Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County Sherise Kennard, foreground, administers the oath of office for new Board of Education member Laura McKenzie Monday evening, Dec. 9.

When the new year begins, the Kent County Board of Education will officially seat its two recently elected members.

Laura McKenzie and John Queen took the oath of office Monday evening, Dec. 9 in advance of the official start of their first term on the board.

The pair were elected to the Board of Education in November to four-year terms.

McKenzie and Queen arrived at the Kent County Public Schools Administrative Building in Rock Hall Dec. 9 with Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County Sherise Kennard.

They individually took the oath of office with family members and friends present in the Board of Education meeting room.

Newly-elected Board of Education member John Queen recites the oath of office with Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County Sherise Kennard Monday evening, Dec. 9.

Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas and the current slate of board members were on hand for the ceremony as well.

McKenzie, a mother of four, is a case manager at the Benedictine School in Ridgely and a licensed mental health therapist practicing at Discovering Serenity Counseling in Chestertown.

For McKenzie, the swearing-in ceremony was a very emotional experience.

“I felt overwhelmed by the privilege of taking a solemn oath to serve our schools in faithfulness and to the best of my ability,” McKenzie said. “I very much appreciated the congratulations and welcome I received from our superintendent, current board members and central office staff.”

A father of two, Queen is a youth and community organizer and founder of the Bayside HOYAS (Helping Our Youth Achieve Success) program.

“For over a decade I’ve been on the front line, serving Kent County youth and their families while providing solution-based initiatives,” Queen said. “I’m excited to bring my skill set and community experience to the Board of Education and help provide Kent County Public Schools with leadership, accountability and a vision for the future.”

Learn more about the Kent County Board of Education at https://www.kent.k12.md.us/SchoolBoard.aspx.

The annual Seasonal Sensations holiday dinner and concert at Kent County High School will be held this year at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. The dinner will be prepared and served by culinary students and musical performances will feature holiday selections from the high school’s band.

Kent County High School’s culinary arts and music students are getting ready for the annual Seasonal Sensations dinner and concert.

This year’s program starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the high school’s cafeteria, with appetizers, followed by dinner and musical performances.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger. They can be picked up at the door the evening of the event.

Culinary arts teacher John Keller and his students will again prepare the customary holiday dinner.

Musical performances will feature seasonal selections from the Kent County High School Concert Band, Jazz Band and Show Choir, all under the leadership of director Jodi Bortz.

The evening will also include a silent auction fundraiser.

To reserve tickets, email Malorie Martinez at [email protected].

Kent County High School is located at 25301 Lambs Meadow Road, Worton.

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The seventh annual Sensory Holiday Celebration is being held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.

The holiday party will in the media center at Kent County Middle School for students and their siblings who receive special education or related services or have a 504.

Santa will be joining the holiday fun for photos. There will be games, crafts and food.

RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/msbkt33f. Registration closes Friday, Dec. 13.

The Sensory Holiday Celebration is presented by Kent County Public Schools’ Infants and Toddlers program, the Family Support Resource Center, the Kent County Judy Centers and the Office of Special Education.

Kent County Middle School is located at 402 E. Campus Ave., Chestertown.

Kent County High School students in the Apprenticeship Maryland program pose for a photo with some of the business owners providing the work experience opportunities. From left are Bill and Christina Schindler of Modern Stone Age Kitchen, Heather Bilbrough, Gavin Larrimore, Laila Johnson, Casey Hurd of Greenscapes Land Care, Maxwell Schofield, Ethan Clark and Jennifer Proudfoot and Eric Lemon of Dixon Valve.

This week, school systems throughout the country are highlighting the important opportunity apprenticeships provide those entering the workforce.

National Apprenticeship Week is Nov. 17-23. This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship week, celebrating a decade of “engagement, expansion and innovation.”

Kent County Public Schools partners with the state’s Apprenticeship Maryland program, pairing high schoolers here with local businesses.

Apprenticeship Maryland is one of the 11 CTE pathways offered to students at Kent County High School, along with other fields such as engineering, automotive technology, construction trades, heath occupations and more.

Tom Porter is Kent County Public Schools’ supervisor for accountability and Career and Technical Education (CTE).

