Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, October 10, 2021
NEW: Student Rights and Responsibilities/Code of Conduct
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) publishes two documents that help students, parents, and staff and understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules.
A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Student Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines the various disciplinary responses.
All MCPS families have access to these documents in print or digital/printable PDF format. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand their rights and responsibilities and the district’s expectations for student conduct. If you have questions, please speak to a Northwest administrator.
Please click here for additional information and to access digital, printable copies of each document: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/ If you would like a printed copy of the guides, stop by the main office to request a copy.
NEW: Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County
Each year the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County provides food at Thanksgiving and food and gifts for the December holidays to low-income families. The Holiday Giving Project Coalition coordinates this seasonal program in conjunction with a variety of religious, business and nonprofit organizations. Families can be referred by School Counselors. All Northwest students will receive a paper copy of the 2021 Holiday Giving Form to bring home this week in their 3rd period class. If you are interested in receiving these services, completed forms should be submitted to the Northwest Counseling Office by Friday, October 22, 2021 to meet the Thanksgiving deadline. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. Please contact your student’s School Counselor if you have any questions.
NEW: This Week's College and Career Information
This NEWS Bulletin contains college career events, the virtual visit schedule at-a-glance and scholarship opportunities. Visit the College Career Information Center before school, during lunch or after school! Room 126. Visit the College Career web page! Got Questions? Click on the Got Questions link at the top of the web page to schedule a time to meet.
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS & ALERTS: Details on all of the opportunities listed below, including links and forms to apply can be found on the College Career Financial Aid & Scholarships page of our school website.
- High School Students Grades 9-11: Carson Scholars. $1,000. One student will be nominated from Northwest HS. Request for Nomination due November 8
- Seniors: UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars Program Scholarship. Request for Nomination due November 8
- Seniors: UVA Jefferson Scholars Request for Nomination due October 15
- Seniors: Omega Psi Phi International Essay Contest due Oct. 15
- High School Students: Veterans of Foreign Wars Youth Scholarship Program applications due October 31
For a complete list of available scholarships, download the latest publication of our Jag Scholarship 'Apply Now' Bulletin on the web. No time to download? Visit the QR-Code Board just outside the College Career Information Center (Room 126) and scan the 'Apply Now' Bulletin QR-Code for immediate access!
SENIOR NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS:
If you missed the October 6 Financial Aid Webinar, click on the image for a link to the slide deck and recording of the presentation.
Financial Aid REMINDERS for the Class of 2022: Applications opened for the FAFSA and MSFFA on OCT 1
FAFSA Resource: studentaid.gov
Maryland State Financial Aid: The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)will be your resource for state financial aid. Creating an MDCAPS (Maryland College Aid Processing System) account will be the way graduating Maryland high school seniors accept state aid, including state scholarships. State aid will be calculated based on the completion of the FAFSA or MSFFA. State scholarship opportunities can be found here. The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please use the embedded links for more information. There are deadlines!
Montgomery College FAFSA Fever Days. Click here to access the calendar! Through FAFSA Fever Days, Montgomery College is committed to raising financial aid awareness in their community by partnering with MC faculty and staff, K-12 schools, and public service programs.
