_Departments

Office of the Deputy
Superintendent of Schools

Current News

• Carol Leveillee, principal of Mary H. Matula Elementary School, was named principal at Mary B. Neal Elementary School
• Quarterly Student Recognition
• Monthly Student Recognition
• The Washington Post Distinguished Education Leadership Award
• New Principals for 2007-2008
• New Vice Principals for 2007-2008
• Parent Advisory Committee
• Charles County Association of Student Councils (CCASC)
• Student Discipline Hearings
• Approval to Distribute Information to Schools
• Out-0f-County/Out-of-State Field Trips
• School Emergency Response Plans
• School System Inclement Weather/Emergency Closing Policy

Carol Leveillee, principal of Mary H. Matula Elementary School, was named principal at Mary B. Neal Elementary School.

Neal is Charles County Public Schools 21st elementary school and will open its doors to students Aug. 25. The 88,000 square-foot, two-story school is located off Piney Church Road in Waldorf. A vice principal for Neal and a new principal for Matula will be chosen later this year.

Quarterly Student Recognition

Each school year the Board of Education schedules Quarterly Student Recognition programs to recognize outstanding student achievement in all areas. The recognition programs for school year 2007-2008 will be posted when dates and location become available. Dates for the Quarterly Student Recognition are:  November 19, 2007  February 25, 2008, and May 19, 2008.

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Monthly Student Recognition

In support of the Charles County Public Schools Five-Year Plan, elementary, middle, and high school students are recognized in the categories of Academic Achievement, Personal Responsibility, and Career Readiness during the regular Board of Education meeting each month. The recognition programs are held at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building Board Room each month.  The 2007-2008 dates will be posted when they become available. Dates for the Monthly Student Recognition are: October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 19, March 11, April 8, May 13 and June 10.

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The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award

The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award recognizes principals throughout the metropolitan area through its educational foundation. The nomination and selection criteria include the ability to:

• manage and administrate effectively
• demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation
• foster cooperation between the school and the community
• maintain a continuing dialogue with students and parents as well as faculty and staff
• keep abreast of developments in the field of education
• encourage team spirit
• demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment
• continue to play an active role in the classroom

Carol L. Leveillee, Principal of Mary H. Matula Elementary School, was the Charles County recipient of the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award for 2006-2007.

A distinguished cadre of Charles County principals and former principals who have previously received this award include:

Mr. Garth Bowling, Principal of La Plata High School

Ms. Sandra Brehon, Principal of Malcolm Elementary School

Mr. James Cornette, Assistant in School Administration and Operations 

Mrs. Patty Dorsey, Assistant in School Administration and Operations

Ms. Judy Estep, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

Mr. Keith Hettel, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Ms. Jervie S. Petty, Principal of McDonough High School

Dr. William Wise, Principal of Mattawoman Middle School

The Division of School Administration and Operations conducts monthly leadership meetings with all principals.

Principals and vice-principals meet monthly with meetings planned around the focus for the year. All new school administrators--principals and vice-principals--are paired with experienced administrators in a mentoring relationship. New school administrators meet regularly through the year with topics and issues relevant to those new in the position. Principals meet monthly on the second Wednesday, after the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

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NEW PRINCIPALS
2007-08 SY

NEW VICE PRINCIPALS
2007-08 SY

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Parent Advisory Committee

Each school selects a parent representative and alternate to serve on the system-wide Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). This group meets three times during the school year at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. Parent representatives meet with the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and other administrators to learn more about the instructional program, budget process, safety and security measures in the schools, and other issues pertinent to the daily operation of the public school system. Topics for meetings are garnered from the suggestions of the parents, as well as addressing issues in the system. Parent representatives share the information with their school's parent group(s).

System-wide PAC meetings will be held on October 23, 2007, January 22, 2008, and April 22, 2008.

