Cecil County Connections

February is American Heart Month, but at Cecil County Public Schools, "heart health" means more than just a cardio workout—it’s about the safety, warmth, and peace of mind of your entire family. As we face the peak of winter, the stress of rising utility bills and cold temperatures can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being.

Take a moment this month to focus on your "whole-home" health with these actions and resources:

• Protect Your Heart: Small changes, like swapping salt for herbs makes a big difference.

• Stay Warm & Secure: Don’t let energy costs freeze your budget. Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) is currently accepting applications for bill assistance and arrearage retirement. If you’re feeling the winter chill, Maryland 2-1-1 is available 24/7 to connect you with emergency heating fuel programs.

• Nourish Your Family: Our district's 11 Community Schools all offer Emergency Food Pantries stocked with heart-healthy grains and seasonal staples. Stop by any of the 11 Community Schools to grab a winter food bag—no questions asked.

In the February edition of the Cecil County Connections newsletter, you will find information on:

• finding a job with the help of the Cecil County Public Library
• events to get out and about in Elkton
• upcoming days when school is closed
• updated information for West Cecil Health Center ~ hours and services
• information on physical and behavioral health
• the February 2026 Den 22 calendar of events

All of these resources and much more can be found in this newsletter. Please be aware of two additional places to find resources to help families with a broad range of needs. Please try:

• The Cecil County Find Help webpage link can be found HERE.
• The Cecil County Public Schools Community Resource Guide can be found HERE. English and Spanish versions are available at the same link.

Whether you’re looking to switch careers, sharpen your technical skills, or land your very first job, February in Cecil County is the perfect time to make your move. This month marks the peak of Maryland Career Success Month (January 6 – February 28), a statewide initiative where public libraries become high-powered career centers.

The 2026 theme, "Stronger Workforce, Stronger Maryland," focuses on equipping residents with the tools needed for the modern economy—ranging from trade industry insights to AI literacy. The Cecil County Public Library (CCPL) system is hosting a variety of specialized workshops this February to help you level up.

Featured Events in Cecil County:

1. Intro to Interviews This session covers "soft skills" that make a big impact, including how to answer tough questions with confidence and the best ways to follow up with an employer after the meeting.

• Location: North East Branch

• Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

• The Goal: Learn the art of the interview. This session covers common questions, how to dress for success, and how to tell your professional story with confidence.

• Register HERE

2. Tech Basics: Intro to Email This is a critical first step for anyone entering the job market. Attendees will learn how to set up an account, compose professional messages, and manage attachments—skills required for almost every modern job application.

• Location: Perryville Branch

• Date: Monday, February 2 (1:00 PM) & Tuesday, February 3 (10:00 AM)

• The Goal: Many job applications now require a professional digital presence. If you or someone you know needs to build foundational tech skills for the workplace, this is the perfect starting point.

• Register HERE

3. Statewide Keynote: AI in the Job Market

• Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

• Format: Virtual (Hosted by Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland State Library Agency)

• Speaker: Crystal Trice, Founder of Scissors and Glue LLC.

• The Goal: Discover how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance your job search and stay relevant in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

• To Register: You can find the active registration link through the following official portals:

  1. Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA): Career Success Month Hub — Scroll down to the "Keynote Address 2" section.

  2. Enoch Pratt Free Library Events: Pratt Library Calendar — Search for "Crystal Trice" or "Career Success Month" in the search bar to find the specific Zoom registration page.

Year-Round "Success Tools" at CCPL:

If you can’t make it to a live event, your Cecil County library card gives you 24/7 access to a "virtual career coach" through these digital platforms:

• Brainfuse JobNow: This is a fan favorite for Cecil County residents. It offers live, one-on-one job coaching, professional resume critiques, and even mock interview practice with a real human on the other end of the screen.

• LinkedIn Learning: Access thousands of expert-led video courses. Whether you want to learn Excel, Project Management, or Graphic Design, you can earn certificates to display on your profile.

• Peterson’s Test & Career Prep: Great for those entering the trades or military. It provides practice tests for the ASVAB, CDL, Real Estate licenses, and more.

