Mary B. Neal Elementary School collected more than 500 pounds of food during October for the Southern Maryland Food Bank. The school’s contribution will feed 25 families for two or three days, said Katrina Garvey, secretary to the principal at Neal. The food drive was organized by second-grade teacher Melissa Lea, who said students in the second grade brought in the most food. “I like helping people,” said Jade Weekes, a second grader who also has an interest in environmental issues. “I thought [the food drive] would be a great opportunity to help.” Several Charles County Public Schools are holding Read more…

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA) recently donated backpacks and school supplies to Charles County Public Schools. At the October 2017 Cluster I Leadership Conference hosted by the Nu Zeta Omega chapter, AKA members from Washington, D.C., and Maryland brought along 1,849 book bags and 20,828 school supplies for donation. The service organization’s Launching New Dimensions of Service targets five areas — educational enrichment, health promotion, family strengthening, environmental ownership and global impact. As part of the program, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, the international president, hopes AKA members will donate and distribute more than 1 million backpacks, along with Read more…

Three Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) physical education teachers were honored last week as 2017 Simon McNeely Award recipients. The Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) honored CCPS teachers Rebecca Bullard, Leonard Rickett and Brent Stum with the awards on Oct. 20.  The annual awards program recognizes teachers who demonstrate outstanding innovation in teaching physical education and involvement in school community activities. The award is named in honor of Simon McNeely, a special education teacher and longtime member of the President’s Council for Physical Fitness, and the United States and International Olympic committees. Bullard is a Read more…

Charles County Public Schools held its annual fall chess tournament on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Thomas Stone High School. One hundred forty students participated in the event, which is open to any student in grades kindergarten through 12. The tournament follows a Swiss-style format in which each student plays four games. Students compete in five grade-level divisions and trophies are given to first- and second-place winners. Other students that place in their division receive medals, and all participants receive a certificate for their performance. Felix Cummings served as the tournament director. The following students were recognized for placing in their Read more…

The obstacles and challenges that kept them from earning a high school diploma were overcome Oct. 19 when members of the Charles County Adult Diploma Programs graduated. The Lifelong Learning Center has 78 graduates this year, with 16 attending the ceremony at North Point High School in caps and gowns, cheered on by their parents, spouses, children, grandchildren and friends. “Your road to get here was unique and often filled with lots of challenges,” Superintendent Kimberly A. Hill said, addressing the graduates. “You persevered when it would’ve been easy to quit. When you first got to the Lifelong Learning Center, Read more…

Middle and high school student musicians and singers will be in the spotlight during All-County concerts held Oct. 24 to 26. The All-County Middle and High School Honors Orchestra will perform 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Thomas Stone High School at 3785 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf. The All-County Middle and High School Honors Band will take the stage 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at St. Charles High School at 5305 Piney Church Road in Waldorf. At 7 p.m. Oct. 26, the All-County Middle and High School Chorus will perform at Westlake High School at 3300 Middletown Road in Waldorf. Admission is Read more…

Tiaras, chocolate, Peter Pan’s backstory and more top the list of fall high school productions happening soon at the seven Charles County Public high schools. First up in the fall play season is “Game of Tiaras” at Westlake High School. The show runs 7 p.m., Nov. 2-4 and is an adaptation of the production of “King Lear.” The show sets stage in a magical kingdom in which tragedy strikes after an aging king decides to split his land among his three daughters. The show features plot twists similar to those found in the television show “Game of Thrones” and includes Read more…

The Board of Education of Charles County and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The meeting will be televised live on Comcast Channel 96/Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and rebroadcast throughout the week. Board meetings are also streamed live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, www.ccboe.com. The following is a meeting agenda and is subject to change. Work session Introductions CCPS enrollment/demographics Dual enrollment Early college/high school Career and Technology Education (CTE) articulation process Dr. Maureen Murphy’s vision Read more…

Charmaine Thompson has joined Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) as the new Chief of Instructional Technology. Thompson oversees the technology department and helps to manage the school system’s technology infrastructure. With an extensive background in technology and education, Thompson brings experience in supporting students and staff with advanced digital tools. Thompson joined CCPS in July and said she is committed to providing students with the technology and programs necessary to maximize student engagement and achievement. “I am excited to join the Charles County Public Schools family. My goal is to create an instructional technology vision that will foster a seamless Read more…

La Plata High School counselor Sameemah Shareef is determined to get more girls — especially girls of color — and traditionally underrepresented groups into computer science courses and on the road to a financially secure and fulfilling future. “Having a very candid conversation is what I’m interested in doing,” said Shareef, who recently participated in a Counselors for Computing, a program offered through the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). Counselors for Computing (C4C) is one of four programs offered during Computer Science Professional Development Week that prepares more than 300 teachers and counselors to increase student participation Read more…