Panther Post
Pikesville High School Newsletter | September 2017
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Pikesville High Family,
I hope you enjoyed a refreshing summer. I, along with our assistant principals, Ms. Allison Seymour, Mr. Adam Carney, and Mr. Phillip Robinson welcome you to the 2017-2018 Pikesville High School academic year! Our outstanding teachers and staff are enthusiastic, eager, and equipped to begin another successful school year working with your child(ren). For a special message from members of our administrative team, click on their names above.
“When skill, knowledge, and passion come together, a masterpiece is created.”
We have ALL the ingredients for yet another stellar year! We continue to be very thoughtful regarding our school-wide programming and initiatives to assure that ALL students have the potential of achieving optimally in their academic endeavors. Without a doubt, we are being strategic and performance-oriented in our mission for an on-going legacy of student advancement.
Through effective instructional design and pedagogy focused on learning outcomes, we will create interactive and personalized learning experiences that will propel students to grow in exponential ways. We are desirous of a learning community that is positive, proud, purposeful, and productive.
Never forget, research validates that strong parental involvement with your child’s high school experience is highly correlated with successful learning performance. Building solid parental partnerships is one of our major priorities. We encourage you to attend as many school-wide events that could include, but are not limited to, athletics, conferences, visits, performances, fundraising activities, PTSA, and/or special community outreach events taking place at PHS.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
We will keep you connected with the many wonderful upcoming events that will transpire at PHS by way of the Panther Post, our monthly school e-newsletter. This is an informative publication that outlines the diverse academic/social activities, as well as current policies and procedures that take place in our comprehensive high school. You can also easily share it on social media!
BCPS One will be utilized to keep parents/guardians regularly abreast of their child’s academic progress, attendance, and class information. It includes your child’s grades, curriculum expectations, class assignments, email capabilities to access your child’s teachers, and instructional material critical to his/her academic success. Please utilize this valuable means of tracking work assignments so as to make informed decisions as to how to better promote your child’s advancement in all subject areas.
LOOKING AHEAD
We eagerly solicit your tangible support and look forward to welcoming your child(ren) on Tuesday, September 5th. Additionally, we hope to see all parents/guardians at Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 28th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Here, you will actually get the chance to meet your child’s teachers and learn more about each specific course for which he/she is registered this year. You will always see Important Dates to Remember in this newsletter.
IMPORTANT LINKS
This newsletter contains much information. Please read through it carefully and click on the links for important, printable information on BCPS One, Privacy, Parking, and other key information.
Enjoy the remainder of this fast-moving summer and know how excited we are for your affiliation and support of PHS - Home of Panther PRIDE, HONOR, and SUCCESS!
Yours in education,
Sandra G. Reid
Important Dates to Remember
August 30 Early Entry Day 8-11:00am
August 30 Ninth Grade Orientation 6-7:30pm
September 5 Opening Day of School
September 11 Senior Portraits 2:30-9pm (Auditorium)
September 18 Senior Portraits 2:30-9pm (Auditorium)
September 21 Schools Closed for Rosh Hashanah
September 28 Back to School Night 6:30-8:30pm
October 2-6 Spirit Week
October 5 First Quarter Interim Reports
October 7 Homecoming 7pm
October 11 PSAT
October 12 End of First Quarter
October 20 Schools Closed
October 23-24 Underclassman Portraits
October 25 POPS Concert 2:15pm
The First Days of School
- Lockers will be provided during the first weeks of school. Students are NOT to share lockers or combinations with any other person (even friends).
- Students should adhere to the dress code that is outlined in the Panther Post. We ask students to “dress for success” and to wear attire that is appropriate and “distraction-free.”
- Devices will be distributed by the second or third week of school, provided that a contract has been signed by both you and your child indicating that you are aware of the conditions of use for this academic year and how to care for this learning tool. Additionally, a BCPS student-ID badge is also required to take possession of a device. Replacement costs for this badge is $5.00 this year.
- Pikesville High’s Freshman Orientation, Thursday, August 30th, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., will serve to get all ninth-grade students familiarized with our outstanding school programs prior to the arrival of all other students.
- The administration encourages you to join the PTSA to support the great work this organization is doing for our entire PHS learning community.
Important Policy Reminders
Pikesville High is continually striving to improve its excellent attendance rate. This is one of our school progress goals this year because we know that students who attend school regularly have a better chance to achieve. Research shows that schools with high attendance rates are higher performing schools.
What do I do if my child is absent?
