Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, March 27, 2022
NEW: This Week's Message from Mr. Smith
Northwest High School Families,
I hope this message finds everyone warm after another unusually chilly weekend. I am sure you can all join me in anticipation for some actual nice spring weather!
We are entering the last week of the third marking period. This week, students should be focusing on finishing strong, getting extra help from their teachers and reaching out for that final push. This Friday, April 1 will be an early release day for students so that staff can finalize grades.
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 24, a NEW weekly addition of our Athletics highlights of last week and this week's Athletics/Events Schedule.
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, and an update regarding ways for students to volunteer to work the Maryland Primary Election.
You can continue to find a celebration for a few of our talented students in honor of their work with the Lancome "Write her Future" campaign, the update from MCPS regarding the Board of Education's mask vote, MCPS' Antiracist Family Survey, this month's message from our student member of the board, ways for seniors to volunteer at Great Seneca Creek Elementary, a fundraising opportunity, the final week of our Spring Mulch Sale, 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
College Career Information Center e-NEWS for Staff: The Montgomery Village Foundation Department of Recreation is hiring Camp Directors and Counselors for summer 2022. Visit montgomeryvillage.com; go to MVF click on Job & Volunteer Opportunities. For more information, contact Petra Padilla at 240-243-2363 or email ppadilla@mvf.org.
College Career Information Center e-NEWS Bulletin
Week Ending: March 25, 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:
NEW RESOURCE: Recording of the March 22, 2022 Class of 2023 College Planning Parent/Student Meeting.
NEW RESOURCE: Northwest High School College Career Readiness & Post Secondary Guide for Rising Seniors (Class of 2023). A Counseling & College Career Information Center publication. March 2022.
FIELD TRIP REMINDER... GET READY!! Northwest is on the road again and taking buses to the NACAC MCPS College Fair on Tuesday, April 5. School bus departure will be 9:45 am. Students attending will be asked to report to the Auditorium at the beginning of period 3 bell. Students are encouraged to bring a bag lunch or they may request a lunch be provided for them. College fair registration will be required to attend. There will be no cost to attend this field trip for the 2021-2022 school year. Registration instructions along with the field trip permission forms will be available on the new College Career ‘College Fairs Information’ web page. The deadline to return permission forms and register is March 28 by the end of student lunch (11:45 am). Return forms and proof of college fair registration to the College Career Information Center, Room 126.
2 NEW scholarship opportunities are listed in the latest Jag Scholarship ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin:
- Rural Women’s Republican Club Scholarship. Seniors. $3,500. Must plan to pursue a vocational, trade school, or certificate program. Opportunity offered to a select few MCPS high schools. Apply by April 29.
- Walter Hardy Memorial Fund Scholarship. Seniors-athletes. Opportunity specific to Montgomery County Public Schools). 2.5 minimum GPA. $10,000 award. Apply by May 1.
e-NEWS Bulletin Content | e-NEWS on the Web
NEW: 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.
NEW: 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!! National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fairs. NACAC fairs link you to hundreds of colleges and universities in one location. 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.
DON’T FORGET!! Northwest is on the road again and taking buses to the NACAC MCPS College Fair on Tuesday, April 5. School bus departure will be 9:45 am. Students attending will be asked to report to the Auditorium at the beginning of period 3 bell. Students are encouraged to bring a bag lunch or they may request a lunch be provided for them. College fair registration will be required to attend. There will be no cost to attend this field trip for the 2021-2022 school year.
Registration instructions along with the field trip permission forms are available on the new College Career ‘College Fairs Information’ web page. The deadline to return permission forms and fair registration is March 28 by the end of student lunch (11:45 am). Return forms and proof of college fair registration to the College Career Information Center, Room 126.
NEW updates in the Summer Programs and Opportunities section of this College Career e-NEWS Bulletin!
Montgomery College Raptor Series | Scholarships & Enrollment | Virtual & In-person | Register HERE
College Career ‘School Specific’ NEWS:
NEW for the Class of 2022: Not sure when your college admission decision will be released? Check out College QuickStart.com. This site provides an updated listing of release dates for college admission decisions.
NEW for the Class of 2022: UNC Chapel Hill admissions decisions are expected to be released by the end of March. Students will receive an email prompting them to log in to MyCarolina to view their decision.
NEW for the Class of 2022: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has extended their application deadline to April 1 for fall 2022 admission. Apply via the Common Application or Coalition Application!
