Communications Office
- About
- SchoolMessenger
- Social Media
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Recovery Plan
- Community Advisory Council
- Community Flyers
- Carroll County Teacher of the Year
About
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.
SchoolMessenger
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 Feed
Social Media
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Self-Screening and COVID Information
Below you will find information on mitigation strategies in place and reminders to help keep our schools safe places to learn and work.
- CCPS will continue to encourage students and staff to practice good hygiene throughout the day (e.g., handwashing).
- CCPS will continue to use the air purification machines in instructional spaces that we purchased previously and maintain increased ventilation in our air handling units in our schools.
- Please check your child daily for COVID-19 symptoms and do not visit the school or send your child to school regardless of your child’s vaccination status if they are experiencing any of the following: fever of 100 or higher, sore throat, cough, muscle or body aches, difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting, new onset of severe headache, or new loss of taste or smell.
- Contact the school nurse and Do Not visit the school or send your child to school if they have tested positive COVID-19 within 5 days, regardless of symptoms or if you are awaiting the results of a RT-PCR Test for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms.
If your child experiences symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day, your child will be evaluated by the school nurse, who will contact the parent/guardian regarding the matter.
Recovery Plan
Community Advisory Council
The Community Advisory Council was established May 13, 2009 under Board Policy BDF: Advisory Committees to the Board of Education of Carroll County.
Please select the plus symbol to view each statement.
Mission
The Community Advisory Council (CAC) was established by the Board of Education of Carroll County to serve as a forum for public concerns, advice, and communication to and from the Board.
Each school appoints a representative to serve a two-year term on the Council.
In addition to providing information to the Board, the CAC may be called upon by the Superintendent and/or Board of Education to make recommendations on matters related to the education of students in Carroll County Public Schools.
Meetings
Agendas
Minutes
Bylaws
Annual Reports to the Board of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Please select the plus symbol to view each statement.
- Who Should Attend CAC Meetings?
- How Do I Find Out Who Represents My School?
- Who Should I Contact to Learn More or Ask Questions?
Who Should Attend CAC Meetings?
Each school's PTA/PTO, in collaboration with the school principal, appoints a representative to attend CAC meetings and represent their school. If a school does not have a PTA or PTO (or other organized parent/ student/ teacher group), the school principal is responsible for appointing a representative. Other student and teacher stakeholder groups (i.e. Student Government Association) have an appointed representative as well.
Representatives are expected to report back to their school and share information with their school communities. Minutes from each CAC meeting, along with other CAC communications, are available for anyone to review.
How Do I Find Out Who Represents My School?
Who Should I Contact to Learn More or Ask Questions?
Anyone with questions or seeking information may speak with their school principal. If you have additional questions or information to share with the CAC, please contact one of the following:
Stephanie Brooks, CAC Chair
stephaniebrooks@troweprice.com
Carey Gaddis, Staff Liaison
CCPS Communications Officer
(410) 751-3020
Community Flyers
Twice a month, we share flyers and information from our official non-profit community partners with parents and guardians.
Below are our current community flyers.
The organizations listed below meet CCPS criteria for distribution to parents and guardians.
Please select the plus symbol to view each statement.
- Carroll Arts Center
- CARROLL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS
- FREEDOM AREA RECREATION COUNCIL
- NORTH CARROLL RECREATION COUNCIL
- WEST CARROLL RECREATION COUNCIL
- WINFIELD RECREATION COUNCIL
- Carroll Community College
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
Carroll Arts Center
Free Educational Screening - "My Octopus Teacher" Documentary
Carroll County Farm Museum Celebration: 75,000 Acres Preserved and Growing
Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole
Register Now for the Fall Season of Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole: Girls on the Run® programs inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Girls in grades 3-5 can join a Girls on the Run team, while Girls on the Run®’s middle school program, Heart & Sole®, creates a positive, structured space specifically designed for girls in grades 6-8. Teams of 15-20 girls meet twice weekly for 9 weeks and the season concludes with the girls and their running buddies completing a 5K run with their team.
