Back-to-School Message from Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D.
CCPS Prepares for the 2024-2025 School Year
The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) 2024-2025 school year officially begins for students in kindergarten through Grade 12 on Monday, Aug. 26. The school system anticipates more than 28,000 students will attend CCPS this school year. Students accepted in the CCPS prekindergarten program start school on Tuesday, Sept. 3, after the Labor Day holiday. The following includes important information and updates for the new school year.
Registration
All students new to CCPS or transferring from one in-county school to another must be registered for school prior to attending. The CCPS registration process is completed online through the parent portal of the student information system called ParentVue. The registration process requires parents to provide several documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, two proofs of residency, the most up-to-date report card (if applicable) and immunization records. Details about the CCPS registration process are posted on the school system website at https://www.ccboe.com/parents/online-registration. For on-site registration support, please contact your child’s zoned school.
Student schedules/teacher assignments
School administrators are working to finalize teacher assignments and class schedules for the coming school year. This information will be loaded into the CCPS student information system, Synergy. Beginning the week of Aug. 19, schedules and class assignments will be loaded through Synergy into ParentVue/StudentVue accounts. CCPS uses the online platforms ParentVue and StudentVue to allow parents and students to track grades, attendance and assignments.
School supply lists available
School supply lists for elementary and middle schools are posted to the CCPS website at https://www.ccboe.com/quick-links/school-supply-lists. High schools do not have supply lists, as students will receive information about any required materials during the first week of school. Questions about specific school lists should be directed to the specific school.
Bus assignment/transportation information
CCPS will begin to load bus information into ParentVue/StudentVue on Aug. 21. This information will also be posted to School Locator at www.ccboe.com. CCPS will update the platforms as bus route information is added and finalized. Parents of students without a bus assignment prior to the first day of school should complete a transportation help desk ticket on the CCPS website at https://www.ccboe.com/departments/transportation/help-tickets. As with the start of any new school year, bus routes may run earlier or later than normal the first few weeks of school.
CCPS is hosting a bus hotline the first two days of school, Aug. 26-27. The hotline number is 301-932-6655 and hours of operation are 6 to 10 a.m., and 1 to 5:30 p.m. Parents of students without an assigned bus stop are encouraged to fill out a help desk ticket rather than call the bus hotline.
Please note, students who receive special education transportation through the IEP process must address any requests or issues regarding transportation through the IEP facilitator at the student’s child’s school.
Follow your child’s bus with Where’s the Bus
Parents and students can use Where’s the Bus, an app that employs GPS technology, to track their bus while its in motion. Through Where’s the Bus, parents and students can see real-time bus arrival and drop off data, and afternoon pick ups and drop offs. The system has been enhanced this school year to include additional bus routes. The mobile app can be downloaded from the Google or Apple app stores. Bus information will be loaded into Where’s the Bus on Aug. 21. Click here for directions in setting up the Where’s the Bus mobile app.
Dress code update
The CCPS Code of Student Conduct committee updated the student dress code for the new school year. Students will no longer be permitted to wear any top or shirt that does not fully cover their midriff area. The dress code emphasizes the role of parents and their responsibility to ensure their child is coming to school each day dressed appropriately. The update is outlined in the 2024-2025 Code of Student Conduct.
Orientations and open houses
Schools have planned meet-and-greet and orientation events for families. Most of the events take place in August, prior to the first day of school. Click here to view a detailed list of events by school. Parents with questions about a specific listed activity should call their child’s school for more information.
School meals, change to prepayment system
School meal prices remain unchanged this school year. For elementary school students, breakfast is $1.35 and lunch is $2.80. For secondary-level students, breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $3.05. CCPS posts monthly school meal information on the front of the system website at www.ccboe.com. Select the Meals icon under the photo slideshow to view breakfast and lunch menus.
CCPS moved the meal prepayment system to a new platform this school year called MySchoolBucks. The system replaces MyPaymentsPlus and is accessible online at any time. Parents with existing MySchoolBucks accounts can log into the system and load money by credit/debit card or e-check to their child’s meal account. With the new platform, parents are not able to divide funds between a meal account and a general account (used to buy a la carte items). Any money left on student accounts was moved to the new platform.
CCPS will again this school year participate in federal and state programs that provide free meals at qualifying schools. These programs include the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA), but only schools in certain areas of Charles County qualify. Students attending CEP schools receive free breakfast and lunch, while MMFA schools provide free breakfast. CEP schools remain the same this year; CCPS is in the process of confirming MMFA schools for the new year.
All families are encouraged to complete a free meals application. The application is now available for the new school year at https://www.myschoolapps.com/. Benefits begin immediately once a family is approved. Approved benefits from last year end Oct. 10.
New Learning Management System – Canvas
CCPS is launching a new Learning Management System (LMS) this school year called Canvas. The platform is a central location for everything related to classes – course materials, assignments, collaboration tools, a course calendar and more. Canvas enhances the learning experience for both students and teachers and is intended to complement, not replace, face-to-face or live teaching. Synergy will remain the official CCPS Student Information System (SIS), which means StudentVue and ParentVue will continue to be used for enrollment, course history, student schedules, attendance tracking and grade reporting. CCPS discontinued its use of Synergy LessonVue, also referred to as teacher webpages, this month. CCPS will provide parents with Canvas resources by mid-September, including detailed account login steps and an overview of what to expect.
