LRHS FAMILY NEWSLETTER
November 23, 2020
Message from Principal, Janine Holmes
Hello Raiders,
I hope you are all healthy and safe. Happy Thanksgiving to our Raider families. In these stressful times, I hope you are able to take time to reflect on those things for which you are thankful. We are thankful for each one of our students and their families.
It’s hard to believe that the first quarter ended on November 13. Report cards will be in BCPS One on November 30. We will also mail a copy to students’ homes. Please don’t hesitate to contact teachers if you have any questions about grades. You can find teachers’ email addresses at https://lochravenhs.bcps.org/staff/staff_directory.
As you read through the newsletter, you will find information and links that will keep you up to date with BCPS news, Loch Raven news, and helpful resources.
Please note that we are preparing to begin the registration process for the 2021-2022 school year. This will all be completed online this year. Look for this important material below.
We are offering a new resource for assistance with computer problems through our computer intern program. The details are included in this newsletter. It is our hope that most computer issues have been resolved; however, we want to offer help and solutions to any that arise.
If you are trying to reach us by phone and get our voice mail, please leave a message with your name, the student’s name, telephone number, and reason for your call, and we will return your call. The best number to call is our main office number: 443-809-3525. You may also choose to send an email to a teacher, your student’s counselor, our social worker, or one of our administrators.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason. We are here to assist our students and their families.
As always,
Stay Positive, Work Hard, and Make It Happen!
Janine Holmes
bcps news
BCPS launches COVID-19 data dashboard
Site to be updated each Friday with latest health metrics for Baltimore County and school system
Towson, MD – Baltimore County Public Schools has launched an online COVID-19 data dashboard that will be updated every Friday.
The dashboard provides data on COVID-19 cases in Baltimore County Public Schools and Baltimore County based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health.
On the dashboard, graphs and tables show the average seven-day case rate per 100,000 Baltimore County residents, the seven-day percent positive rate, the number of BCPS schools with outbreaks (of the schools that are open to students) as well as the current BCPS School Opening Score (and details about how it is calculated). More information about how the BCPS School Opening Score is calculated and used can be found in “Safety Is Our True North.”
“Baltimore County Public Schools is pleased to share this important information with the public in an easily accessible format,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “We are committed to using the latest data and best medical guidance to advise our decision-making during this unprecedented time and to being transparent about how decisions are being made.”
Additional information about COVID-19 Guidance for Maryland Schools, the Maryland COVID-19 Data Dashboard, and the Baltimore County Response Hub are available online.
PTSA events
Every Child, One Voice…Together we are better!
Please support our PTSA through your membership and the upcoming events listed below. You can find all the details on our website.
GR8FUL CAMPAIGN – Donation drive of personal care items that directly benefits LRHS students through the Loch Raven Haven ends November 30th.
SpiritWear sale, including Senior t-shirts, just in time for the holidays, ends November 30th.
Our annual spaghetti dinner is a grab-n-go this year through the famous Baltimore institution, Sabatino’s. Orders must be placed before 5 p.m. on December 1st. Pick up will be at Loch Raven on December 2nd between 5:00-6:30 p.m. Menu and ordering information can be found on the flyer on our website.
You can find all the details for these events on our website: lochravenhsptsa.com
Follow us on Instagram (lochravenhs.ptsa), Twitter (LochRavenHSPTSA) and Facebook (PTSALRHS) for up to date info.
Please support our PTSA!
All membership fees and donations can be made online at: https://lochravenhs.new.memberhub.store/store
Need computer help???
There are several ways to get help with computer problems.
Our computer interns are now ready to help students with computer issues. They can help with microphone or camera problems. They can help with difficulty using Jamboard, Screencastify, Flipgrid or any of the other tools in the Innovation Hub.
The computer interns can help students with computer issues on asynchronous Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 pm. on December 2, 9, and 16 and January 6, 13 and 27.
Please email Ms. Paules at cpaules@bcps.org with your name and a brief description of your problem, and she will contact you through Schoology with the Google Meets code.
