CCPS Express

Monthly Newsletter

Superintendent Message

Got Talent? We Need You!

Summer always seems to fly by... I hope you are finding time to relax, recharge, and make special memories with family and friends. These weeks offer students and building staff a chance to slow down, enjoy the sunshine, and take a well-deserved break from the busy pace of the school year.

As we begin to look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, be sure to mark your calendar (see below) for our return in August. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back, recharged and ready for another exciting and successful year together.

Sarah Calveric, Ph.D.

New Communication Platform for the 25-26 School Year

We are excited to announce that beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, our school division will be using SchoolStatus Connect as our new communication platform!

What is SchoolStatus Connect?
It’s an all-in-one tool that will make it easier than ever to stay informed and connected with your child’s school, teachers, and division updates (including weather delays, closings, emergency communications, late buses, and absences/tardiness). With SchoolStatus Connect, you will receive announcements, messages, event information, photos, and more—all in your preferred language, all in your preferred communication method (text, email, and/or app,) and all in one convenient platform regardless of the school your child attends!

What You Can Expect:

Simple Sign-In: When you receive a message from CCPS, just click the link or button in the email or text to get started.
Mobile App (Recommended): Download the recommended SchoolStatus Connect app to see all your messages and school events in one convenient place. (Google Play and Apple App Store)
Custom Settings: Choose how and when you want to receive messages by updating your account and communication preferences.
Two-Way Messaging: Message your child’s teachers directly, in your preferred language.

We look forward to using this new platform to build stronger partnerships and keep you informed and involved throughout the school year.

Secondary Summer Academy in Action

This year’s Secondary Summer Academy has combined academic recovery with personal growth, providing middle and high school students with structured Apex coursework, weekly goal setting, and small-group SOL Bootcamps that have already led to several expedited retake passes. Life skills instruction and reflective activities have helped students identify root causes of academic struggles and build actionable plans for the school year ahead. At the middle school level, daily incentives, literacy support, and consistent routines have reinforced positive behaviors and academic confidence.

Across both schools, students are showing real gains in performance, engagement, and readiness for success in the fall!

We are excited to share the following openings:

Reading Specialist at Lewis and Clark,
Innovation Specialist at Bowling Green,
Exceptional Education Specialist (one per building)
Behavioral Specialist
Gifted Teacher

Apply today and start your journey with us: http://applitrack.com/carolinecounty/onlineapp/

Transition Day 2025

August 11, 2025 is Transition Day designed just for rising Preschool, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students to help students get comfortable in their new school environments before the full school year begins. On this day, scholars have a chance to meet their teachers and classmates, learn school procedures, and explore their new buildings—all in a supportive setting focused on building strong relationships and boosting confidence. Backed by the CCPS strategic plan, Achieve 2027 Goal 2 - Relationships, Transition Day helps ease nerves and prepare students socially, emotionally, and academically for a successful school year.

All other students will begin school on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Chamber Honors CCPS Educators for Excellence

Last month, five exemplary educators were honored by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce at their inaugural Outstanding Educator Awards:

K-12 Math Instructional Specialist Beth Burnap received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her unwavering dedication to math education and leadership across the division.

MES 3rd Grade Teacher Anna Fox was recognized as an Outstanding Educator for her journey from paraprofessional to teacher-leader, inspiring students through compassionate literacy instruction.

CMS Family Engagement Specialist Shermeka Baker-Latney earned the Community Impact Award for her tireless advocacy and leadership through Caroline’s Promise.

CMS Math Teacher Jeremy Thompson was celebrated with the Rising Star Award for his innovative, data-driven approach to middle school math and peer mentorship.

LCES Teacher Elexis Clemons received the Student Advocate Award for creating an inclusive, supportive classroom culture and leading initiatives that prioritize student well-being.

These five honorees represent the heart of education in Caroline—passionate, innovative, and deeply committed to student success. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and grateful for the lasting impact they make in our schools and community every day. Click HERE to read the full article from the Chamber.

Parent Guidance Corner

We’re excited to introduce the newly formatted ParentGuidance.org Mental Health Newsletter, which is easy to read, download, and share! This month’s issue focuses on helping children stay safe in today’s world. From online safety to emergency preparedness, you’ll find practical tips to help children feel confident and protected, especially during summer months when they're out and about. Click HERE.

Parent Coaching

Children don’t need perfection, they need connection! Parent Coaching is a FREE resource provided by our school district and Parent Guidance that connects you to regularly scheduled meetings with a coach, as well as content created by therapists. Parent Guidance is here to support you throughout the summer with Parent Coaching. Click here to register for ongoing support from a coach: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

Mental Health Series

Congratulations on making it through another school year! While summer is a break for educators, we know it can be challenging for parents. ParentGuidance is here to support your family all summer long.

Below, you will find the link to the calendar of Mental Health Series. Each event will begin at 7 & 9 PM ET. Click on the calendar below to access and register for any of the events.

June Ask a Therapist Event

This might be the most important event of the year for all parents! Support your child’s mental health and wellness by joining us for an informative event for parents and educators. Ask questions of leading family therapists and take advantage of a free resource to help parents with important topics such as anxiety, depression, grief, suicidal ideation, child development and parenting, just to name a few.

Date & Time: Jul 15, 2025 08:00 PM

Click HERE to Register!

On-demand Streaming… Coming THIS FALL!

