A parent excitedly called out, “That’s me,” during the 2025 Elementary Family and Community Engagement Academy program cohort meeting when their winning raffle ticket number was called.

Nearly 50 families of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) elementary-aged students gathered Sept. 24 for the second annual cohort of the Family and Community Engagement Academy also known as FACE program orientation.

The academy was piloted at Eva Turner Elementary School during the 2024-2025 school year with 15 families participating in the first cohort. FACE gives parents supports and resources to reinforce and strengthen at home what their children are learning in school. 

The orientation opened with an introduction from Traci Chappelear-Thomas, CCPS director of Community Engagement and Equity, and Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D. “We piloted the program last year, learned a lot and got a lot of feedback from our first cohort,”

Navarro said to the families. “The idea is to support you as you support us for your child’s education.”

 “Our goal is to offer inclusive learning opportunities that reflect the strengths and goals of your household,” Chappelear-Thomas said.

Participants could win Safeway gift cards during a raffle before splitting off into their respective workshops.

Diana Fontanilla, a Turner parent, attended the first cohort and was excited to return for this year’s expansion to continue to receive support to help her children. “Last year they gave us expectations or things to look forward to for each meeting,” Fontanilla said. “This year they are even more organized with more families attending.”

The orientation featured presentations from CCPS staff on school safety and security, attendance, college and career readiness, and early childhood education.

“I am excited about shifting the narrative about being in school so families can create a bond between the school to home,” Julia Repucci, CCPS behavior specialist, said. “I see schools being about problem-solving skills, cognitive skills and how to navigate the world.”

This year’s cohort is available to families of CCPS students who have registered for the program. Starting in January 2026, parents of students in Grades 6-12 who have registered for the program can join the secondary cohort.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).