Earlier today, the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced the closure of all public schools in Maryland, including Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), effective Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27. The decision was made as part of the state’s efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Schools are open tomorrow, Friday, March 13. All CCPS afterschool and evening activities scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, March 13 are canceled. All CCPS activities, events and athletics are canceled during the two-week closure.
“We have been planning for this possibility for the past few weeks, and will do whatever is necessary to keep students and staff healthy while also providing instruction as best we can. We will continue to take our lead from the medical professionals at the health department and make adjustments as events warrant,” Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill said.
During the closure period of March 16-27, all CCPS schools, centers, buildings and facilities will be closed to the public. The following applies to CCPS staff:
During the closure, CCPS building service staff will complete a deep cleaning of all CCPS facilities.
CCPS instructional staff have created optional instructional activities for students to complete at home. CCPS will post a link to a distance learning website on Monday, March 16 at ccboe.com. CCPS plans to provide paper-based instructional resources for students who do not have technology access. All optional instructional activities are not required and will not be graded.
CCPS will offer free meals for any child ages 18 and younger. Meals will be cold bagged lunches. More details about the meal program and locations where parents can pick up meals will be provided March 13. CCPS will begin to offer bagged-meal service on Monday, March 16.
Tomorrow, teachers will provide students with a short technology survey to complete in class. Survey results will be used to determine how many students have technology access at home, including internet and what devices are available, in case CCPS needs to expand distance learning options for students.
During the next week, CCPS will review options for making up days. CCPS has six make-up days available for use, including three inclement weather days built into the calendar and three scheduled days off for spring break.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the CCPS website at ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,521 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
Schools are open tomorrow, Friday, March 13. All CCPS afterschool and evening activities scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, March 13 are canceled. All CCPS activities, events and athletics are canceled during the two-week closure.
“We have been planning for this possibility for the past few weeks, and will do whatever is necessary to keep students and staff healthy while also providing instruction as best we can. We will continue to take our lead from the medical professionals at the health department and make adjustments as events warrant,” Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill said.
During the closure period of March 16-27, all CCPS schools, centers, buildings and facilities will be closed to the public. The following applies to CCPS staff:
- CCPS administrative offices will remain open and 12-month employees will report to work as scheduled during the two-week closure.
- All other CCPS employees – those who are not 12-month employees – should not report to work between March 16-20. A decision about the week of March 23-27 for these employees will be announced at a later date.
During the closure, CCPS building service staff will complete a deep cleaning of all CCPS facilities.
CCPS instructional staff have created optional instructional activities for students to complete at home. CCPS will post a link to a distance learning website on Monday, March 16 at ccboe.com. CCPS plans to provide paper-based instructional resources for students who do not have technology access. All optional instructional activities are not required and will not be graded.
CCPS will offer free meals for any child ages 18 and younger. Meals will be cold bagged lunches. More details about the meal program and locations where parents can pick up meals will be provided March 13. CCPS will begin to offer bagged-meal service on Monday, March 16.
Tomorrow, teachers will provide students with a short technology survey to complete in class. Survey results will be used to determine how many students have technology access at home, including internet and what devices are available, in case CCPS needs to expand distance learning options for students.
During the next week, CCPS will review options for making up days. CCPS has six make-up days available for use, including three inclement weather days built into the calendar and three scheduled days off for spring break.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the CCPS website at ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,521 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.