• Susquehanna Workforce Network (SWN): CCPL partners with SWN to provide a localized job list every Thursday, ensuring you see the latest openings specifically in the Cecil County area.

Prom is a rite of passage, yet the rising costs can be a barrier for many families in our community. We invite you to help us level the playing field for our Cecil County students.

By donating, you are doing more than just providing formal wear—you are ensuring every student can celebrate this milestone with confidence and joy. Please consider supporting this cause to ensure that no student misses out on these lifelong memories due to a lack of resources.

• February 9th ~ Professional Day for Staff ~ Schools Closed for students
• February 16th ~ Presidents Day Holiday ~ Schools & Offices Closed
• March 5th ~ Early dismissal for all students (secondary first, then elementary)
• March 6th ~ Professional Day for Staff ~ Schools Closed for students
• March 10th ~ Multilingual Family and Community Fair ~ 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Gilpin Manor Elementary

With the recent winter storm continuing to cause school closures, please be aware of the following days that were identified as make up days in the 2025-2026 school calendar. At this time, students should be prepared to attend school on:

This section is your go-to guide for low-cost and totally free ways to spark some joy, get moving, and plug into the amazing community around us. Whether you’re looking to burn off some toddler energy or find an activity that actually gets your teen to look up from their phone, we’ve scouted the best local happenings that keep the vibes high and the costs low. Nothing beats a day out and about for beating those winter blues!

The dramatic arts are alive in Cecil County Public Schools! Come out and bring the family to enjoy a show and support our theater departments!

• Elkton High School: Les Miserables - February 12 & 13 at 7:00 p.m. and February 14th at 6:00 p.m.
• Rising Sun High School: Frozen - February 27th at 7:00 p.m. and February 28th at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
• Perryville Middle School: The Little Mermaid Jr. - March 12th and 16th at 6:30 p.m.
• Bay View Elementary School: Seussical Jr. - March 26th at 6:00 p.m.
• Cherry Hill Middle School: Beauty and the Beast - March 27th at 6:00 p.m. and March 28th at 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
• North East High School: Pippin - March 26th - 28th at 7:00 p.m.
• Perryville High School: Anastasia - April 23rd and 24th at 7:00 p.m. and April 25th at 5:00 p.m.

All musical performance will be held in the auditorium at Elkton High School.

• CCPS All County Middle and High School Orchestra Concert - February 28th at 4:00 p.m.
• CCPS All County Elementary Orchestra Concert - March 19th at 7:00 p.m.
• CCPS All County Elementary Choir Concert - March 31st at 7:00 p.m.
• CCPS All County Middle and High School Band Concert - Middle School at 4:00 p.m. and High School at 7:00 p.m.

We are pleased to invite you to the Fourth Annual Multilingual Family and Community Fair at Gilpin Manor Elementary School on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

This event is designed to celebrate and support families of Multilingual Learners across Cecil County Public Schools. It offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen connections among schools, families, and community partners in an inclusive, engaging environment.

The evening will feature:

• Participation from over 25 community organizations, including several CCPS programs

• Interactive family-friendly activities and resource sharing

Your presence will help reinforce our commitment to multilingual education and family engagement. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this vibrant and growing part of our school community.

Do you need help with child safety seats?

Maryland Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) is a state-wide, non-profit program funded through a federal grant. Their mission is to reduce injuries and death among Maryland's children by helping people to obtain and use car seats and booster seats correctly each time a child rides in a motor vehicle.

Do You Need Food?

Pantry on the Go, brought to Cecil County by the Maryland Food Bank and Community Schools, will be held on December 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until supplies run out. Bring a bag to the Elkton Community Center (121 Stockton Street) and shop for a large variety of fresh fruit and vegetable options. This free opportunity is open to all members of the public.

Do you need help with Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC)?

Do You Need Transportation?

