Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, September 19, 2021
NEW: Parking REMINDER
As a reminder, beginning tomorrow, Monday, September 20, all cars driven by students must display a valid 2021-2022 parking permit and be parked in their assigned space. Cars that are parked in the incorrect space, or do not have a valid parking permit, may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. If you would like to a pick up or turn in a student parking permit application, please go to the Business Office (room 322) before school, during lunch, or after school.
NEW: Academy of Biotechnology Parent Night
Parents who are interested in, or who currently have students enrolled in the Academy of Biotechnology: There will be a Virtual Parent Information Session for the Academy of Biotechnology on Wednesday Night, September 22nd, from 7pm to 8pm.
There will be a brief introduction about our program, and then Mr. Silber will take questions.
Zoom link:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83203054505?pwd=OWhKUXp2MlJiSU9ZcWtuaFo3SHY4QT09
Meeting ID: 832 0305 4505
Passcode: 424201
NEW: National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Please congratulate our very own semi-finalists listed below and pictured to the left. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered in the spring.
- Angel C. Apollos
- Melanie Duong
- Imani Ghosh
- Jessica H. Hoang
- Jacob Johnson
- Krisha V. Patel
- Margaret M. Slaughter
- Flora Yen
NEW: Required Measures for Volunteers and Partnership Agencies
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
- Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation - NEW!
Beginning September 20, 2021, volunteers will be required to upload their Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination to remain on the volunteer roster.
Please review the Volunteer/Contractor Vaccination Attestation Update for details on this process.NEW: Yearbook Opportunity for Seniors
Seniors: Do you have a sibling or siblings here at Northwest? Email Ms Koutsos at Dorothy_k_ellis@mcpsmd.org to let her know that you want to be featured on the "Seniors with Siblings" page. You can also find Ms Koutsos in 261 in the mornings or after school. Sign up by October 1.
NEW: Senior Parent Night
On Monday, September 20th at 7:00pm, the Northwest High School administrative and counseling teams will host a senior parent information meeting via Zoom webinar. This is a repeat of the Senior Parent Webinar that was held on August 17th. During this meeting, an overview of senior year events will be shared along with resources, processes, and other information designed to prepare graduating seniors for college, career, and beyond. We will have a Q&A portion at the end of the meeting and encourage parents and students to contact seniors' assigned counselor or our College and Career Center with any questions about individual students' academic schedules, transcripts, or to request individualized planning or resource supports. Please find the Counseling and Career Center tabs at the top of our website for more information: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/northwesths/
Zoom Webinar Link:https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89509428364?pwd=bDZ0ZHlQVmlMWDJJWm16K1JoMG1kUT09
Passcode: 840810
NEW: Homecoming Update
Homecoming festivities in all MCPS high schools will begin in late September and continue through the end of October. Our school communities engage in rich traditions featuring fun activities for our students to promote school spirit and celebrate their teams and clubs. This year, these homecoming traditions and celebrations will continue, but with modifications to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and families within the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic environment.
In August, a Homecoming Innovation Committee composed of high school student, staff and principal leaders met to generate and develop ideas. The committee also engaged a representative from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services for guidance and support. As a result of this collaborative work, MCPS is moving forward with all homecoming celebrations with the following modifications and considerations:
- As with daily classroom instruction, students and staff will be required to wear masks when participating in activities that occur indoors (for example, putting up hallway decorations).
- Hallway/float decorations, pep rallies and other homecoming activities will occur as scheduled. Where possible, activities will move outdoors.
- Homecoming dances will also occur with the following modifications
- No music or dancing will occur indoors. Schools will identify space outdoors for music and dancing. Stadiums or courtyards are potential options.
- The Homecoming Innovation Committee has generated ideas for alternative activities at homecoming dances and has shared them with schools. Schools are encouraged to collaborate with student and parent organizations on alternative activities.
- Schools should consider an earlier start and end time for homecoming dances to take advantage of daylight hours.
- Schools are encouraged to identify a “rain date” for the homecoming dance.
- Schools should avoid purchasing tents or contracting with novelty companies to offer activities.
- Schools should follow existing practices related to permitting guests to attend homecoming. Guests should be limited to currently enrolled MCPS students ONLY.
Please see below the information regarding Northwest's Homecoming Festivities...
NEW: Homecoming Spirit Week - September 27 - October 1
The Student Government Association is so excited for our first Spirit Week of the school year in anticipation of our annual Northwest Homecoming. The themes will be Pajama Monday, Tie-Dye Tuesday, Character Day Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, and Class Color Friday. We hope to see you participate! Send your Spirit Week photos to Margaret_M_Ledrick@mcpsmd.org or via our social media pages (@nwhs_sga on Twitter and Instagram) to be featured.
NEW: TikTok Challenge Issue
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your student's administrator.
NEW: This Week's Parent Events
Monday, September 20 - Senior Parent Night at 7:00 p.m.
