Knights Newsletter
Wheaton High School Monthly Update - December 2020
Principal’s Corner
The first marking period is now behind us and we are moving into the second quarter of the school year. Report cards were posted in ParentVue on November 24th. Parents who have not activated their ParentVue account will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to active their account. Please review the report card with your child/children and celebrate their success in this virtual setting. If students are struggling in class parents are encouraged to reach out to their counselor, teacher or administrator for support. The best way to contact Wheaton High School staff is via their MCPS email. Although the building is closed, the main office continues to be open Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm to answer phone calls and distribute textbooks if needed. Please remember the majority of staff members are still in a teleworking platform and not in person at the school.
I want to congratulate all the WHS students who participated in our virtual winter athletics and extracurricular activities. Our program continues to be one of the strongest in the county with our student participation numbers. Registration for spring activities began this week and we are hoping for a large number of student participation. I am so proud of Wheaton Knights for their school spirit and connection to each other in the classroom and also in extracurricular activities. Their positive influence and support of one another is what makes Wheaton High School a step above all others.
Juniors, if you are interested in taking the PSAT in January you need to complete the google form you received in your email last week. It is important that you register by Thursday, December 3rd. Why should you take the PSAT? The best answer I can give you is for scholarships that are offered through colleges and universities based on your PSAT score. It will also prepare you for the SAT in the spring and summer.
Stay safe and remember to wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hand frequently so that we can all be together in the new year.
Dr. Mugge
Wheaton HS was recognized as one of the top locations for in-state talent in the undergraduate engineering program at University of Maryland's Clark School of Engineering which was just ranked 22nd nationally among undergraduate programs in US News and World Report.
Congratuations to the Wheaton Theatre Department who received a $500 grant from the Educational Theatre Association to reinstate their Thespian Troupe.
Wheaton has a long history of excellence in Theatre and was, in fact, one of the first schools in the nation to start a Thespian Troupe back in the sixties. While there are now thousands of troupes nation-wide, but Wheaton is Troupe #18 because the school was an early such an early adopter.
Check out more about the program at https://www.schooltheatre.org/membership/thespian-troupe-membership
ACADEMIC UPDATES
Friday Homeroom Has a New Look!
Based on student and teacher feedback, the schedule for our 8th period/Homeroom on Fridays will be more flexible. After a brief check-in with their 8th period teacher where students will view the weekly announcements and have attendance taken, students now have the opportunity to use the time as a study hall with a variety of options. Students can choose to work join a tutoring group through NHS, sports teams or other groups, work with a teacher, meet with their counselors or case managers or spend the time working independently. This will also be a time when clubs could meet, academies may have presentations, and grade level town halls can occur.
Students will log into their Homeroom zoom at 1:40 and will complete a Google form to communicate where/how they will spend their time academically during that time period. At 1:50, they will log into their chosen activity. There is a Study Hall page on our Wheaton HS Website. We are looking forward to continuing to support our students and build our community as we end each week.
If you are interested in taking a class at Montgomery College while enrolled as a student at Wheaton High School - If you have an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or above, you may be eligible to take college courses while in high school. Please contact Ms. Carr to get more information. deepa_patel-carr@mcpsmd.net
World Language Honor Society Newsletter
Are you passionate about world languages and interested in becoming part of a culturally diverse community? The World Language Honor Society is a great place to connect with others who are studying your same language and immerse yourself in traditions from all over the world. As a member, you will have the opportunity to serve people of all backgrounds, from migrant families to other students. Joining the World Language Honor Society will allow you to earn volunteer hours, practice your language skills, achieve high marks on the biliteracy test, and make new friends.
We have many exciting, virtual events planned for this year! Check out our instagram @wlhs_whs for more details as the year goes on.
These include trivia, guest speakers from universities, cultural competitions and cook-offs, and more. While these events will be open to all Wheaton high schools students and their families, we highly encourage you to come onboard the World Language Honor Society. The following is required to become a member.
