CCPS Express

Your voice matters! CCPS has begun the FY26 budget season and is seeking budget input from all CCPS stakeholders. This information will be used by the FY26 Budget Advisory Committee and senior staff to develop a "Needs Based Budget" for presentation in February to the School Board and Board of Supervisors. We have created a FY26 budget survey that you (staff, students, parents/guardians, and community members) can access here: FY26 Budget Survey

Please take a moment to review the budget requests submitted by department heads and building principals. Select your top items in each of the identified categories. If an item you believe may be critical to the organization/school is not listed, please use the open comment question at the very bottom of the survey to share your budget priority. Please note, the salaries listed include projected costs and full benefits. The survey will remain open through Monday, December 16th.

Sarah Calveric, Ph.D.

High school students, parents, and guardians who are interested in learning about financial aid options for college are invited to attend one of the Financial Aid 101 webinars hosted by Level Up Virginia and Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA).

Topics covered include Federal Financial Aid, State Financial Aid, Application Tips, and Q & A.

Register today to attend a session December 5 or December 12, 2024, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Both sessions are free and will cover the same information. Click HERE for more information.

At the Cook Center for Human Connection, we understand the challenges of parenting in today’s world. In the December Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish), we’re focusing on the profound impact of parental kindness and how it shapes the lives of kids and teens. In this newsletter, you’ll find insights and strategies to help you practice kindness in your parenting, creating a positive ripple effect that strengthens your child’s emotional well-being and resilience.

If you have any questions, contact Coordinator of Student Support Services, Rachel Wheeler at rwheeler@ccps.us.

We know the holiday season can bring added stress. Parent Coaching is a FREE resource where you can meet with a coach to get personalized support for any challenges you or your child may be facing. Whether it's behavior issues or holiday stress, a coach can help guide you through it. Click here to register for support from a coach: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

Cavalier Nation believes that showing up every day is the first step to success. Attendance not only ensures students are present to engage with lessons and build skills, but it also helps them develop habits of responsibility and accountability that will serve them for a lifetime. With this top of mind, CHS is thrilled to announce the winners of our 1st Quarter Attendance Incentive: Aveon Taylor, Khalil Salahuddin, Franklin Tzul-Sis, and Natalie Samuels! These four outstanding students demonstrated outstanding attendance during the second interim of the first quarter.

As a reward for strong attendance, each winner received a pair of customized Nike shoes - a prize that symbolizes both their determination and their Cavalier pride. This incentive was designed to recognize and reward students who make attendance a priority. Aveon, Khalil, Franklin, and Natalie have set a fantastic example for their peers, proving that consistent effort can lead to extraordinary rewards.

We encourage all of our Cavaliers to aim for perfect attendance as we move through the school year. Our next set of customized shoes will be given away on December 20! Congratulations again to Aveon, Khalil, Franklin, and Natalie. Your dedication inspires us all to Choose Greatness every day.

December marks the start of the registration season for student course selection for the 2025-2026 school year. During the month of December our middle school and high school will host information nights for families to learn all of the available course options. We hope you will visit on Curriculum Night, Wednesday, December 18 to tour and learn class information. Caroline Middle School will be open from 4:30-6:30PM for rising 6th-8th graders. Caroline High School will be open from 5:30-7:00 PM for all rising 9th-12th grade students. School counselors will meet with students grades 5-11 through classroom lessons to share course information and how to utilize the portal to pick courses. Parents have the opportunity to access the portal as well to register your student from December 11th through January 6th. Please utilize the portal directions on how to access the system and make your course requests. For information regarding all CCPS courses, please review our Program of Studies.

Students will meet with their school counselors in January and February to review course requests and solidify their decisions for the 25-26 school year. Parents will have the opportunity to review the course selection in March and May with course verification forms that will be sent home with your student. Please watch your school newsletters for additional information.

CHS Drama and the Cavalier Players are excited to present "The Outsiders". Our fall production is under way and bound for success! Tickets are available now at gofan.co. CHS staff and students are invited to purchase tickets to a special showing after school on Thursday, 12 December for only $5!. All other tickets are $10 each. Please help spread the word about our performance to students and families across the county and feel free to share this Facebook post to those outside our One Caroline family.