The season starts the week of September 20, so it's not too late to sign up! The program registration fee is $165 and includes all lessons, 5K registration and finisher's medal, water bottle, t-shirt, and a cinch sack full of all program materials. We have a detailed COVID safety plan and our curriculum has been adapted to ensure that distancing guidelines can be followed. Financial assistance is available – no girl is turned away. See below for a list of sites in Carroll County with space still available. Don't see your school? Girls can participate at any location regardless of the school they attend. Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org to register. Questions? Call 443-583-7740 or email info@gotrcentralmd.org.
Girls on the Run (Grades 3-5)
- Carrolltowne Elementary: Tues/Thurs 3:45 - 5:15 pm
- Eldersburg Elementary: Tues/Thurs 4:45 - 6:00 pm
- Freedom Elementary: Tues/Thurs 3:45 - 5:00 pm
- Hampstead Elementary (@Panther Park): Mon/Wed 3:45 - 5:00 pm
- Hill Y in Westminster: Mon/Wed 5:00 - 6:15 pm
- Mt. Airy Elementary: Mon/Wed 3:45 - 5:00 pm
- Sandymount Elementary: Tues/Thurs 4:00 - 5:15 pm
- Westminster Elementary: Tues/Thurs 4:30 - 5:45 pm
- Winfield Elementary: Tues/Thurs 4:15 - 5:30 pm
Heart & Sole (Grades 6-8)
- Oklahoma Road Middle: Tues/Thurs 3:15 - 4:30 pm
- Shiloh Middle (@Sandymount Elementary): Tues/Thurs 4:15 - 5:30 pm
- Sykesville Middle: Mon/Wed 3:15 - 4:30 pm
CARROLL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS
Programs and Special Events: To learn more about the following programs and to register, please visit ccrec.recdesk.com, or call 410-386-2103.
Become a Recreation & Parks Photo Ambassador
Students interested in photography and who love being out in nature, the parks, participating in programs, and taking photos at sporting events, we want to talk to you! Apply to become a Recreation & Parks Volunteer Photo Ambassador and earn service-learning hours while building your photography portfolio. The Photo Ambassador application will be open through December 1, 2021 and selected applicants will be contacted in January 2022. Apply here!
Piney Run Fall Festival
Saturday 10/16, 10am-4pm – Piney Run Park, Sykesville; park entrance fee applies. All Ages/Families
Boys/Girls Gymnastics – Saturdays, Oct 23-Dec 11, 12-1pm at Carroll Gymnastics, Inc. Ages 6-17
Kindergarten Gymnastics – Thursdays, Oct 28-Dec 16, 4:30-5:15pm at Carroll Gymnastics, Inc. Grade K
Tumbling Gymnastics – Thursdays, Oct 28-Dec 16, 7:30-8:30pm at Carroll Gymnastics, Inc. Ages 6-17
Adaptive Recreation Z-Fitness – Tuesdays, Oct 26-Nov 23, 6-6:30pm, Carroll Springs School. Ages 14+
Adaptive Recreation Friday Night Social – Friday 10/29, 6-7:30pm, Robert Moton Center. Ages 12+
Clogging-Beginner I – Mondays, Nov 1-Dec 6, 5-5:30pm, Robert Moton Center. Ages 8+
Introductory Riding Lesson – Saturday 11/6, 1:30-2:30pm, Sweet Rock Stables, Manchester. Ages 6-17
Holiday Horsemanship Lesson – Friday-Saturday, Nov 26 & 27, 9:30-11:30am, Sweet Rock Stables, Manchester. Ages 6-17
FREEDOM AREA RECREATION COUNCIL
Register here for any of the below programs
Stepping Stars Contact Us with questions.
Dance – Recital program is now registering through Nov 30th. Ages 2+. Cost varies by age $285- $375 for the year. Classes run Sept thru early June culminating with our June recital. We offer a Dance Company for our more advanced dancers in Middle & High School this year! All classes held at South Carroll Sr. & Community Center.
Mini Dance – Ages 18 mths thru 3rd Grade. Registration continues throughout the year. Each session runs 6 weeks on Saturdays starting on 11/6, 1/8, 3/5 and 4/16, held at South Carroll Sr. & Community Center. This is a great way to introduce your child to dance, or to dance off and on throughout the year. Costs range from $50-$65 per session depending on Age/Grade.
Freedom Firestars Majorette Corps – Registration is continuing for our new twirling season. Classes will be on Thursdays for beginners, and Tuesday and Saturdays for our advanced Twirlers. Cost is $400/year for beginners, and $450/year for our advanced class. Cost includes baton. (Payment in 2 installments with full fee paid by November is available.) Contact us with questions.
