Students and staff at Berry Elementary School celebrated career readiness throughout the month of April and established a theme – Discovering your Dreams – to highlight the importance of personal responsibility, academic success and the pursuit of higher education. During April, the school held several activities, ranging from a college gear day in which teachers wore clothing to represent the colleges and universities where they studied, to a student activity showcased in the school lobby in which students identified regalia from specific schools.

Staff also coordinated information about their specific college or university and created a display for students to learn about the range of college experiences. In addition to the school display, staff developed special daily morning announcements to showcase information about different careers.

The month-long celebration culminated in the schoolwide Career Day titled “Dressed for Success,” which was held April 27. Principal Marvin Jones held a special ceremony in which students were asked to stand and share their career aspirations, and more than 90 presenters were invited to the school to discuss different career opportunities available to students.

Career choices highlighted as part of Career Day included nursing, mechanical engineer, dog training, fitness coach, event design, sports writer, dentist, college professor, real estate agent and police officer. Presenters included were parents, business owners and community members.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.