Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Acting Principal Anita O'Neill
February 25, 2024
Dear Coyote Community,
What a week it's been! Our community has been brimming with celebrations, showcasing the incredible talent and spirit that define us as Coyotes. Here are just a few highlights:
Black History Month Assembly: Last Friday, our CHS students were treated to an educational and engaging Black History Month assembly, thoughtfully organized by CHS students to illuminate different facets of African American history and culture. A heartfelt thank you to all the adults who supported our students, and a special shout-out to Ms. Meyer and Mr. Evans for their collaboration with the students, working around the needs of our drama production. (Take a peek at our highlight reel from the assembly below this message.)
African Student Association Ball: Also on Friday, our African Student Association hosted a vibrant ball, uniting students from CHS and NWHS in celebration of the diverse and rich cultures of Africa through food, music, and dance. Many thanks to all the adults involved, particularly Ms. Zame' for her collaborative efforts in making this event a memorable experience for everyone.
Debate Team Success: Congratulations to Edwin Cho and Alex Kim for their impressive performance at the country championship debate, reaching the final sixteen.
DECA Achievements: Our DECA chapter once again demonstrated excellence, with 27 students competing at the Maryland State Business Competition. Seven of our students have qualified for the International competition in California, a remarkable accomplishment indeed. Kudos to Sabrin Niamathullah, Hridaya Babu, Samarth Sudarshana, Karan Anand, Aaditya Gore, Joanne Mittapalli, and Praneel Suvarna for their outstanding achievements.
Sports Highlights:
- Our girls' basketball team displayed remarkable skill and determination in a fiercely competitive county championship game. Though victory eluded us, their dedication shone through.
- Our swim and dive team excelled at the state competition, with notable performances from Evan Medina and our girls' relay teams.
- At the 4A/3A West Region Meet, our wrestling team showcased their prowess, with Jonathan Chang and Owen Pelaez emerging as regional champions. Kudos also to Mikey Herrera, Kurt Hull, Luke Porterfield, Brenten Prestcott, and Surya Vedpathak for advancing to the state championship meet.
Recognition for Ms. Amy Vanek: Let's also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Amy Vanek, CHS's exceptional choral teacher, for being honored with the 2024 Outstanding Maryland Music Educator Career Award at the Baltimore Convention Center. This recognition is a testament to Ms. Vanek's unwavering dedication to our students, as evidenced by the overwhelming support from students, families, and staff.
Amidst these celebrations, it's important to address challenges as well. As highlighted in previous newsletters, attendance remains crucial for academic success and community cohesion. I urge all students to prioritize punctuality and active participation in every class, fostering both academic growth and community bonds.
Addressing challenges raised by staff, we've made adjustments to vending machine availability. Starting March 4, vending machines will only be accessible before school, at lunch, and after school. Students seeking snacks are kindly requested to visit during these designated times.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to take a moment to read through the important updates from MCPS, our PTSA, and various CHS departments included in this week's message.
Wishing you all a resilient and rewarding week ahead!
Black History Month Spirit Week
Districtwide Culture and Climate Survey
At Clarksburg HS, we believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of your perspective. Your family's input is crucial in shaping the future of our school community, and we invite you to participate in our Family Survey.
This survey aims to gather valuable insights into your experiences and opinions regarding various aspects of our school district. Your honest feedback will help us understand what's working well and identify areas where we can improve to create a more supportive and engaging learning environment for all students.
Participating in this survey is easy, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. Your responses are completely confidential, and the information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of enhancing our educational programs and services. The survey opens February 12, 2024 and closes March 15, 2024.
To access the survey, please click on the link provided below:
https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/
We appreciate your commitment to our school community and value the unique perspectives each family brings. Together, we can continue to build a positive and thriving educational environment.
Thank you for your time and input. We look forward to hearing from you!
Chromebooks: Important Please Read!!!
We would like to bring your attention to some important updates regarding Chromebook usage at Clarksburg High School:
Assigned Chromebooks: Each Clarksburg High School student is provided with one MCPS Lenovo Chromebook for instructional purposes. It is crucial that students remember to bring their assigned Lenovo Chromebook to school every day, fully charged and ready for use.
Changes in Chromebook Loan Policy: Previously, we were able to provide short-term Chromebook loans to students who may have forgotten or misplaced their assigned devices. However, due to changes in technology and limited availability of Chromebooks, we regret to inform you that we will no longer be able to offer short-term Chromebook loans.
Chromebook Return Deadline: Students who have checked out Chromebooks beyond their assigned Lenovo Chromebook must return them by March 4th. Failure to return Chromebooks by this date will result in the following financial obligations:
- Silver 740 Acers: $75
- 771 Acers: $150
- 300/500e Lenovos: $200
- Media Center: 6:45 am - 3:15 pm daily
- Room 152B: 7:15 – 11:pm & 12:30 - 3:30 daily
- Auditorium Lobby: Before school and during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 11:20 – noon
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the responsible use and return of school-issued equipment. Thank you for your attention to this matter. For any questions, please contact:
Paul Ormsby
Clarksburg High Information Technology Specialist
24-25 COYOTE PUPS PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Are you, or someone you know, in search of a top-notch preschool experience for your little one? Look no further than Coyote Pups Preschool, located at Clarksburg High School!
