As part of Charles County Public Schools focus on academic achievement and career readiness, students can participate in student council and student government activities. These activities include promoting leadership and teamwork, serving the community and are often overseen by teachers who are committed to nurturing future leaders. Two of these committed Charles County Public Schools teachers – Gary Winsett of Thomas Stone High School and April Thompson from Milton M. Somers Middle School – were recently honored by the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) for their support of student leadership. Winsett, a social studies teacher at Stone and advisor Read more…

Four Charles County Public high school students advance to the national Skills USA competition after winning first place at the annual Skills USA Maryland Leadership and Skills Conference held April 17. They will represent Charles County Public Schools at the National Leadership and Skills Competition scheduled for June 20-24 in Louisville, Ky. The first-place winners are Elizabeth Lopez and Fiona Quenano, juniors, North Point High School, American Spirit; Jewel Washington, senior, North Point, Early Childhood Studies; and Alyssa Rabasco, junior, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Employment Application Process. These students advanced to the state level of competition after placing in Read more…

More than 20 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students were named Ruth Ann Hall Champion Scholar Award winners during a recognition ceremony April 19 at the Board of Education’s monthly meeting. The Education Association of Charles County (EACC) established the award program to honor the late Hall, a former president of the association. The following students received the award: Jayren Dawkins, seventh grade, Theodore G. Davis Middle School; Lelany Wells, eighth grade, Davis; Jared Kutsushi, eighth grade, Davis; Keylin Marquez Dubon, eighth grade, Davis; Josh Dixon, eighth grade, John Hanson Middle School; Jessica Wilson, sixth grade, Matthew Henson Middle School; Read more…

Two Charles County public schools – Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School and North Point High School – were honored last week by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) as 2016 Maryland Green Schools. Dr. Mudd and North Point join 72 other schools statewide honored April 21 through the Maryland Green Schools program. Green Schools are honored for their commitment to developing stewards of the Earth and reducing environmental impacts. Maryland Green Schools must complete a two-year application process to secure the designation. The process requires schools to demonstrate and document a continuous effort to integrate sustainable Read more…

Neighbors help with all sorts of things — keeping an emergency spare key, producing a cup of sugar when you’re out, lending a professional baseball field when your team is in a jam. When a safety issue arose with the backstops on the diamonds of St. Charles High School, players looked over their shoulders to find the Regency Furniture Stadium standing in the background. Varsity players were about to get the opportunity of their hitting and fielding lives when the management of Southern Maryland Blue Crabs offered the Spartans the chance to use the field. When the stadium was built, Read more…

Tiarra McIlwain, a senior at Thomas Stone High School, was named the Career Research and Development (CRD) Student of the Year for 2016 at the annual employer/employee breakfast held April 22. McIlwain worked at Journeys, a shoe and clothing store in the St. Charles Towne Center. McIlwain was selected for the award following three levels of competition both at the school and county levels. Committees composed of staff members, community members and business representatives interviewed students. “I loved the experience, and I had fun as I learned a lot of skills,” McIlwain said following the announcement. McIlwain’s supervisor at Journeys, Read more…

Six Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers were recently named 2016 Outstanding Math and Science Teacher Honorees by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) for their accomplishments in the area of mathematics and science teaching. One teacher is selected annually at each level – elementary, middle and high school – for excellence in mathematics and science teaching. Honored as Outstanding Mathematics Teachers of the Year are Linda Tavares, Arthur Middleton Elementary School; David Wood, Milton M. Somers Middle School; and Adam Frisbee, Thomas Stone High School. Honored as Outstanding Science Teachers of the Year are Margo Barbone, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School; Read more…

Graduation ceremonies for high school seniors in the Charles County Public Schools Class of 2016 are planned for June 2-4 at the Convocation Center at North Point High School in Waldorf. North Point High School’s ceremony is Thursday, June 2. Ceremonies for Westlake, Henry E. Lackey and Maurice J. McDonough high schools will be held on Friday, June 3. Seniors from St. Charles, La Plata and Thomas Stone high schools will graduate in ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, June 4. North Point’s ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 2. The school will be closed for all North Point Read more…

Superintendent Kimberly Hill announced three administrative changes this week, including the retirement of Assistant Superintendent of Supporting Services Keith Hettel, the resignation of Assistant Superintendent of School Administration Sylvia Lawson and the promotion of Principal Kristin Shields. Hettel told the Board of Education on April 19 that he plans to retire June 30 from his 41-year career with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). A former principal of the year, Hettel previously served as assistant superintendent of human resources, director of educational options, principal at Gale-Bailey and William B. Wade elementary schools and as an elementary school teacher. As assistant superintendent Read more…

The Board of Education presented four resolutions to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff at its April 19 meeting. The resolutions are presented by the Board annually. The following resolutions were presented: Administrative Professionals Week; Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; National Physical Education and Sport Week; and Teacher Appreciation Week. CCPS highlights Administrative Professionals Week from April 18-22 and focuses on the supportive role administrative professionals have in the workplace, and the importance of their contributions in maintaining efficient and effective office operations. Administrative Professionals Week also highlights the wealth of knowledge, clerical duties, awareness of procedures and public relations Read more…