FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2014
Calvert County Public Schools will unify Patuxent and Appeal Elementary Schools into one campus for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Patuxent Elementary currently houses grades preK-2, and Appeal, which is next door to Patuxent, serves grades 3-5. The unified schools will be called the Patuxent/Appeal Campus.
Joining the two schools as one campus will ensure continuity of academics and services for students and families. Interim Superintendent Nancy V. Highsmith intends for the merger to further develop the sense of community, as well as increase achievement for students and professional development opportunities for teachers. According to Ms. Highsmith, “The transition makes good instructional sense. The staff will be able to use the combined resources more effectively and flexibly and have seamless articulation among the grades. Most importantly, this shift is good for children.”
Mr. Charles Treft, current principal of Appeal, will serve as the principal of the campus. Two vice principals and two deans will complete the administrative team. Dr. Cheryl Johnson, principal of Patuxent, had previously announced her intent to retire after many years of dedicated service to Calvert County Public Schools. Other staffing will remain the same.
Mr. Treft is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Appeal and Patuxent Elementary schools merger into one campus. He said, “I believe this is an opportunity that presents an endless number of possibilities for increasing our students’ achievement. The opportunity for staff members to collaborate on a common school improvement plan will allow us to focus resources where they are needed. The merger will give us an opportunity to form engaged relationships with students in pre-K versus waiting until they arrive at Appeal Elementary School for third grade. I am looking forward to forming a focus group that consists of teachers from both schools and seeking parental input to start planning a smooth transition into one campus. Both schools share the same bus stops, same parents, siblings, and community, and they will now share a common administration and common vision. Together we will celebrate our students’ successes. We have two great teams that will combine to do great work.”
Logistically, a walkway will be built between the buildings to facilitate movement throughout the campus. There will be no change in bus arrival and dismissal times.
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For more information contact:
Tony Navarro
Calvert County Public Schools
410-535-7210
May 15, 2014
Calvert County Public Schools will unify Patuxent and Appeal Elementary Schools into one campus for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Patuxent Elementary currently houses grades preK-2, and Appeal, which is next door to Patuxent, serves grades 3-5. The unified schools will be called the Patuxent/Appeal Campus.
Joining the two schools as one campus will ensure continuity of academics and services for students and families. Interim Superintendent Nancy V. Highsmith intends for the merger to further develop the sense of community, as well as increase achievement for students and professional development opportunities for teachers. According to Ms. Highsmith, “The transition makes good instructional sense. The staff will be able to use the combined resources more effectively and flexibly and have seamless articulation among the grades. Most importantly, this shift is good for children.”
Mr. Charles Treft, current principal of Appeal, will serve as the principal of the campus. Two vice principals and two deans will complete the administrative team. Dr. Cheryl Johnson, principal of Patuxent, had previously announced her intent to retire after many years of dedicated service to Calvert County Public Schools. Other staffing will remain the same.
Mr. Treft is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Appeal and Patuxent Elementary schools merger into one campus. He said, “I believe this is an opportunity that presents an endless number of possibilities for increasing our students’ achievement. The opportunity for staff members to collaborate on a common school improvement plan will allow us to focus resources where they are needed. The merger will give us an opportunity to form engaged relationships with students in pre-K versus waiting until they arrive at Appeal Elementary School for third grade. I am looking forward to forming a focus group that consists of teachers from both schools and seeking parental input to start planning a smooth transition into one campus. Both schools share the same bus stops, same parents, siblings, and community, and they will now share a common administration and common vision. Together we will celebrate our students’ successes. We have two great teams that will combine to do great work.”
Logistically, a walkway will be built between the buildings to facilitate movement throughout the campus. There will be no change in bus arrival and dismissal times.
# # #
For more information contact:
Tony Navarro
Calvert County Public Schools
410-535-7210