Education

Cocaine and Vape Recovered from Thomas Stone High School Student

Cocaine and Vape Recovered from Thomas Stone High School Student

On Monday, May 5, 2025, at 12:55 p.m., a Youth Engagement Advocate (YEA), while conducting an administrative search, recovered a vaping device and cocaine from an adult student. The student will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Charles County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct and will also be charged criminally with possession...
Read More »

FCTC Annual SkillsUSA Cruisin’ Into Spring Car Show in Leonardtown Rescheduled for Saturday, May 17th, 2025

FCTC Annual SkillsUSA Cruisin’ Into Spring Car Show in Leonardtown Rescheduled for Saturday, May 17th, 2025

The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center’s Annual SkillsUSA Cruisin’ Into Spring Car Show has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 17, 2025.  The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the school’s parking lot. Vehicles entered in the event may start arriving after 7:00 a.m.  Judging starts at 9:00 a.m....
Read More »

St. Mary’s College to Host, Participate in 2025 College Sailing National Championships

St. Mary’s College to Host, Participate in 2025 College Sailing National Championships

By Chuck Steenburgh: Field selections for the 2025 College Sailing Open and Women’s Fleet Race National Championships, to be hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), have been announced by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA). Host SMCM qualified in both the women’s (May 20-23) and open (May 27-30) fleets. Each 36-team fleet consists...
Read More »

Calvert County FFA Students Shine at Region 3 Leadership Development Events and Spring Judging

Calvert County FFA Students Shine at Region 3 Leadership Development Events and Spring Judging

On March 21, 2025, four students from Calvert County Public Schools’ Future Farmers of America (FFA) demonstrated exceptional leadership and career readiness during the Region 3 Leadership Development Events. Angelina Perez earned a gold medal in the Senior Prepared Speech competition and will advance to the state convention in June. Raleigh Sterling received a...
Read More »

CSM Offers Concerts, Writing Series, and More in May

CSM Offers Concerts, Writing Series, and More in May

Dance Performance: Unspoken Words. May 5, 7:30 – 10 p.m., Hank Willoughby Foundation Center for the Arts (FA Building), Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater, La Plata Campus at 8730 Mitchell Road in La Plata. This spring, CSM’s Dance Ensemble students dive deeper into exploring how “the body says what words cannot.” Join them as...
Read More »

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Seeks Feedback on Draft 2026-2027 School Calendar

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Seeks Feedback on Draft 2026-2027 School Calendar

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Board of Education of Charles County would like input on the 2026-2027 school calendar. The Board of Education typically approves the school calendar two years in advance. At the April 8 Board meeting, staff presented three draft calendar options for the Board’s consideration. Review the options here on...
Read More »

4th Annual Chalk the Walk for Children’s Mental Health Awareness

4th Annual Chalk the Walk for Children’s Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and residents are invited to “Chalk the Walk” at participating public locations throughout Calvert County to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health. The Calvert County Family Network (CCFN) and Department of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with Calvert County Public Schools, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office,...
Read More »

Charles County Presents Proposed Fiscal 2026 Budget

Charles County Presents Proposed Fiscal 2026 Budget

On Tuesday, April 29, Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented the county’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget of $594,293,300 an increase of 5.9 percent over last year.  The General Fund budget was developed in alignment with Commissioners’ strategic priorities, incorporates departmental needs, and is shaped by community input...
Read More »

Board of Education of Charles County Changes Name of General Smallwood Middle School to Glymont Middle School, effective July 1

Board of Education of Charles County Changes Name of General Smallwood Middle School to Glymont Middle School, effective July 1

The Board of Education of Charles County at its April 28 work session approved the name Glymont Middle School to replace the name of General Smallwood Middle School. The name change takes effect July 1, 2025. General Smallwood Middle School will open for the 2025-2026 school year as Glymont Middle School. Eight Board members...
Read More »

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Hosting Virtual Town Hall Meeting on School Safety on May 6th, 2025

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Hosting Virtual Town Hall Meeting on School Safety on May 6th, 2025

Now is the time to voice your concerns, questions and opinions. The Board of Education of Charles County and Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) are hosting a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. through Zoom. The event is open to the public. Attendees must have an active Zoom account to...
Read More »

Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Principal of the Year. Before coming to Ryon in 2023, Adam spent five years as principal of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School after serving as an assistant principal at William A. Diggs and Malcolm elementary schools. “He...
Read More »

School Fire Leads to Reckless Endangerment and Arson Indictment for Prince Frederick Man

School Fire Leads to Reckless Endangerment and Arson Indictment for Prince Frederick Man

Juan Jared Perez-Lopez, 20, of Prince Frederick, has been indicted by a Calvert County grand jury in connection with a February fire at Calvert High School. Perez-Lopez was indicted on four criminal counts, including arson and reckless endangerment, stemming from the incident that temporarily disrupted operations at the school and endangered over 1,100 individuals....
Read More »

Police Recover Marijuana, Handgun and Ammunition from Westlake High School Student

Police Recover Marijuana, Handgun and Ammunition from Westlake High School Student

