CCPS Express

Monthly Newsletter

Education, Awareness, and FY25 Budget Advocacy

With Governor Youngkin's "Common Ground" proposed budget not approved by the General Assembly, a special session reconvene has been scheduled for May 13. A new state budget is expected to be presented with plans to vote on May 15, 2024. A 3% standards of quality salary increase passed by the GA is still included in the "Common Ground Budget" for FY25 and FY26, and thus we are hopeful this increase for staff raises will be funded in the final state budget.

Locally, the Caroline Board of Supervisors voted for a 1 cent tax increase at the April 9, 2024 meeting and held a budget work session on April 30, 2024. What's next...the FY25 BOS budget public hearing originally scheduled for April has been rescheduled for May 13, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Caroline Community Services Building. Please come out and join CCPS in advocating for employee compensation, 12 regular education teaching positions, 12 special education teacher/para positions, a conversion of 30 bus driver positions from part time to full time, and two school safety officers (CHS/CMS).

Be well,

Sarah Calveric, Ph. D.

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Healthy Kids Running Series

On May 5, some of Caroline’s youngest runners will wrap up a successful five- week racing series that was started by Bowling Green Elementary School PE Teacher Katie Anderson. The Healthy Kids Running Series is a non-profit running program for children between 2 and 14 years of age. It is designed to, “provide kids with a positive, educational and fun experience in the world of running” while they learn about living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Ms. Anderson reached out to the Healthy Kids Running Series and set up the program in the winter of 2023. She then partnered with sponsors and the Caroline County Parks and Recreation Department for the location and set up a series that began earlier this year. Thirty-six students signed up for the full five-week series and additional students signed up for individual races (there are 41 scheduled to participate in the last race this Sunday). Students run a distance based on their age and all runners receive a race medal upon crossing the finish line on May 5th.

The program has been a huge success! Ms. Anderson is already planning a fall series that will be open to all Caroline kids. Big thank you to The Mix House, Flatiron Fencing and Lawn Care, Caroline Fitness Collective, and Caroline’s Promise for their support and sponsorships. Volunteers and sponsors are needed so if you are interested, please contact Ms. Anderson at kanderson@ccps.us.

For more information about the series and signing up your student, you can contact Ms. Anderson or visit https://healthykidsrunningseries.org/.

Transformational Leadership with Dr. Sarah Calveric: L2L

Listen to this episode from We Are Business on Spotify. Leader 2 Leader Series:Join Chamber President and CEO, Susan Spears on a journey as she interviews some of the top community leaders in this series. Susan and her guests will share their insight and wisdom on making teams more effective, leveling up your communication skills, and building the courage to lead during difficult times.

open.spotify.com

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2024 Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 13, 2024.

Gifted Shout Outs

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PrimeTime RVA

Nine of our fifth grade CCPS students traveled to Henrico County to compete in PrimeTime RVA. Twenty local Richmond-area schools showcased their soft-skills in fast-paced, on-your-feet challenges, collaborative team problem solving ,and an independent Shark Tank presentation.

BGES:

First Place: Garrett Wadsworth

Second Place: Eli Russell

Alternate / Media Relations: Rayleigh Niederer

Coach: Kristy Ellis

LCES:

First Place: Chase Quinn

Second Place: Ben Goldman

Alternate / Media Relations: Simon Termont

Coach: Chelsea Spiegel

MES:

First Place: Lauren Branch

Second Place: Olivia Rose

Alternate / Media Relations: Kevin Collins

Coach: Chelsea Spiegel

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Jacob's Ladder

Jacob’s Ladder is a four year, proactive enrichment program designed for intellectually gifted students who face obstacles to success. The first rung of the Ladder begins with a residential program in the summer. For four to five weeks each summer, until participants begin the 9th grade, the children of Jacob’s Ladder live on campus at an independent boarding school. Climbers participate in a diverse offering of academic programs and cultural and recreational activities. An academic staff of eight to ten teaching professionals offers each Climber 18 hours of academic instruction each week. A dozen or so Resident Assistants, many of whom are themselves graduates of Jacob’s Ladder, organize a wide array of recreational, athletic and religious activities; they also supervise dorm life and help the Climbers develop life skills such as punctuality and the meaning of personal responsibility. We have several Caroline County students participating in the program. This year LCES fifth grader, Jordan Frye, has been accepted into the program. Congratulations, Jordan!

