Principal's Newsletter
Some thoughts for the starting school year
March 15, 2024
From the Desk of the Principal
Dear Brunswick Families,
Next Thursday marks the end of the grading term for students. Please encourage your student to submit all final work, projects and assignments on time and before the term deadline. This is a reminder that school will be closed for students next Friday, as teachers finish grading in preparation for report cards. The 4th Term begins on Monday, March 25.
Today, we had an excellent meeting with the senior class about the final quarter of the year - all of the academic expectation and exciting events that will unfold in the coming weeks. So that Senior Parents are equally informed on these expectations and events, we will have Senior Parent Meeting on Monday, March 18th at 6:30 pm in the auditorium. This meeting will include informative handouts and time for question and answers on numerous topics - finishing the year academically, prom, graduation rehearsal, cap and gowns, the graduation ceremony, Safe and Sane and much more. I make a promise to get you in and out in an hour, but you will leave with a lot of information and your questions answered. Please plan to join us next Monday evening!
If you happened to come by, we had an excellent Unified Track meet here yesterday, hosting several other FCPS high schools. Spring athletic contests begin next week. I hope to see many of you on the track and various fields as the Roaders take on teams in baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, tennis, track and field, and unified track and field. There is really something for everyone as the weather warms!
With Railroader Pride,
Christopher Berry
Principal
The Week Ahead - Keeping You in the Know!
Only home athletic events listed. Check BHS Event Calendar for complete details of home and away contents.
All college recruiter visits are held during Connections (10:25am) unless stated otherwise. Sign-up in Naviance
Railroader News and Notes
Student Volunteer Opportunity
Science & Engineering Fair and Social Studies Fair Volunteer: March 23, 2024
Here is the information below:
We are so excited to announce that the Elementary Science & Engineering and Social Studies Fair will be held on March 23, 2024! We are looking for student volunteers that may be interested in sharing their time and supporting our elementary students on this very special day!
What, When , and Where?
- Volunteer Service Hours (up to 4 hours)- 2023 Science & Engineering Fair and Social Studies Fair
- March 23, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Tuscarora High School 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703
What will volunteers be asked to do?
- Supporting participants at the check-in table
- Supporting student display set-up process
- Conducting student project interviews for all projects
Schedule for the day:
- 8:00 AM - 8:10 AM: Arrival and service hour paperwork
- 8:10 AM - 8:30 AM: Welcome Breakfast and Orientation
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Student Interviews/Student Presentations
- 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch
Please email me if you have any questions or concerns: Kendra.Hinson@fcps.org
WANTED: PROPS for BHS Production of Annie
The BHStage Drama Club is excited to bring the spring musical "Annie" to the Brunswick community this April. The cast and crew are in need of some props for the production.
Mops with wooden handles (5)
metal buckets (10)
Any community members with the above items please reach out to Lyndsey Peterson at Lyndsey.Peterson@fcps.org. Items can be donated or loaned & dropped off at the high school c/o "BHS Drama."
We've Got Annie!
Advanced tickets for our spring musical production are available NOW and are already selling fast. Get your tickets early if you want to skip the line or wish to purchase with a credit card. Cash sales will be made available at the door of each performance depending on availability.
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/81779
Additionally, at the 2pm show on April 20th, we will be hosting a "meet and greet" with the cast including photos and "autographs" with Sandy the dog (yes a real dog!!). Bring your kids for an incredible afternoon of live theater 😊
Note: FCPS staff, military veterans, and anyone 55+ may enter for free by presenting an valid ID. We do anticipate large crowds at the evening shows, so we recommend getting tickets online in advanced if you can.
Career Opportunities for Students
If you are a rising high school senior (class of 2025) and have a committed vision of earning your electrician’s journeyman’s license the following opportunity may be for you. See Mr. Beavan in Room 105 for further information.
