Welcome to Duke
"Where Children SOAR!"
News and Updates
For the latest and most up-to-date information see the weekly Aviator Update from Ms. Mandis.
Book Fair begins May 17th
Face-to-Face Students
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Will shop during their assigned media class. Students should bring cash/check to media, or parents can set up an eWallet. If you are interested in setting up an eWallet for your child, click this link. *Please note that Scholastic changed their policy regarding the eWallet. They will issue a gift certificate for the remaining funds left on the eWallet instead of only charging the amount spent.
Virtual Student
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Shopping will be held on May 21 by appointment.
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Sign-up for an appointment by clicking this link.
Pre-K Students
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Will be able to shop on any day the book fair is operating.
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Link for the interactive virtual flyer
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Please include the Maryland 0.6% sales tax.
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Checks should be payable to CWFDES.
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We will remind students and parents via email the evening before their media class about the book fair.
2021-2022 School Supply List
Save time and skip the stores by ordering a Back-To-School Supply Kit through Teacher Tailored and have everything you need in one box delivered right to your home!
Order online at: www.shopttkits.com
Account # 84827
Order by: June 11, 2021
Kits will be delivered by Friday, August 13th
Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten Registration
Welcome to the Pre-K / Head Start Application Process
Thank you for your interest in applying to the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten programs. New applications may be submitted to the home school in which the applicant resides. Please complete the online application. If you are unable to complete the application online, please contact your home school and they will decide the best way to have a paper copy of the Common Application sent to you or set up an appointment for you to come to the school to complete it.
** Please note the application process is NOT first come, first serve. Children are admitted to the program based on income eligibility first. Please also note that initially you are just applying for a seat. If your child is selected for a seat, more paperwork will be needed for registration.**
Eligibility
All age-appropriate children are welcome to apply. Children are admitted to the program based on income eligibility first.
4-Year-Old Eligibility
To enter a 4-year-old class for the 2021-2022 school year, a child must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2021 and come from a family with an economically disadvantaged background.
3-Year-Old Eligibility
To enter a 3-year-old class for the 2021-2022 school year, a child must be 3-years-old on or before September 1, 2021 and come from a family with an economically disadvantaged background. A limited number of Pre-Kindergarten 3 spaces are available in several Title I Schools.
Economically Disadvantaged
All families regardless of income are welcome to apply. Head Start Regulation 1302.12i states that program staff must use tax forms, pay stubs, or other proof of income to determine the family income for eligibility verification. SMCPS is responsible for determining and upholding the regulation permitting a 3-year-old, or a 4-year-old child is eligible under COMAR 13A.06.02 and the system has determined that the child demonstrated educational needs warranting early admission to school.
Parents/Guardians are required to provide income verification in order for a child’s application to be processed. Proof of income verification may include:
- 2020 W-2
- Copies of the LAST 3 consecutive paychecks
- Temporary Cash Assistance
- Social Security Insurance or Social Security Assistance
- Child support
Food Stamps are not used as a source of income.
If a parent/guardian wishes to decline proof of income verification, the application will be processed; however, the child will be placed on a waitlist. If vacancies remain after income eligible children have been admitted, any remaining seats will be filled using locally determined at-risk criteria and served in rank order.
PK Application can be found as follows:
1) SMCPS.org
2) Click Offices tab at top
2) Click Equity, Engagement, and Early Access - see hyperlink below: (https://www.smcps.org/ssp/early-childhood-education/application-guide)
If you need to come in and complete a paper application, please select a time from the below SignUp Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45a5a92fa2fd0-pkapplication
**Please remember if we are not your home school, you must apply at your homeschool. If you are offered a slot at your homeschool, you will only then apply for a transfer to us (or whatever school you are trying to go to).**
Below is a list of documents that are needed at the time of application & registration:
Please keep in mind also that application & registration needs to be completed by legal parents / guardians ONLY.
