Maryland to

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discuss personnel matters to discuss
school safety and to and to um consult

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02:15:03,520 --> 02:15:09,520
with council. During the closed session
the board unanimously approved a

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contract with Ark Systems in the amount
of $398,874.

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This funding is for a contract through
the Stronger Connections grant. Today,

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Pastor Ken Ellson is with us from the uh
Spence Church in Snow Hill, and he will

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lead us in today's invocation. Please
remain standing for the pledge of

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allegiance.

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Let's pray together.
Father in heaven, how thankful we are

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02:15:41,119 --> 02:15:46,960
for this board of education, for this
school system, and we thank you that

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they still see the need to open their
sessions with prayer. Lord, we come to

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you today asking for your wisdom, for
your guidance, and for your direction.

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And I pray that uh things would be done
according to your will, for the best

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interest of our kids, for the best
interest of those who work with our

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kids, and for this county. And so, Lord,
we commit this time to you now. We pray

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in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Amen.

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To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it

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02:16:16,000 --> 02:16:24,719
stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice

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for all.
>> If if everyone could remain standing.

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First of all, I'd like to thank Pastor
Ellington for coming and giving that

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invocation today. But um may I have a
moment of silence to honor Aaron Taylor?

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She was a educational assistant at Cedar
Chapel Special School. So we'd like to

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have a moment of silence, please. Thank
you.

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Thank you very much. And Pastor Ellison,
thank you for coming back and uh giving

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that lovely invitation. And you're
welcome back any

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we know you're retiring but we want to
have you back anytime you want to come

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back and give an invocation.

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Okay. And now I'm going to turn it over
to our superintendent for the

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superintendent's monthly report.

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» Thank you, Mr. Ferrante. It is hard to
believe that we are a little more than

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two weeks into the school year, but what
a great start to our school year it has

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been. We officially welcomed our
students back on August 31st, and I am

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incredibly proud of the successful
opening of our schools. There is an

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extraordinary amount of work that goes
into preparing for that first bell to

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ring. from our teachers and our school
leaders to transportation to food

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service to custodial teams and
maintenance teams, our technology staff,

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our support staff, and so many others.
Um, to everyone who helped us ensure

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that our students walked into a school
that was ready for them, thank you. You

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might see a little addition. We've added
some slides because our student reps

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have done a great job of submitting some
slides and we have slides for them. But

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we'll also have slides to accompany my
reports from here on out just so that

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you can get some visuals of the things
that we're talking about. One of my

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favorite traditions is our first day of
school tour when our board of education

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members, our executive leadership team
uh join me in visiting all 14 of our

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schools in one day. From the early
morning arrivals at Pocamok Elementary

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to waving goodbye to Ocean City
Elementary students uh and everywhere in

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between, we had the wonderful
opportunity to welcome our students, to

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thank our staff, to greet our families,
and see firsthand the excitement that

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comes with new beginnings. This year, we
added a little more reading into the

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journey. Several board members and
executive team members join me in giving

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out books from the back seat to students
along the way.

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» [snorts]
>> I love this initiative because it makes

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our commitment to literacy tangible. A
simple interaction, a student receiving

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a book and knowing that an adult
believes that reading matters can have

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an impact far beyond that moment. And
literacy has given us something to

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celebrate already this year. On
September 8th, in conjunction with

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National Literacy Day, we announced that
Pocamok Elementary School, Ocean City

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Elementary School, and Snow Hill
Elementary School were named Bright

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Spots top schools in literacy by the 74,
a nationwide nonprofit educational news

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02:19:28,240 --> 02:19:35,040
organization. The recognition identifies
schools whose students were

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outperforming expectations in reading.
The phrase outperforming expectations is

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important to me. Our goal is not simply
to celebrate where our students are

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today. It is to know every student by
name, strength, and need and then

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provide them with instruction,
intervention, encouragement, and

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opportunities that move children
forward. Congratulations to the

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students, to the families, to the
educators, and the entire school

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communities at Pocamok Snow Hill and
Ocean City Elementary School. This is a

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02:20:04,399 --> 02:20:10,960
national recognition that is certainly
welld deserved. We also began the school

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year with some wonderful statewide
attention. On August 31st, Maryland

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02:20:13,520 --> 02:20:20,319
Matters published an in-depth feature
examining Worcester County's academic

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success and the culture behind it. And
during my interview, it was interesting.

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Um, I was one of the folks that he
interviewed and the author uh of the

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article shared that this is not the type
of article he writes, but he was so

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fascinated by the performance and work
of our school district that he had to

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write an article outside of his normal
articles that were just about politics.

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So, that was exciting. The article
highlighted our students leading

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performance in both English and
mathematics, but more importantly what

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makes Worester County special, and that
is individual attention to students,

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experienced and committed educators,
strong relationships, and a culture in

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which everyone who works in our schools
understands that they have a role in

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educating our children. I was
particularly pleased that the story

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captured something I say often and that
is we are all educators. Whether you

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stand in front of a classroom, drive a
school bus, prepare a meal, maintain a

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building, answer a phone, coach a team,
or lead a school, you contribute to the

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experiences of our students every single
day. Our success is never the result of

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one person or one group of people. It is
the result of a culture built over many

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02:21:31,920 --> 02:21:38,880
years by people who care deeply about
our children. And I I would be remiss if

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I didn't say most of the people sitting
in this room today for our Hall of Fame

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02:21:40,560 --> 02:21:47,840
recognition um are exactly those same
people that I'm talking about who over

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the years have created that culture of
excellence and that wonderful student

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02:21:50,080 --> 02:21:55,280
experience that our students have. So,
thank you for being here today and thank

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you for all your contributions to our
school system. Speaking of our students,

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the start of the school year also means
that activities, athletics, clubs,

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performing arts, and other
extracurricular activities are underway.

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Our sports teams began competing last
week, and students throughout Worcester

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are once again finding ways to pursue
all of their interests, develop their

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talents, and represent their schools
with pride. Balancing academics with

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these commitments takes discipline,
responsibility, and hard work. And I

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wish all of our students, coaches,
advisors, directors, and staff who

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support them a wonderful year. These
experiences are an important part of a

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well-rounded education, and I know that
our students will continue to make us

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proud both inside and outside of the
classroom. Finally, Worester County's

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story is going to reach an even broader
audience very soon. On September 22nd, I

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will have the opportunity to sit down
with a better learning podcast to talk

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02:22:49,120 --> 02:22:55,359
about Wester County Public Schools. what
makes our school system successful and

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the people and the practices behind that
success. I'm looking [snorts] forward to

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sharing our story because our story is a
story worth telling. And more

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importantly, our story belongs to all of
us. We will be sure to share the episode

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with our community once it becomes
available. As we move further into this

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school year, I hope that we hold on to
all of that energy that we felt on

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August 31st. We have so much to
celebrate, but we also know there is

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important work ahead. Our challenge is
to take the culture, relationships, and

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commitment that we have made that have
made Wister County successful and

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continue to push ourselves to be even
better for every student who walks

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through our doors because every story
matters and every child belongs. Thank

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you. Back to you, Mr. Ferrante.
>> Thank you, Dr. Wallace. And

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[clears throat] now I'd like to turn it
over to our student representatives who

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are here to give us their monthly
reports from their respective high

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schools. And we're starting this month
with Savannah from Pocamok High School.

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» Thank you, Mr. Ferrante.

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Thank you for letting me stretch you and
challenge you asking you to do slides.

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02:24:09,840 --> 02:24:14,000
So, thank you for your patience because
they're going to have to trade off their

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iPads.
>> Thank you, Mr. Ferrante. It has been an

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exciting start to the school year here
at Pokemok High School, and we were

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truly getting off on the perfect foot.
Our students and staff have jumped right

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into learning creativity, connection,
and building the kind of friendships and

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experiences that make high school
memorable.

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02:24:29,520 --> 02:24:35,280
In Miss Chose art class, students
showcase their creativity by

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incorporating unique patterns,
meaningful details, and even even Bible

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verses into their artwork. Meanwhile, in
the library, under Miss McCormack's

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guidance, students engaged with
resources and curated a book selection

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for the English 10 unit, including a
book tasting event exploring themes of

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power and freedom. And learning isn't
stopping when the bell rings. Our

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afterchool academy is officially taking
off with 10 activities designed to help

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students discover new interests, build
skills, and make connections. From

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academic support and math momentum to
Hudson's FitFam, gardening, sign

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02:25:05,200 --> 02:25:12,080
language, morning weightlifting, K-pop
critics, cool Eats, basketball, mock

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trial, and esports. There is truly
something for everyone. Sessions will

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02:25:14,319 --> 02:25:21,840
run from September 29th to December
10th, with most activities seeing Monday

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through Thursday from 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.
and weightlifting getting an early start

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02:25:23,600 --> 02:25:32,880
from 7:15 to 7:48 in the morning. From
September 18th to the 20th, 26 Pokemoke

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students will visit Smith Island with
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to study

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the Chesapeake Bay's health and future
of islands like Smith and Tangier,

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engaging in activities such as
mushmarking,

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marshmucking, canoeing, and crabbing.
The data collected will be used in

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various science courses at PHS.
Additionally, from September 24th to the

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26th, seven Poke seniors will visit
seven college campuses in the greater

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Philadelphia area with Miss Matthews and
Dr. Finch to learn about the college

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02:25:59,760 --> 02:26:06,080
process, meet current students, and
explore campus differences. Of course,

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being a Warrior is about more than
academics. We closed out an amazing

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first week with our annual club rush on
September 4th, where students had the

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opportunity to choose from more than 20
clubs and organizations. Our mission is

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simple. 100% of Pokémon warriors plugged
into something positive. Find your

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tribe, try something new, discover what
you're good at, make connections, get

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involved. Being a warrior isn't just
about showing up, it's about being part

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of it. And speaking of tribes, our tribe
inductions were amazing. Students were

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placed into one of four tribes: Elevar,
Integras, Vinceri, and Fortis. And of

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course, I have to give a special shout
out to Foris, the green tribe.

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Obviously, the best tribe. As we say,
four tribes, one school. and all the

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tribes are bringing the energy, the
pride, and the warrior spirit. Our

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Warriors are also making us proud on the
athletic field. On September 8th,

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volleyball earned an impressive 3-0
victory over Wycom High School, while

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02:26:57,120 --> 02:27:03,120
field hockey dominated St. Michaels 8 to
zero with goals from Cameron Parker,

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02:27:01,120 --> 02:27:07,280
Khloe Daniels, Khloe Holland, Olivia
Scorbot, and Autumn Rian. At the cross

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02:27:05,520 --> 02:27:11,520
country meet hosted by Parkside at
Salsbury City Park, Ryland George won

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02:27:09,520 --> 02:27:16,319
the race with a time of 16 minutes and
32 seconds. The entire golf team has

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02:27:14,560 --> 02:27:21,600
improved and team members have improved
by 10 strokes or more. Congratulations

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02:27:18,640 --> 02:27:25,600
to all fall sports. We are also proud to
welcome the state board of education

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02:27:23,520 --> 02:27:29,200
member, Mr. Chesterfield, along with our
board of education members on September

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02:27:27,520 --> 02:27:32,720
1st as they visited our schools to
welcome new students and staff back for

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what we know will be an amazing school
year. Next week is community schools

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02:27:35,280 --> 02:27:41,120
week. Under the leadership of Mr.
Carlton Cartwright. We forg partnerships

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02:27:39,040 --> 02:27:44,880
between community members, families, and
community resources to ensure all

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students have what they need in order to
learn and grow. Strong schools equal

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02:27:47,200 --> 02:27:53,600
strong communities. As we continue this
journey, we are grateful for the people

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02:27:51,200 --> 02:27:56,960
who make these opportunities possible.
Thank you to our board of education for

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02:27:55,280 --> 02:28:00,960
your continued support of Poke High
School and our students. We also want to

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02:27:59,040 --> 02:28:04,319
give a special shout out to Miss Lines,
Miss A, and Miss Crease for the support

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02:28:02,880 --> 02:28:08,560
they provide our school's counseling
department. And most importantly, our

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02:28:06,319 --> 02:28:12,399
students. And finally, thank you to Dr.
Rain, Dr. Finch, and Mr. Pastel for your

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02:28:10,800 --> 02:28:16,399
continued support, leadership,
organization, and dedication you bring

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to our school. It is an exciting time to
be a Pokémon Warrior. We are learning,

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competing, creating, connecting, and
finding our tribes. And we are just

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02:28:22,399 --> 02:28:29,120
getting started. Go Warriors. Now on to
Elena from Snow Hill High School.

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02:28:30,067 --> 02:28:32,087
» [applause]

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» Thank you for bearing with me. Thank
you, Savannah. Snowhole High School has

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02:28:53,600 --> 02:29:00,720
launched the 202627 school year with a
tremendous energy and enthusiasm and a

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02:28:58,880 --> 02:29:03,840
shared commitment to excellence. From
meaningful professional learning for

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02:29:02,319 --> 02:29:07,520
staff to outstanding student and
community engagement opportunities, the

209
02:29:06,000 --> 02:29:11,040
opening weeks of school have highlighted
the strength of our Eagle community for

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02:29:09,120 --> 02:29:14,560
sure. The excitement through the
building has been evident as students,

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02:29:12,640 --> 02:29:21,080
staff, families, and community partners
have come together to create a positive

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02:29:16,560 --> 02:29:21,080
and successful start to the school year.

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02:29:22,319 --> 02:29:28,640
There you go. We begin the school year
by welcoming our faculty and staff back

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02:29:27,120 --> 02:29:32,720
for a day of professional learning and
collaboration. During our first teacher

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02:29:30,640 --> 02:29:37,520
workday, staff focused on strengthening
connections between school and county

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02:29:34,640 --> 02:29:41,200
initiatives in the WCPS five dimensions
of teaching and learning framework.

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02:29:39,520 --> 02:29:44,479
These discussions reinforce our
collective commitment to highquality

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02:29:42,800 --> 02:29:48,560
instruction, meaningful student
engagement, and continuous growth for

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02:29:45,920 --> 02:29:52,800
both educators and students. Building on
that momentum, we were thrilled to host

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02:29:50,399 --> 02:29:56,399
our annual Big Batch, which once again
drew an outstanding turnout from

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02:29:54,319 --> 02:29:59,840
students and families. Students visited
the school to pick up schedules and

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02:29:58,080 --> 02:30:03,520
iPads, meet their teachers, learn about
clubs and extracurricular opportunities,

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02:30:02,399 --> 02:30:07,520
and connect with community
organizations. Events like the Big Bash

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02:30:06,160 --> 02:30:11,200
play an important role in creating a
strong sense of belonging, ensuring

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02:30:09,439 --> 02:30:16,000
students begin the school year informed,
supported, and excited. I know me and my

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02:30:13,280 --> 02:30:19,040
friend Maddie had a blast.
Another special highlight during the

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02:30:17,520 --> 02:30:22,640
opening weeks of school was rising
Eagles Day where freshman focused

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02:30:20,880 --> 02:30:26,560
mentors played a critical role in
welcoming our new students. These

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02:30:24,800 --> 02:30:29,439
student leaders helped incoming freshmen
navigate the building, answering

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02:30:28,000 --> 02:30:33,680
questions and becoming familiar with
school routines and expectations. Their

231
02:30:31,840 --> 02:30:36,800
willingness to serve a role as role
models demonstrated the very best of

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02:30:35,359 --> 02:30:40,880
Snow Hill High School and provided our
freshmen with a warm and supportive

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02:30:38,319 --> 02:30:44,479
introduction to the Eagle family.
We also celebrate an excitement

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02:30:42,560 --> 02:30:49,584
achievement for our school community as
Miss Kirsten Conway, Worcester County

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02:30:46,160 --> 02:30:53,439
Public Schools 2026 teacher of the year
[snorts] received a brand new vehicle

236
02:30:51,760 --> 02:30:57,520
through the incredible generosity of the
Herrick family of automotive

237
02:30:55,439 --> 02:31:00,960
dealerships. We are grateful for
Herrick's continued partnership and

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02:30:59,280 --> 02:31:05,040
commitment to recognizing and supporting
excellence in education. Their

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02:31:02,960 --> 02:31:09,120
generosity reflects the strong community
support that makes Worester County such

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02:31:06,560 --> 02:31:12,240
a special place to teach and learn. That
spirit of community partnership was

241
02:31:10,720 --> 02:31:16,479
evident once again when Delm Marva
Shorebirds welcomed Superintendent Dr.

242
02:31:14,240 --> 02:31:21,120
Nette Wallace and Miss Kirsten Conway,
WCPS teacher of the year to a recent

243
02:31:18,720 --> 02:31:25,280
game. We also extended our sincere
appreciation to First Financial Federal

244
02:31:23,120 --> 02:31:29,040
Credit Union for its general donation to
Worcester County Public Schools.

245
02:31:27,280 --> 02:31:32,319
Partnerships like these strengthen
opportunities for students and staff

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02:31:30,640 --> 02:31:37,200
alike and reinforce the value our
community places on education. We would

247
02:31:35,040 --> 02:31:41,120
also like to recognize Worester Gold, a
consistent and valued supporter of

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02:31:38,640 --> 02:31:45,200
Wester County students. Through ongoing
financial assist, Worester Gold has

249
02:31:43,280 --> 02:31:50,080
helped students and families overcome
economic challenges that might otherwise

250
02:31:47,439 --> 02:31:54,800
create barriers to success. Most
recently, the organiz the organization

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02:31:52,560 --> 02:31:58,160
gener generously donated school supplies
for both students and staff, helping

252
02:31:56,720 --> 02:32:02,560
ensure everyone began the school year
equipped with the tools they needed for

253
02:31:59,760 --> 02:32:06,399
success. Their unwaving unwavering
dedication and generosity continues to

254
02:32:04,640 --> 02:32:10,319
make a meaningful and lasting impact on
our school community. Another point of

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02:32:08,800 --> 02:32:14,720
pride for Snowhill High School is the
recognition of Coach Chris Atkins who

256
02:32:12,479 --> 02:32:18,160
was named the 2026 best youth coach in
Wester County by Coastal Style

257
02:32:16,640 --> 02:32:22,160
Magazines.
Coach Atkins amplifies the qualities of

258
02:32:20,399 --> 02:32:25,920
leadership, dedication, and
sportsmanship that inspire student

259
02:32:23,760 --> 02:32:29,520
athletes to reach their full potential.
The lessons of grit, discipline,

260
02:32:27,840 --> 02:32:33,200
teamwork, and perseverance that he
instills in his athletes extend far

261
02:32:31,280 --> 02:32:38,120
beyond the wrestling mat and contribute
to the overall growth and success of our

262
02:32:35,120 --> 02:32:38,120
school.

263
02:32:39,840 --> 02:32:44,960
As we reflect on the first weeks of
school, it is clear that Snowhole High

264
02:32:43,040 --> 02:32:48,880
School is off to an exceptional start.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our

265
02:32:47,040 --> 02:32:52,720
students and staff for their hard work,
flexibility, and commitment to making

266
02:32:50,880 --> 02:32:56,720
the opening of school a resounding
success. We also thank the Wester County

267
02:32:55,120 --> 02:33:00,399
Board of Education and the executive
team for their continued support and

268
02:32:58,399 --> 02:33:03,840
partnership. Together, we are building
on a strong foundation and look forward

269
02:33:02,160 --> 02:33:07,840
to a year filled with achievement,
growth, and opportunities for every

270
02:33:05,439 --> 02:33:11,439
eagle to soar. The dedication of our
students, staff, and families and

271
02:33:09,520 --> 02:33:15,120
community partners continues to de
demonstrate what is possible when we

272
02:33:13,280 --> 02:33:21,240
work together toward a shared vision of
excellence. And now on to Jaden with the

273
02:33:17,520 --> 02:33:21,240
report of Steven Decar.

274
02:33:46,160 --> 02:33:52,880
days.
Days may be getting shorter, but the

275
02:33:50,640 --> 02:33:57,439
list of activities and events is getting
longer at Steven Decar High School. Even

276
02:33:55,600 --> 02:34:01,680
before the official first day of school,
Seahawks have been busy. First, many of

277
02:34:00,080 --> 02:34:06,399
our students dedicated countless of
hours to volunteering in the community

278
02:34:03,680 --> 02:34:10,399
over the summer. Next, members of our
theater and band programs mentored

279
02:34:08,240 --> 02:34:14,240
rising seahawks
and worked on their craft throughout the

280
02:34:12,319 --> 02:34:18,960
summer, while members of both the
National Honor Society and the National

281
02:34:16,319 --> 02:34:23,040
English Honor Society were on hand for
tours and kindness during our annual

282
02:34:20,960 --> 02:34:28,479
freshman Seahawk day. We also
administered well over 100 SAT exams

283
02:34:26,000 --> 02:34:33,040
during our Saturday administration in
August and we are poised for a hundred

284
02:34:31,280 --> 02:34:37,200
more throughout the various Saturday
administrations this school year.

285
02:34:35,120 --> 02:34:42,319
Lastly, members of our wonderful class
of the 2027

286
02:34:39,040 --> 02:34:46,800
launched their region at the top with
the peaceful beach sunrise get together

287
02:34:44,720 --> 02:34:53,439
celebrating the start of their senior
year with friendship, laughter, and

288
02:34:49,280 --> 02:34:53,439
beginning to their final chapter.

289
02:34:54,880 --> 02:35:01,359
To kick off the school year in an
exciting fashion, we hosted our do what

290
02:34:59,359 --> 02:35:05,760
Decar does back to school community
event where families met teachers,

291
02:35:04,160 --> 02:35:09,840
learned about Decatur clubs and
extracurricular activities, talked with

292
02:35:08,080 --> 02:35:14,800
school counselors, and enjoyed some good
old-fashioned community camoder. We also

293
02:35:12,960 --> 02:35:18,720
started the school year with students
elections and now we have a new batch of

294
02:35:16,800 --> 02:35:25,319
wonderful leaders to promote Decatur
spirit and work with our staff to build

295
02:35:20,960 --> 02:35:25,319
upon our positive school climate.

296
02:35:25,520 --> 02:35:33,040
Meanwhile, our 15 fall sports teams have
been cruising through their seasons in a

297
02:35:30,240 --> 02:35:38,080
spectacular fashion. Our other clubs and
extracurricular programs are off and

298
02:35:35,040 --> 02:35:43,120
running with the NJOTC program
presenting the colors during our Friday

299
02:35:39,920 --> 02:35:46,880
night lights event. The Key Club, Fellow
Fellowship of Christian Athletes,

300
02:35:45,040 --> 02:35:50,880
Morgan's Message, and the Surf Rider
Club are all busy, and our National

301
02:35:49,280 --> 02:35:55,920
English Honor Society will host its
induction ceremony on September 22nd.

302
02:35:54,000 --> 02:36:00,800
Last but not least, we are currently in
the midst of ex of an exciting

303
02:35:58,000 --> 02:36:05,359
homecoming week, complete with the fun
dress days, evening competitions, the

304
02:36:03,200 --> 02:36:09,920
pep rally on Friday, the football game
Friday night, and the dance on Saturday.

305
02:36:07,680 --> 02:36:14,000
Other events on the horizon include the
ROA Kappa Honor Society induction

306
02:36:12,399 --> 02:36:19,200
ceremony
and the service awards ceremony on

307
02:36:16,319 --> 02:36:24,160
October 20th. In closing, thank you for
everyone for making our school system so

308
02:36:21,520 --> 02:36:30,897
great and best wishes to everyone for a
safe, productive, and happy school year.

309
02:36:28,878 --> 02:36:30,897
[applause]

310
02:36:44,399 --> 02:36:50,720
Greetings from Wester Tech. Here's a
fact check. The Worcester Technical High

311
02:36:48,720 --> 02:36:56,800
School as we know it now was built in
2008, 18 years ago. There were 440

312
02:36:54,560 --> 02:37:03,840
students enrolled across a dozen or so
programs. Today, there are currently 866

313
02:37:00,240 --> 02:37:08,640
students enrolled in over 222 programs
with five more pathways in the pipeline.

314
02:37:06,560 --> 02:37:14,720
This is the highest enrollment Worcester
Tech has had in its history. The start

315
02:37:11,680 --> 02:37:18,560
of the 202627 school year has been
amazing. Within the first week of

316
02:37:16,319 --> 02:37:23,600
school, students and staff started
building strong relationships through

317
02:37:20,479 --> 02:37:28,640
foundational rigorous hands-on learning.
From building brick walls and masonry to

318
02:37:26,160 --> 02:37:33,600
wiring outlet boxes and electrical to
baking biscuits and baking and pastry to

319
02:37:31,840 --> 02:37:37,920
securing a crime scene in criminal
justice, our students have hit the

320
02:37:35,840 --> 02:37:43,319
ground running. As you can see in the
images, even our school counselors got

321
02:37:39,840 --> 02:37:43,319
in on the action.

322
02:37:44,800 --> 02:37:50,800
Our administrative team visited all
classes during the first week of school,

323
02:37:48,960 --> 02:37:56,319
greeting students and making them all
feel welcomed. A Skills USA pep rally

324
02:37:53,760 --> 02:37:59,920
was held last Friday and students got to
experience something completely

325
02:37:57,680 --> 02:38:04,960
different from a traditional pep rally.
Between chanting skills or USA, students

326
02:38:03,439 --> 02:38:10,640
learned about what it means to be a
career leader, participate in a career

327
02:38:07,439 --> 02:38:14,479
and technical student organization, and
compete in local, state, and national

328
02:38:12,960 --> 02:38:18,640
competitions.
Through the school's total participation

329
02:38:16,399 --> 02:38:23,680
program, all students are automatically
members in the Skills USA and can take

330
02:38:21,359 --> 02:38:28,240
advantage of experiences, leadership
opportunities, and resources. This

331
02:38:26,240 --> 02:38:32,640
month, Worcester Tech focuses on the
theme of safety. In classrooms, teachers

332
02:38:30,800 --> 02:38:36,720
are discussing and demonstrating what it
looks like to be safe in the workplace.

