Principal Debra Calvert’s passion to be the best for children is infectious. Calvert, who is principal at William A. Diggs Elementary School, spreads this passion among her team each day. Her work ethic, coupled with her desire to do her best for students, is why Calvert was named the 2021 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Principal of the Year and finalist in the Washington Post’s Principal of the Year program. Calvert knew her team had nominated her for recognition in prior years but did not realize she was nominated this year. Calvert was surprised last week by Superintendent of Schools Read more…

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently named eight Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers as 2021 Outstanding Teacher Honorees. The annual awards program recognizes teachers for outstanding achievements in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Honored for accomplishments in math and named 2021 Outstanding Mathematics Teachers of the Year are Carrie Heard of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, Natalie Gilliom of Milton M. Somers Middle School and Joanna Olson of Henry E. Lackey High School. Honored for accomplishments in science and named 2021 Outstanding Science Teachers of the Year are Megan Swinea of Indian Head Elementary School and Read more…

The Board of Education of Charles County is moving forward in its search for a new Superintendent of schools and hopes to announce Charles County Public Schools’ (CCPS) new top administrator by June 8 at its monthly meeting. The new Superintendent is replacing Superintendent Kimberly A. Hill, who told the Board in February 2021 she would not be seeking renewal of her contract for another four-year term. Hill, who has served two terms as Superintendent, is retiring from the school system at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The Board has completed its review of applicants and will interview Read more…

The last day of school for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students for the 2020-21 school year is Wednesday, June 16. The last day of school for teachers is Thursday, June 17. The following is the end-of-year schedule for students. Friday, June 11: two-hour early dismissal for all students (in-person and virtual/report card preparation time for teachers). Half-day afternoon (PM) prekindergarten students who come to school on B-days attend school in-person (B-Day students/last names L-Z). Half-day PM prekindergarten students attending school will have lunch and recess before dismissal at the end of the school day. Parents of half-day PM prekindergarten Read more…

The Board of Education voted on April 26 to approve the first charter school in Charles County. The Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) will open in the 2022-2023 school year as a middle school serving Grades 6-7 and expand the following year to include Grades 6-8. Located in Waldorf, the school will count as the school system’s ninth middle school. PISOTA will have an arts-focused program of study using the Cambridge International Education curriculum that meets Maryland State Department of Education and Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) course and assessment requirements. CCPS Superintendent Kimberly Hill recommended that the Read more…

Maurice J. McDonough High School will perform the rock musical “Ranked” 7 p.m. May 14 and 15, and 2 p.m. May 16. The play — rated PG for mild language — tells the story a dystopian high school where grades and GPAs are the only things that matter. Anyone who is “above the rank” gets perks and special treatment. Those “below the rank” struggle to get by.    Tickets are “pay what you can,” with donations accepted to fund next year’s program. The show will be livestreamed. To order the show, go to https://mhsdrama303.booktix.com/.  Ticket sales open Monday, April 26, and Read more…

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is hosting a Virtual Career Fair for high school juniors and seniors. This year’s fair is split into two parts: online presentations for students to view in advance, and live Zoom sessions on April 28 with presenters. Videos from participating organizations and companies are posted here on the CCPS website. Students can view the videos between now and April 28. On April 28, students will receive Zoom meeting details through their Synergy Mail accounts. Students interested in participating in the live Zoom sessions should dress in professional attire and be prepared to ask questions. Featured Read more…

The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill have launched efforts to address educational equity in Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). Efforts include the adoption of a Board policy on educational equity, the launch of an Equity Task Force and a Superintendent Task Force on African American Employee Experiences, targeted bias training for all staff and the recent creation of a National Response Committee. The mission of CCPS is to provide an opportunity for all school-aged children to receive an academically challenging, quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares for life, in an environment that Read more…

The Board of Education at its April 20 meeting recognized four annual Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) resolutions. The resolutions highlight Administrative Professionals Week, Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week, National Physical Education and Sport Week, and Teacher Appreciation Week. CCPS recognizes Administrative Professionals Week annually in April. This year, Administrative Professionals Week falls on April 19-23. The recognition emphasizes the supportive role administrative professionals have in the workplace, and the importance of their contributions in maintaining effective office operations. Administrative Professionals Week also highlights the wealth of knowledge, clerical duties, awareness of procedures, competency and customer service skills professionals demonstrate Read more…

Constance Johnson, a school counselor at William B. Wade Elementary School, was recently named the Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the Maryland School Counselor Association. When Johnson started with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) in 2014, she split her time between Wade and C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School before beginning at Wade full time at the start of the 2015-16 school year. At Wade she is the counselor for kindergarten, third, fourth and fifth grades. Despite her love of the job, it wasn’t one Johnson was planning on when she was in school — she earned her bachelor’s Read more…