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Charles County Association of Student Councils (CCASC)

The Charles County Association of Student Councils is an organization consisting of student leaders from the county's five high schools and seven middle schools. These students meet throughout the year to discuss issues and concerns and provide input to school system leaders on programs and policies. CCASC also provides an opportunity for students to improve their leadership skills by presenting leadership workshops for middle school students and coordinating the Senior Citizens' Prom, an annual event co-sponsored by the Greater Waldorf Jaycees and the Charles County Department of Community Services. CCASC members also participate in activities sponsored by the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC). These events include a state conference on legislative issues and a state convention. CCASC officers for the 2007-2008 school year: Tiara Cunningham, Thomas Stone High School, president; William Le, Thomas Stone, first vice president; Bradley Tipper, La Plata High School, second vice president; Chandra Thompson, Thomas Stone High School; secretary; and Alphonso Gaston Lopez, Mattawoman Middle School, middle school representative.

Ashin Shah, a rising senior at Thomas Stone High School, is the student member of the Board of Education of Charles County for the 2007-08 school year.

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Student Discipline Hearings

Parents who wish to request a review of the recommendation made by the Superintendent's Hearing Officer at a Suspension to the Superintendent Hearing may do so in writing to James Cornette at Charles County Public Schools, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646. The parent will then be contacted with a date and time for a review conference.

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Approval to Distribute Information to Schools

Outside agencies, businesses, and organizations may request approval to distribute information to schools by submitting a request in writing to Patty Dorsey at Charles County Public Schools, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646. Include a copy of the information to be distributed along with the intended audience (i.e., elementary students only, all schools, name (s) of particular school(s). Please submit request one month before desired distribution date to allow ample time for review.

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Out-of-County/Out-of-State Field Trips

The Office of School Administration and Operations, on behalf of the Deputy Superintendent, must approve all out of county/out of state field trips. All requests are processed through the principal on the appropriate form and sent to Patty Dorsey for final approval. Please allow sufficient time for processing (at least a month). Note: the school system continues the moratorium on all system sponsored international field trips this school year including the summer of 2007. The administration will continue to monitor world events as it affects student travel and will adjust policy accordingly.

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School Emergency Response Plans

The Superintendent assures parents and students that every school has an emergency response plan ready to implement if the need arises. Each school is equipped with an emergency kit that contains each student's emergency contact information as well as equipment to assist school administrators in the event a serious situation occurs that requires the evacuation of the school. School system officials have immediate and open communication to the sheriff's office and other local authorities.

Superintendent Richmond states, "The safety of our students and staff is our first priority." School officials work closely with the Charles County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police, county government and other local authorities at all times, and especially now during the current national emphasis on homeland security, to ensure the safety of our schools. The superintendent, deputy superintendent and staff from the office of school administration and operations meet quarterly with Sheriff Davis, the state police and staff to review the collaborative programs that exist through the ongoing partnership between the school system and the sheriff's office and the state police.

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School System Inclement Weather/Emergency Closing Policy

Parents are advised to create an emergency plan for their children in the event weather conditions or other events cause an early dismissal or delayed opening of schools. It is important to discuss plans with your children so they will know what to do if schools close early. We also remind parents that weather conditions can vary from one part of the county to another. Conditions such as icy roads or flooding may cause a delayed opening or early closing although roads appear safe in certain areas.

The school system works in conjunction with other local agencies (sheriff's office, county roads, state police, and weather service) in making a determination regarding a change in the school system schedule.

We ask parents to monitor radio and television stations for the latest information on school closing decisions in the case of inclement weather. The decision to close early or delay the opening of schools is made as early as possible, and no later than 5:00 a.m. Information is released to all Washington metropolitan area radio and television stations as soon as a decision is made. <No announcement is made when schools are open. >

Parents may also call the 24-hour information line at 301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656 to hear updated information on school closings, delayed openings and early dismissals. Also, please check out the inclement weather section of this website for more information.

The schedule for delayed openings is as follows:

One-Hour Delay

• Buses run one hour later than the regular schedule
• Morning pre-K classes begin one hour late
  

Two-Hour Delay

• Buses run two hours later than the regular schedule
• No morning pre-K classes

Early Closings - decision made by 10:30 a.m.

• Buses run the normal afternoon routes, as on a regular school day; however, depending on road conditions, there may be delays. We make every effort to keep schedules on time.
• No afternoon pre-K or kindergarten; morning students remain at school and are served lunch if the decision to close early is made before their regular dismissal time.
• No afternoon classes for 12^th grade Career and Technology students attending North Point High School.

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