Education

Rocktoberfest Donates $30,000 to Charles County Board of Education’s Fine and Performing Arts!

Rocktoberfest Donates $30,000 to Charles County Board of Education’s Fine and Performing Arts!

Rocktoberfest was founded in 2013 as a non-profit annual street festival with outdoor family fun, live music and vendors held in downtown La Plata, MD the first weekend of every October. After taking a couple years off due to pandemic restrictions, Rocktoberfest committee members and fans were more than excited to bring back this...
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Statement from the Elected Board of Education of Charles County

Statement from the Elected Board of Education of Charles County

The elected Board of Education of Charles County has established policies that address conduct in the school system. Specifically, the Board of Education is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment for all students and employees, which is free of harassment of any kind and from any source including management, co-workers, peers or...
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CSM Celebrates 23 Graduates for Their Fortitude, Perseverance, Courage and Tenacity Upon Returning to School to Earn Their High School Diplomas

CSM Celebrates 23 Graduates for Their Fortitude, Perseverance, Courage and Tenacity Upon Returning to School to Earn Their High School Diplomas

The faculty and staff of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) joined the families and friends of 23 Adult Education Program graduates Nov. 16 to celebrate the students for returning to school and earning their Maryland high school diploma. The CSM Adult Education Program offers fundamental education courses that cover areas such as basic...
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Charles County Board of Education November Meeting Updates

Charles County Board of Education November Meeting Updates

The Board of Education of Charles County held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15. A complete meeting agenda is posted on BoardDocs here. Board meetings are streamed live at www.ccboe.com and archived on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/c/ccpsmd. The following are important meeting updates. Superintendent update – Superintendent of Schools Maria Navarro,...
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Governor Hogan Announces Emergency Directive to Prohibit Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government

Governor Hogan Announces Emergency Directive to Prohibit Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has issued an emergency cybersecurity directive to prohibit the use of certain Chinese and Russian-influenced products and platforms for the executive branch of state government, including TikTok. These entities present an unacceptable level of cybersecurity risk to the state, and may be involved in activities such as cyber-espionage,...
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Maryland Department of Health Launches Program to Reduce Suicides Among Maryland Service Members and Veterans

Maryland Department of Health Launches Program to Reduce Suicides Among Maryland Service Members and Veterans

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) fully launched the Trained Military Assistance Provider (TMAP) Program, a new initiative to reduce suicides and increase lethal-means safety for service members and veterans. Developed by the Maryland Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families, this training is free to all Maryland-based primary...
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools Increasing Security Measures for After-School Events

St. Mary’s County Public Schools Increasing Security Measures for After-School Events

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. J. Scott Smith, announces the implementation of increased security measures for after-school events. In a continuing effort to improve security and provide a safer experience for students, parents, staff, and community members, St. Mary’s County Public Schools is implementing increased security measures for after-school events. Beginning with the high school...
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Charles County Public Schools 2022 Winter Break Operating Schedule

Charles County Public Schools 2022 Winter Break Operating Schedule

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) administrative offices are closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of New Year’s Day. Schools are closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 2, for winter break. Schools, offices and buildings reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, as noted in the Parent...
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Prince George’s County Police Warn About Blue Pills Containing Fentanyl Which is Suspected in the Deaths of Three Students

Prince George’s County Police Warn About Blue Pills Containing Fentanyl Which is Suspected in the Deaths of Three Students

The Prince George’s County Police Department is issuing a warning to residents about fentanyl-laced pills, in particular these blue-toned pills with a distinct “M” emblem. Police have recently begun recovering these pills, several of which have now been tested and contain fentanyl. Many users believe these pills are prescription painkillers. These pills are linked...
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Maryland Attorney General Frosh Files Complaint Against MetCom Following 58 Sewage Overflows

Maryland Attorney General Frosh Files Complaint Against MetCom Following 58 Sewage Overflows

BALTIMORE, MD (December 1, 2022) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment, today filed a civil complaint in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County against the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) to request civil penalties and an injunction ordering MetCom to cease sewage...
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Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Congratulates Corrections Graduates Session 68 – 11 New Graduates

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Congratulates Corrections Graduates Session 68 – 11 New Graduates

Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans, Major Reece, and Capt. Cross are proud to announce the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (SMCJA) celebrated the graduation of 11 new correctional officers – one of which will be assigned to the Calvert County Detention Center. The graduates received a final inspection from the Corrections Entrance Level Training...
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Some Southern Maryland Hospitals Operating with Near Full Capacity, CalvertHealth Reporting Long Wait Times

Some Southern Maryland Hospitals Operating with Near Full Capacity, CalvertHealth Reporting Long Wait Times

On Monday, December 5, 2022, CalvertHealth released the following. “CalvertHealth is experiencing longer than normal wait times at our Emergency Room. At this time, we are seeing wait times of more than six hours. We are encouraging patients with non-emergent issues to utilize Urgent Care or their primary care physician whenever possible. Of course,...
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La Plata Police Department Announce Operation Prevent Porch Piracy