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89509428364?pwd=bDZ0ZHlQVmlMWDJJWm16K1JoMG1kUT09
Passcode: 840810
Wednesday, September 22 - Current MC2 Student Information Night at 5:30 p.m.
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/81966619527?pwd=eGVGTnk2M2g2K3U3ekdVekdJQnRqdz09
Passcode: 323786
Current GRADE 9 MC2 Students/Parents meeting will begin at 5:30 pm.
Current GRADE 10 and 11 MC2 Students/Parents meeting will begin at 6:00 pm.
Current GRADE 12 MC2 Students/Parents meeting will begin at 7:00 pm.
All meetings will use the same Zoom webinar link above.
Wednesday, September 22 - Academy of Biotechnology Parent Night at 7:00 p.m.
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83203054505?pwd=OWhKUXp2MlJiSU9ZcWtuaFo3SHY4QT09
Meeting ID: 832 0305 4505
Passcode: 424201
Thursday, September 23 - Ulysses Parent Night at 7:00 p.m.
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/86228860419?pwd=SldLVGw1ZTBUYmhiREFRN2xOT0F1Zz09
Passcode: 249354
NEW: Parents, we need YOU!
We hope that you and your family will join us for future events and that you will consider becoming a part of the Northwest Hispanic Parent Council, African American Parent Council and the Asian American Parent Council. Please take some time to respond to this questionnaire and let us know how you would like to become involved.
Please contact the following administrators for more information about the Hispanic, African American, and Asian Parent Councils at Northwest High School.
Hispanic Parent Council: Nyurka_I_Morales@mcpsmd.org
African American Parent Council: Edward_Pegues@mcpsmd.org
Asian American Parent Council: Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org
NEW: Extra-Curricular Updates
Our Extracurricular Activities are off to a great start! Here are a few reminders and updates:
- Students should sign in for extracurricular actives in the cafeteria, sponsors will meet them there.
- We have activity busses available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30.
- Students can find a list of current Northwest clubs here.
- We held our activities fair at lunch this week for students interested in signing up for a club. If you need help finding out information about a club, please email Margaret_M_Ledrick@mcpsmd.org.
- New! All students participating in an extracurricular activity must complete the Northwest Covid-19 participation form. This does not include athletics.
NEW: Athletics Schedule for the Week of Monday, September 20 - Sunday, September 26
NEW: Where can I get a COVID-19 Test?
REMINDER: Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month
Northwest High School is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month from September 15th to October 15th, 2021 and to continue to celebrate our Hispanic community and their contributions to the Northwest High School community the entire school year.
This year the theme of Hispanic Heritage month is “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.” It encourages us to reflect on all the contributions Hispanics have made in the past and will continue to make in the future.
REMINDER: Graduation Survey
As a student or parent of a student in the current Class of 2022, please respond to this survey related to commencement venue selection for 2022 MCPS graduation ceremonies. Your input is important as we explore a variety of considerations for these important events celebrating our graduating seniors. Ceremonies held outdoors will have identified inclement weather back-up dates established in advance. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and input with us.
REMINDER: Apply to be a part of the Principal's Advisory Council
All students, regardless of previous leadership experiences or GPA, are invited to apply. In order for the PAC to be successful, we need a wide range of voices represented on the PAC. Most PAC meetings will be held during the school day through Jag PAWS time. On some rare occasions, an after-school meeting may be required. If you would like to be considered for membership on the 2021-2022 PAC, please complete this brief application. Applications are due by October 1, 2021. All members will be notified by November 1, 2021.
Click Here to Apply: https://forms.gle/JU4tcBnS9EzQyKHH8
REMINDER: Student Service Learning Hours Graduation Requirement
Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2021-2022 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the temporarily amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).
Please refer to important information about the MCPS SSL program provided below:
Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities
MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
All opportunities (including in-person): https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities
Virtual/remote opportunities: https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
For additional tips on how to search for opportunities, please go to https://bit.ly/SSLSearchTips
MCPS Form 560-50:
Individual SSL Request Form
Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
To request pre-approval for service, please complete https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval -- for in-person service, submit this form to your school’s SSL coordinator; for virtual/remote service, submit this form to SSL@mcpsmd.org
MCPS Form 560-51:
SSL Activity Verification Form
Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed
Student and supervisor must complete the form
SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed should be turned into your school’s SSL coordinator. (Due to the pandemic, SSL forms will be accepted for any service completed since June 1, 2019. Please note that after the 2021-2022 school year, SSL forms will no longer be accepted from previous school years.)
Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE
Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record
Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE
MCPS SSL Program Overview
Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms
MCPS SSL Program Overview may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
MCPS SSL Hub for Students - NEW!
Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!
Check out SSL forms, resources, and guidelines at https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS
If you have any questions about the SSL program, please email your school’s SSL coordinator (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS and https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsHS) or the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!
