Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, April 3, 2022
NEW: This Week's Message from Mr. Smith
Northwest High School Families,
I hope this message finds everyone after we hope was a restful, relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.
As we enter the last full week before spring break begins, there are a lot of new and important pieces of information for which both students and families should be aware. As a reminder, spring break begins Saturday, April 9 and will end on Monday, April 18. Students will return to school on Tuesday, April 19.
Attention Senior Class of 2022 Families! Starting May 1st, the Business Office will no longer accept checks as a form of payment for obligations for seniors. You can pay by credit card using the Online School Payment (OSP) system, or by bringing cash to the Business Office, Room 322.
In this week's newsletter, you will find a lot of new information including this week's college and career center updates, things to know from MCPS from Thursday, March 31, information for students interested in running for SGA or Class office for the 2022-2023 school year, our voter registration drive, information about the return of our Latin Dance Team, Paso Fuerte, this week's Athletics/Events Schedule, information about our Junior/Senior Prom and After Prom Party that will take place on Friday, April 22 and a fundraising event for our Junior Class of 2023.
There are some important reminders including information regarding the Maryland State Schools Survey, the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), really important information for the Class of 2022, the Gaithersburg Book Festival High School Poetry Finalist from Northwest, the update from MCPS regarding the Board of Education's mask vote, MCPS' Antiracist Family Survey, ways for seniors to volunteer at Great Seneca Creek Elementary, a fundraising opportunity, continued tutoring opportunities, how to report bullying/harassment and a call for parents to get involved!
Please continue use this FORM to report positive COVID-19 cases in students or staff. Any individual who tests positive MUST isolate for 5 days (regardless of vaccination status or symptoms).
As always, we thank you for your continued support and trust. Let's make it a great week!
NEW: This Week's College and Career Information
Week Ending: April 1, 2022
For details on all college career information and resources, visit the college career webpage. Click on the e-NEWS link!
e-NEWS Bulletin Highlights:
Student Instructions for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) MCPS College Fair Field Trip for Northwest High School. This field trip opportunity is for current juniors (Class of 2023).
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, April 5, 2022. 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
DESTINATION: Adventist HealthCare FieldHouse (formerly known as Discovery Sports Center, Boyds MD). There is no cost to attend for the 2021-2022 school year. Bag lunch required (or can be requested).
*A list of attending institutions can be found HERE. MCPS students MUST attend the fair by school bus.
On Tuesday:
- At the end of period 2, report to the Auditorium. There will be bus lists posted by student last name for boarding buses. If you requested a lunch, one will be given to you on the bus. Plan to eat your lunch on the return trip to Northwest.
- No backpacks will be allowed at the fair.
- 9:45 Northwest buses depart for the fair. Counselors will be bus chaperones.
- On the bus you will be given a College Fair Guide. Inside the guide you will find a map to where all the colleges will be located at the fair. An electronic version of the map is here.
- Northwest will have 75 minutes at the fair. Over 300 colleges are expected to be in attendance. Use your time wisely. Listen for the call for Northwest to board buses.
- 11:15 Northwest buses will board to return to school. Buses are expected to be back at Northwest by 11:30.
- College Fair Tips Sheet
Please remember that the same school rules apply while off the Northwest campus.
e-NEWS Bulletin Content | e-NEWS on the Web
NEW! UMD presents 'Transitioning to College' on April 6 from 7 pm until 8 pm. Virtual event. Register HERE. After registration, a link will be sent for the webinar.
MOCO REC JOB FAIR! Montgomery County Department of Recreation. Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Upper County Community Rec Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg & Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street. Find out more @ www.mocorec.com.
NEW! Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority just for the ladies... Free Virtual Girls Conference. Got the POWER! Saturday, April 30 from 1 until 4:00 pm. For middle and high school girls. Encouraging, Engaging and Empowering workshops. Parent(s) College Readiness and Scholarship Strategies workshop. Registration is required. After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with a meeting link to follow. Free prizes!
REMINDER: Dynamy Internship 'Gap Year' Open House. Dynamy is a domestic gap year program in Massachusetts. Online event. April 7 at 7:00 pm. 30-minute program information session with live Q&A . Register HERE.
REMINDER: Join Stem for Her for a special Earth Day presentation via Zoom. Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted by WUSA Channel 9's Kaitlyn McGrath. April 22, 2022 | 4:00 pm. Kaitlyn will kick off the program with a backstage tour of her workplace at WUSA Channel 9. She will share her STEM career path and the effect that climate change has had on her job as a meteorologist. Additional guest speakers will be a part of the program. Click HERE to register.
