Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Monday, April 18, 2022
NEW: This Week's Message from Mr. Smith
Northwest High School Families,
I hope this message finds everyone well-rested, rejuvenated and ready for the remainder of the fourth marking period. We hope your spring break was all you needed to finish off the school year strong!
As a reminder, we ask that every student and staff member takes one of the COVID-19 rapid tests which were distributed the week before spring break. So that we can return to school safely tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19, please report your results using this FORM.
This Friday, April 22 is our Prom and After Prom Party! Juniors and Seniors can purchase tickets during lunch in portable five (5) for Prom Tickets and Room 100 for the After Prom.
A reminder for seniors that starting May 1st, the Business Office will no longer accept checks as a form of payment for obligations for seniors. You can pay by credit card using the Online School Payment (OSP) system, or by bringing cash to the Business Office, Room 322.
In this week's newsletter, you will find this week's college and career center updates, information regarding our school's converting of heat to air conditioning in the coming weeks, this week's Athletics/Events Schedule, this week's Earth Week activities, and information about our Junior/Senior Prom and After Prom Party that will take place on Friday, April 22.
There are some important reminders including information regarding the Maryland State Schools Survey, the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), really important information for the Class of 2022, the Gaithersburg Book Festival High School Poetry Finalist from Northwest, the update from MCPS regarding the Board of Education's mask vote, MCPS' Antiracist Family Survey, ways for seniors to volunteer at Great Seneca Creek Elementary, a fundraising opportunity, continued tutoring opportunities, how to report bullying/harassment and a call for parents to get involved!
As always, we thank you for your continued support and trust. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in school tomorrow!
NEW: This Week's College and Career Information
College Career Information Center e-NEWS Bulletin
Week Ending: April 8, 2022
For details on all college career information and resources, visit the college career webpage. Click on the e-NEWS link!
e-NEWS Bulletin Highlights:
May 1 Decision Day is coming soon. What are your plans for after graduation? Senior Survey coming soon!
e-NEWS Bulletin Content | Download the e-NEWS Bulletin on the Web
Spring Break Scholarship FOCUS: For details on all listed, with links to applications, download the Bulletin HERE.
NEW: MINDS IN MOTION SCHOLARSHIP: offered to graduating high school SENIOR-ATHLETES; $1,000; Apply by April 22.
NEW: #LeadingConEducation SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: open to high school SENIORS; $2,500 award; applicants complete the TurboTax Simulation Modules and essay to complete in the program; Apply by May 8
NEW: A DARING PATH SCHOLARSHIP: offered to all high school students; $1,000; scholarship purpose is to encourage everyone to confront their fears and live life to the fullest; apply HERE by May 30
EXTENDED DEADLINE: NAACP SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors. $1,000 award; DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Extended to APRIL 13.
OPPORTUNITY REMINDER: PATUXENT RIVER (MD) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INC. SPRING 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS. Seniors. Apply by April 15. Please note MCPS data loss prevention is enabled for your domain which will prevent access to scholarship Google form when signed in through MCPS - access to the scholarship application must be done from personal equipment.
OPPORTUNITY REMINDER: Senator Nancy J. King Maryland Legislative Scholarship. Seniors. $1,000. Maryland District 39 only. Apply by April 15 (this deadline was set by the Senator’s office). Applicants must complete the application and save as a PDF. Email the PDF AND a scanned copy of the first page of the FAFSA SAR report - that shows the Estimated Family Contribution code to Rochelle_Davis@mcpsmd.org by the April 15 deadline. Email must have a timestamp of no later than April 15.
- Alpha Phi Alpha Ira Dorsey Scholarships. Seniors. Apply by April 16.
- Lavinia Engle Scholarship. Seniors. Female. $1,000. Apply by April 15.
- Kappa Youth & Community Foundation Scholarship. Seniors of color. Male. Apply by April 20.
- Joshua Snyder Memorial Foundation Scholarship. Seniors. $2,500. Apply by April 22.
- Northwest PTSA & Booster Club Scholarships. Seniors. $500. Apply by April 24.
- Northwest SGA Leadership Scholarship. Seniors. $500. Apply by April 24.
Additional scholarship opportunities are listed in the Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin, along with links to applications, download the Bulletin HERE.
College Career Opportunities & Events
REMINDER: MOCO REC JOB FAIR! Montgomery County Department of Recreation. Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Upper County Community Rec Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg & Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street. Find out more @ www.mocorec.com.
REMINDER: Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority just for the ladies... Free Virtual Girls Conference. Got the POWER! Saturday, April 30 from 1 until 4:00 pm. For middle and high school girls. Encouraging, Engaging and Empowering workshops. Parent(s) College Readiness and Scholarship Strategies workshop. Registration is required. After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with a meeting link to follow. Free prizes!