REMINDER: Parent Academy Session on Leader in Me
REMINDER: Annual Notification of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Each year, we are required by law to inform parents/guardians of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, P.L. 93 380, and its implementing regulations (FERPA), as well as their rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, 20 U.S.C. 1232h and its implementing regulations 34 C.F.R. Part 98 (PPRA). PPRA requires educational institutions to notify parents/guardians of their rights concerning the district's conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. The PPRA notice for distribution to parents/guardians can be found online and is available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Portuguese.
FERPA requires MCPS to give parents/guardians the opportunity to request that directory information be withheld. MCPS Form 281-13, Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy, contains the appropriate information, and is available online in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Portuguese on the MCPS website.
Please note that the Directory Withhold form was modified in 2020-2021 to more fully reflect distribution of directory information, including student and family contact information, as permitted under MCPS Regulation JOA-RA, Student Records, and state law. Specifically, prior references to "PTA" have been changed to "organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school." Examples of such organizations include, but are not limited to, the NAACP Parents Council and the Minority Parents Council. Also note that such organizations may request additional and updated copies of directory information during the course of a school year.
Note further, Form 281-13 has been revised to remove the interim options added only for the 2020-2021 school year regarding opting out of live classroom sessions online.
Parents/guardians may direct the principal not to release any or a specific part of this directory information if they return the completed form by September 30, 2021. If parents/guardians choose to change their decision at a later date, they need to contact the school directly. Parents/guardians and school staff must understand that if they withhold directory information, the decision affects all lists of or references to students distributed or used outside MCPS, whether prepared by the school, organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school, or central services. The form remains in effect until the end of the school year on June 30.
REMINDER: MCPS Vaccination Requirements
The Board of Education passed a unanimous resolution requiring that all MCPS staff be vaccinated. The resolution requires that all staff employed by MCPS provide verification that they have received at least the first COVID-19 shot by Sept. 30, 2021, and verification of the second shot by Oct. 29, 2021, unless staff request an exemption based on a medical reason documented by a medical doctor. If a medical exemption is granted, the employee must submit to regular COVID-19 testing as required by MCPS. The Board passed this resolution as an added layer of protection, particularly for younger students who are not eligible to be vaccinated. A series of vaccination clinics hosted by MCPS, DHHS, and other healthcare providers will be conducted across the county.
Students must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in winter and spring sports. Beginning Nov. 15, 2021, all students participating in the MCPS athletics program will be required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to participation. Exemptions will be permitted if an authorized health care provider certifies that there is a medical reason not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement applies to the winter and spring sports seasons, but students who participate in fall sports are also strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. Vaccinations will allow activities to proceed with minimal disruption and support individual and team health and safety across MCPS Athletics. More information will be shared in the coming weeks regarding the submission of documents. Registration for winter sports will open in mid-October, and proof of vaccination must be submitted as part of the registration process.
REMINDER: Financial Aid Webinar - Wednesday, October 6
Senior Parents please save the date of Wednesday, October 6 at 7 pm for our Virtual Financial Aid Webinar. The webinar will be hosted by Rob Maddox, Director of Student Financial Services at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Topics covered will include an Explanation of Financial Aid, the Cost of Attendance, Understanding your Expected Family Contribution, Types and Sources of Financial Aid and the rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA for the class of 2022. The webinar link will be posted in the News section of our school home page. The intended audience will be graduating seniors and their families.
REMINDER: Instruction during Quarantine/Isolation
How will my child receive instruction while on quarantine?
Students will use the materials and assignments posted in the course Canvas page and have access to their course instructor at the time they are available each day. Staff for each course will review course materials and provide targeted explanations for the assignments and other support for learning/work completion.
Click here to see when your student’s teachers will be available for instructional support. The quarantine instructional support schedule is to be used only for students who are in a Health Department determined quarantine and not expected to be used for other student illnesses or absence.
Northwest Class Spirit!
It's a long-standing tradition at Northwest for each grade to wear their assigned CLASS COLOR on Pep Rally days! Each class sits in a designated section at the rallies so make an impact for YOUR CLASS by wearing your grade level color and make your presence known! Although participation with wearing class colors is optional, we hope you will join in the FUN!
The grade level colors are as follows:
Freshmen (Grade 9): YELLOW
Sophomores (Grade 10): GREEN
Juniors (Grade 11): RED
Seniors (Grade 12): BLUE
You can wear any clothing and/or accessories in your assigned color as long as you adhere to the school dress code. You can opt to wear clothing that you already own in your grade level color, you can purchase a shirt from the PTSA/Booster Club website for $4: http://www.nwhsptsa.org/shop (available sizes and quantities are limited), or you can purchase a T-shirt in your color at Michael's or Joanne's (the cost is usually around $4) and personalize with fabric markers or paint pens! The possibilities are endless to show your #JagPride!
Class of 2025 (9th Grade): Yellow
Class of 2024 (10th Grade): Green
Class of 2023 (11th Grade): Red
Class of 2022 (12th Grade): Blue
Northwest High School
Email: Scott_E_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://northwestjags.org
Location: 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-7100
Twitter: @NorthwestJags