Cecil Transit provides low cost transportation to many stops throughout the county. Click the link HERE to find out details for all of the services provided. Check out the links below for information about the stops along each of the four routes:

• Glasgow Connection Route #1 The Glasgow Connection is a fixed route public transportation for all ages servicing the town of Elkton to People's Plaza in Glasgow, DE. The route begins at 5:40AM and ends at 6:20PM, Monday through Friday.
• Cross-County Connection Route #2 The Cross-County Connection is fixed route public transportation for all ages servicing the towns of Elkton, North East, Perryville, The MARC Train, Perry Point V.A., and Cecil College in North East and Elkton. The route begins at 5:30AM and ends at 10:07PM. Monday through Friday with a modified Saturday Schedule. This route was designed to combine the previous Perryville and Mid County Connections.
• Elkton-Newark Connection Route #4 The Elkton - Newark Connection is fixed route transportation for all ages servicing the town of Elkton, Glasgow, DE, Newark Industrial Park, Four Seasons Plaza, Newark Park & Ride, Newark Train Station, Newark Transit Hub and the Rt. 279 corridor including the Elkton Library & Cecil College Elkton Station. This route operates Monday through Friday from 5:50AM to 10:21PM.
• Harford LINK - Teal Line The Teal Line is fixed route transportation for all ages, jointly funded by Cecil Transit and Harford LINK. The route services the towns of Aberdeen, Perryville, Havre de Grace, Perryman, as well as the Hollywood Casino and Great Wolf Lodge. This route operates Monday through Friday from 6:00AM to 8:17PM.

Single rides as low as $1 and up to two children under 46" can ride for free with a fare-paying passenger.

Demand Response transportation must be scheduled directly and are provided on a first come, first served basis.

Are you trying to avoid foreclosure? Help can be found here:

Do You Need Energy Assistance?

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides assistance to income-eligible households to help you stay warm, stay connected, and help pay past due energy bills.

Live For Thomas Foundation

Den 22 is a part of the Live For Thomas Foundation. It is a safe space for ages 12-24 to decompress, receive peer support, and crisis intervention located in downtown North East, Maryland. All services are free of charge and the Den is open to all. You don't have to live in North East to visit the Den!

Hours:

Monday - Friday from 2:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The January Den 22 calendar has something to offer everyone! The second calendar shares a wide range of support group offerings for you aged 12-24. Please share this information with those who you believe could benefit from these supports.

Prioritizing your child’s mental health

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The CCPS student wellness platform is helping students manage and improve their mental

health! Did you know that more than 7,000 students and parents/guardians have already accessed BrightPath? If you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit BrightPath and discuss it and explore the platform with your child. Your support and involvement are crucial in helping your child access mental health resources whenever they may need them. Check out BrightPath today: brightpathcecil.com

Supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. The views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the Commission or Consortium.

The mission of West Cecil Health Center is to provide personal, accessible, and reliable care for our community.

Update with information on sliding fee scale

West Cecil Health Center is accepting new patients for all services.

Do you have children with special health care needs? You may be eligible for additional assistance through this program.

Drug Free Cecil is a network of local coalitions collaborating and partnering to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth and eliminate duplication of efforts in Cecil County. The coalitions’ purpose is to support a youth-led, adult-guided movement to reduce substance abuse in Cecil County.

The Cecil County Health Department works with Christiana Care Elkton Hospital, the Cecil County Neighborhood Youth Panel and several other partners to offer:

• youth tobacco cessation services to help Cecil County youth quit using tobacco/vapes
• adult cessation classes
• vouchers for nicotine replacement therapy

The Cecil Recovery Center offers 24/7 services including overdose risk identification, harm reduction, substance use treatment coordination, recovery planning, and support for friends and family.

Financial Courses for Adults

Free credit counseling and debt management support can be found that can help you resolve credit problems, repay debt, create a budget, and learn money management skills.

Caregiver Respite Program for US Military Veteran Families

Wounded Warriers Family SUpport provides respite and supplemental services nationwide to caregivers and families of wounded war veterans. This program ensures that family members are provided with the support they need to keep their families intact, including meals, in-home services, and housekeeping.

Looking for previous links and information? You can find the previous editions of the Cecil County Connections newsletters linked below.

November 2025

December 2025

January 2026