Currently taking or have taken a language course
Level 3 or above
An A in a world language, each semester
3.0 GPA each quarter
Perform 10 community service hours
B average in all your other classes
Must be a sophomore, junior or senior
The World Language Honor Society meets every other Monday. Ms. Noel sent out invitations to your Synergy Mail on Monday, November 23rd with applications if you are eligible. If you have any questions or would like more information about our society, please contact Ms. Noel at carrie.noel-nosbaum@mcpsmd.net. Thank you!
SCHOOLWIDE INFORMATION
Wheaton HS Library Media Center Resources
The Wheaton HS Destiny Online Library catalog is available 24/7 for students. The Learning Links icons provide students and parents access to eBooks through SORA and Teen Book Cloud, and information about our Curbside Book Exchange and the One Maryland One Book Club. Our December Curbside Book Exchanges are the 9th and 23rd. Please read and follow all directions. Please be advised that due to COVID and staffing the Curbside Book Exchange may be delayed or cancelled. All changes will be posted on the Destiny and the WHS Library Media Center website.
https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/41199
Want to learn how to use all the great online resources available through the WHS library? Check out this link to see our tutorial videos. More videos will be added and please e-mail Mrs. Ellis if there is a video tutorial about a library resource you would like.
Getting Started with SORA
Learn how easy it is to get started with Sora! Team OverDrive will show you how to browse and borrow eBooks and audiobooks and provide tips for customizing the reading and listening experience in Sora. This webinar will also cover where you can find help and free, customizable Sora marketing resources.
This webinar is great for partners new to OverDrive, which is the provider of SORA and for anyone who would like a refresher on the student user experience.
To accommodate your schedules, there will be two live sessions, hosted on:
- Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM
- Dec. 15 at 11:00 AM
REGISTER HERE “FOR GETTING STARTED WITH SORA”
https://overdrive.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TW0VxXAgS3C0w8Vav0wKDgElectronic Resources at Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL)
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/
Are you missing reading some of your favorite magazines? If so, check out Flipster via the Montgomery County Public Library site. All you need is your library card number and your pin. If you don't have that, you can apply for a digital library card right online line. It only takes a few minutes. Once you are logged in click on Books and More in the resource ribbon at the top of the screen, the menu will open, click on E-Magazines, sign in one more time using your card number and pin. Enjoy browsing and reading the magazines of your choice. You can also download them on your favorite device.
Want to spend a little more time enjoying movies over the holidays? MCPL has online movies for you to enjoy, free of charge. Use your library card and pin, to login to your MCPL account. Click on Books and More in the grey tool ribbon at the top of the scrren. A drop-down menu will open, click on movies, and choose which movie streaming service you want to use. You may have to create your own account, but it is free because you are accessing it through MCPL. If you have questions or need help with this or any electronic resource from MCPL please call 240-777-0001.
Wheaton Athletics
Even though the weather is changing, some items remain the same here at Wheaton. When it comes to our student athletes, you can always count on their commitment and positive attitudes! During the winter virtual season, student athletes have had a chance to listen to guest speakers such as Bram Weinstein (Voice of the Washington Football Team) and Robert Klemko (Sportswriter for the Washington Post) discuss how the pandemic has impacted professional sports from a journalist's perspective. Our Indoor Track Team had the special opportunity to have a zoom Q & A with Meredith Rainey Valmon, former ‘92 & ‘96 Olympian who graduated cum laude from Harvard University. Our very own Nicolas Coleman (Class of 2022), a member of the MCPS Student Athlete Leadership Council, was the moderator during Alan Stein’s “RAISE Your Game” countywide basketball zoom session. Our student athletes are working effectively to become their best on and off their field of play.
Registration for the spring season is now open. If you are interested in participating in spring sports, the best way to prepare is to sign up for the virtual season. Register at the following link https://forms.gle/hLZNrSLAtKEJ7nxo8 for the English version and the Spanish version of the registration is https://forms.gle/wuZaYutBi4RyiwGa8
The sideline store also reflects a change in clothing with more fall and winter apparel. Look and log onto our personalized website and check out the Sideline Store. All the items are shipped directly to your house and you can create your own swag, representing your own style. Check out https://wheatonknights.com/ or https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/maryland/silverspring/wheaton-high-school
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
From the PTSA
Please join the Wheaton PTSA on December 15 at 7:00 PM
Ms. Powell, Wheaton HS’s Resource Counselor, will present SOS: Signs of Suicide Prevention Program.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has chosen an evidence-based approach to help prevent youth suicide: SOS Signs of Suicide. This is the third year MCPS has provided this program to secondary students. The program includes SOS training and resources for faculty/staff and parents/guardians. Most importantly, SOS focuses on teaching students to identify warning signs and seek help for themselves or a friend. The purpose of the SOS presentation to the PTSA is to provide information and warning signs as it relates to suicide. It is the intention that all of the school community have information to be able to ACT if we have concerns regarding a youth’s wellbeing.
