Cecil County Connections

Nothing helps us shake off the winter doldrums quite like getting out and about in Cecil County! This issue of the Cecil County Connections newsletter is full of exciting free and low cost opportunities at our public schools, public libraries, and more! You will find information on adult learning classes and where to go to line up a summer job! We have also added several new links to explore more of our local resources. At the end of the newsletter, you will find links to previous issues. This will allow you to have quick access to the links that you have used before. We hope that everyone finds something useful in this newsletter!

March Community Highlights:

• Living Historian: Harriet Tubman (Elkton Branch ~ 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): On March 21st, Millicent Sparks brings history to life in an emotional and educational performance perfect for elementary and middle school students.

• Teen Night: "Take a Break" (North East Branch ~ 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.): A dedicated mental health break for students in grades 9–12 on March 20th, featuring teen-organized activities in a relaxed environment.

• Turtle Dance Music (Elkton Branch): On March 25th, bring the little ones for a high-energy "Bubble, Comedy, and Music Show" that is as inclusive as it is fun.

• Kids Can Cook: Apple Turnovers (Rising Sun Branch): Junior chefs ages 8–11 can practice their culinary skills on March 26th. Registration opens two weeks prior!

• Community Builders (Perryville Branch): Perfect for your future engineers, this LEGO-based design challenge takes place on March 3rd and again on March 26th.

• Bicycle Basics (North East Branch): On March 26th, middle and high schoolers can learn essential bike maintenance skills like fixing flats and safety checks.

• Family StoryTimes: Recurring throughout the month at all branches, these sessions feature rhymes, music, and playgroup activities for children from birth to age 5.

As we look at the calendar for March, it’s clear that our library branches are far more than just quiet places for books—they are vibrant spaces where curiosity comes to life. There is something truly special about a parent and child discovery a new skill or a favorite story side-by-side. When we learn together, we aren’t just gaining knowledge; we are building a foundation of shared memories and showing our children that growth is a lifelong, joyful adventure.

These events are an invitation to step away from the distractions of daily life and reconnect through the simple, transformative power of play and exploration. Whether you are building a masterpiece at a LEGO night, mastering a new recipe, or uncovering local history, remember that the most important lesson being taught is that learning is a celebration. We hope to see your family there, growing and smiling together! You can find more events on the CCPL Event Calendar HERE .

Cecil County Library Addresses:

• Elkton Central Branch: 301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD
• North East Branch: 485 Mauldin Ave, North East, MD
• Rising Sun Branch: 111 Wigwam Lane, Rising Sun, MD
• Perryville Branch: 500 Hollyview Drive, Perryville, MD
• Chesapeake City Branch: 2527 Augustine Herman Hwy, Chesapeake City, MD

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!

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

• CCPS All County Middle and High School Band Concert - March 11th. Middle School at 4:00 p.m. and High School at 7:00 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.

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!

• 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.

• 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
• March 11th ~ Board of Education Meeting - 5:30 p.m.
• April 1st ~ End of 3rd Marking Period
• April 2nd ~ 4th Marking Period begins; Early dismissal for all students beginning with secondary followed by elementary
• April 3rd - April 6th ~ Spring Holiday (Reminder: dates were affected by school weather closures.)
• School is open on April 7th and 8th
• April 15th ~ Board of Education Meeting

Explore Perryville Day Come join us for a day celebrating the founding of Maryland (March 25, 1634) and the establishment of Town of Perryville (March 30, 1882) at this FREE event which allows you to explore each of the Town's three museums. Plan to visit:

• Rodgers Tavern Museum: 259 Broad St., Perryville, 21903
• Perryville Railroad Museum: 650 Broad St., Perryville, MD, 21903
• Perry Point Veterans Museum at the Grist Mill: Avenue A & Sixth St., Perry Point, MD 21902

The following is information about Maryland’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the EarnedIt2026 campaign—a statewide effort to ensure eligible Marylanders claim every dollar they’ve earned.

