24-25 Calendar

2024-2025 CALENDAR

Rev. 3-24-25

ABOUT OUR COVER: Artist: Andre Williams Worcester Technical High School Art Teacher: Alex Tobiassen

WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

A NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Students & Families, Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year!

This time of year is always one of my favorites, as it holds so much promise and excitement as our students, faculty/staff, and their families kick off a new year of learning.

Every member of Worcester County Public Schools has been hard at work throughout the summer to ensure our schools were ready to welcome our students back for their first day of school. In addition to holding our summer academies and camps, teachers and administrators participated in rigorous professional development opportunities targeting instructional practice, technology, and how to support students’ mental and behavioral health needs.

Our support staff have also been busy as they ensure our buildings are safe, secure, and welcoming as we open our doors to students and visitors alike.

And, lastly, at the county level, we have been working diligently on the continued implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a comprehensive new strategic direction for all Maryland schools to transform learning. If you are interested in learning more about the Blueprint and how Worcester is implementing this landmark legislation, please visit https:// tinyurl.com/WCBlueprint.

The Worcester County Board of Education is comprised of seven members who are elected (by district) by the voters of Worcester County.

The term of office is four years. In addition, the Board has three non-voting student members who represent each high school. Board members elect a president and vice president from among the membership.

2024 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS President: Todd A. Ferrante, District 7 Vice President: William E. Buchanan, District 1 Katie A. Addis, District 6 Jon M. Andes, Ed.D., District 3 William L. Gordy, District 4 Elena J. McComas, District 5 Donald C. Smack, Sr., District 2 Teresa Guo, Student Representative - Pocomoke High School Chloe Hoffler, Student Representative - Snow Hill High School Lucas Popielaski, Student Representative - Stephen Decatur High School

As this school year begins, I hope that you will join us in celebration and partnership. To do so, we ask that you simply continue to build excitement and encourage a positive attitude about school with your child. This positive attitude can be a gamechanger as we collectively reinforce the importance of regular attendance at school. And lastly, keep reiterating how students’ perseverance and grit with their classwork remains critically important well beyond that first day of school.

Again, on behalf of the Board of Education and the entire faculty and staff of Worcester County Public Schools, we thank you for your support, and look forward to working together to help your child(ren) realize success this year.

All the Best for a Successful School Year,

Louis H. Taylor, Superintendent of Schools

September 2024 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 17 Volunteer Orientation 23 SIAC Meeting 24 Fall Picture Day

Showell Elementary School 12 Volunteer Orientation 19 Back to School Night 23 SIAC Meeting

Buckingham Elementary School 12 Back to School Night 18 SIAC Meeting

Snow Hill Elementary School 18 SIAC Meeting

Cedar Chapel Special School 11 Red, White, Blue Day 18 SIAC Meeting Ocean City Elementary School 12 Back to School Night 19 SIAC Meeting 24 Fall Picture Day Pocomoke Elementary School 19 Pocomoke Area Schools’ Community Celebration Pocomoke High School 18 Picture Day 19 Pocomoke Area Schools’ Community Celebration 24 Fall Blood Drive Pocomoke Middle School 16 SIAC Meeting 19 Pocomoke Area Schools’ Community Celebration

Snow Hill High School 6 Hall of Fame Game 7 Hall of Fame Banquet 18 SIAC Meeting 24 Picture Day Snow Hill Middle School 11 Red, White, Blue Day 18 SIAC Meeting Stephen Decatur High School 4 Band Boosters 5 Back to School Night 10 Choral Boosters 11 Athletic Boosters 12 After Prom Meeting 16 SIAC Meeting 24 NEHS Inductions Stephen Decatur Middle School 18 SIAC Meeting Worcester Technical High School 26 Parent Conferences

October 2024 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 9 Parent Conferences 28 SIAC Meeting 29 Picture Retake Day Buckingham Elementary School 1 School Pictures 10 Parent Conferences 15 Literacy Night 24 Title 1 Campfire Night 30 SIAC Meeting Cedar Chapel Special School 9 Dental Screening Day 10 Vision-Hearing Screening Day 16 SIAC Meeting Ocean City Elementary School 7-12 Book Fair 10 Parent Conferences Pocomoke Elementary School 3 Muffins with Men 9 Volunteer Orientation 10 Parent Conferences 24 Trunk or Treat Pocomoke High School 11 Career Fair Homecoming Games 12 Homecoming Dance 14 Senior Portrait Retakes 16 SIAC Meeting Pocomoke Middle School 8 Parent Conferences 21 SIAC Meeting