Youth Volleyball – Registration continues. Fall Clinics run November 1 thru mid-December (6 weeks). Cost is $90/session for Grades 3-9. Winter Session will run January 3rd thru mid-March. Cost for Winter session $110 for Grades 3-12. Held at the South Carroll Sr. and Community Center. Contact us with questions.
Freedom Area Basketball (FABL) – Registration continues thru October 31st (a $10 late fee will apply after September 30th), Grades K-12. The mission of FABL is to provide instruction and recreation in the game of basketball. In addition to skills development, sportsmanship and the enjoyment of participation will be emphasized. We offer an Intramural program, as well as select Travel Teams for more competitive play. Season runs mid-November thru mid-March. Costs vary between $60/player to $150/player, with a $280 family max. Contact us with questions.
NORTH CARROLL RECREATION COUNCIL
Boys Lacrosse – program has partnered with WAX & Gonzo Lacrosse to offer Indoor Winter Lacrosse at Coppermine Four Seasons turf field! Open to players 2nd thru 8th Grades. Cost is $85 and begins Nov 5th, running Friday nights until Jan 21, 2022. Visit our website for more information and to register.
NCRC Basketball – Registration is now open for boys and girls Grades K-12 - closes for most divisions 10/8; High School will remain open until late November. Questions: ncrcbasketball@gmail.com.
More info: https://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=ncrcbasketball. *Looking for girls and boys travel players and coaches for 4th-8th grade. Sign up at Stonealley.com. Travel Questions: Brandon Tomlinson brandonnc1127@gmail.com.
NCRC Manchester Wrestling – 2021 registration opens 9/13 at Stone Alley under NCRC. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday at North Carroll High starting 11/2. Visit us on Instagram. Questions: Andy Kiler apkiler@yahoo.com. Our 2nd Annual Crabfeast is October 9th at 5pm, $60/ticket, contact Beth Fish bafish0212@yahoo.com.
NCRC Hotshots Fastpitch Softball – Rec League Spring 2022 registration now open for Ages 4-14. We will hold winter clinics for all registered players…we still have a few openings on our tournament teams. For Questions or to arrange your evaluation: Mike Hernandez Thummp1616@aol.com. Website: www.ncrchotshots.org.
WEST CARROLL RECREATION COUNCIL
Rugby – West Carroll Marauders Rugby will be hosting a fall season for Middle School and High School Boys and High School Girls at Bark Hill Park in Union Bridge starting Tuesday, Sept 14th.
- Middle School Boys (Grades 5-7) Tuesdays and Fridays 6-8pm. Coach Danny Watson dwatson71383@gmail.com
- Junior Boys (Grades 8-9) Thursdays and Fridays 6-8pm. Coaches Danny Watson or RJ Duvall
- High School Boys (Grades 10-12) Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm. Coach RJ Duvall coachrj.wcrugby@gmail.com
- High School Girls (Grades 9-12) Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7:15pm. Coach Brian Melody lump56@yahoo.com
Come give rugby a try! If you like it, fall registration is only $75, www.westcarrollmarauders.com.
WINFIELD RECREATION COUNCIL
Fastpitch Softball – Openings are available on the 16u teams for Fall. Email Us for questions Register Here
Warriors Wrestling – runs November-February and is open to Ages 4-15. Info: email Steve Willingham Register Here
Basketball – Registration is continuing. Games and practices are held at South Carroll HS, Linton Springs, Century HS, Parr’s Ridge, and Winfield Elem. Teams are available for players in Grades 1-12. Info: Basketball Coordinator Register Here
Baseball – Exciting things are happening, find information here,
Youth Football and Cheer – Offering cheer, tackle, and flag football for Ages 4-14. Visit our website for information and to register.
Winfield Lacrosse – Lacrosse Tune up and Try Lax: for boys and girls Ages 4-14. Oct 9th, 5-6:30pm (note this new time), Krimgold Park (Field #1). Bring your stick (if you have one), water bottle, and wear cleats or running shoes, AND invite a friend! This is a free event but a reservation is needed at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/285802.
Winfield Fastpitch Softball – Openings are available on the 16u teams for the fall. Info: wysorecsoftball@gmail.com. Registration: https://www.winfieldyouthsoftball.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1028189.