333
02:38:35,040 --> 02:38:42,080
Students are learning about proper
personal protective equipment and

334
02:38:38,880 --> 02:38:48,000
workplace best practices. During this
month, we will be conducting a battery

335
02:38:44,160 --> 02:38:54,000
of safety safety drills, including bus
and safety drills to comp complement our

336
02:38:51,200 --> 02:38:57,840
safety theme. Finally, we kick off our
weekly restorative circles with our

337
02:38:55,680 --> 02:39:01,760
skills USA lesson on safety in the
workplace.

338
02:38:59,680 --> 02:39:07,040
Teachers have been busy teeing up their
instructional focus for the year. During

339
02:39:03,840 --> 02:39:12,319
faculty meetings and PLC's, teachers are
working on school improvement planning,

340
02:39:09,280 --> 02:39:17,439
students learning objectives, areas for
instructional focus, and preparing our

341
02:39:14,960 --> 02:39:23,600
program advisory committee meetings.
Worcester Tech SAC

342
02:39:20,800 --> 02:39:28,560
members will come together to discuss
the state of the school on September

343
02:39:25,600 --> 02:39:33,439
23rd at Snow Hill High School. Worcester
Tech hosts parent teacher conferences on

344
02:39:30,640 --> 02:39:38,399
September 24th from 5:00 to 7:00. We
look forward to seeing our parents there

345
02:39:35,040 --> 02:39:43,600
on this evening. On November 7th, Wester
Tech holds its annual golf fundraiser at

346
02:39:40,560 --> 02:39:50,399
Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club. Proceeds
go to support student travel to our

347
02:39:45,680 --> 02:39:54,640
state and national STSO competitions.
Information is posted on our website and

348
02:39:52,319 --> 02:39:59,200
Facebook page. Worcester Tech thanks the
board of education, Dr. Mr. Wallace and

349
02:39:57,280 --> 02:40:04,960
the executive team for their continued
support of our students and staff.

350
02:40:02,880 --> 02:40:08,359
Now back to you, Mr. Ferrante.
>> Thank you, Jaden,

351
02:40:09,520 --> 02:40:14,800
Jaden, Elena, and Savannah. I just want
to thank you. I know we try to throw

352
02:40:13,040 --> 02:40:18,399
something new at you today with this new
video and you guys seamlessly did a

353
02:40:16,720 --> 02:40:22,771
great job anyway. So, thank you for
bringing your reports.

354
02:40:20,751 --> 02:40:22,771
[applause]

355
02:40:22,960 --> 02:40:30,479
And now I'll turn it over to Dr. record
for our monthly school safety report.

356
02:40:28,240 --> 02:40:35,600
» Thank you, Mr. Fonte. As an information
item for the month of September, the SA

357
02:40:32,880 --> 02:40:40,240
uh the safety report reflects a
successful start to the school year. All

358
02:40:38,080 --> 02:40:44,479
schools are actively applying the tools,
strategies, and practices reinforced

359
02:40:42,080 --> 02:40:49,120
through our summer training and the most
notably safety conference. Across

360
02:40:46,720 --> 02:40:53,200
Worcester County Public Schools, uh we
remain committed to fostering a culture

361
02:40:51,280 --> 02:40:57,840
of care for each student and staff
member. This commitment is reflected

362
02:40:55,680 --> 02:41:02,319
both in the daily practices of our
students and staff as well as the

363
02:41:00,240 --> 02:41:06,720
continued development and refinement of
each of our school safety and emergency

364
02:41:04,479 --> 02:41:10,080
plan. One of the items in a school
safety and emergency plan is the drills

365
02:41:08,720 --> 02:41:14,880
that were mentioned in the student
report. So, good job. Uh these plans are

366
02:41:13,200 --> 02:41:18,880
currently being reviewed here at the
central office prior to me uh signing

367
02:41:17,439 --> 02:41:22,479
off by the superintendent and then
submitted to the Maryland Center for

368
02:41:20,319 --> 02:41:27,439
School Safety. And the purpose is to
ensure accuracy and alignment with both

369
02:41:25,200 --> 02:41:32,240
state and our county safety protocols
and procedures. Uh in addition, each

370
02:41:30,399 --> 02:41:36,640
school continues to work collaboratively
with the assigned Worcester County

371
02:41:33,840 --> 02:41:41,520
Sheriff's Office school resource deputy
and uh much like in the years past,

372
02:41:39,280 --> 02:41:47,280
every Worcester County Public School has
an SRD assigned to each school each day

373
02:41:44,640 --> 02:41:51,439
and provided uh providing that layer of
support, visibility, and partnership

374
02:41:48,880 --> 02:41:55,200
within our school. And finally, for the
board's knowledge, several school safety

375
02:41:53,359 --> 02:41:59,280
grant opportunities are currently on the
horizon, and Worcester County Public

376
02:41:57,040 --> 02:42:03,120
Schools is actively pursuing external
funding opportunities to further

377
02:42:01,439 --> 02:42:06,880
strengthening and enhancing our school
safety measures.

378
02:42:05,120 --> 02:42:09,840
This concludes the September safety
report. Back to you, Mr. Fonte.

379
02:42:08,560 --> 02:42:14,399
» Thank you, Dr. Recorder. Board members
have any questions for Dr. Record

380
02:42:11,840 --> 02:42:17,520
regarding the safety report?
Okay, seeing none, we'll move forward

381
02:42:15,920 --> 02:42:20,960
and I'm going to move over to Mr.
Tolbert for the monthly blue blueprint

382
02:42:19,840 --> 02:42:24,399
report.
>> Thank you, Miss Fonte. Uh this week's

383
02:42:23,120 --> 02:42:27,439
blueprint update is primarily
informational. Uh yesterday during the

384
02:42:26,319 --> 02:42:30,960
monthly meeting of blueprint
implementation coordinators, the

385
02:42:29,200 --> 02:42:37,359
accountability and implementation board
or AIB shared its draft 2027 2028 level

386
02:42:35,280 --> 02:42:43,280
four implementation pathway requirements
and its 2027 2028 level 4 teacher leader

387
02:42:40,720 --> 02:42:46,640
pilot requirements. As a reminder,
Worester County Public Schools opted to

388
02:42:45,120 --> 02:42:50,960
participate in the level four teacher
leader pilot. This pilot allows local

389
02:42:49,520 --> 02:42:55,680
education agencies to implement their
level four teacher leader career ladder

390
02:42:54,000 --> 02:42:59,359
plans while providing additional
flexibility in the amount of time

391
02:42:57,439 --> 02:43:04,640
teacher leaders spend teaching in the
classroom. The pilot is also designed to

392
02:43:02,160 --> 02:43:08,560
help identify promising practices,
challenges, and lessons learned that can

393
02:43:06,479 --> 02:43:12,960
be shared statewide and used to
strengthen the future implementation of

394
02:43:10,080 --> 02:43:17,680
level four teacher leader roles. Once
final 2027 2028 level four teacher

395
02:43:15,600 --> 02:43:21,120
leader pilot requirements are released,
Worer County Public Schools will begin

396
02:43:19,280 --> 02:43:25,760
reviewing the state's parameters and
determining our next steps from for

397
02:43:23,120 --> 02:43:28,880
implementation. The AIB anticipates
several opportunities to gather feedback

398
02:43:27,439 --> 02:43:34,160
from participating school systems
throughout the pilot year, including

399
02:43:31,359 --> 02:43:38,960
site visits, uh, participant surveys,
interviews, and end ofear district level

400
02:43:36,399 --> 02:43:43,040
reporting. In other blueprint news, the
state has released version three of the

401
02:43:40,800 --> 02:43:46,960
comprehensive prek literacy policy,
which is currently available for public

402
02:43:44,720 --> 02:43:51,279
comment. Individuals are encouraged to
review the proposed updates and provide

403
02:43:48,800 --> 02:43:54,399
feedback to the state. That concludes my
blueprint update. I'd be happy to answer

404
02:43:52,960 --> 02:43:59,520
any questions that the board may have.
>> Board, have any questions for Mr.

405
02:43:56,080 --> 02:44:01,840
Tolbert regarding the blueprint update?
>> Okay, seeing none, Mr. Tolbert, I'm

406
02:44:00,960 --> 02:44:04,479
gonna stick with you for the
comprehensive independent financial

407
02:44:03,600 --> 02:44:08,640
examination.
>> Uh, yes, Mr. Bronte. Uh, as you know,

408
02:44:06,640 --> 02:44:13,840
we're in the very preliminary stages of
the uh financial audit. Um, just

409
02:44:11,920 --> 02:44:17,760
briefly, Kate and I did have a status
update call with the auditors last

410
02:44:15,359 --> 02:44:20,880
Wednesday. Uh, the auditors are in the
middle of conducting interviews with

411
02:44:19,120 --> 02:44:25,600
staff. They're interviewing all my
finance staff as well as myself. Um they

412
02:44:23,760 --> 02:44:29,840
confirmed that they do have access to
both our financial system system and our

413
02:44:28,240 --> 02:44:34,080
document imaging system so you can do
their research and testing. Um they have

414
02:44:32,640 --> 02:44:38,240
received the initial information they
had requested and they're reviewing that

415
02:44:35,600 --> 02:44:42,000
information. Um they will review they
will use that information from this

416
02:44:39,600 --> 02:44:45,359
review to begin their testing. Uh to
this point the orders have been working

417
02:44:43,439 --> 02:44:48,399
remotely but they may be on site in the
future depending on what items they need

418
02:44:47,040 --> 02:44:51,920
to look at. If they're not available
remotely, they may have to come on site.

419
02:44:50,560 --> 02:44:55,840
Uh we'll continue to provide board
monthly updates. We have another update

420
02:44:53,359 --> 02:44:58,880
with auditors uh in two weeks and we'll
provide you an update at the October

421
02:44:57,120 --> 02:45:03,600
meeting. Any questions on the audit?
>> Thank you, Mr. Toart. Uh board members,

422
02:45:00,640 --> 02:45:05,520
any questions regarding the update,
financial update? Okay. Thank you, Mr.

423
02:45:05,040 --> 02:45:08,319
Tolart.
>> You're welcome, sir.

424
02:45:06,240 --> 02:45:13,279
» Okay. And now it's time for audience
recogn recognition uh from the following

425
02:45:11,439 --> 02:45:18,960
groups in the audience. And I see one
already standing out there from the

426
02:45:15,200 --> 02:45:18,960
Wester County Teachers Association.

427
02:45:19,200 --> 02:45:25,520
Good afternoon, Beth. How about the
Wister County Education Support

428
02:45:23,279 --> 02:45:31,240
Professionals?
Everybody's with us from there today.

429
02:45:26,880 --> 02:45:31,240
Wister County retired school personnel.

430
02:45:36,640 --> 02:45:40,120
» September 22nd.

431
02:45:40,800 --> 02:45:46,080
» Thank you for the invitation, Helen. We
appreciate it.

432
02:45:44,000 --> 02:45:50,640
Worcester County uh bus contractors. Any
out there with us today? How about

433
02:45:48,240 --> 02:45:54,640
representatives from various schools,
PTA, Saks?

434
02:45:52,800 --> 02:46:00,319
Okay. Thank all of you for being here.
We appreciate it. Um we have a couple of

435
02:45:57,600 --> 02:46:05,120
board proclamations today. Um the first
one is for community school liaison

436
02:46:02,800 --> 02:46:09,520
appreciation week, which is September
13th and 19th. And I'm going to have Mr.

437
02:46:07,120 --> 02:46:14,080
Buchanan read that for us.
>> Okay. [clears throat]

438
02:46:12,240 --> 02:46:19,359
Community school uh liaison's
appreciation week September 13 through

439
02:46:16,080 --> 02:46:24,319
the 19th 2026.
Whereas community schools provide

440
02:46:21,279 --> 02:46:29,200
integrated student support expanded
learning opportunities, active family

441
02:46:26,960 --> 02:46:33,840
and community engagement, use
collaborative leadership and strategic

442
02:46:31,439 --> 02:46:38,960
practices to improve outcomes for
students, families, and the community.

443
02:46:36,560 --> 02:46:43,760
Whereas the community school liaison are
the key to successful community schools,

444
02:46:41,279 --> 02:46:47,439
creating, strengthening and maintaining
the bridge between the school and the

445
02:46:45,840 --> 02:46:52,160
community.
And whereas the community school liaison

446
02:46:49,920 --> 02:46:56,560
facilitate and provide leadership for
the collaborative process and

447
02:46:53,920 --> 02:47:02,960
development of a continuum of services
for children, families, and community

448
02:46:59,279 --> 02:47:07,120
members within a school neighborhood.
And whereas Worcester County Public

449
02:47:04,720 --> 02:47:12,080
Schools has six community school liaison
who work diligently to create and manage

450
02:47:10,160 --> 02:47:17,840
the partnerships that allow all of our
students to learn and communities to

451
02:47:14,880 --> 02:47:23,520
thrive. And whereas community school
liaison through their role deliver a

452
02:47:20,560 --> 02:47:28,240
strong monetary return on investment for
community schools and their communities

453
02:47:25,600 --> 02:47:33,520
with studies citing a return of $7 for
every dollar invested in the salary of a

454
02:47:30,960 --> 02:47:38,479
community school liaison.
And whereas Worester County Public

455
02:47:35,840 --> 02:47:43,760
Schools is joining a national community
school coordinators appreciation week

456
02:47:41,520 --> 02:47:49,120
with the Institute for Educational
Leadership Coalition for Community

457
02:47:46,479 --> 02:47:54,080
Schools to celebrate and lift up their
work across the country. Now therefore,

458
02:47:52,160 --> 02:47:59,920
it be it resolved that the Worcester
County Board of Education proclaims the

459
02:47:56,319 --> 02:48:06,240
week of September 13th through the 19th,
2026 as community school liaison's

460
02:48:02,720 --> 02:48:10,640
appreciation week. And to honor the
community school liaison's diligent work

461
02:48:08,640 --> 02:48:15,840
to serve our students, families, and
communities. It is signed by Todd A.

462
02:48:14,080 --> 02:48:20,000
Ferrante, president of the Worester
County Board of Education, and Dr.

463
02:48:18,160 --> 02:48:24,200
Annette Wallace, superintendent of
schools. Lauren,

464
02:48:22,181 --> 02:48:24,200
[applause]

465
02:48:33,760 --> 02:48:39,266
» thank you.
>> Thank you, Lauren.

466
02:48:37,246 --> 02:48:39,266
[applause]

467
02:48:39,439 --> 02:48:46,160
» And next uh is National School Lunch
Week, which is October 12th through the

468
02:48:43,680 --> 02:48:50,640
16th. And um Mr. Gordy is going to read
that for us.

469
02:48:48,240 --> 02:48:55,439
National School Lunch Week, October 12th
through 16, 2026.

470
02:48:53,439 --> 02:48:59,840
Whereas the National School Lunch
Program plays an important role in

471
02:48:57,359 --> 02:49:04,640
helping to ensure that every child in
the nation is ready to learn because the

472
02:49:02,399 --> 02:49:09,840
hungry or undernourished child is less
likely to be an eager and attentive

473
02:49:07,040 --> 02:49:14,000
student. And whereas the National School
Lunch Program has a demonstrated

474
02:49:11,520 --> 02:49:18,000
commitment to our children's health and
well-being, serving nutritious meals

475
02:49:16,399 --> 02:49:23,600
that are balanced for vitamins,
calories, which support healthy eating

476
02:49:20,560 --> 02:49:28,000
patterns. And whereas in Worcester
County, all 14 public schools

477
02:49:25,680 --> 02:49:33,200
participate in the National School Lunch
Program directly supporting student

478
02:49:30,399 --> 02:49:38,080
success. [snorts] And whereas the
success of this effort is due largely to

479
02:49:35,920 --> 02:49:42,800
resources and creative local food
services administrators, managers, and

480
02:49:40,640 --> 02:49:47,840
staff working in cooperation with
parents, teachers, community groups,

481
02:49:45,120 --> 02:49:54,800
government personnel, and students.
Therefore, be it resolved that October

482
02:49:50,800 --> 02:50:00,000
12th through 16, 2026 be proclaimed as
National School Lunch Week, a time to

483
02:49:57,760 --> 02:50:04,640
celebrate the importance of a program
that helps keep students nourished so

484
02:50:02,319 --> 02:50:08,399
they can learn. Be it further resolved
that this proclamation be made part of

485
02:50:06,399 --> 02:50:13,520
the minutes of the board of education
adopted this 15th day of September,

486
02:50:10,960 --> 02:50:17,520
2026. This document is signed by our
board president, Mr. Todd Ferrante, and

487
02:50:15,279 --> 02:50:20,399
our superintendent, Dr. net Wallace.
>> Thank you.

488
02:50:17,840 --> 02:50:24,800
» Congratulations.
>> Thank you. With us today is Otis Collins

489
02:50:23,279 --> 02:50:29,720
who does an outstanding job running that
program. Thank you, Otis, and thank all

490
02:50:26,479 --> 02:50:29,720
of your staff.

491
02:50:34,492 --> 02:50:41,760
[snorts]
>> Okay, [applause] thank you.

492
02:50:39,439 --> 02:50:45,600
And next on the agenda, um, we have, uh,
some awards to give out, but we're going

493
02:50:44,080 --> 02:50:48,399
to be, I think, going outside for our
Hall of Fame presentation. So,

494
02:50:47,359 --> 02:50:55,160
» we'll do it here.
>> We want to do it in here. Okay, perfect.

495
02:50:51,040 --> 02:50:55,160
So, we'll be right down.

496
02:50:59,439 --> 02:51:03,319
» Anyone who's on that committee,

497
02:51:13,200 --> 02:51:19,760
Oh, look. There was a note there that
said, "Invite Dr. Andes and Miss Shaw to

498
02:51:17,120 --> 02:51:27,359
join you." We we we were on the same
page, Mr. Fonte and I. Um,

499
02:51:23,840 --> 02:51:33,040
good afternoon everyone. Uh
it's it's heartwarming for me to look

500
02:51:30,240 --> 02:51:36,960
across this room and see so many of my
former um teachers. Miss Stewart, I want

501
02:51:35,600 --> 02:51:41,359
to let you know I don't have any gum in
my mouth because Miss Stewart was my

502
02:51:39,920 --> 02:51:46,160
vice principal. She was always getting
me on that gum check. Y'all that were

503
02:51:43,040 --> 02:51:51,920
there. Miss Stewart know. Um but so many
people who have played a part um in in

504
02:51:49,120 --> 02:51:55,359
my success as a human uh and as a
teacher and an educator in Worester

505
02:51:53,600 --> 02:51:59,520
County Public Schools. Um, and it's just
a really nice full circle moment to look

506
02:51:57,600 --> 02:52:04,080
around this room and see so many of you
that have influenced myself and others I

507
02:52:02,560 --> 02:52:07,920
know sitting up at this table and
mentored us and gotten us here to this

508
02:52:05,920 --> 02:52:11,120
moment. There is there's so many of you
in this room. So, I'm grateful to have

509
02:52:09,279 --> 02:52:15,680
this celebration today to honor two
individuals um and their contributions,

510
02:52:13,760 --> 02:52:19,520
but also I'm grateful to have the
celebration to bring us all together

511
02:52:17,200 --> 02:52:23,760
today. Uh, it's my pleasure to
officially introduce everyone to our

512
02:52:22,000 --> 02:52:27,520
second class of inductees into the
Wester County Public Schools Hall of

513
02:52:25,359 --> 02:52:31,760
Fame. The Hall of Fame recognition
program is a partnership program between

514
02:52:29,520 --> 02:52:37,200
the school system and the Wester County
Retired School Personnel Association of

515
02:52:34,640 --> 02:52:41,600
which both Dr. Andes and Miss Shaw are a
part. This recognition program was

516
02:52:39,279 --> 02:52:45,840
kicked off in 2022 and accepts
nominations on a rolling basis with a

517
02:52:44,080 --> 02:52:49,680
committee reviewing nominations each
spring. This [snorts] year's class of

518
02:52:47,600 --> 02:52:53,520
inductees is a small group but a
powerful one uh in which both I have

519
02:52:52,080 --> 02:52:58,080
connections with both of these
individuals uh in two different ways. Um

520
02:52:56,399 --> 02:53:02,000
both members of this year's class have
made remarkable contributions to our

521
02:52:59,920 --> 02:53:05,600
school system and we are proud to have
one of them uh with us here today to

522
02:53:04,319 --> 02:53:10,200
celebrate. And I'm going to ask Miss
Butler to join me up here.

523
02:53:13,005 --> 02:53:15,024
» [applause]

524
02:53:24,880 --> 02:53:29,399
» Come on up. Come on up here.

525
02:53:29,520 --> 02:53:35,200
» All right. While I have her here with me
who got kept me straight at Snow Hill

526
02:53:33,040 --> 02:53:39,920
Elementary School and I appreciate that.
Uh, Miss Barbara Butler devoted more

527
02:53:37,200 --> 02:53:44,000
than five decades to educating,
mentoring, and advocating for the

528
02:53:41,920 --> 02:53:48,600
children and families of Wester County.
I think that in itself deserves a round

529
02:53:45,439 --> 02:53:48,600
of applause.

530
02:53:49,030 --> 02:53:51,050
[applause]

531
02:53:52,479 --> 02:53:59,359
Her career included service as a teacher
at Cedar Chapel, Snow Hill Elementary,

532
02:53:56,880 --> 02:54:04,800
and Snow Hill Middle Schools, as well as
leadership and mentoring roles for many,

533
02:54:02,240 --> 02:54:09,520
many students and many, many educators,
including I know myself and and Dr.

534
02:54:06,720 --> 02:54:13,279
Record as well.
Following her classroom career, Miss

535
02:54:11,279 --> 02:54:17,120
Butler extended her impact through the
creation of the Haven House Tutorial

536
02:54:15,359 --> 02:54:21,520
Program, which grew from a
community-based effort into a thriving

537
02:54:19,200 --> 02:54:25,279
school partnership serving some of Snow
Hill's most vulnerable students. She

538
02:54:23,840 --> 02:54:29,600
later helped Snow Hill Elementary
School's 21st Century Community Learning

539
02:54:27,359 --> 02:54:34,399
Center, which earned state recognition
for student achievement. Her lifelong

540
02:54:31,920 --> 02:54:39,840
commitment to educational opportunity,
community service, and ensuring that

541
02:54:36,640 --> 02:54:43,680
every child had the support created a
legacy that continues to benefit

542
02:54:42,000 --> 02:54:47,600
generations of Worcester County Public
School students. Ladies and gentlemen,

543
02:54:45,520 --> 02:54:51,311
please join me in honoring Mrs. Barbara
Butler.

544
02:54:49,291 --> 02:54:51,311
[applause]

545
02:54:57,806 --> 02:54:59,825
» [applause]

546
02:55:03,680 --> 02:55:09,640
» We're going to give her the floor.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that.

547
02:55:15,439 --> 02:55:23,680
I thank you all for your presence here
today. It is indeed an honor to be

548
02:55:21,359 --> 02:55:29,600
inducted into the Worcester County
Retired Teachers Hall of Fame. My

549
02:55:26,240 --> 02:55:35,439
educational career began in 1964
upon graduating from Buoie State

550
02:55:31,840 --> 02:55:38,640
College, now Buouie State University. I
was born and raised in Frederick,

551
02:55:37,120 --> 02:55:42,960
Maryland.
And it was upon my graduation I became

552
02:55:41,200 --> 02:55:49,359
employed in the Worcester County Public
Schools. I've served, as they stated,

553
02:55:45,840 --> 02:55:54,791
for 58 years in Worcester County. This
is the only county I've ever worked in.

554
02:55:52,319 --> 02:55:56,811
And I'm so proud of that. I really am.
[applause]

555
02:56:02,160 --> 02:56:09,439
And as Dr. Wallace stated, "My career
began teaching split grades first and

556
02:56:06,800 --> 02:56:13,920
second at the Chapel Elementary School,
which was located in Newark, Merlin,

557
02:56:11,920 --> 02:56:20,960
just below the Worcester County Board of
Ed here, which was at that time um old

558
02:56:17,680 --> 02:56:26,319
Wister High. So I taught first grades
for 30 21 years later moving into

559
02:56:24,000 --> 02:56:31,680
administrative positions
and I was the first vice principal at

560
02:56:29,359 --> 02:56:34,960
Snow Hill Elementary School because the
elementary schools did not have vice

561
02:56:33,439 --> 02:56:42,399
principles.
Okay. So my 58 years in the county 25 of

562
02:56:40,319 --> 02:56:47,279
those years were spent with the Haven
House afterchool program. And that

563
02:56:44,960 --> 02:56:52,479
program, I'm so proud to say, and I tell
the story, originated under the

564
02:56:49,680 --> 02:56:59,680
direction of pastor Reverend George, was
the the pastor of Ebenea Church, local

565
02:56:56,479 --> 02:57:06,479
clergy, the business community, and our
past president, Dr. Superintendent, Dr.

566
02:57:03,600 --> 02:57:12,479
John Andes. And I tell that story
everywhere I go because I'm proud of it.

567
02:57:08,720 --> 02:57:16,880
I really am. And as a result of that,
um, I have to say that I've when Gary

568
02:57:14,960 --> 02:57:21,920
passed, he used to be president here of
this board and he was the warden of the

569
02:57:19,680 --> 02:57:26,640
jail. So when he passed, we started a
scholarship in his name. So we've given

570
02:57:24,399 --> 02:57:32,399
scholarships out for the last eight
years. Many of which of you are donors

571
02:57:29,920 --> 02:57:37,279
to that scholarship every year. We have
other fundraisers such as the daddy

572
02:57:34,319 --> 02:57:43,279
daughter dance, the mother u son spring
fling, and I rock in a rocking chair for

573
02:57:39,439 --> 02:57:51,080
four hours at $25 an hour. But do you
know that these last eight years we have

574
02:57:46,640 --> 02:57:51,080
given a total of $45,500

575
02:57:52,240 --> 02:57:57,720
to deserving students here in Worcester
County.

