CCPS Express
Monthly Newsletter
Superintendent's Message
As we prepare for Spring Forward on Sunday, March 10, 2024, it reminds us of the number of 4th quarter events that the close of a school year offers. Get ready to mark your calendar! Information will be updated as additional program details become finalized. We look forward to seeing you out and about at spring athletic events, extracurriculars, recognitions, and more!
- March 28 - CMS STEM Expo (5:30-7:30)
- April 15 - Special Olympics (9:30-12)
- April 19 - CHS Prom
- April 25 - CCPS Art Festival (5-8:00)
- May 1 - Decision Day and Senior Sunset
- May 8 - Senior Awards Night
- May 19 - Baccaulaureate for Seniors (4:00)
- May 21 - CHS Graduation (Henrico Sports & Events Center)
- May 21 - 5th Grade Moving Up Celebrations - MES (2PM), LCES (9:30), BGES (TBA)
- May 22 - 9-12 Academic Awards
- May 23 - 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony (At CHS)
Be well,
Sarah Calveric, Ph. D.
Parent Mental Health Virtual Workshops
CCPS hosted a great virtual parent session in February on “Bullying- Stop the Cycle", where Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson shared the importance of addressing bullying concerns both at home and in the schools. The recording will be posted soon on our website.
We invite you to our next session “Building Your Child’s Confidence” on March 19, 2024 from 6:30-7:30PM via Zoom. Parents can play a big role in helping their children understand who they are. This session will teach strategies to help children develop a confident and healthy sense of self by covering:
Habits & Patterns
Developing traits of resiliency
Developing a growth mindset
Continuous opportunities for connection
Click HERE to register. Even if you are unable to attend, your registration will guarantee the session materials are sent directly to your inbox! You can also take advantage of our free resources and on-demand e-courses. You can also receive answers to your questions with the Ask A Therapist feature…check it out at ParentGuidance.org today! Parents tell us how much they appreciate the resources, and how it helps them to help their children.
Parenting Can Be Hard... Check Out Our FREE Parent Coaching!
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. CCPS is providing the opportunity for you to meet regularly with a coach. Please take advantage of this FREE resource that connects you with a parenting coach and content created by therapists to improve your connection with those you love. Click here to register for on-going, confidential support from a coach: https://cookcenter.info/coaching
Cook Center March Family Mental Health Newsletter
Discover the secrets to Family Happiness! In March’s Family Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish), we delve into the Harvard Happiness Study and how their findings can transform your family's well-being. Learn how to nurture strong bonds, manage stress, and create a positive environment where happiness thrives. From teaching your kids the power of positivity to embracing change and resilience. Keep your family smiling by fostering happiness at home! As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. Check out the course titled, Everyday Happiness. To access the course, simply navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click On-Demand Courses.
Attendance Matters
Daily attendance is critical to your child's learning and socialization. Additionally, regular attendance also supports our division efforts to reduce our chronic absenteeism rates. CCPS strives to partner with our parents/guardians to recognize that every absence matters at every grade level. Each day a student misses school, they miss instruction and interaction with teachers and other students that cannot be recovered. For more information and data regarding the importance of attendance, please reference this article from Attendance Works : Absences Add Up: How School Attendance Influence Student Success. As always, if your child is sick, we encourage the parent to kep the student at home!
FY25 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget
Dr. Calveric presented the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget to the School Board on February 12, 2024 and the Board of Supervisors on February 13. Based on FY25 Budget Survey results and Superintendent Advisory Committee input, the top FY25 budget priorities were presented as follows:
Employee Compensation increases for stipends/salaries
Health Insurance employer contribution premium increase
12 General Education positions (7 Classroom teachers, 3 Instructional Coaches, 1 Activities Director, 1 Counselor)
12 Special Education positions (5 Classroom teachers, 5 Instructional Aides, 1 Instructional Coach, 1 504 Specialist)
2 School Safety Officers (CMS & CHS)
30 Bus Drivers move from Part Time to Full Time
Transportation Routing System Replacement
Receptionist (LCES)
Increase School Based Allocations
Per Governor Youngkin’s proposed FY25-FY26 biennium budget, the CCPS FY25 budget includes a revenue shortfall of $3.6M. The school division will continue to monitor the General Assembly's budget recommendations for Governor Youngkin's consideration. In the interim, mark your calendar:
- County Administrator FY25 Budget Presentation to BOS - March 12, 2024 at 6 p.m.
- Board of Supervisors Budget Public Hearing - April 9, 2024 at 6 p.m.
VDOE Special Education Videos for Families
In response to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly as well as feedback and collaboration with the field, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released a Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families as additional guidance to support accurate and consistent eligibility determinations and access to special education services across school divisions.
These video modules will provide parents, families, and other stakeholders with a brief but comprehensive overview of the special education process on the following topics: Introduction (Overview of Series), Identification, Evaluation, Eligibility, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Reevaluation, Early Intervention, and What’s Next. Each module is designed to be viewed as a stand-alone resource or viewed in succession.
