Talbot County Public Schools

08/19/2026

Welcome to the Summer 2026 Edition of The TCPS Blueprint Buzz! This newsletter provides key updates on how Talbot County Public Schools is implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Our goal is to ensure our entire school community remains informed and engaged as we move this important work forward.

TCPS Blueprint Buzz

08/19/2026

What a phenomenal team! We are so grateful for our partnership with Talbot County Sheriff's Office and the essential role they have in keeping our schools safe!

TCSO SRO's for the School Year 2026-2027

The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit is ready for another great school year in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools.

Our SROs are looking forward to welcoming students and staff back to school, continuing to build positive relationships, and helping provide safe and supportive learning environments throughout Talbot County.

Sgt. Kevin Parks – Easton High School

Sgt. Parks will return to Easton High School for his seventh year and will continue to serve as the supervisor of the TCSO SRO Unit. Beginning his 21st year in law enforcement, Sgt. Parks says interacting with students and their families has been one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

An Easton High School alumnus and Talbot County native, Sgt. Parks enjoys spending much of his free time outdoors with his family.

Cpl. Timothy Connors – St. Michaels

Cpl. Connors is beginning his 29th year in law enforcement and his third year serving the students and staff of St. Michaels Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

Cpl. Connors has two children, Amanda and Christopher, and enjoys traveling with his wife, Lisa. He is looking forward to getting back to school and seeing all the students again.
GO SAINTS!

DFC Ryan Andrew – Tilghman Elementary School

DFC Andrew has served with the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years and is excited to return to Tilghman Elementary School for his fourth year as the SRO.

When he is off duty, DFC Andrew enjoys serving as a Maryland Hunter Education instructor, sailing, and working on his photography skills. He is looking forward to another terrific Tiger school year!

DFC Emily LeCompte – Chapel District Elementary School / DARE

DFC LeCompte will return to Chapel District Elementary School for her third year as the SRO. She also provides DARE instruction to fifth-grade students at several schools throughout Talbot County.

One of the things DFC LeCompte looks forward to most each year is teaching the DARE program. She believes the program provides an opportunity to build positive relationships, encourage students to make good choices, and help them grow into confident and responsible young people.

Here’s to another amazing year filled with learning, positive relationships, and making a difference!

LET’S GO CHAPEL CHEETAHS!

DFC William Parker – Easton Middle School

DFC Parker will return to Easton Middle School for his third year as the SRO. DFC Parker has served in law enforcement for 10 years, including six years as an SRO, with several years at other Maryland Law Enforcement Agencies.

DFC Parker enjoys working with the students and staff at Easton Middle School and takes pride in helping provide a safe environment for everyone at the school.

Outside of work, DFC Parker enjoys spending time with his seven-year-old daughter, drag racing, deer hunting, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.

DFC Robert Horseman – Easton Elementary School

DFC Horseman will return to Easton Elementary School for his third year as the SRO. DFC Horseman has served in law enforcement for 20 years and is looking forward to returning to school and seeing everyone again.

In his free time, DFC Horseman enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, and running.

DFC Lilian Lone – White Marsh Elementary School

DFC Lone is excited to return to White Marsh Elementary School for her third year as the SRO! She looks forward to continuing to build positive relationships with students, staff, families, and the entire school community.

DFC Lone was recognized as the 2025–2026 School Resource Officer of the Year by the Maryland Center for School Safety for her continued efforts to engage with students, teachers, and families while helping provide a safe and secure learning environment.

DFC John Coleman – DARE

DFC Coleman will begin his final year in law enforcement after nearly 40 years of service and will continue providing DARE instruction to students throughout Talbot County Public Schools.

DFC Coleman looks forward to another great year teaching students how to make safe and responsible decisions. He will continue working in four of Talbot County’s eight schools while also assisting with the training and observation of other DARE officers and supporting SROs who also serve as DARE instructors.

Throughout his career, community outreach and relationship building have remained among the most rewarding aspects of law enforcement for DFC Coleman. After nearly four decades of service, he continues to value the opportunity to build rapport with students and be a positive presence in the schools and community.

The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office is proud of the experience, dedication, and commitment our SROs bring to Talbot County Public Schools. We look forward to another year of building relationships with our students, staff, families, and school communities.

Have a safe and successful 2026–2027 school year!