Prekindergarten program begins Sept. 3
Students accepted into the prekindergarten program start school on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Program acceptance is based on tier criteria outlined by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Students who qualify under Tier I are given priority program placement, followed by Tier II and Tier III students. If program space remains after all eligible Tier I students have been placed, Tier II and Tier III placements would not be made until after the school year begins. Placement of Tier II and Tier III students is not guaranteed.
New Early Learning Center opening in Waldorf
CCPS is opening its second Early Learning Center in Waldorf as part of the school system’s expansion of prekindergarten. The Center has space for 100 students and will serve three-year-old students accepted into the prekindergarten program. The Center is located at 3155 John Hanson Drive in Waldorf. Center Coordinator is Ashley Valenzuela-Carrington and students will follow the CCPS prekindergarten curriculum. The Center will officially open on the first day of school for prekindergarten students, which is Tuesday, Sept. 3.
First CCPS dual language, two-way immersion program opening
CCPS is preparing to open its first dual language, two-way immersion program this school year. Arthur Middleton Elementary School will host the initial program for CCPS, with students enrolled in prekindergarten and kindergarten composing the first cohort of students to participate. These students will transition through the program as it expands through Grades 1 to 5. Full program implementation is anticipated by the 2029-2030 school year.
The two-way immersion program delivers grade-level content instruction in two languages, English and Spanish. The program begins in early childhood and lasts for a minimum of six years. The goal of a dual language immersion program is for students to be bilingual and biliterate rather than just fluent in English. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.ccboe.com/academics/dual-language-two-way-immersion-program.
Change in name of CCPS ESOL program
CCPS is transitioning the formal name of its longstanding English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Effective with the 2024-2025 school year, the program will now be referred to as the English Language Development (ELD) program. Students in the ELD program will now be referred to as Multilingual Learners (MLs). The transition reflects an asset-based approach to students who are learning in and developing more than one language. The transition also aligns with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Staff working in the ELD program will still have ESOL in their titles with the transition set to be complete at the start of next school year.
Immunization clinics
All CCPS students are required to have certain vaccinations prior to attending school. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Center for Immunization has released vaccination requirements for the 2024-2025 school year. The Charles County Department of Health is holding free back-to-school immunization clinics. A list of requirements and free clinic dates is posted on the school system website. Call 301-609-6835 to schedule an appointment. Clinics are for Charles County residents only. For vaccination requirement questions, call the school health management office at 301-934-7346.
Student devices
CCPS provides students with a learning device. Devices will be handed out to students during the first few weeks of school. Students in Grades 4-12 may take learning devices home. Students in Grades 1-3 are issued a learning device for in-class instruction and to use at school. Students in prekindergarten and kindergarten are not issued an individual device but will use shared devices in the classroom.
SROs piloting CCSO body camera program
Earlier this year, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) began to pilot a body-worn camera program among its officers. As part of the program, all CCSO officers, including School Resource Officers (SRO), will be trained in the use of the device and wear a body-worn camera as part of their uniform. CCSO anticipates the program to be fully implemented by 2025. According to the sheriff’s office, officers will refrain from activating the camera when responding to K-12 educational institutions unless it becomes necessary for law enforcement purposes. Some SROs have already been trained and are actively wearing the device as part of their uniform. To learn more about the program, visit the CCSO website at https://www.ccso.us/body-worn-cameras/.
Change in opening/closing times for four school campuses
Times for William A. Diggs, T.C. Martin and J.P. Ryon elementary schools, and Theodore G. Davis Middle School are being adjusted for the 2024-2025 school year. All time changes take effect with the start of this school year. CCPS is making the changes to accommodate and maximize transportation route efficiency, address traffic overlap in the area of the J.P. Ryon campus, and the movement of T.C. Martin students from the Transition School in Waldorf back to the newly renovated school campus. Review the time changes here.
Communication from CCPS
CCPS uses email, phone call and text message alerts as part of its systemwide mass communication. The platform used by CCPS is School Messenger, which pulls data from the student information and staff data systems. Parents should have a current phone number and email address on file with their child’s school. Parents must opt-in to receive CCPS text alerts, as standard messaging rates by carriers apply. A cell phone number must be on file with CCPS to receive text alerts. To opt-in, text Y or YES to 67587. To opt-put, text STOP to 67587 at any time.
Share your photos with us
Help CCPS celebrate a new school year by sharing back-to-school photos with the school system. Use the hashtag #btsccps24 to tag first day of school photos on social media.
Plan with the new school calendar
The 2024-2025 CCPS Parent Handbook/Calendar is posted on the school system website at https://www.ccboe.com/about/calendar/parent-handbookcalendar. Copies are sent home with students during the first week of school. A Spanish version of the calendar will be posted to the website by Aug. 26.
Bookbag/backpack/binder policy
The CCPS rule on bookbags and backpacks states that students may bring their bag to school, but it must be stored upon arrival and retrieved upon departure at the end of the day. During the school day, students can carry their laptop sleeve and/or hand-size bag for personal items. Each secondary school has time built into schedules for students to visit their lockers and swap out instructional materials as needed. For more information, see the Student Personal Property section on Page 14 of the Code of Student Conduct. See the graphic below for examples of bags and carrying cases that are compliant with the CCPS policy. The policy does not allow students to carry zippered binders.
Acceptable Binder Examples
