GATOR FAMILIES—Welcome to fall! We had such a successful first month of the school year. Our students settled into a routine quite easily, enabling our teachers to jump into building relationships and teaching content. It feels great to have this school year in full-swing.

This year, AACPS is providing students literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading using Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). CKLA is a knowledge building curriculum aligned to the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards and built on the science of how kids learn to read. There are new opportunities this year for student assessments throughout the units. To accompany CKLA, AACPS has developed a grading guidance document for all elementary teachers to follow. These identified gradable opportunities ensure students can learn and practice skills before assessments are given. Please check your child’s Wednesday folder each week and monitor their grades in the Powerschool Parent Portal (grades 1-5). Teachers in grades 3-5 have developed redo policies consistent with guidelines set forth in the AACPS Parent Handbook to support student learning.

We continue to be so thankful for the partnership of our PTO. They work tirelessly to enhance all areas at DES. You can see their impact in the beautiful fall flowers out front, in the Unity Day t-shirts provided to all students and staff, at our recent staff luncheon, and at events like the Harlem Wizards Basketball Game last weekend. The list could go on and on. They are doing so many things, but it takes many hands to make light work. Please consider signing up to volunteer sometime this school year to do your part!

This newsletter marks our first one in the new communication system. Due to the learning curve, it's taken me a little longer to get this out than anticipated. Moving forward, please expect to hear from us more often through this platform. Your child's teacher is also set up in Rooms - a platform where they will push out reminders to parents. If you haven't, consider adding this app to your mobile device. We know AACPS sends a great deal of messages each week, but we hope you will find ways to prioritize the DES information coming your way. We are committed to keeping you informed!

Thank you for your continued partnership!

DEVICE LOANER PROGRAM - Does your child need a Chromebook device at home? Students in grades 3-5 are eligible for a loaner device to support weekly learning and for use during virtual days, should we have them. Visit this website for more information: https://www.aacps.org/page/student-devices-loaner-program.

SCHOOL SECURITY:  DES is equipped with a video camera system. It covers selected interior and exterior public portions of the building and grounds. It is not monitored constantly, but it is monitored during emergency situations. During certain events, when the safety or security of students may be in question, authorized personnel from local, state, or federal police or fire emergency units may be given access to view images projected on the camera system.