Showell Elementary School 10 Parent Conferences 15 Literacy Night 21 SIAC Meeting 28 Music Program (Gr. 1) Snow Hill Elementary School 7 SH Spirit Week 8 Parent Conferences 16 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill High School 11 Homecoming Game 12 Homecoming Dance 16 SIAC Meeting 24 MCJROTC Fall Promotion Ceremony Senior Application Day FAFSA & Scholarship Night Snow Hill Middle School 7-11 Spirit Week 9 Parent Conferences 16 SIAC Meeting Stephen Decatur High School 2 Band Boosters 3 Parent Conferences Parent Meeting (Gr. 12) 8 Choral Boosters 9 Athletic Boosters Band Boosters 10 After Prom Meeting 11 Homecoming Game 12 Homecoming Dance 17 Presidential Service Awards 21 SIAC Meeting Stephen Decatur Middle School 2 Parent Conferences Worcester Technical High School 5 Golf Tournament

November 2024 | School Activities Buckingham Elementary School 17 Book Fair 20 Muffins in the Morning (Gr. 3 & 4) 21 Music Program (Gr. 2) Cedar Chapel Special School 22 Family AAC Education Family Fun Day Ocean City Elementary School 15 Fall Picture Day Make-up 21 SIAC Meeting Pocomoke Elementary School 7 Paint Night 14 Hispanic Heritage Celebration Q1 Student Awards Pocomoke High School 12 Picture Make-Ups 18 SIAC Meeting 20 National Honor Society Inductions Pocomoke Middle School 14-15 Quarter 1 Awards 18 SIAC Meeting

Snow Hill Elementary School 22 Recognition Rally (Gr. 1-3) Snow Hill High School 7 USMC Birthday Ceremony 12 NHS Induction 21 PBIS Thanksgiving Feast Snow Hill Middle School 21 Q1 Awards (Gr. 4 & 5) 22 Q1 Honors Tea (Gr. 6-8) Stephen Decatur High School 6 Band Boosters 12 Choral Boosters 13 Athletic Boosters 14 After Prom Meeting 18 SIAC Meeting Stephen Decatur Middle School 13 SIAC Meeting 20 Health and Career Fair Worcester Technical High School 7-8 SkillsUSA Fall Conference 21 Parent Conferences

December 2024 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 10 Chorus Concert 17 Winter Band/Orchestra Concert Buckingham Elementary School 9-13 Bucky’s Holiday Fair 12 Music Program (Gr. 3) 14 SIAC Meeting 15 Music Program (Gr. PK3 & PK4) Cedar Chapel Special School 18 SIAC Meeting 19 Holiday Celebration Party United Sound Performance Ocean City Elementary School 9-13 Holiday Shoppe 12 Music Program (Gr. 3) Pocomoke Elementary School 5 Gingerbread House Event 17 Winter Music Program Pocomoke High School 13 Career Cafe 20 Winter Community Tribe Time Band/Chorus Concert Pocomoke Middle School 10 Band Concert 12 Chorus Concert 17 Parent Conferences

Showell Elementary School 12 Music Program (Gr. 3) Snow Hill Elementary School 17 Christmas Concert 18 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill High School 17 Winter Choral & Band Concert 18 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill Middle School 17 SH Area Choral Concert 19 Band/United Sound Concert Stephen Decatur High School 2-7 Children’s Theatre 4 Band Boosters 10 Choral Boosters 11 Choral Concert Athletic Boosters 12 Parent Conferences After Prom Meeting 18 Band Concert Stephen Decatur Middle School 9 Choral Performance 11 Band Performance

Student Artwork by Ariel Deisem

January 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 8 Parent Conferences Buckingham Elementary School 6 Parent Conferences Cedar Chapel Special School 15 SIAC Meeting Ocean City Elementary School 9 Parent Conferences 30 SIAC Meeting Pocomoke Elementary School 9 Parent Conferences 18 Jingle Jangle Holiday Storytime Pocomoke High School 14 Winter Blood Drive 17 Senior Portrait Retakes Pocomoke Middle School 13 SIAC Meeting Showell Elementary School 14 SIAC Meeting

