Board of Education meeting

The Dorchester County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. At the conclusion of the closed session, the board will reconvene at 6 p.m. in open session.

The agenda can be accessed online via BoardDocs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at dcps.k12.md.us. Anyone who would like to submit public comments electronically, to be included in the minutes, can email comments@dcpsmd.org by 2 p.m., Thursday. All Board of Education meetings will be livestreamed at townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Sandy Hill Elementary School

Class rosters will be posted on the cafeteria doors on Aug. 28. The Back-to-School Block Party and Open house is scheduled for Sept. 1 from 3-5 p.m. All school supplies are being provided by Dorchester County Public Schools, Sandy Hill, and the Sandy Hill Judy Center, so there's nothing to buy this year except new school uniforms.

School supplies giveaway

For All Seasons will host its annual School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Fair on Aug. 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton. Talbot County Department of Social Services is a key partner, contributing to the purchase of hundreds of backpacks pre-stuffed with supplies for community children in need.

In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, the event will offer community resources, free Italian ice, movie theater popcorn, snacks, schoolyard games, and a raffle. Last year’s event drew more than 800 participants.

‘The Woods in Your Backyard’ online
Registration is now open for the fall 2023 session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course from the University of Maryland Extension. The self-directed, non-credit course runs 10 weeks from Sept. 5 to Nov. 14, and allows students to access content at their convenience; no need to attend evening classes or weekend workshops.

The course will help landowners of small parcels of land (1-10 acres) improve the stewardship of their property for personal enjoyment and environmental quality by converting lawn to natural areas and enhancing their stewardship of existing natural areas. It uses a hands-on learning approach to help participants develop and implement a plan for their property.

Activities include how to map habitat areas, understand basic ecological principles about woodland and wildlife, choose and implement a few habitat management projects, and how to set a timetable and record progress. Online discussion groups will allow participants to interact with others taking the course.  A certificate of completion is awarded when all assignments are completed.
The course costs $95 per person, which includes the 108-page “Woods in Your Backyard”
guide, workbook, and a tree identification guide. The course is limited to 25 participants. Registration closes Sept. 5 or when filled. Registration is through Eventbrite.

Summer learning

School may stop for the summer, but math learning doesn’t. i-Ready (kindergarten – 8th grade) and IXL (high school) will be available all summer. To access i-Ready and IXL, go to clever.com, sign in using your DCPS email and password, and click the icon for either i-Ready or IXL. No computer? Devices are available at Dorchester County Public Library branches in Cambridge (303 Gay St., Cambridge, 410-228-7331) and Hurlock (222 S. Main St., Hurlock, 410-943-4331).