Where has the time gone? Summer break is feeling shorter and shorter as it closes in on us fast! With the first day of school just around the corner, it’s time to start getting ready. Southern Maryland students return to school at the end of August and there are already events coming up this weekend to help prepare for the big day. Here is this years 6th annual resource guide that is designed to help families in preparing for a smooth transition back to the academic year. I hope these resources are helpful. From our family to yours, we wish you a great academic year! Please check back, the list will grow as more resources are gathered.
ORIENTATIONS AND OPEN HOUSES
Charles County Board of Education – The Charles County School orientations schedule lists all details on each schools orientation date and time. Open houses are also already set for September see the Open house schedule. First day of school is August 28, 2023.
Calvert County Board of Education– Calvert schools have published there CCPS Calendar which shows orientation for teachers & students, as well as start dates for each grade. First day of school is August 28, 2023.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools- St. Mary’s has a great back to school planning guide and calendar for parents & students on their site that list all the information you need to know for preparing for back to school. First day of school is August 23, 2023.
Private School Calendars and open houses are listed as well. Click on the links for your kids school: Archbishop Neale School, Cardinal Hickey Academy, The Calverton School, Grace Christian Academy, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Southern Maryland Christian Academy, St. Peters Catholic School, St. Mary’s Ryken.
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS- CHARLES COUNTY
9TH ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY FIESTA
Date: August 5, 2023
Time: 10:00AM – 1:00PM
Location: Regency Stadium – Piney Church Rd. Waldorf, MD
Details: Kick off the school year at Commissioner Amanda Stewart’s annual “Back-to-School” Community Fiesta Pre-K to 12th grade welcome. This is a drive-thru event. More info here: https://bit.ly/3JZgt4f.
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY
Date: August 5, 2023
Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Location: Waldorf Toyota
Details: Back to School Backpack Giveaway! from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Do you know a student of Charles County that can benefit from a Backpack? Stop by 2600 Crain Hwy as we will be distributing 300 backpacks 
meant for Elementary, Middle School and High School students of Charles County. We look forward to seeing the parents and students of our community tomorrow
Cost: FREE
END OF SUMMER PARTY
Date: August 7, 2023
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: 10735 Demarr Rd. White Plains, MD
Details: Free open gym, shaved ice and awards.
Cost: FREE
BEATING THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES
Date: August 9, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Village Green- 100 Walter Thomas Rd. Indian Head, MD
Details: Help your child prepare for back to school with tips for starting a successful school your via parent support panel and dinner.
Cost: FREE
CHILDREN & FAMILY RESOURCE DAY
Date: August 12, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: St. Charles High School – 5305 Piney Church Rd. Waldorf, MD
Details: The Children and Families Resource Day will help families find resources available in Charles County that can support their child and the family. Learn more about recreational programs, mental health resources, and parental support for families with children aged 0-18. Face painting, balloon artist, and door prizes are a few of the kid-friendly activities.
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY DAY
Date: August 12, 2023
Time: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Location: All American Steakhouse – 35 St. Patrick’s Dr. Waldorf, MD
Details: Free school supplies, free clothing, free bag of produces, and ice cream while supplies last. No registration need, do not come early please as they need time to set up.
LINK
BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY DAY
Date: August 12, 2023
Time: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Location: Malcolm Elementary School- Waldorf, MD
Details: It’s that time of year again, and it’s our 11th year serving the community! Team Redeemed and Redeemed House of Prayer Church of God will host our Back to School Supply Giveaway! This will be a drive-up event! This is also our third year partnering with Malcolm Elementary School!
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION
Date: August 12, 2023
Time: 2:00PM-5:00PM
Location: St. Charles Towne Center Mall- Waldorf, MD (Entire lower level of the mall)
Details: Bring in the new school year at St. Charles Towne Center, by joining us Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 2-5PM at our Back to School celebration, which will be full of fun activities such as, face painting, inflatables, caricature drawings, slime-making and more! Don’t miss out on the ultimate event, including saving big on styles from our retailers. The Center will also be collecting school supply donations in partnership with Charles County Children’s Aid Society*. Suggested items for donations include, but not limited to: New backpacks, binders, calculators, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, dividers, folders, glue, highlighters, markers, notebooks, pens, pencil bags/boxes, pencil sharpeners, post it notes and scissors.
BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK BAG GIVEAWAY
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 12PM
Location: True Gospel Church – 132 Smallwood Village Center, Waldorf
Details: Giving out free back-packs with supplies.
BACK TO SCHOOL & SCHOOL SUPPLY PARTY
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 12:00PM-2:00PM
Location: Chuck E Cheese
Details: Pack Pack Supplies & Pizza- FREE!
BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 1PM-6PM
Location: 2360 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601
Details: Please join us for our Back-to-School Block Party. There will be a train, bounce castle, foam party, game truck, human hamster balls, gellyball, a DJ, and a special performance by Canton Jones. Bring the whole family out, and make sure you bring your chairs and tents. We will also be giving away school supplies.
BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK BAG GIVEAWAY
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00PM
Location: Christ Foundation Church- Leonardtown Rd. Waldorf
Details: Join us for our annual, End of Summer Event on Saturday, August 19th from 4-7pm.
BETWEEN THE LINES- BACK TO SCHOOL BASKETBALL CLINIC
Date: August 20, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00PM
Location: Bensville Park- 6980 Bensville Rd. White Plains, MD
Details: Sunday August 20th 9am – 12pm @ Bensville Park in Waldorf, MD Coach Doug Cornwell of Basketball Breakfast Club and Coach Tae Ramaj (Dhonte Ford) from Ground Up Training will be partnering with Charles County Parks & Recreation to host a FREE Basketball Clinic for kids ALL ages. Each kid in attendance will receive a Bookbag filled with School Supplies along with a FREE basketball 
to continue working on their skills at home. Throughout the event kids in attendance will have the opportunity to win FREE Gear, FREE Shoes, FREE game play passes to Southern Maryland Paintball as well as Gift Certificates to local restaurants in the Southern MD Area and much much more!