Warriors Wrestling – runs November to February and is open to Ages 4-15. Info: Steve Willingham coachsrw@aol.com. Registration: www.warriorswrestling.com
Carroll Community College
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Carroll County Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Lauren Stevens
Manchester Valley High School
Carroll County 2023 Teacher of the Year
Read more about Lauren here.
MEET OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS!
Leslie Bollinger
Leslie is a 4th grade STEM teacher and team leader at Cranberry Station Elementary School. She has 31 years of teaching experience and began teaching at Carrolltowne Elementary in 1992 before moving to Cranberry Station in 2000. She is a STEM leader and has planned and implemented professional development for elementary STEM teachers and developed STEM curriculum. She planned and implemented an oyster restoration project along with the STEM Coordinator, was a leader for the Title I Coding Club, and established and coached the First LEGO League robotics team for Cranberry Station. She is a member of the School Improvement Team and served as Green School Coordinator.
Trisha Deen
Trisha is a media specialist at Liberty High School. She has a total of 17 years of teaching experience and was previously an English teacher at Liberty and Century High School. She serves on the Carroll Reads! Committee and is an AP Coordinator. She also has served as an AP reader for the AP Language and Comp exam, a curriculum writer, and a new teacher and student intern mentor teacher.
Judith Hemler
Judy has been a kindergarten teacher at Mechanicsville Elementary School for two years. She has a total of 7 years of teaching experience. She has created and recorded model lessons for the Curriculum Office to support other teachers and developed motivational learning curriculum and activities by incorporating different learning styles. She also has mentored interns studying to become teachers and is a lead coordinator of the CCPS Extended Learning Opportunity program.
Gordon Kinnie
Gordon has taught the Cisco Networking Academy at the Career and Technology Center for 18 years. Prior to becoming a teacher, he handled networking and cybersecurity on a government contract for General Dynamics and was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy, where he was responsible for communications systems operations.
Denise Kresslein
Denise is an Advanced Academics teacher in science and English language arts at North Carroll and East Middle Schools. She has a total of 20 years of teaching experience and was a science teacher before transitioning to Advanced Academics in 2021. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2018. Since that time, she has served on the state and national Selection Committees and mentored candidates for the award. At the county level, she writes curriculum for 6th and 7th grade science and has served as a mentor teacher.
Michael Passen
Michael teaches instrumental music at Sykesville Middle School. He has 19 total years of teaching experience, with 15 years in his current position. In addition to serving as the instrumental music director, Michael is the team leader and chair of the School Improvement Team. He also has been the Teacher-in-Charge for the Extended Learning Opportunity and Summer Recovery Programs and Administrator-in-Charge. He has served as a CCPS mentor teacher and a cooperating and mentor teacher in the McDaniel College Student Teacher Program.
Ashley Sevik
Ashley is a social studies teacher at Shiloh Middle School. She has 13 years of experience in education and taught social studies at Oklahoma Road Middle School before moving to Shiloh. She serves as the Co-Chair of the School Improvement Team and is a student teacher mentor. She is also the Education That Is Multicultural/Equity liaison for Shiloh and started the Shiloh Voice Diversity Club.
Lauren Stevens
Lauren is a Biology and Human Anatomy teacher at Manchester Valley High School and has 19 years of teaching experience. Prior to coming to Manchester Valley in 2017, she was a teacher at Outdoor School and East Middle School. She participated in the Schoology pilot program for secondary science and led professional development as teachers transitioned to the program. She also participates in curriculum writing for biology and collaborated on the MSDE Environmental Literacy Framework Update..
Contact Info
Phone: 410- 751-3020
Fax: 410-751-3030
E-mail: publicinfo@carrollk12.org
Sign Language
Interpreter Request Form
Carroll Educational Television
Carroll Educational Television, CETV – Channel 21 strives to keep parents and the community informed about the latest important information pertaining to Carroll County Public Schools.
Board of Education meetings are aired live on the channel, and they are then re-broadcast throughout the month. School closings, delays and postponements are aired on Channel 21.
CETV also airs joint Board of Education and County Commissioner meetings that occur in the board offices.
You can find numerous school system events, ranging from Outstanding Teacher Awards to special classroom activities, covered on the channel and the system’s website as well.