The Lighthouse Ledger

The beginning of a new school year is always filled with excitement, optimism, and opportunity. Across Calvert County Public Schools, students are reconnecting with friends and teachers, building new relationships, engaging in meaningful learning, and beginning another year of growth and achievement.

Our staff worked throughout the summer to prepare our schools, classrooms, technology, transportation, and facilities for a successful start. I am grateful for their tremendous efforts and for the continued partnership of our families and community members who play such an important role in supporting student success.

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, several important initiatives are helping us strengthen teaching, learning, and school safety.

CCPS has implemented updated cell phone procedures aligned with legislation adopted by the Maryland General Assembly. These expectations are intended to minimize distractions, increase student engagement, encourage positive social interactions, and protect valuable instructional time.

We are also implementing a new CCPS Instructional Framework, establishing a shared vision for high-quality teaching and learning across our schools. While every classroom and every learner is unique, the framework helps ensure that students throughout CCPS experience rigorous, engaging instruction with clear learning goals and the support they need to be successful.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff also remain our highest priority. We are proud to have a School Resource Officer assigned to every CCPS school. These dedicated law enforcement professionals build positive relationships with students while supporting school safety, prevention efforts, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, all of our high schools will be installing enhanced security screening systems during athletic events, providing another layer of safety for students, staff, families, and visitors.

Families have an important role in helping students develop habits that support success in school. A few simple things can make a meaningful difference:

• Make attendance a priority. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, their teachers, and their school community.
• Talk about learning. Instead of simply asking, “How was school?” try questions such as, “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” or “What are you most proud of today?”
• Make reading part of the routine. Reading together, independently, or even talking about something your child has read helps reinforce literacy and a love of learning.
• Encourage responsibility and independence. Help students set goals, organize their work, solve problems, and learn to advocate for themselves when they need support.

Research shows that students perform better when families are actively connected to their schools. This month, I encourage every family to find at least one way to strengthen your connection with your child’s school. Consider:

• Joining your school's PTA or PTO.
• Attending Back-to-School Night or parent engagement events.
• Volunteering at school functions, book fairs, field days, or student performances.
• Serving as a mentor, guest speaker, or Career Day volunteer.
• Supporting classroom projects or school activities from home.
• Attending athletic events, fine arts performances, and student showcases.

There is no single right way to be involved. Whether your connection happens at school or at home, your interest and encouragement send an important message to your child that their education matters.

Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and commitment to our students. Together, let's make this a year of academic excellence, safe schools, strong partnerships, and success for every student.

Sincerely,

Marcus J. Newsome, Ed.D.
Superintendent

As we move through the first month of school, students are settling into routines, building relationships, and engaging in learning. Our commitment to ensuring every student feels welcomed, valued, and supported remains central to their success.

A strong sense of belonging helps students engage more fully, build meaningful relationships, take positive risks, and persevere through challenges. Across CCPS, staff are intentionally creating learning environments where students feel seen, heard, and included.

Families remain essential partners in this work. Even after the school year is underway, there are many ways families can continue supporting their children's sense of belonging:

• Ask your child about their friendships, learning experiences, and connections at school.
• Celebrate accomplishments, both large and small.
• Maintain consistent routines that support attendance, organization, and well-being.
• Stay connected with teachers and school staff.
• Encourage your child to seek help, ask questions, and become involved in school activities.

Some students may still be adjusting to academic expectations, social situations, or new routines. If your child is experiencing challenges, please reach out to teachers, school counselors, administrators, or student services staff so we can work together to provide support.

Belonging is built over time through daily interactions, strong relationships, and meaningful partnerships between schools and families. Together, we can help every student feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Wondering what’s on the menu at school? Families can view CCPS breakfast and lunch menus online through our School Nutrition and Fitness site.

Menus make it easy to see what’s being served each day and plan ahead for the week.

👉 View CCPS School Menus

Be sure to check back regularly for the most up-to-date menu information.

Have you completed your Meal Benefit Application yet? See if you qualify for the best meal deal in town and help out your school! The process is completely confidential and takes less than 10 minutes. Online: LINQ Connect - Making Schools Stronger or Paper: Meal Benefit Application.

If your student has a life-threatening food allergy or other disability affected by diet, please have a copy of the Dietary Modification Form completed by a licensed physician and return it promptly to your school's nurse. A printed copy of this form can also be obtained from the school nurse. Thank You!

