Superintendent's Update

Dear CCPS Families,

It has been a busy and rewarding stretch in our schools as we transition between seasons. This past week at the Board of Education meeting, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the conclusion of our winter sports season. I want to extend a huge congratulations to our state winners for their remarkable achievements, as well as to all of our student-athletes who competed with heart and dedication.

Special recognition is due to Zach Garvin from Rising Sun High School, who recently captured the MPSSAA State Wrestling Championship at 175 pounds. In doing so, Zach became a two-time Maryland state champion and closed his historic career as the all-time wins leader in Rising Sun history, Cecil County history, and the entire Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference.

As we bid farewell to the gymnasiums, our spring sports have officially begun; the beautiful weather this week has been a welcome gift, allowing our teams to get outside and start their seasons on a high note.

In the classroom, our academic momentum continues as marking period three interim reports were distributed last week. We also recently celebrated Read Across America, which was a tremendous success. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers who spent time in our schools reading to students and fostering a love for literacy. We also hosted our Fourth Annual Multilingual Family & Community Fair this week. It was a wonderful success, bringing families from across the area together to celebrate language, culture, and community through interactive activities and performances.

Additionally, our community spirit was on full display during our inaugural Elementary Basketball Play Day last weekend. It was an outstanding event for our youngest athletes, and we are excited to announce that the next Play Day is already scheduled for Saturday, March 21.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and their many successes.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey A. Lawson, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Rachel Short, Gilpin Manor Elementary

INDIVIDUAL MPSSAA STATE CHAMPION:

• Bryson Foster, Perryville High Junior – 1A Boys’ Indoor Track & Field 55m Hurdles Champion

• Kenai Black, Bohemia Manor High Senior – 1A Boys’ Indoor Track & Field 1600m Champion

• Kenai Black, Bohemia Manor High Senior– 1A Boys’ Indoor Track & Field 3200m Champion

• Brooklynn Smith, Elkton High Freshman – 2A Girls’ Indoor Track & Field 55m Hurdles Champion

• Zachary Garvin, Rising Sun High Senior - 2A/1A Wrestling 175-pound

CONOWINGO DIVISION SPORTSMANSHIP:

• Perryville High – Unified Bowling

• Bohemia Manor High – Wrestling

• North East High – Girls’ Basketball

• North East High – Boys’ Basketball

• Perryville High – Boys’ Swim

• Perryville High – Girls’ Swim

• Elkton High – Boys’ Indoor Track

• Perryville High – Girls’ Indoor Track

Bryson Foster - PHS

Kenai Black - BMHS

Brooklynn Smith - EHS

Zach Garvin - RSHS

PHS - Unified Bowling

BMHS - Wrestling

NEHS - Girls' Basketball

NEHS - Boys' Basketball

PHS - Swimming

EHS - Boys' Indoor Track

PHS - Girls' Indoor Track

In this updated version of the March Cecil County Connections newsletter, families will find practical resources and information about navigating the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), including specific steps needed to access these funds and provide a financial boost to your household. We have added details on more upcoming family events in our local towns and schools to help you stay connected. For middle and high school students, we have added information on STEM summer camps and on how to get free or low-cost prom attire to ensure everyone is ready for the party! This issue focuses on providing the actionable tools and community updates you need to plan ahead and find the right assistance.

RSMS Grade 8 Career Fair

RSMS

CCES Random Acts of Kindness Week

CCES

BES Fostering Meaningful Friendships

NEES Olympic Night

CCST Multilingual Fair

School Volunteer Information

On March 2, First Lady Dawn Moore launched #ReadMoreMaryland, a statewide literacy month campaign encouraging students, families, and communities to celebrate the power of reading.

In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Children and Maryland State Department of Education, we’re inviting students and families across the state to amplify this initiative by posting photos or videos of themselves reading their favorite books. Together, we can create a visible, statewide culture of reading that supports Maryland’s young people. We appreciate you partnering with us.

Why This Matters:

The Moore-Miller administration is committed to making Maryland’s schools the best in the nation. Under Governor Wes Moore’s leadership, we've made historic investments in K-12 education with a major focus on teacher recruitment and training.

In three years, we have cut the teacher vacancy rate in half and seen graduation rates rise among students. We are proud that Maryland is becoming a national leader in early literacy, jumping twenty slots in national rankings in just two years.

But continued progress requires all of us. Reading builds confidence, strengthens academic success, and opens doors for students who benefit from strong literacy foundations.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgjuNdkgrUM

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

Calling all young artists! The VFW Auxiliary National is thrilled to invite our local students to participate in this year’s National Art Contest. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your creativity while exploring and celebrating patriotic themes. Entries will be judged on both artistic technique and how well they capture the spirit of our country.

The best part? This contest is open to everyone—neither the student nor the parent needs to be a member of the VFW to apply. Submission deadline is March 31, 2026. If you have any questions or need more details on how to enter, please contact Shiela Malatesta at 443-928-9189. We can't wait to see your talent on display!

Informational Link

3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest Application

Illustrating America Application

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest Application

$1500 SCHOLARSHIPS

To apply, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Graduated from a Cecil County, Maryland public high school

• Education major

• Entering your junior or senior year of college next year

For information and an application form, check out the CCRSPA website at

http://cecilrspa.org.

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by Friday, April 17, 2026.

CCPS is excited to offer a series of free summer camps for students this year! These popular programs fill up quickly, so scan the QR code to secure your spot.

Please note: Students should bring a packed lunch. All other materials and activities are provided.

In celebration of the United States’ Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Historical Society of Cecil County invites you to join the "Off the Beaten Path" challenge, a county-wide adventure designed to uncover our local hidden treasures. In collaboration with local preservationists and government officials, the Society has curated a list of 27 historically significant sites—from well-known landmarks to tucked-away gems—to honor our nation's 250th anniversary. To participate, simply pick up a passport at any Cecil County Library branch, the Historical Society, Cecil County Tourism, or the Fair Hill Nature Center. Participants are encouraged to visit these sites and take a selfie at each location or marker as proof of their journey. Before heading out, adventurers are encouraged to check each site’s website for hours and potential entry fees, though all locations have been vetted for safe roadside pull-over areas.

This challenge is a fantastic way for families to engage with local heritage, featuring a special category for younger explorers; children under 14 who complete 14 visits will earn a Junior Historian Certificate and a gift. Completed passports and photo evidence must be submitted to the Historical Society at 135 East Main St., Elkton, by December 1, 2026, to be eligible for a prize. Submissions are accepted on Mondays and Thursdays from 10–4 and the first Saturday of every month from 10–2. Supported by local partners, including Cecil County Tourism and the Public Library, this event promises a year of discovery and community pride. For full details and to start your journey, visit www.cecilhistory.org.

CCPS Public Information Office

Email: pio@ccps.org
Website: www.ccps.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ccpsmd
Twitter: @ccpsmd

Instagram: ccpsmd

LinkedIn: linkedin.com

Superintendent's Update