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SEE VT (Virginia Tech)

SEE VT is an exciting opportunity for middle school students living in rural communities. During this one-week residential summer camp on Virginia Tech’s campus, students had the opportunity to learn, examine, and reflect on what it means to live (and thrive) in rural communities! Two LCES grizzlies, Stephen Horne and Simon Termont, and one CMS Eagle, Zachery Wallace, were accepted into the program. Congratulations!

VDOE Summer Residential Governor's School

Two CHS students have been selected to attend the VDOE’s Summer Residential Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts held at Radford University this fall. Evan Payne and Marry Walters will spend four weeks at Radford working with renowned professors. Evan and Marry presented art portfolios in an adjudication as part of their application/selection process. Congratulations! We can’t wait to see your art this summer!

Fredericksburg Regional Governor’s School

Each summer, gifted 6th-11th grade students have the opportunity to apply for the Fredericksburg Regional Governor’s School held at James Monroe High School. Students attending the sessions will be engaged in hands-on STEM learning activities and field trips on a wide range of topics including Wetlands Ecology, Caves, Mines, and Minerals, Environmental Technology, Engineering, and Chemistry. Some students will also participate in the mentorship program. Congratulations to all students who will be attending.

Attendance Matters

Daily attendance is critical to your child's learning and socialization. Each day a student misses school, they miss instruction and interaction with teachers and other students. Attendance is also critical to a school's accreditation status. See the chart below to see each school's chronically absent percentage for March (all red).

Let's work together to drive down chronic absenteeism and aim for fully accredited schools. For more information, see 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!

Parent Guidance Corner

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Parent Mental Health Virtual Workshops

ParentGuidance.org shared wisdom on “How to Motivate Your Child” with us on April 30, 2024. If you missed it, the recording will be on our website!

We hope you can make it to our last one of the year, “Social Media: Protecting Your Child by Staying Aware & Involved” on May 14, 2024 from 6:30-7:30PM via Zoom. This will be a good session to help our children have a successful end of the school year! Register HERE!

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

May Mental Health Newsletter - Resiliency and Emotional Intelligence

Discover how to nurture resilient minds and foster emotional intelligence in your children as you help them navigate mental health at any stage. We hope the May Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish) brings you insights and expert advice to nurture your child's mental well-being. From toddlers to teens, we'll discuss navigating the challenges, and concerns around mental health and wellness.

As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources, where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. Go to ParentGuidance.org > On-Demand Courses > Child Development > Page 2 to check out the courses titled, Understanding Your Child's Emotional Development (ages 5-10) (11-14) (15-18) (19-22) and select the age range you are interested in learning more about.

Mental Health Panel

CCPS is excited to announce the first community Mental Health Panel. This panel will be held at Caroline Middle School on Thursday, May 9 from 5:30 - 6:30. We are excited to start the conversation of what mental health looks like in our community and develop next steps to support our students and families. The panelists for the evening include representatives from the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, the Virginia Department of Health, Mr. Trey Taylor (LCSW), Ms. Kristyn Hunter (School Based Therapist) and Mrs. Daijah Wilson (a CCPS graduate and resident in counseling).

We hope you join us at this event to hear from the panel, as well as be able to ask questions of this robust team. Child activities (for ages 3 - 12) will be available through our NJHS students at the middle school. If you would like to bring your child and have them attend the activity hour, please complete this google form by Wednesday, May 8. Snacks and beverages will also be available.

