Springbrook Weekly Digest
Week of Oct 1, 2023
A Message from Ms. Valentine, Principal
Greetings, Students, Staff, and Families,
I hope you had a great weekend. Here are some things to know.
Class of 2024 Fundraiser Begins Oct 2, 2023
The Senior Class Double-Goods Gourmet Popcorn Fundraiser begins tomorrow, Monday, Oct 2, 2023.
Order delicious gourmet popcorn in savory flavors:
- Butter Believe It
- Carmel-Diem
- Easy Peasy Caramel Cheesy
- Holla-Peno
- In Queso Fire
- Little Kettle That Could
- Main Cheese
- Sergeant Salt & Pepper
- Sweetie, You SaltyWhite Cheddar Go-Getter
Interims Will Be Distributed on October 5, 2023
Now is the perfect time for students, parents, and caregivers to check grades. Should you have questions regarding student performance in a particular class, please contact the classroom teacher directly. You may also follow up with your student's counselor and grade-level administrator.
Mark Your Calendars for upcoming Student, Parent, and Caregiver Meetings
- Class of 2025 - Tues, Nov 14, 2023 at 6:30 PM
- Class of 2026 - Tues, Dec 6, 2023 at 6:30 PM
- Class of 2027 - TBD
In this issue:
- Schedule for the week
- Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Springbrook Hispanic Heritage t-shirts on sale
- Hispanic Heritage Spirt Week - Oct 2 - 6, 2023
- Varsity Football Game Themes
- The Blueprint - Digital School Newspaper
- Congressional App Challenge
- Getting ready for Gr 12 College and Career Readiness Day
- Schedule senior portrait makeup appointments
- Gearing up for clubs after school (Chess and MSP)
- Sign up for College Visits
- Sign up for Free and Reduced Price Meals
- Fundraise for POMS - Chipotle
- Guest Speaker at the Brook
- Join the Math Honors Society
- Weekly Math Trivia
- PTSA News
- Shoe Drive -Basketball Fundraiser
- Check out Thomas Edison Technology HS Programs
- PSAT Day - Will be administered to grade 10 and grade 11 students Wed, October 11th
- See Something, Say Something
Warm regards,
Stephanie Valentine
Principal
Springbrook High School
Follow Principal Valentine on Instagram and Twitter
X formely Twitter @SBHSPrinc
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) honors the diverse cultures and achievements of Americans who have roots in Latin America and Spain. The celebratory period runs from Sept 15 - Oct 15, 2023. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on Sept 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on the 18th, and Chile on the 18th. The period also includes holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day which is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sylvia Mendez Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011
At the age of 8, Sylvia dreamed of attending integrated schools, however, she was prohibited due to her nationality. Her family eventually won the Mendez v. Westminster School District (1946) case. This federal court case outlawed school segregation in California. Filed by the Mendez family and other Latino parents in Orange County, the case challenged the practice of sending children to separate Mexican schools.
Future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, an NAACP attorney at the time, wrote an amicus brief in support of the case. Marshall would go on to use similar arguments in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case. Though seldom discussed, this ruling directly influenced the decision in the widely recognized Brown case.
Springbrook Hispanic Heritage T-Shirts
National Hispanic Heritage SPIRIT WEEK at 'The Brook'
- Monday, Oct 2 - Wear the colors of a Latin American flag
- Tuesday, Oct 3 - Wear a shirt honoring a Hispanic athlete
- Wednesday, Oct 4 - Wear neon colors to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month
- Thursday, Oct 5 - Wear a shirt from a Latin American country
- Friday, Oct 6 - Wear a typical outfit from your Hispanic country
Blue Devils Be Sure to Rep Springbrook Themes at Varsity Football Games
Our Digital School Newspaper is Back Online
View the latest edition of the 2023-2024 digital school newspaper. The Blueprint https://blueprintnewsonline.com/
Congressional App Challenge
On behalf of Congressmember Jamie Raskin, we are so excited to invite your students to participate in the 2023 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The Congressional App Challenge’s mission is to inspire, include, and innovate efforts around stem, coding, and computer science education. Since its inception in 2015, participation in the challenge has grown exponentially. It is considered the most prestigious prize in student computer science.
The Challenge
Students create an app on just about any topic of interest to them on any platform they choose (web app, desktop/PC app, a web browser extension, robot, Ruby on Rails, mobile, etc.) using any programming language they prefer (C/C++, Objective C, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift, “block code,” etc.). The app must have some degree of functionality to be competitive. Then, students submit a short video of 1-3 minutes long explaining their app.
Students may compete as individuals, or in teams of up to four (4) students. At least half of the teammates on any team must live or attend school in Rep. Raskin’s 8th Congressional District.
