A Message From The Superintendent

Mr. James E. Richmond

Each year, there is an excitement and anticipation as we celebrate the start of a new school year. I have spent the last 43 years as a public school educator with Charles County Public Schools, and I still start each school year with high hopes and expectations for our students.

It is a challenging, yet rewarding time to be an educator. Federal and state accountability standards continue to rise and our students need more and different opportunities to learn in order to become competitive in a global economy and workforce. We must rise to meet the challenges of growth and maintain academic programs to raise achievement while working within the confines of dwindling resources.

As we strive for academic excellence, we also recognize the need to provide a safe learning environment for our students and teachers. We work hard to encourage good student behavior through programs like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Capturing Kids Hearts, and we partner with the Charles County Sheriff's Office to ensure we are doing everything possible to provide safe and secure schools.

We want your child to have a productive school year in which they grow academically and personally. Research shows that the more parents are involved in their children's schooling, the more successful their children are in school. We hope you will attend as many events in your school as possible, participate in report card conferences and get involved with your child's school parent-teacher organizations.

CCPS is committed to keeping you informed. The Parent Handbook/Calendar provides an overview of the school system and important dates. Learn more throughout this Web site, where we post test scores, policies and current releases. We mail, at no cost to the school system or taxpayers, quarterly newsletters with system information and accomplishments. Comcast Channel 96 highlights student programs and shows, including live broadcasts of Board of Education meetings, which can also be accessed through our Web site. Provide your child's school with an e-mail address to quickly receive updates and important information.

Working together, we can make this a successful year for all students. As always, we welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email me at boardmail@ccboe.com.