Please be aware that when your child is absent, you are required to send a written note to the homeroom teacher explaining the reason for the absence the day of your child’s return to school. In the event of a legal absence, students are required to make up any missing work in the time allotted them by the teachers in their particular classes.
Early Dismissal/School Visitors
When it is necessary for your child to be dismissed early from school, please send a note with your child the morning of the early dismissal. Have your child bring the note to the front office in the morning. He/she will be given a pass to give their teacher at dismissal time and then will meet you in the office. In order to pick up your child, you or a designated person must:
- Come in the building to sign your child out of the building.
- Provide proof of identification .
Safe and Orderly Environment
Upon students’ return to school, they will receive a copy of the 2017-2018 BCPS Student Handbook and Sexual Harassment in Schools brochure. During the first several weeks of school, a comprehensive orientation of these two BCPS’ documents will be provided for each student.
**It is necessary for you and your child to sign the acknowledgement form, located in the Student Handbook, verifying that you have both received and reviewed it.**
Thank you for understanding that the safety of all of our students is of the utmost importance to us!
News from the English Department
The English Department is ready for an outstanding school year! This year, we will be focusing on continuing to build reading, writing, and speaking skills that support college and career readiness. We will also be providing support for SAT success through daily SAT-style drills. We are looking forward to a great school year!
Social Studies
The Pikesville High School Social Studies Department is excited for this upcoming school year! As we continue to offer a diverse array of courses, clubs, and activities, we want to welcome and introduce three new team members. Mrs. Hayward Johnson, Mr. John Lambert, and Mr. Glenn Smith will be adding their expertise to strengthen our department by joining the team of Mr. Robert Babcock, Mrs. Rachel Baikauskas, Ms. Mackenna Bush, Mr. Ethan Goodman, Mrs. Orly Mondell and Mr. Stephen Parsons. During this school year, we will continue to provide our students with a variety of experiences and skill-based learning opportunities through our Lighthouse initiative. Some of the areas we will focus on are promoting practice in argumentative writing, building vocabulary through morphemic contextual analysis, and enhancement of our students’ love for reading by incorporating a novel in each of the four main Social Studies courses.
Please be aware that OneNote, BCPSONE comments, links in the gradebook, and other online resources and will be readily available for you and your student.
***For all incoming Freshmen students, it is a graduation requirement that they pass their H.S.A. Government exam in May with a minimum score of a 394.
Study sessions and review materials will be offered for all Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who still need to pass. A set calendar and OneNote resource guide will be available during the beginning of the school year. Please check your BCPSONE Messages or feel free to email if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued support!
Stephen Parsons
Social Studies Department Chair
Math News
Mathspace – Pikesville HS has been chosen to pilot an innovative new program called Mathspace. Mathspace is the world’s first adaptive math program allowing students to receive feedback at every step of a math problem, with handwriting recognition for mobile devices. Each step of students’ math reasoning is automatically graded, with feedback, hints and suggestions guiding students to the final answer. Mathspace's focus on the process of solving a math problem - rather than just the final result - distinguishes it from the vast majority of online math programs, which are primarily based around multiple-choice.
Mathspace includes a full digital textbook, instructional videos, a powerful adaptive learning engine, and is available on all devices, with alignment to multiple curricula (including the Common Core) for 5th grade through to Precalculus. Get a quick preview at https://mathspace.co/blog/what-makes-mathspace-so-unique/
Project 520 – Project 520 is Pikesville High School SAT Initiative for the 2017-2018 school year. Earning a score of 520 on both the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section of the SAT indicates a strong level of being College and Career Ready.
Project 520 is a purposeful, consistently implemented program for students in grades 9 –12 in math and English classes beginning in the first weeks of school and ending at the start of the 4th marking period. Pikesville’s school-wide goal is for all students to improve their SAT score by 25 points or more for the April 10th, 2018 SAT administration.
Science News
It's Academic!
A new school year is underway and that means another year of It's Academic fun and competition at Pikesville High School. The school graduated its entire TV team and is looking for new, enthusiastic students to join our current members. No try-outs necessary to join this awesome team----just a love of trivia. For more questions about the club, contact its sponsor: Mr. E. Goodman egoodman@bcps.org.
Yearbook News
3 ways to order your 2018 yearbook:
- Order Online at jostensyearbooks.com. Search for Pikesville High School.
- Order by phone: 1-877-767-5217.
- Order by Mail: forms available in Room 128.
