Spring is around the corner, Daylight Savings (spring forward) occurs on March 12, and calendars are filling with upcoming 4th quarter events. It’s never too early to begin identifying how you will engage in your student’s upcoming activities. We hope this quick “Spring Happenings” list of dates will help you prepare for a successful and celebratory closure to the 22-23 school year:

March 9- Stem Expo (CMS)

March 10-13- Student Holiday

April 3-7- Spring Break

April 13- National Junior Honor Society Induction (CMS)

April 28- CHS Prom

May 2- Senior Walk at BGES and LCES

May 6- CCPS Night at Dominion Raceway

May 10- CHS Senior Awards

May 18- Senior Walk at CMS and MES

May 19- BGES Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony

May 21- CHS Baccalaureate

May 22- LCES Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony

May 23- MES Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony

May 23- CHS Graduation at UMW

On February 16, 2023, VDOE provided school divisions information on the Senate and House amendments to the Governor's proposed budget. The amendments on each side of the general assembly reflect drastic differences, which will require continued monitoring to determine how conferees handle the proposals.

As we await further action from the state government, we encourage you to answer the following questions:

1. Which of the following stakeholder selected budget priorities would most positively impact your student and family?

• Teacher Compensation (salary increase), 2 Behavioral Specialists (1 GenED/1 SPED), 1 Coor. of Student Support Services, Conversion of 31 PT Custodians to 20 FT positions, a Work-based Learning Teacher, a Special Education Teacher (CHS), 3 SPED Instructional Aides/Paras (ES), Student Chromebook Replacement Cycle Funds, and funding for Health Insurance Increase.

2. Why is the funding of this priority important?

• Current needs/data, how this priority will meet need, impact on students/staff, etc.

3. How can I advocate for funding for a specific budget priority or a fully funded budget?

• Email or call your Board of Supervisor representative.
• Attend the County Administrator's FY24 Operating & Capital Budget presentation to the Board of Sup. on March 14, 2023. Included in this presentation, will be the proposed local funding amount for CCPS (6:00 p.m., Caroline Services Center located at 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, VA 22514).
• Plan to speak during the County's FY24 Budget Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 11 (6:00 p.m., Caroline Services Center located at 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, VA 22514).

Take a look at the February School Board Meeting highlights:

• Supt. Calveric presented the FY24 Operational Budget for approval. The board voted unanimously to approve the budget as presented.
• Recognitions: SEAC Rocket Awards, Division Spelling Bee Awards, VSBA School Board and Clerk Appreciation Month.
• Approval of 23-24 Instructional Calendar and an adjustment to the SB meeting calendar.
• Information from School Division on SIBME (feedback tool), grant highlights, and an update on the CMS HVAC project.
• New Business - First Reading of procurement policy updates (DJF, DJFR, and DJR).

For more information on these topics, you can access the Boarddocs link or view the meeting at our CCPS YouTube Channel.

For students in 8th grade, this test is the only time that a student is formally assessed in the area of writing while in grades 3 through 8. Please talk with your student about the seriousness of the testing setting and how you can support them with preparing for the assessment. Please note, the assessments are administered in the morning, so please avoid scheduling appointments during this week. CHS and CMS will send out school specific information regarding the schedule.

Caroline County Public Schools will be doing on the spot interviews on March 23, 2023 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. We will have individuals available to answer any questions related to certifications or licensure pathways to include career switcher programs! Please feel free to bring your resume and any other documentation that might be relevant to the job for which you wish to apply.

Click HERE to register.

To see other job openings, please visit our website by clicking this link. Come join our team!

Just a reminder that CCPS provides the STOPit anonymous reporting app to all students, allowing them to promote a safe, kind, and respectful school community. This online reporting tool empowers students to report harmful and inappropriate behavior they see in school or through social media, including:

• Bullying

• Cyberbullying

• Abuse

• School threats

• Self-harm

• Other inappropriate behaviors

The STOPit app can be downloaded at no charge from the app store associated with your student’s smartphone or tablet. More information and resources can be found online at stopitsolutions.com.

If you see something, say something!

TYL, a full-service commercial and residential general contractor, is partnering with Caroline County Public Schools to provide Weekend Food Packs for food insecure, at-risk children within the county. Particularly, children who are homeless, possibly living in campgrounds, hotels etc. Any child in need is eligible.

We love our Partners in Education!

If you are interested in being a Partner in Education, click HERE.

If you or someone you know is looking for local food pantries, you can use this Pantry Locater Map: https://fredfood.org/Pantry-Locator-Map.

There is also an app: https://fredfood.org/Pantry-Locator-App

Arts Education Month

Women's History Month

Music In Our Schools Month

March 2- NEA's Read Across America (Dr. Seuss' Birthday)

March 10- Student Holiday/ Employee Work From Home Day

March 13- Student and Teacher Holiday

March 13- School Board Meeting

April 11- Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on CCPS Budget