Congratulations to Dr. Rollins-Fells, CCPS School Board member, on being elected as the new President of the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA)! This is a tremendous achievement, and we are so proud of her leadership and dedication to advancing education. Dr. Rollins-Fells' election is a testament to her commitment to serving our community and advocating for the success of students and schools across Virginia. We look forward to seeing all the positive impacts she will continue to make in this new role. Click HERE to read the full press release.

Caroline High School is proud to recognize senior Charles Tucker Watts, who demonstrated a remarkable commitment to service by skipping his senior year homecoming festivities in October to assist with storm relief efforts in North Carolina. Tucker, as he is known by family and friends, traveled with GH Watts Construction to help repair homes and infrastructure affected by recent severe weather. When asked about his experience, Tucker said “It was a lot of hard work, but there were so many things that needed to be done it felt good to help people that needed it.”

GH Watts Construction, a family-owned business with a legacy of community service, praised Tucker’s dedication. A spokesperson for the company remarked, “This young man felt it in his heart to share his talents, and his efforts have made a real difference for families in need.”

Tucker’s selflessness exemplifies the values of service and compassion, characteristics that Caroline High School strives to instill in all its students. Principal Tom Connolly said, “Tucker’s actions reflect the true spirit of leadership and community service. We couldn’t be more proud of his choice to put others before himself, especially during such a special time in his senior year.”

In a world where students are often recognized for academic and athletic achievements, Tucker’s volunteerism serves as a reminder that greatness can also be achieved through acts of kindness and generosity.

The Virginia Lottery is now accepting art submissions from K-12 students for their annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest. Click HERE for more information. Submissions are being accepted through February 3, 2023.

CCPS is introducing text message alerts as a new communication tool. To start receiving these alerts, you must "opt in". If you're interested in receiving text notifications, please follow the steps below. (This information will also be sent via email as a reminder.)

1. Ensure your child's school has your mobile phone number as your primary contact number.

2. You can text Y (or YES) to 67587 to opt in.

3. On December 16 at 5pm, if you have not already opted in, you will receive a text message inviting you to do so. If you prefer to NOT receive text messages, you can ignore the text.

Applications are now open for our CCPS governor’s at STEM/Lab school programs:

8th Graders in algebra are eligible to apply for Commonwealth Governor’s School. CGS students travel to King George for half a day each school day for all core subjects; math, science, English, and history. Classes are heavily AP-based courses with interdisciplinary connections. Field experiences including plays, trips to Shenandoah, D.C and even Philadelphia are integral parts of the CGS experience. Learn more at https://cgsva.org/.

ALL 8th graders are eligible to apply for the Academy for Technology and Innovation. ATI is a full-day lab school focused on STEM, computer science, and data science. Applications are based on a lottery system as are all lab schools in Virginia. Students spend their school day at the Stafford Campus of Mary Washington University engaging in all core subject and elective courses. Learn more at https://atiumw.org/.

9th graders in geometry are eligible to apply for Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. CBGS has a marine and environmental focus. Students take their math and science courses at the Bowling Green campus of CBGS. Field experiences explore geography and water environments including the mountains, Chesapeake Bay and even the Outer Banks. CBGS has a hands-on focus for learning science and math. Learn more and find the online application at https://cbgs.k12.va.us/.

All applications are due on Friday, January 10, 2025. Please email Mrs. Kiger with questions or for more information at hkiger@ccps.us.

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are requested to complete the VDOE annual Parent Involvement Survey.

This survey will remain open through December 13, 2024. Please complete one survey for each of your children who is currently receiving special education services during the 2024-2025 school year.

NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is excited to share that the application window is now open for Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST), our FREE summer residential STEM program for 8th and 9th grade students in Virginia!

BLAST offers students a unique opportunity to explore their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields through immersive experiences and career exploration. This free program allows selected students to spend 3 days and nights at either ODU, RU, UVA, VT, or W&M. Led by university faculty, students engage in hands-on STEM activities, attend demonstrations, tours, and guest speaker sessions. We are asking for your help to ensure every qualified student in Virginia knows they can apply.

The BLAST application window closes Saturday, February 1, 2025.

A short, informational video can be found here: https://youtu.be/wkzGN1PZiNY?si=6KVxD77ZVGZoqK9P

A flyer is attached, and more details and the online application can be found here: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/

Click HERE to access school menus and meal information.

