Beginning this school year, Wicomico County Public Schools will use the nationally recognized Standard Response Protocol (SRP), to provide clear instructions for students, staff and families during emergencies.
What You Should Know:
- Standard Response Protocol uses clear language for emergency situations
- SRP helps improve communication among schools, families, students, staff and first responders
- Students and staff will practice and learn the five response actions during the school year
Parents are encouraged to learn more about Standard Response Protocol by visiting https://www.wicomicoschools.org/o/wcps/page/safe-schools
Students, families, teachers and staff of Wicomico County Public Schools: Let's all have a great school year!
#LearningTodayLeadingTomorrow
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new Principal of Choices Academy. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in a school that provides students with the support, flexibility, and opportunities they need to achieve success.
As I begin this journey with you, I would like to share my educational philosophy. I firmly believe that meaningful relationships are the foundation of a successful school. When students feel respected, valued, and supported, they are more likely to engage in learning, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. Building strong, positive relationships with students, families, and staff will be a priority in all that I do.
Choices Academy serves students who come to us with a variety of experiences, strengths, challenges, and aspirations. We have the unique opportunity to meet students where they are and provide individualized support that helps them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I believe every student deserves a fresh start, a caring support system, and access to opportunities that help them envision and achieve a successful future.
At Choices Academy, I am committed to creating an environment where students are treated with dignity, supported in their individual journeys, and encouraged to recognize their strengths and potential. Every student who walks through our doors brings a unique story, and it is our responsibility to provide the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to help them move forward successfully.
As I begin my time as Principal, I look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside students, families, and staff. Together, we will remain focused on what matters most: helping students grow, build confidence, develop resilience, and prepare for their next steps in education, employment, and life. I am honored to serve at Choices Academy and excited about the opportunities ahead.
Thank you for welcoming me to this role. I look forward to meeting each of you and working together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Warm regards,
Dr. C. Dwayne Abt
Principal
Wicomico schools will hold open house events Wednesday, Aug. 26 (middle and high schools) and Thursday, Aug. 27 (elementary schools) in preparation for the opening of the 2026-2027 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for most students.
Open house information for middle and high schools is listed below, followed by key dates for the start of the school year. (Information on elementary school open houses is posted separately.) If a school has posted a school supply list, a link is provided.
Schools will send out student school-year information letters on Aug. 14, with open house information included with this welcome letter.
Students and families may also visit www.wicomicoschools.org for the following:
· Listing of school leadership teams
· 2026-2027 school calendar
· School hours, both regular and with a 90-minute delay
· Our eBulletinBoard, with flyers for school/school system and community events including the Aug. 23 Fresh Start Back-to-School Event
· Instructions for logging in to use Family Portal once the portal opens Aug. 26
· Important Forms & Notices
· 2026-2027 bus serving lists
· Meal menus (Wicomico County Public Schools continues to be a CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) district, with all students eligible for breakfast and lunch at no charge.)
For a complete listing of Open Houses and Other Information for the start of the 2026 - 2027 School year, visit wicomicoschools.org/article/3074296
Key Dates for Start of the 2026-2027 School Year in Wicomico County Public Schools
Friday, Aug. 14: Student school year information distributed
Wednesday, Aug. 26: Family Portal opens for 2026-2027 school year, with secondary student schedules available to print. Open houses for middle and high schools afternoon/evening.
Thursday, Aug. 27: Open houses for elementary schools afternoon/evening.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Students in grades 1-6 and Grade 9 attend school on Tuesday, Sept. 1. (Please note these exceptions: All grades attend at Pittsville Elementary & Middle. Only Grade 6 attends at Mardela Middle & High.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2: All students in grades 1-12 in school Wednesday, Sept. 2.
During the first week, Kindergarten and Prekindergarten students report as scheduled by the assigned school; detailed information will be in the welcome letter. The first day all Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students will be in school together is Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day holiday, schools and Central Office closed
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. A child must be present with an adult to receive school supplies.
