CCPS Express

Monthly Newsletter

Superintendent Message

Got Talent, Skills, and Hobbies? CCPS Needs YOU!

Caroline County Public Schools is stronger with YOU—our families, residents, local businesses, and faith and civic organizations! We want to connect our community’s tremendous gifts to our students’ real-world learning experiences. How can we do this as #OneCaroline? By completing a quick 5-minute survey, you’ll help CCPS Stack It (collect), Map It (organize), and Tap It (engage)—linking community talents and resources to schools and students is a win for all. Let’s work together to open doors, inspire learning, and make an impact! Click HERE to access the very brief survey.

Sarah Calveric, Ph.D.

CHS Partners with NFHS Network to Stream Live Games On-Demand Starting in May

Caroline High School is excited to announce that, starting this May, we will partner with the NFHS Network to bring live and on-demand streaming of our high school sports and events directly to you through the NFHS Network. This collaboration will allow families, friends, and fans to watch their favorite teams and activities from anywhere, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. You will be able to watch all events in the Blanton Gym and Spaulding Stadium.

The NFHS Network covers regular-season and postseason sports. It celebrates the accomplishments of student-athletes, student broadcasters, and high schools across the country. By joining the NFHS Network, we aim to enhance community engagement and provide greater exposure for our student-athletes. The platform is user-friendly and offers high-quality streaming, making it easier than ever to support our school.

Subscription Options:

Monthly: $13.99 per month, billed each calendar month
Annual: $79.99 per year, billed each calendar year
Subscriptions can be purchased HERE

What’s Included:

Access to all content on the NFHS Network
Live and on-demand streaming of Caroline High School sports and activities in Spaulding Stadium and the Blanton Gym

Where to Watch:

On smart TVs like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Google Chromecast
On iOS and Android smartphones
On any device via the NFHS Network website

We look forward to launching this service at CHS! Stay tuned!

Register Now: 3rd Annual CTE Summer Camp for Rising 6th–8th Graders!

We are excited to announce our 3rd Annual CTE Summer Camp—an engaging, FREE, hands-on experience open to all rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students!

Camp Dates: June 9–12
Time: 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM daily

During camp, students will be randomly divided into groups and rotate through five exciting CTE subject areas: Carpentry, Criminal Justice, JROTC, Automotive, and Culinary Arts. They will spend approximately 90 minutes in each subject area, with two rotations on Monday and Tuesday, and a final rotation on Wednesday morning, working on projects and exploring each career field.

On Wednesday afternoon, students will collaborate with their groups to create a short presentation about what they learned and enjoyed most about the camp.

Then on Thursday, we’ll shift the focus to real-world application. Local businesses will visit, and students will rotate through interactive sessions to see how CTE directly connects to careers in our community. Businesses will have the opportunity to stay and watch students present their projects and their favorite experiences of the week.

Additional Info:

Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily
Transportation is available via school buses
Space is limited to 100 students, so be sure to sign up quickly!

We hope to see your student there for a fun and meaningful week of career exploration!

Sign Up HERE

CCPS Facility Update: Questions and Answers

What are the School Division’s major short (ST) and long-term (LT) priorities for facility renovations and new construction?

Short-term priorities should be addressed in years 0-3 and long-term in years 4-10. The following are items driving the School Board’s facility work:

ST (25-26)- Increasing Elementary School capacity (BGES/LCES)

Temporary capacity options until a new elementary school is built

ST - Increasing Middle School capacity (ready for 28-29)

Build classroom addition at CMS for enrollment and program growth

ST/LT - Address deferred maintenance (DM) needs related to aging systems/infrastructure

Secure increased capital improvement funding from BOS
Review available State Construction Grants - apply as eligible
Develop renovation/new construction plans that reduce DM expenses

LT - Increase CHS capacity

Build classroom addition at CHS for enrollment and program growth
Develop plans/location for new CBGS and Lotus Academy

LT - Transportation Center (Current facility owned by County)

Expansion/Deferred Maintenance or New Build

What is the status of the four comprehensive facility plans shared at the March/April CCPS community meetings?

At a joint board meeting held on February 3, 2025, the Board of Supervisors communicated their inability to fund any of the four comprehensive plans due to limited borrowing power until 2029. The supervisors requested that the School Board return with short and long term plans. Two sets of revised options including short and long term plans were introduced at a joint board meeting held on April 16, 2025. One set of options used projected moderate growth and the second set of options reflected projected high growth. The BOS deemed options 1a-1c as not viable due to a submitted purchase sale agreement/due diligence period on the referenced property. Option 2 was discussed; however, no alternate vacant property was identified for leasing. As such, no comprehensive or ST/LT option has been finalized.

The county has indicated their borrowing power does not increase until 2029. How does this impact the School Board’s ability to address short-term capacity issues, aging infrastructure/deferred maintenance, and future programmatic and enrollment growth?

