Dent Dolphin Details
SY24 Family Issue #27
Hello Dolphin Families,
As we kick off another week of learning, let's take a moment to highlight the crucial role of regular school attendance. Attending school daily is fundamental to academic success and overall student development. Each day in the classroom contributes to building a strong foundation for future achievements, instilling a sense of routine, responsibility, and active participation.
Let's collectively support an environment where every student can flourish and realize their full potential through regular school attendance!
All the best,
Mrs. Lindsay G. Brenfleck, Principal
Mr. Joseph D. Farrell, Assistant Principal
Report All Student Absences
Please review the SMCPS Student Handbook for more information about attendance. When your student needs to miss school due to illness or any other lawful absence reason, be sure to use the LMDES Absence Reporting Link or email Mrs. Linda Battenfield (email@example.com) to provide the reason for the absence. Thank you!
- Tues, Mar 12- PTA Meeting
- Mar 12-13- 5th Grade MISA
The Importance of Sleep
It is that time of year where our sleep patterns can be impacted by the time change. This is a great opportunity to make adjustments to bedtime habits. Check out the video below about the importance of a good night's sleep. Lack of sleep can impact a students' ability to be available for learning and regulate their emotions.
Read Across America
Potato Book Characters
Hats off to the creative minds behind the potato book characters!
Your spud-tacular creations peeled away our expectations and mashed together a delightful literary treat.
Green Eggs & Ham
Guest Readers from ESFCU
Oobleck in Pre-Kindergarten
Mrs. Dolinar's pre-kindergarteners experimented with Oobleck last week!
March PTA Meeting
LMDES PTA Meeting
All are welcome to join us in person in the LMDES Media Center or virtually through Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/rco-vzuj-vaa.
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2024, 04:15 AM
LMDES Media Center or Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/rco-vzuj-vaa
Music in our School Month - Primary (K-2) Concert
Final Reminder: 5th Grade MISA
LMDES 5th graders participated in the first two session last week. They will complete the final two sessions on March 12-13 (Tues, Wed). Testing begins at 9:30 and will conclude by 11:00am.
Please schedule appointments accordingly. Thank you!
Conscious Discipline Virtual Workshop Series - March 12
St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is offering a series of Conscious Discipline workshops to Pre-Kindergarten families, Kindergarten families, and local childcare providers.
Participants will learn how to implement effective routines that utilize strategies based on brain science to foster self-regulation skills. These live virtual evening sessions will allow you to interact with a Conscious Discipline Master Instructor from the comfort of your home from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Please select this link for dates and registration information.
School Lunch Highlights
Childhood Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Nutrition is closely linked to overall physical health and is a correlate of academic performance. Meeting both nutritional and physical activity recommendations together is associated with higher academic performance.
MyPlate (https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids) has a variety of helpful resources, games, and activities to get kids started on a healthy eating adventure!
Resource: Start Simple with MyPlate
Helpful Resources & Info Worth Repeating
Dolphins are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn!
Final Blueprint Town Hall: Tuesday, March 12
In implementing the requirements and reform initiatives associated with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, St. Mary’s County Public Schools is inviting stakeholders to learn about each pillar of the Blueprint, its requirements, and current status. As part of the Town Hall sessions, stakeholders will be able to ask questions of staff and provide input in responding to the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of the Blueprint.
Pillar 1: Early Childhood Education - Tue, November 7, 2023
Pillar 4: Resources for Student Success - Tue, December 5, 2023
Pillar 3: College and Career Readiness - Thur, February 8, 2024
Pillar 2: High Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders - Tue, March 12, 2024
All sessions will be held at 6 PM at the Dr. J. A . Forrest Career and Technology Center, and will be livestreamed at www.smcps.org/streaming.
LMDES Author Visit: Michelle Knudsen
Pre-Sale Book Orders due Wednesday, March 20
It is with excitement we announce that Michelle Knudsen will visit LMDES on May 15th. She will read the students one of her stories, discuss different aspects of being an author, and spark a love of reading and excitement about books. What an amazing opportunity!
We are offering copies of Michelle Knudsen’s books for presale so students can get an autograph from her on the day of the event. Select this link for details to pre-order. You may print a copy of the order form or your student may pick up an order form from Ms. Wathen in the Media Center.
Summer Sports Academies
SMCPS Approved Calendars
Online Yearbook Orders
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
SMCPS Evening Counseling
PTA News & Events: Join the PTA!
Select the link to join the LMDES PTA: 23/24 PTA Fam Membership Form - Google Forms.
Why join the PTA? With your help, we will make a big impact this year by advocating for our students, teachers/staff, and school! Your membership helps support a variety of school activities and programs while creating a fun, engaging, and positive community.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $7.00 Single Person Membership // $12.00 Family Membership
By becoming a member, there is no obligation to volunteer but if you would like to do so, please be sure to check "YES" & complete the volunteer registration at the link provided.
Box Tops for Education
Download the Box Tops for Education app, scan your receipts, and earn cash for our school!
For over 25 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn for schools with products they already buy. Today, you can find thousands of participating products throughout the store — and all you need is the Box Tops app.
Thank you for your support!
Cafe & Food Services Information
Meal Benefit Application
Children need healthy meals to learn. SMCPS offers healthy meals every school day.
Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00.
Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Please complete the meal benefit application.
My School Bucks
SMCPS families may pay for school meals with MySchoolBucks! View balances and purchases, schedule automatic payments, receive notifications when your student's meal balance is low, and make payments on the go with the mobile app.
All SMCPS laptops come with the same responsibility of care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please refer to the student accountability newsletter that will be included in each weekly school newsletter.
Schoology is the SMCPS Learning Management System (LMS).
Schoology has a Mobile App!
New families that did not receive the notification about their Schoology Parent Account should email firstname.lastname@example.org to inquire about their account.
Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new application every school year.