Cara Easter - CDES
Carly Baysinger - EES
Heather Plutchak - EES
Tara Blades - EES
Jessica Marth - EHS
Shelly Armiger - EHS
Jessica Pippin - EHS
Sara Davis - EHS
Kindel Kimball - EMS
Rachael Kerr - EMS
Ann Nilsen - EMS
Valerie Bromwell - SMES
Kerry Asbell - SMMH
JR Burkhardt - SMMH
Caroline Gopaul - WMES
We are so grateful to you for being trusted listeners, problem-solvers, and champions for student success!!

With our two-hour delay schedule, doors will open at 9:35 am, and the late bell rings at 9:45 am.
Icy conditions remain on roads and in parking lots. Please drive carefully and allow extra time for your commute.

TCPS virtual instruction plan: https://www.talbotschools.org/page/virtual-day-instruction-plan


📢 Important: Virtual Learning Day Tomorrow and Friday
Dear SMMHS Families,
Please be advised that tomorrow, 1/29/26 and Friday 1/30/26 will be Virtual Instruction Days. To ensure a successful day of learning, students should set up in a dedicated location where they can easily check their email and log into their classes to hear live instruction.
💻 Logistics & Learning
Check Email & Schoology: Students should monitor their school email and Schoology accounts regularly for updates and class information.
Accessing Classes: Teachers will post all live class links directly to Schoology.
Flex Period: Please note there will be no Flex period during virtual instruction.
🕒 Secondary Virtual Schedule (5-Period Day)
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Period 1 Class
8:50 AM – 9:35 AM Period 2 Class
9:40 AM – 10:25 AM Period 3 Class
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Period 4 Class
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Period 5 Class
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Asynchronous Learning
Our school counselors and social workers will be available throughout the day to support students as needed.
🚀 Tips for Student Success
Find Your Space: Choose a quiet spot with a flat surface for your device and a strong Wi-Fi connection.
Stay Charged: Plug in your laptop the night before so you are ready for an 8:00 AM start.
Dress for School: Getting ready as if you were heading to the building helps put your mind in "learning mode."
Use Your Calendar: Keep the schedule above handy to ensure you are on time for every transition.
🤝 Online Behavior & Expectations
To maintain a productive environment, students are expected to follow the same code of conduct online as they do in the classroom:
Be Respectful: Use appropriate language in microphones and chat boxes.
Camera & Mic Etiquette: Follow your teacher’s specific instructions regarding camera use. Keep your microphone muted when you are not speaking to minimize background noise.
Stay Focused: Avoid using other devices or browsing unrelated websites during instructional time.
Thank you for your flexibility and continued support of our SMMHS community!
Hello TCPS Families,
As of Wednesday, January 28, TCPS has used all four built-in inclement weather days in the Board-approved calendar for this school year. Due to the continued extreme temperatures and icy road conditions throughout the county, we will move to virtual instruction on Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30.
Devices were sent home with all students in grades 1-12, and learning packets were sent home with PreK and Kindergarten students on Friday, January 23, in preparation for this.
Grades 1-12 teachers will provide synchronous instruction, assignments, and support through our online learning platforms. All Synchronous Virtual instruction will begin at 8:00 a.m. The 2025-2026 Virtual Instruction Day Plan is linked below, which includes specific schedules and instructions for accessing the learning management system.
Virtual Day Instruction Plan (English)
Virtual Day Instruction Plan (Spanish)
For grades 1-12, attendance will be taken, and students are expected to engage in virtual learning. PreK and Kindergarten students will be asynchronous and are asked to complete their learning packets. Please look for communications from your child’s school and/or their teacher.
The Technology Team will be available to provide remote support during days designated for virtual instruction. If you have questions or need help, please contact support using the email for your building provided below. The emails will be monitored between 7:15 AM and 3:15 PM on designated virtual instruction days.
Below is the Email for each building:
Easton High EHSSupport@talbotschools.org
Easton Elementary EESSupport@talbotschools.org
Easton Middle EMSSupport@talbotschools.org
St. Michaels Middle High SMMHSSupport@talbotschools.org
St. Michaels Elementary SMESSupport@talbotschools.org
White Marsh Elementary WMESSupport@talbotschools.org
Chapel District Elementary CDESSupport@talbotschools.org
Tilghman Elementary TESSupport@talbotschools.org
We realize this is a challenging time, and we just ask everyone to do the best they can! Thank you for your patience and support!
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Virtual Day Instruction Plan | Talbot County Public Schools


Due to the extreme temperatures and hazardous road conditions, ALL Talbot County Public Schools and administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 27. Employees: Code Red. Please be safe.