Snow Hill Elementary School 7 Parent Conferences 15 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill High School 15 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill Middle School 8 Parent Conferences 15 SIAC Meeting Stephen Decatur High School 3-4 War on the Shore 8 Band Boosters Athletic Boosters 9 After Prom Meeting 14 Choral Boosters 15 Parent Meetings (Gr. 10 & 11) 23 Intro Show Stephen Decatur Middle School 21 Parent Conferences Worcester Technical High School 16 STEM/Trades Night

School Closing & Delay Information School closing and delay information is posted to the following locations by 5:30 a.m. on affected school days.

Twitter: @WorcesterSystem Facebook: FB.me/WorcesterSystem On the Web: www.worcesterk12.org On Television: WBOC 16, WMDT 47 School system families also receive notification through the WCPS Thrillshare notification system. Check with your child’s school to make sure you are signed up for notifications and that your contact information is accurate.

January 2025 SUNDAY

MONDAY

www.worcesterk12.org TUESDAY

Notes:

WEDNESDAY 1

THURSDAY 2

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

3

4

New Year’s Day Kwanzaa Ends

5

6

7

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Winter Break

Hanukkah Ends

8

9

10

11

WCTA Meeting

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

High School Exams

High School Exams End of 2nd Marking Period (46 Days)

EARLY DISMISSAL: All Students

EARLY DISMISSAL: All Students

30

31

26

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Martin Luther King Day

Board of Education Meeting

27

28

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Professional Day

29

Elementary-Middle School Report Cards Issued

February 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 24 SIAC Meeting

Ocean City Elementary School 26 Parent Conferences

Snow Hill High School 25 8th Grade Parent Night Parent Conferences 27 Mu Alpha Theta Induction Rho Kappa Induction

Pocomoke Elementary School 6 Q2 Student Awards 7 Dancing Through the Decades 19 African American Read-In

Snow Hill Middle School 13 Q2 Awards (Gr. 4 & 5) 14 Q2 Honors Tea (Gr. 6-8) 26 Math Honor’s Society Ceremony

Pocomoke High School 10 SIAC Meeting 14 Career Fair 25 Mu Alpha Theta Inductions

Stephen Decatur High School 5 Band Boosters 11 Choral Boosters 12 Athletic Boosters 13 S2 Back to School Night After Prom Meeting 24 SIAC Meeting 27 Parent Night (Gr. 8)

Pocomoke Middle School 6-7 Quarter 2 Awards 10 SIAC Meeting Showell Elementary School 6 Parent Conferences Snow Hill Elementary School 14 Recognition Rally (Gr. 1-3)

Stephen Decatur Middle School 24 SIAC Meeting 27-28 Drama Performance Worcester Technical High School 8 SkillsUSA Local Championship 20 Parent Conferences

Title IX Coordinator

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), to the Title IX coordinator. Please make a verbal or written report using the following contact information: Chief Operations and Human Relations Officer, Worcester County Board of Education, 6270 Worcester Highway, Newark, MD 21841, 410632-5000, TitleIX@worcesterk12.org

Non-Discrimination Statement

Worcester County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, or genetic information or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Dwayne Abt, Chief Operations and Human Relations Officer, 410632-5000. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office of Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: http://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

February 2025 SUNDAY

MONDAY

www.worcesterk12.org

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY 1

Notes:

Black History Month Mid-Term Reports Issued: February 24 - February 28

2

3

4

5

National School Counseling Week

Adult Education Semester II Classes Begin

Board of Education Budget Work Session

WCTA Meeting

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Presidents’ Day

Board of Education Meeting

24

25

26

27

28

23

6

7

8

High School Report Cards Issued

March 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 12 Parent Conferences 26 Drama Production (Gr. 5) Buckingham Elementary School 19 Music Program (Gr. 1) 26 Title 1 Math Night Ocean City Elementary School 19 SIAC Meeting 27 Music Program (Gr. 4) Pocomoke Elementary School 3-7 Spring Book Fair 6 Parent Conferences 7 Dr. Seuss Day 13 Family Literacy Night Pocomoke High School 13 Community Tribe Time Rising Warrior Night 17 SIAC Meeting Pocomoke Middle School 4 Parent Conferences 10 SIAC Meeting