The 2023-34 BHS Yearbook is Now on Sale
All pre-orders online at: www.yearbookordercenter.com
and enter our job #5848
Congratulations, Commendations & Kudos
Students of the Week
Academic Winner: Madison Cackowski
Nominated by: Mr. Tuel
Madison has submitted consistently superior work and has achieved a class GPA of 98.19%, the highest in the class. Keep up the great work! - Mr. Tuel
Outstanding Character Winner: Alicia Alvarez
Nominated by: Mrs. Lorenzen
Alicia exhibits kindness and understanding to the preschool students as well as her teaching group. She also offers positive suggestions to how we can run the preschool better. Alicia always comes to class with a positive attitude and is willing to help her classmates and the preschoolers. - Mrs. Lorenzen
Senior Class of 2024
Senior Class of 2024 Parent Meeting
A meeting will be held for parents/guardians of the Class of 2024 on Monday, March 18 at 6:30pm in the auditorium.
You don't want to miss it! The agenda will include:
- Important Dates
- Rest of Academic Year Expectations
- Financial Obligations
- Junior-Senior Prom
- Graduation Rehearsals
- Senior Awards Ceremony
- Graduation Ceremony
- Graduation Tickets
- Accessibility Seating
- Dress Guidelines for Graduates
- Livestream and Photos
- Graduation Etiquette
- Graduation Reminders
- Q&A with The Advisors/Administration
If you are not able to attend the meeting, head to the BHS website after Monday for all of the information!
Senior Event Calendar - Check Out All Senior Events!
The graduation date for BHS has finally been announced! The BHS Class of 2024 will be hold its graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 21 at 9:00am at the PNC Arena on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg. What are the other major events throughout the year and related to graduation that you need on your calendar now? Check out this newly updated link below with all of the important dates for the Class of 2024.
Seniors - Need Assistance with the College Process?
Here are all the answers to the many questions you have about your college applications! Here are the "4-Year-College-Bound Senior" resources from the Connections Assembly on September 6.
Slideshow - College Application Things to Know
Handout - Naviance for Seniors - Requesting Transcripts & Recommendations
These items are also available at www.bhs.edu - click “Counseling” (top right)
Athletics
Railroader Athletic Events for the Coming Week
Brunswick High School Athletics - Week of 3/16/24-03/22/24
Staff
- The link above will give you the schedule of events for BHS this week
- Please come support our Student-Athletes!
Coaches
- Please double check your scheduled start time / location for games.
- Please make sure you have received a bus slip in your mailbox – double check departure times.
- Bus Policies
Officials and Opposing School ADs - Please let me know if our schedules do not agree.
Tickets and Video
- Fans can purchase tickets online for regular season contests and skip the line at the gate at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24761
- Games can be watched live on the NFHS Network
- Please familiarize yourself with this information for the Winter Season.
Booster Organizations
The Class of 2024 Safe and Sane News
A Parent Booster Organization in Support of Brunswick High School
The Class of 2024 Safe and Sane Committee and Parent Volunteers have been hard at work organizing several fundraisers. Please review the information below and supporting our fundraising efforts so that our Seniors can experience a safe, fun and memorable event on graduation night! Thank you for your continued support!
Class of 2024 Graduation Yard Signs: It's time to purchase your Graduation Yard Sign! Signs are $12 and can be paid for in advance via Venmo, cash or check. Information regarding purchasing and picking up yard signs is in the flyer.
Pampered Chef Fundraiser. Pampered Chef offers top quality kitchen tools, gadgets, stoneware, bakeware, cookware and more to make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. These items make wonderful gifts - think weddings or bridal showers, new home purchase, college students moving into their own apartments, or a gift for you! Up to 15% of every order placed will be donated to Safe and Sane. Please click on the link and consider adding to your kitchen collections!
https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/bhsseniors0201
Hemp's Meat Raffle: Get ready! The annual Safe and Sane Hemp's Meat Raffle is coming! Tickets will be $15 and you have a chance to win great prizes. The First Place winner will receive 1/4 beef; Second and Third place winners will receive $200 and $100 gift cards to Hemp's. We will be selling tickets beginning mid-February, but you'll also have an opportunity to buy tickets in person at Dancing with the Poms on February 24 at BHS. Winners will be announced LIVE at Hemp's in Jefferson on Saturday, April 13!
