Kent County Public Schools

Education Ed Notes

KCPS Offers Summer Programs for Children

May 12, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Whether they are in pre-school, high school or any grade in between, Kent County Public Schools has summer programs for students of all ages.

The Infants and Toddlers Program will be hosting six weeks of playgroups in various locations in Kent County for children who are registering for pre-kindergarten in the fall or for any 3-year-old that parents or guardians have concerns about the child’s social or emotional skills.

The Playgroups will meet at local parks for a total of six sessions beginning the week of June 20 and running through July. Each session will include a read aloud, an activity, playtime and a learning activity to enjoy at home.

Teachers will be on site to lead a learning activity and facilitate learning through play.

Locations are Betterton Park, Galena Park, the Rock Hall Civic Center and the Woodsedge community near Fairlee.

Materials and snacks will be provided.

Families of early learners at H.H. Garnet Elementary School are invited to join Cub Club this summer.

Open only to Garnet students entering pre-k, kindergarten of first grade, this intervention program is designed to reinforce the 7 Domains of Early Learning and prepare students for the next grade.

This project-based learning program will feature a Gardening theme. Assemblies will be held each Thursday.

The Cub Club is running July 11-28. It will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown.

Transportation and food will be provided.

All elementary students in Kent County Public Schools, from kindergarten through fifth grade, can sign up for one of this summer’s Acceleration Academies.

These summer programs are based at Galena Elementary School, H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown and Rock Hall Elementary School. They offer academic learning experiences and off-site exploration opportunities.

The Academic Academies at the elementary schools will be held July 11-28. They run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Transportation and food will be provided.

An Acceleration Academy is available for all students entering sixth, seventh or eighth grade this fall at Kent County Middle School.

The academy’s focus this summer is applied literacy and math.

The middle school Acceleration Academy is running July 11-28. It meets from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Kent County Middle School in Chestertown.

Transportation and food will be provided.

Students who will be entering ninth grade this fall are invited an Exploratory Learning program this summer being held at Kent County Middle School.

This one week-only opportunity is being offered July 5-8. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Kent County Middle School in Chestertown.

Transportation and food will be provided.

For those students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade, Kent County Public Schools is providing a Credit Recovery opportunity.

This is being offered at Kent County Middle School in Chestertown July 5-28. The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Transportation and food will be provided.

To learn more these programs, visit www.smore.com/escnb. Register online at tinyurl.com/2yu4upwe.

First Friday Celebrates KCHS Seniors, Features School Events

May 4, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

This month’s First Friday in Chestertown has a Kent County Public Schools theme, with a downtown celebration of seniors, an exhibition of student artwork and special events at H.H. Garnet Elementary School.

The Kent County High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association has partnered with the Downtown Chestertown Association to recognize the Class of 2022.

For First Friday, May 6, High Street will be closed between Cross Street and Spring Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. to bring the community together to celebrate Kent County High School’s graduating class.

Local businesses with be displaying pictures of graduates in their store fronts. Dr. Keith Wharton will be leading the Kent County High School Jazz Band in a performance from 6:15 p.m.to 7 p.m. The Walker Family food truck will be out as well. Local radio station WCTR will be broadcasting from the downtown celebration.

Attendees are encouraged to wear the school colors of blue and gold, enjoy the downtown and help celebrate the Kent County High School Class of 2022.

Also downtown, Chestertown RiverArts is hosting the opening night of its “Art is Elemental” exhibition featuring artwork by students of all ages in Kent County Public Schools. There will be a reception for artists, their families, guests and teachers from 5 to 7 p.m. during First Friday.

The exhibition will remain up at RiverArts through May 29. The gallery is located at 315 High St., Suite 106.

Just up the street, H.H. Garnet Elementary School is hosting a Community School Resource Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. with local organizations, including Kent County Public Schools’ Judy Center and Family Support Resource Center, the YMCA, the Kent County Public Library, the Department of Social Services, the Chestertown Police Department, the Kent County Local Management Board, Minary’s Dream Alliance, Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s and more. A food truck from El Manantial Tex-Mex Restaurant in Centreville will be at the school.

In addition, special guests Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, the Chestertown husband-and-wife creative team behind such book series as “The Real McCoys” and “The Cookie Chronicles,” will be on hand with a special opportunity for attendees.

Swanson and Behr are preparing for a cross-country tour with their family in a school bus. They will be stopping at schools and donating copies of their books.

The bus is still being converted and First Friday attendees will have the opportunity to help. It will be parked at Garnet Elementary School that evening and community members will be encouraged to pick up a paintbrush and help fill in a mural created and outlined by Behr on the bus.

Garnet Elementary School is located at 320 Calvert St.