The Caroline School Nutrition Department uses the NutriSlice app, which gives everyone access to nutritional information about our menu:

November was all about career exploration. Caroline High School hosted its 2nd Annual Career Expo, themed "What’s Your E?" focused on the 3 E’s of Career and Technical Education: Enrolled, Enlisted, and Employed. Students connected with 60 businesses, learned about career opportunities, and explored educational options from six colleges. Military branches also provided insights into military careers.

Workshops like "Dress for Success" and "You're Hired, Now What?" offered practical career advice, thanks to alumni and community partners. Caroline Middle School also hosted a Career Exploration event with over 20 local businesses and hands-on activities, helping students discover different career paths.

In addition, Caroline High students attended the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Mock Interview Event, where they could improve their interview skills. Attendees of this event and the February Intern Expo are eligible for a $1,500 scholarship.

Eighth graders from Caroline Middle School also participated in the Chamber RVA's Mission Tomorrow event at Richmond International Raceway, experiencing live demonstrations and career activities from over 100 businesses. These events provided students with valuable resources and insights to help them plan for their future careers.

Contact Information: For more details on the CTE Advisory Committee or Work-Based Learning programs, please contact Kristina Sanders, Work-Based Learning Coordinator (ksanders@ccps.us,

(804) 633-9886 ext. 5129) or Melissa Frye, Assistant Principal of CTE & Work-Based Learning

(mfrye@ccps.us, (804) 633-9886 ext. 5124).

Take a look at the November 2024 School Board Meeting highlights:

Nov. 11, 2024 Regular School Board Meeting

• Workshop: Demographics and Facility Study by RRMM
• Achieve 2027 Spotlight: CCPS Environmental Literacy Plan
• Recognitions: Superintendent Art Honor, State Fair Attendees
• Information from the School Division: Pandemic Funds Update, School Performance & Support Framework, 2024-2025 School Board Goals, and Monthly Update on Revenues and Expenditures
  
• Action: Removed item 5A from the agenda, Budget Calendar FY26, Updated Cell Phone Policy
• First Reading: New Course Proposals 2025-2026, FY26-FY30 Capital Improvement Plan

The next School Board Meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2024.

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.

Last month, James River Air Conditioning hosted CHS students who are interested in pursuing careers in the trades. During their visit, James River representatives provided valuable insights into apprenticeship opportunities available in fields such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and other careers within their organization. Their commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals is truly appreciated, and we are grateful for their partnership in helping guide our students toward meaningful career pathways.

We love our Partners in Education! If you are interested in being a Partner in Education, click HERE

Caroline County Public Schools is currently looking for a number of dynamic professionals to join our team!

Substitute Teachers

We will hold a Substitute Interview Day on January 15th. Substitutes can apply for positions on our website. Substitute teachers can earn $110 and our long term substitutes make between $180 and $210 a day. For questions about substituting, email Alexcis Callahan at Acallahan@ccps.us.

Literacy Support Specialist

This is a 12 month position! Any interested applicants must have five years of experience in a licensed, literacy-focused position and hold a Reading Specialist endorsement.

Elementary and Special Education Teacher positions

Hold a bachelor's degree and have experience working with children? Find out how to become a licensed teacher through an alternative pathway! Email Paige Tucker at ptucker@ccps.us for more information!

All In Tutors

Come help our students thrive in math and literacy! We are hiring both full time and part time tutors at our schools! Apply today!

Virtual iTeach Information Sessions

We will hold a virtual iTeach information session on December 18th at 4:30 P.M. iTeach is an alternative licensure program approved by the Virginia Department of Education. If you hold a bachelor's degree, you can obtain your full teaching license in just one year! Please register here if you would like to attend! Email Paige Tucker at ptucker@ccps.us for any additional information.

To see all of our opportunities and/or apply with us online, click here.

If you or someone you know is looking for local food pantries, you can use this Pantry Locater Map.

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

County Line Baptist Church Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays from 8:30am-1pm. Delivery possible if NO transportation.

December 6-12: Computer Science Education Week

December 6: Senior Citizen Gala

December 14: Bowling Green Holiday Parade

December 21: Winter Break Begins

December 25: Christmas Holiday

December 25- January 2: Hanukkah

December 26- January 1: Kwanzaa

December 31: New Year's Eve

January 6: Teacher Workday (No Students)

January 7: Students Return from Winter Break

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