Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Acting Principal Anita O'Neill
March 18, 2024
Dear Coyote Community,
As we approach the much-anticipated Spring Break, I extend warm wishes for a rejuvenating and restful time ahead for our staff, students, and families. It's a well-deserved opportunity to recharge and return with renewed vigor to navigate the remainder of the school year successfully. Spring Break will commence on Saturday, March 23 and conclude on Monday, April 1. We eagerly anticipate everyone's return to school on Tuesday, April 2.
During this break, we're excited to announce the commencement of a significant solar panel project on our school premises. Beginning Saturday, March 23, you may notice trucks, ladders, and contractors on site as this project unfolds. The project is anticipated to span through April, with final inspections slated for early May.
Given the importance of upcoming testing schedules, this week's message is succinct to ensure everyone has ample time to review and internalize the pertinent information outlined in this newsletter. With May bringing forth a calendar brimming with various assessments, it's crucial for students and families to familiarize themselves with the testing dates relevant to their schedules.
Please note that there will be no weekly newsletter during the break. The subsequent issue will be released on Sunday, April 7.
Lastly, I encourage each of you to explore the valuable updates from MCPS, our PTSA, and various CHS departments featured in this week's message.
Here's to a resilient and rewarding week ahead for all!
A Taste of Celebrations
Girls Basketball State Playoffs
What better way to honor Women's History Month than by celebrating the remarkable achievements of our own Lady Coyotes? In case you missed the exhilarating news, Clarksburg High School's Girls Basketball team emerged victorious in the 4A state championship game last Friday against BCC. Heartfelt congratulations are in order for Coach Natoli and all our dedicated athletes who contributed to this outstanding triumph.
This historic win not only exemplifies the talent and dedication of our female athletes but also underscores the importance of recognizing and uplifting women's achievements, both on and off the court. As we commemorate Women's History Month, let us take pride in the accomplishments of our Lady Coyotes.
Warmest congratulations once again to Coach Natoli and our incredible team on this well-deserved victory!
Minority Scholars Program
Over the weekend, members of Clarksburg High School's Minority Scholars Program (MSP) had the privilege of participating in the 13th annual MSP conference hosted at Kennedy High School. Amidst a gathering of over 1000 students from elementary, middle, and high schools across the district, our scholars immersed themselves in meaningful discourse with peers and sponsors from diverse backgrounds on an array of compelling topics.
A standout moment of the day, and a source of immense pride for our community, was the keynote address delivered by Clarksburg alum ZaMari Love. Ms. Love, a founding member of Clarksburg's MSP, played a pivotal role in advocating for the program's expansion and support within MCPS, leaving an indelible mark on our school's legacy. Her inspirational message resonated deeply with attendees, serving as a poignant reminder of the power of advocacy, leadership, and resilience in effecting positive change.
As we reflect on this enriching experience, we commend our MSP members for their active engagement and commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment within our school community and beyond. Thank you to Mr. Kim and Ms. Bedell, our sponsors, for ensuring our students had this opportunity.
Performing Arts
We have such talented students in our performing arts programs. I'd like to take time to thank our incredible teachers as well as highlight our students who earned a place in the Allstate Band and Choral programs.
Congratulations to these students:
- Anna Bonapace, Senior Band
- Jonathan Chang, Senior Band
- Franciska Deutcheu, Senior Band
- Yasmin da Rocha, Senior Mixed Chorus
- Rohan Krishnan, Senior Mixed Chorus
- Nikhil Naik, Senior Mixed Chorus
- Anderson Orsega, Senior Mixed Chorus
- Elena Schwartz, Senior Mixed Chorus
- Julianna Koss, Senior Treble Chorus
- Teo Kuperberg, Junior Band
- Roberto Escobar Gonzalez, Junior Mixed Chorus
Continuing the good news, our choral performances were on fire during the MCPS Adjudication.
We had THREE choirs qualify for Maryland State Adjudication. Below, you will find the results of each ensemble and a link to connect you to our amazing recordings.
LISTEN TO PERFORMANCES HERE (Links to an external site.)
Celeste Voce ( Chorus 1): Score II ( Excellent Rating) LEVEL 3
Bella Voce ( Chorus 2) Score 1 ( Superior Rating) LEVEL 5
Coro di Voci ( Chorus 3) Score 1 ( Superior Rating) LEVEL 3
Chamber Singers, Score 1 ( Superior Rating) LEVEL 6!
