Clarksburg High School
Weekly Message 12/12/21
A message from Principal Edward Owusu
Clarksburg High School Students, Staff, and Families,
The Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored Winter Spirit Week begins Monday December 13th and we are excited to celebrate! Lets show our Coyote Pride and make this week special. All students and staff are encouraged to participate. Monday is Winter PJs Day, Tuesday is Ugly Sweater/Tropical Island Day, Wednesday is Anything But a Backpack Day, Thursday is Holiday Dress Up Day, and Friday is Holiday Colors Day. Check out the flyer in our Newsletter.
Our Winter Sports Season continues this week. Check out the events listed and come out to support our Coyotes!
Mid-quarter Progress Reports will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Wednesday. Please be sure to review these Interims and reach out to teachers and counselors as needed.
This Wednesday, December 15thcounselors will visit all English classrooms of 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to hand out materials and directions for course registration for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Please be sure to check out the schedule of college and university visits as well as the many scholarships that are available to our students. See the College and Career section of our newsletter and reach out to Ms. Somerville our Coordinator with questions.
Looking ahead our Winter Choral Concert is next week and please make sure you are aware of the calendar changes approved by the Board of Education. See our newsletter for details.
In this newsletter you will find information about the December SMOB Minute, MCPS systemwide messages, PTSA News, CHS Media Center News, supporting CHStage, Winter Sports, Clothing Recycling, college and university visits to CHS, and more.
As always, thank you for your continued support and trust. Together we are Clarksburg!
C'Burg Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 13 - SPIRIT WEEK: WINTER PJS; Regular Bell Schedule; Wrestling - Urbana at Clarksburg V 6:15pm / JV 7:15pm
Tuesday, December 14 - SPIRIT WEEK: UGLY SWEATER / TROPICAL ISLAND; Advisory Bell Schedule; Edmentum Credit Recovery; Activity Bus; Indoor T&F - "Polar Bear" Meet at Clarksburg 2:30pm
Wednesday, December 15 - SPIRIT WEEK: ANYTHING BUT A BACKPACK; Regular Bell Schedule; Interims Available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE; Counselors Hand Out Course Registration Materials; Boys Basketball - Clarksburg at Frederick JV 5:30pm / V 7pm; Girls Basketball - Frederick at Clarksburg JV 5:30pm / V 7:15pm
Thursday, December 16 - SPIRIT WEEK: HOLIDAY DRESS UP; Advisory Bell Schedule; Edmentum Credit Recovery; Activity Bus
Friday, December 17 - SPIRIT WEEK: HOLIDAY COLORS - 9th /White - 10th/Green - 11th/Blue - 12th/Red - Staff/Silver & Gold; Pep Rally Bell Schedule; Boys Basketball - Clarksburg at Seneca Valley JV 5:30pm / V 7:15pm; Girls Basketball - Seneca Valley at Clarksburg JV 5:30pm / V 7:15pm
Saturday, December 18 - Swim & Dive - Blake and Clarksburg at MLK Swim Center 11:30am; Bocce - Clarksburg at Damascus 10am
MCPS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: SAFETY, SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS, DEC. 13 AT 7:00 P.M.
Montgomery County Public Schools is committed to ensuring the safety of all students. Please join us for a virtual Community Conversation for parents, guardians, caregivers and students on Monday, December 13, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m.
The event will include updates and information about MCPS's commitment to health-related safety, psychological safety, and physical safety. Caregivers and students will have opportunities to learn about resources, hear from a panel of experts and community partners, ask questions, and provide feedback.
The event will be live online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org , the MCPS YouTube channel and on MCPS-TV (Comcast 34, Verizon 36, and RCN 89)
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM THE DEC. 2, 2021 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Dear MCPS Community,
Here are four things you need to know from the Board of Education meetings on December 2 and December 7, including the election of Board officers; the appointment of Dr. Scott Joftus to fill the District 3 seat, modifications to the 2021-2022 school year calendar and a review of Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight’s framework for the recommended Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH MCPS
As a reminder, here's a summary of the places where information is posted when the school system announces school cancellations, delayed openings or early closures due to weather conditions and other emergencies.
