Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has unveiled an innovative program designed to foster stronger connections between parents, families, and their school communities. The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Academy aims to empower families to play an active role in their child’s academic and social development through interactive monthly learning sessions.
The pilot program began on January 16, 2025, at Eva Turner Elementary School, involving 15 families who committed to attending six sessions during the 2024-2025 school year. Families will participate in workshops tailored to various educational and personal development themes.
Superintendent’s Vision for FACE
At the kickoff event, Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., welcomed participants, expressing gratitude for their involvement in shaping this initiative.
“You are the first cohort of families to help us launch this program in Charles County Public Schools. As you move through the program, please learn and connect and share with us your feedback so we can ensure that we are offering the best resources and programming for our parents and families,” Navarro said.
Expanding the Program
Traci Chappelear-Thomas, director of community engagement and equity for CCPS, shared plans to expand the FACE Academy across all schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
- Cohorts for all grade levels: Fall and spring cohorts will group families by elementary, middle, and high school levels.
- Workshops tailored to families’ needs: Families can select relevant courses and workshops.
- Empowering families: “The commitment to strengthen our partnership with families is the overall goal of the Academy. We want families to be empowered to take a bigger role in their child’s success,” Chappelear-Thomas said.
The expansion will also introduce a hybrid format, allowing families to attend workshops in person or virtually, and a FACE Academy conference is planned for next spring. The conference will feature keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Pilot Program Highlights
The Turner pilot program focuses on practical strategies for parents to support their child’s education and development. At the kickoff event, families participated in workshops divided by grade level:
- Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: Activities to encourage listening, adapting to structure, and expressing emotions.
- Grades 1-3: Teaching qualities of respectful leadership, such as communication, active listening, and goal setting.
- Grades 4-5: Preparing students for the transition to middle school and managing change.
The event featured childcare and meal accommodations to ensure accessibility for families. Community partners provided additional resources, such as winter coats for children, while students from the Education Careers and Teacher Academy of Maryland programs assisted with childcare during the workshops.
Community Involvement and Support
The kickoff event also included participation from the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equity in education. MAEC staff provided resources for families and facilitated icebreaker activities to help participants connect with one another.
Looking Ahead
As the FACE Academy grows, CCPS plans to launch a dedicated webpage where families can apply to their child’s school program, access workshop information, and view additional resources. The current pilot program at Turner will conclude with a family celebration in June.
Stay Informed
Families can stay updated on the FACE Academy by visiting the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com.