“The growth of Kent County’s Apprenticeship Maryland program demonstrates our recognition of the instructional value of local businesses,” Porter said.

The Kent County Board of Education hosted a special ceremony last month for high schoolers who are signing on for an apprenticeship with a local business.

Porter and Kent County High School Career Counselor Brett King hosted the agreement signing ceremony at a board meeting Monday, Oct. 14.

“To enter the apprenticeship, students, employers, the school system and their parents must sign an apprenticeship agreement, which we are doing tonight,” Porter told board members at the meeting.

He said the moment, though, was about much more than signing an agreement.

“It’s about opening doors to new opportunities and experiences that will shape these young people’s futures,” Porter said.

The current class of apprentices from Kent County High School includes:

• Maxwell Scholfield, manufacturing apprentice at Dixon Valve
• Laila Johnson, hospitality and restaurant management apprentice at Modern Stone Age Kitchen
• Heather Bilbrough, hospitality and restaurant management apprentice at Modern Stone Age Kitchen
• Gavin Larrimore, landscape management apprentice at Greenscapes Land Care
• Benjamin Philips, geriatric nursing aide apprentice at Brickwood Assisted Living
• Trevor Fuchs, farming apprentice at Owings and Sons Inc.
• Ethan Clark, manufacturing shop apprenticeship at Chesapeake CNC Manufacturing Center.

“I just want to thank all our apprenticeship partners because this is profound for kids,” said Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, at the board meeting.

Porter addressed the students on hand, reminding them that they were not just committing to a program, but to their own personal and professional growth.

“Each of you, through these apprenticeships, will apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real world situations. You will develop essential skills. You will build connections that will last throughout your career,” Porter told the students. “You may have challenges, but with your determination and resilience, you each will thrive.”

Learn more about the CTE program at Kent County High School at www.kent.k12.md.us/CTEProgram.aspx.

Lead photo: Bill and Christina Schindler, owners of Modern Stone Age Kitchen in Chestertown, sign an apprenticeship agreement with Kent County High School student Laila Johnson and her father Tyrell Johnson at an Oct. 14 Board of Education meeting.

Carol Hoxter, lead custodian at Kent County Middle School was honored with this month’s Golden Anchor award for her hard work and dedication.

Hoxter received her award from the Kent County Board of Education Monday night, Nov. 11.

Carol Hoxter receives the Golden Anchor award Monday, Nov. 11 at a Kent County Board of Education meeting. From left are board Vice President Francoise Sullivan, student board member Alden Swanson, Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, board member Frank Rhodes, Hoxter, board President Joseph Goetz, board member Trish McGee, Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion and Kent County Middle School Principal Mark Buckel.

The Golden Anchor Award is presented each month to staff members or groups of employees who exemplify the mission and core values of Kent County Public Schools.

“Kent County Public Schools is an anchor organization that creates an environment of academic excellence through a collaborative, equitable and rigorous learning community,” the mission statement reads.

Nominations may be submitted by Kent County Public Schools staff members, parents and students.

Director of Human Resources Dan Hushion presented Hoxter with the Golden Anchor at the Board of Education meeting.

Reading from a letter nominating Hoxter for the award, Hushion said she exemplifies all the characteristics of Kent County Public Schools each day that she walks into the middle school.

“She comes in every day ready for whatever task may be waiting for her,” Hushion read. “Ms. Carol does everything without complaining and has a positive attitude each day.”

Hoxter, it was noted, can be relied on to get the job done even on days when she has no help.

She also is known for coming back into the middle school on her own time to double check that it is ready for teachers and students the next day.

“We are so thankful for Ms. Carol,” Hushion said.

Kaitlyn Wright, an English language arts teacher at Kent County Middle
School, is the 2023-24 Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for
Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Educators from throughout the state joined in celebrating Maryland’s top teachers last week, among them Kaitlyn Wright of Kent County Middle School.

Wright was joined Friday, Oct. 4 by administrators and teachers from her building and the Kent County Public Schools Central Office, including Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, at the annual Maryland Teacher of the Year banquet in Hunt Valley.

Wright is the 2023-24 Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and was a named a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year, an honor that ultimately went to Kat Locke-Jones of Baltimore City Public Schools Oct. 4.

