Office of School Administration
Parent Advisory Committee – Fall Meeting
Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building
Board Room
October 29, 2013 – Group Notes
School system staff present: Kimberly Hill, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools; Sylvia A. Lawson,
Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent of School Administration; Amy Hollstein, Assistant Superintendent
of Instruction; Linda Gill, Executive Director of School Administration; Marvin Jones, Executive
Director of School Administration; Katie O’Malley-Simpson, Director of Communications; Alicia
Jones, Supervising Counselor; Richard Conley, Principal, St. Charles High School; Scott Sisolak,
Content Specialist; and Joan Withers, Acting Director of Secondary Education.
Forty parent representatives attended the first meeting of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The agenda included an update from Dr. Hill on the goals of her administration, a presentation on
the new system website, the College Fair 2013, St. Charles High School and from the Office of
Instruction the shift to the Common Core, new elementary report card and PARCC. Dr. Lawson
opened the meeting by thanking parents for attending and introducing the staff present for the
first PAC meeting of the school year. She reviewed the purpose of the Parent Advisory Committee
as follows:
To provide a forum to share system information to school representatives.
To keep parent reps informed in order to share and clarify misinformation when an
opportunity presents itself in the community and in school parent group meetings.
To provide an opportunity to ask questions and be directed to the appropriate staff
when needed.
She reminded the group that anyone with an urgent personal concern can meet with her briefly
after the meeting or refer to the contact information listed on the agenda. Dr. Lawson also noted
questions may be written on the index cards provided on each table for follow-up by the
appropriate staff after the meeting or inclusion in the group notes. She then asked everyone to
stand and state their name and school.
System Update
Kimberly A. Hill, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Hill presented the 90 day plan put in place at the start of her tenure as superintendent. She reviewed
each goal, actions taken and the status. She also reviewed the next steps for the school system as she
works with the executive team and principals. Her presentation is available on the school system website.
New School System Website
Katie O’Malley-Simpson, Director of Communications
Mrs. O’Malley-Simpson shared the new Charles County Public Schools website. She noted the
changes were designed based on data and information obtained from parents, students and staff.
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The link to the website is: www.ccboe.com
College Fair – September 2013
Alicia Jones, Supervising Counselor
Ms. Jones provided information from the 16th annual college fair hosted by Charles County Public Schools
on September 18, 2013. She noted the college fair provides students an opportunity to begin preparing for
their post-secondary education or training. Representatives from both two and four year colleges, technical
and vocational schools, and all branches of the military were present and provided information for
students. Thirteen historically Black colleges and universities were among the 141 colleges represented,
along with a representative from US Congressman Steny Hoyer’s office with information on congressional
appointments to military academies. Ms. Jones also noted financial aid presentations are scheduled at each
high school starting November 12th. She also stressed the importance of parents and students becoming
knowledgeable about the college application process and financial aid available to students. The full Power
Point presentation is available on the website.
Office of Instruction
Shift to the Common Core, PARCC, and the New Report Card
Amy Hollstein, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Mrs. Hollstein and staff shared information on the transition to the Maryland Common Core Curriculum and
on the next generation of assessments which are being developed by the Partnership for Assessment of
Readiness for College and Career (PARCC). Information on both the Maryland Common Core curriculum
and PARCC assessments can be found in the MSDE publication the Maryland Classroom which was issued to
PAC members. The publication can also be accessed at http://www.msde.state.md.us/m
dclassroom/Vol18_No4_052013.pdf. As part of the discussion of the Common Core, Scott Sisolak, Content
Specialist for high school mathematics, shared charts and information about the revised sequencing of math
courses at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels. Mrs. Hollstein also provided an overview of the
new elementary report card and shared the purpose and process of its development. She explained how
each report card was now grade specific with indicators related to specific grade level curriculum. Samples
of the new report card are found on the Charles County website.
St. Charles High School
Richard Conley, Principal
Mr. Conley provided a preview of the instructional program and student opportunities at St. Charles High
School. He explained the concept of “academic houses” and student collaboration. Classroom spaces are
assigned by grade-level to support trans-disciplinary instruction and collaboration. Each grade level area
supports core content courses (English, Science, Math, Social Studies, and World Language) along with
academic electives such as art and business/computer science. Performing Arts courses grouped together
for ease of access to rehearsal and performance spaces.
Student collaboration is achieved through the development of a trans-disciplinary approach to teaching and
learning. Curriculum will be taught with a focus on the theme of “stewardship” and each year students will
be asked to reflect on the essential question: “How can I be the difference in my community?” Successful
completion of these projects will require students to work collaboratively - a common element of 21st
century higher education classrooms and workplaces. In support and to model collaboration, the faculty
areas will be similarly designed for staff to work together across curriculum to implement the instructional
program objectives at each grade level.
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The Science Center includes the resources “Science on a Sphere” and the “Digital Classroom” designed to be
connected to the curriculum at all levels. Students from all Charles County public schools will have
scheduled visits aligned with the grade appropriate curriculum. The center will be staffed on evenings and
weekends to allow for community groups and agencies to utilize the space to support community learning
experiences. The project is on schedule to be completed in March 2014. Mr. Conley’s full presentation is
available on the system website.
Closing Remarks – Dr. Lawson
Dr. Lawson thanked everyone for coming out. She reminded everyone they can use the cards on
the table for any additional questions.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Eighteen representatives, thirteen alternates and two guests attended the meeting. Schools
without representation:
Elementary
Middle
High
Berry
Malcolm
Middleton
JC Parks
All school representatives, alternates, and principals receive the notes from these meetings via email to
access the information on the system website. Parents without email may access the notes through the
website or request a copy through their school. If a representative from one of the above schools did
attend this meeting, please contact Chris Mais at 301-934-7320 or [email protected] to make the
correction.
Reminder: if the school representative cannot attend the PAC meeting, the principal or designee should
contact the school alternate. The person listed as the school representative is sent reminder notices;
however, alternate representatives always welcome to attend. The parent handbook/calendar lists Parent
Advisory Committee meeting dates for the school year.
For questions: contact the Office of School Administration – [email protected] or 301-934-7320
Meetings for the current school year:
Mid-Year Meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Spring/Year End Meeting: Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Location for PAC meetings: Starkey Administration Building - Board Room
Contact Information:
For more information or questions:
Office of the Superintendent
Dr. Kim Hill – 301-934-7223 – [email protected]
Communications Department
Mrs. Katie O’Malley-Simpson – 301-934-7221 – [email protected]
Office of School Administration
Dr. Sylvia Lawson – 301-934-7320 - [email protected]
Mrs. Linda Gill or Mr. Marvin Jones - 301-934-7364 – [email protected] or [email protected]
Ms. Alicia Jones, 301-934-7334 - [email protected]
Office of Instruction
Mrs. Amy Hollstein - 301-934-7377 – [email protected]
Charles County Public Schools: www.ccboe.com
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This site provides links to every public school in the county, central office administration, the school year
calendar of activities, and other resources in the county and state. Emergency closing information is found
on page 10 of the parent/handbook calendar, also on the website. Emergency closings and other
announcements are also made via the 24 hour information line, 301-934-7410 or 301-870-3814.
Maryland State Department of Education: www.msde.state.md.us
This site provides statewide information and links to school, system, and state report card
information, parent council, and other resources.
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