KCA’s Resident Artist Working with KCPS Students

May 3, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Teachers and students in Kent County Public Schools have been working with a special guest throughout the spring, artist Kayti Didriksen whose efforts are culminating in some big projects.

Born in Cheverly in Prince George’s County, Didriksen has lived all over the country. She is currently on the Eastern Shore as the Kent Cultural Alliance artist in residence through June.

As part of her residency, Didriksen has been spending a lot time in Kent County Public Schools, working with students of all ages and skill levels to create art.

Kent Cultural Alliance Artist in Residence Kayti Didriksen, left, joins Kent County Middle School art teacher Janet McCormick in McCormick’s classroom earlier this spring.

“It’s super fun for me to engage with kids in any type of creativity,” she said, thinking back on her own childhood and her love of art. “I always try to be the kind of adult I needed as a kid.”

Thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kent Cultural Alliance is investing in a new residency program that will grow the number of guest artists and creative opportunities the organization can share with teachers and students at Kent County Public Schools.

“The Kent Cultural Alliance is really excited to be able to bring Kayti into the public schools,” said Executive Director John Schratwieser. “Kayti’s gift as an artist lies in her ability to maximize engagement in learning through art and to include every student and teacher in that process. We look forward to expanding our long-standing partnership with Kent County Public Schools through this new residency program.”

Kayti Didriksen, artist in residence with the Kent Cultural Alliance, works with Kent County Middle School student Selena Hernandez Perez on blending paints to change colors.

As an artist, Didriksen has not tied herself one medium. She loves color and capturing movement.

She enjoys blind contour drawing — a hand-eye coordination exercise that teaches seeing without passing judgement, by not looking at the page when you trace contours with your eyes and record with your hand. She builds on those works, creating brightly colored tableaux and murals.

Earlier this spring, she could be found in Rock Hall Elementary School doing blind contour drawings of Ashton Moody’s music class.

Didriksen also paints with a palette knife, which she demonstrated to students in Janet McCormick’s art class at Kent County Middle School in Chestertown.

Another passion is collaborating with children in creating art.

“I’m just tickled to have access to creating with and around kids,” she said. “It’s nice to just get to be like, ‘We’re going to do this. We’re going to make a mess.’ Creativity exists in the messes. The interesting stuff happens on the fringy edges.”

Didriksen has been most engaged with the middle schoolers here, where she collaborated with McCormick in building on students’ skills.

“It’s been a nice collaboration between her and I,” Didriksen said. “And the kids were engaged. I felt like they were getting it.”

Those blind contour drawings she did at Rock Hall Elementary School are being used to create a three-panel mural with the help of students.

“I’m very excited to paint this mural. It’s one of my favorite things to do — to paint large,” she said. “And that opportunity is fantastic to have, especially since the subject is kids and that’s really fun for me too.”

Didriksen has spent time in H.H Garnet Elementary School teaching students some basics like line drawing. She plans to work with them on a mosaic mural birdbath for the school’s Good Seeds Garden.

Didriksen also has been excited about getting out to Kent County High School to work with older students.

“I feel like I can really make an impact on those kids and teach them some good art skills,” she said of the high schoolers.

Didriksen is clearly enjoying her time in Kent County and the schools.

“The community is great. They’re supportive,” she said. “The teachers at the schools are a huge part of that. I really appreciate that they welcomed me in to collaborate with me.”

McCormick said her middle school students have been enjoying classes with Didriksen.

“My students really push themselves when Kayti instructs them and I think it’s because she makes the learning environment fun and energetic, like she is,” McCormick said.

McCormick said that Didriksen provides added inspiration for students because she is a working artist. That helps students see the career potential in being an artist.

Didriksen’s art lessons in Kent County Public Schools have extended beyond working with students in classrooms. She also has participated in professional development activities with teachers here.

“Kayti has really inspired me to mix up my lessons as well and refocus more on the content and less on the result, which is a valuable observation,” McCormick said.”It’s been wonderful having her in the classroom and I am just very appreciative of her sharing her artistic knowledge with us. I am personally a better teacher because of the professional development that I have gained from this Artist in Residence experience.”

Didriksen stresses the importance of the arts in a child’s education.

“Arts teach creativity, which is important for any idea-generating system,” she said.”They offer resiliency. You have to fail 1,000 times before you come up with something you want to show other people.”

She spoke about the emotional impact of art as well. She said the arts provide stress relief and help people deal with difficult feelings they may be having.

“Arts can teach you how to regulate your own emotions. Just by scribbling or drawing, you don’t have to put words to something you don’t understand. You can just work through it in your own space,” she said.

No matter what form it takes — such as music, visual arts or dance — that self-expression gets to core of what it is to be human, Didriksen said.

You can find Didriksen and examples of her work at www.facebook.com/Kaytididart.