BACK TO SCHOOL BONANZA
Date: August 25, 2023
Time: 3:30PM
Location: St. Charles High School – 5305 Piney Church Rd. Waldorf, MD
Details: Schools are back in session! Let’s start this school year with a bang! Pre-bagged school supplies will be available for pick-up while supplies last.
Cost: FREE
FUN FEST & BACK TO SCHOOL JUMP OFF
Date: August 26, 2023
Time: 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Village Green- Indian Head, MD
Details: Games, music, food and more! Back to School Jump Off!
BLCOK PARTY
Date: August 26, 2023
Time: 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: Caroline Park- La Plata, MD
Details: LPPD’s 10th Annual Kent Avenue Block Party is August 26 from Noo-3:00 p.m. There will be a large water slide and other games. Free ice cream, food staple items, fresh food, medical screenings, school supplies, and much more.
CALVERT, ST. MARY’S AND BEYOND
BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY DAY
Date: August 5, 2023
Time: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Location: 8009 Allentown Rd. Fort Washington, MD
Details: Our back to school event will feature speakers, music, games, face painting, horse rides, 360 booth and so much more. School Supplies given while supplies last.
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL CARNIVAL
Date: August 6, 2023
Time: 2:00PM-6:00PM
Location: 9400 Livingston Road Fort Washington, MD
Details: Mark your calendar 🗓️ to grab the kids and bring them out for some moon bounce fun, face paining 🎨,COMPLEMENTARY hamburgers/hotdogs (while supplies last), free school supplies📚 (child must be present; while supplies last) and moreeeee!!! There will be some amazing kid/teen & adult owned businesses☄️ on site to support as well as FREE haircut/styles for children ONLY💈💇🏽♀️This is a FREE family friendly event you do not want to miss on Sunday August 6th from 2PM – 6PM. Please mark your calendar and grab the kids or come solo to support local businesses featuring kid/teen owned businesses while enjoying music from our live DJ and shop for unique personal items or gifts from our vendors.
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL DRAWING
Date: August 10-13, 2023
Time: 3:00PM
Location: The Cottage Boutique- Charlotte Hall, MD
Details: August 10th-August 13th. Spend $30 or More to be ENTERED for a chance to WIN 1 OF 4 backpacks that we are filling with school supplies.. Drawing will be live August 13th at 3pm on Facebook in the Tearoom.
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY – PG COUNTY
Date: August 12, 2023
Time: 9:00AM – 2:00PM
Location: Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex.
Details: Join us for our annual Back to School Drive and Dash events at three locations: Charles H. Flowers High School, High Point High School and Oxon Hill High School. Free backpacks while supplies last!
BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY DAY
Date: August 17, 2023
Time: 2:30PM-4:30PM
Location: Calvert Health – 100 Hospital Rd, Prince Frederick, MD
Details: Join members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and our community partners for the 2nd Annual Back to School Community Event at CalvertHealth on Tuesday, Aug. 15th from 2:30-4:30 p.m.!
Cost: FREE
BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY
Date: August 17, 2023
Time: 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Location: Running Hare Vineyard- Prince Frederick, MD
Details: Party for the Parents!!! Join Running Hare to jump start the school year and close out the summer with a bang! Running Hare Vineyard Ladies’ Night 4pm-10pm, 50% off tumbler fills (limited time, bring ANY tumbler!)
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: City of Bowie Gym
Details: The first 300 school aged children (Children 4 – 10 years old) that donate non-perishable food items or $3 to the Food Pantry will receive a backpack
Cost: FREE
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END OF SUMMER BASH
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00PM
Location: City of Bowie Gym
Details: End of Summer Bash and Back to School Drive/Teacher & School Support Staff Appreciation Day at the On the Water’s Edge concert series at the Leonardtown Wharf (sponsored by Jimmy Hayden of RE-MAX 10 and Homes for Heroes) featuring The Revival from 5 PM – 6 PM and The Dynamos from 6 PM – 8 PM.
Cost: FREE
FUN FEST & BACK TO SCHOOL JUMP OFF
Date: August 26, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Location: Cedarville Assembly of God- Brandywine, MD
Details: Bring your student out to collect their free backpack full of school supplies! We have CLEAR and regular backpacks available. Supplies range from preschool through secondary. Backpacks and supplies are on a first come first served basis.
SHOPPING RESOURCES
The Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week for 2023 is Sunday, August 13 – Saturday, August 19
The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included.
IMMUNIZATION & HEALTH SCREENINGS
Charles County Health Department
- Who: Children ages 4-18
- What: Immunization clinic
- Where: Charles County Health Department
- How: By Appointment Only (301-609-6900 ext. 6024)
- Dates: August 7, 21 & 28 & September 3 (9:00 PM 4:00 PM) & September 11 & 25 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- For more information: Link
Calvert County Health Department
- Who: Children ages 4-18
- What: Immunization clinic
- Where: Calverty County Health Department
- How: By Appointment Only 410-535-5400
- Dates: August 28, 2018 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- For more information: Link
St Mary’s County Health Department
- Who: Children ages 4-18
- What: Immunization clinic
- Where: St. Mary’s County Health Department
- How: By Appointment Only 301-475-4419
- Dates: call for dates
- For more information: Link
BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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