576
02:57:59,200 --> 02:58:08,240
I would like to um extend a thank you to
all my representatives here today. I

577
02:58:05,200 --> 02:58:13,920
have my nephew who is here unless he
stepped out. Um my student Oh, he's here

578
02:58:11,520 --> 02:58:18,399
taking the picture.
So that's William Delauer and and I'm so

579
02:58:16,880 --> 02:58:22,720
grateful to have him here with me
because he just lost his wife about a

580
02:58:20,720 --> 02:58:26,479
month ago. But he's been very very
supportive of me as the family has of

581
02:58:24,640 --> 02:58:29,600
him. And I would like the other
colleagues, people who worked with me,

582
02:58:28,080 --> 02:58:34,160
whether it's the elementary school, the
middle school, the Haven House program,

583
02:58:32,000 --> 02:58:39,840
please stand. Come on, Marin Lo. Get up
off of it. Okay.

584
02:58:37,439 --> 02:58:44,319
So, it's a lot of you. And then all of
my donors, whether it's Oasis Ministry,

585
02:58:43,140 --> 02:58:48,640
[applause]
Gary Munford, please stand. Come on,

586
02:58:47,200 --> 02:58:53,920
Wanda. Get up. And there are a lot of
you sitting in here who give every year

587
02:58:51,520 --> 02:58:58,800
for that scholarship. And it's because
of you it is possible that we can do

588
02:58:56,160 --> 02:59:05,880
that. And I thank you all again for your
presence. And let's continue to work

589
02:59:01,600 --> 02:59:05,880
together to make a difference.

590
02:59:06,709 --> 02:59:08,729
[applause]

591
02:59:12,720 --> 02:59:18,080
» Okay, I'll take that from you. I'm going
to give you some in a minute. All all I

592
02:59:16,240 --> 02:59:22,399
can tell you is I never had a chance to
work with Miss Butler, but I know that

593
02:59:20,240 --> 02:59:25,439
she's a legend and you're seeing a
living legend here and what she's done

594
02:59:23,840 --> 02:59:28,760
in this county. Let's give her another
round of applause.

595
02:59:51,120 --> 02:59:57,240
Okay. How about all my supporters here?
Please.

596
03:00:03,600 --> 03:00:07,000
» This is great.

597
03:00:17,359 --> 03:00:20,760
This is

598
03:00:25,600 --> 03:00:28,920
» Oh my god.

599
03:00:39,520 --> 03:00:43,080
We're still moving.

600
03:00:59,370 --> 03:01:01,390
» [applause]

601
03:01:13,920 --> 03:01:21,439
» Where you at?
>> Hold on. Dr. Anes,

602
03:01:17,359 --> 03:01:26,720
» I I just want to correct the record.
I just want to correct the record with

603
03:01:23,359 --> 03:01:31,439
this fabulous young lady here. When
Barbara Butler comes to you and tells

604
03:01:28,960 --> 03:01:38,720
you you're going to do something, you do
it.

605
03:01:34,080 --> 03:01:42,960
So, I had absolutely no choice.
She invited me to the house on Dyon

606
03:01:40,640 --> 03:01:47,186
Avenue, explained exactly what they
needed, and then gave me a deadline to

607
03:01:45,120 --> 03:01:50,479
provide those services.
>> [laughter]

608
03:01:47,200 --> 03:01:55,279
» I you cannot say no to this young lady.
She does not accept no. And that's the

609
03:01:53,200 --> 03:01:59,840
reason the Haven House program was so
successful in Dyton Avenue and so

610
03:01:57,680 --> 03:02:05,680
successful at Snow Hill Elementary
School. The lives that she has impact is

611
03:02:03,200 --> 03:02:12,160
her legacy. And we're so fortunate and
blessed when she left Buouie State

612
03:02:08,479 --> 03:02:17,971
College, she came here. In my opinion,
Barbara Butler is the best comb here

613
03:02:14,640 --> 03:02:19,990
we've ever had. from West County.
[applause]

614
03:02:22,319 --> 03:02:25,560
» Thank you.

615
03:02:27,120 --> 03:02:31,279
» Congratulations.
>> That is so sweet.

616
03:02:29,840 --> 03:02:36,720
» I just had to say to Miss Butler, I
said, "Is that Mr. Glendon Jones?"

617
03:02:34,160 --> 03:02:42,240
» That is my third grade math teacher. And
I'm just going to say this to you

618
03:02:38,800 --> 03:02:45,359
because I was probably naughty, but
teachers don't get to hear this enough

619
03:02:43,840 --> 03:02:49,411
often. and I became a math teacher and
you were part of the reason for that.

620
03:02:46,479 --> 03:02:51,431
So, thank you, Mr. Jones.
[applause]

621
03:02:53,680 --> 03:02:59,040
I'm sure he never thought that when I
was in his classroom, but here I stand

622
03:02:56,960 --> 03:03:03,520
today. Nonetheless,
uh we have a second inductee, and I'm

623
03:03:01,200 --> 03:03:10,371
not sure is any of uh Miss Lana Williams
family here with us today. Her son, come

624
03:03:06,240 --> 03:03:12,391
on up, please. Sean, come on up.
[applause]

625
03:03:16,399 --> 03:03:22,479
It's so interesting the connections that
we build over the years because and I

626
03:03:20,160 --> 03:03:26,160
tried to find this photo, but when I was
a student at Snow Hill Middle School,

627
03:03:24,240 --> 03:03:30,160
your mom was in charge of PR for the
county and myself and Sarah Pewy, who's

628
03:03:28,640 --> 03:03:34,800
Marty Pusy's daughter, if anybody know
Marty Pusy, won a poster contest and we

629
03:03:32,319 --> 03:03:39,439
got a billboard that was at Steven Decar
High School. We won a I won a art

630
03:03:36,880 --> 03:03:43,439
contest. That's a surprise. It surprised
me and Sarah, but your mom was the one

631
03:03:41,760 --> 03:03:46,800
who did it and we got to go up and
honestly I think we got to like climb up

632
03:03:45,279 --> 03:03:49,920
and stand on the billboard and there's a
photo of us with that billboard. So, I

633
03:03:48,479 --> 03:03:53,200
knew your mom so well from that
experience and she was she was a lovely

634
03:03:51,840 --> 03:03:58,640
person. So, we're happy that you're here
today when we can honor her. Miss uh

635
03:03:55,760 --> 03:04:02,960
Lana Ray Williams dedicated 35 years of
her 38-year career in education to

636
03:04:00,880 --> 03:04:07,120
Worcester County Public Schools, serving
first as an elementary and middle school

637
03:04:05,040 --> 03:04:10,560
teacher be before becoming a central
office leader in professional

638
03:04:08,560 --> 03:04:14,800
development, public relations, and
special projects. Among her most

639
03:04:12,800 --> 03:04:18,720
enduring contributions was helping to
establish and coordinate the Worester

640
03:04:16,720 --> 03:04:23,200
County Teacher of the Year program
beginning in 1988 with I believe our

641
03:04:21,359 --> 03:04:28,560
first teacher of the year, Miss Cecilia
Dennis, who oddly enough was also my

642
03:04:25,840 --> 03:04:33,040
social studies teacher. So really weird
connections, but but beautiful

643
03:04:30,800 --> 03:04:37,680
connections in our community, creating a
tradition that continues to celebrate

644
03:04:34,960 --> 03:04:41,520
excellence in teaching today. She also
developed and supported innovative

645
03:04:39,840 --> 03:04:46,319
opportunities for students and
educators, including the summer

646
03:04:43,600 --> 03:04:50,800
enrichment and acceleration programs and
the expansion of the children's theater

647
03:04:48,319 --> 03:04:55,439
experience across the county. Known for
her warmth, enthusiasm, creativity, and

648
03:04:53,200 --> 03:04:59,439
ability to bring people together, Mrs.
Williams was a tireless champion for

649
03:04:57,279 --> 03:05:04,319
Wester County Public Schools, who helped
tell the school system story and turn

650
03:05:01,920 --> 03:05:09,120
new ideas into lasting programs for
students and staff. Mrs. Williams passed

651
03:05:06,560 --> 03:05:12,960
away in 2004 and while uh and her son
here is Shawn, right, is here with us

652
03:05:11,279 --> 03:05:17,497
today. So, please join us in honoring
her with a round of applause.

653
03:05:15,478 --> 03:05:17,497
[applause]

654
03:05:21,520 --> 03:05:28,720
» Thank you. Uh those of you that that
remember my mom know that she loved her

655
03:05:26,319 --> 03:05:34,000
job here almost as much as she loved
fashion. Uh she changed her look a lot

656
03:05:31,840 --> 03:05:37,359
over the years, over the decades. Uh but
she did. She loved her job. She loved

657
03:05:35,520 --> 03:05:40,368
Wester County and she would be very
honored by this. So, thank you very

658
03:05:38,640 --> 03:05:42,388
much.
[applause]

659
03:05:43,600 --> 03:05:51,439
» So, so I did know Miss Williams and I
knew her more as Shaun's mom because we

660
03:05:48,720 --> 03:05:56,240
graduated together, but what I can tell
you about her is not only was she a

661
03:05:53,279 --> 03:06:00,800
fashion statement, but when she smiled,
she lit up the whole room. And she was

662
03:05:58,960 --> 03:06:05,040
nice to everybody, she'd walk down the
hall and say hi to every student. She

663
03:06:03,040 --> 03:06:09,600
would say hi to every person. And she
was just a very warm, welcoming person

664
03:06:07,760 --> 03:06:14,200
and she was a pleasure to be around and
we were lucky to have her in our school

665
03:06:11,200 --> 03:06:14,200
system.

666
03:06:14,429 --> 03:06:16,448
[applause]

667
03:06:38,960 --> 03:06:47,520
We will take a brief intermission and um
allow the um families and the honores um

668
03:06:45,920 --> 03:06:50,720
to exit and view the updated
installation in the hallway and then

669
03:06:49,120 --> 03:06:54,399
we'll come back together in about 5 to
seven minutes. So um if you go right out

670
03:06:52,720 --> 03:06:57,840
in the hallway, Mr. Bevel Aqua can lead
the way maybe and show you. You can't

671
03:06:56,399 --> 03:07:01,120
miss it, but the new installation is
there so you can see and maybe get some

672
03:06:59,439 --> 03:07:04,120
photos. Then we'll start in about 5 to 7
minutes.

673
03:18:20,239 --> 03:18:26,479
and our school community. Through its
organization, they provide financial

674
03:18:24,399 --> 03:18:30,960
assistance to students and families who
are experiencing financial hardship,

675
03:18:28,800 --> 03:18:35,279
helping to ensure that every student has
access to the resources that they need

676
03:18:32,640 --> 03:18:39,120
to succeed. Most recently, Wister Gold
generously donated school supplies for

677
03:18:37,040 --> 03:18:42,720
both students and staff in our Snow Hill
schools. This thoughtful contribution

678
03:18:41,200 --> 03:18:47,279
helped our students and educators
prepare for a successful school year and

679
03:18:45,120 --> 03:18:51,680
demonstrated the organization's genuine
commitment to supporting our schools.

680
03:18:49,520 --> 03:18:56,720
Wister Gold exemplifies what it means to
be a strong community partner. Their

681
03:18:54,479 --> 03:19:01,600
generosity, compassion, and commitment
to meeting the needs of our students

682
03:18:58,479 --> 03:19:04,560
made an impact that will last forever.
On behalf of Wester County Public

683
03:19:03,040 --> 03:19:08,647
Schools, thank you to Wister Gold for
being a valued partner and

684
03:19:06,000 --> 03:19:10,667
congratulations.
[applause]

685
03:19:16,508 --> 03:19:18,527
[clears throat]

686
03:19:24,367 --> 03:19:26,387
[applause]

687
03:19:27,200 --> 03:19:35,279
And now I'd like to ask the Pocamok City
Charge, Mount Zion, and St. James United

688
03:19:31,600 --> 03:19:39,600
Methodist Church forward.
Come on, whoever's a part of it. Come

689
03:19:38,000 --> 03:19:43,800
on.
Come on up and stand with Mr. Ferrante.

690
03:19:44,880 --> 03:19:50,640
I think it's meaningful to note that to
uh the importance of our faith-based

691
03:19:49,040 --> 03:19:53,760
partners and the work that we do as a
school system. We have an organization

692
03:19:52,239 --> 03:19:56,880
being honored today and we also have
individuals. So, our faith-based

693
03:19:55,279 --> 03:20:01,439
community is an important part of the
success of our school system.

694
03:19:59,760 --> 03:20:06,000
It is my pleasure to recognize the
Pocomoke City Charge, Mount Zion and St.

695
03:20:03,680 --> 03:20:09,600
James United Methodist Church. They have
been a steadfast partner to the

696
03:20:07,760 --> 03:20:14,000
students, families, and educators of the
Pocamote community, demonstrating an

697
03:20:12,080 --> 03:20:18,080
unwavering commitment to supporting our
schools. Throughout the year, the church

698
03:20:15,920 --> 03:20:22,319
provides school supplies, resources, and
supports school celebrations. One

699
03:20:20,479 --> 03:20:26,319
especially meaningful tradition is the
church's back-toschool worship service

700
03:20:24,800 --> 03:20:30,000
which brings together students,
families, educators, and community

701
03:20:28,080 --> 03:20:34,000
members to encourage and uplift them as
they begin each school year. And every

702
03:20:32,239 --> 03:20:37,920
year I get an invite. And every year
it's on the same day as my church's

703
03:20:35,840 --> 03:20:41,840
celebration for my preacher who's here.
So maybe next year we need to have a

704
03:20:39,600 --> 03:20:46,239
joint celebration so that I can attend
and all of our churches can get together

705
03:20:43,600 --> 03:20:49,920
and pray for the school year cuz it
makes me sad every year to miss it.

706
03:20:48,239 --> 03:20:54,080
Through their generosity, service,
encouragement, and genuine care, they

707
03:20:51,760 --> 03:20:58,160
exemplify what it means to be a true
community champion. Their partnership

708
03:20:56,319 --> 03:21:01,439
strengthens our schools, and they help
ensure that Pocomoke students and

709
03:20:59,760 --> 03:21:06,000
educators know they are valued,
supported, and surrounded by a community

710
03:21:03,680 --> 03:21:09,359
and church family that believes in their
success. Congratulations, and thank you

711
03:21:08,160 --> 03:21:13,640
all for all that you're doing. And
please continue to keep us in your

712
03:21:10,640 --> 03:21:13,640
prayers.

713
03:21:14,319 --> 03:21:17,319
Honestly,

714
03:21:31,439 --> 03:21:33,459
[applause]

715
03:21:41,439 --> 03:21:48,239
this this next group is is one that has
been also making an impact for years and

716
03:21:46,560 --> 03:21:53,200
years and years in our community and a
major impact. If you are uh with Ry's

717
03:21:50,399 --> 03:21:58,349
crew, could you come forward?
I know

718
03:21:56,329 --> 03:21:58,349
[applause]

719
03:22:00,319 --> 03:22:06,399
it's our pleasure to recognize Ry's crew
for their meaningful investment in the

720
03:22:04,160 --> 03:22:10,239
students of Worester County. Ry's crew
has demonstrated a genuine commitment to

721
03:22:08,399 --> 03:22:14,880
supporting young people by providing
both financial resources and meaningful

722
03:22:12,720 --> 03:22:20,399
opportunities to help students feel
supported, included, and connected in

723
03:22:17,359 --> 03:22:24,880
their own community. At BIS, Ry's crew
generously funded essential toiletry

724
03:22:22,560 --> 03:22:29,520
items for students in need. They also
support Pop Warner football players by

725
03:22:27,040 --> 03:22:33,200
providing pizza with an opportunity um
for lunch and fellowship with high

726
03:22:31,040 --> 03:22:36,960
school football players. Through their
generosity and continued support, they

727
03:22:35,439 --> 03:22:40,960
continue to strengthen the partnership
between our schools and our community.

728
03:22:39,279 --> 03:22:44,560
Their investment helps provide students
with the resources, experience, and

729
03:22:42,800 --> 03:22:49,279
encouragement they need to believe in
themselves, imagine their future, and

730
03:22:47,040 --> 03:22:53,840
succeed. I got BIS's little motto in
there. Congratulations to Ry's crew, and

731
03:22:52,399 --> 03:22:56,560
thank you for making a meaningful
difference in the lives of Wester

732
03:22:55,200 --> 03:23:00,574
County's young people. We appreciate
you.

733
03:22:58,555 --> 03:23:00,574
[applause]

734
03:23:12,311 --> 03:23:14,330
» [applause]

735
03:23:19,439 --> 03:23:25,439
» That's Todd's wife, just just in case
you didn't know. [laughter]

736
03:23:23,600 --> 03:23:30,399
I feel like I should clarify that just
in case. Just in case. Um, do we have a

737
03:23:28,960 --> 03:23:36,399
representative from Seaside Plumbing
here? Oh, yeah. Okay. You're Come on up.

738
03:23:34,319 --> 03:23:42,239
You're not my normal two people and so
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

739
03:23:40,319 --> 03:23:48,800
» Oh, we're happy to have you. We're happy
to have you. Um I I have to say Seaside

740
03:23:46,239 --> 03:23:54,800
has just been and I'm just going off the
record for this. Um they have just been

741
03:23:51,520 --> 03:23:59,359
when we think about connecting um our
students with meaningful apprenticeship

742
03:23:56,960 --> 03:24:02,720
opportunities that has been a challenge
in the state of Maryland. Um the

743
03:24:01,040 --> 03:24:08,239
apprenticeship program can be very
challenging. Um, I honestly think like

744
03:24:05,680 --> 03:24:12,479
not only are they a bunch of super
gracious, wonderful people, but I

745
03:24:10,720 --> 03:24:16,239
believe they're also an example of
brilliant business people because if I

746
03:24:14,720 --> 03:24:20,640
was running a business, I would do
exactly what they're doing, and that is

747
03:24:18,160 --> 03:24:24,640
investing in the next generation of
students to come work for them. They

748
03:24:22,399 --> 03:24:29,655
were our first apprenticeship partners.
And so, can you we just give them a

749
03:24:26,080 --> 03:24:29,655
round of applause for that? [applause]

750
03:24:32,720 --> 03:24:37,840
So today we're honoring Seaside Plumbing
for their outstanding partnership with

751
03:24:36,080 --> 03:24:42,000
Wester Technical High School, preparing
students for successful careers. Seaside

752
03:24:40,399 --> 03:24:45,439
Plumbing has opened doors for students
by accepting Wester Techch graduates

753
03:24:43,760 --> 03:24:49,680
into their apprenticeship program and
providing valuable opportunities for

754
03:24:47,279 --> 03:24:52,640
students to gain real world experience
in the plumbing trade. And I'm going to

755
03:24:51,359 --> 03:24:56,399
tell you, that's one of the people that
you really need to show up at your house

756
03:24:53,840 --> 03:25:00,239
when you have a problem. So each year
the company also visits Wester Tech uh

757
03:24:58,560 --> 03:25:04,479
to conduct an assembly and introduce
students to career opportunities to help

758
03:25:02,239 --> 03:25:08,960
them see the possibilities within the
skilled trades. Their commitment extends

759
03:25:06,880 --> 03:25:12,560
beyond the classroom though. They are a
participant in our stat camp and they

760
03:25:10,640 --> 03:25:16,960
run a summer program that transports
students to the work site to get

761
03:25:14,800 --> 03:25:21,040
hands-on exposure to the plumbing
profession. They've also partnered with

762
03:25:19,040 --> 03:25:25,040
our school's criminal justice program
and helped created a realistic crime

763
03:25:22,960 --> 03:25:29,439
scene for students to investigate and
learn from. Um, their mentorship, their

764
03:25:27,680 --> 03:25:33,760
hands-on experience, their career
opportunities, and their willingness to

765
03:25:31,200 --> 03:25:37,520
help us and be our partners um is really
second to none. And so, I just I just

766
03:25:35,439 --> 03:25:41,880
want to I'm so grateful to you guys. And
it's nice to meet new people from

767
03:25:38,880 --> 03:25:41,880
Seaside.

768
03:25:53,442 --> 03:25:55,462
» [applause]

769
03:26:00,647 --> 03:26:02,667
[laughter]

770
03:26:03,359 --> 03:26:10,000
» before they leave. Uh, okay. And now to
our individual awards. Uh, the first

771
03:26:08,239 --> 03:26:13,040
people I'm going to invite up are no
stranger to me. However, I did tell them

772
03:26:11,600 --> 03:26:16,960
that I was not responsible for their
nomination. And I don't know, Mr. Green,

773
03:26:15,120 --> 03:26:20,880
was it who who was our snowhole person
responsible? It was Mr. Green. So, you

774
03:26:19,520 --> 03:26:24,080
two actually have to come forward
because they they don't like to do that,

775
03:26:22,239 --> 03:26:30,120
but they have to come up. So, Pastor Ken
and Mary Ellson, um, come on up.

776
03:26:32,080 --> 03:26:38,560
It is my pleasure to recognize them as
community champions for their years of

777
03:26:36,560 --> 03:26:42,239
dedicated support of our school
community. And their support goes all

778
03:26:40,479 --> 03:26:45,840
the way back to when I was a student at
Snow Hill Middle School and they ran

779
03:26:44,160 --> 03:26:51,040
like an afterchool thing and they would
come pick us up. And the coolest thing

780
03:26:47,840 --> 03:26:55,600
was that Miss Mary had a station wagon
that had a seat that faced backwards.

781
03:26:54,160 --> 03:26:58,319
And when they would pick us up to take
us to our youth group stuff after school

782
03:26:57,200 --> 03:27:01,520
from the middle school and that was
really the first of its time because no

783
03:26:59,920 --> 03:27:06,319
churches around here were really doing
that at the time. Um I got to ride in

784
03:27:04,160 --> 03:27:10,160
the back seat. I felt special. So they
started that was one of the the first um

785
03:27:08,640 --> 03:27:15,279
connections I think that they made with
our schools. But um they have uh the two

786
03:27:13,200 --> 03:27:19,439
of them alongside with some church staff
have demonstrated a commitment every

787
03:27:17,120 --> 03:27:24,560
year by visiting each of our school
campuses to pray um over the building

788
03:27:22,640 --> 03:27:28,479
student staff and school community each
year before the school system starts.

789
03:27:26,560 --> 03:27:33,359
They also graciously host Snow Hill High
School's balarat ceremony each year um

790
03:27:31,120 --> 03:27:37,279
on the eve of graduation. Their ongoing
service to students and families reflect

791
03:27:35,279 --> 03:27:40,960
tremendous compassion, faith, and
dedication. And their willingness to

792
03:27:39,040 --> 03:27:46,000
consistently support and uplift our
school community and myself uh has had

793
03:27:43,840 --> 03:27:49,760
such a meaningful and positive impact on
every single student and family and

794
03:27:47,840 --> 03:27:52,960
staff member. So, congratulations to
Pastor Ken and Miss Mary. We wish you

795
03:27:51,439 --> 03:27:56,000
well in your retirement, although I wish
you weren't retiring still. So, I'm just

796
03:27:54,399 --> 03:27:59,439
going to say that one more time, but I
know you're not going to be strangers.

797
03:27:57,359 --> 03:28:02,439
So, thank you for all of all you've
done.

798
03:28:29,040 --> 03:28:33,359
He said, "Oh Lord," that was a prayer.
[laughter]

799
03:28:31,200 --> 03:28:39,200
started.
>> We've been here 37 years and we've been

800
03:28:36,960 --> 03:28:45,120
involved with the schools because our
children were in the elementary and the

801
03:28:42,080 --> 03:28:50,000
middle school when we came here and then
in 1998

802
03:28:46,960 --> 03:28:55,439
I was uh asked to come and be an
educational assistant at the middle

803
03:28:52,479 --> 03:29:03,600
school. It was the 10 happiest years of
my life and I loved the children and

804
03:28:59,840 --> 03:29:09,680
then because for whatever reason my
sight was taken away and I became blind

805
03:29:07,324 --> 03:29:15,760
[snorts] but
a few years after I became blind and

806
03:29:12,399 --> 03:29:21,040
this year I'm volunteering at the middle
school to be with the children again

807
03:29:19,770 --> 03:29:25,760
[applause]
and I love [cheering] that Hi. And I'm

808
03:29:23,920 --> 03:29:33,359
looking forward to being there this year
with the kids. And um we used to take

809
03:29:29,040 --> 03:29:40,080
kids to youth
groups, our youth group to Christian com

810
03:29:36,880 --> 03:29:45,840
conferences and stuff. And if you're a
Christian, you'll understand me when I

811
03:29:42,720 --> 03:29:51,920
say there's really no greater joy than
to see a youth give their life to

812
03:29:48,560 --> 03:29:53,840
Christ. And I have really enjoyed that.
I don't guess Miss Butler's here. Is

813
03:29:53,600 --> 03:29:56,239
she?
>> Miss Butler just left.

814
03:29:55,200 --> 03:29:58,479
» Oh, well,
>> but we can't send it to her to show you

815
03:29:58,080 --> 03:30:04,479
here.
>> No. Okay. Well, all I was going to say

816
03:30:00,800 --> 03:30:11,760
was somebody said that she was a come
here. Well, we were come hearers, too.

817
03:30:08,960 --> 03:30:18,239
And one day, Kim bought me a little
magnet to put on my refrigerator that

818
03:30:15,040 --> 03:30:22,705
said, "I wasn't born in Snow Hill, but I
got here as quick as I could."

819
03:30:20,686 --> 03:30:22,705
[laughter]

820
03:30:23,359 --> 03:30:26,635
» Thank you, Miss Harris. [applause]

821
03:30:30,720 --> 03:30:37,061
We are also thrilled to recognize Miss
Dawn Richardson. So, if you can come on

822
03:30:34,800 --> 03:30:39,080
up.
>> [applause]

823
03:30:41,680 --> 03:30:45,960
» Thank you. Thank you.