Congratulations to the following students for their acceptance and performance in the Maryland All State Chorus:
- Nikhil Naik- Tenor
- Julianna Koss- Soprano 1
- Elena Shwartz- Soprano 2
- Yasmin Da Rocha- Soprano 1
- Anderson Orsega- Bass
- Rohan Krishnan- Bass
- Roberto Escobar- Bass
Visual Arts
Several students competed in the Scholastic Art Competition. Gold Key winners will have their work moved onto national judging and award opportunities. Congratulations to each of our award winners listed below:
- Claire Liu received a Gold Key for her photography, "Scholastic Pride"
- Abigail Cho received a Gold Key for her digital art, "Feeling Pretty"
- Maryland Senior Portfolio Awardees for Clarksburg High School are;
- Alec Craig received an Honorable Mention for, "My Queerness"
French Honor Society
On Friday, March 22 during lunch in the World Languages hall, the French Honor Society and other French students are planning a celebration of the Journée Internationale de la Francophonie. The Journée Internationale de la Francophonie is an international event celebrating the French Language and the diversity of the Francophone cultures since 1988, and it is celebrated within the International Organization of La Francophonie’s 88 member States every March 20. Students will present different aspects of the Francophone cultures sharing foods from Francophone countries.
Important Testing Information: Please Read
Attention Clarksburg Families of 11th Graders participating in the upcoming SAT School Day on Tuesday March 19th:
As we get closer to the exam date we wanted to share with you pertinent information regarding how the SAT will be run on March 19th and how you can prepare.
Here are links that are helpful for students from College Board about the upcoming SAT School Day:
- Students can find answers to general questions about the SAT and what to expect on test day at SAT School Day
- Students can send their test scores, for free, to up to 4 eligible colleges, universities, or scholarship programs. More information can be found here.
- The SAT School Day student guide
- Students can access free, personalized SAT Practice on Khan Academy
Below you will find pertinent information regarding the SAT School Day at Clarksburg High School:
- What is the schedule for SAT school day?
- SAT exams are scheduled to start at 7:45 am.
- Students are expected to arrive on time to the school building by 7:35 am.
- Students who are not participating in SAT or Mock AP Testing have the option to stay home. Students who choose to come to school that day will need to remain on campus unless they are signed out by a parent or caregiver.
- Testing Schedule:
- 7:45 - 11:30
- SAT Administration (all 11th grade students)
- Mock AP Exams (for certain AP courses)
- Credit Recovery, Study Hall & SSL Opportunities in Cafeteria for students not participating in testing
- 11:30 - 12:00
- Lunch
- 12:05 - 12:50
- Period 6
- 12:55 - 1:40
- Period 7
- 1:45 - 2:30
- Period 8
More detailed information will be shared later in the week.
MCAP and AP Testing
Greetings Clarksburg Families,
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) is the overarching term used for all state assessments. MSDE and CHS will administer assessments in the Spring for English Language Arts (ELA), Algebra (ALG), NSL Government (GOV) and Life Science (LS MISA). Each of these MCAP Exams are a graduation requirement; seniors who do not participate will not graduate in June.
This school year, the Measurement of Academic Progress Reading (MAP-R) assessment will be administered to ALL 9th grade students per the schedule below. Select students will take the Measurement of Academic Progress Math (MAP-M) assessment through their regularly scheduled Math courses. Questions regarding MAP-M should be directed to our Math Department RT, Mr. Randall Hostetter. The results of these assessments provide teachers, students, and families with an accurate measure of what a student knows and needs to learn in these critical subject areas and do not impact graduation status.
PLEASE NOTE: Students who are not testing, should arrive during lunch, if possible, on delayed openings only. Attendance in class after testing is MANDATORY. Bus transportation and meals will run on normal schedules on testing days below. Students who require bus transportation but are not testing will receive academic support in the cafeteria during test administration.
Student lists who are required to test will be sent in a later communication. Below is the full testing schedule for May and contact information in the full testing memo found below.
Districtwide Culture and Climate Survey: WINDOW EXTENDED
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 22, 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!
Work-based Learning
We now have a one stop to get information about internships, apprenticeships, and CCRD opportunities. This site will be updated on a regular basis to include new opportunities and information. Students . . . check it out!
Women's History Month: SSL Opportunity
CHS will be celebrating Women's History Month with two SSL projects. Each project is worth 2 hours! Both projects are open through March 30th. Other reminders: Seniors have until May 1st to submit their SSL hours for graduation. Anyone wishing to earn the Meritorious Award must have their hours submitted by April 5th. All information is on the SSL Canvas page or see Mrs. Coe in room 101 with any questions.
