Most students meet immunization deadline
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Charles County Department of Health successfully worked to ensure most CCPS students were able to meet the state’s immunization requirements by Monday’s deadline.
CCPS students had until today to get immunized or be excluded from school. As of this morning, 11 CCPS students had not provided proof of immunization. State law requires all students receive specific vaccinations by the 20th day of school or be excluded from school until they receive all required vaccinations. This year, the state required additional vaccinations for both kindergarten and seventh-grade students.
At the beginning of September, more than 700 CCPS students were missing proofs of vaccination. During the past month, CCPS and the Health Department provided additional opportunities for students to receive vaccinations including free clinics and transportation to clinics. Last week, schools and school system staff personally contacted families of students who were still missing updated shot records.
“I am so appreciative of the monumental efforts of our staff and the Health Department that resulted in only 11 students who are out of compliance today. When you talk about a commitment to keeping kids in school, our school nurses, pupil personnel workers and school staffs showed extraordinary dedication to helping students receive the required vaccinations,” Superintendent Kimberly Hill said.
The Maryland State Department of Education on Monday notified school districts that they could apply for a waiver to the 20-day temporary enrollment rule; however, only school systems with more than 250 students out of compliance were eligible for the waiver.
The Health Department is offering another free vaccination clinic this afternoon from 3-5 p.m.
School system holds seventeenth annual College Fair
North Point High School hosted the 17th annual Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) College Fair on Sept. 17. A total of 4,000 parents, students and community members attended the fair and met with college representatives.
The CCPS College Fair provided high school juniors and seniors a chance to speak with representatives from more than 135 participating colleges, universities and branches of the military. A representative from Congressman Hoyer’s office also attended the fair providing information to students about congressional appointments. Colleges provide information about tuition, scholarship opportunities and academic programs. The fair is split into two sessions – a day session for students from the seven high schools, and an evening session for students, parents and the community. The morning session was for students only; 2,200 students attended. The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) provided two evening financial aid workshops, with Christian Zimmerman, director of financial aid for CSM, conducting the workshops. More than 1,800 parents and students attended the evening session.
Students were given 40 minutes to visit booths, and college representatives asked students to fill out contact cards to receive further information. Student Board Member and Westlake High School senior Georgia Benson went to the college fair with an open mind. She plans to study political science after graduating from high school and is looking for a college to meet her needs. During her 40 minutes, Benson walked aisle-to-aisle talking with numerous college representatives.
The school system is also hosting financial aid nights at each of the county’s seven high schools. Sessions are open to the public.
The schedule is:
-- Henry E. Lackey High School, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m.;
-- La Plata High School, Nov. 18, 6 p.m.;
-- Maurice J. McDonough High School, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.;
-- North Point High School, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.;
-- St. Charles High School, Spring 2015;
-- Thomas Stone High School, Nov. 19, 6 p.m.; and
-- Westlake High School, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.
For more information about a school’s financial aid night, contact college and career advisor at the school.