Why This Matters:

• Thousands of Maryland families qualify for the state EITC but don’t claim it—often because they don’t know it exists, because they do not know how to file or because they think they may owe taxes.
• Taxpayers can qualify for up to $4,000 in credits to help reduce what they owe in taxes or increase their refund. Working Marylanders can use their refund to help cover essentials like childcare, bills, and savings.
• This year, Maryland is launching its first targeted outreach campaign to close the gap and connect residents with free, trusted tax preparation services.

How You Can Help:

Your conversations with taxpayers matter. By sharing accurate, consistent messaging, you can help ensure no eligible Marylander leaves money on the table. Together, we can help Marylanders claim what they’ve earned.

Key Information:

• Find Eligibility Information & Free Tax Help at MarylandComptroller.gov/EarnedIt
• Campaign Tagline: Maryland—You’ve Earned It, Now Claim It!
• Three Steps to Share with Taxpayers:

1. Check Eligibility – Visit MarylandComptroller.gov/EarnedIt or ask a tax preparer to check for you.
2. Claim the Credit – Filing your state tax return is the only way to claim the credit. Request screening for the Maryland EITC.
3. Receive Your Credit – Use your refund for what matters most.

Prom should be about making memories, not stressing over a receipt. 💖 Elkton UMC’s Prom Boutique is officially open for the season! We invite all local students to come browse our collection of beautiful formal wear available for loan.

It’s simple: Make an appointment, find your outfit, and borrow it for prom. No cost, no catch—just community.

Help us spread the word! Share this newsletter/email with a student or parent who needs to see this.

The Judy Center and CASA are sponsoring a Family Fun Day!

This event is open to all ages, but please RSVP!

March 21, 2026

10:00AM-2:00PM

Gilpin Manor Elementary School, 203 Newark Ave, Elkton, MD 21921

Join us for:

Mini Golf, Cake Walk, Mindfulness Activities, Food, Carnival Games

RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd67biiR-ZbBu.../viewform

Prioritizing your mental well-being is a vital step toward a healthier life, yet navigating the maze of available providers can often feel like a daunting task. To simplify your search, we have compiled a comprehensive directory of local mental health professionals—ranging from specialized private practices in North East to multi-service clinical hubs in Elkton—complete with their specialties and accepted insurance plans. Because the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, this guide also highlights two essential community anchors: the Cecil County Health Department’s Core Service Agency and the CATCH (Cecil Addiction Treatment Coordination Hotline). These hubs serve as the county’s most reliable, up-to-the-minute resources, ensuring that whether you are seeking long-term therapy or immediate crisis coordination, you have access to the most current information available in our region.

Comprehensive Outpatient Mental Health Clinics:

Some families prefer smaller scale private practices or independent providers to support their mental health needs. Information about providers throughout the county can be located in the CCPS Community Resources Guide (Spanish available at same link - scroll to bottom of page) or through the Cecil County Hub. For the most current provider availability, new practice openings, or insurance updates, contact these local authorities:

1. Cecil County Health Department (Core Service Agency)

   • Role: Plans and monitors the local public mental health system.

   • Contact: (410) 996-5112

   • Best for: Verifying licensed providers and finding public health resources.

2. CATCH (Cecil Addiction Treatment Coordination Hotline)

• Role: A 24/7 hotline providing peer-led coordination for behavioral health and addiction services.

• Contact: (443) 245-3257

• Best for: Real-time help navigating the system and finding immediate openings.

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 March 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 Developmental Disabilities Program assists individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families in accessing community resources, planning for the future, and accessing needed services and supports. The program promotes self-sufficiency, health, safety, and community participation. Contact DDP at the link HERE.

The Cecil County Health Department's Administrative Care Coordination Unit (ACCU) provides Medical Assistance recipients education and care coordination to access, utilize and navigate the managed care organization (MCO)/Fee-for-Service health care system. The program ensures clients remain in care and access needed healthcare services, local resources, and programs. For coordination assistance, click HERE.

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

February 2026