DON’T FORGET Class of 2023!! National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fairs EVENING PROGRAM. Montgomery County National College Fairs. Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse (formerly known as Discovery Sports Center). Free and open to the public, Tuesday, April 5. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Register and find updated information at nacacattend.org/fairs.
REMINDER: Recording of the March 22, 2022 Class of 2023 College Planning Parent/Student Meeting. NEW: Presentation Slide Deck.
REMINDER: Northwest High School College Career Readiness & Post Secondary Guide for Rising Seniors (Class of 2023). A Counseling & College Career Information Center publication. March 2022.
College Career ‘School Specific’ NEWS
NEW for the Class of 2022: Penn State is still accepting applications from students for summer or fall 2022.
Whether your students choose to use the MyPennState application, the Common App, or the Coalition application, please encourage them to log in and complete their Penn State application soon. Application fees will be waived if students use the MyPennState application and visit one of their 19 commonwealth campuses before submitting the application.
From Georgetown University: Admissions decisions were available to view on March 29. This year, 26,670 students applied for admission and 12% were offered a place in the Class of 2026. Students offered a place on the Waiting List should follow the instructions spelled out in their decision letters in order to accept their place on this list and will be informed of their admission status by May 15, 2022.
College Career Calendar
THE HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE CAREER VISIT SCHEDULE:. No visits are currently scheduled. Virtual and in-person visits currently on the schedule are published on our Google Event Calendar. All visits will take place in the College Career Information Center, Room 126. Students will need to bring their Chromebook and headphones for the virtual visits. Students must register in Naviance to attend each visit with the exception of visits held during lunch.
Jag Jobs
All job opportunities are published in the latest Jag JOBS Bulletin available to download at any time from our College Career web page ‘Jag Jobs’.
From Link for Counselors ‘Top 20 Must-Have Skills to Put on a Resume’:
Top 10 Soft Skills: Problem Solving | Critical Thinking | Flexibility | Communication | Teamwork | Organization | Creativity | Emotional Intelligence | Attention to Detail | Responsibility → Top 10 Hard Skills: Computer Software and Application Knowledge | Design | Data Analysis | Negotiation | Mathematics | Project Management | Marketing | Administrative | Writing Skills | Foreign Languages
Montgomery Parks is hiring! Visit mocoparks.org/jobs. Over 100 positions in all classifications. Montgomery Parks | The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission | 2425 Reedie Drive | Wheaton, MD 20902
SUMMER INTERN Wanted: North Potomac Orthodontics. Student Worker - Sterilization Technician. $15 per hour. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA, positive attitude and be detail oriented. Interest in the dental or medical profession is a plus. Click HERE for position details and instructions on how to apply (by resume).
Montgomery Village Foundation Department of Recreation & Parks is hiring for summer. Positions for students ages 14 & up. Summer jobs @ montgomeryvillage.com (MVF and click on Job & Volunteer Opportunities). For more information, contact Petra Padilla at 240-243-2363 or email ppadilla@mvf.org.
Eaman Physical Therapy is hiring Physical Therapy and Rehab Aides (Tech) in their Germantown, Gaithersburg and Rockville locations. Training is available. Full and Part-time positions.
Money Matters
Financial Aid Reminders & Resources available on the Northwest College Career ‘Financial Aid & Scholarships’ web page. Select ‘Financial Aid Resources’ at the top of the page.
Scholarship Information & Alerts
For a complete list of available scholarships, download the latest publication of our Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin on the web. No time to download? In the building visit the QR-Code Board just outside the College Career Information Center (Room 126) and scan the ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin QR-Code for immediate access on your mobile device!
Scholarship HIGHLIGHTS:
For details on all listed, with links to applications, download the Bulletin HERE.
- EXTENDED DEADLINE: NAACP SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors. $1,000 award; DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Extended to APRIL 13.
- NEW OPPORTUNITY: DELEGATE KIRILL REZNIK MD District 39 SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors residing in MD District 39. Visit https://forms.gle/Ljya3ByzELckNync9. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: MAY 6. Please note MCPS data loss prevention is enabled for your domain which will prevent access to scholarship Google form when signed in through MCPS - access to the scholarship application must be done from personal equipment.
- OPPORTUNITY REMINDER: PATUXENT RIVER (MD) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INC. SPRING 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS. Seniors. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: APRIL 15. Please note MCPS data loss prevention is enabled for your domain which will prevent access to scholarship Google form when signed in through MCPS - access to the scholarship application must be done from personal equipment.