NOTE FROM THE CLARKSBURG PTSA: DECEMBER 12, 2021
Dear Clarksburg High School Families,
We want to sincerely thank all of our wonderful CHS families who have generously supported the Month of Thanks and Giving events: Teacher/Staff support, Thanksgiving Meal Drive (led by the amazing Ambassadors Club), and the Food Distribution. All of your support, either donated items or your time, really means a lot. We hope the spirit of thanks continues on throughout the year and we make an effort to remember even the littlest of things, like the
songs of the birds in the dark of December. They are there to remind us that there is light, magic, and hope in the dreariest of wintry days. They let us know that we are nearer to Spring than we were in September.
For December, the PTSA will not have a General Membership meeting as the third Tuesday of the month, falls on the holiday week. We want to give that time back to families and we look forward to seeing you all at our January meeting on: January 18, 2022. We are still working on a speaker for our Special Topics for the meeting, please feel free to reach out to us at clarksburghighschool.ptsa@gmail.com with topic ideas/areas of concern that are important
to the CHS Community. We are so very grateful for our November 16th speaker, Amy Smith (Editor-in-Chief at powerhourediting.com). She spoke about how students can find and communicate their WOW factor in their essays. We hope to have a longer session with her in the Spring, so please be on the look-out for the invitation!
We also want to share a few updates from our Clarksburg Cluster Coordinators and our local PTA Council, MCCPTA (Montgomery County Council of PTAs):
• Ryvell Fitspatrick is the new Ombudsman for MCPS
o Parents are welcome to connect with him if they have any concerns. His phone number is: 240-740-3030.
o If you have an issue with an MCPS member or an MCPS issue that isn’t being resolved, reach out to him. He is confidential. He is not an advocate. He will give guidance.
o More information about the Ombudsman can be found in this link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/complaints.aspx
• Shepard Pratt is providing parenting support for trauma
o They are providing 6 week sessions that started in Nov 29th but is continuing until June 20th
o Link for registration is here: registration; Flyer is here: Shepard Pratt Parent Support Flyer
• Choose Respect: Let’s Talk Consent Webinar on December 14, 2021
o Students will receive a link to the event when they register for the event using this
link: bit.ly/consentsignup ; Students who attend will receive 2.5 SSL hours for attending
o Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 7-9PM; for grades 8 to 12
o Hosted by MCCPTA partners from the VASAP (Victim Assistance/Sexual Assault Program), MCPD, and Family Justice Center.
We hope you find the above information helpful. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at clarksburghighschool.ptsa@gmail.com. Also, if you have not done so already, please join us as a member by going to our Memberhub Store at: https://chs-ptsa.memberhub.com/store.
May we all have a wonderful December! Thank you so much for all of your support!
Kind regards,
Clarksburg High School PTSA 2021-2022
Course Schedule Change Request Window
Schedule Change Message for Seniors:
Seniors who are requesting an adjusted partial day schedule for the Spring semester of 2022 should complete the CHS Partial Day Schedule Request form. This should be done as soon as possible to meet the January 19th deadline. Please make sure to complete all requirements on the form prior to submitting it to your counselor.
Mensaje Para Estudiantes Graduandos:
Estudiantes del grado 12 que deseen solicitar un horario parcial tienen que llenar esta forma CHS Partial Day Schedule Request. Deben completarla lo antes posible ya que la fecha límite es el 19 de enero. Asegúrense de completar todos los requisitos antes de entregar la forma a su consejero(a).
CHS Student Schedule Change Request for second semester
The schedule change request window for semester two changes is now open and will close January 19th. Students who wish to change their course requests now for the second semester must contact their school counselor no later than January 19th, 2022 and fill out the schedule change request form. Please see here for counselor assignments.
