Community Engagement and Equity

The Department of Community Engagement and Equity is dedicated to ensuring that Charles County Public Schools is an educational environment unhindered by bias or discrimination, where individuals of all backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, included, and encouraged to succeed. Our office strives to implement equitable opportunities to close the achievement gaps and infuse learning opportunities for students and staff. Diverse instructional content is provided to schools to create culturally affirming environments where openness, inclusiveness, respect, and appreciation for diversity of thought, values, cultures, learning styles, and actions flourish. This department works to create an equitable, hospitable, safe, and inclusive environment for our students, families, and staff.

The mission of Charles County Public Schools (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 is safe and conducive to learning.

CCPS promotes equity among all students, staff, teachers and community members. Board of Education equity policy, core values and CCPS system goals focus on teaching students the value of diversity and mutual respect. As a school system that values equity and diversity, our teachers, staff and administrators must model these values for children and the community.

Board values, coupled with operational goals, drive the work of CCPS and address equity for all. CCPS is committed to working with the community to ensure our schools are safe places where all students are welcomed, valued and respected. Our department is here to support students, staff and families and aid in discussions about social actions that diminish the values of others.

Our Staff

Sylvia Royster Director of Community Engagement and Equity 301-934-7245 sroyster@ccboe.com

Christine Paul Community Engagement and Equity Specialist 301-392-5543 cpaul@ccboe.com

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year "Be the Difference" Awards Program

The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year “Be the Difference” awards program recognizes outstanding school volunteers for their valuable contributions to schools, students, staff and CCPS.

There are five award categories — elementary school parent volunteer, middle school parent volunteer, high school parent volunteer, Charles County business volunteer and community organization volunteer.

Any CCPS teacher, staff member, student, parent or community member can submit nominations. The nomination deadline was Friday, April 28, 2023.

Learn more details on the nomination process and the awards program

Grant Programs

Title VI Indian Education Grant

Title VI Indian Education Grant

The Indian Education Formula Grant program provides grants to support local educational agencies in their efforts to reform elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students. Annually each applicant develops and submits to the Department a comprehensive plan for meeting the needs of Indian children. Applicants must develop this plan in collaboration with a local committee comprised primarily of parents and family members of Indian children and must include student performance goals, a description of professional development activities that the applicant will carry out, and an explanation of how it will assess students’ progress toward meeting its goals and will provide the results of this assessment to the parent committee, Indian community and tribes whose children are served by the LEA.

Click here to visit the Office of Indian Education

Learn More about Indian Education Formula Grants

Indian Education Eligibility Certification Form

Professional Learning

Parent Engagement

Bunkyo University Teacher Education Program

Charles County Public Schools has an ongoing partnership with Bunkyo University in Japan. This partnership allows students in the education program from Bunkyo University to actively participate in American education. The Bunkyo University students work with school-based instructional staff to observe and conduct lessons to our students. They also provide Japanese cultural experiences to enhance our students’ learning.

Educational Equity Task Force Committee

Mission

Est. SY 2022 – 2023

The mission of the Educational Equity Task Force Committee (EETFC) is to understand, develop a shared (set of goals, processes, action items), implement and model educational equity and access in Charles County Public Schools. EETFC will aim to challenge current societal norms and barriers to create an impetuous for improvement for all students in Charles County Public Schools.  

Vision

Objectives

To collectively advocate for underserved and underrepresented groups in the Charles County Public School community.

To solicit community input from stakeholders that will impact cultural change.

To educate community stakeholders on the importance of equity, inclusivity, and opportunities for students and employees in Charles County Public Schools.

To ensure that Charles County Public Schools is accountable to providing the resources for students to achieve their goals.

Work Groups

SY 2023-24

Reference:

Maryland State Department of Education
Equity and Excellence: A Guide to Educational Excellence in Maryland

2023-2024 Meeting Dates/Times:

The Educational Equity Task Force committee in-person meetings take place from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at the Starkey Administration Building (5980 Radio Station Road, La Plata, MD 20646). The meeting dates are listed below:

September 26, 2023
November 22, 2023
January 23, 2024
March 26, 2024
May 28, 2024
June 23, 2024 (tentative)

If you have any questions regarding the Educational Equity Task Force committee meeting information, contact Ginny Hall at vhall@ccboe.com.