Charles County Public Schools -

Jonathan Liston, engineering teacher at Henry E. Lackey High School, was recently recognized for the impact that he had on his former student who was named as a Merrill Scholar for 2026-2027. Liston received the teacher-mentor award through the program at the University of Maryland. The Merrill Scholar program honors the university’s most successful seniors and the mentors who have encouraged and inspired them in kindergarten through 12th grade and college. To read the full story visit the news section on www.ccboe.com.

The lobby of the Charles County Department of Social Services (DSS) building in La Plata has a new look thanks to Zyan Wylie, Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) student. Wylie completed the mural last year while he was in fifth grade at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School. The artwork was recently installed on the walls in the lobby of the DSS building. To read the full story visit https://www.ccboe.com/article/3130600.

Happy Labor Day! Just a reminder that Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) schools and offices are closed today in observance of the holiday. Visit http://ccboe.com for more updated calendar information.

The Board of Education of Charles County’s next regular meeting is 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Board will meet in person at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. The Starkey Building is located at 5980 Radio Station Road in La Plata. For the meeting agenda visit https://www.ccboe.com/article/3105858.

Free and reduced-price meal (FARMS) benefits from last school year will end for students on Oct. 6. Families of students who receive the benefit should have the application for this school year in before then to ensure students continue to receive meals.

All CCPS families can complete the free and reduced-price meal (FARMS) application, regardless of a family’s income and whether a child attends a school that has the MMFA/CEP programs.

To view the application, visit https://www.myschoolapps.com/.

CCPS regularly highlights the achievements of the school system, including sharing positive news about students and staff with the general public. Publicity helps to connect the community with the school system, aids in a positive school experience for students and builds school and community pride.

Publicity may include different forms, including but not limited to: photographs and videos shown in school; CCPS news releases; photos and videos submitted to local media outlets (television, newspapers and radio stations); school system displays; special events; posting on the CCPS website, www.ccboe.com; posting on school websites; posting on CCPS social media sites (Facebook and Instagram); photo or video use for television stories for publication on the CCPS YouTube Channel, or public television stations of Comcast Channel 96/Verizon FiOS Channel 12; or publication in the CCPS parent newsletter (This Week in CCPS) or the School News staff newsletter.

Please note that if CCPS does not receive written notification from a parent/guardian by Sept. 15 annually, it is assumed the parent/guardian grants permission for their child to appear in publicity. Each school/center will maintain a list of students whose parent/guardian has opted out of publicity for the student. A student's opt out status should be updated as needed by the parent/guardian and remains in effect for the duration of the school year. Parents/guardians can update their child's publicity status to opt-out at any time during the school year.