Highest marks for Chincoteague Pre-K program-

 (Shore Daily News)

Chincoteague Elementary Pre-K teacher, 

Ms. Powers and  Pre-K assistant Mrs. Ritchie

Chincoteague Elementary School earns highest marks for early childhood program

Chincoteague Elementary School has earned the highest possible rating in Virginia’s early childhood quality system, placing it among the Commonwealth’s top-performing Pre-K programs for the 2024–2025 school year.

The school received an “Exceeds Expectations” designation in the Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) system—an evaluation framework used statewide to measure the quality of teacher-child interactions and curriculum implementation across early learning programs. Chincoteague Elementary scored 719 out of a possible 800 points.

According to the report, the school earned 619 points in classroom interactions, based on observations conducted during both the fall and spring using the nationally recognized CLASS® assessment tool. These observations found that teacher-child interactions in Chincoteague Elementary’s Pre-K classrooms consistently exceeded expectations.

The school also earned the full 100 points available for curriculum, reporting the use of the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, 6th Edition, a Virginia Department of Education–approved program designed to support high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction.

A page from 1916's Maryland's Colonial Eastern Shore

 

(Continues with another page next Saturday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye.)

(Video link update) Shots fired investigation-

 

Pocomoke City Police Dept

On November 6th, 2025, at 1341 hours, the Pocomoke City Police Department received an alert for shots fired in the 700 block of Sixth Street. Officers have canvassed the area and have recovered no evidence or bullet casings. We have included a video of the suspects fleeing the area.

(View video:)

https://www.facebook.com/p/Pocomoke-City-Police-Dept-100076911507861/

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Pocomoke City Police Department. Anyone with information is encouraged to utilize the anonymous page on our website for any information.

   The community's help is appreciated and needed to keep our streets safe, put these violators behind bars where they belong, and to put an end to this ridiculous cycle.

We thank you.

Coming to the Great Pocomoke Fairgrounds-

 

(Read more about it:)

https://easternshorepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251107_post_up.pdf

Congratulations Pocomoke Middle 5th Graders!

 

Worcester County Sheriff's Office·

Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office proudly celebrate the successful completion of the D.A.R.E. Program by Pocomoke Middle School’s 5th-grade students!

A huge thank you to DFC Charles Taylor for his dedication to teaching students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, while empowering them to make smart, healthy, and safe choices. Your commitment to building positive connections with students truly makes a difference!

🏆 Special congratulations to Sophia for winning Best Decorated D.A.R.E. Box — an outstanding display of creativity!

👏 Kudos to our Essay Award Winners: Liam, Ian, Leiana, and Jase! Your hard work and thoughtful writing reflect the values and lessons of the D.A.R.E. Program.

We’re so proud of all the participants — great job, 5th graders! 🎓✨

Worcester eyeing young readers-

 

      (View full article:)

https://baysideoc.net/app/uploads/2025/11/11.06.25-Bayside-Gazette.pdf

Worcester schools score high again-

 

Worcester County Only School System in MD to Have All Eligible Schools Earn Four- and Five-Star Status

Worcester County Public Schools

November 4, 2025

Newark, MD, November 4, 2025– The Maryland State Department of Education released its annual update to the Maryland Report Card website today, containing performance data for every school in the State, including eleven schools in Worcester County.

In Worcester County, all eligible schools earned a four- or five-star rating, placing it as the only school system in the State to earn that distinction. Particular standouts in this year’s release are the performance of our comprehensive high schools: all three high schools topped the Eastern Shore while Pocomoke and Snow Hill high schools were the 12^th and 14^th ranked high schools in the State respectively.

(View more about it:)

Worcester County Only School System in MD to Have All Eligible Schools Earn Four- and Five-Star Status | WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The School Report Cards can be found on the Maryland Report Card website, MdReportCard.org, as well as more information and data about schools and districts. An update on the latest release of the Maryland School Report Card was made to the State Board of Education on November 4, 2025. The presentation materials for the meeting, which provide statewide context to Worcester County’s performance, can be found at https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Pages/Meetings-2025.aspx.

(UPDATED) Virginia election results-

 

Virginia Shore counties split vote on Spanberger.  Delegate Bloxom re-elected. 

(View Shore Daily News story:)

Bloxom to return to House of Delegates - Shore Daily News

(View WBOC election story:)

Virginia Elections | wboc.com

Parade time coming!