Showell Elementary School 5 Family Night 10 SIAC Meeting 13 Music Program (Gr. 2) 27 Chorus Concert Snow Hill Elementary School 4 Parent Conferences Snow Hill High School 27-30 Theater Spring Musical Snow Hill Middle School 6 Parent Conferences 14 Math Pi Day Stephen Decatur High School 5 Band Boosters 11 Choral Boosters 12 Athletic Boosters 13 After Prom Meeting 20-22 Theatre Production 27 Parent Conferences NHS Inductions Stephen Decatur Middle School 19 NJHS Induction 27 SIAC Meeting

2024 Teacher of the Year Congratulations to Gabrielle Remington, reading interventionist at Stephen Decatur Middle School.

In April 2024, Ms. Remington was named Worcester County Teacher of the Year! She will represent Worcester County at the state level.

March 2025 SUNDAY

www.worcesterk12.org

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Notes:

SATURDAY 1

Women’s History Month

Ramadan

2

3

4

National School Breakfast Week

5

6

7

8

13

14

15

WCTA Meeting

9

10

11

12

Daylight Saving Time Begins

16

WCPS Job Fair

17

18

19

Board of Education Meeting

23

24

30

25

Eid-al-Fitr

31

20

21

22

28

29

Countywide Media Expo

26

27

April 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 14 Drama Production I (Gr. 6) 15 Drama Production II (Gr. 6) 17 Jr. Seahawks on the Move 28 SIAC Meeting Buckingham Elementary School 8 Spring Picture Day 9 SIAC Meeting 10 Bike to School 15 Title 1 Science/Tech Night 16 Muffins in the Morning (Gr. 1 & 2) Cedar Chapel Special School 7-11 Poetry Week 16 SIAC Meeting 30 Poetry Night Ocean City Elementary School 2 Panoramic Picture Day (Gr. 4) 9 Music Program (Gr. 1) 8 Sping Picture Day Pocomoke Elementary School 3 Food Prep Event 10 Family Reading Day 16 Talent Show 17 Q3 Student Awards Pocomoke High School 12 Prom After Prom 14 SIAC Meeting 17 Career Fair

Pocomoke Middle School 8 Choir Concert 14 SIAC Meeting 16 Band Concert Showell Elementary School 3 Parent Conferences 10 Music Program (Gr. K) 30 SIAC Meeting Snow Hill Elementary School 25 Recognition Rally (Gr. 1-3) Snow Hill High School 12 Prom After Prom 23 Snow Hill Rotary TOY SIAC Meeting 24 MCJROTC Promotion Ceremony Snow Hill Middle School 9 Art Honor Society Ceremony 24 Q3 Award (Gr. 4 & 5) 25 Q3 Honors Tea (Gr. 6-8) Stephen Decatur High School 2 Band Boosters 8 Choral Boosters 9 Athletic Boosters 10 After Prom Meeting 16 Mu Alpha Theta Inductions 28 SIAC Meeting 29 WeXL Banquet Worcester Technical High School 5 FFA Spring Judging

Student Artwork by Magnolia Harris-Blackburn

April 2025 SUNDAY

www.worcesterk12.org

MONDAY

TUESDAY 1

6

13

7

14

8

15

Countywide Fine Arts Festival

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2

3

4

WCTA Meeting

End of 3rd Marking Period (47 Days)

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Professional Day

9

10

11

12

Report Cards Issued

Passover

18

19

16

17

5

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Spring Break

Board of Education Meeting

20

21

22

23

Easter

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Spring Break

Earth Day

Administrative Professional Day

27

28

29

30

24

25

Arbor Day

Notes:

26

May 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 13 Chorus Concert 20 Band Concert (Gr. 5) 22 Band Concert (Gr. 6) 29 Orchestra Concert

Snow Hill Elementary School 8 Big Draw 13 Muffins Event (Gr. PK-K) Early Childhood Concert 23 Field Day

Buckingham Elementary School 8 SIAC Meeting 14 Muffins in the Morning (Gr. K) 28 Music and Movement Concert (PK4) 30 Field Day

