A group of St. Charles High School students will compete at the state “We the People” event next month after earning first place in the Charles County competition held yesterday at the school. The competition tests student knowledge about the United States constitutional principles through simulated mock congressional hearings. This is the first year a local competition has been hosted by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). As first-place winners, the St. Charles students will compete at the state event planned for Jan. 5 at the Carver Center in Gambrills, Md. The competition is divided into rounds, and teams of up Read more…

•    Several Students at William A. Diggs Elementary School are rewarded for demonstrating positive behavior, good character and personal responsibility through the school’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) program. One of the reward opportunities students can earn through PBIS activities is lunch with a school administrator. Students take turns having lunch with Diggs Principal Debra Calvert, or Nicholas Adam or Adam Todd, vice principals at the school. Earlier this school year, Diggs was recognized as a gold banner PBIS school for its efforts in supporting positive relationships and behaviors among students and staff. •    William A. Diggs Elementary School Read more…

Classroom doors at William B. Wade Elementary School get festive during the holiday season as staff and students try to outdo each other when it comes to decorating. For the second year, doors were decorated to celebrate the season with themes ranging from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “Peanuts” to “Frozen” and “The Polar Express.” Other doors featured snowmen, snowflakes and sledding along with messages of friendship and holiday wishes. Principal Kevin Jackson said the school has a culture of positivity, but the competition for Most Creative, Best Theme and Most Student Participation is tight. “They really get into Read more…

Satisfied that together they have coded a prize-winning song, Beth Ullmann’s music class made up of fifth graders at T.C. Martin Elementary School asked her to play the tune they created. Using a series of horns sounding off at different intervals and in varying keys, Ullmann pushes play. “It’s the moment of truth,” she said.   The first notes start and the reaction is almost immediate. “Turn it off,” students ask, some laughing at how bad it sounds. Back to the drawing board, or rather, the Smart board. During an Hour of Code assignment, Ullmann’s students went up to the Read more…

The average house in the United States is 43 years old. The average age of an electrician is 56. Trends are changing with a push toward renewable, efficient energy and solar power, while older homes need renovation to support today’s technology. Skilled electricians are needed for all of it. “The industry is at the tipping point,” David Quatela, brand strategy manager at Siemens, a manufacturing and electronics company, said during a recent presentation to members of the electrical construction program at North Point High School. “You guys will be on the front lines. There is lots of work for you.” Read more…

Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School counselor Zarina Ameen worked with Higdon staff and area organizations to collect toys, clothes, food and books for Higdon students. NRG Energy Services donated toys, Holy Ghost Church donated clothes, Christ Church, Wayside donated Christmas food baskets and Higdon staff gave books to local students. Through their hard work, volunteers provided for 25 families. Students and staff at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School participated in Socktober, a fundraiser for LIMBS International. LIMBS International is an organization that delivers prosthetics to people in need in developing countries. On Dec. 19, LIMBS International informed staff at Read more…

All Charles County public schools will be closed for winter break from Friday, Dec. 23 to Monday, Jan. 2. Schools reopen for students and teachers on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Administrative offices are closed Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. The Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during winter break. The following is the indoor pool schedule for Henry E. Lackey and North Point high schools, and the Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center at St. Charles High School. Friday, Dec. 23, open from 1 to 8 p.m.; Closed Dec. 24-Dec. 26; Pools Read more…

Several Matthew Henson Middle School students in the Friends of Rachel Club visited Christ Church in La Plata on Nov. 19 to help with ongoing restoration efforts. Students worked from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with church and community members to help paint, rake leaves and clean up the church grounds. The Henson Friends of Rachel Club focuses on spreading kindness in the community. Members of Christ Church were appreciative of the students’ help, which helped the church community prepare for a special visit from Bishop Mariann Budde at its annual “Kirking of the Tartan” event.   The Matthew Henson Read more…

Due to inclement weather reports, all Charles County Public Schools activities scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17 will begin after 11 a.m. Visit the school system website, www.ccboe.com, or call the 24-hour information line at 301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656 for the latest school closing and weather-related information. Charles County Public Schools provides 26,400 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education. The Charles Read more…

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is looking for parent volunteers to serve on two school system committees. There are five openings on the school system’s Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) and four openings on its District Committee on Assessment. CCPS District Committee on Assessment The CCPS District Committee on Assessment includes parents, teachers and administrators. The school system is seeking four parent representatives to serve on the committee, representing the following groups: •    A parent with a student in grades prekindergarten through 2 •    A parent with a student in grades 3-5 •    A parent with a student in grades 6-8 Read more…