REMINDER: Join Stem for Her for a special Earth Day presentation via Zoom. Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted by WUSA Channel 9's Kaitlyn McGrath. April 22, 2022 | 4:00 pm. Kaitlyn will kick off the program with a backstage tour of her workplace at WUSA Channel 9. She will share her STEM career path and the effect that climate change has had on her job as a meteorologist. Additional guest speakers will be a part of the program. Click HERE to register.
College Career ‘School Specific’ NEWS
Class of 2022: Penn State is still accepting applications from students for summer or fall 2022. Whether your students choose to use the MyPennState application, the Common App, or the Coalition application, Application fees will be waived if students use the MyPennState application and visit one of their 19 commonwealth campuses before submitting the application.
Jag Jobs
All job opportunities are published in the latest Jag JOBS Bulletin available to download at any time from our College Career web page ‘Jag Jobs’.
From Link for Counselors ‘Top 20 Must-Have Skills to Put on a Resume’:
Top 10 Soft Skills: Problem Solving | Critical Thinking | Flexibility | Communication | Teamwork | Organization | Creativity | Emotional Intelligence | Attention to Detail | Responsibility → Top 10 Hard Skills: Computer Software and Application Knowledge | Design | Data Analysis | Negotiation | Mathematics | Project Management | Marketing | Administrative | Writing Skills | Foreign Languages
NOW HIRING: Capital Dental. Student Worker - Sterilization Technician. $15 per hour. Seeking a bright, personable, and motivated individual to assist with the clinical work overflow and sterilization procedures. Located in the heart of Bethesda. Ideal candidate has an interest in the medical/dental industry. No experience needed. Training provided. Click here for position details and instructions on how to apply (by resume).
Montgomery Parks is hiring! Visit mocoparks.org/jobs. Over 100 positions in all classifications. Montgomery Parks | The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission | 2425 Reedie Drive | Wheaton, MD 20902
SUMMER INTERN: North Potomac Orthodontics. Student Worker - Sterilization Technician. $15 per hour. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA, positive attitude and be detail oriented. Interest in the dental or medical profession is a plus. Click HERE for position details and instructions on how to apply (by resume).
Montgomery Village Foundation Department of Recreation & Parks is hiring for summer. Positions for students ages 14 & up. Summer jobs @ montgomeryvillage.com (MVF and click on Job & Volunteer Opportunities). For more information, contact Petra Padilla at 240-243-2363 or email ppadilla@mvf.org.
Eaman Physical Therapy is hiring Physical Therapy and Rehab Aides (Tech) in their Germantown, Gaithersburg and Rockville locations. Training is available. Full and Part-time positions.
Money Matters
Financial Aid Reminders & Resources available on the Northwest College Career ‘Financial Aid & Scholarships’ web page. Select ‘Financial Aid Resources’ at the top of the page.
REMINDER: For a complete list of available scholarships, download the latest publication of our Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin on the web. No time to download? In the building 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 on your mobile device!
Transcript Information
From our Registrar’s Office (located in the Counseling Department suite):
- Authorization to Release Records Form must be completed and on file in the Counseling Office before any records (including transcripts) can be released.
- Transcript Requests Form for the 2021 College Application Cycle.
- REMINDER: Mid-Year Transcript Requests: Mid-year transcripts will be available to be sent from our registrar's office around the middle of February. Do not use this form for INITIAL transcript requests.
- Scholarship Transcript Request Form
Summer Programs & Opportunities
College career related summer programs and opportunities are too numerous to mention them all! Highlights will be posted in our e-News Bulletin. Visit college websites where there is interest to search for summer programs.
- Penn State Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP). Open to students accepted to Penn State University and are first-generation college students. For more information visit summersession@psu.edu or reach out by email to leap@psu.edu or via phone at 814.863.4174.
- Ball State University Youth Interior Design Forum
- Gettysburg College Summer Programs
- Landmark College (VT) Specialized Summer Programs for students who learn differently.
- American University Summer Programs: Community of Scholars | High School Summer Scholars
- National Park Service President’s Park, Summer 2022. 3-week summer program for students to learn photography basics while capturing and exploring the National Parks in our area. Now accepting students entering 9th - 12th grade. Program takes place in-person at the White House Visitor Center. 20 slots available to fill. Free program. Program runs July 11 - 29, Monday through Friday. Visit https://www.nps.gov/whho/getinvolved/youth-photography-program.htm for more information. Access the application HERE. Apply by April 15; 10:00 pm or once 30 applications have been received.