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Lexia for Tutoring

CCPS currently uses Lexia Core5 in grades 3-5 and Lexia PowerUp in grades 6-8 to support our daily English language arts instruction. Lexia is proud to partner with families and the Virginia Department of Education to help fulfill the state’s ALL In Tutoring priority! We are excited that Lexia will be engaging the community by offering information sessions specifically designed for Virginia families. In these sessions, you will learn how Lexia will accelerate your child’s literacy growth and how you can be ALL in with at-home strategies to support your learner!

Register for an upcoming session by creating an account. For step-by-step instructions on how to create an account, visit the Registration Instruction webpage.

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2024 CCPS Special Olympics Feet Meet

CCPS had over 100 athletes, numerous student buddies, and staff participate in the 2024 CCPS Special Olympic Feet Meet. Several school groups volunteered at the event including CMS National Junior Honor Society students, CMS and CHS cheerleaders, CHS Beta, CMS National Honor Society, the CHS Band, Ava Kine, and the CHS Athletic Training program.

We also had community volunteers from the Caroline County Sheriff's Department, Caroline County Fire & Rescue, Caroline County Parks and Rec, The Parent Teacher Resource Center, Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church, Caroline's Promise, Caroline Family YMCA, Roma's Pizza and Firestone Complete Auto Care.

CCPS also invited Mechanicsville High School to participate as they do not have a Special Olympics event for their secondary students.

A 1st grade class at Bowling Green Elementary School picked the colors and designs for the medals that were given to each school, including Mechanicsville High School. They were 3D printed by her class, husband and others & included in the envelope was a class picture and note wishing all the athletes a spectacular day and congratulating them on a "Job well done".

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Caroline Career Connections

As we begin to wind down the school year, the work-based learning opportunities continue to grow!

In April, several CHS students participated in Externships at Ferber’s Automotive and Sheehy Ford. One graduating senior who successfully completed the externship experience has been offered a full-time technician position that will begin after graduation in May.
Sheehy Ford provided an interactive field trip experience for the Automotive students. Each student that participated was paired with a technician to learn tips and tricks of working on different types of vehicles.
M.C. Dean provided an externship experience to an additional senior and is directing him on how to prepare for a career in the electrical field.
Anton Paar provided a great tour and experience for our Career Cohort students. Students learned about state-of-the art testing equipment that supports the products we use each day. Students also heard from a previous CHS graduate who started as an apprentice during his Junior year of high school and has a successful career at Anton Paar. The Career Cohort students then visited Chick-Fil-A where they toured the kitchen and learned about the importance of customer service and product quality.

We appreciate the generosity of these businesses opening up their doors and allowing students to learn more about the opportunities that are within these businesses and how to pursue them.

Our business partners are our greatest asset to the Work-Based Learning program. Their continued support is invaluable in helping us provide students with the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. We look forward to the next school year and hope to continue growing the work-based learning program and having additional opportunities for all students to be successful no matter their “E” (Employed, Enlisted, Enrolled).

If you would like to provide an opportunity to our students, please reach out to Kristina Sanders, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at ksanders@ccps.us or (804) 633-9886 ext. 5129.

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CCPS Work Based Learning Program

Work-based learning (WBL) programs have emerged as a cornerstone in modern education, providing high school students with invaluable experiences outside of traditional classroom learning. These programs offer a bridge between academics and real world experiences, equipping students with practical skills, professional insights, and a competitive edge as they transition into the workforce, enlist in the military, or pursue higher education.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 745 CHS students participated in WBL experiences to include Apprenticeships, Clinical Experiences, Externships, Internships, Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE,) Service Learning, and School-Based Enterprises. To date, out of the 18 students who participated in the 40-hour Externship experience, 7 have been offered full-time positions after graduation.

Abigail Taylor is our first student accepted into the Apprenticeship program at Sheehy Ford. She has been enrolled in the Automotive program for the past two years. When asked about her experience with Sheehy Ford, she commented that the “entire team at Sheehy Ford has been welcoming and ready to help her grow her career pathway in the Automotive field." Automotive teacher, Mr. Johnson, has worked with Abigail and has watched her grow in her abilities and skills and states, “Watching Abigail grow from a Tech I student to a Tech II and complete Tech III level work is an amazing experience."