New Testing Updates for Grades 5 & 8
This spring students in grades 5 and 8 will be assessed using a new integrated reading and writing (IRW) item type. This item type consists of a science or history-based passage, 6 multiple choice and technology-enhanced items, and a writing prompt. This portion of the reading test must be administered on a separate day and does not qualify for an expedited retake. In Caroline, the IRW portion of the reading test will be administered the week of April 15. In preparation for this new type of item, students in these grades have been engaged in writing opportunities throughout the school year. In March, students will complete their last writing opportunity before the assessment window in April. At the end of the school year, student score reports will be available for parents and guardians in the Virginia Assessment Portal.
Author and CCPS Alum Shania Lewis Visits Schools
In February, award-winning author and CCPS alum Shania Lewis visited Caroline County Public Schools. Ms. Lewis, author of "Dear Little Black Girl" and "My Way," traveled to all CCPS schools. With the assistance of each school's library media and innovation specialists, Ms. Lewis shared her books and her story with students across the division. It was a full day of interviews, reading, Q&A, student activities, live streaming, seminars, and a podcast. Students and staff participated in the various activities which highlighted not only Ms. Lewis' accomplishments, but the promise of a dream which came to fruition in 1895, when members of the Caroline County Sunday School Union began planting implementing a plan to build and operate a secondary school for Negro children in Caroline County, Virginia. Ms. Lewis noted that this school, originally named Bowling Green Industrial Academy, then Caroline County Training School, and finally Union High School, served as the only secondary school for Negro children, including her very own grandmother, in Caroline County from 1903 to 1969.
The whole day was a moving experience for students and staff! CCPS looks forward to Ms. Lewis' future works and visits.
CCPS English Language Arts Adoption Process
As a part of the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act, the VDOE has reviewed and approved a selection of comprehensive K-5 core instructional programs that are grounded in the science of reading and evidence-based literacy instruction. The CCPS K-5 Core Instructional Program Advisory Group has been reviewing these materials to identify the program that best meet the needs of our students. The CCPS K-5 Core Instructional Program Advisory Group includes teachers, administrators, exceptional education, English Language Learner education, division leadership, and community members.
The selected finalists' K-5 core instructional program materials will be available for review at each school and the school board office starting on March 11th. Stakeholders will be invited to complete a survey by March 25th to submit feedback on the programs. More information about will be available soon.
CCPS is 100% ALL In!
The CCPS ALL In plan is a three-pronged approach to accelerate learning through high impact tutoring, evidence based reading instruction (Virginia Literacy Act, KG-3), and strategy based incentives and family engagement outreach to reduce chronic absenteeism.
High Impact Tutoring provides High Impact Tutoring before, after, and during school in addition to Saturdays at CMS from 9am-12 noon. CCPS leaders, teachers, and tutors use Lexia, ZEARN, and Varsity Tutor platforms to support reading and math acceleration at school and in the home. Our goal is to accelerate learning and decrease chronic absenteeism so all learners can be successful in school and in life.
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) guides school divisions in shifting from balanced instruction to evidence-based instructional strategies/programs rooted in the science of reading to improve literacy outcomes for all K-8 students. CCPS hosted an initial collaborative meeting to support the selection of a best in class K-5 Core English Language Arts instructional program adoption. All high quality instructional materials have been approved by the Virginia Department of Education and the advisory group will examine each program to determine finalists for review by all school and community stakeholders.
Chronic absenteeism is missing 10% or more of the school year, approximately 18 days, which includes both excused and unexcused absences. All-in tutoring allows students to recover missed school days and thus not be considered chronically absent. According to Virginia Department of Education guidelines, for grades K-5, students can make-up 1 day for every 2 hours of tutoring/Saturday school they attend, and students in grades 6-12 can recoup 1 day for every 3 hours attended. For all grades, students can make-up a maximum of 15 missed school days.
Academies of Caroline at CHS
CHS will be implementing an Academy Model pilot for tall rising sophomores for the 24-25 school year. The goal of the model will be to increase on-time graduation rates and decrease chronic absenteeism by building a community within a community. The model would provide students with 3 years of focused learning in an industry or subject area to prepare students for employment, enrollment in college, and/or enlistment in military. To deepen the academies' connection to 3E readiness, each pathway will utilize curriculum and materials aligned to careers and associated work-based learning experiences.
iteach
Caroline County Public Schools is proud to be an approved partner with iteach. If you or someone you know is currently a provisionally licensed educator or interested in becoming a teacher and has a Bachelor's degree. we would love to have you meet with a member of our Human Resources Department to discuss this pathway to a 10 year renewable license with you. Please reach out to hr@ccps.us to schedule an appointment.
ADA Access Improvements at CHS
CCPS Facility Maintenance has been working with a contractor to improve ADA access to the Caroline High School Auditorium. Visitors will notice a big change to the entrances with the addition of new vestibules with double doors that create six foot openings at both lobby entrances. CCPS will finalize this project this weekend with moving of the door signs, paint touch up, final touches on the flooring and building inspection by Caroline County code compliance.
Caroline Career Connections
Caroline High School students celebrated CTE month in February. Check out all of the CTE related activities and events:
- Juniors and Seniors attended the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Intern Expo and had the opportunity to meet and interact with over 60 employers.