“There is a reason people say teachers make every other profession possible,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright at the banquet. “It is absolutely true. The work you do each day allows students to pursue their dreams, whether it’s in college, in their careers and in their lives.”

Kaitlyn Wright is an English language arts teacher at Kent County Middle School. She has rejuvenated the theater program, leading productions of “Alice @ Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz,” serves on leadership teams and engages in curriculum development.

Among those cheering Kaitlyn Wright on at the state banquet were her fiancé and parents; Kent County Middle School Principal Mark Buckel and Assistant Principal Kelley Melvin; Kent County Public Schools Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz and Dr. McComas; and Kent County Board of Education President Joseph Goetz, Vice President Francoise Sullivan and member Aretha Dorsey.

“Kaitlyn Wright is so deserving of this recognition because it is absolutely clear that she centers her focus on students’ humanity, and in doing so, she unleashes their boundless potential,” Dr. McComas said of Kaitlyn Wright being honored as a Maryland Teacher of the Year finalist.

As part of the Maryland Teacher of the Year selection process, Kaitlyn Wright has worked with the other 23 school system Teachers of the Year, attending special events, meetings and conferences.

“Learning is ongoing. It’s dynamic. It’s personal, yet shared,” Wright said in a pre-recorded interview shown at the Oct. 4 reception. “But students will only be willing to share the experience with you when they perceive authenticity. I don’t try to be anything but myself.”

Buckel was overjoyed and incredibly proud of the recognition Kaitlyn Wright received.

“It is well-deserved, as Kaitlyn exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator. Her dedication, passion and impact on her students and colleagues is truly inspirational,” Buckel said. “We are so fortunate to have her as part of our Kent County Middle School family.”

Goetz said he was proud of Kaitlyn Wright and all that she has accomplished so far.

“Her dedication, passion and ability to inspire our students in English language arts and the theater program is truly remarkable,” Goetz said. “Ms. Wright has created an environment where learning is not just an obligation, but a joy, and for that we are all grateful.”

Dan Hushion is the director of human resources for Kent County Public Schools and leads the system’s annual Teacher of the Year awards program. He was also in attendance at the state banquet to celebrate Kaitlyn Wright’s achievements.

Hushion remembers first meeting her during the hiring process.

“I was inspired by her passion for teaching and her love for children,” he said. “Over the last few years, we have seen that passion and love on display each and every day, whether it’s during class, delivering engaging lessons, working with a student during her planning time, lunch period or even after school, or in other professional capacities where she truly aims to better herself and our district in every capacity that she can.”

Learn more about Kent County Public Schools, it’s staff, students and their accomplishments at www.kent.k12.md.us or follow the school system on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcpsmdk12.

Lead photo: Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Kaitlyn Wright is cheered on by her fellow teachers, administrators and Board of Education members at the annual Maryland Teacher of the Year reception. From left are Mark Buckel, Christine Clark, Kelley Melvin, Katherine Hughes, Francoise Sullivan, Samantha Reed, Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, Joseph Goetz, Wright, Gary Duren, Aretha Dorsey, Gina Jachimowicz, Ida Nabb, Dan Hushion and Tom Porter.  

 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas wants to hear from families, staff members and the community at large about what the future of Kent County Public Schools should look like.

The school system has scheduled community conversations throughout October and November to help guide the preparation of Kent County Public Schools’ next five-year strategic plan, facilities plan and annual budget.

“We’re inviting the community in to discover what makes Kent County Public Schools so special and to help us build on that for the future,” Dr. McComas said. “We hope you will join us in these discussions and, please, bring some friends.”

Conversation sessions are scheduled to be held at each of the schools — with childcare provided at the elementary and middle schools.

The dates are:

• Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Galena Elementary School
• Thursday, Oct. 24 at H.H. Garnet Elementary School, Chestertown
• Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Kent County High School, Worton
• Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Rock Hall Elementary School
• Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Kent County Middle School, Chestertown.

The meetings will begin at 6 p.m. in the schools’ media centers.

After an introduction, attendees will break out into small groups for conversations on a variety of topics about Kent County Public Schools.

Additional conversations are being planned as well at community locations throughout Kent County.

No RSVP is required to participate, but organizers ask that those interested in childcare at the meetings visit https://tinyurl.com/298x3ff2 so the school can plan ahead for staffing.