Santa Claus wore blue and his sleigh was a truck on Tuesday when the members of the Omicron Delta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., stopped by C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School to drop off 35 bicycles for students nominated by their teachers. It was a busy day for the brothers of the Sigmas of Southern Maryland. Earlier in the day, the group visited Benjamin Stoddert Middle School to drop off gifts to students. The fraternity has a history of community service and stands by its motto of “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.” “Every year we Read more…

Southern Maryland legislators expressed their support for education at the Board of Education’s recent legislative breakfast while learning a little more about Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and two of its challenges — teacher recruitment and retention, and student discipline. The annual breakfast is a time for the Board of Education and Charles County’s legislative delegation to share information, concerns and educational issues before the Maryland General Assembly convenes in January. Superintendent Kimberly Hill familiarized members of the Southern Maryland delegation, which includes state senators and delegates from Districts 27 and 28, with CCPS statistics including its economic impact as Read more…

Members of the Board of Education of Charles County XVII took the oath of office yesterday during a swearing-in ceremony held at North Point High School. Four new Board Members – Tajala Battle-Lockhart, Elizabeth Brown, David Hancock and Latina Wilson – were elected in November to their first term in office and join incumbents Jennifer Abell, Michael Lukas and Virginia McGraw, who were re-elected. Board members serve a four-year term and elect officers annually at the January meeting. Krisha Patel, student member of the Board of Education and Westlake High School senior, officiated the ceremony. North Point students in the Read more…

All Charles County public schools are closed Monday, Dec. 24 through Tuesday, Jan. 1 for winter break. Schools reopen for students and teachers on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) administrative offices are closed Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1. 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. Closed Dec. 24-25; Pools open 1 to 8 p.m., Dec. 26-28; Pools open Read more…

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) principals recently worked a little magic during their monthly meeting when they were tasked to work in teams to build 40 children’s bicycles. “We know how important it is — taking care of the family we have made with our students and school communities,” said Amy Hollstein, deputy superintendent of schools. Principals broke into groups of three to put together a boy’s and a girl’s bike. Once complete, the bikes were inspected by CCPS staff and each of the county’s 21 elementary schools received two to give out to needy students. Hollstein and her team Read more…

The Col. Donald M. Wade Joint Services Military Ball was held on Dec. 7, a solemn anniversary for Americans. The day marked the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an event that ushered in the U.S. military’s and America’s participation in World War II. Known as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Dec. 7 honors those who lost their lives during the attack and the survivors who fought at Pearl Harbor and in the Pacific. For Charles County public high school students – who were babies or not even born at the time of 9/11 – the attacks are Read more…

The Board of Education on Dec. 11 unanimously approved a grading policy that standardizes the scale middle and high school teachers use to determine an “F” grade.  Policy 5000 requires teachers to use a uniform grading scale that does not allow for minimum grades. The policy defines an F grade as 0 to 59 percent. Several high schools are using a minimum grading scale for an F, but the Board is requiring all schools to adopt the new grading scale at the start of the third quarter on Jan. 28. The Board discussed the grading policy at several meetings before adopting the uniform scale. The Read more…

Five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers recently achieved national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). National Board Certified Teachers complete a rigorous assessment process to be eligible for the designation. Matthew Golonka, Juliana Herscher, Lynn Hopkins, Holly Walsh and Elaine Voltz join nearly 30 other school system teachers who completed the process to become nationally certified. The assessment measures what accomplished teachers know, and candidates must demonstrate how their instruction strengthens both student performance and achievement. Golonka is a health and physical education teacher at Theodore G. Davis Middle School. He earned National Board Certification Read more…

The Board of Education at its Dec. 11 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members for their dedication and commitment to teaching and learning, and for making a difference in the lives of students. Honored were Maggie Fitzgerald, a Spanish teacher at Piccowaxen Middle School; Eileen Holden, a third-grade teacher at Berry Elementary School; Jennifer Joyner, a drama teacher at La Plata High School; Keith Juarez, the technology facilitator at Eva Turner Elementary School; and Laura Kelly, an art teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School. Fitzgerald has been teaching Spanish to students at Piccowaxen for Read more…

The Board of Education at its Dec. 11 meeting honored five Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students for exemplary accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility. Honored before the Board were Anthony Cave, fifth-grade student at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School; Brandon Lin, fifth-grade student at Berry Elementary School; Steven McPhee, eighth-grade student at Piccowaxen Middle School; Ja’Nae Pickeral, senior, La Plata High School; and Tre’Joir Washington, third-grade student at Eva Turner Elementary School. Cave was honored by the Board in the area of career readiness and excels in the classroom. He demonstrates a Read more…