The Falcon Gazette

Hello Falcons!

This October, let's remember that greatness is achieved one step at a time. Stay focused, work hard, and never be afraid to reach higher. Together, we can achieve excellence and continue to soar above every challenge with Falcon Pride!

Let's Fly High

October 2 - Picture Day

October 23 - CTE Application Opens

October 30 - Two-Hour Early Dismissal

Join us on Friday, October 23, from 5:00-7:00 PM for a fun-filled Costume Party! Enjoy music, dancing, pizza, candy, and more. Tickets are $10. Hosted by the 7th Grade Science Team (Childs/Shoemaker). Check your email or scan the QR code for ticket information. We can't wait to celebrate with you! 👻🍕🎶

Only parents/guardians are permitted to sign out students for early dismissal. If there is an occasion that requires someone other than the parent/guardian to pick up a student, then the parent/guardian must submit a note to the main office PRIOR to the student being picked up. This applies to relatives/friends that are listed on the student's emergency card. A student will not be released to a relative or friend listed on the emergency card without written verification from the parent/guardian. The note must state the name of who will be picking up the student. The note will be verified by calling the parent/guardian for confirmation. ID will be required at the time of pick up. Notes can be brought to the main office or emailed to tdmsattendance@ccboe.com.

Notes regarding absences MUST be turned in within 5 days of absences. Notes turned in after five days will not be excused. Absence notes must state a reason for the absence. Notes that do not state a reason will be marked as an unexcused absence.

Thriller Night: Zombie Edition! Join Westlake High School's 4th Annual PBIS Haunted House on October 30 from 4:00-6:00 PM during Trunk or Treat. Enjoy spooky scares, thrilling surprises, and Halloween fun while supporting a great cause. Admission is a $5 minimum donation, with all proceeds benefiting Westlake High School PBIS.

As you begin thinking about your future in high school, now is the perfect time to explore your interests, talents, and career goals. Charles County Public Schools offers a variety of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that provide students with hands-on learning experiences, industry certifications, and pathways to exciting careers.

Take some time over the next few weeks to think about what you enjoy, the skills you'd like to develop, and where you see yourself in the future. Whether you're interested in health sciences, engineering, information technology, culinary arts, skilled trades, or other career fields, there may be a CTE program that's right for you!

Please have your photo ID ready when you come to the door to pick up your student. For the safety and security of all students, a physical identification card must be presented before a student can be released.

Parent Handbook/Calendar | Charles County Public Schools

Middle school students

• Students may bring their phone or device but once school begins must keep them powered completely off (not on vibrate or silent mode) and remain in a non-visible, secure location throughout the entirety of each school day.
• Students may use their phone or device on the bus or school-charted vehicle, but it must not be disruptive or cause a distraction to the driver at any time. Sound must only be audible through headphones. Phone conversations are prohibited.
• Students may use their phone or device at the end of the school day for the purpose of making transportation arrangements as it relates to after-school activities or events.

Please note the following additional guidelines governing all school levels:

• Cell phones or personal electronic devices with camera and/or video functions must not be used to take or transmit any image or video at any time, even if the use of the phone or device is otherwise permitted.
• Violations of these expectations will result in consequences as specified in the Levels of Response section of this document.
• The use of a cell phone or personal electronic device to secretly record or intercept a private conversation is a violation of state law. Violations may be reported to the authorities.
• All cell phones rules (and discipline consequences) apply even if communicating with parents. Parents are highly discouraged from initiating or participating in any electronic communication with their children during the school day.

Parents and students can use Where’s the Bus, an app that employs GPS technology, to track their bus while it's in motion. Through Where’s the Bus, parents and students can see real-time bus arrival and drop off data, and afternoon pick-ups and drop offs. The mobile app can be downloaded from the Google or Apple app stores. Click here for directions in setting up the Where’s the Bus mobile app

Bookbags and laptop bags Per CCPS policy, all bookbags, backpacks and bags larger than an adult hand must be secured in a student’s assigned locker during the school day. The policy does not allow students to carry zippered binders.

Suggestive, provocative or excessively tight clothing is not allowed to be worn to school or to school sponsored activities. CCPS does not allow clothing to be worn on school property or to school sponsored activities which displays messages or images that are offensive, vulgar, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate for the school setting. Clothing that is judged by the school administration to be disruptive to the orderly school process either by virtue of the design or in the manner in which it is worn is also forbidden. Click here for CCPS student dress code details.

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent and shoes.
• Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides which fully covers the midriff at all times.
• Clothing must cover undergarments. Fabric covering all private parts must not be see through.
• Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible and not interfere with the line of sight to any student or staff.
• Hoodies must allow the student face and ears to be visible to staff at all times

CCPS has a new mobile app that features push notification alerts. The app features CCPS news, events and the ability to see the CCPS calendar as well as school events. The app is available in the Apple/Google app stores. Search for Charles County PS (MD). Click here for more information.