- REMINDER! OPPORTUNITY for Juniors: Maryland Boys State is reaching out to high school juniors interested in Leadership, Government, Politics???
Apply by May 1, 2022. For additional information or help finding a sponsor call 410.752.1405 or email boysstate@mdlegion.org. Information regarding Girls State can also be found on the Maryland Boys State website (linked above).
NEW: Athletics/Events Schedule for the Week of April 18 - April 24
REMINDER: Maryland State School Survey
Maryland requires that all public schools survey students about school climate as a part of our accountability system. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of the learning environment in each school so that they can promote a climate that supports student learning. Northwest High School students in grades 9 through 11 will take the survey in their Social Studies classes between March 21st through April 1st. The survey will take about 30 minutes and will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences and will not ask the student to provide any information that might violate his or her privacy. For more information about the Maryland State survey, please read the memo linked here.
REMINDER: Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)
Northwest High School will be conducting the Spring Administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). The MCAP provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement. We will begin assessing all 12th grade students who have not yet met this state requirement in April. Students in grades 9 through 11 will take the assessments in May. For more information about the MCAP assessments, please read the memo linked here. If there are any questions, please email Dayo Banjo (Temidayo_O_Adia@mcpsmd.org) or Edward Pegues (Edward_Pegues@mcpsmd.org).
REMINDER: IMPORTANT Senior (Class of 2022) Information!
Due to a technical error on the Jostens website, we are extending the deadline to order a cap and gown package to Friday, March 25, 2022, to ensure that families have ample time to purchase packages once the issue is resolved. If you/your senior has not yet ordered a cap and gown package, please find the link to the Jostens flyer below. Check this site periodically in the event that the technical issue is resolved. We will also send notification to everyone once the website is accepting orders again. Click on the cap and gown package image to access the ordering site from the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OMUoVIRoQTe7nRDPW7f4p675YPA-2YQk/view?usp=sharing
Another important deadline is approaching for seniors, and that is the deadline to submit Student Service Learning (SSL) hours on Friday, April 22, 2022. All students in the state of Maryland are required to complete as many as 75 SSL hours as a graduation requirement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this requirement was waived for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021, but no waiver was instated for the graduating class of 2022. Therefore, all seniors are required to fulfill the requirement before their diploma is confirmed this year.
If you/your senior needs to earn SSL hours, there are many in-person, virtual, and project-based opportunities accessible to them that are approved and/or sponsored by MCPS or Montgomery County. You are also able to seek your own opportunities (must be pre-approved) which meet the guidelines articulated by MCPS. Please review the presentation linked below for resources, Northwest-specific opportunities, and much more. One upcoming opportunity for seniors will take place this Wednesday, March 23rd, during SAT testing (7:45am - 12:00pm). Counselors and other staff members will be available in rooms 175-179 to support seniors as they develop and implement an action plan to navigate earning their remaining required hours. Students with a large number of SSL hours left to earn will receive a direct invitation to attend and all others are welcome. (Note: most SSL-earning activities provided on the morning of March 23rd are also available virtually now and can be found in the resource within the linked presentation.) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1f5hJAvqV-x6xuJCCh89R57nyGtVswMlKbjw3x1Wrye0/edit?usp=sharing
Additionally, the following link connects you with the Montgomery County volunteer resource center: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/
As a reminder, you can find all of our senior class information on the Northwest website homepage in the "News" section, "Senior Class Resource Bank." Click here for the Northwest High School website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/northwesths/
If you have any questions or concerns about your senior's graduation status or requirements, please contact their counselor. Stay tuned for more information, as the junior/senior prom and after prom, senior class awards, and graduation will be here before we know it! If you have any questions at any time, please contact us at Northwest (240-740-7100).
REMINDER: Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces 2022 High School Poetry Contest Finalists
REMINDER: Board of Education Votes to Make Masks Optional in MCPS
During its March 8 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all MCPS schools and facilities. This new guidance goes into effect immediately.
This action follows the state of Maryland’s decision to end its statewide mask mandate in schools and aligns with revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that no longer recommend universal mask-wearing in schools.
To maintain the safety of our staff and students, other COVID-19 mitigation strategies will continue, including in-school rapid and random testing, distribution of take-home test kits, improved HVAC systems and vaccination availability. Mask-wearing in MCPS will become optional indoors, outside and on school buses. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so, and your child may request a mask from their school if they want one.
While some will welcome the new mask policy, others may worry about the change. There will be students, teachers and administrators who wish to continue to mask in our schools. We must respect that. So, On or Off, It’s Just Me is a reminder that wearing masks may be an individual choice and we must respect each other's choices.
