CCPS Express
Monthly Newsletter
August 2022
Superintendent's Message
Share Your Voice- Make An Impact!
Are you looking for a way to share your voice and be more engaged? Caroline County Public Schools conducts a variety of committees to assist the division with engaging all stakeholders in meaningful educational discussions supportive of our new strategic plan, Achieve 2027. The work of these committees impacts our students’ learning experiences, CCPS fiscal decision-making, and the school division's collective growth.
Four advisory committees are currently seeking new stakeholder members for the 22-23 school year:
- Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee - Facilitators, Mrs. Terrie Haley and Dr. Craig Reed (Directors of Elem. and Secondary Education)
- Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee - Facilitator, Mrs. Marcia Stevens (Chief Operations Officer)
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) - Facilitator, Dr. Paige Carter (Director of Special Education)
- Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIP) - Facilitator, Mr. Chris Caldwell (Sup. of Maintenance)
Responses are due Friday, August 5, 2022. Each committee's facilitator will notify participants of the first meeting date by Friday, August 19, 2022. Please email lstevens@ccps.us with any questions. Thank you for considering which committee may be right for you! We cannot wait to work alongside you!
Welcome Back CCPS!
We are so excited to launch the 2022-2023 school year with our new strategic plan ACHIEVE 2027! Everything we do will be done with excellence and we thank you for allowing us to educate your child.
Goal 1 of our strategic plan is the core of what we do...Teaching and Learning. This year, our K-1 students will be building their foundational literacy skills through the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum. Heggerty is an engaging literacy program that focuses on phonemic awareness, letter and sound recognition, and language awareness. Students will learn rules to recognize patterns that help them decode words to become better readers.
In science and social studies, students will have interactive notebooks a tool to make connections prior to new learning, to revise their thinking, and to deepen their understanding of the world around them. Math instruction will involve discourse where students communicate their ideas and perspectives in solving problems.
Drama, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity are new courses at CMS and CHS. Teachers will be providing engaging lessons through rigor, relevance, and relationships.
Our goal is to make sure students are successful in school and in life!
Free School Meals
We are pleased to share with our families that CCPS remains eligible for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2022-2023 school year.
As a result, all enrolled students of CCPS are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each school day.
Safety and CCPS
Safety is always a focus for CCPS and with the 2022-23 school year only two weeks away, we would like to make you aware of the safety measures it has in place to increase the safety of our students and staff.
Crisis Plans
All schools have a Crisis Plan which provides the steps to take in response to variety of crises such as intruders, fires, and tornadoes. These plans are updated each summer and reviewed with their staff at the beginning of the school year.
Drills
In compliance with state regulations, fire drills are conducted once a week the first month of school and once a month thereafter; intruder drills are conducted at least 3 times per year; and 1 tornado drill is conducted in March before the spring tornado season begins.
Emergency Services
CCPS has strong partnerships with both the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, Caroline EMS, and the VA State Police to provide safety and security for our schools. These agencies share safety protocols, and collaborate regularly with CCPS to develop and refine safety procedures.
Locked Doors
- Exterior doors: these are locked at all times, with visitors required to buzz-in to gain entry at the main office. Main office doors are also equipped with a camera so receptionists can identify who is entering their building.
- Classroom doors: these are to be locked at all times to increase the security of classrooms and the safety of students therein.
SROs
A School Resource Officer is in each school to promote safety and security, build rapport with students, and provide assistance to the school when appropriate.
Technology
- InForce 911: Notification system that allows staff to use their smart phone to immediately notify the school and law enforcement of a potential threat.
- Stopit: App that allows students to anonymously report threats or concerns they have.
- Security Cameras: Located in every school at both interior and exterior locations.
- Two-way Radios: Used by school administrators and other personnel for communication.
Visitor Sign-In
All visitors are required to sign in upon entry into a school and provide photo identification if picking up students for early release.
Transportation Safety Reminders
As we approach another school year, here are several transportation reminders before our students board buses and student transport cars:
- Students should be at their assigned bus stop approximately 10 minutes prior to their scheduled pick up time.
- Students are not required to wear masks, but any student choosing to do so may wear one.
- Students should remain in their seats while the vehicles are in motion and talk in a quiet manner to keep noise levels down.
- Headphones/earplugs must be used with all electronic devices.
