Communications Office

One of the primary roles of the Communications Office is to encourage and facilitate communication between the school system and the community. The office serves as a resource for parents/guardians, community members, businesses, and other individuals interested in the school system by providing information, answering questions, and addressing concerns.

The office is involved in numerous other activities, including SchoolMessenger, the school system website, social media, publications, and the Teacher of the Year Program. In addition, Carroll Educational Television Channel 21 is part of the Communications Office. The office also is responsible for inclement weather and emergency notifications and providing special accommodations to community members.

If you have questions about the school system or need additional information, please use the contact information provided.

First Responder and Military Career Fair Exhibitor List

 Informational Calendar/Handbook

Annual Report

Revisions to Immigration Enforcement Policy

Naviance Nationwide Class Action Settlement

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The Carroll County Public School System uses SchoolMessenger to provide parents with information from their child’s school and the school system. This service enhances the ability of the schools to communicate with parents and members of the school community. It delivers both e-mail and phone alerts at no charge to parents. Parents may also opt in to receive text messages.

There is no need to sign up for this service. All information is taken from the emergency procedure cards. Parents/guardians are automatically enrolled in the system. If at any time you need to update your contact information, please call your child’s school office.

Messages and announcements sent through SchoolMessenger may include: 

• closings due to inclement weather or other emergencies
• information from the Superintendent and Board of Education
• school newsletters
• attendance calls
• report card reminders
• parent organization updates
• notices of upcoming events
• cancellation notices
• calendar reminders

SchoolMessenger Guardian Guide

SchoolMessenger Text Notifications

SchoolMessenger Info

The Communications Office manages Carroll County Public Schools social media channels and monitors all school system-affiliated accounts.Please review our social media guidelines if you manage or are considering creating a social media account to represent your school, program, or classroom.

The goal of Carroll County Public Schools social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) is to share news, photos, and videos about our school system, students, schools, staff, and upcoming events and to engage with our community in an open and respectful dialogue. We invite staff, students, families, and the community to join the conversation by liking and sharing the CCPS news and photos on any of our pages.

The Community Advisory Council was established May 13, 2009 under Board Policy BDF: Advisory Committees to the Board of Education of Carroll County.

MEETING DATES - 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR:

Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Monday, December 15, 2025
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tuesday, April 21, 2026

An additional meeting may be scheduled as needed

All meetings will be held in the Board Room at the Board of Education offices at 7:00 p.m.

Community Advisory Council Members 2025-2026
 

MEET OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Natalie Bordner
Natalie has been a 1^st grade teacher at Sandymount Elementary School for three years. Prior to that, she taught at Runnymede and Charles Carroll Elementary Schools.

One of educators’ biggest responsibilities is to make sure we have a clear understanding of our curriculum and the progression of skills that each student must have to master and achieve their expected grade level goals. By keeping constant, targeted instruction and collecting data daily, I feel that I can provide all my learners with a unique learning environment where they feel safe to step out of their comfort zone and achieve all their goals. – Natalie Bordner

Emily Brynes
Emily has been a business education teacher at Westminster High School for eight years.

My goal as an educator is to bridge the gap between student needs and curriculum demands. One of the best things I can do is get to know the student and get to know the curriculum, then find out where they can connect. Using personal connection, data, and proven strategies are easy to talk about, but implanting them in the classroom is where the magic happens. – Emily Brynes

Cynthia Freed
Cynthia has taught Kindergarten at Ebb Valley Elementary School for ten years. Prior to that, she taught at Charles Carroll and Mechanicsville Elementary Schools.

As a Kindergarten teacher, I work diligently daily to make sure my students meet the expectations within the curriculum. It is my goal to be an effective teacher each day. I do this by using data to plan for and drive my instruction. I work hard to create activities to maintain focus and interest, build skills, and enrich my learners. I love being a Kindergarten teacher! – Cynthia Freed

Christine Hanley
Christine has taught social studies at South Carroll High School for five years. She also has taught at North Carroll and Oklahoma Road Middle Schools.

Effective teaching in Carroll County Public Schools is not only about delivering content, but about engaging students in meaningful ways that allow them to understand, apply, and retain the curriculum. When students feel that lessons are designed with real-world connections and them in mind, they are more likely to participate and remain motivated. Therefore, effective teaching is a foundation for engaging students. – Christine Handley

Todd Hartshorn
Todd has taught social studies at Manchester Valley High School for five years. He also taught for four years at Francis Scott Key High School.

I have made a concerted effort to deliver the written curriculum, keeping in mind that my students come from diverse backgrounds, have varying political and social views, and come from all socio-economic levels. I have tapped into the experience and expertise of my colleagues both in my school and throughout Carroll County, as well as teachers from the English Department, to develop activities that are cross-curricular and promote students’ realization that the more they know the more they will understand. – Todd Hartshorn

Nicole Hunsicker
Nicole has taught Kindergarten at Runnymede Elementary School for thirteen years. Prior to that she taught 2^nd grade and was a 5^th grade ELA teacher and Title I resource teacher at Runnymede.

I have the unique privilege of being students’ first teacher, setting the culture of working hard to meet the rigorous expectations, all while having fun. While my students may enter my classroom at very different spots along the learning continuum, I work tirelessly daily to ensure every student receives engaging, purposeful instruction throughout our time together to have a strong start to their school journey. – Nicole Hunsicker

Sean Kelley
Sean has taught 8^th grade social studies at East Middle School for eleven years.

I ensure that students meet the expectations outlined in the Carroll County Public Schools written curriculum by intentionally aligning instruction, assessment, and support to clearly defined learning objectives. Each lesson is grounded in the curriculum standards and organized around clear, student-friendly objectives so learners understand what they are expected to know and be able to do by the end of the lesson. – Sean Kelley

Angela McNamara
Angela has taught science at West Middle School for three years. Prior to that, she was a science teacher at Sykesville Middle School and a Humanities and STEM teacher at Robert Moton Elementary School.

Every summer, I spread the CCPS curriculum documents across my living room and sit with what they’re asking of our students. I’m not just checking boxes. I ask myself what it looks like when a 7^th grader meets the CCPS curriculum expectations – not just knowing facts but using scientific thinking to make sense of the world. That question guides how I plan lessons, check for understanding, and support students. – Angela McNamara