- NEW OPPORTUNITY: KAISER PERMANENTE HEALTH EQUITY SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors planning to pursue careers in healthcare; $5,000 award; applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Apply by May 31.
Transcript Information Reminder
From our Registrar’s Office (located in the Counseling Department suite):
- Authorization to Release Records Form must be completed and on file in the Counseling Office before any records (including transcripts) can be released.
- Transcript Requests Form for the 2021 College Application Cycle.
- REMINDER: Mid-Year Transcript Requests: Mid-year transcripts will be available to be sent from our registrar's office around the middle of February. Do not use this form for INITIAL transcript requests.
- Scholarship Transcript Request Form
Summer Programs & Opportunities
College career related summer programs and opportunities are too numerous to mention them all! Highlights will be posted in our e-News Bulletin. Visit college websites where there is interest to search for summer programs.
- Penn State Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP). Open to students accepted to Penn State University and are first-generation college students. For more information visit summersession@psu.edu or reach out by email to leap@psu.edu or via phone at 814.863.4174.
- Ball State University Youth Interior Design Forum
- Gettysburg College Summer Programs
- Landmark College (VT) Specialized Summer Programs for students who learn differently.
- American University Summer Programs: Community of Scholars | High School Summer Scholars
- National Park Service President’s Park, Summer 2022. 3-week summer program for students to learn photography basics while capturing and exploring the National Parks in our area. Now accepting students entering 9th - 12th grade. Program takes place in-person at the White House Visitor Center. 20 slots available to fill. Free program. Program runs July 11 - 29, Monday through Friday. Visit https://www.nps.gov/whho/getinvolved/youth-photography-program.htm for more information. Access the application HERE. Apply by April 15; 10:00 pm or once 30 applications have been received.
- REMINDER! OPPORTUNITY for Juniors: Maryland Boys State is reaching out to high school juniors interested in Leadership, Government, Politics???
Apply by May 1, 2022. For additional information or help finding a sponsor call 410.752.1405 or email boysstate@mdlegion.org. Information regarding Girls State can also be found on the Maryland Boys State website (linked above).
NEW: Things to Know from Thursday, March 31
Here are the key things to know for Thursday, March 31. They include important COVID-19 reminders about spring break, a notice that kindergarten registration is now open, upcoming community engagement events and more.
Spring Break Begins Monday, April 11
Remain Vigilant: COVID-19 is Still With Us
We are all looking forward to Spring Break; we’ll have more time with family and friends, some of us may travel or gather for events. In order to safely return to school on April 19, following spring break, why not build yourself a COVID-19 Spring Break Safety Checklist? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following reminders of things you can choose to do during spring break to help yourself avoid COVID-19.- Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, get the booster if you are eligible.
- Consider wearing a mask, especially in public spaces or if you have increased risk for illness.
- Stay six feet away from others.
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds.
- Test to prevent spread to others.
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect.
- Monitor your health daily.
- If you are sick, follow recommendations for quarantine and isolation.
- Take precautions when you travel.
It’s up to all of us to take care of ourselves so our community can stay healthy.
REMINDER: COVID-19 Rapid Take-Home Test Kits:
On Monday, April 18, families are asked to test all MCPS students using MCPS-provided rapid take-home test kits and report positive cases via our online form. If the test is positive, stay home and follow quarantine and isolation guidelines. If your child has COVID-19 symptoms or is sick, stay home. The same guidance is for staff who also are receiving the take-home test kits. Test on April 18, the day before we return to school and report any positive cases.