You can also get help by calling the BCPS Help Desk if your device is not working. Call
443-809-4672.
In addition, you can submit your problem to the Help Desk by using the following support link in BCPS One.
raider of the month
Each month, teachers are asked to nominate a student they feel exemplified one or more of the following areas.
Stay Positive: respect, appropriate language, pride in LR community
Work Hard: punctual and ready to work, professional conduct
Make it Happen: strive for success, believe it is possible, work bell to bell
Based on the nominations received, a committee of teachers votes on the winners. Each grade level will have one student recognized as Raider of the Month. Therefore, we will have four winners each month.
Each student nominated should be proud to be recognized as a Raider of the Month nominee!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
yearbook news
The yearbook is now available for early purchase. The information can be accessed through the Schoology link. Forms and additional information are below.
Please also note that yearbook recognition ads can be designed on line. Choose the size of your ad and honor your student with this special yearbook option!
If you have any questions or need additional help, please send Ms. Hinton, our yearbook advisor, a message at dhinton2@bcps.org.
http://bcps.schoology.com/group/3137489965/update/3262759439
counseling connection
VIRTUAL CALMING ROOM
The BCPS virtual calming room is a space that has been designed for students, families, and staff to identify and implement tools and strategies for navigating emotions and feelings.
registration for 2021-2022 school year
Google Meet Schedule for Course Registration (times TBD)
Current Grade 9 Students - Wednesday, December 2
Current Grade 10 Students - Wednesday, December 2
Current Grade 11 Students - Wednesday, December 9
Current Grade 8 Students/Incoming Freshman –
Wednesday, December 16
For more information: https://lochravenhs.bcps.org/counseling/course_registration_information
special education resource center
The BCPS Special Education Resource Center maintains a lending library of articles, newsletters, books, and DVDs on a wide range of special education topics such as special education law, types of disabilities, support groups, and recreational opportunities.
All Baltimore County residents, parents, school employees, and college students are welcome to use the lending library.
Use this link to take a virtual tour of the lending library. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mGDiRlsz6dBRronX0e3pJeHwzSlRcbUM/view
The application for a lending library card can be found here: https://dci.bcps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_9046958/File/Special%20Education/SERC/LENDING%20LIBRARY%20APPLICATION.pdf
Services offered by bureau of behavioral health
The Department of Special Education is actively curating resources to support families during remote learning. Follow them on Twitter @BCPS_DSE to see their daily tweets or check the DSE website regularly for resource updates.
The Baltimore County Department of Health Bureau of Behavioral Health offers some respite and in-home support services for students with mental health disorders and/or students at risk of out-of-home placement. See below for contacts and more information.
Please contact the following to discuss needs or request a referral form:
· Tiffany Chavis (ages 0-12): 410-887-3828; tchavis@baltimorecountymd.gov
· Heather Dewey (ages 13-24): 410-887-0570; hdewey@baltimorecountymd.gov
EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
Target Population: Ages 5 and below, at risk for termination from day care and/or presenting significant challenges at home
Vendor: MENTOR Maryland/IFCS
· Contact Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828
· On-site day care consult (to staff) and/or home based family counseling
· Specific referral form required
FLEX FUNDS
· The LBHA can provide limited financial assistance for specific purposes
· Visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/mentalhealth and select “Mental Health Forms” for details
IN-HOME INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
Target Population: Children & adolescents (ages 3-17) considered at risk for out-of-home placement, and their families; must have a diagnosed Mental Health Disorder; must attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis
Vendors: Villa Maria Behavioral Health or MENTOR Maryland/IFCS
· Contact Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828
· Service 2x/week for up to 5 months
· Youth and caregiver-focused intervention to strengthen family functioning
· Specific referral forms plus a Psychosocial Assessment required
RESPITE, HOME-BASED
Target Population: Caregivers of youth ages 17 and below, at risk for out of home placement; youth must have Medical Assistance, a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis
Vendor: Catholic Charities, Villa Maria Children’s Continuum
· Contact Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828
· A respite specialist picks the youth up at home and spends time one-one for recreational purposes with the goal of providing a break for caregivers
· Monthly service; maximum 288 hours total; one year duration
· Specific referral form required
RESPITE, INSTITUTIONAL WEEKEND
Target Population: Caregivers of youth ages 5-12, at risk for out of home placement; youth must have a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis
Vendor: Catholic Charities, St. Vincent’s Villa Residential Treatment Center
· Contact Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828
· Limited access, only for youth who need institutional level of respite
· No referral form, requires therapist’s statement of caregivers’ need for respite
· Youth’s most recent assessments are required
· Based on space availability in the facility
RESPITE, OUT-OF-HOME RESPITE
Target Population: Caregivers of youth ages 17 and below, at risk for out of home placement; youth must have Medical Assistance a mental health diagnosis and attend outpatient mental health treatment on a regular basis
Vendor: Children’s Choice
· Contact Tiffany Chavis at 410-887-3828
· Youth stays in a treatment foster care home (usually for two-night weekends, but can be single nights or week nights)
· Requires caregiver and youth interview
Specific referral form required
schoology email digest
caps and gowns
The cap, gown, and tassel package has a discount price of $8.05 plus tax for a total of $8.53. The deadline for this price is January 31. After that date, there is a significant increase in the price. The easiest way to order is online. However, if you need help to order another way, please email Mrs. Oliver, our graduation coordinator, at loliver@bcps.org. Our goal is always for every student to pay the discount price!
You can place orders on their website or by phone 800-567-8367.
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1066483/Loch-Raven-High-School/
If you have any questions about ordering, you can email our Jostens rep: thomas.orme@jostens.com
We will continue to share information on Schoology and in Google Meets.
Parent University
Upcoming Events
The Teenage Brain
Presented by BCPS
Thursday, December 10, 2020 6:30 PM
We will dive into the teenage brain and discuss coping strategies to support your teenager’s academic and emotional success. Register Today!
Creating Lifelong Readers Out Of Reluctant Readers: Igniting A Passion!
Presented by BCPS Office of ELA & BCPL
Wednesday, December 19, 2020 7:00 PM
Help your child fall in love with reading! Discover ways to increase reading engagement and motivation. Register with BCPL starting December 2!
Food distribution update
Baltimore County Public Schools will provide school meals, at no cost, to all children ages 2-18. Meals are available to all children up to the age of 18, and to students with disabilities regardless of age. Parents or guardians can pick up student meals. Curbside pickup is available at the main entrance of every middle and high school each Monday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There are also many bus distribution locations. Please see Free Student Meals for locations and times.
On Monday students will receive: Two days of meals-breakfast and lunch (consists of cold food items, fruit, vegetables, milk and breakfast items). On Wednesday students will receive: Three days of meals-breakfast and lunch (consists of cold food items, fruit, vegetables, milk and breakfast items).
The Student Support Network will continue to supplement the BCPS food distribution program. The holiday schedule for Network food distribution is below.
Thanksgiving Week
Tuesday, November 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Christmas and New Year's Weeks
Tuesday, December 22 (before Christmas)
Tuesday, December 29 (before New Year's Day)
There will be NO Network Friday food distributions during the holiday weeks.
If you need additional assistance with food or household items, please email our Social Worker, Caryn Putchat at cputchat@bcps.org
Baltimore county and bcps resources
Click here to get updates from Baltimore County Public Schools https://www.bcps.org/system/coronavirus/
Here are the links to connect to BCPS One and Schoology
Accessing Schoology Once You Have a BCPS Account
BCPS Social Emotional Support Team Resources for wellness, mental health, self-care and related topics:
http://scs.bcps.org/departments/social_emotional_support
Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support
Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009
Baltimore County DSS: 410.887.TIME
Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410.931.2214
Sheppard Pratt Crisis Walk-in: 410-938-5302
The Trevor Project: 1.866.488.7386 or text START to 678678
Maryland Food Bank: 410.737.8282
Maryland Help Line United Way: 211