EDITOR’S NOTE: Superintendent of Dorchester County Public Schools W. David Bromwell released the following statement on July 12.

Although some may believe that summer is a slower time in the education world, Dorchester County Public Schools is busier than ever preparing for the 2023-2024 school year. While all eyes are firmly focused on the future, I wanted to start with congratulations one more time to the Class of 2023 of C-SD and North Dorchester High School.

One hundred thirty-three C-SD graduates received their diplomas on May 31, having earned $3,777,481 in scholarship money to continue their education. The next evening, North Dorchester High School graduated 129 seniors with scholarship offers of $3,709,527.

Thank you to the scholarship providers, especially local ones, for investing in the futures of our young people and believing in their potential as much as we do.

Now, let’s look ahead:

• As promised, further information and supporting documentation regarding our Countywide Facility Study was posted on our website in June. The age and condition of many of our buildings plus the requirements of the new Maryland Blueprint for Education mean we must be creative with future funding. Please have a look at this information and give us your ideas and feedback: https://www.dcps.k12.md.us/especially-for/employees/dcps-countywide-facility-study.
• “Navigate to 2028” is the title of the DCPS Strategic Plan, the draft of which is now available on our website. This document charts how we will expand on student success and improvement as well as other DCPS goals over the next five years. Members of our School Improvement Teams and the Board of Education have seen this draft and added their input. Now, it’s over to you, the community, for your feedback. I encourage you to read this draft Plan and give us your thoughts via the survey at Navigate to 2028 - Strategic Plan Feedback Request - Dorchester County Public Schools (dcps.k12.md.us). Scroll down to where you see “download attachments.”
• In efforts to improve security for everyone in our school buildings, this school year it is mandatory that all backpacks and water bottles are clear. Schools will provide clear backpacks and water bottles for their students, or parents can provide their own. Like everyone, we were shocked earlier this year when a first grader in Newport News, Va., brought a gun to school with which he shot his teacher. We feel this is a basic step we can take to help protect students and staff.
• The DCPS Summer Academy began on July 10 and continues through Aug. 3. Sessions are being held at Maple Elementary and CSD for Cambridge students and Hurlock Elementary and North Dorchester High School for students in the northern part of the county.
• Over the past few years, a few of our schools have introduced the Ron Clark Academy House System, in which everyone – students and staff – not only belong to their school, but also to a smaller community within the school. These Houses promote a more positive school climate, so this school year all our schools will adopt this system as yet another tool to encourage academic achievement, build character and develop a culture of belonging.

There are only four full weeks until our new teachers arrive for orientation, six weeks until our teachers return, and seven weeks until we start welcoming students back to school. I hope everyone is taking some time to relax, recharge, and be ready for the challenges of the 2023-2024 school year.