TCNJ has a new partnership with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia that guarantees TCNJ students priority application status and an interview with the prestigious Jefferson College of Pharmacy (JCP). Apply to TCNJ by April 1.
NEW for the Class of 2022: Washington University in St. Louis Acceptances! Congratulations Northwest seniors accepted to Wash U!! Washington University in St. Louis has released a YouTube video to help you understand your financial award letter. Click HERE to view (4:56m).
NEW for the Class of 2022: Miami University Ohio regular deadline admissions decisions were released on March 15. Students who applied to Miami U OH should check their application status portal.
NEW: TEST-OPTIONAL IN 2023 The University of South Carolina will be test-optional for the spring, summer and fall 2023 terms. This applies to general university and South Carolina Honors College admission, as well as merit scholarships awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Full policy details are available on our website.
REMINDER: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Explore Your Future Summer Program (EYF) is a five-day, on-campus summer program for college-bound deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students who will enter their junior or senior year in fall 2022. During EYF, students learn how their interests can lead them to a career, and they explore career options in various fields. They participate in EYF with other deaf and hard-of-hearing students from around the country. Students who attend EYF receive an application fee waiver to apply to RIT at no cost, and those who enroll at RIT for college will receive a scholarship. There are two EYF sessions. Session I: July 9-14 Session II: July 16-21
REMINDER: Morehouse has a program called Codehouse and they just launched this amazing program for graduating seniors who are planning to attend Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, NC A&T or Howard. It's up to a $20,000 scholarship and includes a summer bridge program at Morehouse for this summer. Apply by Apr. 8.
College Career Calendar:
THE HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE CAREER VISIT SCHEDULE:. 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.
A snapshot of our calendar is below:
- Simmons University (virtual). Thurs., March 31 @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
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. Under College Career Quick Links to the left of the screen, click on ‘Jag Jobs’.
SUMMER INTERN: 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!
2 NEW scholarship opportunities are listed in the latest Jag Scholarship ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin:
For details on all listed, with links to applications, download the Bulletin HERE.
- Rural Women’s Republican Club Scholarship. Seniors. $3,500. Must plan to pursue a vocational, trade school, or certificate program. Opportunity offered to a select few MCPS high schools. Apply by April 29.
- Walter Hardy Memorial Fund Scholarship. Seniors-athletes. Opportunity specific to Montgomery County Public Schools). 2.5 minimum GPA. $10,000 award. Apply by May 1.
12 scholarship opportunities have deadlines the first week in April:
For details on all listed, with links to applications, download the Bulletin HERE.
- COMPASSION IN ACTION AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM SCHOLARSHIP. Grades 9-12. $500. Apply by April 1.
- ESPERANZA SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Seniors. $5,000 to $20,000. Apply by April 1. https://www.esperanzafund.org/scholarship-program
- LOCKHEED MARTIN VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Seniors. Pursuing AA degree, certificate or credit-bearing program, vocational or technical school. Apply by April 1.
- MEN’S COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP. Male seniors. https://foundationfe.org/highschoolscholarship/
Apply by April 1.
- NAVY FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS. Seniors. Apply by April 1.
- SHERRY S. HINTZ COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Juniors and seniors. Apply by April 1.
- WISER-DC SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors with a documented learning and/or accessibility need. Apply by April 1.
- ZACHING AGAINST CANCER FOUNDATION SPIRIT AWARD SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors who have overcome some sort of significant hardship, medical challenge, and/or family issue relating to cancer. 2.0 minimum GPA. https://www.zachingagainstcancer.org/. Apply by April 1
- SUPPORT EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS (sponsored by Educational Systems Federal Credit Union). Seniors. Credit Union membership required. Apply by April 1.
- FUTURE INNOVATORS SCHOLARSHIP. Seniors pursuing STEM fields. $1,000. For more information type this link into your browser ‘https://nsbedc.org/’ and select ‘Programs’; access the application form @ https://form.jotform.com/210237487197159; please note: links may connect properly using MCPS computers or electronic devices. Apply by April 3.
- MOREHOUSE CODEHOUSE PROGRAM. Seniors. Up to $20,000. College specific for Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, NC A&T or Howard. Apply by April 8.