Deadline for Entry
12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
For your convenience, below, are several links to important information regarding the CAC:
- Rep. Raskin’s Congressional App Challenge Webpage
- Congressional App Challenge Website
- Congressional App Challenge Rules
- Congressional App Challenge Student Registration
- Congressional App Challenge Prizes
- Congressional App Challenge Past Winners
For questions or assistance, please contact us at (301) 354-1000 or nina.weisbroth@mail.house.gov and hailey.roh@mail.house.gov.
Get Ready for the Class of 2024 College and Career Readiness Day
- Senior Class Breakfast
- Senior Class Portrait
- Financial Aid, Scholarship, and Apprentice Session
- SBHS Alumni College Session coupled with info Regarding the Gap Year
- Military Session
- College and Career Fair (over 92 colleges will be in attendance, plus military, and trade schools)
- Students will resume classes after the lunch block
Schedule Senior Portrait Make-Ups
Senior Portrait Information
- Victor O'Neill Studios (VOS) is the official school photographer this school year.
- Senior portrait makeup photos will be held October 16-18 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM. A portrait link will be emailed to students, parents, and caregivers in early September. There is no cost for your yearbook photo.
- Click to view sample senior portrait images: Photos
- Click to see what to expect at your senior portrait session: Video
- For senior portrait questions, email VOS at seniors@vosphoto.com or call VOS photo at 703-532-0013.
New Colleges Added for College Visits
What is a College Visit?
College Admission Representatives will visit Springbrook to share highlights about their specific college and university programs.
- Students will receive information about the College Admissions Process, Majors, Campus Life, Athletics, Housing, Scholarships, and more.
- Students can sign up through Naviance, and presentations are approximately twenty-five to thirty minutes during class time, lunch, and after school.
- All students must have permission from their teacher as well as a pass to attend the visits.
- See visits scheduled for September 2023 below.
For more information regarding college visits please contact Ms. Tammy Patterson, college and career information coordinator at Tammy_R_Patterson@mcpsmdmd.org.
Montgomery County Department of Fire & Rescue
The High School Cadet Open House is Tues., Oct 17, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Public Safety Training Academy. Read the flyer, shown below, for more information.
Last year's benefits expire mid-October. If you have previously submitted an application but have not yet been notified of approval, please contact MCPS Food & Nutrition Services at 240.740.7400 or email DFNSOffice@mcpsmd.org to check on the status.
Assistant Dean, School of Engineering at Morgan State University
Join the Math Honors Society by October 6, 2023
Weekly Math Trivia: Presented by the Springbrook Math Honors Society
Email your response to 167995@mcpsmd.net or melatghebr0@gmail.com for a chance at being recognized in the next digest. The answer to last week's problem was 1! Great job Abel Yohannes for getting last week's problem correct.
PTSA is supporting The College Day
The PTSA is supporting The College Day on October 11th and we need you to make this event successful. Please sign-up to volunteer Springbrook: Senior College Day - Oct. 11 (signupgenius.com) or Donate towards the food that will be provided that day. Thank you for supporting our children as they plan for their bright futures.
Basketball Shoe Drive Fundraiser
Cleaning out your closet? "Shoe" us some love and bring in ANY new or gently worn shoes for our girls and basketball fundraiser. We are accepting ALL types of shoes no matter the size or style. Shoes can be dropped off to G-109 - Coach T's room. Additionally, students who donate 3 or more pairs may receive a free ticket to any home Springbrook Sporting Event. The more shoes we collect, the more money we can raise for our basketball program! Please see Coach T to redeem your ticket or if you have any questions. She can be contacted at: miriam.tesfamikael@mcpsmd.net
Learn about Technology Programs at Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison High School of Technology will be on hand on October 20, 2023, in the AUD during lunch. Hear about career opportunities, industry licensure, and work-based learning.
PSAT Testing Information
- The PSAT is offered at no cost to Grade 10 students. Grade 10 students will be automatically registered.
- Performance on the PSAT counts towards the National Merit Scholarship in the 11th grade year. As a result, grade 11 students will be registered for the assessment. If you require financial assistance, please complete this google form.
- This fall, the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered in a digital format, which will provide an overall easier testing experience for students. Students will test using their MCPS-issued Chromebook.
- If you or your student has questions regarding the PSAT, please contact your student's counselor. Watch this video to see what students can expect from the digital PSAT/NMSQT.
Safety is extremely important to our Blue Devil Community!
Blue Devils, please remember the SBHS See Something, Say Something Initiative. If you've seen something concerning at school, please use this QR code to report the incident. Providing details, location, and timeframe is really helpful.Springbrook High School
Email: Stephanie_Z_Valentine@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/
Location: 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-3800
Twitter: @SBHSPrinc