(Pictured Left to Right: Corporal Connors, DFC. Horseman, DFC. Coleman, DFC. Parker, DFC. Lone, DFC. LeCompte, DFC. Andrew, Sgt. Parks, 1st/Sgt. Aita)

08/18/2026

Our Community School Bus hit the road for an inaugural "Meet the Admin" tour with Principals, Assistant Principals and Community School Staff! The bus stopped in several Easton neighborhoods to connect with and support students and families. It was steamy and eventually a little stormy, but overall a great evening! We are grateful for funding from the Enough Act and the TCPS Education Foundation for brining this vision to life!

08/17/2026

Here's an opportunity to provide input to the State Superintendent of Schools on important issues in Maryland public schools!

MSDE is accepting applications for the 2026-27 MSDE Advisory Councils!

MSDE offers four advisory councils — Principal, Teacher, Family, and Student — to provide input to the State Superintendent of Schools on important issues in Maryland public schools. Members participate in discussions with MSDE leadership on topics that will lead to the improvement of Maryland public schools and opportunities for students and staff.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 14, 2026. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3TdgAOj.

08/17/2026

TCPS to Pilot Weapons Detection Screening at Fall Athletic Events

Talbot County Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, families, and community members attending school events.

Beginning with the 2026 fall athletic season, TCPS will implement a weapons detection screening pilot at all home varsity football games at Easton High School and all varsity soccer games at St. Michaels Middle High School.

As part of this enhanced safety measure, all spectators will be subject to security screening prior to entering the venue. By entering, guests consent to the screening process, which includes passing through a walk-through weapons detection system. If the system identifies an item requiring additional review, a handheld security wand may be used as a secondary screening measure.

The screening process will be in effect for the first home event on Friday, August 21. It has been designed to be quick, efficient, and respectful while helping to ensure the safety of everyone attending our events. Student spectators are not permitted to bring backpacks, book bags, or other large bags into the venue. Bags carried by adult spectators are permitted but are subject to security screening and inspection.

“We are committed to creating an environment where students can compete, families can cheer, and our community can gather with confidence,” said Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, TCPS Superintendent. “These proactive measures reflect our ongoing commitment to school safety while maintaining a positive experience for everyone attending our athletic events.”

To help expedite entry, spectators are encouraged to:
· Arrive early to allow time for screening.
· Limit the number of personal items brought into the venue
· Follow directions provided by event staff and security personnel.
· Inform staff of medical devices or medically necessary items that may require accommodation.

TCPS appreciates the patience and cooperation of our families and community as we implement this pilot. Working together, we can continue to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for everyone who attends our school events.

For additional information regarding event entry procedures, please contact Sherry Spurry, Coordinator of School Safety and Security, at the Talbot County Education Center at (410) 822-0330 or [email protected].

08/17/2026

What a wonderful community event! Thank you so much For All Seasons Behavioral Health and RCC!

08/17/2026

Our amazing returns on Monday, 8/17/26, with one week of final preparation for the 26-27 school year! They will meet this outstanding new group of TCPS teachers, who bring a broad range of talent, education, and experience to our district. Please join us in welcoming them all. We are so very glad they chose to . WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE!

08/16/2026

Next week, as we begin a new academic year, the community will have two opportunities to learn more about Introduction to Careers in Healthcare - ITCH's efforts to connect mid-Shore students with healthcare careers.

The first information session is on Tuesday, August 18, at the Boys & Girls Club in Cambridge, and the second is on Wednesday, August 19, at Building African American Minds, Inc. (BAAM)’s Academic Center in Easton. Both sessions are 5:30-7:00 pm. Registration is encouraged using the link below, but walk-ins are welcome.

Registration Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScb77HRv-ofqxDc4akh_G8qPrPl1uavbJcHQT9YdoUBLUKRRw/viewform

08/14/2026

TCPS Grading Policy Updates 2026-2027

Over the past year, TCPS has conducted a comprehensive review of its grading practices in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families. Informed by district data, research, community feedback, and grading simulations, TCPS will implement the following new grading practices for the 2026-2027 school year to make grading more accurate, consistent, and transparent.

