Principal's Newsletter
Some thoughts for the starting school year
February 16, 2024
From the Desk of the Principal
Dear Brunswick Families,
Many interesting bits of news below for all Roader Families. First, a few reminders about attendance: we've seen a slight uptick in students arriving at school without notes, or asking to be dismissed early without written permission, and other attendance issues. Attending school every day is the single most important factor to success in learning. In those instances when we have to be away from school, FCPS has established clear, consistent guidelines. In the school reminders section below, we run the most basic guidelines to help families to navigate the absence/excusal/dismissal policy. Please call our Attendance Secretary Ms. Shelp at 240-236-8554 if you have any questions, or simply want your child's attendance data.
On March 20, all juniors will be taking the SAT at Brunswick HS. This free administration of the SAT will help inform juniors about where they stand on this important college qualifying exam. During the pandemic, many colleges altered their policies regarding entrance examinations, but now many are returning to requiring or strongly suggesting that this may improve a student's chances of admission. As principal, I have just one word for juniors regarding the SAT - PREPARATION - both in the style and structure of the test, and how to increase your score. We’ll have more information coming in the next few weeks to help you be ready for SAT Day at BHS.
Next week is FFA Spirit Week! Take the time to check out the spirit dress days as indicated on the calendar below. Also next Saturday, mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual “Dancing with the Poms” competition! This event featuring 12 dance pairs is not to be missed: Saturday, February 24 at 7:00pm. Tickets are less than the cost of a movie!
Enjoy the snowy weekend,
Christopher Berry
Principal
The Week Ahead - Keeping You in the Know!
Only home athletic events listed. Check BHS Event Calendar for complete details of home and away contents.
All college recruiter visits are held during Connections (10:25am) unless stated otherwise. Sign-up in Naviance
Railroader News and Notes
Karaoke Fundraiser at Beans in the Belfry
The BHS Student Council is once again participating in the Superintendent's Cup in which we support a local charity, this year Sleep In Heavenly Peace. We have teamed up with Beans in the Belfry to raise money. Beans in the Belfry has generously offered to donate 10% of all proceeds from their upcoming karaoke night on Friday, February 16th, from 6-9pm. We hope to see you there!
If you would like to support our initiative in other ways, we are collecting money and new bedding. Donations can be dropped off at BHS during business hours c/o BHS Student Council Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Get in the Spirit with the BHS FFA
FCPS Now Accepting Out-of-district Applications
Out-of-district applications will be accepted by the Department of Student Services office from February 1 to March 1, 2024.
Parents or guardians who wish to request an out-of-district transfer for the 2024-2025 school year must apply by completing the application. Out of district approvals are only good for one year, so all students/families MUST REAPPLY between February 1 and March 1, 2024.
Additional information about the out of district process is outlined in FCPS Regulation 400-15. The FCPS list of closed schools for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here.
Families will be notified of the decision regarding your out of district request by April 1, 2024. If you have questions, you may contact the Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) assigned to your child's school.
For assistance completing the form, please call 240-236-2493.
Families will be notified of the decision by April 1, 2024.
Dancing with the Poms
Show Time: February 24 -- 7:00 p.m. (doors open 6:30 p.m.)
Cost: Adults $10, Seniors $5, Students $5
Location: Brunswick High School Auditorium, 101 Cummings Dr., Brunswick, MD, 21716
FFA Newsletter
Scan the QR code to take a look at what the Brunswick FFA accomplished in October and what events, fundraisers, and projects are going on now! Written by Chapter Reporter, Emma Mourales
The 2023-34 BHS Yearbook is Now on Sale
All pre-orders online at: www.yearbookordercenter.com
and enter our job #5848
Congratulations, Commendations & Kudos
Students of the Week
Academic Winner: Rylynn Nalborczyk
Nominated by: Mr. Belcher
Rylynn has completed her FCVS Math course in less than 4 weeks with a very good grade!!!!! - Mr. Belcher
Outstanding Character Winner: Michaela Douglass
Nominated by: Ms. Clugston
Michaela always helps anyone who needs it during classwork. She is consistently a gem of a human being. - Ms. Clugston
Senior Class of 2024
Order Your Cap and Gown for Graduation
Senior Event Calendar - Check Out All Senior Events!
The graduation date for BHS has finally been announced! The BHS Class of 2024 will be hold its graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 21 at 9:00am at the PNC Arena on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg. What are the other major events throughout the year and related to graduation that you need on your calendar now? Check out this newly updated link below with all of the important dates for the Class of 2024.
Senior Events Calendar
Seniors - Need Assistance with the College Process?
Here are all the answers to the many questions you have about your college applications! Here are the "4-Year-College-Bound Senior" resources from the Connections Assembly on September 6.
Slideshow - College Application Things to Know
Handout - Naviance for Seniors - Requesting Transcripts & Recommendations
These items are also available at www.bhs.edu - click “Counseling” (top right)
Athletics
Railroader Athletic Events for the Coming Week
BHS Athletic Events
Brunswick High School Athletics - Week of 2/17/24-2/23/24
Staff
- The link above will give you the schedule of events for BHS this week
- Please come support our Student-Athletes!
Coaches
- Please double check your scheduled start time / location for games.
- Please make sure you have received a bus slip in your mailbox – double check departure times.
- Bus Policies
Officials and Opposing School ADs - Please let me know if our schedules do not agree.
Tickets and Video
- Fans can purchase tickets online for regular season contests and skip the line at the gate at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24761
- Games can be watched live on the NFHS Network
- Please familiarize yourself with this information for the Winter Season.