Reminder: COVID-19 symptoms are cough, sore throat, fever with a temperature of 100.4 or higher, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing. Use this helpful student health checklist.Distribution:
MCPS is distributing COVID-19 rapid take-home test kits through April 6. Check your child’s backpack.Directions for Use of COVID-19 Test Kits:
VIDEO: Directions for use of COVID-19 rapid test kit
Learn more at this website and review the flyers:
English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
(Reminder: these are nasal (nose) rapid test kits; please follow the directions included in the kits.)Testing in Schools: Say Yes to the Test
MCPS has in-school random testing for asymptomatic students and rapid testing for students who show COVID-19 symptoms. Parents must give permission for this testing by completing this form. Learn more about in-school COVID-19 testing.Vaccinations: Individuals 5 and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. They are free, safe and readily available. MCPS hosts vaccine clinics every weekend. Learn more.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open for 2022-2023 School Year
Registration is open for parents who wish to register their child for an MCPS kindergarten class for the 2022-2023 school year. Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2022. For more information about eligibility guidelines, registrations or required documents to complete an application, call 240-740-4006 or visit the MCPS Kindergarten registration website.Community Engagement Officer 2.0 Plan Coming Soon
The new Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program will represent an innovative approach to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment that benefits all students and staff. This new plan has been informed through collaboration between Montgomery County Police (MCPD) and MCPS and includes community input gathered through focus groups with students, staff, parents and multiple community stakeholder groups. We've had the opportunity to share elements of the plan in several public meetings including with the Board of Education and Montgomery County Council. There will be continued opportunities to gather feedback and assess on an ongoing basis.Putting Our Students First: Community Conversations Set for April, May
Join Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight for three community conversations, All Together Now: Putting Our Students First, set for April and May. These events will bring together families, students, staff and the community to discuss the district’s strengths, priorities and opportunities for how MCPS can better serve its students.
The events will be held:- Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m., Gaithersburg High School cafeteria, 101 Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg
- Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., Walter Johnson High School cafeteria, 6400 Rock Spring Dr., Bethesda
- Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m., Paint Branch High School cafeteria, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville
RSVP to attend is encouraged.
NEW: SGA and Class Office Elections
Election season for next school year is already here! Are you passionate about making the Northwest community a more spirited, inclusive place, and representing your peers' voices? Run for SGA or your Class Office! Info sessions are Thursday, April 7, after school, and Friday, April 8, during lunch, both in room 250. You must attend an info session to run. Any questions? Reach out to Ms. Ledrick at margaret_m_ledrick@mcpsmd.org.
NEW: Voter Registration Drive
Hey, 16 year olds and older- are you registered to vote in Montgomery County? If not, let's change that! Come check out the SGA's Voter Registration Drive on Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7 during lunch and get registered to make your voice heard on a local and national level. All you need is a form of ID! Additionally, the Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks Northwest students to serve as poll workers for the 2022 Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, July 19. Volunteers can earn up to $210 or up to 25 SSL hours for their service. Students with bilingual capabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals must be U.S. citizens, at least 16 years of age or older, and registered to vote in Maryland. Training is required and will be provided to all poll workers.
NEW: Our Latin Dance Team is BACK!
Attention students! Our Paso Fuerte Latin Dance team is back! There will be an interest meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 during lunch in the media center.
If you would like to learn how to dance salsa, bachata, merengue, cha cha, and other Latin dance rhythms, please join us on Tuesday. Our dance team will represent NWHS in the Baila 4Life competition at Strathmore in 2023 and the couple's competition at Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom in May 2022. For more information, please contact coach Jaqueline_R_Queirolo@mcpsmd.org
More information about baila4life can be found: https://www.baila4life.org/
NEW: Athletics/Events Schedule for the Week of April 4 - April 10
REMINDER: Maryland State School Survey
Maryland requires that all public schools survey students about school climate as a part of our accountability system. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of the learning environment in each school so that they can promote a climate that supports student learning. Northwest High School students in grades 9 through 11 will take the survey in their Social Studies classes between March 21st through April 1st. The survey will take about 30 minutes and will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences and will not ask the student to provide any information that might violate his or her privacy. For more information about the Maryland State survey, please read the memo linked here.
REMINDER: Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)
Northwest High School will be conducting the Spring Administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). The MCAP provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement. We will begin assessing all 12th grade students who have not yet met this state requirement in April. Students in grades 9 through 11 will take the assessments in May. For more information about the MCAP assessments, please read the memo linked here. If there are any questions, please email Dayo Banjo (Temidayo_O_Adia@mcpsmd.org) or Edward Pegues (Edward_Pegues@mcpsmd.org).
REMINDER: IMPORTANT Senior (Class of 2022) Information!
Due to a technical error on the Jostens website, we are extending the deadline to order a cap and gown package to Friday, March 25, 2022, to ensure that families have ample time to purchase packages once the issue is resolved. If you/your senior has not yet ordered a cap and gown package, please find the link to the Jostens flyer below. Check this site periodically in the event that the technical issue is resolved. We will also send notification to everyone once the website is accepting orders again. Click on the cap and gown package image to access the ordering site from the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OMUoVIRoQTe7nRDPW7f4p675YPA-2YQk/view?usp=sharing
Another important deadline is approaching for seniors, and that is the deadline to submit Student Service Learning (SSL) hours on Friday, April 22, 2022. All students in the state of Maryland are required to complete as many as 75 SSL hours as a graduation requirement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this requirement was waived for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021, but no waiver was instated for the graduating class of 2022. Therefore, all seniors are required to fulfill the requirement before their diploma is confirmed this year.