SOPHOMORE OPPORTUNITY:
NEW OPPORTUNITY: Applications are open for high school sophomores for the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Program. At HOBY, students will build their leadership potential through an inspiring three- or four-day Leadership Seminar based on three leadership perspectives: Personal, Group, and Societal. As many as 300 "ambassadors" from high schools across the state or country gather at their local HOBY seminar. This year the seminar is expected to be in-person during May/June of 2022. Northwest will cover the cost of the $225 registration fee for our ambassador. HOBY opens opportunities for internships, mentorship programs and more. For Northwest consideration, complete the Request for HOBY Ambassador Consideration Form before November 1. One ambassador and one alternate will be chosen. For more information about HOBY visit www.hoby.org and select State Leadership Seminars. | posted 29 Sept 2021 |
College NEWS & EVENTS:
NEW EVENT: Back#2#School Virtual Game Changer Conference for Families. Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 8:30 am until 12 pm. The mentoring conference is geared toward African American and minority students of color and their families. Register at www.TheGameConference.org. Parent breakout sessions. DJ Prince Young Thomas, Essay contest!! Click the image below to find out more. Registration closes on October 20. | post 4 October 2021 |
- NEW EVENT: "Walk Into Your Future" Mt. Calvary Baptist Church HBCU Virtual College Fair (608 North Horners Lane, Rockville, MD 20850). Saturday, October 30 from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm.50 HBCUs Expected. Onsite Admissions. Vendors. Seminars. Prizes. Register at yourfuture.splashthat.com. | post 4 October 2021 |
- Virtual College Fairs sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Fairs ongoing throughout the year. | post 10 September 2021 |
· REMINDER: The Infinite Scholars Program is super excited to announce Washington DC (DMV) as one of the newest regions added to our FREE Annual Scholarship Fairs! We have established some amazing partnerships with local Colleges/Universities, Organizations, and Scholarship providers that are already registered to attend the Annual Scholarship Fair on Sunday, October 10, 2021, from 2 pm-5 pm at First Baptist Church of Highland Park 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785. Infinite Scholars Program is honored to invite High School Seniors, Graduates, and Families to the Annual Scholarship Fair where they will meet representatives from national and local Colleges/Universities, Scholarship Organizations along with the U.S. Army ROTC. Families are strongly encouraged to attend the Scholarship Fair with their students to explore available scholarship funds, grants, programs, opportunities and Scholarships being awarded on the spot during the fair. For additional details and to register, click here. | post 10 September 2021 |
· REMINDER: Career Exploration: Legislation & Law Enforcement. A Virtual Career Exploration for High School Students. Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10 am until 12 noon. Are you interested in exploring careers that help or support animals? Are you a problem solver? Do you like to write, research, or investigate? Do you enjoy crime shows and mystery novels? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you should attend HRA and St. Hubert’s virtual Career Exploration: Legislation and Law Enforcement. $25 registration fee (financial assistance is available). Questions? Email education@sthuberts.org. Click here to register. | 12 August 2021 |
All Grades: Updates on The High School Visit Schedule for the week of October 11 - October 15:
REMINDERS: The college career high school visits will be in a virtual format for the 2021-2022 school year. Students in all grades are welcome to attend. Priority seating will be given to seniors on a space available basis. Students who register to attend these visits MUST come to the visit location prepared with headphones and a Chromebook. Unless otherwise noted, visits will be in the College Career Information Center, Room 126. Please follow the instructions below to attend!
- Register for the visit in Naviance so that Ms. Davis has an idea of student interest and who will be attending. If you have already signed up in Naviance for a visit, great, you do not need to sign up in Naviance again. Once you have confirmed your registration in Naviance, be prepared to show your confirmation to your teacher for permission to leave class (print or snapshot the 'View Details' screen).
- Register using the link provided below if you have interest in attending the virtual visit. Some of the college URL's may be direct links to the meeting, others will require registration first and the visit URL will come directly from the college/university.
When attending each visit, you will be required to Scan the Attendance QR-Code located on the office door, Room 126.
Monday, October 11:
- McDaniel College @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- James Madison University @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
- Vanderbilt University @ 2 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Tuesday, October 12:
- Wilson College @ 8 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Dartmouth College @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Montgomery College @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Washington College @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Thursday, October 14:
- University of Richmond @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Saint Joseph's University @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Friday, October 15:
- Virginia Tech @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
Remember, the college URL may be a direct link to the meeting or for registration, after which you will be sent the link for the meeting. Check each link prior to the meeting date and please make sure you have signed up in Naviance! The visits are scheduled to be about 30 to 40 minutes. Please make sure you arrive to the College Career Information Center and log in with the college zoom meeting information on time. Your mics should be on mute with the initial log on.
It is recommended that when registering with the college URL, use your personal email and not your mcpsmd.net email so that the visit information will get to you successfully.
BRING A CHROMEBOOK AND HEADPHONES!
NEW: Athletics Schedule for the Week of Monday, October 11 - Sunday, October 17
NEW: Quarantine Instruction Feedback
REMINDER: PSAT/SAT School Day this Wednesday, October 13
REMINDER: Student Opportunity
The Montgomery County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) ACT-SO and MCPS have been working with high schools through designated liaisons.
- Students create projects following the appropriate rubric and receive support at monthly seminars.
- Students are encouraged to share projects with a teacher before submission. ACT-SO may provide mentors to students submitting projects.