Charles County Public Schools Released the following information on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. “This morning, Westlake High School administrators observed a student smelling strongly of marijuana upon arrival to school. Administrators investigated and found the student had marijuana, paraphernalia, a handgun and ammunition. The items were confiscated, and police are conducting an investigation. Westlake...
Read More »

Signed Maryland Legislations on April 22nd, 2025 – Governor Moore “Promotes Public Safety and Criminal Justice”

Signed Maryland Legislations on April 22nd, 2025 – Governor Moore “Promotes Public Safety and Criminal Justice”

Governor Wes Moore presided over the second bill signing ceremony of 2025, which included The Expungement Reform Act, a key piece of the Moore-Miller Administration’s legislative agenda. “The legislation signed strengthens the Moore-Miller Administration’s all-of-the-above approach to public safety while creating pathways to work, wages, and wealth for rehabilitated Marylanders.” “Our strategy to make...
Read More »

Gale-Bailey Special Education Teacher Georgia Green, Named Nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Program

Gale-Bailey Special Education Teacher Georgia Green, Named Nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Program

Georgia Green, a special education teacher at Gale-Bailey Elementary School, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Award program. One of five children born to educators, Green was inspired to go into the field of special education by her brothers — twins who are intellectually...
Read More »

CSM Hosts 15th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference

CSM Hosts 15th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference

Nonprofit professionals from across Southern Maryland gathered April 10 at the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) 15th annual Nonprofit Institute Conference at the La Plata Campus where participants learned about several opportunities for success in the mission of helping others. With new director Stephanie Rolle, CSM’s Nonprofit Institute only continues to grow in scope...
Read More »

UPDATE: Loaded Gun That Discharged in Billingsley Elementary Classroom Linked to Student’s Family Member

UPDATE: Loaded Gun That Discharged in Billingsley Elementary Classroom Linked to Student’s Family Member

UPDATE 4/22/2025: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the firearm discharge incident that occurred at Billingsley Elementary School on April 10TH, 2025. After a thorough investigation, officers determined that the firearm belonged to a relative of the student who was visiting from out of town. The facts of the case...
Read More »

Charles County Public School Board of Education Accepts NSBA Magna Award for CCPS Mental Health Expansion

Charles County Public School Board of Education Accepts NSBA Magna Award for CCPS Mental Health Expansion

The Board of Education of Charles County recently received the Magna Award through the National School Board Association (NSBA) on behalf of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) for the expansion of mental health services in the school system. For 30 years NSBA has recognized exemplary school-system programs and this year CCPS was one of...
Read More »

Charles County Public Schools Seeking Feedback on Proposed Resource for English Language Development Learners

Charles County Public Schools Seeking Feedback on Proposed Resource for English Language Development Learners

A new curriculum resource for English Language Development (ELD) services is being proposed by a Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) committee made up of instructional specialists, ELD teachers, parents and students. If approved, the resource will be used starting in the 2025-2026 school year. “English 3D,” by Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is being considered by...
Read More »

Calvert County Public Schools Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

Calvert County Public Schools Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

Calvert County Public Schools is strongly encouraging all parents to register their child by July 1, 2025. This will support adequate staffing for each school. Your child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025, in order to be eligible for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year. Only a parent or legal guardian may register...
Read More »

School Resource Officer Jaime Davis on Her Way to Four-Year Degree after CSM

School Resource Officer Jaime Davis on Her Way to Four-Year Degree after CSM

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Jaime Davis wears many hats. She serves as the School Resource Officer at Leonardtown High School, is raising her teenage son, and is about to graduate from the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) after more than 20 years pursuing her degree. Davis began taking community college courses after...
Read More »

CSM Combines Writing and Math Centers to Enhance Student Support

CSM Combines Writing and Math Centers to Enhance Student Support

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has updated its math and writing centers into a combined location at the La Plata Campus, while continuing to offer dedicated math and writing assistance at its Leonardtown and Prince Frederick campuses. CSM’s writing center services are free to the Southern Maryland community. CSM’s Math Resource Centers offer a...
Read More »

Historic St. Mary’s City April 2025 Events and Workshops!

Historic St. Mary’s City April 2025 Events and Workshops!

Historic St. Mary’s City is excited to share its lineup of events for the month of April 2025. April 9.  Homeschool Wednesday Workshops Spring 2025 – Dates: April 9, May 14, June 4 A hands-on learning experience for homeschool families. Explore navigation, animal husbandry, pottery, and plant life through interactive activities. $10/$8 for members. Additional...
Read More »

Charles County Public School Students Place at 52nd Annual SkillsUSA State Championship

Charles County Public School Students Place at 52nd Annual SkillsUSA State Championship

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students recently competed and placed at the 52nd annual SkillsUSA State Championship held March 28 and 29th, 2025 in Westminster. Thirty-one students from the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center and 33 students from North Point High School participated in events meant to test their skills in the career and...
Read More »

Charles County Public School Employee Indicted on Charges of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Other Related Charges

Charles County Public School Employee Indicted on Charges of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Other Related Charges

Detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested John Alan Lynch, 28, of Indian Head, after a Charles County Grand Jury indicted him in connection with charges of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual solicitation of a minor, and solicitation for prostitution. An arrest warrant was issued and Lynch was...
Read More »