Opioid health crisis

The Maryland Department of Health Eastern Shore Hospital Center’s Auxiliary and Staff Development Department has partnered with the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Cambridge to present a Community Mental Health Education Series. Session Two will be held on April 12, from 10-11 a.m. at the ESHC’s English Hall.

This session, “Opioid Public Health Crisis,” will help participants learn to identify, understand and respond to the opioid epidemic. The public is encouraged to register to attend by contacting Reese Dawson, 410-221-2421 or reese.dawson@maryland.gov.

Adults aged 35-44 have experienced the highest rates of drug overdose deaths, while young people aged 15-24 experienced the greatest percentage increase in deaths.

While most overdose deaths due to opioid use occur in Baltimore City and County, rural counties face unique challenges, such as more limited educational, economic and employment opportunity, high-risk behaviors and isolation.

Empowerment Center Board

The Cambridge Empowerment Center is now open for children’s programming.

The facility has been updated, and staff are revamping the organization and programs. The center is now a Maryland State licensed childcare facility and is launching the Pine Street Enrichment Program, which includes afterschool and summer learning programs.

The PSEP is now accepting applications for both programs for children aged 5 to 12. The after-school program will be free and open Monday through Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m. The summer learning program (the fee for the entire program is $75) will run Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The children’s programs will emphasize learning in a fun way. Reading and math will be the focus for many children who were left behind academically in the pandemic.

Work is being done in collaboration with many other organizations in Dorchester County, including the Grade Level Reading Coalition to make sure children are reading on level by third grade.

C-SD yearbooks

It's almost that time of year when students and families need to order a yearbook to make sure they can still get one. Many times, alumni call Cambridge-South Dorchester High School to try to buy a yearbook from the past, but they are not always available.

If you think you may want a yearbook, order one now by going to jostens.com. They are $80 each and are expected to sell out.

Also, for all graduating seniors' families: Did you know that you can place an advertisement to honor your graduating senior by uploading any photos you'd like? You can place a 1/8-page ad for just $60 or up to a full-page ad for $295. Prices are listed in the information below. Go to jostensadservice.com/student.

Summer career enrichment

A summer career enrichment program will be offered to middle school students this year. Subjects will include animation, app development, aviation, chess, cyber security, drones, media arts, presentation/video design and robotics.

The program runs from July 10 to Aug. 3, in two sessions. Session I, July 10-13 and July 17-20; and Session II on July 24-27 and July 31 to Aug. 3. The program will take place at the Dorchester Career and Technology Center in Cambridge.

Register online at pfccoalition.org/SCEP.asp. For information, call 301-772-1552.

A new course about aviation is being developed, and plans are in the works to have a Fly-In to the Cambridge Airport in late April to give those youth who are willing - and have parents who will approve - the opportunity to take a short plane ride to experience something they may not have experienced before.

Band uniform fund drive

President of the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School Music Boosters Jessica Suggs has organized a gofundme.com drive. She posted, “C-SD has the best marching band on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and we want it to show not only in our music, but also in our presentation. Our current uniforms are more than 30 years old, and coming apart. We are the only band on the Eastern Shore performing the way we do, and we need uniforms as amazing as our performances.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com, and search for Cambridge-South Dorchester.