• Dietary Modification Form (English)

• Dietary Modification Form (Spanish)

  
  

CCPS is excited to introduce Content Connections, a new video series that gives families a closer look at what students are learning and how they can support learning at home.

In Elementary ELA – Part 1, Melissa Huffman, Supervisor of Elementary English Language Arts, explains the Science of Reading, what research-based reading instruction looks like in CCPS classrooms, and how these practices help students become strong, confident readers.

Families - learn what you can do at home to support your child's reading skills!

CCPS is proud to join schools and communities across the country in recognizing National Arts in Education Week, September 13–19.

The arts are an important part of a well-rounded education, giving students opportunities to create, perform, collaborate, problem-solve, and share their unique perspectives. From music and visual arts to theatre and other creative experiences, the arts help students discover interests and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

This year’s theme, “Every Student, Every Community,” celebrates the importance of providing students with access to meaningful arts education experiences.

The Arts Make a Difference

Arts education is about much more than learning to paint, perform, sing, or play an instrument. Research connects participation in the arts with greater student engagement, creativity, confidence, collaboration, and academic success. Arts experiences also help students develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, focus, and teamwork—skills that serve them in school and beyond.

Did You Know?

• Employers value skills such as written communication, problem-solving, and teamwork - skills that arts education helps students develop.
• Research on arts-integrated learning has found stronger motivation and engagement in learning.
• One Virginia study found substantially lower chronic absenteeism among students who participated in four years of arts instruction.

• Research has associated arts participation and arts-integrated instruction with positive academic outcomes.

We can't wait to celebrate the creativity and talent of our students and staff throughout the year!

Calvert County Public Schools is being highlighted by the Maryland State Department of Education for its work to expand opportunities for students to participate and succeed in Advanced Placement coursework.

Led by Dr. Joe Sutton, Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics, the CCPS Advanced Learning Access team has focused on identifying barriers, using student data to guide decisions, and strengthening pathways into rigorous courses. MSDE’s recent Impact Series highlights CCPS as a model for its collaborative, data-informed approach.

Dr. Sutton emphasizes that CCPS teachers are at the heart of this work: challenging students, recognizing their potential, encouraging them to take the next step, and providing the support they need to succeed. As he shared, “We want them prepared to succeed at what’s next.”

Together, teachers, counselors, administrators, and AP Liaisons are building a culture of high expectations and creating more opportunities for students to challenge themselves and prepare for success beyond high school.

Read the full MSDE spotlight: Spotlight Calvert County Reigniting a Culture of Excellence.pdf

We want YOU to attend school every day! Every student belongs and is an important part of the school and CCPS community. Regular attendance is essential for student success. Students are expected to attend school daily and arrive on time. Both lawful and unlawful absences count toward a student’s record, and students with excessive absences miss important learning opportunities and supports.

Here are some ways families can support their child’s attendance this school year:

PreK and Kindergarten family tips: Pre-K_Handout

Elementary family tips: Elementary_Handout

Middle and High school family tips: Middle & High_Handout

See the full Student Attendance Policy 3005: Calvert County Public Schools, Policy 3005 and Procedures for Policy 3005: Calvert County Public School, Procedure 3005.1.

Technology is an important part of learning, and families are key partners in helping students build healthy and responsible digital habits. CCPS offers the Qustodio Parent App as a free resource for families of students in grades 3-12.

Beginning October 1, parents and guardians will be able to view website and application activity from their child’s CCPS-issued device during the school day, in addition to the activity already available before and after school.

The information is designed to be a conversation starter for families. Because activity logs do not show the instructional context behind a website or application, families are encouraged to talk with their child and connect with their school when questions arise.

Qustodio does not provide live screen viewing or allow families to block websites or change school-day filtering settings.

Learn more about Qustodio, including helpful resources and frequently asked questions, on the CCPS Qustodio Information Page.

Did you know that CCPS students can request technology assistance directly from our Information Technology team?

Students in grades 3–12 have a CCPS Help Desk Support icon located right on the desktop of their CCPS computer. The icon provides a fast and easy way to access the CCPS Help Center, where students can find answers to common technology questions or submit a Help Desk ticket when they need assistance.

Parents and guardians can help by showing their student the CCPS Help Desk Support icon and encouraging them to use it when they experience a technology problem. When appropriate, submitting their own request gives students an opportunity to advocate for themselves, explain what they are experiencing, and communicate directly with the IT staff working to assist them.

Submitting a request only takes a few minutes. Students can double-click the CCPS Help Desk Support icon on their desktop and sign in using their CCPS account.