- WOMEN OF DOVE FOUNDATION & OMICRON PHI ZETA CHAPTER, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. SCHOLARSHIPS. Female seniors. Multiple scholarship opportunities. $1,000 awards. Find the links to applications HERE. Click on ‘Application Links’. Apply by April 8.
Transcript Information:
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.
- University of Southern California (USC) Summer Advantage Program webinar. Thursday, March 24, 2022; 4 to 5 pm (Pacific Time). Register HERE.
- Ball State University Youth Interior Design Forum
- GRAMMY Camp. University of Southern California. Apply by March 31. Camp dates August 2-6.
- 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 24
Here are five things to know for Thursday, March 24. They include important COVID-19 reminders, including guidance for the return from spring break; information about mental health and crisis resources; a reminder to complete the Antiracist Audit survey, opportunities for out-of-school time activities and tips for pedestrian safety.
Spring Break Begins Monday, April 11
Remain Vigilant: The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Not Over
Returning from spring break free from the effects of COVID-19 and the ability to complete the school year without quarantine learning or reinstated restrictions requires us to remain vigilant. It’s up to all of us. Please continue to follow the successful mitigation strategies that have reduced COVID-19 in our community.COVID-19 Testing:
Testing at Home: 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 and report any positive cases.
Reminder: COVID-19 symptoms are fever with a temperature of 100.4 or higher, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting or loss of taste or smell. Use this helpful student health checklist.
Distribution:
MCPS will distribute COVID-19 rapid take-home test kits between March 28 and April 6.Directions for Use:
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 refer to the directions included in the kits prior to use.)Other Important Ways You Can Help
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. The vaccine is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and to keep COVID-19 from surging in the community. MCPS hosts vaccine clinics every weekend. Learn more.
Mental Health and Crisis Support and Online Resources
MCPS has online information to support students and families seeking mental health and crisis support resources. Every school has a student support team that includes a counselor, a school psychologist, a pupil personnel worker and a school nurse.Resources:
Pedestrian Safety: Safe Routes to Schools Program
Student safety is one of the most important jobs we all have, in our neighborhoods, and near schools. Safety should be a priority for everyone. We want children to get to and from school safely. Here are few helpful reminders:
Tips for: Walkers / Riders / DriversAre You Looking for Things to Do When School is Not in Session?
MCPS has gathered a list of in-person, live and on-demand opportunities that are available to elementary and secondary students on days when school is not in session. Some of these activities are not affiliated with MCPS. If you are interested in any of those programs, please contact those organizations directly. Upcoming dates: Thursday, March 24 (early release day), Friday, April 1 (early release day) and spring break, which begins Monday, April 11 and runs through Monday, April 18.Families Are Encouraged to Complete the Antiracist Audit Survey
The survey closes on March 31. Please take the time to fill out the survey. It is easily completed on a mobile device or computer.
The survey is anonymous and available in seven languages.
English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Other Important Things to Know
NEW: Athletics Week in Review (March 21 - March 25)
- Baseball split the week with a 9-1 win over Rockville on Tuesday and an 11-1 loss to Sherwood on Thursday. JV will see their first action on Saturday 3/26 with a double header against Paint Branch and Sherwood.
- Congratulations to the girls softball team winning their opening game against Rockville on Monday. After working through first game jitters against a good Rockville pitcher, the team settled down and went on to defeat Rockville 9-1.
- Both the JV and Varsity Boys Lacrosse teams defeated Wheaton in their season opener on Wednesday.
Congratulations to Phia Morris and Sarah Varghese for being named JV girls lacrosse captains for the season for their dedication, hard work, and leadership skills! Congrats to the JV and Varsity Girls Lacrosse team for beating Wheaton at home! Amazing teamwork by both teams!
Track and Field competed against Damascus and Watkins Mill on Wednesday and came home victorious. Devon Anderson won the 100m dash, Gage Osborne won the 1600m run, and Antonio Berry won the long jump with a distance of 19 feet. On the girls side Aliyah Rahman won the 100m hurdles, Whitney Duhon won the 3200m run, and Winnie Abraham won the discus throw with a distance of 86 feet and 8 inches. The team competed on Friday at Smithsburg High School.
Boys varsity tennis was just a few points away from pulling off a major upset against Division 1 opponent B-CC on Monday. Seniors Brett Lockwood and Noah Goldman won a dramatic third set tiebreak at the doubles 1 position and junior Brett Hutter came from a set down to win his match at singles 4.