As a district, we expect our MCPS community to respect individual decisions about mask-wearing at this time. Our staff and students must model kindness, acceptance and inclusivity. MCPS will work with students, staff and families to promote a shared understanding of respecting each individual’s decision as valid.
MCPS will promote acceptance of masking choices by sharing this important message in posters, flyers, video public service announcements, community messages and through social media. Resources will be provided to schools to include in their own communications with students and families.
Parent Resources
Surprise: Students May be Nervous About Ditching the Mask
How to Deal with Bullying Over Face Masks
MCPS Form to Report Bullying and Harassment
MCPS Bullying and Harassment Information
Important Reminder: If you are sick, stay home. Any student or staff member who has COVID-19 like symptoms should remain home. Symptomatic individuals can only return to schools if free from COVID-19 symptoms, including fever of 100.4 or more, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of taste or smell. Use this daily health checklist to help you determine if you are healthy enough to come to school and work.
Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines Remain the Same
Current guidelines governing quarantine and isolation for both students and staff for positive COVID-19 cases have not changed. The policy is five days if certain health conditions are met. This aligns with the recommendations of the CDC, the Maryland Department of Health and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
Learn more here https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/quarantine.aspx
Vaccination
As a reminder, vaccination is the best tool to fight COVID-19 and keep our schools safe for all our students. Children ages 5 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child is eligible but not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, you can find out how here https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Coronavirus/Vaccinations/
Montgomery County Public Schools will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 data from the CDC, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and revisit the issue of masks in school buildings, facilities and on school buses, if needed.
REMINDER: Antiracist Audit Family Survey
Dear MCPS Families,
We need your help to better understand how our schools and the school district are doing as part of our ongoing work to address racial and systemic barriers in Montgomery County Public Schools.
We encourage you to fill out this survey before March 31. You can use your mobile device or computer. The survey is part of a larger process called the MCPS Antiracist System Audit. You can learn more about the audit here.
The survey, which is anonymous and available in seven languages, will ask you about your family’s experiences with your child’s school and MCPS. The goal of the survey is for us to better understand how racism affects teaching, learning and parent engagement.
Students in grades 4 through 12 will also take an age-appropriate, anonymous version of the survey in class between March 1 and March 31. Each school will schedule its own date. (add your date here)
Key information about the surveys and audit:
Parents, students and staff from these organizations were actively involved in providing input and feedback on the survey questions. Sample questions and more information about the surveys can be found here.
A report will be sent to MCPS by the end of June. The report will provide results for MCPS as a whole and by each school.
MCPS will communicate the report’s findings to the community.
This website will provide updates.
REMINDER: Tutoring Opportunities
We are pleased to announce that our honor societies have tutoring programs to assist students in their different courses. Students should fill out the google form or contact the sponsor directly to receive this service. Students will have access to this information on our school website as well.
Below you will find the tutoring schedule:
Math Honor Society
Ms. Schuler - Arielle_E_Schuler@mcpsmd.org
- Tutoring will be in math teachers classrooms at lunch or after school everyday.
- Math Tutoring Request
National Honor Society
Ms. Fowler - Samantha_L_Fowler@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Pruchniewski - Sarah_J_Hinkey@mcpsmd.org
- NHS tutor and student must arrange to meet in a teacher’s classroom by appointment only
- NHS Tutoring Request
National English Honor Society
Mr. Bolesta - John_W_Bolesta2@mcpsmd.org
- English Honor Society will have tutoring on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in room 263
- English Tutoring Request
Rho Kappa - Social Studies Honor Society
Mrs. McDermott - Emily_F_Mcdermott@mcpsmd.org
- Social Studies Honor Society will host tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch in room 229
- Contact Sponsor
French Honor Society
Mrs. McKenna - Kathryn_McKenna@mcpsmd.org
French tutors will be available based on the level of the course:
- French 1, 4, and AP: Available on Tuesdays room 202
- French 2: Available on Thursdays room 214
- French 3: Available on Wednesdays and Thursdays room 219
- Email Mrs. McKenna
Spanish Honor Society
Mrs. Cardona - Yomar_S_Cardona@mcpsmd.org
Spanish tutors will be available at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 204. All levels welcome.
CARES Tutoring
Ms. Turner - Emily_C_Turner@mcpsmd.org
Tutoring available after school in person or via zoom
Contact sponsor
REMINDER: Attention Seniors!
If you have a half day schedule and you are interested in becoming a mentor at Great Seneca Creek Elementary, please email Mrs. Abdelsalam @ Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org.
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
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