La Plata Police Department Announce Operation Prevent Porch Piracy

A staggering 11 million homeowners have had a package stolen in 2020, according to August Home and a study produced by research firm Edelman Intelligence. In the same report, it was also revealed that 74% of packages are stolen from homes during the day when homeowners are at work and that the average value...
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December 2022 Events: CSM Celebrates the Season with Concerts, Reflection, and Giving Back

December 2022 Events: CSM Celebrates the Season with Concerts, Reflection, and Giving Back

Connections Literary Magazine Publication Reading. Dec. 2. 7 – 9 p.m. La Plata Campus, Community Education (CE) Building, Room 101 and Online via Zoom. Contributors to the Fall 2022 Connections Literary Magazine will read and discuss their published works. Connections Literary Magazine is a regional literary journal published twice a year that features poems, stories,...
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Enjoy a “Southern Mix” of Voices at CSM’s Barbershop Concert, December 3, 2022 in La Plata

Enjoy a “Southern Mix” of Voices at CSM’s Barbershop Concert, December 3, 2022 in La Plata

If you’re finding yourself in need of some harmony in your life, let the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) barbershop chorus, Southern Mix, show you how it’s done. Southern Mix will perform a barbershop concert on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater in the Fine Arts Center...
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Holiday Christmas Tree, Lighting, and Decoration Safety Tips

Holiday Christmas Tree, Lighting, and Decoration Safety Tips

By Ridge VFD Lieutenant Scot Best. December 1, 2022 – Nothing spreads cheer quite like holiday decorations, but care must be used to ensure your festive winter décor is fire-safe. Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, which means December is the peak month for home candle fires. One-third (33%) of home...
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Charles County Commissioners Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Department of Emergency Services; Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism; Economic Development Department; Department of Community Services; and Department of Planning and Growth Management provided the Board of County Commissioners with an update on Goal 5: Quality of Life of the Commissioners’ Goals and Objectives. Highlights include the Next Generation 9-1-1 transition,...
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Threat of Mass Violence at Milton Somers Middle School Being Investigated

Threat of Mass Violence at Milton Somers Middle School Being Investigated

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, during the lunch hour, a student at Milton Somers Middle School made statements in the presence of several other students of bringing a gun to school and causing harm to others. One of the students that overheard the comments reported it to a school administrator. The School Resource Officer...
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NO ACTIVE THREAT: Police Investigating Reports of Subject with Gun Near Green Holly Elementary School in Lexington Park

NO ACTIVE THREAT: Police Investigating Reports of Subject with Gun Near Green Holly Elementary School in Lexington Park

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., police responded to Green Holly Elementary School located at 46060 Millstone Landing Rd, Lexington Park, for the reported subject with a firearm. 911 callers reported children on the playground stated they observed a man near the fence line holding a firearm. Troopers from the Maryland State...
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CSM Earns Title as One of Best Online Colleges in Maryland for 2023

CSM Earns Title as One of Best Online Colleges in Maryland for 2023

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) was again named as one of the top online colleges in Maryland by Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for program rankings and higher education planning. CSM ranked 15th out of 18 college and universities that rose to the top, and was the only community college on the list. Intelligent.com...
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December 2022 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

December 2022 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

SOLOMONS, MD – November 29, 2022 – ‘Tis the season to celebrate the holidays with Santa and the Otter mascot at our annual Solomons Christmas Walk. It’s a magical evening and a fun time to visit the museum after hours. Join us for our educational programs, designed to keep kids engaged while school is...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners began by recognizing Sheriff Tim Cameron’s upcoming retirement. The Commissioners then approved the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s 2023-2032 Comprehensive...
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Charles County Middle School Investigating Staff Member Using Racial Slur Towards Student

Charles County Middle School Investigating Staff Member Using Racial Slur Towards Student

A Statement from Brenda Tillotson, Principal at General Smallwood Middle School, dated November 29, 2022, can be seen below. Dear Parents and Guardians: I am very saddened to have to share with you information about an incident that happened Monday afternoon at General Smallwood Middle School. An instructional assistant in one of our math...
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Southern Maryland-Based Test Site Becomes UMD UAS Research and Operations Center

Southern Maryland-Based Test Site Becomes UMD UAS Research and Operations Center

CALIFORNIA, MD – The University of Maryland’s (UMD) UAS Test Site, which in 2019 conducted the first-ever drone delivery of a live organ for transplant, is undergoing a transformation. As of October 20, 2022, it will be known as the UMD UAS Research and Operations Center (UROC). The facility, which is part of the...
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St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Accepting Applications for School Age Care Site Directors, Lead Teachers, Inclusion Aides and Substitutes

St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Accepting Applications for School Age Care Site Directors, Lead Teachers, Inclusion Aides and Substitutes

The Department of Recreation and Parks is now accepting applications for School Age Care Site Directors, Lead Teachers, Inclusion Aides and Substitutes positions in our School Age Care Division. Positions require enthusiastic candidates who have experience working with school-aged children in a formal setting and meet the Maryland State Department of Education’s school-age care...
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