Girls tennis lost to a very tough B-CC team. They look forward to getting back on the courts on Monday in their rescheduled match against Damascus.
Congratulations to the Varsity Coed Volleyball team for winning their first 2 games of the season. They defeated Gaithersburg and Walter Johnson in straight sets. After working so hard these past month in practice and at scrimmages they did a phenomenal job! We also would like to congratulate Andrew Ahn and Sammy Silins for making Captains this season!
Boys Volleyball started their season with a split. The defeated Gaithersburg 3-0, but lost against a very tough Walter Johnson team.
Season tickets for Lacrosse and Volleyball games are available for purchase at all home events this week and next, or you can bring cash to Mrs. Tyler’s office during lunch. Season passes are $20 for adults and $12 for students.
Individual game tickets can be purchased on GoFan.co or by scanning the QR codes in the gym lobby. Tickets for regular season games are $5 for everyone 11 and older. You need a ticket to attend all Volleyball and Lacrosse games.
- Follow @NWJagSports on twitter for more updates!
NEW: Athletics/Events Schedule for the Week of March 28 - April 3
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: Maryland Primary Election Update
The Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks high school 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. To apply, students should submit their MD Voter Registration Application, the Election Worker Application & Permission Slip to our SGA Sponsor, Ms. Ledrick or our SSL Coordinator, Ms. McCarthy-Redd.
REMINDER: NW Students Featured in Lancome's Write Her Future
Three students, Tenin Dembele, Northwest High School; Danielle Gonyoe, Northwest High; and Consuela Watts, Northwood High School from the NAACP Montgomery County Maryland’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) were selected to participate in the Lancôme and the NAACP Write Her Future campaign.
These students participated in the promotion empowering young women that includes an opportunity to apply for an exclusive scholarship offered only to ACT-SO female high school seniors by Lancôme. The fourth student, Music Miranda is a Prince George’s County student. https://www.lancome-usa.com/write-her-future.html
Lupita Nyong’o, Lancôme’s Global Ambassador (actress in Black Panther movie) presented the Write Her Future Campaign for Lancôme and the NAACP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WME6iOwljnA
ACT-SO is a high school initiative of the NAACP that promotes excellence in the arts and academics in thirty-three different categories including STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Entrepreneurship. Students work year-long on projects that are presented at ACT-SO Competition Day, Sunday, April 10, 2022, 9:00 AM at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, Theatre Arts Building.
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: March Message from SMOB Hana O'Looney
Happy March! My name is Hana O'Looney, the current Student Member of the MCPS Board of Education sending along my March message. Please find the links below.
Google Drive (Only Accessible Through MCPS Accounts): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XebWV9b-Lk3LSIk61MIlJPQzVwK_OOQu/view?usp=sharing
YouTube: https://youtu.be/sEn1cyQlUt0
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: Interested in the QuestBridge Scholarship?
Might your child qualify for a full scholarship to college? Please learn about the QuestBridge Scholarship and how to apply. Juniors can apply now to QuestBridge’s Prep Scholar Program. Students who become Prep Scholars increase their chances of winning full scholarships as seniors. The Prep Scholar application is due March 24th.
For more information, please have your child attend a lunch meeting in room 264 on Wednesday, March 9th.
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: NWHS Mulch Fundraiser
Two Ways to Support!
1. We have partnered with Potomac Garden Center for those who are interested in buying mulch and supporting NW. They have graciously offered a program where we will receive 15% of all mulch sales when you mention Northwest at the registers during checkout throughout the month of March. This includes bulk mulch by the cubic yard in natural, dyed brown and dyed black and bagged mulch (Master Gardener 3 cu ft, Dyed Brown and Black 2 cu ft, Cedar Mulch, Mini Nuggets and Silver Dollar Nuggets).
They do offer delivery ($50 charge to 20878 and 20874), and also offer a subscription service called PGC+ for $129/year, which gives subscribers free delivery with a $100 minimum purchase for the year as well as a 20% discount on most products (excluding bagged Master Gardener mulch and other items as listed at pgc.plus).
Unfortunately, website sales will not be credited to the NWHS Boosters. We encourage you to stop in to the store as they have a great selection of items Plus, you get to support a local business!
2. We do realize that you may have other mulch plans this year, but you still want to help Northwest. We have set up a direct donation form if you would like to support our community.
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