 Monday night December 1st 

we will celebrate our 53rd year!

Pocomoke City will be transformed into a "Winter Wonderland", playing host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades.

​​

Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract units from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.

​

Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.

​

Marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, Queens and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.

​

Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in many different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded following the event to the top entries in each category.

​

A special thanks to the City of Pocomoke, the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over four decades.

Visit Pocomoke Christmas Parade for the registration applications noted above, and other info. Note: Deadline for registering is midnight Wednesday, November 26th.

Pocomoke CC Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival!

 Saturday, November 8th

9am to 3pm

Pocomoke Community Center

The Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this amazing Christmas Festival annually since 2010. With over 35 arts and crafts vendors, you’ll find plenty of gifts, Christmas decorations, and holiday cheer.

Our Christmas Festival is held in the elegant Grand Ballroom at the Pocomoke Community Center, 1410 Market Street in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

Santa will be seated in front of the Grand Fireplace from 11am-1pm with free goodies for all the children that want to visit with him. You are welcome to take photos of your child during their visit with the big guy. Santa’s arrival at the Community Center usually begins with a walk through the Ballroom to say hello to all of our valued vendors and he is always well received.

Festive Christmas music plays during our event interrupted only by giveaways that are announced every half hour. Food and beverage including breakfast and lunch is provided in the concession area hosted by the Community Center staff at very reasonable prices. There is plenty of free parking and multiple well-maintained restroom facilities available. 

Admission to the Festival is $5 per person with kids 12 and under admitted free however no family pays more than $20 for admission. Our festival is our only fundraiser raising operating funds for the Chamber’s annual expenses. Your admission fee goes a long way in helping us to cover our costs associated with producing the festival. Additionally, the Pocomoke Community Center is handicapped accessible.

(See more:)

http://christmasfestivalpocomoke.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Arts-Crafts-Festival-2025.mp4

We asked... (Pocomoke north of the river?)

 

Why didn't Pocomoke City establish businesses and residences on the north side of the Pocomoke River?

Several factors limited the establishment of businesses and residences on the north side of the Pocomoke River, including the historical origins of the town, geographic and environmental barriers, and the pattern of railroad development. 

Geographic and environmental factors

• The Great Cypress Swamp: The Pocomoke River flows from the Great Cypress Swamp in the north, creating a landscape of inaccessible wetlands. This made the area immediately north of the river difficult to build on.
• Difficult drainage: For centuries, heavy rains would cause the water to back up into the drainage ditches on the flat farmlands, leaving the fields sodden for days and unsuitable for development. The land on the south side of the river proved to be higher and more suitable for early settlement.
• Spoil banks from dredging: In the post-World War II era, an 18-mile stretch of the river was dredged and channelized to improve drainage for agriculture. The dredged material was deposited along the riverbanks, creating elevated "spoil banks" that further disconnected the floodplain from the river itself. This would have continued to hinder development on the northern side. Historical development
  • Original settlement location: The town that became Pocomoke City began in the late 17th century as a small settlement called Stevens Landing on the south bank of the Pocomoke River, centered around a ferry crossing.
  • Native American territory: Historically, the Nusswattux, a sub-tribe of the Pocomoke Nation, were located on the north side of the river. Land patents and historical records from the 1700s reference the Nusswattux Neck, a territory on the north side of the Pocomoke River.
  • Railroad placement: The town's growth accelerated in the 1880s with the construction of a main railroad line running along the Delmarva Peninsula. This critical transportation link crossed the Pocomoke River at the existing settlement, reinforcing the development on the south side. 
  Infrastructure and logistics
  • Early river commerce: The south side was already established as a center for river commerce and shipping. Key infrastructure like wharves and warehouses for shipping tobacco and lumber were constructed on the south bank.
  • Land-based access: With the main part of town, the railroad, and later the main highway (Route 13), being established on the south side, it was more logical and convenient for businesses and residences to stay centralized near existing infrastructure. 

Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1896, 1929, 1971.

 

(The newspaper's circulation drive seems to have pushed out significant local news coverage.  But the circulation drive was generating a lot of interest in and around the community.  Here are some non-news items from the 10/31/1925 edition that might be of interest.)

(larger text below ad)

May 1896

Democratic Messenger

May 1929

Delmarva Star

March 1971

Democratic Messenger

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