Thirty-four Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) seniors finished their high school coursework requirements and graduated from Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) July 28 during Summer Commencement Exercises at Westlake High School. Representing the seven CCPS high schools, the 34 graduates wore caps and gowns in their respective schools’ colors. Superintendent Kimberly Hill was guest speaker at the graduation and said the 34 graduates traveled a unique road filled with challenges, but never gave up their goal to graduate. “Graduates, all of you have a story to tell about what brought you here. A story about your journey, the journey that Read more…
To cap off a successful month, campers in the Summer Youth Achievement Program are looking forward to going to Kings Dominion. But first, business. Backpacks filled with school supplies were handed out at camp Wednesday, ensuring that more than 65 middle schoolers were well equipped for the new school year. Kids 10 to 14 are referred to the program by their guidance counselors and others, said Charles County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. William Welch. The sheriff’s office and Charles County Public Schools have held the camp for more than a decade. There are traditional camp activities and field trips with discussions Read more…
Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill on July 19 announced additional administrative changes, including the appointment of an acting director of transportation and two new principals. Bradley Snow, principal of Maurice J. McDonough High School, has been named acting director of transportation. Replacing Snow at McDonough is Steven Roberts, a vice principal from North Point High School. Additionally, Hill named Michelle Beckwith as principal of Dr. James Craik Elementary School to replace Melissa Logan, who has resigned to take a position in another state. Snow has 16 years of experience with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), all at McDonough. He has served Read more…
The initial draw was the promise of $600. For five days of work, two high school students could earn money helping out on a project related to the history of Charles County and a native son who was the inspiration for the title character of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. For rising high school seniors Chadeya Miller of Maurice J. McDonough and Jakob Gammons of North Point, the experience of working on an archeological dig of Josiah Henson’s birthplace garnered much more than an influx of funds. It opened their eyes to the intricate — sometimes tedious — Read more…
Charles County Public Schools has released its open house schedule for the 2016-17 school year. Listed below are open house dates and times, and other activities for schools. Elementary Schools C. Paul Barnhart, open house, Sept. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.; Berry, open house, Sept. 8, 6 to 8 p.m.; Dr. Gustavus Brown, open house, Sept. 8, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Dr. James Craik, back-to-school night, Sept. 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; William A. Diggs, open house for prekindergarten through grade 2, Sept. 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m., and open house for grades 3-5, Sept. 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Read more…
Charles County Public Schools has released its student orientation schedule for the 2016-17 school year. Listed below are orientation dates and times, and other activities for schools. Specific questions should be directed to individual schools. Elementary Schools C. Paul Barnhart, meet and greet, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Berry, meet and greet, Aug. 24, 2 to 4 p.m.; Dr. Gustavus Brown, meet and greet, Aug. 25, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Dr. James Craik, meet and greet, Aug. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; William A. Diggs, meet and greet, Aug. 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Gale-Bailey, kindergarten meet Read more…
La Plata High School housed a general store, a veterinarian who offers pet adoptions, a photography studio, ice cream shop, pizza parlor and hair salon this week during Camp Co-Op’s Community Fair. There also was a movie theater, gardening center and volunteer fire department. “Some of these kids don’t go out into the community,” said camp director Richard Kelly, who has been working at the camp for 24 years and has been director for 23 of them. “So we bring the community to them.” Camp Co-Op has been held for about 40 years, Marilyn Borrell, program manager for 35 years, Read more…
A recent morning during Summer Youth Camp at Henry E. Lackey High School, the gym is divided — floor hockey is played on one side; soccer on the other. And it’s not regular hockey. Everyone — at least 20 kids, plastic sticks in hand with blades the color of Popsicles — take over the floor, two balls in place of pucks are used and when one is smacked into the hallway, it’s apparently still in play. On the soccer side of the gym, counselors show off fancy foot skills before their much younger charges are able to steal the ball Read more…
Just because almost everyone in the country carries a miniature computer in their pocket thanks to the prevalence of smartphones, it doesn’t mean the majority of operators know the science behind the gadgets. “The U.S. is starting to get a little bit behind,” said Dianne O’Grady-Cunniff, an instructional specialist for computer science and technology education with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). “We can not just be users, but creators of technology.” O’Grady-Cunniff, along with a handful of educators from around the country, recently met with congressional staffers on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of computer science and the need Read more…
Studying early childhood education was going to be a breeze, Jewel Washington thought. In eighth grade, when she was applied to attend North Point High School, she figured the early childhood education program would be pretty easy. She thought wrong. “I didn’t expect it to be so much work,” said Washington, who recently earned a silver medal and placed in the Top 10 at the 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Ky. “I didn’t have an understanding or appreciation for teachers that I do now.” Self-described as having an “abnormal level of energy” coupled with a love Read more…