-Free Backpacks (Clear Backpacks available too for Wi-Hi and Wi Middle while
supplies last)
-Free Essential School Supplies
-Free Haircuts
-Family Activities
-Info about the upcoming school year
-Community programming
-Health Information and more
MARK YOU CALENDAR for Sunday, August 23rd, starting at 1 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center!
For more information, log onto wicomicorecandparks.org or jhesen@mywcps.org Also, "Thank You" to our growing list of sponsors for making this possible for Wicomico County students.
SHARE THIS and help us spread the word to families who may benefit. Let's work together to make sure every child starts the school year ready to learn, grow, and succeed! ❤️
#LearningTodayLeadingTomorrow
#WicomicoCountyPublicSchools
#FreshStartWicomico
@wicomicorec
@cfeasternshore
The next monthly meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in the Board of Education Auditorium at 101 Long Ave., Salisbury.
For this Board meeting, the Board will convene at 1 p.m. and immediately vote to go into closed session. The open portion of the meeting will begin at about 1:30 p.m. The agenda for this meeting is available at https://wicomico-schools.community.highbond.com/Portal/
To register for public comments, please visit the pre-registration page (https://board_public_comments.wicomicoschools.org/), which is open from August 3 - 10. Anyone unable to pre-register online may visit the school system office at 2424 Northgate Drive during business hours to fill out a paper copy of the pre-registration form.
This meeting will be livestreamed on the Watch Board Meetings page of the school system's website - www.wicomicoschools.org
Meetings are also viewable after they have ended at https://www.wicomicoschools.org/page/watch-board-meetings
Wicomico County Public Schools will be closed on Friday, July 3, as part of the Independence Day holiday. On Saturday, July 4 our nation celebrates 250 years since the day that the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence Day. Happy 250th America!
• Approval of the Student Member of the Board
• Adoption of the amended current expense budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
• Approval of Pre-Qualified Real Estate Brokers
The public is welcome to attend this special meeting, which will be followed by an open work session. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Watch Board Meetings page of the school system’s website: https://www.wicomicoschools.org/page/watch-board-meetings
Reminder: Next week is the last week of the 2025-2026 school year for Wicomico County Public Schools. Here is the schedule (the same as the one posted for elementary schools/Pittsville School but without elementary letter days). Schools will provide any details on each day's class schedule if needed.
-Take part in The Great STEM(+) Expo for all ages, happening 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Salisbury Middle School. Free and open to all.
-Visit the Pridelands with the cast and crew of the Prince Street Elementary Drama Club's "The Lion King Kids," shows at the school at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
-Browse through hundreds and hundreds of excellent pieces of artwork in the annual Wicomico County Student Art Show, in the Paul Sarbanes Branch of the Wicomico Public Library in Downtown Salisbury. Open library hours Saturday and Sunday, and then it closes.
-Take a seat in the Wicomico High School Auditorium for the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre's "The Little Mermaid," whose cast includes some of our talented students. Shows at 11 a.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
OT staff: Your dedication, creativity, and expertise empower students to access their learning, build independence, and thrive in school and beyond. Through collaboration and individualized support, you make a lasting impact on students, families, and staff each and every day. Thank you for all that you do. The students, families, teachers and staff of Wicomico Schools appreciate you!
#OTmonth
Today the staff of Wicomico County Public Schools is dressing casual to support the fund-raising of these four adventurers. The money raised by Over the Edge for ALICE, through the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, goes to help families in our community who are ALICE: Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. Many ALICE families include children in our classroom, and Wicomico Schools is stepping up (and going Over the Edge) to support them. Ours is the first school system in the area to take on this challenge.
Staff members can join this ALICE effort with their casual day donation today and in other ways that we will share soon. And anyone can make a donation to be divided among the four Ross descenders: https://givebutter.com/OTE2026/wicomico-county-public-schools.
(Individual donation links will be shared in the near future. Anyone donating $25 or more to one of our team members through the donation site will have their name added to the adventure suit so they can be part of the descent on May 8th!)