Due to BOS borrowing capacity constraints, CCPS is exploring options that would provide immediate relief to some enrollment and programmatic capacity issues:

Shift select encore/resource classes to a mobile cart model
Place learning cottages/trailers at BGES/LCES
Move PreK students to alternative location(s)
Add partitions to make additional temporary spaces in library/hallway spaces
Explore moving classrooms to the Caroline Community Center

Is the county discussing the sale of any School Board owned properties?

As part of the comprehensive facilities data collection process, the School Board secured appraisals for all CCPS owned buildings rated in “Poor” condition by RRMM Architects’ facility condition assessments. Understanding the current market value of each property enables the School Board to better understand their physical assets as well as the related property value. The School Board has not identified any of the appraised properties for sale; should the sale of school board owned property be considered in the future, the Board will seek community input.

How can the community get more information and become more involved?

Review the CCPS Facilities web page which contains facility condition reports, presentations, news articles, and other information related to this topic. In addition, the web page also has a Community Input Survey which is being utilized to gather input from our community on the facilities topic. Additionally, CCPS held numerous community meetings in January through March and will hold additional facility gatherings as we continue throughout the process.

Additional Information/Engagement:

Be sure to read our monthly newsletter - CCPS Express;
Attend School Board and Board of Supervisors meetings; and
Follow the CCPS Division Facebook page.

FY26 Budget Update

We anticipate that the FY26 Budget will be proposed by the county administrator at an upcoming meeting of the Caroline County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 13. We are also awaiting word on Governor Youngkin's legislative action with tomorrow's deadline (May 2 at 11:59pm) fast approaching. The school division's FY26 budget priorities remain focused on total employee compensation and benefits; multiple positions in Exceptional Education, student support services, general education teachers, and support staff; and in our technology initiatives.

Parent Guidance Corner

Monthly Mental Health Series

We are excited to continue to share a new resource available to CCPS parents/guardians and staff! In our partnership with the Cook Center and ParentGuidance.org, we invite you to be part of our new monthly mental health series. Below, you will find the calendar of Mental Health Series topics that will be presented live in May. Each event will begin at 7 & 9 PM ET. Click on the calendar to register for any of the sessions.

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

Parent Coaching

Parenting can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Parent Coaching is a no cost resource from your school district that connects you with a coach and expert tools to support your journey. A breath of fresh air is just a click away: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

May Ask a Therapist Event

You’re invited to join us Wednesday, May 7 at 8pm ET for Ask a Therapist Live. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions from a licensed family therapist about your child’s mental health.

Participation is anonymous and free.

Click HERE to Register!

Future Innovators: CCPS Students Win Big at PrimeTime RVA Challenge

Last month, ten of our fifth grade CCPS students traveled to Henrico County to compete in PrimeTime RVA. This competition is designed to empower students to be go-getters, decision makers, creators, self-starters and dreamers. The goal is to equip our life-ready leaders with the necessary life skills to thrive outside of our school walls. Twenty local Richmond-area schools showcased their durable soft-skills in face-paced, on-your-feet challenges, collaborative team problem solving and an independent Shark Tank presentation.

BGE:

First Place: Karson Lancaster

Team Members: Abel Spangler, PJ Tarrant

Coach: Kristy Ellis

LCES:

First Place: Violet Crawford

Team Members: Eniola Salaam, Leloni Arnold

Alternate / Media Relations: Angel Oquendo

Coach: Chelsea Spiegel

MES:

First Place: Brandon Lacey, Jr.

Team Members: Kaleb Anderson, Cooper Marshall

Coach: Barbi Miller

Disability Awareness: Visual Impairment including Blindness

In partnership with The Advisory Council for Exceptional Education (ACEE) , The Office of Exceptional Education is highlighting this month's Disability Awareness on Visual Impairment including Blindness.

"Visual impairment including blindness" means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. (34 CFR §300.8(c) (13)"

VDOE Resources:

TTAC Online – A community linking people and resources to help children and youth with disabilities
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VDBVI)
Virginia Project for Children and Young Adults with Deaf-Blindness
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for Blind and Vision Impaired
National Consortium on Deaf-blindness (formerly Deaf-Blind Link) – works collaboratively with families, federal, state and local agencies to provide technical assistance, information and personnel training. NCDB brings together the resources of three agencies with long histories of expertise in the field of deaf-blindness.

We are Hiring!

Caroline County Public Schools is seeking qualified and passionate Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists to support our students across all grade levels (PreK–12).

What You’ll Do:

Support students with developmental and educational needs
Conduct evaluations, develop individualized education plans (IEPs), and provide direct therapy
Collaborate with educators, school staff, and families
Help students build skills for academic achievement and life success

At Caroline County Public Schools, you'll join a dedicated team committed to helping every student thrive. We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact every day.

Pathways to Teaching in Caroline

Interested in becoming a full time teacher? Caroline County Public Schools offers several routes to teacher licensure for individuals holding a Bachelor's degree. Join us for a virtual information session on May 14th at 5 PM. The registration link is: https://forms.gle/txfNG8Cnwr9rDUft8.

