When Brenda Warren started working for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) 45 years ago, the word internet was not part of her everyday vocabulary. The Gale-Bailey Elementary School media specialist has seen many changes over her career, but nothing, she said, compares with the advancement in the use of technology. “I remember when we first got an internet-connected computer with an old-style modem with a free account donated to the school system.  The first time we logged into the account and accessed the net, it took over five minutes for a single picture to load and three adults crowded around Read more…

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is testing drinking water at schools, centers and office buildings for the presence of lead. The testing is not the result of any concerns with drinking water in Charles County schools. CCPS is conducting the testing to comply with a new state regulation, which was signed into law in May 2017, and requires all Maryland schools, public and nonpublic, served by public water to test for the presence of lead in all drinking water outlets. The new regulation requires the school system to test or re-test all water outlets used for consumption during a single Read more…

Students in North Point High School’s education careers program, along with their peers who wanted an up-close look at the field, stopped by the school’s staff development room on March 14 for a Women in Education event. Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill and Kim McClarin, principal of Theodore G. Davis Middle School, spoke to students about their careers and the paths they took to get to where they are now. Hill opened by waving a magic wand, a gift she received from a colleague after being appointed superintendent in 2013. “There’s no such thing as magic wands,” Hill said. “But Read more…

Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill and Jason Stoddard, director of school safety and security for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), will present information and answer questions about school safety and security at a Town Hall meeting 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4 at North Point High School in Waldorf. The North Point Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) is sponsoring the countywide school safety and security Town Hall that is open to the public. The meeting is in the school’s staff development room. The meeting is set to end at 8 p.m. CCPS staff will address safety and security issues, and recent updates to Read more…

Kendall Cross, a fourth grader at Dr. James Craik Elementary School, loves to read and learn about math. Earlier this week, Cross was named Top Tiger at Craik, a recognition that honors students for demonstrating personal responsibility and respect. “Top Tiger is an awesome award. Your teacher nominates you for being respectful, responsible and ready to learn,” Cross said. Not only is Cross a role model for her peers at Craik, she is a role model for the community. She recently entered a contest called “Why is Charles County a great place to live?” offered to all Charles County Public Read more…

St. Charles High School senior Kate O’Meara donated backpacks and school supplies to Eva Turner and Dr. Gustavus Brown elementary schools at the beginning of the year. O’Meara founded Project Leaders 2 Leaders, a nonprofit to help students and those in need. Attending Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference (HOBY) in her sophomore year, O’Meara learned personal, group and leadership skills. “I learned about how I can help make a difference to the world, but it wasn’t until I went back to HOBY as a volunteer in my junior year that I truly was inspired to help my community,” she said. Read more…

This year’s History, Industry, Technology and Science (HITS) Expo brought together those who are comfortable digging in dirt with those who have their head in the stars. It attracted those who use their wits to escape a room and those who use science to solve a mystery. “I think it’s so cool here,” said Ca’Sandra McIntyre, a first grader at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids to show their appreciation for scientific things,” said Richard Coleman, a U.S. Navy engineer. He brought his son, William, a Matthew Henson Middle School sixth grader, to the Read more…

The fourth annual History, Industry, Technology and Science — HITS — Expo was held March 16 at St. Charles High School. Middle school students in public and private schools created documentaries, exhibits, research papers, performances and websites focused on the theme, Triumph & Tragedy in History. The first- and second-place History Day Fair winners advance to the state competition May 11 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The national contest will be in June at the University of Maryland, College Park. Winners in the Individual Documentary category are Scott Morrison, first place, seventh grade, St. Mary’s Bryantown, “The Sega Read more…

The Board of Education of Charles County is hosting a March 25 public Town Hall for teachers and certificated staff. The Town Hall is set for 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. in the staff development room of the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The following is the Town Hall format and is subject to change.  Call to order – 4:15 p.m.  Welcome – Board Chairman Virginia R. McGraw  Purpose – Board Vice Chairman Latina Wilson  Focus – What is working and not working regarding teacher workload  Adjournment – 5:45 p.m. The meeting is Read more…

The Board of Education of Charles County is holding a work session at 6 p.m. Monday, March 25 in the boardroom at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The meeting will be televised live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, ccboe.com, and on Comcast channel 96 and Verizon FiOS channel 12. The following is the meeting agenda and is subject to change: Call to order – 6 p.m. Work session Retreat follow up Adjournment About CCPS Charles County Public Schools provides 27,108 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Read more…