Booster Organizations
The Class of 2024 Safe and Sane News
A Parent Booster Organization in Support of Brunswick High School
The Class of 2024 Safe and Sane Committee and Parent Volunteers have been hard at work organizing several fundraisers. Please review the information below and supporting our fundraising efforts so that our Seniors can experience a safe, fun and memorable event on graduation night! Thank you for your continued support!
Class of 2024 Graduation Yard Signs: It's time to purchase your Graduation Yard Sign! Signs are $12 and can be paid for in advance via Venmo, cash orcheck. Information regarding purchasing and picking up yard signs is in the flyer.
Pampered Chef Fundraiser. Pampered Chef offers top quality kitchen tools, gadgets, stoneware, bakeware, cookware and more to make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. These items make wonderful gifts - think weddings or bridal showers, new home purchase, college students moving into their own apartments, or a gift for you! Up to 15% of every order placed will be donated to Safe and Sane. Please click on the link and consider adding to your kitchen collections!
https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/bhsseniors0201
Hemp's Meat Raffle: Get ready! The annual Safe and Sane Hemp's Meat Raffle is coming! Tickets will be $15 and you have a chance to win great prizes. The First Place winner will receive 1/4 beef; Second and Third place winners will receive $200 and $100 gift cards to Hemp's. We will be selling tickets beginning mid-February, but you'll also have an opportunity to buy tickets in person at Dancing with the Poms on February 24 at BHS. Winners will be announced LIVE at Hemp's in Jefferson on Saturday, April 13!
Stuff the Truck: Save the Date - April 20! Start gathering your soft home goods (clothes, sheets, blankets, towels, backpacks, purses, wallets, scarves, mittens, etc) AND books AND kitchen items such as pots, pans, plates, mugs, and bring them to BHS on April 20 so we can stuff the truck one more time! Soft goods must be packed in large bags, and books and kitchen items must be pack securely in boxes.
Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming fundraisers like Egg My Yard, Bingo, Hemp's Meat Raffle, Chipotle Restaurant Night Fundraiser, Stuff the Truck, Virtual 5k Walk/Run and more!
Blanket Fundraiser to Benefit BHS Athletic Boosters Club
BHS PTSA News
We welcome all Parents, Students, and Teacher to join the PTSA!
If you or your student have not had an opportunity to join the PTSA, or just want to make a donation, print a membership/donation form from the link below:
https://edu.fcps.org/bhs/sites/bhs/files/PTSAMembershipForm.pdf
The PTSA does little to no fundraising, so most of the income comes from memberships and donations. You or your student can deliver the completed form and $10 membership and/or donation to the school office (cash or check). Please mark the envelope - PTSA. Electronic payment for membership is now available through PayPal. Choose @BHSPTSA1 or scan the QR code below. In the comments, include your name, email, contact number, whether you are a BHS staff member, your student’s name and grade. If you have any questions please email the PTSA at brunswickptsa@gmail.com. We are excited for this school year and we hope to see you at a future meeting!
Railroader Reminders
Important Attendance Reminders
The State of Maryland has set the attendance goal for each school at 96%.
How can you help BHS achieve that goal? Send your healthy child to school every day on time. Also, plan vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you for your support!
Parents and guardians are reminded of these important basic guidelines regarding attendance:
- When your student is absent, please notify BHS.attendance@FCPS.org or turn in a written note immediately after the absence. Please provide physician's notes when applicable.
- Student's who drive to school must have parent/guardian authorization to dismiss early, and must sign-out upon their departure through the main office.
- If a student will be dismissed early, please e-mail the attendance office, BHS.attendance@fcps.org no later than 7:30 am on the day of the early departure or provide your student with an early dismissal note for the attendance office. The student will receive a pass to leave their classroom early, signing out in the main office before leaving. If a note has not been sent in advance, parents must enter the building to sign their student out.
- Student's who arrive to school late anytime after 7:30 must obtain a pass to enter any area of the school. The student must have a parent note in order for the absence to be excused. Any student who arrives late without a parent absence note will be assigned consequences from their administrator based on the frequency of these late arrivals.
Being Prepared for School - Chromebooks
Being prepared every day for school means many things, but perhaps most importantly, it means having your Chromebook fully charged and ready to go. Do you have a place at home where you charge your Chromebook each night? Is this part of your daily routine? Loaner Chromebooks are available on an emergency basis ONLY, and must be returned to the Media Center at the end of each day. Chromebook chargers are not available to be lent out. Most classrooms do not have outlets for charging. Be prepared - charge your Chromebook at home each night!
TutorMe.com, a Free Student Online Tutoring/Homework Help Service
TutorMe.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through the FCPS Clever Portal and offers on-demand assistance. The TutorMe.com service provides assistance that aligns with the FCPS curriculum, including knowledge of new curriculum tools being implemented. The service maintains rigorous standards providing high-quality, diverse tutors, screened for excellence (including a criminal background check). The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Features include:
An online lesson space with a virtual whiteboard
Text editor and chat space
Audio/video chat (although you do not have to use this feature or turn on your camera)
A function to allow sharing of screenshots of work examples to assist tutors as they provide support
More than 300 subjects from math to science, social studies and languages
Students can access TutorMe through the FCPS Bookmarks, when logged in to Google Chrome through their FCPS account, and click on the Clever Portal, then TutorMe. More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.
Flu Vaccinations Available for Free to All Families
The Frederick County Health Department encourages all Frederick County residents to get an influenza vaccination this season. Flu vaccine is readily available in our community, and the health department will continue to prioritize children who are uninsured or who do not have a medical home. The Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations at no cost to children 6 months through 18 years of age who do not have health insurance, have health insurance that does not cover the cost of immunizations or who are unable to get vaccinated by their healthcare provider.