If you/your senior needs to earn SSL hours, there are many in-person, virtual, and project-based opportunities accessible to them that are approved and/or sponsored by MCPS or Montgomery County. You are also able to seek your own opportunities (must be pre-approved) which meet the guidelines articulated by MCPS. Please review the presentation linked below for resources, Northwest-specific opportunities, and much more. One upcoming opportunity for seniors will take place this Wednesday, March 23rd, during SAT testing (7:45am - 12:00pm). Counselors and other staff members will be available in rooms 175-179 to support seniors as they develop and implement an action plan to navigate earning their remaining required hours. Students with a large number of SSL hours left to earn will receive a direct invitation to attend and all others are welcome. (Note: most SSL-earning activities provided on the morning of March 23rd are also available virtually now and can be found in the resource within the linked presentation.) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1f5hJAvqV-x6xuJCCh89R57nyGtVswMlKbjw3x1Wrye0/edit?usp=sharing
Additionally, the following link connects you with the Montgomery County volunteer resource center: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/
As a reminder, you can find all of our senior class information on the Northwest website homepage in the "News" section, "Senior Class Resource Bank." Click here for the Northwest High School website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/northwesths/
If you have any questions or concerns about your senior's graduation status or requirements, please contact their counselor. Stay tuned for more information, as the junior/senior prom and after prom, senior class awards, and graduation will be here before we know it! If you have any questions at any time, please contact us at Northwest (240-740-7100).
REMINDER: Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces 2022 High School Poetry Contest Finalists
REMINDER: Board of Education Votes to Make Masks Optional in MCPS
During its March 8 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all MCPS schools and facilities. This new guidance goes into effect immediately.
This action follows the state of Maryland’s decision to end its statewide mask mandate in schools and aligns with revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that no longer recommend universal mask-wearing in schools.
To maintain the safety of our staff and students, other COVID-19 mitigation strategies will continue, including in-school rapid and random testing, distribution of take-home test kits, improved HVAC systems and vaccination availability. Mask-wearing in MCPS will become optional indoors, outside and on school buses. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so, and your child may request a mask from their school if they want one.
While some will welcome the new mask policy, others may worry about the change. There will be students, teachers and administrators who wish to continue to mask in our schools. We must respect that. So, On or Off, It’s Just Me is a reminder that wearing masks may be an individual choice and we must respect each other's choices.
As a district, we expect our MCPS community to respect individual decisions about mask-wearing at this time. Our staff and students must model kindness, acceptance and inclusivity. MCPS will work with students, staff and families to promote a shared understanding of respecting each individual’s decision as valid.
MCPS will promote acceptance of masking choices by sharing this important message in posters, flyers, video public service announcements, community messages and through social media. Resources will be provided to schools to include in their own communications with students and families.
Parent Resources
Surprise: Students May be Nervous About Ditching the Mask
How to Deal with Bullying Over Face Masks
MCPS Form to Report Bullying and Harassment
MCPS Bullying and Harassment Information
Important Reminder: If you are sick, stay home. Any student or staff member who has COVID-19 like symptoms should remain home. Symptomatic individuals can only return to schools if free from COVID-19 symptoms, including fever of 100.4 or more, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of taste or smell. Use this daily health checklist to help you determine if you are healthy enough to come to school and work.
Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines Remain the Same
Current guidelines governing quarantine and isolation for both students and staff for positive COVID-19 cases have not changed. The policy is five days if certain health conditions are met. This aligns with the recommendations of the CDC, the Maryland Department of Health and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
Learn more here https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/quarantine.aspx
Vaccination
As a reminder, vaccination is the best tool to fight COVID-19 and keep our schools safe for all our students. Children ages 5 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child is eligible but not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, you can find out how here https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/Coronavirus/Vaccinations/
Montgomery County Public Schools will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 data from the CDC, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and revisit the issue of masks in school buildings, facilities and on school buses, if needed.
REMINDER: Antiracist Audit Family Survey
Dear MCPS Families,
We need your help to better understand how our schools and the school district are doing as part of our ongoing work to address racial and systemic barriers in Montgomery County Public Schools.
We encourage you to fill out this survey before March 31. You can use your mobile device or computer. The survey is part of a larger process called the MCPS Antiracist System Audit. You can learn more about the audit here.