Please use the link to see important information and happenings at SMMHS.
https://app.smore.com/n/ts0e4
Dear TCPS Families,
We are monitoring the winter storm that is forecasted to impact our area this weekend (Jan 24-25, 2026). TCPS will watch conditions closely and keep you informed of any changes.
If the storm moves in this weekend, we may need to close schools. Weather-related updates will be provided through the TCPS app, social media platforms, email, phone system, and website.
TCPS currently has three more snow days built into our 2025-2026 board-approved school calendar. Maryland law requires that we use all built-in snow days before considering virtual instruction. If the storm results in school closures beyond three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), we will switch to virtual instruction on Thursday. Grades 1-12 will log into their devices to connect with teachers online. Devices will be sent home with students in grades 1-5 on Friday, January 23. PK and K students will receive paper copies and can contact teachers for help.
We appreciate your support as we navigate the uncertainty of this weather event and make the necessary decisions to ensure the safety of our staff and students.
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Superintendent

TCPS schools and offices are closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Use the link to check out this week's Saints Scoop.
https://app.smore.com/n/924vq

📣 Finals Schedule & Lunch Update 📣
This week, our school will follow an adapted schedule to support high school finals:
Wednesday: Finals in Periods 1, 3, and 5
Thursday: Finals in Periods 2 and 4
Please note that this adapted schedule will impact normal lunch times. To accommodate extended testing periods, lunch will be held at the following times:
Wednesday Lunch Schedule
10:15–10:45 — Middle School Lunch
11:00–11:30 — 6th Grade Lunch (Field Trip)
11:45–12:15 — High School Lunch
SMMHS Cross-Campus: Leave EHS at 12:20 will eat at EHS
Thursday Lunch Schedule
10:28–10:58 — Middle School Lunch
11:31–12:01 — High School Lunch
SMMHS Cross-Campus: Leave EHS at 11:00 will eat at SMMHS
Thank you for your flexibility as we adjust our schedule to best support students during finals week.
Date: February 9, 2025. | 5:00 p.m.
Location: Talbot County Education Center, Conference Room 1
12 Magnolia St. Easton, MD 21601

Check out this week's Saints Scoop!
https://app.smore.com/n/vk8mq
Work Session - Monday, January 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting - Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m.
All Talbot County Board of Education Meetings are held at the Talbot County Education Center, 12 Magnolia Street, Easton, MD 21601. Open meetings are held in Conference Room #1.
The Talbot County Board of Education holds monthly Work Session Meetings, as indicated under the “Upcoming Meetings” section on the right side of the TCPS Diligent Community Home Page linked below. Work Session meetings begin at 5:30 p.m., on the dates indicated. The public may livestream meetings by choosing the video “Livestream” camera icon. Video coverage of past meetings can be viewed by selecting the video camera icon next to the correct meeting date under the “Recent Meetings” category on the right side of the page.
The Talbot County Board of Education holds Regular Board Meetings on a monthly basis at the Talbot County Education Center. The Board begins Regular Monthly Meetings at 5:30 p.m., only for the purpose of voting to close the meeting pursuant to the State Government article (Section 3-305 (b)) (1) (to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals to discuss the superintendent contract; and (Section 3-305 (b)) (7) and (8), to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on legal matters and consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation).
The open portion of the Regular Board Meeting begins at approximately 7:00 p.m. The public may attend in person or view the meeting via livestream by choosing the “Livestream” video camera icon on the TCPS Diligent Community Home page. Video coverage of past meetings may be accessed by selecting the video camera icon next to the proper meeting date under the “Recent Meetings” category.
Requests to speak at a Regular Board Meeting may be submitted online, prior to the start time of the regular Board meeting, using the following link: Request to Speak or by choosing this icon on the Diligent Community Home page linked here: https://tcpsk12.diligent.community/portal/
For more information about the Talbot County Board of Education, please contact Faith M. Brundige, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, by emailing Faith.Brundige@TalbotSchools.org.

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and we're taking a moment to recognize our School Resource Officers! We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and the positive relationships they build with our students and staff.
TES - DFC Ryan Andrew
EES - DFC John Coleman
SMES Campus - Cpl. Tim Connors
EHS - DFC Robert Horseman
CDES - DFC Emily LeCompte
WMES - DFC Lilian Lone
EMS - DFC William Parker
Supervisor - Sgt. Kevin Parks
Thank you for everything you do—we appreciate you!

January is School Board Appreciation Month! We are grateful to our TCPS Board of Education for their leadership, their support of our staff, and their commitment to ensuring that every student is prepared to succeed in college, career and life!