- February 20th - CHS hosted a CTE Advisory Committee Dinner Meeting with culinary delights provided by culinary students and CTE programming information delivered by staff, teachers, and students.
- February 29 - Caroline County held a County-Wide CTE Day which involved Dress for Your Career, guest speakers, and a Workforce Development Fair.
- Caroline County Sheriff’s Office implemented an inaugural externship program with three CHS students. During these 5 weeks, students shadowed different departments in law enforcement and received an abundance of opportunities and resources.
- February 22 - Career Cohort students had a wonderful experience at Richmond Ford. Students learned about the variety of careers in the automotive industry such as sales, service, parts, human resources, marketing, and even information technology.
- In March, the Freshman Academy students will be participating in Service Learning projects throughout the community.
Please contact Mrs. Kristina Sanders at Caroline High School (804) 633-9886 ext. 5129 or ksanders@ccps.us if you would like to be a guest speaker, assist with service-learning week, or host an extern. Thank you for your partnership!
School Board Highlights
February 12, 2024 Regular School Board Meeting
- Workshop (4:30PM): FY 25 Budget Information Session & Head Start Governance Training
- Achieve 2027 Spotlight: Community Partnership (Caroline Community Theater)
- Special Recognitions: School Board and Clerk Appreciation Month
- Recognitions: Black History Month, School Counselors Week, Superintendent Art Honor, School Resource Officers, Division Spelling Bee Winners, Virginia Writers Project Winter Journal, and VBODA District 15: All-District Band.
- Information from the School Division: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Monthly Update on Revenues, Expenditures, and ADM
- Action: Approval of the DRAFT C calendar for 2024-2025 school year, Approval of the DRAFT B calendar for 2025-2026 school year (this calendar maintains the same school start time as in previous years), Head Start Carryover Funds Request, and the FY25 Operational Budget as presented.
- New Business: Exceptional Education: Special Education Annual Plan (IDEA Part B, Section 611 & 619 Grant for the 2024-2025 school year.
The School Board would like to thank our citizens that attend, advocate, and speak during public comment. For more information on these topics, you can access the Boarddocs link or view the meeting at our CCPS YouTube Channel. The next regularly scheduled School Board Meeting is Monday, March 11, 2024.
2024 Mtg. Dates: Mar. 11, Apr. 8, May 13, Jun. 10, Jul. 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9
CCPS School Board Adopts the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Instructional Calendars
The Caroline County School Board voted Monday, February 12, 2024 to adopt instructional calendars for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Please note, there will be NO Change in school start times for the 2025-2026 school year. While the research strongly suggests secondary students start school after 8:30 am, the CCPS Board noted elementary student safety in the AM and after school childcare as two critical factors in maintaining the current CCPS school start times.
The following highlights for the 2024-25 school year include:
- Staggered School Start Monday, August 12, 2024 FIRST DAY for PreK, KG, 6th, 9th
- All Students Return Tuesday, Aug 13, 2024
- Aug. 30 & Sept. 2 Pre/Labor Day Holiday
- Oct. 11 Student Holiday, ½ Div. PD-½ Workday
- Nov. 5 No School-Election Day
- Nov. 27-29 Thanksgiving Holiday
- Dec. 23-Jan. 3 Winter Break
- Jan. 6 Teacher workday (Students return on Jan. 7)
- Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
- Feb. 14 Student Holiday, ½ Div. PD-½ Workday
- Feb. 20 No School Presidents’ Day Holiday
- Mar. 10 Student Holiday, ½ Div. PD-½ Workday
- Mar. 31-Apr. 4 Spring Break
- April 21 No School (Make Up day)
- May 22 Last Day of School
The CCPS school board and calendar committee are pleased to have an academic calendar that supports high-quality teaching and learning and meets all state mandates and required instructional hours for verified credit. See the approved calendars:
Partners in Education Spotlight- Caroline YMCA & the Caroline Community Foundation
This month, we highlight two partners who came together to help our second graders learn to swim. Prior to COVID, the Caroline YMCA provided swimming lessons to all second graders. We are excited this program, "Second Grade Learn to Swim", is up and running again! The YMCA is slated to provide lessons to BGES and MES during the 23-24 school year and hopes to begin classes for LCES in the fall of 2024. "Second Grade Learn to Swim" is a six week program taught by YMCA staff, Y board members, and volunteers and is funded by the Caroline Community Foundation!
We love our Partners in Education! If you are interested in being a Partner in Education, click HERE.
Community Resource Corner
Local Food Pantries
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
Important Dates
Arts Education Month
Women's History Month
Music in Our Schools Month
March 1: Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day
March 2: Read Across America/ Dr. Seuss Birthday
March 4-8: School Social Workers Appreciation Week
March 8: End of Third Quarter
March 19: National Agriculture Day
March 27: Students Two Hour Late Arrival
March 29: No School/Beginning of Spring Break for Students (Make-up Day)
Caroline County Public Schools
Website: www.ccps.us
School Board: 16261 Richmond Tnpk., Bowling Green, VA, USA
Phone: (804)633-5088 Twitter: @carolineschools
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolineschools