WHS Weekly Newsletter
Home of the Lions - September 24, 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Walkersville Community,
On Monday we were able to celebrate with over 225 students at our Academic Awards ceremony, as we recognized students who earned a 3.5 or higher in the past year. It was a great event and we thank our amazing PTSA for sponsoring! If your child was invited and unable to attend, please have them see Ms. Shipe in the Counseling Center to pick up their pin. Midterm was yesterday, and if your student is struggling, please reach out to teachers ASAP. As a reminder, academic eligibility begins at the end of term 1, and we want all of our Lions to participate in extra curricular activities and stay engaged. As October approaches, we are excited to be planning our Homecoming celebration. The pep rally, parade, and game are planned for Oct. 22nd, with the dance on the 23rd. This is a Walkersville High School only dance this year, as we continue to follow COVID protocols. I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather this weekend.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie Ware
Principal
STATE TESTING INFORMATION
Beginning next week, any student who took Algebra 1, Biology or English 10 during last school year will be participating in the Maryland State Department of Education MCAP exams for that course. Participation in these exams is a requirement for graduation.
Testing will continue through October 22.
HOMECOMING INFORMATION
Homecoming season is here and this year's theme is Hollywood!
Mark your calendar for Friday, October 22nd with the Homecoming Parade beginning at 5pm. Parade participants will line up in the middle school's parking lot at 4:30 and process down West Frederick St to the high school. If you wish to help out or have a group/organization interested in being part of the parade, contact Ms. Reid at fawn.reid@fcps.org.
After the parade we’re looking for a Lions win at the Homecoming football game at 6:30pm vs. Brunswick. The halftime show will include a presentation of the Homecoming court and the announcement of this year’s King and Queen.
The Homecoming Dance will be held Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 in the school gymnasium from 7-10pm. Tickets are $15 per person. The 2021 Homecoming Dance is only open to Walkersville High School students; guests will NOT be allowed this year.
Walkersville High School is committed to providing the opportunity for our students to experience the traditional events of Homecoming, but we also want to be sure that we are taking efforts to keep everyone safe. In addition to limiting our dance attendance to current WHS students, please note the following:
- Masks will be required while inside the building for the dance
- The commons will be available as a quieter place for students who wish to sit down, play games, or just chat with friends.
- We thank our students in advance for continuing to comply with and support our efforts to keep you safe while also enjoying the fun traditions and events at Walkersville High School.
WHS FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION & FAFSA FINISH NIGHT
Walkersville High School will be hosting a Financial Aid Information Night for seniors and their parents on October 14th at 6 PM. During this event, parents will learn helpful information and receive resources from a local financial aid advisor.
Following the information session at 6 PM, families have the option to stay and participate in a FAFSA Finish Event. This event allows parents to complete the FAFSA with the assistance of on-site financial aid experts. It is a hands-on FREE event. This event will run from 7-9 PM following the information session at 6 PM. Participants in the FAFSA portion of the evening must register ahead of time. More information on registration will be shared when it becomes available.
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
If your child will be absent, late or is leaving early, please email WHS.Attendance@fcps.org with student's name, grade, date and reason for absence. If your student is a student driver, please indicate this on the note. Student drivers will receive a pass to allow them to sign out on their own.
For early dismissals:
- Parent/Guardian will come to the office to sign student out **If not a student driver
- Please bring your ID & wear a mask
- Allow adequate time to locate student for an early dismissal
- If you allow someone else to sign your student out, please note the name you authorize in your note to the school. They will be required to show ID to pick up student.
Don’t forget, when going to the Doctor, Dentist or Orthodontics, remember to get an attendance slip. We will code accordingly. This is especially important if you have a student that has after school activities.
For more attendance information, https://education.fcps.org/whs/attendance
ONE CALL NOW ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATIONS
One Call Now Attendance Notifications
One Call Now attendance messages will be used for our school. This is FCPS wide. The intent of the messages are to communicate with families if their child has been marked absent for 1 or more periods of the school day. This includes late arrivals to school.
This text is automated and it is possible that if a child enters school later in the day the text could occur in error. As always, please feel free to call or email our attendance office at either WHS.Attendance@fcps.org or 240-236-7213 if you feel you have received a text in error.
This text will be sent to the person who is noted as the guardians for your child. If you wish to opt out of this text or any of the One Call Now calls you receive, feel free to listen to the message to the end for directions to opt out over the phone. To opt-out from receiving text messages, on your cell phone: Open a blank text message. In the recipient field, type 22300. In the message field, type Stop and then, click Send.
Please know opting out will stop further communications from our school when we are using One Call Now.
WHS TAILGATING T-SHIRTS
FOR JUNIORS & SENIORS ONLY:
If you would like to purchase a tailgating shirt the links to purchase at SchoolCashOnline are below. You can personalize your shirt with a name/nickname on the back by going to the form on the school website. DEADLINE to order is TONIGHT! To Complete Order Form: Click HERE
To Pay for S-XL:
https://FrederickCounty.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/27859/82/False/True
To Pay for XXL - XXXL:
https://FrederickCounty.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/27858/82/False/True
WHS BAND SPIRITWEAR
ORDER SCHOOL PICTURES ONLINE
COUNSELING NEWS
This year's counselor caseloads will be as follows:
- Ryan Defibaugh, 9th grade, A-Z
- Lauren Bishard, 10th-12th grade, A-F
- Susan Nash, 10th-12th grade, G-M
- Shannon Marble, 10th-12th grade, N-Z
- Brittany Kuhn, Pyramid & Learning for Life Programs
- Amy Pearre, English Language Learners
- Elise Pennington, Behavior Support Specialist
Walkersville High School continues to be committed to helping our students and their families during Covid-19. We understand these changes have brought on challenges. Please reach out to Kari Shipe directly in our Counseling center for more information about programs and resources that may be available for your family.
Kari Shipe, Counseling Center Secretary
240-236-7209
Students can request to see their counselor by seeing our secretary, Kari Shipe, in the Counseling Office to set up an appointment.
Please click on the link below for more IMPORTANT information from the Counseling Center.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uA7PAs0IsMeOD4AStZJQg7wpC7j9HgoM/view?usp=sharing
SPORTS NEWS
Are you interested in playing lacrosse? Never played but would like to get a jump start before the spring season?
The lady lions lacrosse team will be holding a fall clinic starting Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021. The clinic will run from September 28th to October 20th, twice a week (schedule will be listed below). Times for the clinic will be from 5-6:30pm and will be held at Glade Elementary. Equipment required are; lacrosse stick, mouth guard, goggles and cleats/sneakers (preferably cleats).
This clinic is for ladies that have not played on the WHS team but are willing to learn the basics or want to be introduced to lacrosse at the competitive high school level before the spring season. Please fill out the google form included in this message.
Any questions please email Coach M at marianna.taylor@fcps.org.
WHS Girls Lacrosse Google Form
Schedule:
Week 1- Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and Thursday, September 30, 2021
Week 2- Tuesday, October 5, 2021 and Thursday October 7, 2021
Week 3- Tuesday, October 12, 2021 and Thursday October 14, 2021
Week 4-Monday, October 18, 2021 and Wednesday October 20, 2021
For more information on our upcoming sports events, click here for our athletic calendar.
WHS PTSA - A PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
Please Join the PTSA
The WHS Parent Teacher Student Association exists to help support all of our kids and the professional staff that works so hard on their behalf. We want to continue that level of support and we are looking for volunteers. Please be on the lookout for the WHS Volunteer Form.
In an effort to avoid numerous fundraisers throughout the year, we’re asking our WHS families to financially support the work of the PTSA in two ways: your $10.00 membership and a donation of at least $25 in the name of each child you have in our school. If $25 is too much at this time, anything you can give is welcome and appreciated. You can also go to our website at WalkersvilleHighSchool.my-ptsa.org to pay for membership and make a donation with your credit card.