Women's History Month Project #1
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
Note from Clarksburg PTSA
March 17, 2024
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
– Angela Duckworth, Professor, Psychologist, and Author
Dear Clarksburg High School Families:
On Friday night, we witnessed grit in action. A simple word consisting of only four letters but that packs a punch. Grit is the driver of our motivations. Grit propels us through every and any obstacle that stands in our way. Grit fueled our amazing Girl’s Basketball team to be the indomitable force that they are. They faced jeers from the opponent’s team and attempts to steer them awry. Yet, they held strong. They powered through. They rose up to face the onslaught of pressure and anxieties to be State Champions. These amazing group of women brought home the State Championship to Clarksburg High School Friday night. We are in awe and inspired by their journey, their leadership, and their spirit. Congratulations to you all and to your powerhouse of a coach with a heart of gold, Coach Natoli!
We are so very heartened to see the community rally behind our team on Friday night, cheering them on and encouraging others to join in.
We are also grateful for the community to come out and support the CHS PTSA FUNDrive! We collected over 315 bags of clothing & 100 boxes of housewares and books, which totaled up to over 5000 lbs of donated items this Saturday! The FUNDrive organizer was very surprised and excited to see all of the donated items coming in! Thank you to all who donated and to all who volunteered. We want to extend a huge shout-out to Emily Lederer for spearheading and organizing this FUNDrive!
We can truly do so much if we rally together!
That is the Clarksburg spirit.
This is Clarksburg.
WE are #ClarksburgStrong.
We have so much going for us as students, staff/teachers, families, and one Clarksburg community. Let us continue this momentum, this spirit, this unity of voices and hearts to continue to support our fellow Coyote family.
If you have any concerns or questions you would like to share with us, please send them to clarksburghighschool.ptsa@gmail.com.
Our next PTSA meeting is on March 19, 2024 at 7pm, where we hope we can continue the dialogue around Safety and Security that we touched upon in our February meeting. The meeting will be held at CHS Media Center and Via Zoom. (see Flyer here: https://bit.ly/CHSPTSA3192024MeetingFlyer)
Link to the Zoom registration is the following:
https://bit.ly/CHSPTSAGeneralMembershipMeeting3192024
If you have not yet joined our PTSA, please do so via this link:
https://bit.ly/CHSPTSAMembership
This is the perfect time to join as we are nearing our nominating timeframes for our general election which we hope to hold in May. To be nominated, you must be a PTSA member. Please see the attached flyer on the ways you can join in the PTSA and be a part of conversations that support our communities.
MCPS Resources in Spanish
News from Our Bridge to Wellness Partners
Please see the flyer below for information about two new opportunities coming through Bridge to Wellness.
- Encuentros - Nonclinical emotional support group, targeting the newcomer student population (8 weeks). Additionally, these groups are also available to Clarksburg parents as well.
- Family Reunification - 6-week nonclinical group for newly reunited students and their parent/guardian.
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.
See projects for Women's History Month listed earlier in this newsletter.
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: 5/4 and 6/1. Registration for these dates should be made through the College Board Website.
Student Opportunities
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.
Summer RISE
Interested in law? This may be the summer opportunity for you.
Summer Legal Institute (SLI) is a complimentary multi-day initiative offering students a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with judges, lawyers, and law students. The program comprises a series of workshops delving into different facets of the legal profession, offering valuable insights and hands-on experiences. Students will have the chance to visit Federal Courts, a Corporation, and a Law Firm, culminating in a oral argument competition. To support students throughout the week, we provide breakfast and lunch, and can assist with transportation arrangements.
Program Details:
Dates: July 08, 2024 - July 12, 2024
Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: Free
See the program flyer with a QR code below.
2024 Geospatial Technology Summer Camp at Towson University
Consider Towson University's Geospatial Technology Camp, July 10-13, 2024. This 4-day, 3-night, all-inclusive overnight camp is specifically designed for high school students who are interested in learning geospatial technologies. Students will stay in double occupancy rooms in a university dorm. Meals, lodging, and transportation are all included. Open the attached flyer to get more information and to sign up.
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
March 19 - PTSA Meeting, 7:00 pm, CHS Media Center
March 20 - Junior College Fair
March 25 - First Day of Spring Break
April 1 - Last Day of Spring Break
April 11 - PTSA Driver Safety Event
April 11 - Top 25 Celebration
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.