Choices Academy

Woo Hoo! JUST 5 WEEKS AWAY!!! The annual “Fresh Start: A Wicomico County Back-to-School Event” is returning on Sunday, August 24th at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is for Wicomico County students in-need from Kindergarten to Grade 12. ​Students will receive a Free backpack along with several essential school supplies (while supplies last, as this is first-come, first-served)​. A child must be present with an adult to receive school supplies.

-Free Backpacks
-Free Essential School Supplies
-Free Haircuts & Braiding
-Fun Activities
-Info about the upcoming school year
-Community programming
-Health Information and more

Mark your calendar for Sunday, August 24th, starting at 1 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center! For more information, log onto wicomicorecandparks.org or contact tobarsky@mywcps.org

Also, "Thanks" to our growing list of sponsors for making this possible for Wicomico County students.
#LearningTodayLeadingTomorrow
#WicomicoCountyPublicSchools

Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July and Independence Day on Friday! Schools and offices will be closed Friday and will reopen on Monday, July 7.

Reminder of the schedule for the last week of school, June 9-13.

We wish all of our students, families and staff a wonderful weekend. Monday all schools and offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Tickets Available Now for Magic Globe Shows at the Parkside Planetarium May 21, 22 and 23 On vacation at her grandpa’s, a little girl named Mia accidentally discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical machinery. Edmund, Mia’s eccentric uncle, tricks the girl into using the tool’s secret powers to change the world’s seasons. She realizes the consequences of what they are going to do, but Edmund doesn’t want to let the plan go. Magic Globe’s engaging story has a clear educational structure, designed to interest and challenge children from 5 to 12 years. Children can recap their prior knowledge and/or learn new concepts while the story carries everyone forward together, making it perfect for mixed-ability audiences. Shows are on Wednesday, May 21, Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 in the Parkside Planetarium. There is one show per night, at 6 p.m., first come, first seated. Only 65 seats are available for each show. Tickets are $5 plus a $1 transaction fee purchased online through GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/MD22646.

We are proud to announce that Wicomico County Public Schools has once again earned the distinction of being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education. This is the 16th time in the past 19 years, and the 14th consecutive year, that Wicomico Schools has earned this award from the NAMM Foundation. Our students receive an outstanding music education in chorus, band, orchestra, school performances, parades and more. The award is directly related to the dedication and quality of our teachers as well as the support we receive from WCPS administration, school-based administrators, the Board of Education, and our community. Thank you to all of the excellent Wicomico music educators who made this Best Communities for Music Education recognition possible. Here's a sampling of music education photos from our schools, with more to come soon.

There's plenty to do in our community and our schools this weekend and this month, and you'll find flyers about all these events and a host of summer activities on our eBulletinBoard: https://www.wicomicoschools.org/o/wcps/page/ebulletinboard#/ This weekend: Children's Mental Health Awareness Family Night at the Civic Center, 5-8 p.m.. Friday Frozen Kids Presented by the Prince Street Elementary Drama Club, 6:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the school. DI Run for Creativity, a Destination Imagination fundraiser for the two Wicomico teams headed to Global Finals, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at Fruitland City Park.

The Wicomico County CTE Interactive Media Art Exhibit is Thursday, May 1 from 5-7 p.m. in the media wing and media center of Wicomico High School. Does the idea of drinking ginger ale from a champagne flute, snacking on finger foods, mingling with family and friends, admiring art on the walls, having deep, thoughtful discussions about the intended meaning of a work of art or photograph, and listening to jazzy music sound like a fun and stimulating way to spend an evening? We hope your answer is yes. You don't have to be an artist to appreciate art from the CTE Interactive Media Program! Come have fun with our interactive media and photography students as we all reflect on the year and admire the great work they have created. The public is invited so feel free to bring your friends and family. At this year's exhibit you'll see Interactive Media's newest work, visit their classroom, check out the incredible state of the art equipment students use including iMacs and Wacom tablets, talk to current students, watch students demonstrate the technology they use every day, and see the cool merchandise students design and print including t-shirts, tumblers, mugs, buttons, and stickers . We are excited to announce that this year you will also see incredible photography by Mrs. Messler's photography students. There will be a lot to see at this year's exhibit so please don't miss it!

