Clarification regarding the board-approved SY 25-26 Calendar, as outlined during the February 11 Board of Education meeting:
In January 2025, the Board approved a school-year calendar with four built-in inclement weather days. Two of those days were at the end of the school year, June 11 and June 12. Schools were scheduled to be closed on March 12 and March 13, with those days as additional “possible” inclement weather days.
In August 2025, the board revised the calendar, unrelated to the inclement weather days. This revision was inadvertently made on a prior draft, which included the four built-in days at the end of the year, as well as the possible days in March. This clerical error was discovered earlier this month, and the correct calendars were posted on the TCPS website.
During the February 11 regular meeting, the Board of Education confirmed that the approved SY 25-26 calendar should reflect the following:
- At this time, we have been closed for four days due to inclement weather, using all of the built-in days.
- Schools will BE OPEN on March 12 and March 13.
-The projected last day of school is June 12, but this will likely not be confirmed until the April Board of Education meeting.
The amended calendars are linked below. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion caused by the error.
Kelly is highly deserving of this recognition for her unwavering dedication and thoughtful approach to supporting students and helping them succeed. She works tirelessly to improve systems while intentionally designing instruction to meet the specific needs of each learner. She sees the unique strengths in every student and genuinely believes in their abilities—empowering them to grow in both confidence and achievement. Kelly is not only kind and supportive to her students, but also highly collaborative with her colleagues, making her a true asset to EMS.
Well done, Kelly, and thank you for the impact you make every day!!
Left to right: Kindel Kimball (EMS), Cara Easter (CDES), Shelly Armiger (EHS), JR Burkhardt (SMMH), Caroline Gopaul (WMES), Heather Plutchak (EES), Carly Baysinger (EES), Sara Davis (EHS), Tara Blades (EES), Jessica Marth (EHS), Jessica Pippin (EHS).
Not pictured - Rachael Kerr (EMS), Ann Nilsen (EMS), Valerie Bromwell (SMES), Kerry Asbell (SMMH)
Talbot County Board of Education Meetings
Public Budget Hearing/Work Session - Monday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m. (Budget Hearing) and 5:30 p.m.
(Work Session)
Regular Meeting - Wednesday, February 11 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.
CarePacks Family Meal Distribution tomorrow, Friday (2/6/26), at the Easton Elementary School Cafeteria - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. while supplies last! Meals are available for any TCPS family.
Dear TCPS Families,
Based on the conditions of the roads as of this evening, all Talbot County Public Schools and offices are planning to open on time on Wednesday, February 4. If conditions change, we will re-evaluate tomorrow morning.
Thank you!
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Dear TCPS Families,
Due to continued extreme temperatures and icy road conditions, all Talbot County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay schedule on Tuesday, February 3, to allow additional time for student and staff travel. Employees will follow code green.
Adverse road and sidewalk conditions still exist, so families and staff are urged to exercise caution and patience. We encourage families of students who normally walk to school to provide extra supervision of students on walking routes, or consider transporting students to and from school if possible. Please also use caution when making decisions about student drivers. Some buses may still need to take alternate routes or avoid certain areas due to continued hazards.
Please be safe!
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Superintendent
TCPS offers:
Carpentry
Agriculture
Pre Engineering
Automotive Tech
Teacher Academy, Firefighter & NJROTC
Marketing
Interactive Media Production
Culinary Arts & Cosmetology
Biomedical & CNA
Computer Science
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!!
Dear TCPS Families,
Out of an abundance of caution and to allow additional time for student and staff travel, all Talbot County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay schedule on Monday, Feb. 2. Employees will follow code green.
Some adverse road and sidewalk conditions will still exist over the next few days, so families and staff are urged to exercise caution and patience. We encourage families of students who normally walk to school to provide extra supervision of students on walking routes, or consider transporting students to and from school if possible. Please also use caution when making decisions about student drivers. Some buses may need to take alternate routes or avoid certain areas due to continued hazards.
We thank you for your continued support and patience throughout this extremely challenging weather event.
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D.
Superintendent
TCPS virtual instruction plan: https://www.talbotschools.org/page/virtual-day-instruction-plan
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.