Caroline County Sheriff's Office offered 3 CHS Criminal Justice program students an Externship opportunity. For one day each week, students shadowed different departments within the Sheriff's office. Student Salem Sanders states, “When I was involved in the Sheriff's Department Externship, I delved deeper into a field I’ve been interested in since middle school. I was able to see the aspects that aren’t in the spotlight and it only sparked more passion. It was cool to see things from the perspective of our law enforcement and all that they do behind the scenes to keep our county safe." Thank you to Caroline Sheriff’s office for making this opportunity available to five of our Caroline High School students.

CHS will continue to grow the WBL program by expanding to more businesses. WBL provides students with invaluable and relevant experiences and gives them a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. It has also helps our local businesses grow their staff to support their needs.

CTE Summer Camp

ATTENTION RISING 6th, 7th, AND 8th GRADERS! Our second annual CTE Camp will take place June 10-June 13. The camp will explore CHS CTE programs and is FREE. Just a few spots left! Confirmation letters will be going out to families by Friday, May 3. Click HERE to register or on the flyer below.

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School Board Highlights

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

Workshop (4:30PM): K-5 Core English Language Curriculum & FY25 Budget Discussion
Achieve 2027 Spotlight: Math Standards and ODU Math Specialist Program
Recognitions: Superintendent Art of the Month, 3rd Quarter Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Awards, Regional Professional Learning Graduates, Paraprofessionals Day and National Assistant Principals Week
Information from the School Division: Naming of Facility Update for Signage and Monthly Update on Revenues, Expenditures, ADM.
Action: Energy Performance Contract/CMS HVAC, 2024-2025 Adoption of Student Fees, 2024-2025 Special Education Annual Plan/Part B Flow- Through Application, Perkins Grant Application, 2024-2025 Head Start Transportation Waiver and VSBA Policies
New Business: K-5 ELA Core Instructional Program Adoption, CTE Honors Courses, 2024-2025 Head Start Grant, Self-Assessment, Community Assessment, and Annual Report

2024 Mtg. Dates: May 14, Jun. 10, Jul. 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9

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Partners in Education Spotlight- 4-H Virginia Cooperative Extension

The 4-H Youth Development Education Program of the Virginia Cooperative Extension provided all CCPS fourth graders an unforgettable Agriculture Day at the Caroline Fairgrounds last month. Throughout the day, students immersed themselves in various stations, from participating in Chesapeake Bay Oyster restoration activities to engaging in hands-on demonstrations with a soil table focused on watershed conservation. They also had the opportunity to learn about and discuss the significance of agriculture to Caroline County.

To top it off, each student departed with a goodie bag brimming with agricultural information and treats. We extend our sincerest gratitude to our partners at 4-H and all the volunteers for their unwavering dedication in making this event a cherished tradition each year.

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

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As the school year draws to a close, we are actively hiring passionate individuals and educators to join our #OneCaroline team for the 2024-2025 school year. We are seeking dedicated people who are committed to making an impact in the lives of our students and community. Why Caroline? We are a collaborative and supportive community of educators, staff, students and parents who are invested in the success of our schools!

Positions available include:

Building Support Staff (Custodians, Instructional Assistants, Office Staff)
Food Services (Technicians)
Substitute (Teachers, Instructional Assistants, Car Drivers, Bus Drivers, Nurses)
Teachers (All grade levels and Subjects)
Transportation (Bus Drivers, Mechanics, Shop Foreman)

Please share these opportunities with others and/or apply with us online by clicking here.

Community Resource Corner

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Local Food Pantries

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

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Folds of Honor Gold Tournament and Scholarships

Folds of Honor is a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled American military service members and first responders.

CCPS will be helping support a golf tournament on June 14 to raise money for Folds of Honor at the Golf Club at Mattaponi Springs. If you are interested in participating, sponsoring, or volunteering, contact Glenn McDearmon at 804-633-7888.

For more information about the Folds of Honor scholarships, click on the flyer below.