- Students will only be allowed to get off the bus at their assigned stop unless they have a bus pass issued by the school with a valid date.
- Additionally, it is prohibited for any parent/guardian or any person that is not a student to board a CCPS school bus. Boarding a bus is considered trespassing. All violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All buses are equipped with vide surveillance and will be used to identify any and all violators.
Our drivers are looking forward to seeing all of our CCPS students soon. Let's have a safe school year!
Growing Our Own Educators Through the Teachers for Tomorrow Program
This year, Teachers for Tomorrow students will bring engaging lessons to all 5th grade students each quarter. Look for our Cavaliers at a school near you during the weeks of September 26th-30th, November 7th-11th, February 6th- 10th, and March 20th-24th.
Summer Facility Projects
The CCPS Facilities/Maintenance Department has been busy this summer completing a number of building projects for the upcoming school year: New classroom furniture at Caroline Middle School and Madison Elementary School; Dry erase board installation at Caroline Middle School; MES property grading to improve drainage; Head Start PK playground installation at all three elementary buildings; Caroline High School is undergoing HVAC improvements and repairs to the air conditioning system; Installation of a new generator at CHS (in cooperation with Caroline County and Caroline Fire Rescue to meet emergency shelter needs within the county); repainting if all hallways at Caroline High School; New marquee signs at the School Board Office, Caroline Middle and Caroline High.
Facilities and Maintenance is looking forward to a great start of the 2022-2023 school year for all students, teachers, and staff.
Welcome Back Block Party
Don't miss our Welcome Back Block Party at Caroline High School on August 10! Vendors can sign up to participate through August 6 by clicking HERE. All food vendors have been secured, but we are still looking for business and organizations that would like to meet the CCPS community as well as sponsors and donated items for the raffle.
We love our Partners in Education!
JOIN OUR TEAM!
-Licensed instructional positions
-Executive Administrative Assistant
-School Counselors (CHS, LCES)
-Custodians
-Substitute Teachers
-Transportation Clerical Support
-Part Time and Substitute Bus Drivers
-Lunch Buddies
-Paraprofessionals
-Full and Part time Math Teachers
For more information, call our Director of Human Resources Karen Foster at 804-633-5088 or click HERE.
Partner in Education Spotlight- River Rock Church
River Rock is an active faith partner who "shows up" to meet the school division's needs. Whether sponsoring engaging activities and treats at Elementary School Open House nights, participating in the CHS/CMS Block Party, "adopting a school" throughout the year, or serving on our Faith Advisory Committee, River Rock is present and impactful!
We love our Partners in Education!
If you are interested in being a Partner in Education, click HERE.
Alumni Spotlight- Tyler Clarke
Tyler (Ballard) Clarke graduated from Caroline High School in 2001 and from Radford University in 2005 with a degree in Art Education. She is a middle school art teacher for Stafford County Schools and is married with two children, Tatum and Landon. She also has a black lab named Finley who will be 2 in January.
Taylor says they are "an outdoor family that loves to go on hikes and explore new areas. We also love the beach and try to go as often as possible." She also enjoys "all things art" and baking.
Calling All Alumni!
We want to hear from you! Click HERE and tell us about yourself, what you are doing now, and how CCPS supported your 3E readiness. We also want to find out how you might like to become involved with Alumni networking and events.
Join our Alumni Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5063123680399351/members
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CORNER
Affordable Connectivity Program
The federal government through the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offer an opportunity for certain qualifying households to receive discounted pricing on internet services. Additionally, the program offers a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Caroline County Public Schools has a Community Eligibility Provision for the 2022-23 school year (see link below). This means that all students will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge which is also a qualification criteria for the Affordable Connectivity Program. To learn more and apply, visit their site linked below:
A local committee is applying for a grant that would expand broadband to cover Caroline County. They have created a petition you can sign if you support the initiative:
Important Dates
August 2- National Night Out
August 10- CHS/CMS Block Party
August 9- CMS Sixth Grade Open House
August 10- CMS 7th and 8th Grade Open House
August 11- Open House for ALL Elementary Schools
August 15- First Day of School
September 2- 5 (Labor Day Weekend)- Schools Closed
September 16- Homecoming
Caroline County Schools
Website: www.ccps.us
Location: 16261 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, VA, USA
Phone: (804)633-5088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolineschools
Twitter: @carolineschools