824
03:30:47,359 --> 03:30:52,960
» We are thrilled to recognize her um from
the Wester County Health Department as a

825
03:30:51,279 --> 03:30:57,840
community champion for her exceptional
commitment to students and families in

826
03:30:54,720 --> 03:31:02,160
the Pocamo community. Dawn is a trusted
and valuable partner for our schools,

827
03:31:00,080 --> 03:31:05,760
providing programs such as girls growing
gracefully and just for guys, which give

828
03:31:04,399 --> 03:31:09,600
students safe and supportive
opportunities to build confidence,

829
03:31:07,760 --> 03:31:13,840
develop social emotional skills,
navigate challenges, and form positive

830
03:31:11,680 --> 03:31:17,680
relationships. Through her genuine
connection with young people, Dawn has

831
03:31:15,359 --> 03:31:21,760
become a trusted mentor and caring adult
for many of the students that she

832
03:31:19,200 --> 03:31:25,600
serves. Her dedication extends beyond
students to the families in our

833
03:31:23,439 --> 03:31:29,760
community. She helps connect families
with really important resources. She

834
03:31:27,840 --> 03:31:33,520
provides education and support for them
and serves as a vital bridge between our

835
03:31:32,080 --> 03:31:37,359
schools and the Wester County Health
Department. Dawn's compassion,

836
03:31:35,680 --> 03:31:42,000
consistency, and willingness to help
whenever she is needed truly embody the

837
03:31:39,840 --> 03:31:45,720
spirit of a community champion. Again,
congratulations, Dawn.

838
03:32:26,080 --> 03:32:29,080
done.

839
03:32:30,800 --> 03:32:38,080
Okay. um all individuals who've now
we're at public comment. Um I did want

840
03:32:35,760 --> 03:32:42,319
to point one thing out. I want to thank
um Harford County for not hiring Dr.

841
03:32:40,080 --> 03:32:45,496
Andes because he was a come here too.
Okay. [laughter]

842
03:32:45,680 --> 03:32:50,560
All individuals who sign up to address
the Wester County uh Board of Education

843
03:32:48,960 --> 03:32:54,239
may do so for one or two minutes
regarding information, accommodations,

844
03:32:52,160 --> 03:32:57,520
or concerns which may need future board
attention. Concerns that are specific to

845
03:32:56,000 --> 03:33:00,640
an individual will not be discussed in
open session should be directed to

846
03:32:59,359 --> 03:33:04,479
appropriate district personnel for
investigation. I know we don't have

847
03:33:02,720 --> 03:33:08,640
anyone on the record, but I always ask,
is there anyone that is wishing to speak

848
03:33:06,319 --> 03:33:12,800
today?
Okay, seeing none, it's time for our

849
03:33:11,359 --> 03:33:19,880
meeting reports and we'll begin. Uh,
excuse me, it's time for our consent

850
03:33:15,200 --> 03:33:19,880
agenda. Um, and

851
03:33:21,600 --> 03:33:29,200
» let me use the other mic.
It always happens. So, um, does any

852
03:33:27,200 --> 03:33:33,279
board member have anything they wish to
be pulled from the consent agenda today?

853
03:33:31,840 --> 03:33:42,479
Miss Scotland,
>> I just had some questions on 73 and 74.

854
03:33:36,960 --> 03:33:47,120
» Okay. So, 73 and 74 before we approve
um we will

855
03:33:45,120 --> 03:33:51,040
the one is the contract award for
Maryland Maryland Coalition for

856
03:33:48,960 --> 03:33:56,080
Inclusive Education.
Um

857
03:33:52,640 --> 03:34:02,760
this is um I don't know if uh who wants
to address this either Dr. Wallace or

858
03:33:59,760 --> 03:34:02,760
» Yes.

859
03:34:05,439 --> 03:34:13,720
» Dr. Wendy, you can come on or Brian.
>> Brian, you want to go ahead and you can

860
03:34:09,760 --> 03:34:13,720
uh turn the mic on, please.

861
03:34:13,840 --> 03:34:17,279
» Are you talking about the time clocks,
Brian?

862
03:34:15,840 --> 03:34:21,200
» No, this is the first one is the
contract award for the Maryland

863
03:34:18,640 --> 03:34:25,680
Coalition for Inclusive Education. Okay.
>> Test. Yes, that's working. Thank you.

864
03:34:23,760 --> 03:34:29,359
» Your question for Mr. for Dr.
>> How are you? Um, some of this might be

865
03:34:27,600 --> 03:34:34,000
redundant. And again, I'm new. I think
it's on. I'll just pull it closer. Um,

866
03:34:32,160 --> 03:34:38,479
just a couple of questions. I I read
through the packet. I printed it out and

867
03:34:36,399 --> 03:34:43,359
you know, I I see the numbers and I see
what it says, but I guess more on just

868
03:34:41,520 --> 03:34:48,319
where it says policy facts. I was just
kind of curious why it was worded as

869
03:34:45,600 --> 03:34:51,680
like procured through a legally awarded
piggyback contract. if you could just

870
03:34:49,920 --> 03:34:56,640
explain that and then just overall in
general, apologies if I missed it. Was

871
03:34:54,239 --> 03:34:59,120
this in the budget that we approved
prior somewhere in a line item or is

872
03:34:58,160 --> 03:35:01,439
this something new?
>> So if am I on?

873
03:35:00,880 --> 03:35:05,760
» Yes, you're on.
>> Um so this is a part of our title one

874
03:35:03,520 --> 03:35:10,000
part A school improvement plan. Um it's
an annual grant process through the ESSA

875
03:35:07,439 --> 03:35:14,319
consolidated plan. Um the process in our
procurement and our policy is if we

876
03:35:12,160 --> 03:35:18,319
would like to use a legally binding
contract that another LEA or local

877
03:35:16,479 --> 03:35:22,640
education association has used so we can
get similar pricing uh we have that

878
03:35:20,399 --> 03:35:25,520
opportunity to utilize it. So that's why
we've gone through that piggyback

879
03:35:24,080 --> 03:35:28,720
contract process.
>> Okay. Okay. Yeah. I just I was looking I

880
03:35:27,359 --> 03:35:31,359
was confused because when I saw the list
of schools I didn't see us on there. So

881
03:35:30,720 --> 03:35:35,200
it just kind of
>> Yeah. It's it's it's just a I guess a

882
03:35:33,279 --> 03:35:37,120
formality process just to make sure that
you actually have a copy of the

883
03:35:36,319 --> 03:35:41,200
contract.
>> Okay. And then the second part, this was

884
03:35:39,040 --> 03:35:44,800
in the prior budget that we voted on
already.

885
03:35:42,399 --> 03:35:47,760
» Yes. This I I think this is part of a
title one money.

886
03:35:45,600 --> 03:35:51,760
» So this would be a part of our um the
this will be a part of our title one

887
03:35:49,439 --> 03:35:56,800
part a school improvement grant which is
a part of our ESS consolidated plan that

888
03:35:53,920 --> 03:35:59,359
comes out every fall which we submitted
July late Julyish early August give or

889
03:35:59,120 --> 03:36:03,279
take.
>> So a grant. Yes.

890
03:36:01,520 --> 03:36:07,200
» Okay. Okay. That's all.
>> So that's all for now. Do you have a

891
03:36:05,040 --> 03:36:09,040
question on 7.4 for the time clock.
>> Yeah, for the

892
03:36:08,000 --> 03:36:12,960
» That's for Mr. Tolbert.
>> The time clock.

893
03:36:10,239 --> 03:36:17,439
» Thank you, M. Thank you, Dr. Thank you.
>> Um, similar question about the budget.

894
03:36:15,760 --> 03:36:22,160
Was that in there? And then I guess a
crossover question when it said, you

895
03:36:20,160 --> 03:36:26,560
know, like clocking the employees and
stuff and is that going to transfer over

896
03:36:24,239 --> 03:36:30,479
to the substitute part for like when we
need bus substitutes as well or is No,

897
03:36:28,960 --> 03:36:33,920
because they're contracted and this is
just the employee side of it.

898
03:36:32,239 --> 03:36:36,000
» It's not for the contractors, it's for
the employees.

899
03:36:35,680 --> 03:36:39,439
Okay.
>> And and and it was it was it was asked

900
03:36:38,000 --> 03:36:44,880
for a small increase was asked for in
the budget for uh time and attendance

901
03:36:41,760 --> 03:36:48,479
software and also we um had a fixed
asset management system that we had been

902
03:36:46,399 --> 03:36:52,080
paying for for the past couple years. Uh
we did not renew that contract this

903
03:36:50,239 --> 03:36:56,239
year. We're using the power school
product which has a fixed asset module

904
03:36:54,319 --> 03:37:00,800
that's already included in our package.
So we saved some money there. And also

905
03:36:58,720 --> 03:37:04,560
part of the time clock plus is smart
find. It's going to replace absent

906
03:37:02,800 --> 03:37:08,399
management uh substitute calling system
that we currently have at about a third

907
03:37:06,319 --> 03:37:12,239
of the cost. Those states combined are
helping us fund this time clock plus.

908
03:37:10,239 --> 03:37:16,319
» Okay. When you say included that this
was kept with like the breakdown paper

909
03:37:14,800 --> 03:37:21,200
when we went with the colored part. This
part was in there at the end.

910
03:37:19,439 --> 03:37:24,399
» It was included within the line items in
the big budget that you got.

911
03:37:22,399 --> 03:37:27,359
» Okay. In your big budget book.
>> But it it stayed when that was approved.

912
03:37:26,960 --> 03:37:31,840
This
>> was a small increase. What we asked for

913
03:37:29,359 --> 03:37:33,040
for timekeeping. Yes. software. Yes.
>> Okay, that's it.

914
03:37:32,640 --> 03:37:38,080
» Okay,
>> thank you. And also, we anticipate that

915
03:37:35,600 --> 03:37:42,319
this would be um having a software
system for our hourly employees is

916
03:37:40,319 --> 03:37:46,080
something we're um
>> as a as a organization, we're trying to

917
03:37:44,640 --> 03:37:51,680
anticipate things that will be
weaknesses um in our audit and we know

918
03:37:49,120 --> 03:37:54,160
that I don't know that if this has been
talked about before or if we're just

919
03:37:53,359 --> 03:37:56,720
anticipating.
>> We're just anticipating.

920
03:37:55,120 --> 03:37:59,520
» Okay. Yeah, we anticipate that this is
going to be a requirement that comes out

921
03:37:58,000 --> 03:38:01,439
of our audit and so we're getting things
straight

922
03:38:00,319 --> 03:38:04,319
» before ahead of time. [laughter]
>> Okay. Thank you.

923
03:38:02,720 --> 03:38:07,680
» Okay. Uh board members, any other
questions uh regarding the consent

924
03:38:06,080 --> 03:38:11,439
agenda?
>> Okay. Uh if not, I need a motion to

925
03:38:09,279 --> 03:38:14,880
approve the consent agenda items.
>> So moved.

926
03:38:12,080 --> 03:38:18,080
» Motion by Miss Mccomomas.
>> Second.

927
03:38:15,439 --> 03:38:21,279
» A second by Dr. Annies. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Okay. Thank you very much.

928
03:38:20,160 --> 03:38:24,880
Now I'm going to turn it over to Miss
Sills for the curriculum and instruction

929
03:38:23,279 --> 03:38:29,120
report.
Thank you. It is my pleasure to

930
03:38:27,439 --> 03:38:33,920
introduce our Worester County Judy
Center early learning team. Um I learned

931
03:38:31,439 --> 03:38:38,160
from Dr. Welch re recently that um this
year will mark a special milestone.

932
03:38:35,680 --> 03:38:41,760
We'll celebrate 25 years since Worester
County Public Schools received its first

933
03:38:40,080 --> 03:38:45,840
Judy Center grant for Snow Hill
Elementary School. And over those 25

934
03:38:44,239 --> 03:38:50,080
years, the Judy Center program has
transformed significantly, growing into

935
03:38:48,080 --> 03:38:54,000
three comprehensive early learning hubs
serving children and families across the

936
03:38:51,840 --> 03:38:58,239
Buckingham, Pocamok, and Snow Hill
communities through our early learning

937
03:38:55,920 --> 03:39:02,160
opportunities, family support, community
partnerships, and connections to

938
03:38:59,840 --> 03:39:06,720
essential resources. The Judy Centers
play a very important role in helping

939
03:39:04,000 --> 03:39:11,920
shape our youngest learners and help
them be in ready to uh enter school um

940
03:39:09,760 --> 03:39:16,080
successfully and ready to thrive. So,
we're very proud of the team and how

941
03:39:14,000 --> 03:39:19,600
this program has evolved and I'm excited
about the direction that they're

942
03:39:17,200 --> 03:39:23,840
continuing to take this work. I was uh
talking to Latoya in the hallway when we

943
03:39:21,600 --> 03:39:28,399
took our break. Um, and we were talking
about how it was kind of serendipitous

944
03:39:25,840 --> 03:39:31,439
that the team is presenting today. It
was just by chance that they happened to

945
03:39:30,080 --> 03:39:35,600
be here on the same day we were doing
all of these community recognitions and

946
03:39:33,520 --> 03:39:40,720
our hall of fame and [music] this team
has so many strong connections with so

947
03:39:38,160 --> 03:39:44,880
many of our honores. So it it worked out
so well that you guys are here today. I

948
03:39:42,239 --> 03:39:50,600
was so excited for that. Um Dr. Welch
leads the team as our coordinator and

949
03:39:46,560 --> 03:39:50,600
multicight director and

950
03:39:52,000 --> 03:39:57,040
» excellent leader
>> fan club

951
03:39:54,000 --> 03:40:00,880
» little fan club. Um and she is going to
introduce the team um and they're going

952
03:39:59,439 --> 03:40:04,720
to share highlights of their work, the
growth of their program um and all the

953
03:40:02,720 --> 03:40:07,279
initiatives they're excited to take on
this year.

954
03:40:05,200 --> 03:40:10,479
» Dr. Welch, before you do that, I want to
give a special thank you before they

955
03:40:08,800 --> 03:40:14,080
start their presentation. As part of our
literacy initiative, um, one of the

956
03:40:12,720 --> 03:40:18,720
things that we've spent a lot of time
this first year doing is making

957
03:40:16,080 --> 03:40:22,560
connections that are intentional with
all of the, um, supports that we have in

958
03:40:20,960 --> 03:40:26,319
our school system. The Judy Center is
one of those supports when we talk about

959
03:40:24,080 --> 03:40:29,760
early childhood, our title one, and our
community schools. And they have done an

960
03:40:28,239 --> 03:40:33,600
excellent job making connections with
one another. And I also want to thank

961
03:40:31,600 --> 03:40:36,720
them from the bottom of my heart because
they are stretching and growing

962
03:40:34,880 --> 03:40:40,399
themselves professionally in order to
meet the needs of our students and our

963
03:40:38,239 --> 03:40:44,880
families. And so these these folks right
here are doing magical things um with

964
03:40:42,880 --> 03:40:49,200
our earliest learners and they are a
huge part of the success in grade three

965
03:40:47,439 --> 03:40:52,720
where we are and all the celebrations we
have around literacy. So thank you all

966
03:40:50,880 --> 03:40:55,760
before you present for all that you're
doing and for all the learning that

967
03:40:54,399 --> 03:40:59,520
you're doing and stretching and growing
yourself. And thank you Dr. Welch for

968
03:40:57,359 --> 03:41:05,359
your leadership. Well, we're excited to
be here this afternoon. Um, I have the

969
03:41:02,640 --> 03:41:09,920
pleasure of working with the ladies
sitting in front of you. Um, we're going

970
03:41:07,439 --> 03:41:15,680
to share information today on the
Worcester County Early Childhood

971
03:41:12,720 --> 03:41:21,520
Learning Hub. Um, we're really excited
about this work we're doing. We're also

972
03:41:18,479 --> 03:41:26,640
going to be going through our all of our
um component standards. Our Judy centers

973
03:41:24,720 --> 03:41:33,359
are located in our three title one
schools. Pocamok, Buckingham, and Snow

974
03:41:29,760 --> 03:41:38,640
Hill. And the work they do aligns, like
Dr. Wallace said, perfectly with her

975
03:41:36,319 --> 03:41:43,520
vision for all children reading on grade
level by grade three. I think one of the

976
03:41:41,359 --> 03:41:48,160
things that's important to note is that
we're completely funded by the Maryland

977
03:41:46,160 --> 03:41:52,960
State Department of Education through a
grant, which is just under a million

978
03:41:49,760 --> 03:41:58,800
dollars. And what we've been able to do
this year, which we're so proud of, is

979
03:41:55,359 --> 03:42:04,880
expand services through acquiring local
grants. And I'm proud to say that we're

980
03:42:02,080 --> 03:42:10,800
in the numbers of over 50,000 in grant
funds for that the team has written for

981
03:42:08,399 --> 03:42:14,960
um programs and resources for our
families. [applause]

982
03:42:12,880 --> 03:42:20,640
So, it's my pleasure to introduce my
team. Um, look, I'm getting tearary. Dr.

983
03:42:18,720 --> 03:42:25,760
It's been such an emotional afternoon
because all those people were in my life

984
03:42:22,399 --> 03:42:30,239
too, Dr. Wallace. Um, I am so excited to
introduce them. They worked so hard

985
03:42:27,520 --> 03:42:34,720
every day. And I'm going to start down
on this end. I've And they're going to

986
03:42:31,840 --> 03:42:39,760
stand and wave. Um, I've got Miss Latoya
Pernell. Latoya is the site facilitator

987
03:42:36,880 --> 03:42:45,600
at Pocomoke Elementary School. Next,
I've got Miss Natasha Johnson. Natasha

988
03:42:42,000 --> 03:42:51,439
is also um at Pokamok Elementary uh
family service coordinator. I've got

989
03:42:47,520 --> 03:42:56,160
Tanya um Davis. Tanya is um the site
facilitator at Buckingham Elementary

990
03:42:53,439 --> 03:43:01,120
School. I've got Jesse Talls uh site
facilitator at Snow Hill Elementary

991
03:42:58,080 --> 03:43:05,920
School. Blair I'm sorry, let me get it
right because she got married on

992
03:43:02,399 --> 03:43:10,000
Saturday. [snorts] Meredith Lynch Blair
Meredith

993
03:43:07,699 --> 03:43:13,840
[applause] Blair is the family service
coordinator at Buckingham Elementary

994
03:43:12,399 --> 03:43:18,640
School. And last but not least, the
wonderful Ashley Fitham, who is the

995
03:43:16,080 --> 03:43:22,720
family service coordinator at Snow Hill
Elementary School. So, we have a really

996
03:43:21,199 --> 03:43:27,279
great presentation to share with you
today. The work is exciting. I mean, my

997
03:43:25,120 --> 03:43:31,120
job now is holding babies. I held two
yesterday and had the best little play

998
03:43:29,600 --> 03:43:34,080
group in the whole world at Pocamok
Elementary and Snow Hill Elementary

999
03:43:32,560 --> 03:43:38,880
School. So, I'm going to turn the
microphone over to Miss Tanya Davis and

1000
03:43:36,960 --> 03:43:42,279
she's gonna share.
>> Thank you, Chris.

1001
03:43:42,880 --> 03:43:49,760
The mission of the Judy Center is to
support children ages birth to five and

1002
03:43:47,520 --> 03:43:53,600
their families. Through early learning
programs, we prepare the children for

1003
03:43:51,600 --> 03:43:58,920
school readiness and help them build a
strong foundation for success in school

1004
03:43:55,520 --> 03:43:58,920
and life.

1005
03:44:02,880 --> 03:44:10,239
Next, we will have our five components
by Miss Victoria.

1006
03:44:07,520 --> 03:44:15,680
» All right. Thank you, Miss Davis. So
first component is full day full year.

1007
03:44:12,960 --> 03:44:20,560
Second component is our family support.
Third component is our family

1008
03:44:17,520 --> 03:44:25,439
engagement. Fourth is our um early
identification and outreach. And our

1009
03:44:22,960 --> 03:44:30,359
fifth one is partnership. Don't worry,
we're going to explain each and every

1010
03:44:26,960 --> 03:44:30,359
one of them.

1011
03:44:30,720 --> 03:44:36,239
Thank you, Miss Pernell. All right.
First component, full year, full day.

1012
03:44:34,399 --> 03:44:40,000
Pretty much explains what it is. Um
there's a Judy Center. We're consistent

1013
03:44:37,760 --> 03:44:44,399
year round. services providing for 12
months meaning we are here all through

1014
03:44:42,479 --> 03:44:52,160
the summer providing services for our
families um and also in our catchment

1015
03:44:48,000 --> 03:44:56,560
area. So Pocamok, Snow Hill, Buckingham
um we're just here. We're here for

1016
03:44:54,479 --> 03:45:01,920
everybody for our communities. Um our
family support um pretty much we help

1017
03:44:59,040 --> 03:45:08,000
get our families. We are a resource hub.
So whatever you know they might need

1018
03:45:05,040 --> 03:45:13,120
Hello. Oh, okay. um goal setting, case
management, which is what I do, Miss

1019
03:45:10,000 --> 03:45:19,199
Blair, Miss Ashley. Um family education,
home visiting, um food support, that's

1020
03:45:16,640 --> 03:45:24,479
what we do. Um
and with the education, I have been

1021
03:45:21,680 --> 03:45:30,080
working with a Turkish family. Come on
up, Miss Pernell.

1022
03:45:26,319 --> 03:45:35,600
Um these translator earbuds, they work.
Um, so while we're waiting for her to

1023
03:45:32,800 --> 03:45:40,080
get um what she needs for her English as
a second language with the adult ed, um

1024
03:45:37,920 --> 03:45:44,399
she has been using these. She used them
yesterday for the first time during our

1025
03:45:41,840 --> 03:45:49,600
little learners try playgroup
and they worked. She was so excited. She

1026
03:45:47,040 --> 03:45:55,600
was able to participate. Her kids were
able to participate. So they work

1027
03:45:51,520 --> 03:45:58,600
wonders. They work wonders. So um $99 on
Amazon.

1028
03:45:59,520 --> 03:46:05,120
All right. Hello everybody. I'm going to
go over component standard number three

1029
03:46:02,800 --> 03:46:08,880
which is family engagement. And there's
two main pieces to this um component

1030
03:46:07,359 --> 03:46:13,040
that when we look to start talking about
it which is little learners for little

1031
03:46:11,040 --> 03:46:16,800
learners is our play group and that we
for that we follow the MSE early

1032
03:46:14,880 --> 03:46:21,199
learning standards which cover covers
children birth to just under four.

1033
03:46:19,120 --> 03:46:25,359
Beyond that it is the college and career
readiness standards. So, in our little

1034
03:46:23,600 --> 03:46:28,399
learners classrooms, it might look like
we're having fun and singing and

1035
03:46:26,640 --> 03:46:32,239
dancing, which we are. But there is a
reason behind every single thing that

1036
03:46:30,160 --> 03:46:36,640
we're doing. We follow those standards
to make sure that we're working on early

1037
03:46:33,920 --> 03:46:41,040
literacy, early math, maybe uh fine
motor development. Um, it's a really

1038
03:46:39,040 --> 03:46:45,840
important thing for us to integrate into
our playrs and also teach the parents

1039
03:46:43,520 --> 03:46:50,319
why we're doing what we're doing so that
they can go home and and practice those

1040
03:46:48,160 --> 03:46:56,399
skills there as well. The second part to
that is the um family engagement events

1041
03:46:53,120 --> 03:47:02,239
themselves and we are um asked by the
state to do 12 of those at least 12 of

1042
03:46:59,279 --> 03:47:06,880
those per site per year. So some of them
are whole group in conjunction with our

1043
03:47:04,960 --> 03:47:11,040
title one and our community schools.
Whether it's a literacy night, a math

1044
03:47:08,880 --> 03:47:15,359
night, our whole school is there and
it's a great opportunity for our

1045
03:47:12,399 --> 03:47:19,680
families to meet um the admin team, the
school counselor who they're going to go

1046
03:47:16,880 --> 03:47:23,439
and register with um in the spring to
see the teachers interacting with their

1047
03:47:21,680 --> 03:47:26,560
students. It's a great opportunity for
their families to feel like they're a

1048
03:47:24,880 --> 03:47:30,319
part of our bigger school community
right from the very beginning. And so

1049
03:47:28,479 --> 03:47:33,279
many of our families, this is the first
experience they have with our school

1050
03:47:31,520 --> 03:47:37,279
system. So, we want to make sure it's a
really positive one right from the very

1051
03:47:34,880 --> 03:47:40,319
beginning. The only exception to the
rule when it comes to following the

1052
03:47:38,720 --> 03:47:44,479
early learning standards is we have
three family engagement events a year

1053
03:47:42,479 --> 03:47:48,720
that are just for fun. We're celebrating
our families for them coming out and

1054
03:47:46,800 --> 03:47:53,040
dedicating all their time getting their
little ones ready for school. That's our

1055
03:47:50,640 --> 03:47:57,439
prom, our preschool prom, our spring
celebration, and then we have an

1056
03:47:54,560 --> 03:48:01,760
endofear field trip to um Frontier Town.
And that's really again just to build

1057
03:47:59,680 --> 03:48:04,560
our Judy Center community and celebrate
those parents and all the time and

1058
03:48:03,199 --> 03:48:09,840
dedication they have put into their
kiddo. So um the number component number

1059
03:48:08,319 --> 03:48:14,319
four is early identification and
outreach. And really that just talks

1060
03:48:11,520 --> 03:48:17,520
about wants to know how are we um
working with families who have a child

1061
03:48:15,600 --> 03:48:21,439
with a disability or a suspected
disability. The easy answer to that is

1062
03:48:19,520 --> 03:48:25,120
that we our doors are open to everybody.
We we try to accommodate anyone who can

1063
03:48:23,439 --> 03:48:28,800
come in the door. If you can get there,
we're going to work with you. We also um

1064
03:48:27,520 --> 03:48:32,640
work closely with our infants and
toddlers families, our team to make sure

1065
03:48:30,720 --> 03:48:36,640
that those families who have a kiddo
that might have a concern, if there's

1066
03:48:34,239 --> 03:48:40,000
something that pops up on an ASQ or a
family notices something or we notice

1067
03:48:38,399 --> 03:48:43,279
something, our family service
coordinators can make a referral to our

1068
03:48:41,840 --> 03:48:47,840
infants and toddlers team to get the
ball rolling on getting that family some

1069
03:48:44,880 --> 03:48:53,279
extra support. Um the outreach piece,
we're we're supposed to do two formal

1070
03:48:50,160 --> 03:48:56,960
outreach um events a month. If you know
any of us, the outreach does not stop.

1071
03:48:55,359 --> 03:49:01,199
If there is a baby around us, we're
going to find you and ask you where that

1072
03:48:58,640 --> 03:49:04,319
baby is during the day. We send people
to other counties and talk about their

1073
03:49:02,800 --> 03:49:09,520
Judy Center if they're not one of us.
So, it's an ongoing process. If you know

1074
03:49:06,880 --> 03:49:13,120
anybody that has a baby, send them our
way. We will put them in the cor the

1075
03:49:11,359 --> 03:49:18,080
correct um school and get them some
help. Okay. Thank you. I'm gonna pass it

1076
03:49:15,199 --> 03:49:24,720
on to Yes.
>> All right. First of all, Dr. Wallace,

1077
03:49:21,439 --> 03:49:29,359
open your bag real quick. Okay.
>> All right. First of all, hold your bag

1078
03:49:26,640 --> 03:49:35,520
up. Hold your bag up there. The other
way. There's a QR code. So, if you scan

1079
03:49:33,279 --> 03:49:41,439
that QR code, it goes straight to our
interest um form. Now, Dr. Wallace, open

1080
03:49:38,560 --> 03:49:44,160
your bag.
>> Yep.

1081
03:49:42,720 --> 03:49:46,880
Pull out your t-shirt.
>> Okay.

1082
03:49:44,800 --> 03:49:52,080
» Yeah. That
>> Yeah, girl. Yeah.

1083
03:49:49,760 --> 03:49:55,439
Yeah. Go ahead and put it on. Go ahead.
Go ahead.

1084
03:49:54,160 --> 03:49:59,920
We got something special on that
t-shirt, too.

1085
03:49:56,800 --> 03:50:06,239
» Huh? Y'all are now a part of the
outreach team. So, when you walk around

1086
03:50:03,439 --> 03:50:12,080
with your t-shirt, there is a QR code
that goes straight to our interest form.

1087
03:50:09,920 --> 03:50:17,279
So, if you don't know a lot about the
Judy Center, you ain't got to even talk

1088
03:50:13,680 --> 03:50:22,479
to them. Just tell them scan it. So, our
um partnerships, these are just a few of

1089
03:50:20,560 --> 03:50:26,560
the partners. Our partners are growing
every day because they're hearing the

1090
03:50:24,399 --> 03:50:30,239
wonderful work that the Judy Center is
providing. So, just to name a few, we

1091
03:50:28,800 --> 03:50:34,399
already mentioned our infants and
toddlers, of course, Worester County

1092
03:50:32,399 --> 03:50:39,680
Public Schools. Give y'all hand give yel
a round of applause. our people's

1093
03:50:36,880 --> 03:50:46,800
services, our adult education, we have
Wister Gold, we have um the library, we

1094
03:50:43,359 --> 03:50:52,720
have the Rotary Club, we have we got
better no that is now first waves, we

1095
03:50:50,720 --> 03:50:58,160
have first waves, we have our bundles of
joy, we have our um daycarees, we have a

1096
03:50:56,000 --> 03:51:03,040
lot of partnerships that we are
connected to and we have um a steering

1097
03:51:00,720 --> 03:51:07,920
committee where we meet with all of them
throughout the year. I think I got the

1098
03:51:04,960 --> 03:51:11,920
next slide, too.
I just heard, "How can we help?" Is that

1099
03:51:10,399 --> 03:51:15,040
what I just heard? That's what I just
heard. I think I JUST HEARD HOW CAN WE

1100
03:51:13,680 --> 03:51:21,439
HELP. [laughter and screaming]
I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. SO, here's our

1101
03:51:17,840 --> 03:51:27,920
calendar of events for October. You have
all of the calendar events for each site

1102
03:51:24,720 --> 03:51:33,279
on here. If you are able and you are
free, come and join us to our events.

1103
03:51:31,040 --> 03:51:37,760
Now, I just want to say one thing.
October 22nd. So we have a trunk or

1104
03:51:35,840 --> 03:51:42,960
treat every single year. Okay. Chunk or
treat is kind of fun. Da da da da da.

1105
03:51:39,760 --> 03:51:48,479
Okay. This year because our wonderful
superintendent gave us a brilliant idea.

1106
03:51:46,000 --> 03:51:55,600
So our theme is going to be there is a
story in every trunk.

1107
03:51:52,239 --> 03:51:59,520
All right. So if you can come on out.
We're going to encourage our partners

1108
03:51:57,520 --> 03:52:02,960
for each of their trunk to be some type
of story. whether it be elementary

1109
03:52:01,199 --> 03:52:07,680
school level, middle school level, or
high school level. Dr. Rain, Mr.

1110
03:52:05,920 --> 03:52:11,600
Stigler, I'm sorry I ruined the
surprise. I didn't tell y'all yet, but

1111
03:52:09,199 --> 03:52:16,080
that's what it's going to be. So, we're
excited about that and we're excited to

1112
03:52:13,760 --> 03:52:21,600
get our community a part of it. But like
I said, every single site has something

1113
03:52:19,359 --> 03:52:26,080
interesting going on every single month.
So, if you are available, please come

1114
03:52:23,520 --> 03:52:29,399
out and join us. Thank you so much for
this opportunity.

1115
03:52:32,160 --> 03:52:39,359
We're so happy with the work that we're
doing. Um I you can tell some of us love

1116
03:52:36,960 --> 03:52:44,160
the microphone, others like to control
the computer over here. I tried to get

1117
03:52:41,600 --> 03:52:50,800
them all to stand up and talk today, but
um we're giving them technical jobs

1118
03:52:46,399 --> 03:52:54,720
here. And that's I want to just um let
you know that they're being very modest

1119
03:52:52,640 --> 03:53:00,160
about the work they do. We have to give
an MSDE survey twice a year that uh

1120
03:52:58,160 --> 03:53:06,399
surveys parents on school readiness and
child development. This team got a 98%

1121
03:53:03,840 --> 03:53:11,120
satisfaction rate from their parents
around the work that they're doing and

1122
03:53:09,040 --> 03:53:17,040
extremely positive comments. In fact,
last week I got a an email from one of

1123
03:53:13,359 --> 03:53:23,040
Tanya's parents just saying how this
program is accessible to her because

1124
03:53:19,600 --> 03:53:27,439
it's free. She's a stay-at-home mom and
we just don't have those opportunities

1125
03:53:25,120 --> 03:53:32,800
in our rural communities. So, the things
that we're doing, the services we're

1126
03:53:30,319 --> 03:53:36,479
providing, the home visiting, we're
transitioning to a brand new program. I

1127
03:53:34,640 --> 03:53:40,560
know you all are surprised, but we've
worked together to make a lot of

1128
03:53:37,920 --> 03:53:45,439
positive change this year. And we're so
excited to start on year two of just

1129
03:53:43,680 --> 03:53:49,439
drudging forward and making sure all
kids are ready for school. Um, do you

1130
03:53:47,600 --> 03:53:51,840
have any questions before we move on?
And the ladies can answer anything that

1131
03:53:50,960 --> 03:53:56,800
you want them to.
>> Board members, Dr. Andy's,

1132
03:53:54,560 --> 03:54:01,840
» I don't I don't have a question. I just
want to thank you for all the work that

1133
03:53:59,760 --> 03:54:07,040
you do. Dr. Welsh, thank you for your
leadership. Uh, this is exciting. I'm

1134
03:54:04,399 --> 03:54:14,160
hope I'm able to attend these events. If
you ever need a therapy dog,

1135
03:54:10,640 --> 03:54:20,640
» uh, let me know and I'll bring a woolly
rough coat collie to an event and, uh,

1136
03:54:17,199 --> 03:54:25,120
as a therapy dog. And uh I also want to
point out that Judy Centers, they got

1137
03:54:22,640 --> 03:54:29,680
their name from the fact that
Congressman Stanny Hoyer, who's retiring

1138
03:54:28,080 --> 03:54:35,840
this year, and he's been in the House of
Representatives since 1981,

1139
03:54:33,279 --> 03:54:40,399
his wife Judy
>> Judith Hoyer, right, was an element was

1140
03:54:38,479 --> 03:54:46,560
an early childhood education teacher in
Prince George's County. Then she oversaw

1141
03:54:43,760 --> 03:54:51,359
u the uh early childhood education
program in Prince George's County and

1142
03:54:48,560 --> 03:54:56,720
unfortunately she passed due to cancer.
And so consequently the Judy Centers

1143
03:54:53,840 --> 03:55:02,399
throughout Maryland are named after a
phenomenal early childhood education

1144
03:54:59,520 --> 03:55:09,279
teacher and leader. So I I thank you for
everything you do. Uh contact me if you

1145
03:55:05,279 --> 03:55:13,760
need a fluffy therapy dog to come to any
event. Thank you.

1146
03:55:10,800 --> 03:55:19,760
» Thank you, Dr. Any
other any other board members?

1147
03:55:17,199 --> 03:55:23,760
Um Chris, I just want to again I echo
some of what Dr. Annie said, but thank

1148
03:55:21,680 --> 03:55:26,720
you for your leadership and just sitting
here, I want to start standing up and

1149
03:55:25,279 --> 03:55:30,479
jumping around because these ladies are
so enthusiastic. I mean, they they have

1150
03:55:28,640 --> 03:55:33,680
so much enthusiasm. I can only imagine
how much fun you have.

1151
03:55:31,920 --> 03:55:39,359
» Come to a playgroup sometime. It would
blow you away to see babies. Just

1152
03:55:36,479 --> 03:55:44,960
yesterday, there were three brand new
within the last four months babies at

1153
03:55:42,239 --> 03:55:50,239
Jesse's site. Latoya had one up front
that's pretty new at one year. And we,

1154
03:55:48,640 --> 03:55:53,279
this is the crazy part, there are three
pregnant moms at Snow Hill site

1155
03:55:52,399 --> 03:55:58,239
yesterday. Wow.
>> So, we've got job security at least for

1156
03:55:55,199 --> 03:56:04,239
now. But Dr. Andy's failed to mention
that 25 years ago in February, he pulled

1157
03:56:01,359 --> 03:56:08,640
me out of my first grade classroom and I
started that first Judy Center in at

1158
03:56:06,080 --> 03:56:11,199
Snow Hill Elementary School and it was
uh quite the roller coaster ride at

1159
03:56:10,080 --> 03:56:16,160
first because we really didn't know what
we were doing and then we figured it out

1160
03:56:13,199 --> 03:56:21,680
really quickly. Dr. Walker was uh very
um important in that uh journey and it

1161
03:56:19,279 --> 03:56:26,319
was a great opportunity for our
community and now three communities. So,

1162
03:56:24,720 --> 03:56:29,199
thank you for having us this afternoon.
We really appreciate

1163
03:56:27,840 --> 03:56:32,319
» Oh, they have a video.
>> Let's see. Let's see the video.

1164
03:56:30,399 --> 03:56:36,080
» Oh, you want to see it? It's babies. It
was 7 minutes and we had to tailor it

1165
03:56:34,160 --> 03:56:42,120
down cuz Natasha got a little excited
with the pictures. Thank you everyone.

1166
03:56:38,960 --> 03:56:42,120
» Thank you.

1167
03:56:55,199 --> 03:56:58,199
Up

1168
03:57:04,319 --> 03:57:07,319
first

1169
03:57:13,199 --> 03:57:16,199
time.

1170
03:57:24,449 --> 03:57:26,469
» [panting]

1171
03:57:27,520 --> 03:57:33,720
» Down
every day

1172
03:57:35,760 --> 03:57:38,760
down.

1173
03:57:45,920 --> 03:57:48,920
Heat.

1174
03:58:05,120 --> 03:58:08,120
Heat.

1175
03:58:41,680 --> 03:58:46,439
Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

1176
03:58:46,979 --> 03:58:48,999
[applause]

1177
03:58:49,680 --> 03:58:57,120
» Okay,
Miss SS, we're still with you and you're

1178
03:58:53,279 --> 03:59:02,880
going to bring up Tamara, right?
>> So, our first presentation focused on

1179
03:58:59,840 --> 03:59:07,840
our littlest learners um and starting
out. Our second presentation is going to

1180
03:59:04,560 --> 03:59:11,520
take us into our extended um day
learning and summer programs. We're

1181
03:59:09,840 --> 03:59:14,399
going to highlight our summermies and
the wide range of summer learning

1182
03:59:13,199 --> 03:59:17,520
opportunities that are available to
students in Worcester County Public

1183
03:59:15,520 --> 03:59:21,760
Schools. Uh we have a long-standing
commitment to providing free highquality

1184
03:59:19,680 --> 03:59:25,520
summer learning. This year, more than a
thousand students participated in

1185
03:59:23,520 --> 03:59:29,279
programs designed to strengthen academic
skills while also providing engaging

1186
03:59:27,520 --> 03:59:33,840
enrichment, relationship building, and
new experiences. Um, additionally they

1187
03:59:32,080 --> 03:59:38,960
participated in targeted reading and
mathematics instruction, STEM, arts,

1188
03:59:36,880 --> 03:59:43,520
health and wellness, other enrichment
opportunities that included stat camp,

1189
03:59:41,279 --> 03:59:47,600
um, focusing on career exploration, and
then Crescendo Camp, which expanded

1190
03:59:45,760 --> 03:59:52,160
access to music education for students
across our county. We are excited to

1191
03:59:50,560 --> 03:59:55,520
take a closer look at the students we
served this summer and what their

1192
03:59:53,279 --> 03:59:59,439
experience was. And uh, Tamara has some
excellent data to share as well. It's my

1193
03:59:57,840 --> 04:00:02,720
pleasure to turn the presentation over
to Miss Tamara Mills and find out more.

1194
04:00:02,160 --> 04:00:06,319
Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. Thank you for that

1195
04:00:04,239 --> 04:00:11,476
lovely introduction. I don't have gifts
and I don't have a cheering section. I'm

1196
04:00:08,960 --> 04:00:14,800
sorry. Oh,
[applause]

1197
04:00:12,560 --> 04:00:18,080
thank you so much. I love that. Thank
you. Thank you. Um, so I'm just going to

1198
04:00:16,560 --> 04:00:21,920
talk a little bit about summer today and
all the wonderful things that happened.

1199
04:00:19,920 --> 04:00:25,520
Um it there is a lot of data in these
slides. So I encourage so I'm going to

1200
04:00:23,760 --> 04:00:29,120
go quickly but I encourage you if you
want to really dive into it. We will

1201
04:00:27,279 --> 04:00:33,040
have this posted on our website after
the meeting and I think you all have it.

1202
04:00:30,960 --> 04:00:36,720
Um board members you have it in case
there are any additional questions. So

1203
04:00:35,359 --> 04:00:40,560
just a couple of things our summer
academy at a glance I have the dates

1204
04:00:38,640 --> 04:00:45,120
here. Um we'll talk just a bit about
demographics and what we really try to

1205
04:00:42,720 --> 04:00:49,760
focus on is that whole child growth. So,
as Miss Sil's um mentioned, there's a

1206
04:00:48,080 --> 04:00:53,680
lot of opportunities for students in the
summer. We try to keep it very student

1207
04:00:51,520 --> 04:00:56,720
centered. And after our traditional
program that I'll talk about, we'll talk

1208
04:00:55,120 --> 04:01:00,399
about the Crescendo Camp and the Stack
Camp. So, as you mentioned, over a

1209
04:00:58,399 --> 04:01:04,239
thousand students this year, you'll see
that we definitely have higher

1210
04:01:01,840 --> 04:01:07,840
participation at our elementary and uh
intermediate levels, which is great. We

1211
04:01:06,319 --> 04:01:10,640
saw a little bit of a decrease in the
middle school this year. So, that's

1212
04:01:08,960 --> 04:01:15,840
where we're going to focus some efforts
next year in trying to get more of those

1213
04:01:13,439 --> 04:01:19,680
students in. Um, and you'll see that
over almost half of the program is free

1214
04:01:18,239 --> 04:01:23,120
and reduced meal students, which is
really important. They get those summer

1215
04:01:21,279 --> 04:01:28,239
meals and then they get the education
part and the enrichment piece. about 27%

1216
04:01:26,640 --> 04:01:33,359
of the summer program was our was
special needs students and then um

1217
04:01:30,479 --> 04:01:37,279
almost 10% and our of our ML population
which is great because summer is a

1218
04:01:34,640 --> 04:01:43,120
wonderful opportunity for them to be
getting that additional support and

1219
04:01:39,439 --> 04:01:46,960
intervention. Um participation by site
tech had the largest program but that is

1220
04:01:45,279 --> 04:01:51,600
mainly because they have our stat
program which we'll talk about later.

1221
04:01:48,560 --> 04:01:55,439
Um, but then just under that is
Buckingham Elementary and Snow Hill

1222
04:01:53,439 --> 04:01:59,040
Elementary, which are title one schools.
So, that's really important to get those

1223
04:01:56,960 --> 04:02:02,479
title one students in. And then you'll
see Pommo Kai and Snow Hill Middle just

1224
04:02:00,720 --> 04:02:06,479
after that.
For our early learn learning kiddos, the

1225
04:02:04,560 --> 04:02:11,199
the classes really focus on learning
routines, language, play, and

1226
04:02:08,880 --> 04:02:16,560
interaction. At the elementary level,
we're focusing on foundational literacy,

1227
04:02:14,239 --> 04:02:20,640
numeracy, and the hands-on practice that
sometimes um the that additional

1228
04:02:18,800 --> 04:02:25,600
hands-on practice that's needed beyond
just a regular school year. And then for

1229
04:02:22,880 --> 04:02:28,720
our secondary kiddos, um and I still
call them kiddos even though high

1230
04:02:26,800 --> 04:02:33,600
schoolers, sorry ladies don't want to be
called kiddos, but um it's really more

1231
04:02:31,040 --> 04:02:38,080
about targeted academic support and
skill building. So really taking a look

1232
04:02:35,520 --> 04:02:43,120
at what skills they need to then be
successful after traditional high

1233
04:02:40,479 --> 04:02:46,560
school. So we again we try to focus on
small groupoup interventions. So as

1234
04:02:45,279 --> 04:02:50,720
you're if you're going through a summer
academy class you'll see they are

1235
04:02:48,080 --> 04:02:56,160
smaller typically than a traditional
class. Um we love the fact that it

1236
04:02:53,680 --> 04:03:02,399
allows the teachers to really model and
practice skills um again more so than

1237
04:02:59,600 --> 04:03:08,239
during the regular year. We also focus a
lot on the the fact that it's summertime

1238
04:03:04,880 --> 04:03:10,880
and really having uh a lot of fun. So,
you know, yes, it's learning and yes,

1239
04:03:09,760 --> 04:03:15,600
sometimes it's tutoring and
interventions, but it's also a fun place

1240
04:03:13,199 --> 04:03:19,840
for our kids to be. They play games. We
have outdoor experiences.

1241
04:03:17,840 --> 04:03:25,120
Um and then relationships are really
important. It again gives our teachers

1242
04:03:22,319 --> 04:03:28,720
that opportunity to expand upon
relationships, maybe get to know the

1243
04:03:26,720 --> 04:03:32,800
parents even better than they normally
would. um and it allows for us to check

1244
04:03:31,120 --> 04:03:40,560
in a lot of times with our social
emotional um needs for some students.

1245
04:03:36,960 --> 04:03:44,800
We started last year, not not 26 but 25.
Um what I really loved about the kind of

1246
04:03:43,279 --> 04:03:48,960
transition of the exec team is they
really wanted to start focus on what's

1247
04:03:46,800 --> 04:03:53,439
really happening in summer, right? We
hear about it, we see pictures, but it's

1248
04:03:52,160 --> 04:03:57,359
really nice. They started doing
leadership walks. Some of you guys have

1249
04:03:55,120 --> 04:04:03,120
joined them over the last two years. Um
but really kind of walking in looking at

1250
04:03:59,840 --> 04:04:07,359
the engagement um is you know noticing
is the instruction really targeted, is

1251
04:04:05,120 --> 04:04:11,600
it responsive? So we really appreciated
those visits from our executive team to

1252
04:04:10,000 --> 04:04:16,880
really kind of guide us and improve the
program over the years. Um we did have

1253
04:04:14,319 --> 04:04:21,359
over 600 students, parents and staff
complete a survey this year um

1254
04:04:19,760 --> 04:04:25,680
voluntary. We sent it out at the end of
summer academy and said give us your

1255
04:04:23,520 --> 04:04:30,239
feedback. Um we were really really
pleased on a scale of one to five for

1256
04:04:28,239 --> 04:04:35,680
several different indicators. Um
overwhelmingly anywhere from 73 to 92%

1257
04:04:33,760 --> 04:04:40,479
is scoring our program at a four or
five. And for kids to do that you know

1258
04:04:38,399 --> 04:04:43,840
number one a lot of people think kids
don't want to be at school in the

1259
04:04:41,840 --> 04:04:48,640
summer. The fact is yes they're learning
but it's a lot of fun. So for them to

1260
04:04:45,600 --> 04:04:53,920
say that their overall experience was
nearly at a 90 90% of those students are

1261
04:04:51,359 --> 04:04:59,199
saying a four or a five was very
exciting. And then our staff voice

1262
04:04:57,199 --> 04:05:03,760
really great numbers. We were really
happy to see that our staff was happy.

1263
04:05:01,359 --> 04:05:07,359
They enjoyed the opportunity and they're
scoring at a four or five overwhelmingly

1264
04:05:05,680 --> 04:05:12,239
high. And then our family students as
well. So we can see here one one area we

1265
04:05:10,000 --> 04:05:16,239
want to work on is our communication. Um
the extended school administrators did a

1266
04:05:14,399 --> 04:05:23,199
really great job this year and it was
fairly new of sending home a meet your

1267
04:05:19,199 --> 04:05:27,279
teacher um sheet because typically you
know you get that during the school year

1268
04:05:24,800 --> 04:05:31,120
but then here comes summer you have them
for 19 days or so and you don't know who

1269
04:05:29,439 --> 04:05:36,239
is teaching your child necessarily
unless you make it a point to ask. So,

1270
04:05:34,080 --> 04:05:40,640
um, a lot of the extended school
administrators sent home those, um,

1271
04:05:38,800 --> 04:05:44,399
those meet your teachers, and I think it
really did improve the communication

1272
04:05:42,479 --> 04:05:48,399
between the schools, but we still have a
little ways to go on that.

1273
04:05:46,640 --> 04:05:52,880
And again, this is just a summary slide
of a lot of the information from the

1274
04:05:50,399 --> 04:05:57,359
surveys that you're welcome to dig into.
I did choose two schools to kind of look

1275
04:05:54,960 --> 04:06:01,439
at some data um, or to share with you
rather, some data or some highlights.

1276
04:05:59,520 --> 04:06:05,840
Um, so this is Pokemok Elementary
School. We pulled together some pre and

1277
04:06:03,920 --> 04:06:09,760
post data on school readiness, literacy,
and math. Um, just a couple of things

1278
04:06:08,399 --> 04:06:15,520
that I want to point out. Their
attendance was fantastic at 87%.

1279
04:06:12,479 --> 04:06:20,640
Anything over 80% in the summer, it it's
really good. Um, SKBs, which are their

1280
04:06:18,479 --> 04:06:26,160
early childhood skills, knowledge, and
behavior scores went up 26 points from

1281
04:06:23,760 --> 04:06:33,279
the beginning of summer program to the
end. And then in their grade one math,

1282
04:06:28,960 --> 04:06:37,760
um, they had a 4.4% four% incre or 4.4
point increase of their average scores

1283
04:06:36,080 --> 04:06:43,199
from their pre- to their post test. So
that was very exciting.

1284
04:06:39,920 --> 04:06:46,960
And then I took Pokug Middle School and
Snow Hill Middle School and just kind of

1285
04:06:44,640 --> 04:06:50,960
looked at again a couple of the math
pieces of math data. And the reason I

1286
04:06:48,640 --> 04:06:56,080
chose math is that our coordinator for
math, Sarah Blackburn, this year she

1287
04:06:53,359 --> 04:07:01,199
revamped the curriculum for the summer
program um because we got some feedback

1288
04:06:58,160 --> 04:07:06,560
in past years that yes, it was good, but
they didn't know if it really addressed

1289
04:07:02,720 --> 04:07:10,960
some of the um significant learning
deficits. And so she took data to took a

1290
04:07:09,920 --> 04:07:16,080
look at what students are really
needing. And so at Pokemok Middle, they

1291
04:07:13,760 --> 04:07:21,680
had an 18% increase in the average score
from pre-to post test in their skills.

1292
04:07:18,880 --> 04:07:26,319
And then at Snow Hill Middle, a 24%
increase in that average math skill. So

1293
04:07:24,000 --> 04:07:32,880
really good numbers and really um
showing us that the changes Blackburn

1294
04:07:28,560 --> 04:07:38,160
made did make an impact.
Sorry, I'm talking very quickly.

1295
04:07:36,226 --> 04:07:43,439
[laughter]
>> I did. Thank you. This is probably our

1296
04:07:41,040 --> 04:07:46,399
mo most in-depth summer academy report.
Well, it definitely is the most we've

1297
04:07:44,800 --> 04:07:51,279
ever done, but I think it's important to
really focus more on it. Um, and Dr.

1298
04:07:48,960 --> 04:07:56,640
Wallace, you've pointed out just really
making sure that this opportunity is is

1299
04:07:53,760 --> 04:08:01,760
used and used well. So, we had a
crescendo camp also thanks to our

1300
04:08:00,000 --> 04:08:06,640
funders, our Worester County Education
Foundation and Chamber of Music by the

1301
04:08:03,600 --> 04:08:12,000
Sea um for a couple of reasons. one,
expanding our current strings program is

1302
04:08:10,080 --> 04:08:15,680
very important to all of us. It really
it's it's an art form that a lot of

1303
04:08:14,000 --> 04:08:21,520
students don't necessarily have access
to and and then just overall providing

1304
04:08:18,800 --> 04:08:30,319
more access to students in the area of
music. So, we started a program um we

1305
04:08:26,560 --> 04:08:34,960
this year we took one full week um 22
rising fifth and sixth graders from

1306
04:08:32,000 --> 04:08:39,840
across the county and we decided to we
we worked with Daniel Bowen from

1307
04:08:36,640 --> 04:08:45,760
Symphony 21 who is actually a Decar grad
and an amazing musician. He's done work

1308
04:08:42,960 --> 04:08:50,000
all over the world and he brings in
musicians from all over the country and

1309
04:08:47,600 --> 04:08:52,239
sometimes from other countries and we
wanted them to have this experience

1310
04:08:52,207 --> 04:08:56,960
» [clears throat]
>> excuse me, an experience where they

1311
04:08:54,160 --> 04:09:01,199
could try something new and they could
really kind of find what they loved. I

1312
04:08:59,120 --> 04:09:04,960
mean, we were really surprised. I was
really surprised. Maybe you won't be Dr.

