Distance learning for all Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students begins Friday, April 3. The system is using two different methods to deliver instruction – paper-based packets with lesson plans focused on reading, math, science and social studies for elementary school students, and online content through the Apex Learning program for all middle and high school students. All distance learning lessons and activities are reviewed by CCPS content specialists.
Distance learning materials completed after April 3 for all students will count toward fourth-quarter grades. CCPS is waiting for direction from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for grading guidance. All distance learning materials – including elementary paper lessons and middle and high school Apex Learning lessons – are available after April 3 at the 11 designated meal sites in paper format. Meal sites are open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. A list is posted on the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com.
Apex Learning for middle and high school students
The Apex Learning program will start with the four core subjects of English, math, science and social studies for secondary students. Starting tomorrow, April 3, students will be able to access their Apex accounts.
All middle and high school teachers have been assigned to monitor the progress of either their first-period or homeroom students. These mentor teachers will communicate daily, Monday through Friday, with assigned students. Students should also contact their English, math, science and social studies teachers if they need help with assignments.
Special education teachers are reviewing student IEPs in their caseloads and using Goalbook Pathways, an online platform for teachers and students that centers on the achievement of individual student learning goals, to develop additional or alternate activities for students.
The first two weeks of distance learning will feature graded content for students in the four core subjects. CCPS staff is looking to expand non-core course offerings over the next few weeks. Enrichment activities will be available for secondary students online at ccboe.com. Click here for a direct link to enrichment activities by grade level.
Starting tomorrow, secondary students can follow the steps below to access Apex Learning. Students can use a desktop computer, laptop or tablet.
Students will receive regular communication from their assigned mentor/homeroom teacher through Synergy Mail/StudentVue about specific assignments. All middle school teachers have office hours by email Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. High school teachers are available for office hours 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Elementary school distance learning
Distance learning for elementary school students also begins Friday, April 3. A link to all elementary paper packets – divided by grade level and include two weeks of lessons and activities students were working on in class prior to the closure – is be posted on the CCPS website at https://www.ccboe.com/index.php/elementary-distance-learning. Additional activities for students will be available on the elementary distance learning page.
Parents can also pick up copies of the packets at any of the 11 designated meal sites. Sites are open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit ccboe.com for meal site location information.
Elementary lessons focus on the four core subjects of reading, math, social studies and science. Additional content areas may be added later as students adapt to learning at home. All elementary teachers are contacting parents this week through email and/or ParentVue to outline expectations for students.
Elementary school teachers have office hours by email Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additionally, all teachers have reviewed distance learning lesson plans for students. Teachers may provide students with optional and/or enrichment activities as needed. Case managers for students with IEPs are also using Goalbook to provide alternate activities.
CCPS world languages staff are working to translate paper-based materials for students who are in the English Learners program.
Parents should keep copies of all completed work for their elementary school children in a portfolio. CCPS will ask for the portfolio once MSDE provides grading guidance.
Questions about elementary lesson plans can be directed to classroom teachers by email.
Device requests for all students
Computer analysts (CA) are preparing student laptops this week which includes cleaning and updating them. Each computer will come with a bag, charger and instruction sheet.
Technology staff will contact each school principal to determine pick up times and dates, with some schools requiring a multi-day distribution. Parents will be contacted by their child’s school with an appointment time and date to pick up the device.
Parents must be on the pickup list in order to receive a device for their child. For those not on the list, an administrator will take their information and reschedule a pickup time. In order to pick up a laptop, parents will be required to provide the student’s name and student ID number to the administrator, who will verify the child’s legal guardian’s information.
Parents who have not been contacted about a device by April 10 for their child should submit a request through the Ask CCPS help desk on the CCPS website. Requests should be submitted through the “Request a Laptop” from the help topic menu. CCPS staff are working as quickly as possible to respond to all requests.
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.
Distance learning materials completed after April 3 for all students will count toward fourth-quarter grades. CCPS is waiting for direction from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for grading guidance. All distance learning materials – including elementary paper lessons and middle and high school Apex Learning lessons – are available after April 3 at the 11 designated meal sites in paper format. Meal sites are open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. A list is posted on the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com.
Apex Learning for middle and high school students
The Apex Learning program will start with the four core subjects of English, math, science and social studies for secondary students. Starting tomorrow, April 3, students will be able to access their Apex accounts.
All middle and high school teachers have been assigned to monitor the progress of either their first-period or homeroom students. These mentor teachers will communicate daily, Monday through Friday, with assigned students. Students should also contact their English, math, science and social studies teachers if they need help with assignments.
Special education teachers are reviewing student IEPs in their caseloads and using Goalbook Pathways, an online platform for teachers and students that centers on the achievement of individual student learning goals, to develop additional or alternate activities for students.
The first two weeks of distance learning will feature graded content for students in the four core subjects. CCPS staff is looking to expand non-core course offerings over the next few weeks. Enrichment activities will be available for secondary students online at ccboe.com. Click here for a direct link to enrichment activities by grade level.
Starting tomorrow, secondary students can follow the steps below to access Apex Learning. Students can use a desktop computer, laptop or tablet.
- Visit www.apexvs.com.
- Enter user name: a student’s user name is their student identification number followed by an underscore and ccps. For example: 123456_ccps.
- Enter password: ccps (same for all secondary students).
- At first log-in, students should click HELP in the upper right-hand corner to watch a program tutorial.
Students will receive regular communication from their assigned mentor/homeroom teacher through Synergy Mail/StudentVue about specific assignments. All middle school teachers have office hours by email Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. High school teachers are available for office hours 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Elementary school distance learning
Distance learning for elementary school students also begins Friday, April 3. A link to all elementary paper packets – divided by grade level and include two weeks of lessons and activities students were working on in class prior to the closure – is be posted on the CCPS website at https://www.ccboe.com/index.php/elementary-distance-learning. Additional activities for students will be available on the elementary distance learning page.
Parents can also pick up copies of the packets at any of the 11 designated meal sites. Sites are open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit ccboe.com for meal site location information.
Elementary lessons focus on the four core subjects of reading, math, social studies and science. Additional content areas may be added later as students adapt to learning at home. All elementary teachers are contacting parents this week through email and/or ParentVue to outline expectations for students.
Elementary school teachers have office hours by email Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additionally, all teachers have reviewed distance learning lesson plans for students. Teachers may provide students with optional and/or enrichment activities as needed. Case managers for students with IEPs are also using Goalbook to provide alternate activities.
CCPS world languages staff are working to translate paper-based materials for students who are in the English Learners program.
Parents should keep copies of all completed work for their elementary school children in a portfolio. CCPS will ask for the portfolio once MSDE provides grading guidance.
Questions about elementary lesson plans can be directed to classroom teachers by email.
Device requests for all students
Computer analysts (CA) are preparing student laptops this week which includes cleaning and updating them. Each computer will come with a bag, charger and instruction sheet.
Technology staff will contact each school principal to determine pick up times and dates, with some schools requiring a multi-day distribution. Parents will be contacted by their child’s school with an appointment time and date to pick up the device.
Parents must be on the pickup list in order to receive a device for their child. For those not on the list, an administrator will take their information and reschedule a pickup time. In order to pick up a laptop, parents will be required to provide the student’s name and student ID number to the administrator, who will verify the child’s legal guardian’s information.
Parents who have not been contacted about a device by April 10 for their child should submit a request through the Ask CCPS help desk on the CCPS website. Requests should be submitted through the “Request a Laptop” from the help topic menu. CCPS staff are working as quickly as possible to respond to all requests.
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.