Caroline High School is excited to announce that we have partnered 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 scheduled to take place 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
Every subscription purchased supports Caroline High School

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

Disability Awareness: Orthopedic Impairment

VDOE defines "Orthopedic impairment" as a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures). (34 CFR 300.8(c)(8))

Outside Resources:

United Cerebral Palsy

American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

American Occupational Therapy Association

American Physical Therapy Association

CCPS Leaders Explore Innovative CTE Opportunities with Regional Partners

Last month, CCPS Director of Secondary Education Autumn Nabors and Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Kimberly Young joined Senator Tara Durant and members of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce for a tour of the Academies of Loudoun—an innovative hub for career and technical education in Loudoun County. The visit showcased cutting-edge labs and immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for high-demand careers. The Academies reflect what’s possible when schools and communities invest boldly in students’ futures.

Senator Durant remarked, “It’s a remarkable model to learn from as we continue to explore the potential for a regional facility and program in our region.”

CCPS leaders returned inspired, eager to bring these ideas home as they continue exploring new pathways to expand opportunity for Caroline students.

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

CTE Camp 2025, held last month at Caroline High School for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, was a record-breaking success with over 90 students participating in hands-on learning across five career pathways: Automotive, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Criminal Justice, and JROTC. Students built RC cars, constructed toolboxes, cooked full meals, practiced rope climbs, and used drunk goggles to simulate impaired driving. The energy and excitement were evident in every room, with students actively engaged and eager to learn. Each group also worked on a reflective poster project to highlight what they had learned about the pathways and potential careers, which they proudly presented on the final day.

Thursday’s community business showcase brought real-world connections to life, with students rotating through eight interactive career stations hosted by local partners like the Virginia State Police, Sheehy Ford, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and Dahlgren STEM. From trying on VR goggles for simulated surgeries to watching robot dogs in action and climbing aboard fire trucks, students explored a wide range of career options in an unforgettable way. Feedback from student surveys and parents was overwhelmingly positive, with many students saying it was “worth waking up early” and that they “can’t wait to come back next year.”

School Board Highlights

June 9, 2025 Workshop & Regular School Board Meeting

The June School Board Meeting opened as scheduled on June 9 but the board made a motion to stop and reconvene the meeting to June 11, 2025 at 5:30 @CHS due to CHS hosting the State Softball Tournament on the evening of 6/9/25. Highlights from the meeting:

June 11, 2025

Achieve 2027 Spotlight: Teacher Recruitment & Retention
School Board Members Comments: Committee Updates
Recognitions: VASBO Vice President Recognition and Certified Director of Pupil Transportation Designation Recognition
Information from the School Division: Data Integrity Update, CCPS Facilities (BGES Modular Classrooms Update), 24-25 Preschool Year In Review, Monthly Update on Revenues, Expenditures, and ADM Update.
Citizen Comments: 0
Action: Approval of Consent Agenda as amended, CCPS Code of Conduct, Math High Quality Instructional Materials, Title I, II, IV, and III Applications, Policies GAB (Generative AI) and IIBEA-R (Google Services), and the FY26 School Operating Budget
New Business: None
Next School Board Meeting Date: July 14, 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: Port Royal Historical Society

As part of their grand reopening this spring, the Port Royal Historical Society invited CCPS students to contribute art and poetry centered on the theme Labors of Love. The student submissions added a personal, heartfelt dimension to the event, capturing the spirit of dedication and service that has shaped the Port Royal community.

The collaboration didn’t stop there. The Historical Society also shared a list of notable local figures with the CHS Mass Media class, giving students the opportunity to conduct interviews and preserve powerful oral histories from Caroline residents. This authentic experience enriched classroom learning while strengthening ties between generations.

The Port Royal Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the Port Royal area. To learn more about their mission and work, click HERE.

We’re grateful for their ongoing support and commitment to education, and we look forward to future partnerships that bring learning to life for our students.

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

Partnering for the Future: ATI-UMW Brings Innovation to Our Community

We are proud to partner with The Academy of Technology and Innovation at the University of Mary Washington (ATI-UMW)—a dynamic hub dedicated to inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers, creators, and leaders. Through hands-on experiences in STEM, entrepreneurship, and digital learning, ATI-UMW connects students, educators, and families with real-world opportunities that spark curiosity and build future-ready skills.

This summer, ATI-UMW is hosting a series of exciting events, workshops, and programs designed for students of all ages, as well as professional development opportunities for educators. Whether your child is interested in robotics, coding, or innovation challenges—or you're an educator looking to bring fresh ideas into your classroom—there’s something for everyone:

New Student Orientation: Primarily geared towards freshmen, this half day event helps students navigate the school, meet teachers, team build, etc.. either August 6th or 7th. Stay tuned for more information!

Back to School Night/ Parent Open House: Tentatively scheduled for August 14 (more information will be sent out once the date is confirmed).
PBL 101 Training for Teachers: Happening July 29, 30, and 31. There are still a few seats left. Click HERE to register.

Donate Unused Medical Supplies to Support Caroline Sports Medicine

Have extra medical supplies at home? Caroline Sports Medicine is accepting donations of gently used items like ace wraps, slings, crutches, walking boots, and similar equipment. If you are cleaning out your home, consider supporting our student-athletes by donating these items.

Donations can be dropped off at the main office of Caroline High School, Monday through Thursday, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.