1313
04:09:02,800 --> 04:09:09,439
Andy's. I was surprised at how many
students had never picked up a violin

1314
04:09:07,120 --> 04:09:14,640
and by the end of that fourth day was
like, I want to play the violin. So, it

1315
04:09:12,319 --> 04:09:18,960
was really overwhelmingly positive. It
wasn't just like, oh, this was fun. It

1316
04:09:16,399 --> 04:09:22,520
was like, this is what I want to do. Um,
so that was wonderful.

1317
04:09:22,960 --> 04:09:29,359
So here were some of the concepts that
we focused on. Um again string

1318
04:09:26,720 --> 04:09:34,800
instruments, ensemble performance, so
performing with a group of students, not

1319
04:09:31,199 --> 04:09:38,800
just by yourself, producing sound, stage
lighting and how the lighting can impact

1320
04:09:37,120 --> 04:09:43,319
the mood of the music and how people
experience it. And then creativity

1321
04:09:44,239 --> 04:09:52,239
and just a couple of demographics
pieces. Um 68% of our participants were

1322
04:09:49,600 --> 04:09:55,760
farm students. So again, that population
of students who may not be able to go

1323
04:09:53,760 --> 04:10:01,760
out and get lessons or go out and buy a
violin. 14% were special needs students.

1324
04:09:59,760 --> 04:10:08,560
So again, giving them an opportunity
that they might not have or see or

1325
04:10:06,000 --> 04:10:13,600
really be exposed to um during the
regular day. And I do have a short

1326
04:10:11,199 --> 04:10:18,160
video, but I'm I'm gonna hold and see if
we just have a couple seconds at the

1327
04:10:14,880 --> 04:10:21,760
end. Um, our next program that we that I
wanted to highlight is our stack camp.

1328
04:10:20,080 --> 04:10:24,960
Many of you have seen our stack camp
before and you've visited and I thank

1329
04:10:23,439 --> 04:10:28,800
you for that. I do want to point out
that we have Miss Nancy Schwenderman in

1330
04:10:26,800 --> 04:10:34,479
the audience and she's here to support
us. Um, this funding for this program

1331
04:10:31,680 --> 04:10:38,160
comes from Rural Maryland Council and
our local county commissioners. So, she

1332
04:10:36,319 --> 04:10:44,080
works in our economic development office
and really the point of this program is

1333
04:10:41,120 --> 04:10:49,040
to work with students on kind of two,
well, I'd say three-fold, right? One is

1334
04:10:46,640 --> 04:10:54,000
to on her end to really start developing
internships and apprenticeships. For us,

1335
04:10:51,600 --> 04:10:58,080
it's about career exploration and really
having students experience the tech high

1336
04:10:55,840 --> 04:11:04,399
school before they go to the tech high
school. and um and also just again

1337
04:11:01,680 --> 04:11:08,399
getting kids that um may not be doing
anything in the summer to now try

1338
04:11:06,239 --> 04:11:14,080
something new and and experience the
tech high school. So at a glance we had

1339
04:11:10,560 --> 04:11:19,399
118 registered um 70 of those registered
for both sessions. It's two two-week

1340
04:11:16,399 --> 04:11:19,399
camps.

1341
04:11:20,800 --> 04:11:26,479
Um by grade level we're finding we
extended it to eighth grade a couple of

1342
04:11:24,479 --> 04:11:32,239
years ago. We started at just n to 12th
graders. we extended it and uh eth and

1343
04:11:29,040 --> 04:11:36,720
ninth graders overwhelmingly make up um
the majority of our students

1344
04:11:34,880 --> 04:11:40,640
for countywide participation. Obviously
with having a larger population at the

1345
04:11:38,560 --> 04:11:44,720
north end, Decatur uh middle and high
tend to have the most um but it's also

1346
04:11:42,880 --> 04:11:47,920
great to see that there are quite a few
of our Pamok and Snow Hill students

1347
04:11:46,319 --> 04:11:52,960
because we want all students to be able
to experience this.

1348
04:11:50,720 --> 04:11:57,760
And then of the pathways that seemed to
be the most popular, um we had laser

1349
04:11:55,199 --> 04:12:03,359
cutting, cosmetology, audio and video
production, biomed, and carpentry.

1350
04:11:59,520 --> 04:12:08,640
Rounded out the first or the top five.
And we took a look at some growth. So is

1351
04:12:06,399 --> 04:12:14,319
Tony Bevakqua still here? Oh no, he had
to dig uh do pop out. But he provided he

1352
04:12:12,560 --> 04:12:19,680
helped us provide some of the pre and
post data. So, with each pathway, a

1353
04:12:16,960 --> 04:12:23,600
student will take a skills assessment at
the beginning and then they'll take an

1354
04:12:21,439 --> 04:12:28,640
assessment at the end. Um, and you'll
see that from session one to session

1355
04:12:25,680 --> 04:12:32,479
two, um, they had great growth in the
the actual skill or skills that they

1356
04:12:30,960 --> 04:12:36,319
were working with. And this is 16
pathways, but the reason it's different

1357
04:12:34,000 --> 04:12:41,680
on here is because there were 14
pathways, but two of them, a lot of them

1358
04:12:39,520 --> 04:12:45,439
duplicated. Two of them were only in one
session. And so the 14 plus the two

1359
04:12:43,439 --> 04:12:51,600
extra.
And that is a wrapup essentially of all

1360
04:12:49,840 --> 04:12:55,680
the wonderful things happening during
the summer months in Worcester County

1361
04:12:53,680 --> 04:12:57,920
Public Schools.
>> You have Okay. I just

1362
04:12:57,040 --> 04:13:00,880
» Go ahead and play the video.
>> Okay. I loaded up the video and it's

1363
04:12:59,359 --> 04:13:05,199
just going to be a second like there's
it's like a 10-minute video, but what I

1364
04:13:02,479 --> 04:13:10,239
did was just
let me see. Not sure if our sound will

1365
04:13:08,399 --> 04:13:13,239
cooperate.
Heat.

1366
04:13:25,345 --> 04:13:27,364
[music]

1367
04:13:31,279 --> 04:13:34,569
Heat. [music]

1368
04:13:38,445 --> 04:13:40,465
» [music]

1369
04:13:46,305 --> 04:13:48,324
[music]

1370
04:14:22,159 --> 04:14:29,840
» And those students had not ever picked
up a violin four days prior to this. So,

1371
04:14:27,760 --> 04:14:34,000
it was very exciting.
>> Any questions? Okay, board members, any

1372
04:14:33,040 --> 04:14:37,920
questions?
>> Yes, Miss Mcomeus.

1373
04:14:35,199 --> 04:14:41,040
» I I managed to get to the crescendo.
>> Yes.

1374
04:14:38,640 --> 04:14:46,239
» Oh my gosh. They were so excited about
playing violins and and talking with

1375
04:14:43,920 --> 04:14:50,880
them to realize they'd never picked one
up before.

1376
04:14:47,600 --> 04:14:56,720
» I I was in awe over how excited they
were. Um and I also had the privilege of

1377
04:14:53,600 --> 04:15:03,279
being able to visit stat camp and
between the two, thank you. I mean, our

1378
04:14:59,279 --> 04:15:11,600
kids are so unbelievably blessed to have
this in the summer and to be able to

1379
04:15:05,760 --> 04:15:17,040
maintain both their skills,
reading, math, whatever, as well as

1380
04:15:14,319 --> 04:15:19,199
exploration of what they want to do.
Thank you.

1381
04:15:17,760 --> 04:15:23,680
» Thank you. And thanks so much to our
funders. We could not do this without

1382
04:15:21,040 --> 04:15:27,920
the multiple grants and the generous
community members and our county

1383
04:15:25,600 --> 04:15:31,279
commissioners. and um we couldn't do it
alone. So, it's it's really been great

1384
04:15:29,920 --> 04:15:36,800
over the last several years really
expanding these opportunities.

1385
04:15:33,920 --> 04:15:41,279
» Any other board members? Dr. Andy's um I
just wanted to thank Miss Mills Tamara

1386
04:15:39,359 --> 04:15:46,159
for your outstanding leadership of this
program. I think this is one of those

1387
04:15:43,439 --> 04:15:51,520
other duties as assigned. I I believe
that's correct in my assumption and you

1388
04:15:48,800 --> 04:15:56,640
do an absolutely phenomenal job. Uh the
crescendo camp was your idea.

1389
04:15:54,880 --> 04:16:01,120
It just say no,
>> it was a collaborative idea, but yes.

1390
04:15:58,479 --> 04:16:08,640
» No, it was your idea. You made it
happen. You pulled it off and you built

1391
04:16:04,399 --> 04:16:13,760
confidence in those 22 students because
the violin is one of the most difficult

1392
04:16:10,720 --> 04:16:18,560
instruments to play, very difficult
instrument to play. And if a student can

1393
04:16:15,920 --> 04:16:22,399
play the violin, they can do anything in
their lives. So, thank you.

1394
04:16:20,239 --> 04:16:26,399
» Thank you. I appreciate it. And I do I
want to also thank Dr. Wallace for sort

1395
04:16:24,640 --> 04:16:31,040
of having first of all for supporting
the arts the way she does because as I

1396
04:16:28,239 --> 04:16:36,080
go to state meetings I don't always find
that other coordinators in my shoes feel

1397
04:16:33,279 --> 04:16:41,199
that kind of support. Um and and then
she has lots of crazy ideas too and and

1398
04:16:39,760 --> 04:16:44,159
she's like can we make this happen? Of
course we can make it happen.

1399
04:16:42,800 --> 04:16:46,479
» Cameron never tells me
>> yes

1400
04:16:45,040 --> 04:16:48,800
» but I have an idea that we'll talk
about.

1401
04:16:46,880 --> 04:16:51,760
» Oh boy. Oh boy. [laughter] See what I
mean?

1402
04:16:49,359 --> 04:16:54,720
» Any other um any other board members
have any comments?

1403
04:16:52,800 --> 04:16:58,399
» Yeah. I'll just say as a former violin
player from fourth to seventh grade that

1404
04:16:56,640 --> 04:17:03,600
it's not always the most soughta
instrument. It's lumpy on the bus and at

1405
04:17:01,199 --> 04:17:07,199
the bus stop, but they probably wouldn't
have picked that. But that was a pretty

1406
04:17:05,439 --> 04:17:11,199
cool upbeat thing. And then hearing you
say like the top um categories in my

1407
04:17:09,920 --> 04:17:14,479
brain as a mom, I'm just like, "Oh,
they're all the hands-on categories

1408
04:17:12,399 --> 04:17:18,319
because these kids like to be busy and
they like to be doing things and this is

1409
04:17:16,800 --> 04:17:20,319
giving them an opportunity to try
something that they may never do."

1410
04:17:19,920 --> 04:17:23,359
» Absolutely.
>> So, I think that that's awesome.

1411
04:17:21,920 --> 04:17:27,520
» Thank you. Thank you. And we really are
in this rural area a daycare desert as

1412
04:17:25,600 --> 04:17:32,319
many people know. So the summertimes
they're hard on parents and families. Um

1413
04:17:30,000 --> 04:17:36,960
and while daycare is not the purpose of
summer academy, it certainly provides

1414
04:17:34,640 --> 04:17:41,600
that place where our kids can do things
that parents might not otherwise have

1415
04:17:39,040 --> 04:17:45,120
the opportunity to to provide for them.
>> Any other board members? U Tamara, I

1416
04:17:43,840 --> 04:17:48,000
just want to first thank you for your
leadership.

1417
04:17:46,080 --> 04:17:52,000
» Whatever you take on, you do an
outstanding job with. you've you've done

1418
04:17:50,080 --> 04:17:55,120
so many different programs and you
always do the best for us and we

1419
04:17:53,439 --> 04:18:00,239
certainly appreciate it. But more than
anything else, the opportunities that

1420
04:17:56,960 --> 04:18:05,040
these these young uh students get to
participate in. I went to stack camp as

1421
04:18:02,319 --> 04:18:09,920
well. Um it was it was outstanding, you
know, from from going to different

1422
04:18:07,359 --> 04:18:12,239
rooms, being outside with the goats, um
all different um experiences that we

1423
04:18:12,000 --> 04:18:15,600
had.
>> Everybody loves the baby goat.

1424
04:18:13,600 --> 04:18:19,920
» Yeah, the baby goats were great. and
then and then just all all the different

1425
04:18:18,239 --> 04:18:24,479
programs that we're able to offer the
students in the summertime. It's it's an

1426
04:18:22,080 --> 04:18:28,560
incredible opportunity for them. So, I
just want to thank you and your staff

1427
04:18:26,159 --> 04:18:31,920
for what you do. Um it's really great
and we we look forward to continuing it

1428
04:18:30,399 --> 04:18:36,474
and I want to hear about this idea that
Dr. Wallace has. So,

1429
04:18:33,680 --> 04:18:39,199
» thank you. I guess I guess I do too.
[laughter]

1430
04:18:37,840 --> 04:18:42,368
» Thank you.
>> Thank you all very much.

1431
04:18:40,319 --> 04:18:44,388
» Thank you.
[applause]

1432
04:18:46,479 --> 04:18:51,760
Okay, now I'm going to turn it over to
Dr. Record. We have um Miss Phillips

1433
04:18:50,319 --> 04:18:58,960
coming up for a special education
staffing plan. Thank you, Mr. Fonte. It

1434
04:18:54,960 --> 04:19:03,600
is my pleasure to introduce uh Miss
Wendy Phillips and Miss Best Cropper who

1435
04:19:01,040 --> 04:19:09,760
will be coming forward to discuss the
staffing plan in different phases. Uh

1436
04:19:06,880 --> 04:19:13,760
Mr. Fronte, the discussion and
presentation should [snorts] follow with

1437
04:19:11,920 --> 04:19:17,680
a recommendation for approval as an
action item if that's okay.

1438
04:19:15,520 --> 04:19:21,040
» Yes, I see it here and I I'm I'm
assuming Dr. Recorder that the

1439
04:19:19,120 --> 04:19:29,120
superintendent approves
>> that that is the plan. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

1440
04:19:25,199 --> 04:19:31,600
» So, um without further ado, we'd like to
u direct your attention.

1441
04:19:30,399 --> 04:19:37,279
» Welcome Phillips.
>> Thank you.

1442
04:19:34,479 --> 04:19:42,000
» I think I just push it up. It's on.
There you go. You're on now.

1443
04:19:39,199 --> 04:19:45,760
» Okay.
Gosh, I following that. I don't know

1444
04:19:44,239 --> 04:19:49,199
about you guys, but I think we need this
every week and I need it on Tuesday

1445
04:19:47,840 --> 04:19:52,560
afternoons and I'm going to come to
every single one because I walking out

1446
04:19:50,960 --> 04:19:56,560
of here with pom poms in my hand for
Worcester County Public Schools and our

1447
04:19:54,800 --> 04:20:02,239
powerful community. Hearing about our
community that supports our our families

1448
04:19:58,720 --> 04:20:06,399
is just um absolutely amazing. So, I'm
going to talk to you today. Let me

1449
04:20:03,760 --> 04:20:08,960
present her view. Sorry.
Okay, I'm going to talk to you today

1450
04:20:07,600 --> 04:20:12,159
about the staffing plan. You have the
staffing plan in front of you, but I'm

1451
04:20:10,720 --> 04:20:16,399
going to give you some information to
help you understand some of the um the

1452
04:20:14,399 --> 04:20:21,120
data around everything that we do uh
with our students in Worcester County

1453
04:20:18,239 --> 04:20:27,600
Public Schools. So, here is our part C
and part B numbers right now. Um in part

1454
04:20:23,840 --> 04:20:32,080
C, that is birth to age five. Um those
students have an individual family

1455
04:20:29,920 --> 04:20:40,319
service plan different than the IEP.
It's an IFSP. Um and it uh we have 201

1456
04:20:38,000 --> 04:20:49,439
last year, children last year. It is our
highest number yet. Um we were at 88 in

1457
04:20:45,600 --> 04:20:53,279
23 24 that is basically the majority of
that is because of the outreach that

1458
04:20:51,120 --> 04:20:57,840
we've done with our communities and
we've started a literacy program back in

1459
04:20:55,279 --> 04:21:03,120
22 23. We started a lit literacy program
called Mother Goose on the Loose where

1460
04:21:00,239 --> 04:21:07,840
our teachers are and service providers
actually go to the libraries and they uh

1461
04:21:05,760 --> 04:21:11,920
teach lessons and then give out our
information. So, hey, by the way, we're

1462
04:21:09,600 --> 04:21:15,359
the we're the infants and toddlers and I
think the Judy Center is actually uh

1463
04:21:13,680 --> 04:21:18,960
doing that program now too. But
originally, it started in special ed

1464
04:21:17,040 --> 04:21:24,640
through a collaboration with Somerset
back in 2223. So it is um really helped

1465
04:21:22,399 --> 04:21:29,199
us get children from there, get that out
there and then of course our outreach

1466
04:21:26,000 --> 04:21:32,000
with um the pediatricians and other
other services that we

1467
04:21:30,720 --> 04:21:36,720
» Can you also talk about your new
referral to qualify?

1468
04:21:34,479 --> 04:21:41,920
» Oh yes. when um kids well we have a
universal referral form um that's on the

1469
04:21:39,040 --> 04:21:47,520
website and that um when uh thanks to
best crap for setting that up um what uh

1470
04:21:45,600 --> 04:21:52,319
parents can go on there uh ask for
resources a request for resources and it

1471
04:21:50,080 --> 04:22:00,239
goes out to all of the early childhood
partners um and then um Bass also has a

1472
04:21:56,159 --> 04:22:04,000
card uh a um what is it
>> a QR code um and you can scan that and

1473
04:22:02,960 --> 04:22:08,000
you can get that and that's something
that they've had for years within the

1474
04:22:05,600 --> 04:22:12,880
infants and toddlers program. Uh a a
card that they leave um everywhere. So

1475
04:22:09,760 --> 04:22:18,720
you can find those um and that outreach
has really helped us get our babies. Um

1476
04:22:16,080 --> 04:22:23,920
you can see that uh we serve the least
amount in zero to one and that's because

1477
04:22:21,600 --> 04:22:27,600
they might not be referred yet. The
developmental disabilities might not be

1478
04:22:25,760 --> 04:22:32,159
there yet um and they might not see
them. Um and then our majority are in

1479
04:22:30,000 --> 04:22:35,760
that two to three category because
pediatricians everybody starts to

1480
04:22:33,760 --> 04:22:40,880
realize when students are you know maybe
struggling meeting in uh in one of those

1481
04:22:37,760 --> 04:22:45,840
five domains meeting expectations um and
we look for them there. So part B we

1482
04:22:43,520 --> 04:22:51,520
actually have the highest number here we
have 839.

1483
04:22:47,600 --> 04:22:56,319
Um this has not raised the percentage of
students with disabilities in Worcester

1484
04:22:53,439 --> 04:22:59,920
County. We've raised, we're still at 12%
of students with disabilities, but our

1485
04:22:58,560 --> 04:23:04,720
population in Worcester County has
increased. So, and then of course I'll

1486
04:23:02,159 --> 04:23:08,560
show a little bit on the next slide. Can
we go back to your part C and just make

1487
04:23:06,960 --> 04:23:13,439
the I just want the board to know that
we intentionally with the help of Bess

1488
04:23:10,560 --> 04:23:18,159
and Wendy and Chris Welch um
intentionally made that connection with

1489
04:23:15,920 --> 04:23:22,159
that referral form of when kids don't
qualify for birth to three because one

1490
04:23:20,080 --> 04:23:26,560
of the things we know is we can identify
our struggling readers as early as 18

1491
04:23:24,319 --> 04:23:31,840
months. And so what happens is is kids
are referred and then they don't

1492
04:23:28,640 --> 04:23:35,840
necessarily qualify for the part C. And
what we're what we have then is that

1493
04:23:34,080 --> 04:23:40,319
automatic connection that goes to the
Judy Center. So the Judy Center connects

1494
04:23:38,000 --> 04:23:43,840
with them even if they don't qualify for
the part C. So that was something that

1495
04:23:41,920 --> 04:23:47,920
was is an intentional something that
we've done as a team um to to help meet

1496
04:23:46,479 --> 04:23:52,560
our reading initiative because we know
if we can get them early that's where we

1497
04:23:49,760 --> 04:23:56,080
see the most traction. So that that was
something and thank you for making that

1498
04:23:54,239 --> 04:23:59,600
accessible so that it shares out to
everybody now because that's a really

1499
04:23:57,520 --> 04:24:03,520
big deal. It seems like something small,
but the problem was is when kids aren't

1500
04:24:01,760 --> 04:24:07,760
qualifying for part C, we were missing
them in our district. And so that's

1501
04:24:05,520 --> 04:24:15,279
allowed for us not to miss any kids. And
our and going from 88 to 201 um we are

1502
04:24:11,920 --> 04:24:21,600
really Yes, we are really uh capturing
our our students um and get their

1503
04:24:17,920 --> 04:24:26,399
children babies um at that time. Okay.
Um in this is uh what the disabilities

1504
04:24:24,399 --> 04:24:30,399
within Worester County Public Schools.
Um you can see that the greatest number

1505
04:24:28,960 --> 04:24:35,600
of students with disabilities or the
greatest percentage is SLD. That's our

1506
04:24:32,880 --> 04:24:38,640
students with dyslexia, disgraphia,
um those types of disabilities and

1507
04:24:37,279 --> 04:24:45,359
that's our greatest number of students
at 27 uh.4%. Maryland is at 25%. So

1508
04:24:43,279 --> 04:24:50,159
we're right in line with Maryland. Our
second is OI, other health impaired.

1509
04:24:47,840 --> 04:24:55,120
That might be a student with ADHD. That
might be a student with um diabetes that

1510
04:24:52,640 --> 04:24:59,520
impacts their education. um it's a
health related uh disability and that's

1511
04:24:57,600 --> 04:25:07,760
at 22.4%
and Maryland is at 16%. Um and autism is

1512
04:25:04,399 --> 04:25:12,640
our third at 17.4%.
Where and autism in the state is at 19%.

1513
04:25:10,880 --> 04:25:15,680
So we're close to the state on all of
those and those are our top three. I'm

1514
04:25:14,640 --> 04:25:20,479
going to the next thing I'm going to
show you is going to blow your minds

1515
04:25:16,800 --> 04:25:24,479
though. Just look at this.
our developmental delay, which is not

1516
04:25:22,399 --> 04:25:29,760
one of the 13 IDA categories. It's
actually a uh eligibility that you can

1517
04:25:26,720 --> 04:25:33,359
identify kids from birth um not yeah
birth and infants and toddlers until age

1518
04:25:31,760 --> 04:25:37,680
eight and then they have to transfer
over into one of the other 13 IDA

1519
04:25:35,359 --> 04:25:43,760
categories. With our increased
identification for students, children in

1520
04:25:41,279 --> 04:25:50,000
part C, our developmental delay has gone
up 131%. because we're we're getting the

1521
04:25:47,279 --> 04:25:57,439
children younger and this has happened
um since we've had 131% increase since

1522
04:25:53,439 --> 04:26:01,199
2015. Um and mainly since the 22 23
school year we've ended up you can see

1523
04:25:59,279 --> 04:26:05,600
with the infants and toddlers how much
we have uh increased [music] our

1524
04:26:02,880 --> 04:26:10,560
outreach and our autism growth is at
70.5%. Which is huge.

1525
04:26:08,800 --> 04:26:14,760
» I I see.
>> Can I ask a question real quick?

1526
04:26:15,359 --> 04:26:24,880
I'm sorry the the mic. It's my fault.
What age? What's the earliest age they

1527
04:26:21,840 --> 04:26:29,760
can diagnosed autism? Just asking
because I had an autistic son. So,

1528
04:26:27,760 --> 04:26:33,920
» well, the medical and the educational um
there's a medical diagnosis or an

1529
04:26:31,680 --> 04:26:38,560
educational eligibility. There's two.
There's two different. So, we are

1530
04:26:35,840 --> 04:26:43,920
education educational eligibility under
IDA. Sometimes kids come with us with

1531
04:26:40,800 --> 04:26:47,920
that autism diagnosis in in preK3,
pre-K4 or they get it within infants and

1532
04:26:46,159 --> 04:26:51,680
toddlers. Most of the time they do not
that medical diagnosis, but

1533
04:26:49,359 --> 04:26:56,640
educationally we can actually do all the
assessments here and say they make the

1534
04:26:53,840 --> 04:26:59,120
they are eligible under autism one of
the those 13.

1535
04:26:57,520 --> 04:27:02,000
» They had the educational characteristics
of a child with

1536
04:27:00,159 --> 04:27:08,000
» Right. And and when when do you see
those? Well, we in like she said earlier

1537
04:27:05,840 --> 04:27:10,319
with infants and toddlers, we we are
looking for a developmental delay.

1538
04:27:10,000 --> 04:27:15,920
» Okay.
>> Um substance of those eight babies that

1539
04:27:13,040 --> 04:27:20,960
you saw up there um those normally are
come to us from the NICU and they're

1540
04:27:17,920 --> 04:27:25,359
substance exposed newborns or a child
with a medical

1541
04:27:23,680 --> 04:27:28,479
» need or a genetic disorder.
>> I'm sorry.

1542
04:27:26,319 --> 04:27:32,399
» No, no, no. I I love the questions and
we love talking about it. We could talk

1543
04:27:29,760 --> 04:27:37,840
about it every day all day. Um, okay.
So, we um we have seen a significant

1544
04:27:35,600 --> 04:27:43,279
increase, but Maryland itself, we've
seen a 70% increase since uh 2015 in

1545
04:27:40,479 --> 04:27:47,600
autism. Maryland itself has seen a 123%
increase. So, although we've seen a

1546
04:27:45,920 --> 04:27:54,159
large increase here in Worcester,
Maryland is is much um much larger than

1547
04:27:51,120 --> 04:27:58,479
what we have seen here in Worester.
>> Okay.