Your much needed donation to the WHS PTSA is 100% tax deductible! With just $25 per child, our PTSA can continue enrich and support the following:
- Academic Excellence program that recognizes hundreds of students each year for their scholastic achievements
- Arts in Education/National PTA Reflections program
- Cinderella’s Closet
- “Make It Happen!” Grant program for staff and students
- “You’ve Made Your Mark” PTSA Scholarships for graduating seniors
- Safe and Sound
- Support Lion’s PRIDE events
- Student Enrichment programs
Membership Chairperson – Tina Sims
WHSLionsPTSAmembership@gmail.com
WALKERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SAFE AND SOUND EVENT 2022
The WHS Committee for a Safe and Sound Graduation is already at work planning the after-graduation celebration for the Class of 2022. It is our goal to provide a fun night for the graduating seniors in a safe environment that is alcohol and drug free. The event is planned for May 25, 2022 at Adventure Park beginning at 11:00 pm. (Doors will be locked and graduates will stay safe inside until 4:30 am on May 26th). Transportation provided.
As in past years, we are planning an evening filled with activities, food, and entertainment. All attending graduates will have the opportunity to win gift cards, prizes, and cash! This is an event that your senior will not want to miss! Our committee has a lot of work to do between now and May 25th and would greatly appreciate any help you can offer. Please contact us at safeandsoundwhs@gmail.com if you are able to help. All seniors must be pre-registered for the event. Please register using one of the methods below including a payment of $50.00 as soon as possible. By doing so, you will help raise a portion of the funds necessary to secure vendors and
entertainment. Please note the registration fee will increase to $75.00 on January 1, 2022.
No registrations will be accepted after May 20, 2022. If, for ANY reason, this event is cancelled, you will be fully reimbursed for the amount you paid.
REGISTER NOW and avoid the price increase!!! Three ways to Register…
- Register ONLINE at http://WalkersvilleHighSchool.my-ptsa.org
- Mail in Registration form and Fee to: WHS Safe and Sound, PO Box 183, Walkersville, MD 21793
- Drop your Registration form and Fee to the WHS front office in an envelope marked Safe and Sound.
SAFE AND SOUND FUNDRAISER (see attached flyer)
Website: http://WalkersvilleHighSchool.my-ptsa.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WHS-PTSA-416541538545335
Email: WHSLionsPTSA@gmail.com
MVA LEARNER'S PERMIT
If under 16, you must provide a completed verification of identity and/or school attendance, form (#DL-300) to an MVA official during the learner's permit application process. The attendance form must be presented to the MVA in a sealed, unopened envelope provided by the applicant's school or county home school coordinator, if home schooled. Please make sure to drop request a School Verification Form from the Attendandce Secretary and allow 24 hours for the form to be ready.
WORK PERMIT
Are you or your student getting a summer job? All students under the age of 18 require a work permit. You can apply directly at: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/wages/empm.shtml
Only the student, parent and employer are required to sign.
HOW POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES ARE COMMUNICATED
Important Definitions: Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - Cases of COVID-19 that are lab confirmed positive results of a PCR test. Probable Case of COVID-19 - COVID-19-like symptomatic individual who has had close contact with another individual with a laboratory confirmed positive result within the past 14 days. Close Contact - Close and prolonged contact within 3 feet of a cumulative 15 minutes in a 24 hour period. Confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in the school prompt a case investigation to determine if anyone has been in close contact with the confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. A joint effort between FCPS administrators and the Frederick County Health Department identifies all close contacts. All close contacts are contacted individually and advised to quarantine at home, monitor their health, and to contact their healthcare provider for any health concerns.
The health and safety of our community is our highest priority. Walkersville High School follows all COVID-19 related health and safety guidelines, including requiring face coverings for staff and students, encouraging frequent hand washing, maintaining social distance, and following all cleaning and disinfection protocols. The FCPS Health Metrics Dashboard reports the number of positive COVID-19 cases for staff and students that are in-person attendance at all FCPS schools. The cases are reported two different ways: (1) total number for all of FCPS; and (2) by each school. The dashboard is updated every Monday morning to report the number of cases from the previous week.
NEED SUPPORT - HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN?
We are here to support you! Do you have a question, but not sure who to ask? What do you need assistance with? Just complete the form linked here and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. https://forms.gle/bndJpvxzbCEuwrgC7
QUICK REMINDERS
October 22: Homecoming Game
October 23: Homecoming Dance
October 26: NO SCHOOL for Students
Walkersville High School
Office Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm
Email: maryanne.allen@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whs/
Location: 81 West Frederick Street, Walkersville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-7200
Twitter: @DrWare_FCPS