Solicitud Para Cambio de Horario/Clase del Segundo Semestre
La ventana para pedir cambio de clase para el segundo semestre está abierta desde ahora y cierra el 19 de enero. Todo estudiante que desee cambiar alguna clase del segundo semestre debe comunicarse con su consejero(a) no mas tardar del 19 de enero y llenar la forma apropiada. Favor de ver el listado de consejeros(as) here.
CHS Student Schedule Change Process (Once the second semester starts)
Second semester starts January 25th.The schedule change request window will open back up and will run from February 4th to February 11th. Students can pick up schedule change request forms from their counselor in the counseling office starting February 3rd before school starts, during lunch or after school. No schedule change requests will be considered after the February 11th deadline. Students should return their completed schedule change request form to their counselor. Once students submit their request, it will be evaluated by their teacher, counselor, and administrator. The student and family will then be notified of the final decision and, if approved, a schedule change will be made. Please see here for counselor assignments.
Solicitud Para Cambio de Horario/Clase (Ya comenzado el segundo semestre)
El segundo semestre comienza el 25 de enero. La ventana para pedir cambios se abrirá de nuevo del 4 al 11 de febrero. Los estudiantes podrán obtener la forma para solicitar cambio visitando a su consejero(a) comenzando el 3 de febrero antes del comienzo del día escolar, durante la hora de almuerzo o al finalizar el día escolar. No se considerarán cambios después de la fecha límite del 11 de febrero. Los estudiantes deberán regresar sus formas completamente llenas a su consejero(a). Una vez haya sido sometida, será evaluada por el maestro, consejero y administrador. Luego el estudiante y familia serán notificados de la decisión final, y si está aprobado, se hará el cambio del horario/clase. Favor de ver el listado de consejeros(as) here.
AP AND PSAT SCORE UPDATES
Attention Clarksburg Families of Advanced Placement Students,
All Advanced Placement exams have been ordered through College Board. All students who both registered through AP classroom and submitted their exam deposit have had an exam ordered for them. The online payment system is open now for students to pay their remaining balance. All exams must be paid for entirely by April 25, 2022. If you have any questions please contact Amber Parks at Amber_M_Parks@mcpsmd.org
PSAT Score Update:
Any student who took either the PSAT or PSAT 8/9 are able to access their scores between December 6th and 7th. When your scores are ready, they'll be posted on studentscores.collegeboard.org. If you provided your email address on your answer sheet on test day, you'll receive an email notifying you of when your scores are available.The email will have a unique access code that will connect you to your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.
If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet on test day, you can still access your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores. Don’t have a College Board account? Save time and set one up now.
If you are interested in having your PSAT test booklet returned to you please email Amber_M_Parks@mcpsmd.org to arrange for pick-up.
Help Support CHStage - The Clarksburg High School Theater Program
Thank you! We appreciate your support!
CHOOSE RESPECT
Choose Respect will host a sexual assault prevention virtual event for students in grades 8-12 on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 7-9 p.m. The title of the event is Choose Respect: Let's Talk Consent. The event will include our partners from VASAP (Victim Assistance/Sexual Assault Program), Montgomery County Police Department, and Family Justice Center. Attached are promotional images and information to be used on social media platforms.
Please help increase awareness of the important event for our students in grades 8-12. Students will receive a link to the event when they register for the event using this link: bit.ly/consentsignup
Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Other Food Deliveries
As a reminder, Students have limited options for lunch, including cafeteria served hot meals, which are free everyday, or to bring their own lunch. Delivery drivers are turned away at the school and when necessary, the food is confiscated and returned at the end of the school day.
All visitors to the school, even those attempting to deliver food, must use the main entrance only. Please discourage your students from attempting to have food delivered at other doors around the building. This creates a significant safety and security concern for your student and our school. Violations of this create a drain on resources and at times have caused such alarm that we have had to engage additional security and the police. Please help us continue to focus on the safety and security needs of the school by not ordering these meals to the school and by discouraging your child from ordering from a delivery service.