Key Shifts in Elementary (PreK-5th Grade)

Competency-based standards (SP / DP / AP / EM / NM) will be used for ALL grades PreK-5. Previously, grades 3-5 received traditional letter grades.
Why: Competency standards are clusters of related skills within a subject that are assessed together and reported using a four-level scale instead of a single letter grade. This model creates one consistent reporting model across every elementary grade. A proficiency scale shows what a student can actually do, rather than compressing that into a single letter — giving a clearer, more accurate picture of learning and growth for young learners.

Parents/guardians will be able to see progress on individual assignments and observations throughout the marking period, not just at report card time.
Why: Increases transparency and keeps families informed in real time, so concerns can be addressed early rather than coming as a surprise at the end of the marking period.

Progress is evaluated as both academic and developmental, using work samples, performance-based tasks, observational data, and classroom curriculum assessments.
Why: Reflects that early learning includes developmental growth alongside academics, and ensures grading is based on multiple, well-rounded sources of evidence rather than a single test or assignment.

Competency Standards Proficiency Scale (PreK-5)
SP — Surpassing Proficiency: skills and understanding exceed grade-level expectations in this area.
DP — Demonstrating Proficiency: skills and understanding meet grade-level expectations in this area.
AP — Approaching Proficiency: skills and understanding are approaching grade-level expectations.
EM — Emerging: skills and understanding are just beginning to develop in this area.
NM — Not Measured: this skill has not yet been taught or assessed in this marking period.

Key Shifts in Grades 6-12

Grading Weight
- Formative weight: previously 30% of the reported grade, now 40% of the reported grade.
- Summative weight: previously 70% of the reported grade, now 60% of the reported grade.

Grading Scale (6-12)

Grades 6-12 use a hybrid model: traditional letter grades (A+ through F, including I and M for incomplete or missing), paired with a 4-point quality scale, with no artificial floor on individual assignment scores (minimum “50% as the floor grading” is eliminated).

For more information on the grading scale, please visit this additional resource. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1myD0emS89EOZNNir0PyeFvY1owlTjM7t/view?usp=sharing

Other Key Changes

Every unit must include formative assessment(s) before the related summative, covering all the same learning outcomes, with adequate time for feedback and reteaching first.
Why: Ensures students have practiced and received feedback on a skill before being formally evaluated on a summative assessment.

Teachers must keep gradebooks current, entering grades within 5 school days of submission (up to 8 school days for lengthy summatives like major projects, labs, or essays, if communicated in advance).
Why: Keeps grade information current so students and families can respond quickly, and sets a consistent, predictable timeline for feedback across all teachers and schools.

Grades cannot be disproportionately entered near the end of a marking period in a way that significantly changes a student's grade, without prior documentation and communication with the family.
Why: Avoids last-minute grade surprises and keeps families informed early enough to provide support.

Missing or incomplete formative work can be submitted for full credit if completed before the related summative. Students present on a summative's due date must complete it that day or within 5 school days, unless the teacher approves an exception. However, tests must be completed on the day of administration if the student is present.
Why: Encourages students to complete practice while still holding a firm, fair line on summative timeliness so grades reflect actual mastery.

Reteaching/reassessment applies to formative work only: mandatory for a D+ or below, available upon request for a C- or above. It must happen before the related summative, within the same marking period. Summative assessments and final exams are not eligible for reassessment, except for verified extenuating circumstances or principal approval.
Why: Gives every student a path to mastery while a skill is still being built, without opening the door to endless retakes on final assessments — preserving the integrity of summative grades.

These updates will also provide a clearer picture of student learning and growth, strengthening partnerships between families and teachers in support of student progress. Thank you for your support.

08/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Easton High Class of 2026 graduate Jack Chapple for earning national recognition as a First Place awardee in the 2026 America's Field Trip contest, sponsored by America250. More than 10,000 students across the US submitted original essays and artwork reflecting on the question, "What does America mean to you?" Jack’s award-winning essay was entitled "The Many Faces of Patriotism: What America Means to Me." As part of his award, Jack and his father, Kevin Chapple, traveled to Yellowstone National Park from July 15th through July 18th, joining fellow awardees from across the country for an immersive educational experience! Rather than simply touring Yellowstone, Jack spent two days learning from Yellowstone Forever educators through hands-on field experiences. This fall, Jack will begin his studies at the University of Mississippi, where he plans to pursue a double major in Finance and Risk Management and Insurance. We are so proud to celebrate this remarkable accomplishment! 🎉 🇺🇸