Whether it’s a question or a technology problem, help is just a couple of clicks away!

Did You Know?

🔐 Your password is like the key to your house. Don't share it!

Students should never share their CCPS username or password with friends, family members, websites, apps, or online services. If someone else has your password, they can access your account just as if they were you.

Parents can help by reminding students that:

• Passwords should be kept private.
• School passwords should only be used on approved CCPS systems.
• If a password has been shared, it should be changed immediately.

Learning to protect passwords is an important life skill that helps keep school, email, banking, and other personal accounts secure for years to come.

For more information on how students can change their CCPS passwords, please visit this Help Center article: How to change your Microsoft 365 Student Password

Remember: If someone asks for your password, the answer should always be "No."

Join the Career and Technology Academy (CTA) on October 21 for an evening of treats, games, hands-on fun, and discovery!

Bring your younger learners for the Halloween fun while the whole family gets a chance to explore the incredible programs and opportunities available to CCPS students at CTA.

If you haven’t visited CTA lately, you may be surprised by all that happens there. It’s not the “career center” you may remember — come see why CTA proudly says, “We Do That Here!”

🎃 Admission: $2 per trick-or-treater at the door

Proceeds support nearly 200 CTA students who will compete this year in SkillsUSA at the regional, state, and hopefully national levels.

Come for the treats — and leave with a whole new look at what CTA has to offer!

The Calvert County Health Department, in partnership with Calvert County Public Schools and the Emergency Preparedness team, will host three after-hours flu vaccination clinics this fall for children of all ages and their parents/guardians.

All clinics will be held from 4:00–7:00 p.m.

• Calvert High School: October 14, 2026
• Northern High School: October 22, 2026
• Patuxent High School: October 28, 2026

Families may attend the location that is most convenient for them.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student and school safety, CCPS is sharing important information with families at the start of the school year.

Safe Firearm Storage
Maryland law requires school systems to provide families with information about the safe storage of firearms. Families are encouraged to review the Parent’s Guide to Firearm Storage, which includes information about Maryland’s firearm storage laws and steps adults can take to help keep children safe.

Lockdown Drill Communication
Schools are also required to keep families informed about lockdown drills. Families will receive a general schedule of planned lockdown drills; advance notice when a lockdown drill will take place; and communication after a lockdown drill has been completed.

These communications are intended to help families understand when drills are occurring and support students in feeling prepared and informed about school safety procedures.

As we kick off the year, be sure to check the district calendar for important dates, including holidays, professional learning days, and special events. You can view and download the full calendar anytime at: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/calendar

Access the printable calendar here: 2026-2027 District School Year Calendar

The Transportation Department Help Center provides families with convenient access to transportation information and support.

Through the Help Center, parents and guardians can:

• Search frequently asked questions and knowledge base articles
• Find information about bus stops, bus routes, alternate transportation requests, and transportation procedures
• Submit transportation-related questions or requests directly to the Transportation Department
• Track the status of submitted requests

Visit the Help Center:

Transportation Department Help Center

Families are encouraged to review the available resources before contacting the department, as many common questions can be answered immediately through our online knowledge base.

Here Comes the Bus (HCTB) is a mobile app that provides real-time school bus information for the bus(es) your child is assigned to ride.

Features include:

• Real-time bus location displayed on a map
• Scheduled and actual arrival times for bus routes
• Push notifications and email alerts when the bus is approaching its stop

For more information about the app, visit:

Here Comes the Bus - Calvert County Public Schools

To create an account, you will need:

• Your child's student ID number
• Calvert County Public Schools activation code: 87557

Please note that transportation information must be loaded into the system before bus assignments become available in the app. At the beginning of the school year, there may be a brief delay between route assignment and visibility within Here Comes the Bus.

Explore Early Childhood Education Opportunities in Calvert County

Calvert County Public Schools is proud to offer a variety of early childhood education programs designed to support our youngest learners and prepare them for lifelong success. Families can apply for Prekindergarten programs serving both 3- and 4-year-olds, with eligibility based on age, income, and other criteria outlined by the Maryland State Department of Education and CCPS.

To be considered for PreK in the 2026–2027 school year:

• Children must be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026.
• Applications are processed in the order received, and placement is based on program availability and eligibility.
• Families selected for enrollment will receive an acceptance email with a registration code to begin the official registration process.

Kindergarten registration is also open for children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026. All students must be registered at their designated home school, and documentation must be submitted before enrollment is complete.