Snow Hill High School 13 WeXL Banquet 15 Spring Choral & Band Concert AP Picnic 17 Chorus Music in the Parks 19 Senior Car Parade 21 Senior Graduate Awards 27 Baccalaureate 29 Graduation

Cedar Chapel Special School 9 Prom 16 Field Day 21 United Sound Performance 22 Senior Walk 30 Graduation Ocean City Elementary School 8 SIAC Meeting 15 Music Program (Gr. 2) Pocomoke Elementary School 1 Spring Music Program 8 Career Day 9 Lemonade with Ladies 22 Asian American Pacific Heritage Celebration 23 Field Day Pocomoke High School 7 Band & Chorus Concert & Awards 8 ROTC Awards 15 WeXL Banquet 16 Senior Walk Class of 2024 Car Parade 18 Baccalaureate 20 Intent Night 22 Senior Awards 27 Graduation Pocomoke Middle School 9-10 Play/Musical Showell Elementary School 30 Field Day

Snow Hill Middle School 21 Band Concert 22 Chorus Concert Graduate Walk Stephen Decatur High School 1 Band Concert 7 Choral Concert Band Boosters 8 After Prom Meeting 10 Prom & After Prom 12 School Senior Awards 13 Choral Boosters 14 Athletic Boosters Community Senior Awards 15-17 Shakespeare Performance 20 Senior Stroll & Breakfast 21 Boardwalk Procession 22 Boardwalk Procession (Raindate) 27 Baccalaureate 28 Graduation 31 Graduation (Raindate) Stephen Decatur Middle School 8 Family Night 14 Choral Performance 16 Formal Dance (Gr. 8) 19 Band Performance 22 SIAC Meeting Worcester Technical High School 1 NTHS Inductions 9 FFA Spring Banquet

May 2025 SUNDAY

www.worcesterk12.org

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Notes:

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Mid-Term Reports Issued: May 12-16

4

5

6

National Teacher Appreciation Week

7

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3

8

9

10

WCTA Meeting

National Music Week

11

12

Mother’s Day

WCTA Service Awards & Retirement Reception

18

19

National Teacher Day

National School Nurse Day

13

14

15

16

17

20

21

22

23

24

28

29

30

31

Board of Education Meeting

25

26

SCHOOLS CLOSED: Memorial Day

27

June 2025 | School Activities Berlin Intermediate School 2 Honors Tea (Gr. 5) 4 Rise Up Ceremony (Gr. 6) 5 Field Day (Gr. 5) 6 Sports Day (Gr. 6)

Showell Elementary School 5 Bridging Ceremony (Gr. 4)

Buckingham Elementary School 13 Recognition Ceremony (Gr. 4)

Snow Hill High School 1 Graduation Rain Date

Cedar Chapel Special School 10 Awards Day

Snow Hill Middle School 12 Promotion Ceremony (Gr. 8)

Ocean City Elementary School 2-3 Field Day 5 Graduation (Gr. 4)

Stephen Decatur High School 5 Theatre Performance

Snow Hill Elementary School 5 Bridging Ceremony (Gr. 3)

Pocomoke Elementary School 3-4 Promotion Ceremony (Gr. 3)

Stephen Decatur Middle School 3 Honors Assembly (Gr. 7) 5 Honors Assembly (Gr. 8)

Pocomoke Middle School 12 Promotion Ceremony (Gr. 8)

Worcester Technical High School 23-27 SkillsUSA National Convention

Stay Informed All Summer Schools out, but you can still follow Worcester County Public Schools all summer long for news and information! Like, follow & share WCPS using the below social media channels.

Twitter: @WorcesterSystem Facebook: FB.me/WorcesterSystem Instagram: WorcesterSystem YouTube: WorcesterSystem On the Web: www.worcesterk12.org

June 2025 SUNDAY 1

www.worcesterk12.org

MONDAY 2

TUESDAY 3

WEDNESDAY 4

THURSDAY 5

FRIDAY 6

SATURDAY 7

Eid al-Adha

WCTA Meeting

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

27

28

Flag Day

High School Exams

Father’s Day

EARLY DISMISSAL: All Students

22

23

29

30

Board of Education Meeting High School Exams End of 4th Marking Period (49 Days) Tentative Last Day of School

SCHOOLS/OFFICES CLOSED: Juneteenth

EARLY DISMISSAL: All Students

24

25

26