Stuff the Truck: Save the Date - April 20! Start gathering your soft home goods (clothes, sheets, blankets, towels, backpacks, purses, wallets, scarves, mittens, etc) AND books AND kitchen items such as pots, pans, plates, mugs, and bring them to BHS on April 20 so we can stuff the truck one more time! Soft goods must be packed in large bags, and books and kitchen items must be pack securely in boxes.
Stay tuned for more information regarding upcoming fundraisers like Egg My Yard, Bingo, Hemp's Meat Raffle, Chipotle Restaurant Night Fundraiser, Stuff the Truck, Virtual 5k Walk/Run and more!
BHS PTSA News
We welcome all Parents, Students, and Teacher to join the PTSA!
If you or your student have not had an opportunity to join the PTSA, or just want to make a donation, print a membership/donation form from the link below:
https://edu.fcps.org/bhs/sites/bhs/files/PTSAMembershipForm.pdf
The PTSA does little to no fundraising, so most of the income comes from memberships and donations. You or your student can deliver the completed form and $10 membership and/or donation to the school office (cash or check). Please mark the envelope - PTSA. Electronic payment for membership is now available through PayPal. Choose @BHSPTSA1 or scan the QR code below. In the comments, include your name, email, contact number, whether you are a BHS staff member, your student’s name and grade. If you have any questions please email the PTSA at brunswickptsa@gmail.com. We are excited for this school year and we hope to see you at a future meeting!
Railroader Reminders
Important Attendance Reminders
The State of Maryland has set the attendance goal for each school at 96%.
How can you help BHS achieve that goal? Send your healthy child to school every day on time. Also, plan vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you for your support!
Parents and guardians are reminded of these important basic guidelines regarding attendance:
- When your student is absent, please notify BHS.attendance@FCPS.org or turn in a written note immediately after the absence. Please provide physician's notes when applicable.
- Student's who drive to school must have parent/guardian authorization to dismiss early, and must sign-out upon their departure through the main office.
- If a student will be dismissed early, please e-mail the attendance office, BHS.attendance@fcps.org no later than 7:30 am on the day of the early departure or provide your student with an early dismissal note for the attendance office. The student will receive a pass to leave their classroom early, signing out in the main office before leaving. If a note has not been sent in advance, parents must enter the building to sign their student out.
- Student's who arrive to school late anytime after 7:30 must obtain a pass to enter any area of the school. The student must have a parent note in order for the absence to be excused. Any student who arrives late without a parent absence note will be assigned consequences from their administrator based on the frequency of these late arrivals.
Being Prepared for School - Chromebooks
Being prepared every day for school means many things, but perhaps most importantly, it means having your Chromebook fully charged and ready to go. Do you have a place at home where you charge your Chromebook each night? Is this part of your daily routine? Loaner Chromebooks are available on an emergency basis ONLY, and must be returned to the Media Center at the end of each day. Chromebook chargers are not available to be lent out. Most classrooms do not have outlets for charging. Be prepared - charge your Chromebook at home each night!
TutorMe.com, a Free Student Online Tutoring/Homework Help Service
TutorMe.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through the FCPS Clever Portal and offers on-demand assistance. The TutorMe.com service provides assistance that aligns with the FCPS curriculum, including knowledge of new curriculum tools being implemented. The service maintains rigorous standards providing high-quality, diverse tutors, screened for excellence (including a criminal background check). The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Features include:
An online lesson space with a virtual whiteboard
Text editor and chat space
Audio/video chat (although you do not have to use this feature or turn on your camera)
A function to allow sharing of screenshots of work examples to assist tutors as they provide support
More than 300 subjects from math to science, social studies and languages
Students can access TutorMe through the FCPS Bookmarks, when logged in to Google Chrome through their FCPS account, and click on the Clever Portal, then TutorMe. More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.