CCPS Express

Welcome back to the 2025–2026 school year! We are truly excited to welcome our students and staff back into our schools as we begin another year of learning, growth, and connection. This year, we are committed to deepening our student, staff, and community relationships through new opportunities designed to support every scholar's academic success and social-emotional and physical well-being.

We encourage everyone to be ready, be engaged, and be excited for what’s ahead. Together, let’s commit to doing All Things with Excellence—in our teaching, learning, leading, and serving. Here's to an amazing year full of purpose, positivity, and progress!

Sarah Calveric, Ph.D.

Our school calendar can be found on the top right hand corner of our web page www.ccps.us. You can also click HERE to access it.

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.

We love those first day of school photos! Need a sign for your student? We’ve got you covered! CLICK HERE to download signs for both Transition Day and the first day of school for all students.

Don’t forget to snap those special moments—and be sure to visit the CCPS division Facebook page on August 11 and August 12 to share your pictures with us!

Please see below the important dates for the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School and the Commonwealth Governor's School and the flyer for the Academy of Technology and Innovation:

Commonwealth Governor's School

July 30th: Orientation for 9th grade students. Students should arrive at Caroline High School by 12:00 to go to King George.

August 11: No School for King George so Caroline students will not travel to KG

August 12: 9th Grade 1st day at King George. 10th-12th grade CGS students will not travel to King George on this day.

Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

August 11-12: Orientation Days for new CBGS students. 11th and 12th grade students do not attend CBGS on these dates.

August 13: First day for all CBGS students 10th-12th.

As we gear up for the 2025–2026 school year, take a moment to look back at all we achieved together in 2024–2025. Our brand-new Year in Review booklet is HERE—fresh off the press and full of highlights!

Summer Facility Upgrades

Caroline County Public Schools has been buzzing with activity this summer, completing numerous projects to enhance facilities for the upcoming academic year:

Students at Lewis and Clark Elementary and Bowling Green Elementary will discover new furniture, refreshing their learning environments.
Madison Elementary parent drop-off loop now boasts new pavement and fresh line painting, improving traffic flow.
Major HVAC upgrades are nearing completion, with both Caroline High School (CHS) and Caroline Middle School (CMS) scheduled for substantial completion by August 5th. These projects will ensure better humidity control and overall climate comfort.
New stair rails at the CHS softball field and completed loading dock improvements at CHS. CMS is also seeing loading dock repairs finalized by August 5th.
To create more open spaces, lockers have been removed at both CHS and CMS.
Bowling Green Elementary's new modular classrooms are well underway, providing vital additional space.

These comprehensive summer efforts underscore CCPS's commitment to providing modern, safe, and efficient learning environments for its students.

Ecollect Forms

CCPS families, we are now using Ecollect for return to school forms. Ecollect forms live in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. After logging into the Portal through a browser and in the app, forms are located in the navigation menu. Using this application, you can update your child's demographic information, contacts and yearly agreements. Please see the linked document for specific directions. If you do not currently have a PowerSchool parent portal account, please reach out to your child's school.

CCPS Counseling Services

On Friday, August 1 PowerSchool users will have access to complete a survey regarding CCPS School Counseling Services. This anonymous survey will be administered through PowerSchool Collect. Participants include teachers, staff, students, and parents/guardians. We thank you for completing this survey to give our school counseling teams valuable feedback as we plan services for 25-26. The survey will be available until Friday, August 8. Access instructions can be viewed here.

Should you have any issues with accessing the survey, reach out to Rachel Wheeler, Coordinator of Student Support Services via email : rwheeler@ccps.us

Exciting News: New Math Resources Coming to CCPS!

CCPS is excited to announce the addition of two innovative math programs for the 2025-2026 school year:

🔹 Kiddom for Elementary Schools
🔹 Mathspace for Secondary Schools

These High Quality Instructional Materials will support our ongoing efforts to provide engaging, standards-aligned instruction tailored to students’ needs. To ensure a smooth launch, all math teachers will participate in extensive professional learning with these programs prior to the start of the school year. Families will receive more information about both Kiddom and Mathspace as the new school year begins. Stay tuned—we’re looking forward to a great year of math learning!

