STEPHEN DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL

WCPS families, last week the Dept. of Homeland Security issued a directive allowing immigration enforcement actions to occur in sensitive areas, including schools and bus stops. Please visit our website https://www.worcesterk12.org/page/immigration-supports for how we are supporting our students and their families.

Reminder: The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Learn more about our safety protocols by visiting https://www.worcesterk12.org/page/school-safety-protocols. #WeAreWorcester #SafetyMatters

IMPORTANT: Due to scheduling challenges at the close of semester one, high school report cards will now be sent home by February 7, 2025. Elementary, intermediate, and middle school report cards will still be sent home as scheduled by January 31. We thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter.

WCPS Families, weigh in now on the different options for the 2025-2026 WCPS calendar. The feedback gathered will be shared both with school system leadership and the Board of Education. Take the survey before it closes on February 7, at https://tejoin.com/scroll/748536466.

Congratulations to WCPS educators Megan Seyler (SDHS) and Gabrielle Remington (SDMS) for being named to the Maryland Teacher Advisory Council (MTAC). Selected by Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright, the MTAC is an advocacy group for teachers to advocate for students and the teaching profession as a whole as well as contribute to the state-level decision making process. #WeAreWorcester #WorcesterProud

As road conditions are anticipated to worsen overnight and due to the previously scheduled early dismissal days, WCPS will hold virtual learning days on January 23rd and 24th. Students should log-on to Schoology according to their regular schedule. All afterschool, evening, and Adult Education classes are cancelled. SCHOOLOGY Quick Tips: - Schoology can be accessed at https://worcesterk12.schoology.com/ - All students should log-in to Schoology at their regular reporting time. Middle and high school students will follow their regular schedules, and elementary students should log in to their homeroom for more information from their teacher. - Don't know your child's log-in for Schoology? Reach out to your child's school, or use our HelpDesk (https://worcesterk12help.zendesk.com/) to request the credentials. VIRTUAL LEARNING Quick Facts: - Please note that no student will be penalized for not being able to access remote learning. Students will have five (5) days after a return to in-person learning to complete any assigned work; completing that work will count for their attendance on the virtual day. - View the full Virtual Learning Plan at https://www.worcesterk12.org/page/virtual-day-instruction

IMPORTANT: Due to inclement weather conditions, WCPS will hold a virtual learning day for students. Students should log on to Schoology according to their regular schedule. All afterschool, evening and adult education classes are cancelled.

BREAKING: The Worcester County Board of Education approved a modification to the current school year calendar. In addition to using the built-in inclement weather days in June, April 22-23, are now full days of school for students. View the modified calendar at https://5il.co/2f41t.

BREAKING: The Worcester County Board of Education has adopted a revised Virtual Day Instruction plan for the remainder of the school year. Learn more about what virtual learning during inclement weather will look like for our students by visiting https://www.worcesterk12.org/page/virtual-day-instruction.

Therapy dogs will be in the media center on Wednesday, 1/22, from 1-2:45. What a super way to ease those final exam nerves! Much gratitude to Pets on Wheels for sharing such sweet pups!

ASK these students about this milestone! Brogan Clark, Elijah Payne, and Kayden Shockley have passed the ASK Examination, a culminating assessment for the Career and Technology (CTE) Business Program. The ASK Exam (Institute for the Assessment of Skills and Knowledge of Business) offers an exam on Fundamental Business Concepts. An A*S*K certificate is based on well-documented performance indicators derived from MBA Research’s continuing research of the business community. These industry-validated performance indicators define skills and requisite knowledge required for ethical decision-making and career success in business, marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship. Clark, Payne, and Shockley are students in the business department with teachers Stan Griffin and Kurt Marx. Also pictured is Principal Tom Sites. #SeahawksSoar #SeeUs #BusinessMatters Worcester County Public Schools MD

¡Felicitaciones a nuestro grupo inaugural de miembros de la Sociedad de Honor Española! *TRANSLATION: Congratulations to our inaugural class of Spanish Honor Society inductees! We are so proud of this smart, dedicated, worldly, and culturally passionate group of students. 👏👏 Because of students like them, our world is a little more connected. A special thank you goes to founding advisor Belinda Sawyer and to #ClassOf2005 #SDHSAlum Anna O’Neill, who served as our guest speaker. It was both inspirational and awe-inspiring hearing about her world experiences. #SeahawksSoar #SeeUs #TheDecaturWay #OnceASeahawkAlwaysASeahawk Worcester County Public Schools MD

A special thank you to Randy’s Crew for purchasing computer mice and USB adapters for our Advanced Placement students to use during our first year of digital AP testing. We are so fortunate to have the support of such an amazing local charity organization. Pictured are a few students from AP US History teacher Laurie Chetelat’s classes. Randy's Crew #DecaturNation #TheDecaturWay #CommunityPartnerships #CommunityMatters

It’s that time. . . the annual passing of the #TeacherOfTheYear vest, a tradition that we have been doing for decades. Congratulations Belinda Sawyer and thank you to our TOY ambassadors, former Teachers of the Year Marie Stevenson and Kurt Marx. #TheDecaturWay #SeeUs #DecaturNation #WeAreWorcester #SeahawksSoar Worcester County Public Schools MD

We are thrilled to announce Ms. Belinda Sawyer as our 2025 Teacher of the Year! Ms. Sawyer serves as the World Languages Department Co-Chair and has taught all levels of Spanish for 22 years at Stephen Decatur High School, with a total of 28 years of experience in her career. Additionally, Ms. Sawyer is the advisor of the Academic Team; she serves on several committees, and she is the founding advisor of the Spanish Honor Society. We know she’ll represent us well in the Worcester County Teacher of the Year program. Congratulations Ms. Sawyer! 🎉 #TeacherOfTheYear #SeeUs #SeahawksSoar #WeAreWorcester #DecaturNation #TheDecaturWay Worcester County Public Schools MD

Exciting news! 🎉 Worcester County Public Schools has partnered with Wor-Wic Community College to offer English 101 to community members. This collaboration makes higher education more accessible and helps local residents develop essential skills for success. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to further your education! 📚 #CommunityPartnership #HigherEducation #WorcesterCounty #WorWicCommunityCollege

A great way to start of the month of February: please come support our Seahawk wrestlers!

Accolades continue to pour in for our 2x #StateChampion football team! Congratulations to Jake Coleman for being named 2A Coach of the Year, to Davin Chandler for earning 2A Player of the Year, and to our All-State players! 💙🖤🤍 🏈🔥🏈 #SeahawksSoar #DecaturNation #StateChamps #SeeUs #OnceASeahawkAlwaysASeahawk #Seahawks #PlayeroftheYear #CoachoftheYear Worcester County Public Schools MD

IMPORTANT: Due to inclement weather conditions, Worcester County Public Schools will open two-hours late tomorrow, Monday, January 13, 2025. Buses will operate accordingly.

WCPS Families: Please visit https://www.worcesterk12.org/article/1958144 for an important communication from Superintendent Lou Taylor on the recently announced PowerSchool data breach.