1548
04:27:55,680 --> 04:28:02,080
» And it's not advancing. It's not your
hair. Click here.

1549
04:28:00,720 --> 04:28:08,399
I'll just click it. Oh, there we go.
Okay. Um here is our uh heat map for our

1550
04:28:05,520 --> 04:28:12,880
students. Um where they are placed. Uh
preK 3 and four are lumped together

1551
04:28:10,479 --> 04:28:16,880
because in our data system uh the IEP
system doesn't see them as separate. So

1552
04:28:14,479 --> 04:28:20,800
that um although they look like there's
a lot there that if you divide that by

1553
04:28:18,880 --> 04:28:25,840
two, you have about the same as everyone
else. So it's about we normally sit

1554
04:28:23,040 --> 04:28:30,640
about 50 to 60 across the 15 grades that
we we service in Worcester County. Um

1555
04:28:28,319 --> 04:28:33,760
you can see that our highest are sixth
and tth grade. Well, they were the

1556
04:28:32,239 --> 04:28:39,040
highest last year in fifth and ninth
grade when I presented with you. Um our

1557
04:28:36,319 --> 04:28:44,399
12th grade population is one of our
lowest. Um and what's great is that's

1558
04:28:42,319 --> 04:28:48,399
because the kids have been exited along
the way, which is fantastic because

1559
04:28:46,000 --> 04:28:51,520
we're seeing more students uh be exited
within Worcester County, which is

1560
04:28:49,600 --> 04:28:56,720
fantastic because an IEP isn't a
lifetime sentence. It's to help you uh

1561
04:28:53,920 --> 04:29:00,479
get back to grade level. 68% of kids
that participate in infants and toddlers

1562
04:28:58,399 --> 04:29:05,840
in part C by grade three they will be
exited with from their IEP if we get

1563
04:29:02,800 --> 04:29:10,319
them early which is amazing. Um and then
in the 12th grade it's um it's great to

1564
04:29:08,000 --> 04:29:16,319
note that 11 of those students are our
students on our 18 to 21 program which

1565
04:29:13,279 --> 04:29:21,439
are at uh Wurwick uh community college
and our project search program another

1566
04:29:19,439 --> 04:29:25,760
uh community outreach that our community
does such a wonderful job with. So, we

1567
04:29:24,000 --> 04:29:30,239
do have a continuum of services in
Worcester County Public Schools. It

1568
04:29:27,279 --> 04:29:36,560
you're required to have one uh with um
under IDA. Our students start in the

1569
04:29:33,120 --> 04:29:40,399
regular education uh classroom. They can
actually be many people, it's a myth

1570
04:29:38,800 --> 04:29:44,399
that a special educator has to be in the
classroom because the starting of the

1571
04:29:42,560 --> 04:29:48,159
continuum is they can be in a classroom
with just a general educator and they

1572
04:29:46,080 --> 04:29:53,439
can provide services to them and the
special educator can consult. we move to

1573
04:29:50,880 --> 04:29:58,319
the next step of our continuum and that
is full inclusion with special education

1574
04:29:55,439 --> 04:30:02,080
teachers in their co-eing in and out. Um
and then uh within that full inclusion

1575
04:30:00,800 --> 04:30:05,279
classroom, the special educator, the
general educator and or instructional

1576
04:30:03,760 --> 04:30:10,640
assistant can provide those special
education services um on the majority of

1577
04:30:07,600 --> 04:30:13,680
IEPs that is on there. Um these services
can also be provided outside of the

1578
04:30:12,399 --> 04:30:16,720
classroom and you're supposed to be able
to have you're supposed to have special

1579
04:30:15,199 --> 04:30:19,760
classrooms which we do here in Worcester
County Public Schools. We have our rise

1580
04:30:18,080 --> 04:30:25,439
classrooms and then we have our Cedar
Chapel Special School which is a school

1581
04:30:22,319 --> 04:30:31,680
made up of self-contained classrooms. Um
and then of course our highest uh level

1582
04:30:29,040 --> 04:30:37,040
um or the most restrictive LRE is uh
special schools, public separate day

1583
04:30:33,840 --> 04:30:41,680
schools, homeschool homebound um and
residential programs. Within all of

1584
04:30:39,520 --> 04:30:48,560
those programs, our students are
entitled to related services. Speech,

1585
04:30:44,720 --> 04:30:53,920
OT, PT, orientation and mobility, travel
training, recreational training, all of

1586
04:30:50,560 --> 04:30:58,159
that. So,
okay.

1587
04:30:56,080 --> 04:31:02,080
Oh,
there we go. Um, our le least

1588
04:31:00,080 --> 04:31:06,080
restrictive environment is the highest
uh inclusive environment in the state of

1589
04:31:04,159 --> 04:31:10,000
Maryland. And we also have the highest
um achievement in the state of Maryland.

1590
04:31:08,080 --> 04:31:13,600
So we include our students the most and
our students achieve the highest which

1591
04:31:12,319 --> 04:31:17,520
is pretty amazing.
>> That's awesome.

1592
04:31:14,720 --> 04:31:20,000
» Yes, it's fantastic. Um and then of
course we also have the least

1593
04:31:18,640 --> 04:31:24,080
restrictive environment for preschools
because why would we uh exclude them at

1594
04:31:21,920 --> 04:31:26,720
such a young age? We need they need
language and they need to be with their

1595
04:31:25,279 --> 04:31:31,439
peers.
>> Okay. Part B, some some uh data for the

1596
04:31:29,760 --> 04:31:35,279
hardest working people in Worcester
County Public Schools, which is the

1597
04:31:32,640 --> 04:31:41,040
special education department um across
the county. Um 8,794

1598
04:31:38,640 --> 04:31:47,359
uh hours of special education uh
instruction occurred weekly by all of

1599
04:31:43,600 --> 04:31:50,960
our special education providers. 9,197
hours with the related services if you

1600
04:31:49,040 --> 04:31:56,720
add all those related services on top.
We had a 163 students attend extended

1601
04:31:55,199 --> 04:32:01,439
school year regularly which is
phenomenal when we only have 839

1602
04:31:59,120 --> 04:32:06,159
students with disabilities. 163 of them
attended extended school year which was

1603
04:32:03,840 --> 04:32:10,319
absolutely phenomenal. and we had 60
students, which is an amazing program

1604
04:32:08,080 --> 04:32:14,640
that participated in our work program
over the summer, which is not part of

1605
04:32:11,840 --> 04:32:17,520
the um IEP. It's part of a um
collaboration that we have with Doors,

1606
04:32:16,080 --> 04:32:21,680
the Department of Rehabilitation
Services, another community outreach

1607
04:32:19,279 --> 04:32:28,319
program. Um and all of our students go
with a job coach. Uh many of our

1608
04:32:23,760 --> 04:32:33,840
teachers uh like the rest the um
the release of duties uh as of teaching

1609
04:32:32,080 --> 04:32:36,880
and actually just going and being with a
child at a job site and they love it.

1610
04:32:35,199 --> 04:32:41,439
And we get the teachers and they work
with the students and help them uh

1611
04:32:38,640 --> 04:32:45,520
develop and develop resumeums and work
and have those skills, those soft skills

1612
04:32:43,439 --> 04:32:50,080
that are not taught in school. Um and we
had 60 students and it was amazing. So,

1613
04:32:48,000 --> 04:32:53,680
if you see any of these businesses, the
Commander Hotel, Frontier Town, every

1614
04:32:52,319 --> 04:32:57,120
all you guys can just take a little
vacation there. Uh, Frontier Town, I

1615
04:32:55,840 --> 04:33:02,720
know you want to go to some Western
Park, uh, Flagship Cinemas, go to a

1616
04:32:59,359 --> 04:33:09,520
movie, Atlantic Hotel, Jolly Rogers, and
I go on and on. So, try to support these

1617
04:33:05,840 --> 04:33:14,000
businesses that support us. But,
do you have any questions,

1618
04:33:11,039 --> 04:33:18,160
» board members?
Miss Kell,

1619
04:33:15,279 --> 04:33:22,561
» I do. Um, so if I'm understanding this
correctly, part C goes from 0 to 5, but

1620
04:33:20,639 --> 04:33:25,199
part B overlaps from 3 to 21.
>> Yes.

1621
04:33:22,879 --> 04:33:29,439
» Yeah. So, um, part C, Maryland is one of
the only states that offers an extended

1622
04:33:27,119 --> 04:33:33,600
IFSP. [music] Um, and a little bit more
about the extended IFSP. An IFSP is an

1623
04:33:31,840 --> 04:33:38,959
individualized family service plan. So,
we write outcomes for the family, not

1624
04:33:35,840 --> 04:33:43,039
for the child. So, um, it's a coaching
model. So those service providers

1625
04:33:41,039 --> 04:33:46,959
provide coaching to the caretakers that
are caring for that child in their

1626
04:33:44,639 --> 04:33:51,680
natural environment. So that would be
daycarees um where uh wherever that

1627
04:33:49,600 --> 04:33:55,279
child is during the day. We don't remove
them from that environment to have them

1628
04:33:53,279 --> 04:33:59,680
come get it services at a school. We
would provide them in the in their

1629
04:33:56,799 --> 04:34:03,279
natural environment and the caretaker is
the best caretaker of the child because

1630
04:34:01,680 --> 04:34:07,760
they know the child. So then we coach
that parent to provide those or the

1631
04:34:05,760 --> 04:34:15,199
daycare provider or the child care
center. um uh we we go everywhere. Um we

1632
04:34:13,119 --> 04:34:18,879
provide them to provide the service to
the provide coaching to them to provide

1633
04:34:16,799 --> 04:34:24,080
the service to the child. So then it
happens when we're not there and that

1634
04:34:21,199 --> 04:34:30,080
happens um birth to three and then that
extended IFSP if the parent has a couple

1635
04:34:26,639 --> 04:34:35,199
choices if the child still
qualifies in part. So you get extended.

1636
04:34:33,359 --> 04:34:39,119
So you have a a meeting with both part C
and part B. So you have the whole

1637
04:34:37,199 --> 04:34:43,520
infants and toddlers team comes. There's
about nine of them. And then you have

1638
04:34:41,039 --> 04:34:47,119
that school team, another probably about
nine people come together and they

1639
04:34:45,359 --> 04:34:52,240
decide what's best for the child.
Whether that child um chooses itinerate

1640
04:34:49,600 --> 04:34:57,760
within part B services in a school um
that child goes to a prek3 classroom,

1641
04:34:54,799 --> 04:35:05,199
that child continues in an extended IFSP
and they can do that up to age five. Um

1642
04:35:02,160 --> 04:35:09,439
many parents because we have preK3
um choose preK3.

1643
04:35:07,600 --> 04:35:16,240
Many parents, some parents don't choose
preK3. Um we find that our outcomes are

1644
04:35:13,840 --> 04:35:21,279
greater for those families that do
choose preK3 and have their kids come to

1645
04:35:19,279 --> 04:35:26,561
us all day and then we we can intervene
all day long and then hopefully to to

1646
04:35:23,439 --> 04:35:30,480
release them from that IEP by grade uh
three.

1647
04:35:27,199 --> 04:35:34,080
» Okay, perfect. And then so so C was
essentially like more encompassing of

1648
04:35:32,000 --> 04:35:39,920
everybody involved and when they're in B
it's more student related.

1649
04:35:37,039 --> 04:35:45,039
» So part yes. So um I think you're asking
yes part C is family centered and then

1650
04:35:42,561 --> 04:35:47,760
part B is um school age.
>> And then for the referral thing that you

1651
04:35:46,561 --> 04:35:51,119
said I think that's great. The Judy
Center had their QR code. You have one

1652
04:35:49,359 --> 04:35:54,240
because somebody reached out to me a
while ago that was new to the area and I

1653
04:35:52,959 --> 04:35:58,879
reached out to somebody. I wasn't really
sure where to send them. So this is

1654
04:35:56,000 --> 04:36:02,000
great. What would you say is it's
actually I'm sorry I didn't cut you off.

1655
04:36:00,320 --> 04:36:04,639
It's actually a resource inquiry. It's
not a referral because if it's a

1656
04:36:03,199 --> 04:36:07,760
referral then it would start Judy
Center's timeline. It would start our

1657
04:36:06,400 --> 04:36:13,520
timeline. It would start start
everybody. So it's a referral and then I

1658
04:36:10,320 --> 04:36:17,760
um triage those with my um secretary and
we send them out to each of the agencies

1659
04:36:15,520 --> 04:36:21,600
that we um partner with.
>> Okay. What would you say is the main

1660
04:36:20,080 --> 04:36:25,920
difference in when you when you say
qualify? Like some of them don't qualify

1661
04:36:23,439 --> 04:36:30,480
for this. What is the main criteria
differences there between C and B?

1662
04:36:28,240 --> 04:36:33,760
» Yeah, so that's a great question. So
we're not look, we are looking for a

1663
04:36:32,320 --> 04:36:40,240
developmental delay
>> in part C. So you have to have a 25%

1664
04:36:36,639 --> 04:36:46,240
delay in one or more of the areas. So
it's you know they're babies and um the

1665
04:36:43,680 --> 04:36:52,561
milestones are much different and as
they get older that it grows bigger. So,

1666
04:36:49,760 --> 04:36:56,080
Judy Center has always come to um our
meetings and then uh last year it kind

1667
04:36:54,719 --> 04:37:00,719
of stopped a little bit with staffing
and then they started to come again this

1668
04:36:57,760 --> 04:37:05,520
year. Um so, there's been we only
receive about uh half of a percentage

1669
04:37:03,520 --> 04:37:11,359
point of referrals from the Judy Center,
but we do have a great relationship with

1670
04:37:07,279 --> 04:37:18,160
this Judy Center. Um, we receive uh I
think it's it's 10% from parents and uh

1671
04:37:15,279 --> 04:37:21,039
I want to say 80 something% from
pediatricians because we have a great

1672
04:37:19,680 --> 04:37:25,119
relationship with our pediatricians. So
that QR code, you'll find the postcards.

1673
04:37:23,359 --> 04:37:28,400
I actually saw one at the car car wash
the other day. I was so happy.

1674
04:37:26,719 --> 04:37:34,799
» Um and I took a picture of it on the
floor um and then picked [laughter] it

1675
04:37:30,561 --> 04:37:38,480
up. But um those we we cover the county
in those um postcards. And once we did

1676
04:37:36,639 --> 04:37:44,639
that and I think we did that in like 23
24 we started to see an increase um once

1677
04:37:41,439 --> 04:37:49,680
we started to do that PR. Okay. Yeah.
>> Yeah.

1678
04:37:46,320 --> 04:37:53,600
» Any other board members? Dr. Andy's
>> I just wanted to thank you for your

1679
04:37:51,039 --> 04:37:58,160
leadership and uh I especially want to
thank all of the teachers.

1680
04:37:55,520 --> 04:38:02,879
» Yes. in the area of special education
and our general education teachers who

1681
04:38:00,160 --> 04:38:08,000
work so hard to create the data that you
just shared which is significant

1682
04:38:05,359 --> 04:38:14,719
improvements every year with a child
making growth every year. So thank you.

1683
04:38:11,600 --> 04:38:20,000
So, and I just want to say first of all,
um, we have a very successful program.

1684
04:38:17,039 --> 04:38:24,160
Um, and that's with no in no part not
not due to the two of you who have

1685
04:38:21,760 --> 04:38:28,959
worked very very diligently and hard on
it and the staff that's behind you. But

1686
04:38:26,719 --> 04:38:34,080
I wanted to say that one of the things
that I think obviously it seems like the

1687
04:38:31,520 --> 04:38:40,000
key to our success is identifying early
and then getting them back into the the

1688
04:38:36,799 --> 04:38:42,879
mainstream which which is is seems to be
what we're doing and it seems to be

1689
04:38:41,920 --> 04:38:45,600
working.
>> So

1690
04:38:43,760 --> 04:38:48,480
» locate, identify, and evaluate. That's
our

1691
04:38:45,920 --> 04:38:52,080
» identify and evaluate. Yeah,
>> but I want to thank you for what you do

1692
04:38:50,080 --> 04:38:55,199
and thank your staff and and I know it's
a lot of work and you guys do a great

1693
04:38:53,760 --> 04:38:56,639
job at it. So, thank you. We love what
we do every single day.

1694
04:38:56,320 --> 04:39:00,480
» Yes.
>> And like I said, I mean, after attending

1695
04:38:58,480 --> 04:39:04,012
this, I I do think we should do this
every week. [laughter]

1696
04:39:04,480 --> 04:39:09,279
» Okay.
>> Today has really gone fit it fit well

1697
04:39:07,520 --> 04:39:14,400
together. And just to sort of close out
our academic um presentations for today,

1698
04:39:12,320 --> 04:39:18,639
um having the Judy Center partnering
with our special ed report that we will

1699
04:39:16,320 --> 04:39:23,520
have to Mr. Fonte will ask for approval
for in just a minute. um really has been

1700
04:39:21,760 --> 04:39:28,400
has hopefully given our community and
our board a full circle vision into what

1701
04:39:26,480 --> 04:39:32,080
we're doing. And what I was speaking to
earlier that I think Miss Cutlip was

1702
04:39:30,080 --> 04:39:37,600
asking about was I had a personal
experience where we actually had a had a

1703
04:39:34,320 --> 04:39:42,480
child who got tested for speech and
didn't qualify. And so what happened was

1704
04:39:40,560 --> 04:39:45,520
is like no one told us, hey, there's a
Judy Center. And so that's something

1705
04:39:43,920 --> 04:39:50,080
that we've been very intentional about.
we had and talked about of making sure

1706
04:39:48,560 --> 04:39:55,040
because like I wish we had known that
there was and I'm in education and I I

1707
04:39:52,718 --> 04:39:59,120
like it's new it's it was new to me at
the time because I wasn't I was in a

1708
04:39:56,958 --> 04:40:02,718
different role. Um, and so making sure
like all of our things are connected

1709
04:40:00,638 --> 04:40:08,080
together and we've been looking at our
data very closely and our growth data

1710
04:40:04,878 --> 04:40:13,040
very closely over the past year and I
will tell you between the Judy Center

1711
04:40:10,160 --> 04:40:18,638
and these ladies and their teams at up
to first grade that's where we're moving

1712
04:40:14,958 --> 04:40:23,280
kids and so like our third grade scores
are in great part to the work that we do

1713
04:40:21,280 --> 04:40:28,958
before our students even get to us. And
the data tells us that like if we don't

1714
04:40:26,080 --> 04:40:33,760
solve it by then, we in general don't
solve it and no school system solves it.

1715
04:40:31,600 --> 04:40:40,480
So the we're going to be spending lots
of intentional time continuing to make

1716
04:40:36,878 --> 04:40:44,240
like 1% adjustments to our programs that
support our earliest learners. Um

1717
04:40:42,718 --> 04:40:48,480
because that is where we see and like
when we get them in preK3, we see the

1718
04:40:46,000 --> 04:40:52,320
most definitely bang for our buck there.
um because we had them all day and

1719
04:40:50,400 --> 04:40:56,560
they're in they're in the setting that
we want for them to get because at that

1720
04:40:53,920 --> 04:41:00,160
age there's it's so much social like all
of those things are like learn through

1721
04:40:57,920 --> 04:41:04,560
social and play and so they're so so
important. So truly thank you to the two

1722
04:41:02,638 --> 04:41:07,520
of you for your leadership because you
change kids lives every day.

1723
04:41:06,160 --> 04:41:10,160
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.

1724
04:41:08,480 --> 04:41:14,878
» So board the superintendent recommends
this. Thank you. Sorry,

1725
04:41:13,120 --> 04:41:19,120
» the superintendent recommends this and
I'm going to ask for a motion and a

1726
04:41:16,240 --> 04:41:22,240
second to approve the 2026 2027 special
education staffing plan as presented.

1727
04:41:21,600 --> 04:41:26,878
» Motion.
>> Motion by Mrs. Cuddlip.

1728
04:41:24,480 --> 04:41:30,400
» A second by Mr. Gordy. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Thank you so much. And now

1729
04:41:29,040 --> 04:41:33,600
I'm going to turn it back over to Dr.
Record to begin the administrative and

1730
04:41:32,160 --> 04:41:36,600
physical operations portion of our
agenda.

1731
04:41:37,520 --> 04:41:45,600
» Thank you, Mr. Fonte. Um, in the
personnel exhibit as presented, uh, we

1732
04:41:43,520 --> 04:41:52,878
have new hires.
Linda Garcia, educational assistant,

1733
04:41:49,120 --> 04:41:58,878
Berlin Intermediate School,
Deutborn, educational assistant, Ocean

1734
04:41:55,680 --> 04:42:03,680
City Elementary School. Nicole Nelson,
cafeteria manager, Ocean City Elementary

1735
04:42:01,680 --> 04:42:07,680
School.
The superintendent would recommend the

1736
04:42:05,520 --> 04:42:13,520
personnel exhibit as presented and
discussed in close session.

1737
04:42:10,080 --> 04:42:18,000
» Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the
personnel exhibit as presented and

1738
04:42:16,080 --> 04:42:20,320
discussed today in close session?
>> So moved.

1739
04:42:18,718 --> 04:42:23,120
» Motion by Mrs. Mccomomas.
>> Second.

1740
04:42:20,958 --> 04:42:25,680
» A second by Miss Scotip. All in favor?
I.

1741
04:42:23,600 --> 04:42:29,600
» Any opposed? Thank you very much, Dr.
Record.

1742
04:42:26,798 --> 04:42:33,600
» Okay. And now um going to turn it back
over to you for policy revisions because

1743
04:42:31,520 --> 04:42:36,958
we have quite a few of them.
>> Yes. If you would find it appropriate,

1744
04:42:36,000 --> 04:42:40,600
can I move to the
>> Yes. Absolutely.

1745
04:42:40,638 --> 04:42:47,638
» Board, in your packet, you have the
policy revisions that you can follow

1746
04:42:44,638 --> 04:42:47,638
along.

1747
04:43:02,798 --> 04:43:09,120
Mr. Fante, if the board finds it
acceptable, uh, if you'd like me, I can

1748
04:43:07,200 --> 04:43:13,520
go over each of these now and then if
you would and you can vote on them and

1749
04:43:11,200 --> 04:43:16,480
if you want me to pull any of specific
policies, I can do so.

1750
04:43:14,878 --> 04:43:19,760
» Yeah. What we'll do is you'll start with
the grading policy and we'll work our

1751
04:43:18,080 --> 04:43:23,840
way down. If there's any questions board
members can ask, uh, then we'll just

1752
04:43:22,240 --> 04:43:27,520
approve them all at one time unless
there's any changes. Okay.

1753
04:43:25,280 --> 04:43:32,160
» All right. Thank you. So, going in the
order that I believe it is in your

1754
04:43:29,040 --> 04:43:37,200
packet, u policy
2B8

1755
04:43:34,000 --> 04:43:43,840
is the uh markup copy, excuse me,
grading policy. Uh that policy uh notes

1756
04:43:41,360 --> 04:43:48,480
changes at minor language changes. It
also aligns with our current practice in

1757
04:43:46,000 --> 04:43:54,240
the area of section B. If you look in
section B, it adds the preK component.

1758
04:43:52,000 --> 04:43:59,040
And additionally in section B the
changes align to our current practice in

1759
04:43:56,240 --> 04:44:04,560
the dual enrollment program uh which is
currently u uh allows us to meet the

1760
04:44:02,080 --> 04:44:11,760
requirements of the blueprint. The
second the last in this policy is the

1761
04:44:07,600 --> 04:44:17,040
language change in section F which is a
uh very minor language change in the

1762
04:44:14,080 --> 04:44:23,400
change of the um person that oversees
that department an area of digital

1763
04:44:20,400 --> 04:44:23,400
learning.

1764
04:44:24,160 --> 04:44:33,360
» Dr. Andy's
>> um I just have one suggestion and that

1765
04:44:29,600 --> 04:44:37,520
is F2. Um I really like Diane Stoultz.
She does a fabulous job, but I don't

1766
04:44:35,520 --> 04:44:41,920
think we should specifically name the
individual in a policy

1767
04:44:39,840 --> 04:44:45,040
» that uh Dr. Andy is that her name is in
there because that is required by law

1768
04:44:43,440 --> 04:44:48,080
now for the name of the person to be in
that policy.

1769
04:44:46,400 --> 04:44:51,920
» It's required by law.
>> That's why it's not new. See how it's in

1770
04:44:49,680 --> 04:44:54,718
the black because it's already there.
>> But what if the I'll ask the

1771
04:44:53,520 --> 04:44:57,360
» You have to change your Yeah,
>> you have to change it on

1772
04:44:55,680 --> 04:45:00,160
» You have to change the policy.
>> I'm I'm change the person

1773
04:44:58,718 --> 04:45:03,760
» because I was the originator of the
policy changing to have Diane Sultz in

1774
04:45:02,000 --> 04:45:08,798
black. noticed that the change in the
policy is not Diane's name. It is just

1775
04:45:06,638 --> 04:45:13,520
the title there.
>> Okay. So Diane, I love Diane Stall.

1776
04:45:11,760 --> 04:45:15,360
She's fabulous. There's nothing against
Diane.

1777
04:45:14,240 --> 04:45:19,600
» Correct.
>> So that name stays there or that name.

1778
04:45:17,920 --> 04:45:24,600
» Can we just change it to current? Add
the word current. Would that help or no

1779
04:45:21,360 --> 04:45:24,600
what he's saying?

1780
04:45:24,638 --> 04:45:32,080
» This is last year's policy. The only
change

1781
04:45:28,480 --> 04:45:38,320
was I don't know why the state with a
new policy a couple of years ago. So the

1782
04:45:35,200 --> 04:45:43,360
change to the policy I'm sorry I I never
forget that the change I'm getting tired

1783
04:45:40,878 --> 04:45:47,280
the change to the policy is just the
title there her name is already in that

1784
04:45:45,760 --> 04:45:53,280
because that was required and we had to
send that to the state that way.

