System hosting free Internet safety, digital awareness event
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is hosting a free Internet safety program for parents, students and community members next month, Oct. 7-8, at two area high schools. Attendees can learn about Internet safety, including cyberbullying, photo postings, use of Apps, poor social media behavior and responsible use of social media.
The Oct. 7 program is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at North Point High School, and the program on Oct. 8 is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Charles High School. Featured will be Richard Guerry, founder of the non-profit organization the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2), and his program on Internet safety. Attendees will learn about trends among negative and malicious digital behavior and how they can help others learn how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cyber-crime, cyberbullying and digital exploitation.
As part of the program, CCPS seventh graders are able to attend the program during the school day on Oct. 7-8 during a school field trip. Parents of seventh graders can check with their child’s school for a permission slip or for additional details.
Guerry’s program on responsible technology use and cyber safety received an Exemplary School Safety Program Award by the School Safety Advocacy Council. Additionally Guerry has been featured as an expert on digital safety on CNN and as part of MTV’s Thin Line Campaign, which educates young adults on the dangers of digital abuse and cyberbullying.
The school system highlights several bullying prevention activities year round, with an additional emphasis on student participation during the month of October as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. The Oct. 7-8 program is sponsored by the Governor’s Office for Children, the Charles County Children’s Aid Society and the Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth, and Families. CCPS features several bullying prevention and Internet safety resources on the school system website, under the counseling section. Visit http://www.ccboe.com/departments/counseling/.
College Fair draws 137 colleges, universities for student research
The 18th annual Charles County College Fair, sponsored by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), was held Wednesday, Sept. 16 at North Point High School. The event offered more than 3,200 parents and students the opportunity to research 137 colleges and universities, and learn about career options available through serving in the Armed Forces.
A morning session was held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Charles County high school juniors and seniors. More than 1,800 students attended the fair as part of their school day. Each year, high school students are asked to sign up for the fair in advance, as space is limited to about 200 juniors and seniors per school. The goal of the fair is for students and parents to visit one place where they can research several future options available after graduation, and talk with recruiters face-to-face.
The College Fair also incorporates activities that focus on the financial aid application process, including workshops held during the evening session. Two financial aid workshops were hosted by Christian Zimmerman, the director of financial aid for the College of Southern Maryland. A total of 1,406 parents and students attended the public portion of the fair held in the evening.
A representative from Congressman Steny Hoyer’s office also participated in the fair and talked to students about congressional appointments to the U.S. Service Academies. Maryland Delegate Edith Patterson also provided information to students about delegate scholarships and opportunities available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
The fair is held annually in September and open to the public during an evening session. High school juniors and seniors attend the event during the school day as part of the school system’s focus on college and career readiness. Several high schools will also be participating in Maryland College Application Week Oct. 19-23, which is a state initiative to ensure all high school seniors apply to at least one college. Contact the college and career advisor at each individual high school for more details.