Participants must register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYocOuorD8iEtJbvaQSKy6PlFuWa3-KDgli After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
GETTING READY FOR LIFE AFTER WHEATON
College and Career Center
Opportunities College Planning Guidebook - sponsored by ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation)
Please click on the link below for the 2021 Opportunities College Planning Guidebook! This is a great college and financial aid/scholarship guide book for families!
English version: https://www.ecmc.org/students/documents/2020-2021-Ntnl-Opps-Book.pdf
Spanish version: https://www.ecmc.org/students/documents/2020-2021-Ntnl-Opps-Book-SP.pdf
Naviance Issues
MCPS is having technical difficulties with the Naviance College and Career Readiness Resource System. We are working with the company to fix the login issues our students are having. We hope to have the system working next semester so that we can provide our 9th - 11th grade students with Naviance college and career readiness lessons.
Mrs. Hammond Davis, College and Career Information Coordinator (CCIC) @Wheaton HS cynthia_a_hammonddavis@mcpsmd.org
Scholarships!
FAFSA
Montgomery College
TECHNOLOGY SAFETY
Tech Tips from Ms. Saah
Dear Parents,
Imagine that you’re in a high school English class. Everyone files in, sits down, and the teacher passes out a paper with two paragraphs and some lines. You’re starting a new unit learning about context clues. The teacher asks you to write down specific words, find them in the selection, write down their meaning from that paragraph. And then write down other meanings for the same words. Then, as a class, you discuss how you knew which meaning to write even though you know several meanings for the same work. The bell rings and you leave. The writing you did was part of your learning. It was not designed to measure how much you learned.
But now, in the age of COVID, no one is walking into a classroom. An exercise you go through to learn something (not to be graded on what you learn) cannot be put on the desk in front of you. So how do teachers do this now?
They use myMCPS Classroom (a.k.a., Canvas). The desk is virtual. The written piece the teacher hands out is virtual. The responses are recorded and shared virtually. The learning is real.
In our distance learning world, this exercise appears in myMCPS Classroom as an assignment. The teacher may grade it and use it to give feedback to an induvial student. But it never appears in Synergy because it was an exercise designed for teaching and learning, not for grading.
Later, the teacher gives a similar assignment which each student competes on their own. That assignment is graded and is synced to Synergy (which parents see through ParentVUE), where it becomes part of the student’s grade and contributes to the report card.
This is the difference between myMCPS Classroom (Canvas) and Synergy (ParentVUE). This is why the grades look different in each platform. Parents should not feel frustrated when they see a difference between the two grades or items on each platform.
Additionally, parents are frustrated when they get notifications from Canvas that say, “An assignment has been graded” or “comments have been added.” Parents click on the link and want to go directly to the item to see the grade or comment but cannot get there from the link. The reason for this is that parents view Canvas or myMCPS Classroom items as an observer. This is by design. The student gets the same message and access the grade and comment directly with the link. It feels like the system is broken but really it is working as it was designed, which is to let parents see how their students are doing. Google Classroom did not offer this function. Parents must:
- Log into ParentVUE
- Click on “Parent Resources” – last item on the left side navigation
- Click on “myMCPS Classroom”
For questions, please feel free to write to call 240-704-2020 (240-740-2022 for Spanish) or write to oriole_saah@mcpsmd.org.
Name Change for Ms. Brown
Halloween Nuptials
Welcome Back!
Wheaton High School
Email: Lisa_Gerhardt@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wheatonhs/
Location: Wheaton High School, Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 301-321-3400
Twitter: @wheaton_knights