🍂🎃 Join Us for Our First Social of the Year! 🎃🍂

On Friday, October 9, help us kick off the year with a fun-filled fall social for the whole family! We’ll have plenty of sweet treats and fun fall activities for the kids to enjoy. 🍎🍁

As the sun goes down, we’ll gather together for a Halloween movie with popcorn! 🍿🎬Please bring chairs, blankets, and anything that will make your family feel comfy and cozy.  We’ll have tables from our sponsors and Gator gear available for purchase as well.🐊

More details to come!

Join us for a Volunteer Orientation designed especially for families who are new to our school and parents who are new to volunteering this year!

We’ll share everything you need to know about volunteering requirements and share available volunteer opportunities. Whether you’re brand new to the school community or volunteering for the first time, we’d love to have you join us!

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual

Click here to sign up. A link for the virtual meeting will be sent a day ahead of time. Contact VP of Volunteering, Ashley Schoelkopf with any questions. 

The PTO will hold a Fingerprinting Event on Monday, October 12 5:30-7:30 pm at DES!  Cost is $65. Slots are full but please attend and get fingerprinted even if you don't have a slot on the sign up genius. 

Are you interested in volunteering at DES? All volunteers must complete a Fingerprinted Supported Background Check through Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Reach out to Ashley Schoelkopf vpvolunteers.pto.des@gmail.com with any questions. 

For families in need of financial assistance to cover the cost of fingerprinting, please reach out to Jaime Superczynski at jsuperczynski@aacps.org.

We are looking for a few parent volunteers to assist on our upcoming Picture Day, Thursday, October 8.  Parents may be asked to help the photographers with paperwork, ensure classes arrive to the gym at the correct times, help any students return to classrooms and/or keep lines in order as students wait their turn.

Those interested in volunteering must have fingerprint records on file with AACPS. Visit our website for direction to more information.

Volunteer here! Questions?  Contact Julie Myers

We are looking for volunteers to assist in the Mobile STEM lab during the week of October 12-16. Each class will visit the lab once throughout the week and engage in hands on learning experiences. Help is needed for a morning and afternoon session each day. 

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA9AF22A1FFC25-65950831-mobile 

Mrs. Kaiser is still in need of Monday & Tuesday afternoon shelving volunteers. She would appreciate some awesome parents or grandparents to assist in the media center. There are over 200 books that get checked in each day that need to go back on the shelves before the end of the day. Afternoon shelf elves can come any time after 11:30. 

Interested and able to help out on a regular basis? Fill out this interest form and Mrs. Kaiser will contact you.

The Teacher's Elves program is back in business! Do you have some time to spare during the day to make copies, laminate, and complete other tasks for teachers? Sign up to be a part of the teachers elves program! 

Help is needed every day of the week, so make sure you toggle between the different tabs to find days that work with your schedule! Reach out to Laura with any questions! 

We did it! We smashed our goal for the No-Fuss Fundraiser and raised a total of $16,590!  Thanks to your incredible generosity, enthusiasm, and school spirit, our students were treated to the Ultimate School Assembly this past Wednesday, and the Mobile Science Lab Experience will come to the school the week of Oct. 12!

Sending another huge THANK YOU to all our donors — your support made this happen. You’ve helped kick off the school year with joy, momentum, and a whole lot of heart.

Let's raise some dough for DES! This year's first Dining Out will be held at Squisito Pizza & Pasta (Riva Road location) on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 4-9 p.m. 15% of proceeds will be donated to the PTO (includes dine-in and takeout)! 

We’re rolling into the new school year with our first Skate Night of the year — and we’re BACK TO FRIDAYS! Join us on Friday, October 16, from 5–7 p.m. at Skate Zone Crofton for a night of skating, costumes, and Halloween fun!

🎃Halloween costumes encouraged — and there will be a prize at the door for each costumed skater!
🛼Admission: $5 | Skate Rental: $5 (pre-order here)
 A group skate lesson for beginners will also be offered!

Everyone will be charged admission, helping us raise even more funds for DES. Grab your tickets and come kick off our Friday Skate Nights with us!

Don't miss your chance to get this year's Gator Gear designs! Inventory is running low, and once it's gone, it's gone! Order yours today.

Fall Club Registration is now open for Yoga Club! Space is limited, so register today! Use this registration link or click on the flyer for more information.

Financial Assistance is available for all clubs, please reach out to Jaime Superczysnki at jsuperczynski@aacps.org for more information.

The Green School Student Club is to support our efforts in continuing to be a “Green School”, to learn about sustainable actions you can take at home and in our community, and because it’s fun being “green” (just ask Kermit🐸).

Topics covered will include recycling, resource conservation, native plants, and informing the community.

Learn more and sign up here. 

Fall Club Registration is now open for Chess Club! Space is limited, so register today! Use this registration link or click on the flyer for more information.

Financial Assistance is available for all clubs, please reach out to Jaime Superczysnki at jsuperczynski@aacps.org for more information.

Fall Club Registration is now open for Martial Arts! Space is limited, so register today! Use this registration link or click on the flyer for more information.

Financial Assistance is available for all clubs, please reach out to Jaime Superczysnki at jsuperczynski@aacps.org for more information.

Dates/Time: October 10-11,  from 11am-5pm.

Have you ever wondered about the "how" or "why" behind an artist's creation? This studio open house is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists. The self-guided driving tour takes you through southern Anne Arundel County to 10 studio locations and 2 hubs, hosting 20+ artist members of the Muddy Creek Artists Guild. A variety of media will be represented - all ages are welcome! This event is free and open to the public. You can get more details on our website – EVENTS | Muddy Creek Artists and/or watch for new information on our Facebook and Instagram platforms.