Coyote Pups Preschool offers a unique educational opportunity where preschool children and high school students learn and grow together. Led by CHS Child Development students, this program fosters a vibrant learning environment for both young learners and student teachers.
Here's what makes Coyote Pups Preschool stand out:
Dual Educational Experience: Children aged four and high school students collaborate in a dynamic learning environment, fostering growth and development for all participants.
Practical Application: High school students enrolled in Child Development courses get hands-on experience by implementing curriculum and techniques learned in class, under the guidance of certified early childhood professionals.
Quality Education: Our program is designed to provide a high-quality educational experience for preschoolers, ensuring they are well-prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
If your child will be four on or before September 1st, 2024, we invite you to express interest in Coyote Pups Preschool by completing our interest form here. Our preschool coordinator will be in touch with registration details in late March.
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your child's early education journey! For more information, please visit our website: COYOTE PUPS WEBSITE
PTSA Updates
MCPS Resources in Spanish
Attention Seniors
NAACP Scholarship Information
With support from Maryland State Senators, Delegates and several generous Montgomery County residents, that the Montgomery County Chapter NAACP Parents' Council (PC) Education Committee has opened its 2024 scholarship program. They have awarded hundreds of scholarships to deserving Montgomery County students for more than 20 years!
Below you will find key documents that provide the timeline and application materials. All application materials, including the scholarship application and letters of recommendation are due by March 22, 2024.
The goal is to begin awarding scholarships to our selected students beginning early April. Scholarship awards will be presented during the Freedom Fund Dinner, which will be held at 2pm on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Get Those SSL Hours
News from the SSL office: Mrs. Coe will be using this GOOGLE FORM to receive SSL forms electronically INSTEAD of simply emailing the form. You can attach up to 10 files to each google form. Parents and students can both access and use this form.
In case you missed it in last week's newsletter, here are two opportunities to celebrate Black History Month and earn SSL hours. These two asynchronous projects must be completed by February 29 for a total of 4 hours. Pick one or do both. The links are below. See Ms. Coe if you have questions.
https://forms.gle/BGvzubLEz6kCK5ai7
https://forms.gle/2S8TRtn44bbSwuuW9
Upcoming dates: Meritorious Hours are due by April 3rd. All senior hours are due by May 1st.
Senior Memorabilia
Don't miss out! Review this important information from Josten's.
News from the College and Career Center
SAT Opportunities at CHS
CHS will once again host the SAT on multiple dates during the year. The dates the SAT will be held at CHS are: 3/9, 5/4, 6/1. Registration for these dates should be made through the College Board Website.
Code Purple: Virtual Learning Day
Student Opportunities
March 9: Girls Summit
See information about the upcoming Girl's Summit at Northwood High School.
March 11 to May 24: Girls with Impact
Exciting news! Montgomery County Public Schools has partnered with Girls With Impact to bring you a FREE Business and Leadership program for girls in Grades 9–12 and gender-expansive youth! Developed with Harvard leaders, this ‘mini-MBA’ program equips girls with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become tomorrow's entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. The 10-week live, online program begins the week of March 11 and ends the week of May 24. The weekly classes are one hour each and are managed by a trained coach with a master's degree in business administration providing the resources needed to get students from ideation to the launch of their venture ideas. Register your student at https://www.girlswithimpact.org/mcps.
March 16: MSP Annual Retreat
See information below about the Minority Scholars Program annual retreat.
Summer RISE
Apply for School Meal Benefits
This coming year all meals will incur a fee unless students have are approved for Free And/or Reduced fee Meals (FARMS). Eligible families complete the 2023-2024 FARMS application that is now available online. Here is the link: www.MySchoolApps.com.
Donations
Clothing to Cash
Did you know that you can support our school through clothing donations? See the attached flyer about the Clothing to Cash program that supports CHS.
Prom Drive
The CHS prom is May 3 and we want to support all students who would like to attend. Please see the attached flyer for ways you can support.
Calendar Items
Key January/February Dates
February 29 -- Deadline for Black History Month SSL Projects
March 1 - Tryouts for Spring Sports Begin
March 9 -- Girls Summit (@ Northwood HS)
March 16 - Annual MSP Retreat (@Kennedy HS)
March 19 - PTSA Meeting, 7:00 pm, CHS Media Center
March 20 - Junior College Fair
General Information for Students and Families
NFHS Network and GoFan
Dear Coyote fans,
As we kick-off the upcoming school year, we wanted to tell you that through our official partners, NFHS Network and GoFan, you can easily buy tickets for games and subscribe to watch live games online for when you can’t get there in-person.
Click this link to visit our school homepage, where you can:
- Click “Follow” to get alerts on our upcoming events.
- Click “Buy Tickets” to get tickets to upcoming events.
- Click “Subscribe” to watch live broadcasts of upcoming events (a portion of the proceeds are shared back with our school!).
Get Your Yearbook
2024 YEARBOOKS and TRIBUTE/AD PAGES are on sale for the cheapest prices of the year! Just visit www.clarksburgyearbook.com to make your purchase today! We have a limited number of discounts, so grab yours BEFORE we sell out!
CHS Website
Our CHS website has a wealth of information related to subjects like attendance, student service learning, athletics and more. Please take time to check it out so you have accurate information about policies and procedures at CHS.