Educator Interview Days

HR is hosting Educator Interview Days throughout April and May. Click here to register! This fair is not for current teachers. However, other employees with bachelor's degrees (or finishing bachelor's degrees) are encouraged to apply!

Pathways to Teaching in Caroline

Interested in becoming a full time teacher? Caroline County Public Schools offers several routes to teacher licensure for individuals holding a Bachelor's degree. Join us for a virtual information session on May 14th at 5 PM. The registration link is: https://forms.gle/txfNG8Cnwr9rDUft8.

Educator Interview Days

HR is hosting Educator Interview Days throughout April and May. Click here to register! This fair is not for current teachers. However, other employees with bachelor's degrees (or finishing bachelor's degrees) are encouraged to apply!

Apply today and start your journey with us: www.workincaroline.com

School Menus and Meal information

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:

Caroline Career Connections

CHS Students Land Internships with Industry Leader Allan Myers

Exciting things are happening at Caroline High School! In a powerful example of career readiness in action, three students from the school’s Carpentry program have been hired as interns with Allan Myers, one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most respected construction companies.

Representatives from Allan Myers visited the Carpentry program to speak with students about the company’s mission, the wide array of careers available in construction, and the many opportunities for growth within the industry. The guest speaking session was not only informative but also deeply inspiring, igniting excitement about future possibilities among students.

The visit culminated in a major announcement: three Carpentry students from Caroline High School have officially accepted internship offers with Allan Myers. These students will begin working with the company immediately after graduation, taking a significant step toward bright and rewarding careers in the construction field.

Principal Dr. Tom Connolly praised the partnership, saying, “This is a perfect example of what happens when education and industry work together. Our students are leaving Caroline High School not only with skills, but with real-world opportunities that will shape their futures.”

CHS extends heartfelt thanks to Allan Myers for their investment in young talent and for championing workforce development. The company’s visit and their decision to bring CHS students on board as interns reflect a shared commitment to empowering the next generation.

This is more than a proud moment—this is a testament to the strength of Caroline’s Career and Technical Education programs and the bright futures they are helping to build.

School Board Highlights

April 14, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting

Take a look at the April 2025 School Board Meeting highlights:

Workshop (4:30PM): Presentation from RRMM regarding additional options for facilities
Musical Performance by Lewis and Clark Elementary Students
Achieve 2027 Spotlight: New Positions Recap
School Board Members Comments: Committee Updates
Recognitions: Superintendent Art Honor, National Asst. Principals Appreciation Week, and CHS Scholastic Bowl
Information from the School Division: Community Health Assessment, Update on Energy Performance Contract by McClure, Enhanced Staff Benefit- Preschool, Calendar Change 25-26 School Year, Monthly Update on Revenues, Expenditures, and ADM Update.
Citizen Comments: 0
Action: Approval of Consent Agenda, Student Fees 2025-2026, Perkins Grant 2025-2026, FY24 Head Start Budget Revision, and 2025-2026 Head Start Transportation Waiver
New Business: FY25 Head Start Grant, Alternative ParaPro Assessment, VSBA Suggested Policies Review
Next School Board Meeting Date: May 12, 2025

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.

Partners in Education

Partners in Education Spotlight: Partners in Education of the Year

Last month, we hosted our annual Partners in Education Appreciation Breakfast—a special event where we celebrate and honor the incredible organizations and individuals who support CCPS throughout the year. This event is not only a celebration, but also our opportunity to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their partnership.

Each year, we proudly present three Partner in Education of the Year awards to those who’ve made an exceptional impact during the current school year:

Cindy’s Closet
Mattaponi Springs
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Friends of the Rappahannock, and Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District – recognized jointly for their outstanding support of our literacy programming.

The nomination for Cindy's Closet highlighted its remarkable contributions, including fulfilling teacher wish lists totaling over $3,000, supplying clothing for students in need, providing costumes and props for the CHS drama department, and collaborating with the special needs class on work training and projects.

The Barns at Mattaponi Springs has been a generous and committed partner to CCPS, supporting events like our employee recognition dinner, Transportation Department training, and the VSBA Eastern Region Dinner through reduced-cost services. They have enriched student experiences by involving JROTC and culinary students and hosting the Dancing Classrooms finale for Madison Elementary. As the home course for the CHS golf team, they are also helping launch youth golf classes in partnership with the PE Department and YMCA. We’re especially excited that Tammy Anderson, their event coordinator, is a member of the Caroline Education Foundation and led its first golf tournament fundraiser on April 25. Their dedication to our schools and students is truly inspiring!

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Friends of the Rappahannock, and Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District secured a grant and were instrumental in creating Caroline County’s Environmental Literacy Plan. Over the year, they worked with stakeholders to develop and integrate the plan into our educational framework. Their efforts resulted in a comprehensive guide featuring grade-specific lessons and field experiences. Caroline County is now one of the few Virginia districts with an Environmental Literacy Plan embedded in its curriculum—demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental education and student stewardship.

Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients, and a heartfelt thank you to all of our Partners in Education. Your support makes a lasting difference—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

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