To learn more about available programs and begin the application or registration process, visit the CCPS Online Registration Portal.

Each year, parents/guardians are required to update their child(ren)’s emergency contact information. Updating this information ensures we can reach you in an emergency. Please be on the lookout for a CCPS SchoolMessenger email regarding the Annual Student Update (ASU).

Parents can complete the ASU online through Home Access Center (HAC) beginning on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. We ask that parents/guardians complete the Annual Student Update no later than Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

If you do not have internet access, please contact your child’s school to request a hard copy to be sent home, and return the completed forms to the school as soon as possible.

Looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in our schools and community? Volunteering with Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is a rewarding opportunity to support students, teachers, and staff while positively impacting the learning environment. Whether assisting in classrooms, supporting school events, or sharing your expertise, your time and talents make a real difference.

To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, all volunteers must complete an annual approval process. Get Started Today: Complete your application and join the many community members helping our schools thrive. Become a Volunteer - Calvert County Public School District

Volunteering with CCPS isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building stronger schools, fostering community connections, and making a lasting impact on the students of Calvert County!

CCPS is always seeking talented, passionate individuals to join our team. From teachers and support staff to administrators and specialists, every role plays a vital part in helping our students succeed.

Explore current opportunities, learn about the benefits of working with CCPS, and start your application today: Employment - Calvert County Public School District

Current employment opportunities: https://calvertnet.schoolspring.com/

Make an impact, grow your career, and help shape the future for our students and our community!

Fall athletics are getting underway across Calvert County Public Schools! High school competition begins September 4, followed by middle school competition on October 5. We invite families, students, alumni, and community members to come out and cheer on our student-athletes throughout the season.

For high school athletic events, tickets may be purchased online through GoFan or by card at the gate; cash is not accepted. Tickets are $7, which includes a $1 ticketing fee being implemented by the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) beginning with the Fall 2026 season. The fee helps support equipment and uniforms, safety and protective gear, facility upkeep, and event operations.

Beginning this fall, CCPS and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) are partnering with PlayOn Sports and the NFHS Network to provide live and on-demand coverage of events held in the stadiums and gymnasiums at Calvert, Huntingtown, Northern, and Patuxent high schools. Families and fans can follow their favorite schools, watch from anywhere, and revisit recorded events throughout the season.

The NFHS Network provides important benefits for our student-athletes, including:

• Increased exposure for college recruiting and post-secondary opportunities.

• The ability to review game film to support skill development and performance improvement.

• Expanded recognition of individual and team accomplishments within and beyond our community

This service helps expand access to our athletic programs and ensures that those who cannot attend events in person can still support our student-athletes.

Before heading to a game, spectators are encouraged to review event information and school-specific expectations to help us maintain a safe, welcoming, and positive atmosphere for everyone.

Ready to support your team? Use the CCPS Athletics Quick Access Guide to find high school schedules and GoFan ticket links, middle school athletics websites, and NFHS Network information.

Wear your school colors, bring your CCPS pride, and help us make this a great season for our student-athletes!

Families and community members are invited to celebrate the incredible talents of our student artists, musicians, performers, and creators throughout the fall.

September events include:

• PHS USBands Competition hosted by Patuxent High School (September 19)
  

October: Honor Ensembles & Fall Performances

October showcases opportunities for student musicians to participate in county honor ensembles and perform at high-profile events.

Featured events include:

• Marching Band Showcase @ PHS, 7pm (October 14)
  
• HHS USBands Competition hosted by Huntingtown HS (October 17)
  
• All-County Orchestra Concert @ CHS, 7pm (October 28)
  
• The Annual Winter Card Art Contest begins! (October 30)

The Visual & Performing Arts Department encourages families and community members to support student artists by attending concerts, theatre productions, exhibitions, festivals, and marching band events throughout the year.

Together, we celebrate creativity, collaboration, communication, and artistic excellence across Calvert County Public Schools.

Calvert County Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Department

Community organizations wishing to share flyers or informational materials through CCPS communication channels can now submit requests using the Outside Organization Flyer Approval and Distribution Form in the CCPS Help Center.

Materials may be considered when they provide a specific opportunity, program, activity, service, or resource for CCPS students and/or their parents or guardians.

All materials must be submitted for review and approval before being distributed or shared through CCPS schools or communication channels.

Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. CCPS provides equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

· Director of Student Services

· Director of Human Resources
443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System or call 1-800-421-3481.