The survey, which is anonymous and available in seven languages, will ask you about your family’s experiences with your child’s school and MCPS. The goal of the survey is for us to better understand how racism affects teaching, learning and parent engagement.
Students in grades 4 through 12 will also take an age-appropriate, anonymous version of the survey in class between March 1 and March 31. Each school will schedule its own date. (add your date here)
Key information about the surveys and audit:
Parents, students and staff from these organizations were actively involved in providing input and feedback on the survey questions. Sample questions and more information about the surveys can be found here.
A report will be sent to MCPS by the end of June. The report will provide results for MCPS as a whole and by each school.
MCPS will communicate the report’s findings to the community.
This website will provide updates.
REMINDER: Tutoring Opportunities
We are pleased to announce that our honor societies have tutoring programs to assist students in their different courses. Students should fill out the google form or contact the sponsor directly to receive this service. Students will have access to this information on our school website as well.
Below you will find the tutoring schedule:
Math Honor Society
Ms. Schuler - Arielle_E_Schuler@mcpsmd.org
- Tutoring will be in math teachers classrooms at lunch or after school everyday.
- Math Tutoring Request
National Honor Society
Ms. Fowler - Samantha_L_Fowler@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Pruchniewski - Sarah_J_Hinkey@mcpsmd.org
- NHS tutor and student must arrange to meet in a teacher’s classroom by appointment only
- NHS Tutoring Request
National English Honor Society
Mr. Bolesta - John_W_Bolesta2@mcpsmd.org
- English Honor Society will have tutoring on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in room 263
- English Tutoring Request
Rho Kappa - Social Studies Honor Society
Mrs. McDermott - Emily_F_Mcdermott@mcpsmd.org
- Social Studies Honor Society will host tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch in room 229
- Contact Sponsor
French Honor Society
Mrs. McKenna - Kathryn_McKenna@mcpsmd.org
French tutors will be available based on the level of the course:
- French 1, 4, and AP: Available on Tuesdays room 202
- French 2: Available on Thursdays room 214
- French 3: Available on Wednesdays and Thursdays room 219
- Email Mrs. McKenna
Spanish Honor Society
Mrs. Cardona - Yomar_S_Cardona@mcpsmd.org
Spanish tutors will be available at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 204. All levels welcome.
CARES Tutoring
Ms. Turner - Emily_C_Turner@mcpsmd.org
Tutoring available after school in person or via zoom
Contact sponsor
REMINDER: Attention Seniors!
If you have a half day schedule and you are interested in becoming a mentor at Great Seneca Creek Elementary, please email Mrs. Abdelsalam @ Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org.
REMINDER: Parents, we need YOU!
We hope that you and your family will join us for future events and that you will consider becoming a part of the Northwest Hispanic Parent Council, African American Parent Council and the Asian American Parent Council. Please take some time to respond to this questionnaire and let us know how you would like to become involved.
Please contact the following administrators for more information about the Hispanic, African American, and Asian Parent Councils at Northwest High School.
Hispanic Parent Council: Nyurka_I_Morales@mcpsmd.org
African American Parent Council: Edward_Pegues@mcpsmd.org
Asian American Parent Council: Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org
Northwest Class Spirit!
It's a long-standing tradition at Northwest for each grade to wear their assigned CLASS COLOR on Pep Rally days! Each class sits in a designated section at the rallies so make an impact for YOUR CLASS by wearing your grade level color and make your presence known! Although participation with wearing class colors is optional, we hope you will join in the FUN!
The grade level colors are as follows:
Freshmen (Grade 9): YELLOW
Sophomores (Grade 10): GREEN
Juniors (Grade 11): RED
Seniors (Grade 12): BLUE
You can wear any clothing and/or accessories in your assigned color as long as you adhere to the school dress code. You can opt to wear clothing that you already own in your grade level color, you can purchase a shirt from the PTSA/Booster Club website for $4: http://www.nwhsptsa.org/shop (available sizes and quantities are limited), or you can purchase a T-shirt in your color at Michael's or Joanne's (the cost is usually around $4) and personalize with fabric markers or paint pens! The possibilities are endless to show your #JagPride!
Class of 2025 (9th Grade): Yellow
Class of 2024 (10th Grade): Green
Class of 2023 (11th Grade): Red
Class of 2022 (12th Grade): Blue
Northwest High School
Email: Scott_E_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://northwestjags.org
Location: 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-7100
Twitter: @NorthwestJags