1785
04:45:49,120 --> 04:45:55,760
» I know it is seems very
>> odd

1786
04:45:53,920 --> 04:46:00,240
» odd. I'll let you say it.
>> Yeah. Okay. Well, we understand we have

1787
04:45:58,638 --> 04:46:04,560
to follow what the state's regulation
is. Any other board members have any

1788
04:46:01,760 --> 04:46:08,160
other um questions or changes to this
policy? Okay, Dr. Recker, you go. We'll

1789
04:46:07,280 --> 04:46:13,200
move to the next one.
>> All right. Hazardous walk-in conditions

1790
04:46:10,798 --> 04:46:17,280
policy 6A6.
You'll note that it's a simple language

1791
04:46:14,958 --> 04:46:20,246
change moving from supervisor to
manager. [snorts]

1792
04:46:20,878 --> 04:46:28,480
» Any questions, board? It's very simple,
just supervisor to manager. Okay, Dr.

1793
04:46:26,240 --> 04:46:32,718
Record, good. Absence of bus contractors
policy 6B4.

1794
04:46:30,718 --> 04:46:37,440
You'll notice two areas, excuse me,
three areas of a language change,

1795
04:46:34,878 --> 04:46:42,638
changing supervisor to manager.
>> Okay.

1796
04:46:39,200 --> 04:46:47,680
Board members, any questions?
Okay, Dr. Re, move forward.

1797
04:46:45,440 --> 04:46:53,200
» And school safety and security and
school closure policy 7004.

1798
04:46:51,120 --> 04:46:57,080
There's a minor language change in
supervisor to manager.

1799
04:46:57,760 --> 04:47:05,440
Okay, board members, any questions?
>> The superintendent

1800
04:47:03,120 --> 04:47:08,798
seeks approval for the policy changes as
presented.

1801
04:47:06,878 --> 04:47:13,440
» Okay, board members, if there's no other
questions, can I have a motion and a

1802
04:47:10,240 --> 04:47:16,000
second to approve the revised policy uh
as presented today?

1803
04:47:15,040 --> 04:47:19,680
» So, move.
>> Motion by Miss Mccomomas.

1804
04:47:18,080 --> 04:47:23,200
» Second by Mr. Buchanan. All those in
favor? I.

1805
04:47:20,638 --> 04:47:28,400
» Any opposed? Thank you, Dr. Appreciate
that. Um, also you're the presenter, so

1806
04:47:27,040 --> 04:47:32,840
when you get back up to the podium,
we'll go through the negotiating teams.

1807
04:47:47,040 --> 04:47:54,638
Thank you, Mr. Fonte. As an information
item, there are negotiated team members

1808
04:47:51,760 --> 04:48:02,160
that have been submitted and uh each
year the board um meets and meets

1809
04:47:58,718 --> 04:48:06,320
confers and negotiates uh with both uh
collective bargaining units, unit one

1810
04:48:04,000 --> 04:48:12,320
and unit three. Uh unit one being the
Worcester County Teachers Association.

1811
04:48:08,638 --> 04:48:17,080
The following members are listed for the
board side of the negotiation team.

1812
04:48:18,094 --> 04:48:24,958
» [snorts]
>> Uh, Jennifer Sills, Vince Tolbert,

1813
04:48:21,920 --> 04:48:28,480
Carrie Steers, Dr. Michael Brown, and
Teresa Torpey.

1814
04:48:27,360 --> 04:48:33,360
» And don't forget yourself
>> and and myself. Yep. Sorry. Uh um,

1815
04:48:31,440 --> 04:48:37,120
additionally, the Worcester County
Educational Support and Professional

1816
04:48:34,878 --> 04:48:43,040
Association also negotiates with the
board and uh, that is unit three and

1817
04:48:40,240 --> 04:48:49,760
those negotiated negotiation teams are
presented. myself, Jennifer Sills, Vince

1818
04:48:45,920 --> 04:48:55,760
Tolbert, Carrie Steers, Mr. Ois Collins,
Mr. Sam Sleikum, and Dr. Jennifer Rain.

1819
04:48:54,080 --> 04:48:59,360
» Okay.
And we have a excellent working

1820
04:48:57,600 --> 04:49:05,760
relationship with uh both of our
associations. Uh I know Dr. Wallace um

1821
04:49:02,878 --> 04:49:10,080
meets and discusses in um but when it
comes time for contract negotiations

1822
04:49:07,680 --> 04:49:15,520
each year, it is a requirement. The
negotiation teams will submit their uh

1823
04:49:13,440 --> 04:49:19,280
teams to us in the future months and
then with your uh permission under the

1824
04:49:18,240 --> 04:49:22,080
guise and direction of the
superintendent we will begin the

1825
04:49:21,040 --> 04:49:26,160
negotiating process.
>> Yes, this is updated annually in

1826
04:49:24,160 --> 04:49:30,638
September board. So we always see these
come before us just to let us know who

1827
04:49:28,480 --> 04:49:33,600
is on the negotiation teams.
>> Okay.

1828
04:49:31,600 --> 04:49:37,120
» I just my only question is who decided
these teams?

1829
04:49:34,560 --> 04:49:39,200
» Uh the the superintendent appoints
these.

1830
04:49:37,760 --> 04:49:43,120
» Okay. Yes,
>> I will tell you we decide on these teams

1831
04:49:41,200 --> 04:49:49,760
yearly. We meet as an executive team is
a decision we make. In the past, um

1832
04:49:46,160 --> 04:49:55,520
historically in our historically, um the
same people served on the negotiating

1833
04:49:52,798 --> 04:49:59,360
teams for
lots of times. And so since I become the

1834
04:49:57,840 --> 04:50:03,200
superintendent, I have made sure on a
rotating basis that every single

1835
04:50:00,798 --> 04:50:06,480
principal is getting an opportunity to
serve on the negotiating team. So you

1836
04:50:05,120 --> 04:50:10,560
will see different names here than you
saw last year and you will see different

1837
04:50:08,240 --> 04:50:13,920
names next year because I believe it's
important for everyone to be a part of

1838
04:50:11,840 --> 04:50:17,600
the process. Not for example Annette
Wallace to serve on the negotiating team

1839
04:50:15,440 --> 04:50:21,840
seven times because we you know we only
have those two slots. So we're rotating

1840
04:50:19,840 --> 04:50:28,878
and we've made sure I believe we're down
to one principal who has not served yet

1841
04:50:26,958 --> 04:50:36,160
these people
of these principles have ever served.

1842
04:50:33,920 --> 04:50:43,040
Any other questions, board members?
Okay, moving forward. Um, we have the

1843
04:50:38,400 --> 04:50:48,920
FY28 capital improvement program and um
Dr. Cook will be up here to educate us

1844
04:50:45,760 --> 04:50:48,920
on that.

1845
04:50:50,160 --> 04:50:53,560
Welcome back.

1846
04:50:55,680 --> 04:51:01,600
All right. Thank you, Mr. Ferrante and
fellow board members.

1847
04:50:59,440 --> 04:51:06,560
Each year the local every local
education agency is required to submit a

1848
04:51:03,920 --> 04:51:10,798
capital improvement program or CIP to
the inter agency commission on school

1849
04:51:08,878 --> 04:51:15,680
construction. This year's submission
format may look slightly different um

1850
04:51:12,958 --> 04:51:20,400
from previous years as the IA has
recently as September 1st launched its

1851
04:51:18,080 --> 04:51:24,400
new business management system process
for collecting CIP requests. So if

1852
04:51:22,878 --> 04:51:29,200
anybody has seen one in the past it
looks slightly different. Um, as

1853
04:51:27,280 --> 04:51:33,040
reflected in your board packet, the IST
is still working through some technical

1854
04:51:30,798 --> 04:51:37,600
issues within the new platform. However,
our staff has been working closely with

1855
04:51:34,958 --> 04:51:42,718
the IA to ensure our submission is
completed accurately and that any system

1856
04:51:40,560 --> 04:51:47,040
generated errors are addressed promptly.
Turning now to the FY28 capital

1857
04:51:45,200 --> 04:51:51,920
improvement program. This year's request
includes several key projects that align

1858
04:51:49,600 --> 04:51:55,440
with the memorandum of of understanding
previously approved by the Worcester

1859
04:51:53,360 --> 04:51:59,920
County Board of Education, Worcester
County government, and the IAC. These

1860
04:51:58,160 --> 04:52:04,160
requests include construction funding
for Buckingham Elementary School

1861
04:52:01,920 --> 04:52:08,798
replacement project, construction
funding for the Berlin intermediate

1862
04:52:06,320 --> 04:52:12,400
school replacement project. Also, the
CIP includes construction funding for

1863
04:52:10,798 --> 04:52:17,680
Worcester Technical High School roof
replacement project. In addition, the

1864
04:52:14,638 --> 04:52:22,320
CIP identifies future capital priorities
along with the projected timelines and

1865
04:52:19,600 --> 04:52:27,280
estimated costs, including a roof
replacement project at Steven Kater High

1866
04:52:24,718 --> 04:52:32,240
School, a roof replacement project at
Ocean City Elementary School. This

1867
04:52:30,000 --> 04:52:36,638
afternoon, the superintendent recommends
board approval of the fiscy year FY28

1868
04:52:35,120 --> 04:52:40,798
capital improvement program and
authorization to submit the plan to the

1869
04:52:38,958 --> 04:52:43,920
inter agency commission on school
construction for state review and

1870
04:52:42,320 --> 04:52:49,040
consideration.
Okay, everybody had an opportunity to

1871
04:52:46,480 --> 04:52:54,798
read their 42 pages the capital
improvement program. Dr. Annies, I know

1872
04:52:51,520 --> 04:52:59,840
you did. So, you have a comment, sir?
>> Yes. I I just wanted to thank Brian, Dr.

1873
04:52:57,440 --> 04:53:05,600
Cook, for the excellent job that he's
doing uh in preparing this report as

1874
04:53:03,120 --> 04:53:10,160
well as the other areas of school
construction, renovation, those type

1875
04:53:07,520 --> 04:53:14,958
things. In my conversation with Dr.
Cook, I just want to reiterate what he

1876
04:53:12,160 --> 04:53:19,440
just said. On September 1st, the IA
changed the forms

1877
04:53:17,360 --> 04:53:24,400
and expected
uh everyone to be able to complete those

1878
04:53:21,920 --> 04:53:29,760
forms. However, in changing those forms,
they did not take in consideration all

1879
04:53:27,040 --> 04:53:34,718
the different nuances of the 24
different school systems in the state of

1880
04:53:32,000 --> 04:53:40,638
Maryland, such as, as an example, we
have anou. So when you put theou numbers

1881
04:53:38,000 --> 04:53:46,400
into that magic form that they have, all
of a sudden it doesn't work quite right.

1882
04:53:42,638 --> 04:53:50,320
So if you when you look at the um RCIP,
you'll notice that Dr. Cook put a

1883
04:53:48,480 --> 04:53:55,840
footnote in there to help everyone
understand that the numbers that they

1884
04:53:52,798 --> 04:54:01,840
see don't necessarily adhere to the
numbers they may be expecting because

1885
04:53:59,040 --> 04:54:07,680
the numbers simply don't click because
that form from the IA when you put in a

1886
04:54:04,240 --> 04:54:12,718
number it populates other places. So
consequently,

1887
04:54:09,600 --> 04:54:16,560
I'm hoping uh by the time we present the
CIP to our county government because

1888
04:54:14,718 --> 04:54:20,798
that's the next step after our board
approves it, that will be fixed by the

1889
04:54:19,120 --> 04:54:26,240
uh inter agency commission on school
construction and we'll be able to be

1890
04:54:23,280 --> 04:54:32,240
able to provide them with what I refer
to as a clean form. I hope what I just

1891
04:54:30,718 --> 04:54:38,400
said makes sense to everyone.
>> Yes. Um September 1st is a very odd time

1892
04:54:34,638 --> 04:54:44,240
to to enroll roll out a form that's
statewide and not really test piloted.

1893
04:54:41,120 --> 04:54:48,000
Um we got to see it in um versions in
the summer, but we didn't actually get

1894
04:54:45,440 --> 04:54:53,040
to touch it until September 1st when it
became live. So not not really the

1895
04:54:50,160 --> 04:54:58,240
timing I would have preferred. However,
um we've worked with our local contact

1896
04:54:56,320 --> 04:55:02,000
person and every time we find errors,
which we have found errors that we've

1897
04:55:00,400 --> 04:55:07,680
made sure that we've communicated them.
So our piece on their side is accurate.

1898
04:55:05,200 --> 04:55:12,560
» And just one question,
when does the inter agency commission on

1899
04:55:09,680 --> 04:55:16,560
school construction want this one our
CIP submitted?

1900
04:55:13,920 --> 04:55:20,958
» Um it will be submitted on October 5th.
Um just for those of you guys watching a

1901
04:55:18,560 --> 04:55:24,878
timeline that is the day before our next
commissioner meeting, we've we've gone

1902
04:55:22,798 --> 04:55:28,480
and communicated that their timeline no
longer works with our timeline as well

1903
04:55:26,400 --> 04:55:32,480
as multiple agencies for the state. So,
they will allow us to once we go to

1904
04:55:31,040 --> 04:55:36,638
Worcester County Commissioners, we'll
get that hopefully get our acceptance

1905
04:55:34,160 --> 04:55:41,360
letters and we'll be able to add that as
an addendum onto our application.

1906
04:55:39,440 --> 04:55:44,718
» So, just to clarify so everyone in the
community understands, we get a new form

1907
04:55:42,878 --> 04:55:47,440
on September 1 and they expect
everything to be submitted to them by

1908
04:55:46,560 --> 04:55:49,520
October
>> 5th.

1909
04:55:47,840 --> 04:55:53,600
» 5th.
So, I I thank you for your work. I thank

1910
04:55:51,920 --> 04:55:58,798
you for working through it. I thank you
for working with the staff at the IA uh

1911
04:55:56,878 --> 04:56:01,280
to get through these what I call
hiccups.

1912
04:56:00,240 --> 04:56:06,320
» There have been some technical
challenges on their side. Yes.

1913
04:56:03,360 --> 04:56:10,798
» Thank you. Any other board members? Dr.
Cook, thanks for all your hard work on

1914
04:56:08,718 --> 04:56:15,760
this project. It's appreciated,
especially with the changes coming

1915
04:56:12,240 --> 04:56:21,200
before you. So, um it's not sometimes
they don't make it easy, but uh we

1916
04:56:18,160 --> 04:56:26,480
appreciate it. And um without any other
um questions, can I have a motion and a

1917
04:56:23,680 --> 04:56:30,718
second to approve the FY2028 capital
improvement program and the

1918
04:56:28,240 --> 04:56:34,560
authorization to submit the approved CIP
to the inter agency commission on school

1919
04:56:33,120 --> 04:56:37,040
construction as presented?
>> So moved.

1920
04:56:35,360 --> 04:56:39,920
» Motion by Dr. Andes.
>> Second.

1921
04:56:37,760 --> 04:56:42,240
» Second by Miss Mccomomas. All in favor?
>> I.

1922
04:56:40,320 --> 04:56:46,000
» Any opposed? Thank you, Dr. Cook.
>> Thank you.

1923
04:56:44,400 --> 04:56:50,320
» And now I'm going to turn it over to Dr.
Wallace for our next agenda item. Yes,

1924
04:56:48,560 --> 04:56:53,600
thank you, Mr. Fonte. Uh, just to give
the board and community a little bit of

1925
04:56:51,920 --> 04:56:57,680
background, and Mr. Tolburn might have
to help me with this number. The county

1926
04:56:55,440 --> 04:57:01,360
commissioners uh, in either 2004 or
2009, do you remember which year it was?

1927
04:57:00,480 --> 04:57:07,360
» 2009.
>> 2009. Yes. So, they set up the trust and

1928
04:57:04,798 --> 04:57:12,638
um, signed a document that said there
would be an OPED investment committee to

1929
04:57:09,920 --> 04:57:15,840
our knowledge and the OPED investment
committee and Mr. Tolbert since he's

1930
04:57:14,560 --> 04:57:19,040
been here and I don't know what year he
started but I would guess he was here in

1931
04:57:17,440 --> 04:57:23,760
2009
um has not met and we're fairly

1932
04:57:21,600 --> 04:57:27,680
confident that perhaps they have not met
because the board has a member that is

1933
04:57:25,840 --> 04:57:31,520
appointed that the board of appoints uh
I'll bring you I'm bringing you a

1934
04:57:28,958 --> 04:57:36,160
recommendation to appoint um nonetheless
we got Mr. Mr. Tolbert was notified that

1935
04:57:33,680 --> 04:57:41,200
they would be beginning this uh to meet
again or meet start meeting I don't know

1936
04:57:38,560 --> 04:57:45,920
either uh and that the board I asked for
the documents uh supporting that we were

1937
04:57:43,760 --> 04:57:50,160
sent those from the county um and it
does state that I uh that the board will

1938
04:57:48,560 --> 04:57:55,440
actually has to actually appoint someone
to this committee. So um it is my

1939
04:57:52,878 --> 04:57:59,120
recommendation that our board appoint
Mr. Tolbert who was our chief financial

1940
04:57:57,120 --> 04:58:02,638
officer as our representative to serve
on the OPED um investment committee for

1941
04:58:01,520 --> 04:58:05,920
Worester County.
>> Okay board I think um it was

1942
04:58:04,400 --> 04:58:11,360
Commissioner Gulius
>> who was instrumental in in starting uh

1943
04:58:08,240 --> 04:58:16,560
this committee um at that time and uh
with that I'll call for a motion and a

1944
04:58:13,760 --> 04:58:20,638
second to appoint Vince Tolbert to serve
as the board of education's

1945
04:58:17,680 --> 04:58:23,360
representative on the uh county's OPED
committee.

1946
04:58:21,840 --> 04:58:25,520
» Motion by Mr. Buchanan.
>> Second

1947
04:58:23,840 --> 04:58:26,718
» a second by Miss Mccomomas. All those in
favor?

1948
04:58:26,080 --> 04:58:29,680
» I
>> Okay. Any opposed? Great. Vince, you got

1949
04:58:28,798 --> 04:58:32,544
a new job.
>> Thank you. [laughter]

1950
04:58:33,200 --> 04:58:41,120
» Thank you, Vince. Appreciate it.
>> Okay. Now, it's time for me to open up

1951
04:58:39,760 --> 04:58:45,760
the floor to our fellow board members
for any comments they may have uh

1952
04:58:43,440 --> 04:58:50,798
regarding school system or anything
they'd like to discuss.

1953
04:58:48,400 --> 04:58:54,638
Mrs. Cutlet.
>> Um, first I would like to say that you

1954
04:58:52,480 --> 04:58:58,240
guys do a great job. Good job on the
slides. It was nice to see all the

1955
04:58:56,080 --> 04:59:02,622
excitement at like the first week back
to school, first week or two. So, kudos

1956
04:59:00,798 --> 04:59:06,400
on that. Um, safe homecoming
[clears throat] to Decatur for Hokco

1957
04:59:04,638 --> 04:59:11,600
weekend for all the kids. I know they're
super excited about that. Um, the next

1958
04:59:09,840 --> 04:59:14,560
thing I would like to say, I hate to do
it, but it has to be said, especially on

1959
04:59:13,120 --> 04:59:18,400
a day where it was so exciting and like
a positive, uplifting, everything kind

1960
04:59:16,240 --> 04:59:23,680
of went to another, but somebody a staff
member reached out a few days ago. So,

1961
04:59:20,878 --> 04:59:27,040
I'm going to um just kind of comment on
that, but it was already something that

1962
04:59:24,878 --> 04:59:32,798
was on my own personal radar. I did have
a staff member reach out um and express

1963
04:59:29,360 --> 04:59:38,000
some sincere disappointment, which I do
wholeheartedly share to be honest, about

1964
04:59:35,440 --> 04:59:43,440
the lack of
public

1965
04:59:39,840 --> 04:59:47,520
remembrance of 911. It was also the 25th
year anniversary of this attack by

1966
04:59:45,200 --> 04:59:52,080
terrorists on our country. We lost
nearly 3,000 people that day.

1967
04:59:50,320 --> 04:59:55,360
I don't have a problem seeing that
morning. I woke up personally and I put

1968
04:59:53,760 --> 05:00:01,200
something on my page. I put something on
my business page and um all I saw that

1969
04:59:59,520 --> 05:00:05,840
day was something saying happy Russia
Shana which is totally fine. I have no

1970
05:00:03,120 --> 05:00:10,718
problem with that. However, I do think
that considering

1971
05:00:08,080 --> 05:00:15,520
the significance of that day that we
should have done something um first

1972
05:00:12,480 --> 05:00:19,680
responders, the aftermath, the unity
also of America. I mean, we have

1973
05:00:18,240 --> 05:00:22,718
students of all different backgrounds,
all different races, all different

1974
05:00:20,878 --> 05:00:26,958
religions. I do think that this was a
missed opportunity and I do share the

1975
05:00:25,360 --> 05:00:30,638
disappointment from that person that
reached out. So, I I just have to say

1976
05:00:28,878 --> 05:00:35,040
it.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um, any other board

1977
05:00:33,040 --> 05:00:38,958
members? Dr. Andy's.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Fronti. I wanted to

1978
05:00:37,360 --> 05:00:44,320
express my sincere thanks and
appreciation to, as our superintendent

1979
05:00:42,080 --> 05:00:49,280
said in her report, everyone who worked
hard this summer to get our schools

1980
05:00:45,840 --> 05:00:55,440
ready. uh board of education members. We
were at every single school on the first

1981
05:00:51,760 --> 05:01:00,958
day and it's just absolutely incredible
to see the cleanliness of the building,

1982
05:00:58,560 --> 05:01:05,360
the teacher engagement into the
classrooms, seeing the classrooms

1983
05:01:02,798 --> 05:01:09,680
prepared all for our students to welcome
them back. The smiles on their faces,

1984
05:01:07,840 --> 05:01:14,560
everybody was happy. The weather was
perfect. It was a grand and glorious

1985
05:01:12,000 --> 05:01:19,840
day. And I just want to thank everyone
who works so hard to make sure that the

1986
05:01:17,520 --> 05:01:24,320
first day of school, which in many ways
is probably the one of the most

1987
05:01:21,680 --> 05:01:30,080
important days of the school school year
successful. And I also want to do a

1988
05:01:26,878 --> 05:01:35,360
shout out to the early childhood three
four kindergarten. I don't know how they

1989
05:01:32,798 --> 05:01:40,240
get all the kids on the right buses. I
don't know how they do it. and to our

1990
05:01:36,958 --> 05:01:44,718
bus contractors who in their big yellow
stretch limousines successfully get

1991
05:01:42,878 --> 05:01:49,360
those three and four year olds and five
year olds to the right houses at the end

1992
05:01:46,958 --> 05:01:53,520
of the day. I I don't know how they do
it, but I want just want to thank them.

1993
05:01:51,920 --> 05:01:59,760
And finally, I want to shout out and
thank our faith community.

1994
05:01:56,160 --> 05:02:05,920
our our faith community stood up for us
and as you saw recognized today, they do

1995
05:02:03,040 --> 05:02:13,040
so many things for us in helping support
our students in in just providing

1996
05:02:09,680 --> 05:02:17,200
supplies and materials and encouragement
and all of those kinds of things each

1997
05:02:15,120 --> 05:02:22,480
and every day. So, I want to thank our
faith community. And when I was a high

1998
05:02:19,600 --> 05:02:28,000
school teacher, assistant principal and
principal, I could walk down the hall or

1999
05:02:25,360 --> 05:02:32,320
had kids in the class and I knew who
which kids were part of a faith

2000
05:02:29,600 --> 05:02:37,760
community.
I could tell it right away. So, thank

2001
05:02:35,200 --> 05:02:42,000
you faith community. Thank you Sunday
school teachers. Thank you pastors.

2002
05:02:40,000 --> 05:02:48,400
Thank you lay leaders. Thank you for
everything you do to help our students

2003
05:02:45,440 --> 05:02:55,040
live, learn, and grow in faith. Thank
you.

2004
05:02:51,200 --> 05:02:58,878
» Thank you. Any other board members?
Okay, seeing none, um I'm going to turn

2005
05:02:57,280 --> 05:03:02,560
it over to Dr. Wallace because she has
some um announcements and important

2006
05:03:01,200 --> 05:03:07,520
dates to share with us.
>> Just a couple. Thank you, Mr. Fonte. Um

2007
05:03:05,120 --> 05:03:12,958
on October 7th, our elementary and high
schools are closed for students. Um and

2008
05:03:09,920 --> 05:03:18,080
we will have professional development um
on the for those uh grade bands and our

2009
05:03:16,400 --> 05:03:24,798
middle schools will be open on that day.
On October 16th, schools and offices are

2010
05:03:22,000 --> 05:03:29,360
closed for the MSEA uh convention. That
is the education and support staff

2011
05:03:26,798 --> 05:03:33,840
convention in Ocean City. Um and then on
October 21st is our next regularly

2012
05:03:31,920 --> 05:03:37,680
scheduled board meeting. But remember, I
think on the 22nd maybe you have to

2013
05:03:35,600 --> 05:03:42,400
decorate your trunk like a story. So,
don't don't forget about that, too.

2014
05:03:39,600 --> 05:03:47,120
Maybe. Yeah, the 22nd.
>> Yeah. And I think Yeah, I I I was just

2015
05:03:45,280 --> 05:03:50,638
getting ready to I was on top of it,
Don. I was just getting to remind

2016
05:03:48,798 --> 05:03:55,280
everyone that our next board meeting
because of uh we have some meetings in

2017
05:03:52,560 --> 05:04:00,320
Annapolis will be on a Wednesday. So,
that'll be on October 21st, which is a

2018
05:03:57,600 --> 05:04:05,120
Wednesday. And with that board, I'll ask
for a motion and a second to adjourn

2019
05:04:02,240 --> 05:04:10,240
today's open session meeting. A motion
by Miss Conlet and a second by Miss

2020
05:04:07,600 --> 05:04:14,760
Mccomomas. All those in favor? Any
oppos?

2021
05:04:11,360 --> 05:04:14,760
» We are ajourned.