Eighteen Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were recently selected to participate in All-State band, chorus and orchestra ensembles. Middle and high school students from all over the state of Maryland participate in the audition process. Thousands of students audition to be a part of the All-State ensembles. The audition process requires students to play or sing musical scales, a prepared solo and a site-reading piece before a panel of judges. The top scoring students are then selected to participate in the concerts, held annually. The students selected to play in the All-State ensembles are as follows: High school participants: Read more…

The Thomas Stone High School Key Club recently created dinner baskets for eight Stone families. This is the fourth year students have participated in the activity, which helps families in need within the school. The Stone Key Club is a 40-member student group comprised to help the school community. A group of 36 Army JROTC cadets from Thomas Stone High School participated in the national Wreaths Across America project on Dec. 14 at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans for their service. The event demonstrated the students’ outstanding character and holiday spirit, and the cadets helped to unload trucks of Read more…

Two Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) middle school teachers – Monica Derencin and Erin Gartland – recently joined the ranks of accomplished teachers nationwide who achieved national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Both teachers completed a yearlong performance-based assessment series to become National Board Certified Teachers, according to a Dec. 18 release by the NBPTS. They join 37 other Charles County Public Schools teachers who hold current national certification status. Derencin is a language arts teacher at Milton M. Somers Middle School and earned her certificate in the area of English language arts/adolescence and young Read more…

It was Angry Bird against the pig, and the pig didn’t stand a chance with fourth graders from Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School controlling the moves. Instead of playing Angry Birds, Sarah Harmon and her classmates were creating the bird’s move through computer coding. Harmon plotted how to move her Angry Bird and eliminate the pesky pig. She was creating rather than playing the game as she figured out how many moves and which way the bird would need to turn to get the pig. Last week in computer lab, all Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy kindergarten through fifth-grade students learned about computer coding Read more…

The Charles County Public Schools Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (JROTC) program provides student cadets with learning opportunities that are deeply rooted in military traditions. These traditions range from participating in the Color Guard and drill meets to serving as leaders in their school communities. For the 191 senior cadets enrolled in the program at Charles County’s six high schools, the Joint Services Military Ball is a tradition held annually to honor and celebrate their participation in JROTC. This year’s ball was held Dec. 6 at North Point High School, and is the seventh annual event coordinated by the school Read more…

Berry Elementary School fifth graders Reginald Alexander, Michael Parham and Kylin Hertz wrap gifts as part of the school’s Five Days of Giving event. Tis the season for giving in Charles County Public Schools. For Berry Elementary School, tis the season for “Five Days of Giving.” Students and staff held a holiday drive by bringing different donated items for five days. The first day was designated to hats and gloves. The second day was earmuffs and scarves. Day three was donated toys. Pajamas were brought in for day four. The final day was designated to socks. On Thursday, Dec. 12, Read more…

More than 50 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were recently selected to participate in the Tri-County orchestra ensembles. Middle and high school students from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties participate in the audition process. Hundreds of students audition to be a part of the Tri-County orchestras. The audition process requires students to play musical scales, a prepared solo and a site-reading piece before a panel of judges. The top scoring students are then selected to participate in a concert, held annually. The students selected to play in the Tri-County orchestra ensembles are as follows: High school participants: Sydney Read more…

More than 80 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were recently selected to participate in the Tri-County Chorus groups. Middle and high school students from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties participate in the audition process. Hundreds of students audition to be a part of the Tri-County choirs. The audition process requires students to sing a prepared solo and four site-reading pieces before a panel of judges. The top scoring students are then selected to participate in a concert, held annually. The students selected to sing in the Tri-County chorus groups are as follows: High school participants: Samantha Brown, sophomore, Read more…

More than 50 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were recently selected to participate in the Tri-County band ensembles. Middle and high school students from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties participate in the audition process. Hundreds of students audition to be a part of the Tri-County bands. The audition process requires students to play musical scales, a prepared solo and a site-reading piece before a panel of judges. The top scoring students are then selected to participate in a concert, held annually. The students selected to play in the Tri-County band ensembles are as follows: High school participants: Elliott Read more…

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) administrative offices are closed Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Dec. 27 for winter break. Offices are also closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 for New Year’s Day. CCPS schools are closed Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan.3, 2014. Henry E. Lackey and North Point high schools indoor pools are closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, Wednesday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday Jan. 1, 2014. Charles County Public Schools provides 26,500 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically Read more…