KCHS Students Take Second in Computer Competition at SU

April 22, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

A team of Kent County High School students placed second overall in the Eastern Shore High School Computer Competition.

The Eastern Shore High School Computer Competition was held Wednesday, March 30 at Salisbury University, with eight teams competing. Each team consisted of three students.

Kent County High School students, from left, Eddie Blevins, Christopher Hinton and Samuel Peregoy placed second as a team in the Eastern Shore High School Computer Competition held last month at Salisbury University. Hitchens also placed third individually in the competition.

Kent County High School’s Eddie Blevins, Christopher Hinton and Samuel Peregoytook second place honors as a team. Hinton also came in third overall in individual rankings.

“I am so incredibly proud of the work that was put in by these three students,” said William Poore, supervisor of technology for Kent County Public Schools and the coach for the high school team. “To see Kent County Public Schools not only compete, but out-perform larger, more well established programs, was such an eye-opening experience to the incredible things that our students are doing.”

Seated at the front workstations, Kent County High School students, from left, Christopher Hinton, Samuel Peregoy and Eddie Blevins compete in the Eastern Shore High School Computer Competition at Salisbury University.

Competition participants worked separately and submitted programs. They wrote programs in either Python or Java computer languages to determine solutions to a round of problems.

The students’ solutions, as well as the total time for submitting correct programs in case of a tie, were used to determine the winners.

Miller, Shoge Receive April Golden Anchor Awards

April 20, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Two Kent County Public Schools staff members received this month’s Golden Anchor Awards for their work.

DeLia Shoge, a special education teacher at Kent County Middle School, and Courtney Miller, a social worker at Kent County High School each received a Golden Anchor Award at a Board of Education meeting held Thursday, April 7.

Special education teacher DeLia Shoge, center, is joined by her family as she receives the Golden Anchor Award. From left are Kent County Public Schools Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch, Shoge and her husband Sam Shoge holding their 2-year-old daughter Audre Shoge.

The Golden Anchor Award is presented every month to staff members who exemplify the mission and core values of Kent County Public Schools.

“Kent County Public Schools is an anchor organization that creates an environment of academic excellence through a collaborative, equitable and rigorous learning community,” the mission statement reads.

This month’s winners were announced by Dan Hushion, supervisor of human resources for Kent County Public Schools. Hushion said Shoge and Miller were among 25 staff members nominated for the April Golden Anchor Award.

Courtney Miller, center, a social worker at Kent County High School, is honored with the Golden Anchor Award. Joining her here are Dr. Karen Couch, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools,and Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion.

In recognizing Shoge, Hushion spoke about how students appreciate her energy and her encouragement as they push through their struggles and break barriers.

“She does her best to make education equitable, to provide students with what they need in order to be successful,” Hushion said. “She also collaborates with her peers in order to provide the very best possibilities and instruction for the students she works with.”

Speaking about Miller, Hushion called her a great model for students. He spoke about the challenges of being a social worker and how Miller has the best intentions for students.

“She wears her passion for her job on her sleeve as well as in her heart,” Hushion said. “She deserves all the recognition she can get for all her hard work in these tough times in the world and in school.”

KCPS Student Artists Featured in First Lady’s Exhibition

April 7, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Three student artists in Kent County Public Schools were honored this spring for their work by Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan. From left are “Snowy Cabin” by H.H. Garnet Elementary School student Charlotte Conover, “Otters” by Khaleb Tingle and “Birds” by Olivia Blusk, both students at Kent County Middle School.

The artwork of three Kent County Public Schools students received statewide recognition this spring.

Charlotte Conover, a second-grader at H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown, and Kent County Middle School seventh-grader Khaleb Tingle are currently featured artists in Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan’s spring art show.

A piece by Olivia Blusk, also a seventh-grader at Kent County Middle School, is set to be included in an upcoming exhibition.

Conover received the highest score among elementary artists in the First Lady’s show for her mixed media piece “Snowy Cabin.” Conover will be receiving a trophy, a gift card and a citation from Gov. Larry Hogan.

Aimée Boumiea, visual arts teacher at Garnet and Galena elementary schools, is excited that Conover’s artwork stood out to the judges.

“I am so proud of Charlotte,” Boumiea said. “She is very thoughtful and considers many possibilities before creating her artwork. This particular project took her three art classes to complete and she preserved through it.”

Tingle is among the artists featured in the First Lady’s virtual exhibition, as well. The seventh-grader’s pencil sketch “Otters” is currently on display in the show.

Blusk received recognition her pencil sketch “Birds,” which will be a part of another exhibition later this year.

The pieces by Tingle and Blusk were submitted by Kent County Middle School art teacher Janet McCormick.