The 2017 yearbooks are being mailed to graduates who ordered books. Underclassmen can stop by room 128 to pick up their books. There is a very limited supply of extra copies available for purchase of $70. If you would like to purchase or have questions about the 2017 yearbook, please contact Rita Leiby at rleiby@bpcs.org.
SCHOOL ADS
To place an ad in the 2018 yearbook, click HERE and scroll down.
For more information on how to submit yearbook photos and yearbook portraits, click HERE.
SCHOOL COUNSELING
Please click on the links below for important test information and dates.
PSAT (Wednesday October 11)
SAT/PSAT/ACT testing dates and information
Questions? Contact:
Jeremy Goldman, NCC
School Counseling Department Chair
Pikesville High School
410-887-1219
http://www.BaltCoSchoolCounselors.org
Twitter: @PHSCouns
Class of 2019 News
The Class of 2019 is very excited for a terrific junior year. We are planning so many memorable events, including powder puff this fall, several fundraisers throughout the year, and our prom next spring. Only with the support of all the students, parents, and community members can we make it as pawsome as possible. For any questions you might have about upcoming events or how you can get involved, please e-mail one of our dedicated class advisors, Mr. Doug Kotula (dkotula@bcps.org) or Mr. Ethan Goodman (egoodman@bcps.org)
The Health Suite
Dear Parents,
If you would like your child to receive OTC medication- Please review the discretionary medicine form that your student will bring home during the 1st week of school and return it as soon as possible.
If your child will be taking prescribed medication, I will be available to receive this medication prior to the start of school or during the school year. In order for your child to take medication that is prescribed, A doctors note must accompany the medicine. Please contact Ms. Merani for any assistance in this process.
Summer is the time for rest and a relaxed schedule. We are now back to the normal routine! Please encourage your child to:
- Eat breakfast every morning before coming to school or during school breakfast.
- The American Pediatrics Association recommends that teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
A well-rested brain fueled with food is a brain ready to learn! Important IMMUNIZATIONS INFO HERE.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for anything!
Email: amerani@bcps.org
Office: 410-484-4795
Follow me on Twitter @health_Phs for daily health and wellness reminders.
Sincerely,
Alie Merani, RNBSN
Join Pikesville High PTSA for 2017-18!
Pikesville High’s PTSA (Parent, Teacher & Student Association) is how parents support students and their teachers. Please help us enrich the high school experience and help PHS continue as one of the top schools in America by joining and contributing to the success of our school community. PTSA accomplishments include:
- Sponsorship of student planners - received first week of school
- Preparing a delicious back-to-school breakfast for our teachers and staff
- Purchases of stadium scoreboard and auditorium screen
- Advocating with Baltimore County for renovations to the school
- Orientation Handbooks for Freshman and their Parents
- Our Facebook Group and Google Calendar keep up on what’s happening at the school
Be a part of the great things happening at Pikesville High School! Pick a committee or project, contribute and come to meetings – it’s a great opportunity to find out what is going on first hand from Mrs. Sandra G. Reid and other faculty members. Visit us online HERE.
Connect with us on Facebook!
Download the Membership Form
Sincerely, Sherri Flaks
PTSA President
Community News
For more information, click on the links below. Organizations and events are not affiliated with BCPS.
Greater Pikesville Rec Council
Everything from ballet, lacrosse, to chess and art classes. Fall registration is open now!
For Grades 7-12
BSF regularly offers workshops for students to learn everything from movement and stage combat to different styles of acting. Check the website for updates and offerings.
4front is Baltimore’s new open channel to high-school-age Jewish teens. We connect, collaborate, influence, and enact positive change and innovation.
Pikesville High School Vision
Pikesville High, the heartbeat of our culturally-diverse community, is where pride in our work, and honor for ourselves and others, combine to ensure success in cultivating our globally-competitive students.
About Us
Assistant Principals
Grade 10 and P-Z grade 9 Mr. Robinson, probinson@bcps.org
Grade 11 and A-F grade 9, Mrs. Seymour ashinners@bcps.org
Grade 12 and G-O grade 9, Mr. Carney acarney@bcps.org
Other Important Numbers
Main Number: 410-887-1217
Guidance: 410-887-1219
Nurse: 410-484-4795
Athletic Director: 410-887-1257
Email: pmichalski@bcps.org
Website: http://pikesvillehs.bcps.org/
Location: 7621 Labyrinth Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, United States
Phone: 410-887-1217
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pikesvillehighschool/
Twitter: @PikesvilleHS