- Projects are presented at a local competition and are adjudicated by specialists. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize and reward youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence as well as develop public speaking, time management and other life-building skills.
Important Dates:
- All ACT-SO applications, short bios (200 words or less), and photos (headshot preferred; selfies are acceptable) should be returned by November 15, 2021.
- Final due date for projects and applications is January 15, 2022. Additional Information . Projects and applications should be submitted via email to actsomoco@gmail.com.
Applications and projects will be acknowledged via email within 72 hours. For additional information contact ACT-SO Chairs Ms. Pat Price (actsomoco@gmail.com) or Ms. Laura Dennis (Ldennis99@comcast.net)
REMINDER: Illegal TikTok Challenges Note
We have received information that social-media is once again promoting illicit and illegal activities for the subsequent months. Some of these activities could even be considered assault and sexual harassment. Northwest High School will not tolerate such acts in our school, and offenders will be given the most strict and severe consequences in our MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Families – please once again speak to your children about the severity of these challenges, specifically, they are in violation of our MCPS Student Code of Conduct, are often illegal, and can result in not only a suspension of school, but can be reported to the police for legal actions.
We all want to continue to promote a safe, orderly and supportive environment at Northwest HS – an environment where all our students, staff and visitors feel safe and secure when they enter our beautiful school.
REMINDER: Student Password Update
- Students have been successfully updating their passwords for this school year using the new MCPS Student Password Manager.
- Students (in Grade 3 and higher) and their parents will receive Synergy Mail messages tomorrow, October 1st reminding them to update student passwords.
- Starting on October 10th, students who have not updated their passwords will receive frequent password expiration notices to their Gmail accounts.
- On November 9th student passwords that have not been updated will be automatically changed. These students may need assistance with retrieving their new passwords. November 9th was selected because it falls outside testing windows and marking period transitions.
- The process only takes a few minutes to complete. Here are the directions:
- Student navigates to SPM.mcpsmd.org.
- Student logs into SPM with their current userid and password.
- Student enters new password.
REMINDER: Interested in being a Substitute?
MCPS is seeking substitute teachers! Substitute teaching is an excellent way to learn about our schools while allowing principals and teachers to get to know you. To qualify as a substitute teacher, each applicant must present proof of the completion of the minimum of an associate's degree or 60 college credits from an accredited institution.
Substitute teachers are temporary employees and are on an on call basis. An automated substitute calling system helps you manage your work schedule by allowing you to call at any time, day or night, to find jobs. This system is telephone and internet accessible. The system uses your subject area and location preferences to offer you jobs on the days you have selected and allows you to change the days you work.
Substitute Teacher Rates: Daily hourly rate of pay $18.79- Long Term rate $26.81.
If you hold a valid Maryland professional eligibility certificate or standard advanced professional certificate, the daily hourly rate of pay is $19.97-Long Term rate $28.45. In order to qualify for this higher rate of pay, you must submit a copy of your valid Maryland certificate.
REMINDER: Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Celebrations Continue...
REMINDER: School Pictures
The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank your school for a great picture day!
We are reaching out to inform you that student images are now online.
Please share the information and graphic below with your parents:
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!
Please visit: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000872010 use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
REMINDER: Yearbook Purchase and Ads
$80 until 12/3
$90 until 1/31
$95 until the books arrive
$100 in person at distribution
Full page: $250
½ page: $130
¼ page: $80
⅛ page: $50
Baby Pic Ad $25
Deadline: 2/20
REMINDER: Media Center News
The Media Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 am -3:15 pm. Students can stop by for books, research support, tech help, and much more. If we don’t know the answer, we will point you in the right direction. Database access for students and staff will be updated next week and posted through English classes to support all subjects. During class time, all students are welcome with a pass from their teacher. Please use the QR code sign in when you enter. Before school, after school, and between classes you are welcome to stop by for a quick book check-out, tech support, or to say hi!
We have a huge selection of new books and a growing Graphic Novel section sure to be of interest. Currently on display are books from Hispanic and Latinx authors. If you have any ideas on how we can make our space welcoming and inclusive, we would love to hear it! Remember, this space belongs to the Northwest community and all of the Media Staff are happy to help you with books, tech, and curriculum and project needs.
REMINDER: 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.REMINDER: 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
REMINDER: 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.
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!
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