Families of Students with Disabilities: Private Day School Surveys

All students and parents of school-aged children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in a licensed private school for students in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education Private School Parent and Student surveys by December 12, 2025.

Virginia Board of Education Invites Public Feedback on Proposed Expanded Science Standards

The Virginia Board of Education is currently reviewing the proposed 2025 Expanded High School Science Standards of Learning, which aim to set clear expectations for student learning in eleven advanced high school science courses not previously covered by specific standards. These include courses such as Environmental Science, Biology II (Anatomy, Genetics, Ecology, etc.), Earth Science II (Astronomy, Geology, Oceanography, and more), Chemistry II, and Physics II.

While the current 2018 Science Standards for grades K–12 remain unchanged, this expansion is designed to ensure equitable access and academic rigor across all Board-approved science offerings in high school.

The Board welcomes public participation and feedback through September 5, 2025. Community members can get involved by submitting comments online, by email, or by attending in-person or virtual public hearings scheduled throughout August.

Learn more and view the full schedule of public hearings HERE.

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or community member—your voice matters in shaping the future of science education in Virginia!

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.

Free School Meals for All Students in 2025-2026

We are excited to share that starting in the 2025–2026 school year, all Caroline County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to every student through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This means no forms to fill out and no cost to families—every student will automatically receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school each day. No application needed. Just show up, eat, and learn!

Pay Your Student Fees Online

Go to www.myschoolbucks.com
Click Sign Up Free.
Create an account.
Follow the prompts to enter all your information.
Once your account is created, log in at www.myschoolbucks.com.
Once you log in your student’s invoices should be there.

Using MYSCHOOLBUCKS to pay for club dues, field trips, etc…

Log in to www.myschoolbucks.com.
Choose School Store.
Browse all items.
Click on the you are looking for and follow the directions to pay.

Attendance Awareness

Chronic absenteeism, or missing 17 days during a school year (only 2 days per month), negatively impacts academic achievement.

Things you can do to help ensure your children have excellent attendance:

Schedule doctor and other appointments outside of school hours.
Have your students ride the bus to school.
Avoid scheduling vacations during the school year.
Contact your school to get support and resources. Each school has a social worker, school counselors, a Family Engagement Coordinator, school administrators, and access to the Attendance Officer, any of whom can assist you and your family with school attendance.
Attend Open House to introduce your children to their teachers before school starts.
Help your child maintain daily routines such as finishing homework & getting a good night’s sleep.
Help your children stay engaged by asking questions about what they are learning in school.
Encourage participation in after-school extracurricular activities.
Check your students’ attendance in PowerSchool to be sure absences are not adding up.

School Bus Safety Reminders

It is hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the start of another school year. Below you will find some safety reminders pertaining to school bus safety. The safety of our students is our top priority. Keeping the below reminders in mind will ensure your safety as well as provide a positive experience while on the bus.

Never run to an approaching bus
Always cross in front of the bus, never behind the bus (if you have to cross the road)
No loud talking or using profane language
Remain seated at all times
No horse playing
May only use electronic devices with earplugs/headphones (music, games, etc)
No eating or drinking
No smoking or vaping

Additionally, all students should be at their assigned bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time. Students will not be allowed to ride alternate buses or get off the bus at alternate bus stops without a bus pass. All bus passes will be issued by the school office only.

National Night Out

CCPS will be participating in the Caroline County Sheriff's Office National Night Out 2025 on Tuesday, August 5. We will be handing out goodies at each location- Belmont, Lake Land'Or, Caroline Pines, Countyline Baptist Church, Ladysmith Village, Bowling Green, Port Royal Fire Department, Sparta Firehouse, and Lowe-Massey Park in Dawn.