Important Reminders from our Attendance Office
Please review these important attendance reminders:
- If a student is late to school for any reason they must stop by the attendance office to sign in. This also applies if a student needs to sign out early with parent permission or parent pick up. An accurate sign-in/out time must be recorded in the system. (Please note: If a student does not stop by the attendance office then anything that the student is marked absent for will stay in the system).
- Please make sure whoever is signing the student out is on their emergency pick-up contact list in Parent VUE & is at least 21 years of age.
- Any notice sent for a student to sign out early must be submitted in writing.
Also, please remember that all parents/guardians and visitors are required to show ID upon entering our building.
College/Career Center Update - December 13, 2021 through December 17, 2021
Clarksburg High School
Monday, December 13, 2021 - Friday, December 17, 2021
The Clarksburg High School College/Career Center provides in-person services daily from 7:15 am through 3:30 pm. Visit the Career Center website and Career Center on Twitter:@Cburg_Readiness. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Somerville at Cintonya_A_Somerville@mcpsmd.org.
1. Seniors, please bring copies of all acceptance and scholarship letters to the Career Center or email at Cintonya_A_Somerville@mcpsmd.org.
How are you paying for your education? Seven (7) items needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). Create your FSA ID. Next, complete an MD CAPS’ account? If you need assistance, come by the Career Center.
Attend MC visits to CHS. Apply to Montgomery College for FREE!
Juniors and seniors, register in Naviance Single Sign-On to attend college/career visits. Visits will be held in the Career Center. Please share the reservation with your teacher. Attendance will be recorded.
Are you interested in the FBI? Join us Monday, December 13, 2022 at 7:45 am to meet Ms. Lauren Early, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent
Class of 2022 (12)
Montgomery Scholars Scholarship (MC) Deadline: January 6, 2022
Macklin Business Institute Scholarship MBI) Honors Program (MC) Deadline: January 7, 2022
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship (12) - Deadline: March 1, 2022
Anthony Richard Tilghman Memorial Scholarship Trust Deadline: March 1, 2022
Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (3 Scholarships) County-Wide Scholarship, MCAC Educational Program ScholarshipDeadline: March 14, 2022
Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship - Deadline: March 14, 2022
2022 Pearls of Hope Community Foundation, Incorporated (POHCF) Scholarship Programs (12) - February 22, 2022
Class of 2023 (11)
2022 Coolidge Scholarship-Nomination Required (11) Deadline: January 19, 2022
Class of 2024 (10)
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest [Damascus Post 171] (9-12) Deadline: December 20, 2021
Class of 2025 (9)
Scholastic Art and Writing Scholarships (9-12) Deadlines Vary
Prepared by: Cintonya Somerville, CCIC
All Means All and the Important Work of Access and Opportunity for All Students
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES & STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) publishes two documents that help students, parents, and staff and understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules.
A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Student Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines the various disciplinary responses.
All MCPS families have received a copy of these documents. Students were provided copies in their English Classes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand their rights and responsibilities and the district’s expectations for student conduct. If you have questions, please speak to the Clarksburg Administration.
Ways To Report
Bullying, harassment (including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment), intimidation, hazing, incidents of hate-bias, and concerning issues involving student gender identity are not tolerated in MCPS. We are committed to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools. Please see the multiple ways you can file a report below.
To file a Bullying Form online, click HERE
To file a Child Abuse & Neglect Form online, click HERE
To contact the MCPS Title IX Coordinator, click HEREHow You Can Report
✓ Contact school principal, counselor, student welfare liaison, or any MCPS staff member.
✓ Contact the Montgomery County Police Department, 301-279-8000.
✓ Submit MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form.
✓ Contact the MCPS Title IX Coordinator at TitleIX@mcpsmd.org. Reports and allegations concerning MCPS employees will immediately involve the Department of Compliance and Investigations. They can be reached at DCI@mcpsmd.org.