Required documents for initial screening and income eligibility:
- Common Application (either submitted electronically or hard copy)
- Proof of Birth
- Proof of Residency (can’t be older than 30 days from date of application)
- Income Verification (for ALL adults responsible for the care of child)
Required documents for registration (IF accepted into Pre-K program):
- Proof of Birth
- Proof of Residency (can’t be older than 30 days from date of application)
- Income Verification (for ALL adults responsible for the care of child)
- Social Security Number / Card
- Parent / Legal Guardian Photo ID
- Child’s Immunization Record / Certification
- Legal Documents (if applicable)
- Common Application (either submitted electronically or hard copy)
- Student Record Release (if previously attended school)
- Registration Form
- 504 / IEP Form
- Parent / Legal Guardian Work Information Form
- Maryland Home Language Survey Form
- Prior Early Care Form
- Universal Screening Flier / Form
- Student Health Information Form
- Immunization Certificate Form (only complete top part if supply separate shot record)
- Maryland Lead Testing Certificate Form - does NOT hold up registration
- Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination Form (complete parent portion - you have 6 months to have the doctor part completed) - does NOT hold up registration
Required Immunizations for Preschool students entering in the Fall 2021 (must be submitted and reviewed prior to child’s attendance):
- 4 doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis Vaccine
- 3 doses of Polio Vaccine
- Hib Vaccine (at least 1 dose after 12 months of age)
- 1 dose of Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (after 12 months of age)
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine required for children 60-71 months of age
- 1 dose of Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine (after 12 months of age) or physician documented proof of disease
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine
- 1 dose of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
K-5th Registration
2021-2022 Registration information for grades Kindergarten - 5th grade
Registration for Kindergarten - 5th grade for next school year will open on Monday, May 10th.
Please remember if you are NOT in district for Duke Elementary you will need to complete registration at your home school.
You will need to make an appointment on our Registration Appointments Sign-up Genius below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E45A5A92FA2FD0-pkapplication
You can complete registration documents before your appointment and print and sign them to bring with you during your appointment (see below for required documents / forms). We need all of the original documents before your child(ren) can enter the building. Please find attached the registration documents that will need to be completed (referred to the registration checklist for your child(rens) grades to complete the appropriate forms). Please email Mrs. Nicholas (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Ms. Davis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) the required documents and forms as soon as possible.
Registration documents can be found here (please download them to complete and then print or print and hand write):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16WDke5T2avOkJ5Ce2xWvUU_L3WTo56aE
The documents / forms that we are NEEDED for every student are as follows (we need an actual signature (not just digital signatures) on all forms):
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Parent / Legal Guardian Photo ID
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Child’s Birth Certificate (proof of birth)
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Child’s Social Security Number / Card (optional)
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Child’s Immunization Records / Certification
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Current Proof of Residency
- a. Can’t be older than 30 days from the date of registration
- b. SMECO (electricity) bill, Water Bill, Lease / Rental Agreement with ALL signatures
- c. If you live with somebody and no utility bills are in your name - NOTARIZED Landlord Affidavit with Proof of residency for that address and person attached) (if applicable)
6. Legal Documentation (if applicable)
7. Student Record Release (if applicable; to request records from previous school)
8. Registration Form (front and back) with signature
9. 504/IEP Form
10. Parent/Legal Guardian Work Information Form
11. Maryland Home Language Survey Form
12. Universal Screening Flier/Form
13. Student Health Information Form
Additional forms that are NEEDED for Kindergarten and 1st grade students are as follows (we need an actual signature (not just digital signatures) on all forms):
Kindergarten student’s parents will also need to complete the following forms and return:
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Prior Early Care
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Maryland Lead Testing Certificate Form
1st grade student’s parents will also need to complete the following forms and return:
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Maryland Lead Testing Certificate Form
SOAR Mission:
Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School implements S.O.A.R. expectations for all students across all school settings.
Service
“Being a helper”
Ownership
“Taking responsibility for your actions”
Accountability
“Holding yourself and others to high expectations”
Respect
“Treating others the way you want to be treated”
S.O.A.R. is an Implementation framework for maximizing the selection and use of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices along a multi-tiered continuum that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral competence of all students. Our S.O.A.R. framework is based on a problem-solving model and aims to prevent inappropriate behavior through teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors across school settings.
Our S.O.A.R. mission is to instill the characteristics of a great leader in our students. S.O.A.R. seeks to create a learning environment that empowers our students to show service, ownership, accountability, and respect to peers, teachers, and the community.
We are committed to creating a safe and caring environment in which students will show respect to self, others and property, be responsible for their actions and lead by example.
We encourage you to speak with your children about S.O.A.R. at home. We have provided the school-wide expectations of S.O.A.R. for you so you can use a common language when discussing school expectations at home.
If you have questions about our S.O.A.R. framework or implementation, please contact Ms. Dietz, program facilitator, at (240) 309-4658 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Main Office:
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:10AM - 3:40PM
Hours for registration: 9:30AM - 1:30PM
Phone Number: 240-309-4658
Fax Number : 240-309-4663
Mailing Address: Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School
23595 Hayden Farm Lane
Leonardtown, MD 20650
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