Keep an out eye out for our school mascots, who will be making special appearances as they ride CCPS buses from site to site!

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/

We are excited to continue our partnership with Cook Center and ParentGuidance.org. There are several ways to support your student as we start the new school year. Be sure to check out these recommended articles and courses that relate to school avoidance and social media. We encourage you to take advantage of the 1:1 free and confidential coaching!

What to Expect During a Tornado Warning: Safety Procedures at Our Schools

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority—especially during severe weather events such as tornado warnings. We want to make sure all families understand what happens during these situations and what you can expect.

When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, meaning one is imminent or occurring (not a watch, which means conditions are favorable) for Caroline County, ALL of our schools and buildings immediately shelter in place. This means all students and staff move to designated safe areas inside the building, away from windows and exterior doors. As part of this emergency procedure:

The front doors of the building are locked to keep everyone safely inside.
Office staff are also sheltering, so they are not available to answer phones or manage the front desk.
No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until the warning has been lifted and it is safe to do so.

If you arrive at a school during a tornado warning to pick up your child, please stay in your vehicle and shelter there until the warning is lifted. We understand this can be unsettling, but it is the safest course of action for everyone.

Throughout the event, Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS) will communicate regularly as conditions change. You will receive updates through email, text messages, and phone calls to keep you informed and provide further instructions if needed.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep our students and staff safe during severe weather. If you have any questions about our safety procedures, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school administrator during normal conditions.

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

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:

CCPS staff joined regional leaders for a Region 6 Healthcare Talent Development Meeting. The collaborative session brought together stakeholders to align efforts around workforce development. Attendees worked together to finalize the name, Rappahannock Region Healthcare Collaborative, and identified and prioritized key challenges in talent pathways, academic planning, and engagement. Highlights from across the region were shared to inspire innovative thinking, leading into a solution-driven brainstorming session.

This work directly supports efforts to create stronger pathways for students interested in science and healthcare by connecting education with high-demand job opportunities. By aligning regional efforts, the collaborative aims to help students move seamlessly from the classroom into meaningful careers in the healthcare field. The meeting concluded with next steps, a feedback survey, and opportunities to join committee work, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening the healthcare talent pipeline.

Take a look at the July 14, 2025 School Board Meeting highlights:

Achieve 2027 Spotlight: CCPS Year In Review
School Board Members Comments: Committee Updates
Information from the School Division: Plan Forward Partnerships, Summer Academy Highlights, School Status/Attend Updates, BGES Modular Building Update, CIP Process Overview, New Legislation, Monthly Update on Revenues, Expenditures, and ADM.
Citizen Comments: 0
Action: 25-26 Tuition Rates and Per Pupil, 25-26 Calendar Update, VPSA Technology Bond Resolution, and Code of Conduct Addition.
New Business: VSBA/CCPS Policies
Next School Board Meeting Date: August 18, 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 Spotlight: Unadyn

Huge thanks to Universal Dynamics / Piovan (UnaDyn) for hosting us on a behind‑the‑scenes tour last month. Our team gained valuable insight into their operations and the wide range of career paths their facility offers—from engineering and manufacturing to hands-on technical roles. In addition, last school year, UnaDyn sponsored two Caroline High School students in a week‑long externship and we are thrilled to share that one of them was hired full-time after graduating in May!

We are grateful for UnaDyn’s continued support and excited about expanding this partnership next school year to bring even more opportunities to our students. Here’s to another year of collaboration, growth, and student success!

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

Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS) recently met with staff from Mary Washington Grief Support Services and learned that, while they offer a variety of grief support groups, these are currently only available in the Fredericksburg area. (For more information, the Mary Washington Healthcare Grief Support Services website).

Grief affects us all at some point, and CCPS is committed to helping our Caroline families access the support they need—close to home.

Mary Washington is open to establishing grief support groups in Caroline County if there is enough interest. Your feedback will help us determine the level of need in our community. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey by clicking on the flyer.