✓ Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line is an anonymous reporting system used to report threats to the safety and/or well-being of students. Call 1-833-MD-B-SAFE or download the App.
✓ Contact the Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP) for support. VASAP provides information, referrals and advocacy, as well as crisis and ongoing counseling for victims of sexual assault.
✓ Contact the Montgomery County Hotline at 240-777-4357. A trained staff member or volunteer will provide supportive listening and information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
✓ Send a text to EveryMind hotline telephone number, 301-738-2255, daily between noon and midnight.
✓ Use the MCPS Student Reporting Phone Application (Currently In Development)C'Burg Athletics
Coyote Athletics Upcoming Events
The Winter Sports Season continues this week and we want to ensure you have all the information to come out and support your COYOTES!!!!
Here are some important highlights:
All spectators MUST remain masked while indoors. Participating student athletes, officials are permitted to remove masks during competition.
Welcome to the world of digital ticketing! ALL MCPS High Schools will utilize www.GoFan.co website to purchase electronic tickets. All spectators may purchase tickets through the following means:
- Click this link: https://gofan.co/app/school/MD27281 and select the event and buy the tickets. Each ticket is $5 ($4 plus $1 service fee) for everyone ages 11-61. 10 and under & 62 and older is free. IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT "swipe" (redeem) the tickets until arrival at our ticket boo/entrance. Tickets may only be redeemed in the presence of our ticket manager at the door. Tickets redeemed prior to arrival at the event will require the purchase of a new ticket.
- Spectators may also type ‘GoFan’ into any browser. Once on the site, search for Clarksburg HS and buy the tickets
- CHS will have a QR code linked to the above site posted at our ticket booth at the school.
- Spectators may pay cash at the gate. $5 for everyone ages 11-61. 10 and under & 62 and older is free.
- Children that are not of high school age must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. (This includes middle school students that must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Please note that all basketball games are showing up as 7:15pm even though the JV games are at 5:30pm. Also note that our away, out of county, games are not listed on the GoFan site.
Concessions will be available so spectators may purchase food and drink. Food and drink must be consumed in lobby areas or outside. No food or drink will be permitted inside gymnasiums for spectator consumption.
Return to RAISE Communication 12.10.21
Dear MCPS Community:
Please refer to the December 10communication for the latest updates regarding MCPS Athletics. A Spanish version is also available. The updated Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan is here. Major points of emphasis include:
Basketball
- Officials/Referees – MCPS received a letter of approval from Montgomery County to allow that game officials/referees who are fully vaccinated and engaged in the sport of basketball are not required to wear face coverings. Masks/face coverings must be worn at all other times (to and from the court, hallways, etc.).
- Benches – coaches must wear masks. Student-athletes must wear masks on the bench, when not actively participating. Therefore, student-athletes must have masks accessible to wear while on the bench. A reasonable, common sense approach should be used for student-athletes entering/exiting a game (for instance, rapid subbing at the end of the game for offense/defense).
- Masks/Face Coverings – outside of the exemption in the Return to R.A.I.S.E. plan during active engagement in basketball, masks must be worn at all other times – locker rooms, classrooms, hallways, etc.
Wrestling
- Benches – coaches must wear masks. Student-athletes must wear masks on the bench, when not actively wrestling. Therefore, student-athletes must have masks accessible to wear while on the bench. Student-athletes who are breaking a sweat, jumping rope, doing calisthenics, demonstrating drilling moves prior to a match, are permitted to remove their mask. Masks are required for spectators at all times.
The latest information continues to be available on the COVID-19 Athletics Information webpage.
Request A National Honor Society Peer Tutor
Clarksburg High School
Email: Edward_K_Owusu@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/clarksburghs/
Location: 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-6000
Facebook: facebook.com/clarksburghighschool
Twitter: @Cburg_Coyotes