Check out all the great activities coming up in our schools and community in May! You'll find flyers for events like these on the eBulletinBoard of our website, along with flyers for summer camps and programs, immunizations and more. Just visit www.wicomicoschools.org and click on eBulletinBoard uinder the photos on the home page.

Here's your chance to get to know Wicomico Public Schools new Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Emma Cohn Matthews of Wicomico High School. She is an English teacher in her seventh year at Wi-Hi and brings a unique teaching philosophy to her students and classes. Take a few minutes with host Aaron Deal to learn more about Emma Cohn Matthews! You can also share the video at https://youtu.be/UhTMGC5CYVU

Last week, a few of our students had the incredible opportunity to visit a local therapeutic horse camp alongside our school counselor Mrs. Payton! While there, they participated in team-building activities, practiced mindfulness through self-awareness, and learned the importance of responsibility while caring for their horse. It was a powerful and healing experience that helped our students grow socially, emotionally, and personally. We’re so proud of them for stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing new ways to connect and reflect! We want to give a special thank you to The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for providing the grant funding. #TherapeuticLearning #MindfulnessMatters #TeamBuilding #ChoicesAcademy #StudentSuccess #thecommunityfoundationoftheeasternshore

Spring break will be here soon! With all the adjustments made to the 2024-2025 school year calendar due to winter weather, here is a reminder of the correct spring break dates: -Wednesday, April 16 is now a regular school day. -Thursday, April 17 is a 3-hour early dismissal day. -Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21st are days the schools and school system will be closed. -Tuesday, April 22 is the day schools and offices reopen from spring break.

Calendar Reminder: Monday, April 7 is a school day with 3-hour early dismissal for students.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Micah Stauffer will hold a Superintendent's Open Door Session from 4-6 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 19). Time with the superintendent is on a first-come, first-served basis, no appointment needed. The Open Door Session will take place at the school system's main office at 2424 Northgate Drive, Salisbury.

Wicomico students deserve the best possible education, but limited local funding creates real challenges. Please read what increased local funding could do, and then come out this evening to the Wicomico County Executive's Budget Hearing to speak on the importance of education funding for our county and community. Wicomico County Executive's Budget Hearing Monday, March 10 at 6 p.m. DaNang Room, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Between FY2010 and FY 2025, the county budget increased by $81,291,033 (65.2%). In this same time, the county’s allocation to WCBOE increased by only $855,242 (1.7%). The county allocated .1% of its revenue growth to public education. During the budget development process for the school system and the county, we call on our students, parents and guardians, staff and community to unite and advocate for better funding for education from Wicomico County. Please help ensure that our students receive the local funding they deserve in next year’s county budget. #DoBetterWicomico The next opportunity to speak out to support education in Wicomico County: Wicomico County Executive Budget Hearing Monday, March 10 at 6 p.m. DaNang Room, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Longer daylight hours after school are almost here! This is a reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9. Be sure to set your clocks ahead 1 hour.

One of the major expenses for any county government in Maryland is its allocation to the local school system. In Wicomico County, this allocation to support public education had historically been more than 40% of the total county budget. However, over the past 15 years, this funding level for education has dropped from more than 40% to about 25%. This is despite the county having record levels of revenue eight of the past 10 years. The time is now for students, parents and guardians, staff and community to unite and advocate for better funding for education from Wicomico County for Wicomico Schools. Please help ensure that our students receive the local funding they deserve in next year’s county budget. #DoBetterWicomico Next opportunity to speak out to support education in Wicomico County: Wicomico County Executive Budget Hearing Monday, March 10 at 6 p.m. DaNang Room, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

This is an important school status alertfrom Wicomico County Public Schools: Due to potential inclement weather, Wicomico County Public Schools has cancelled all after-school and evening activities for Wednesday, March 5th. Please note this includes the Parkside High girls playoff basketball game and the school system’s Awards & Recognitions Night, both of which will be rescheduled. Please be safe. Thank you.