“Snowy Cabin” by Conover and “Otters” by Tingle are on display now in the First Lady’s virtual gallery for the spring 2022 exhibition. They can be viewed at https://bit.ly/FLSpring.

Matting for all three artists’ work was provided by the Finishing Touch in Chestertown.

WKHS to Hold 48-Hour ‘Air-A-Thon’ Starting Friday

March 27, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Tune in Friday, March 25 as WKHS, the student public radio station at Kent County High School, kicks off a marathon broadcast.

The radio station — 90.5 on the FM dial — will start a 48-hour air-a-thon at 9 a.m. March 25 in celebration of its 48th anniversary.

Join the WKHS students and community volunteer hosts on the airwaves as the marathon runs through 9 a.m. Sunday, March 29.

Then tune in Monday, March 28 all day for the WKHS anniversary tribute show.

Learn more about 90.5 WKHS at www.wkhsradio.org.

Schools Announce Annual Staff Award Winners

March 26, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Each school has announced its winner of the annual Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year awards.

Every year, Kent County Public Schools honors a top teacher and support employee. In the months leading up to the big announcement, each school recognizes a pair of staff members.

This year’s school awards presentations were held mid-March. Dr. Karen Couch, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, was joined by administrators in surprising each of the winners.

“We are so proud to have such outstanding employees as part of our work family. Each one has worked tirelessly to make a difference in our schools. I appreciate their dedication and passion for their jobs,” Couch said.

This year’s honorees for each school are:

Kent County High School: Engineering Teacher Brett King and Instructional Assistant Laura Johnson
Kent County Middle School: Science Teacher Karen Carty and Instructional Assistant Peggy Brown
Galena Elementary School: Second-Grade Teacher Erin Legg and School Secretary Stephanie Krastel
H.H. Garnet Elementary School: Fourth-Grade Teacher Courtney Spiering and Cafeteria Manager Christine Cox
Rock Hall Elementary School: Special Education Teacher Lori Receski and Custodian James Cornelius Jr.
Central Office Support Employee of the Year: Student Services Secretary LaKeshaHoxter.

The Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year awards will be announced at a special event later this spring in the Kent County High School auditorium.

In addition, the annual Promising Educator Award will be given that evening to a teacher who has been in the classroom for no more than three years.

This year’s nominees are Special Education Teacher Alixandria Murphy and First-Grade Teacher Rebeka Vansant, both at Galena Elementary School, and Special Education Teacher Katelyn Boardman at Rock Hall Elementary School.

“We are very proud to announce our three finalists for the Promising Educator Award,” said Dan Hushion, supervisor of human resources. “All three finalists bring outstanding attributes with them, allowing them to reach the social, emotional and academic needs of their students. We look forward to watching each of these candidates grow and remain excited to see the positive impact they will have on all current and future KCPS students.”

Interest Survey for 3-Year-Olds Program

March 25, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

Do you have a child that will be 3 years old on or before Sept. 1?

If so, please complete the Kent County Public Schools 3-year-old Program Interest Survey.

This information will help determine the need for expanding our current early childhood program offerings.

Go to https://forms.gle/cNMD94WKLgdgoa3e9 to complete the online interest survey.

Elementary School Registration Starts Next Month

March 24, 2022 by Kent County Public Schools Leave a Comment

The dates have been set for Kent County Public Schools’ pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration.

To register, contact your child’s home school to schedule an appointment.

“A strong early childhood experience plays a major role in shaping a child’s development and helping them grow and learn,” said Gina Jachimowicz, director of teaching and learning for Kent County Public Schools.

Linda Taylor reads to her kindergarten students at Galena Elementary School. Registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will be held next month at Galena, H.H. Garnet and Rock Hall elementary schools.

The registration dates and school contact information are as follows:

Registration for Galena Elementary School will be held Monday, April 25; call 410-810-2510 for an appointment.
H.H. Garnet Elementary School’s registration is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26; call 410-778-6890.
Rock Hall Elementary School registration is set for Wednesday, April 27; call 410-810-2622.

Children are required by the State of Maryland to attend kindergarten before going into first grade. All children who turn 5 years old before Sept. 1 are required to register and attend kindergarten.

Kent County Public Schools offers full-day pre-K free to all local children who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1. The pre-K program provides classroom experiences that help prepare early learners for school.

Families should bring to their registration appointment the following documents:

the child’s birth certificate
completed Immunization and Health Inventory forms
proof of residence, such as a utility bill, tax bill or lease agreement
the child’s Social Security card
the parent’s driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
proof of custody if not a birth parent.

Families registering for pre-K are asked to provide income information as part of the registration process. Information on service options and programs will be provided to those who qualify.

Visit www.kent.k12.md.us/EarlyChildhoodEducation.aspx for additional information about the elementary schools or call your elementary school with any questions.