Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Acting Principal Anita O'Neill
April 7, 2024
Dear Coyote Community,
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope everyone had a rejuvenating time off. It's hard to believe that we're already diving into the second week of April, with summer looming on the horizon. Our spring calendar is brimming with performances, sports events, prom, testing, and a collective effort to ensure every Clarksburg High School student finishes the year strong.
Ensuring optimal student performance remains a top priority, with a particular focus on attendance. While we've made strides, some of our Coyotes still face challenges arriving to class on time and remaining there. We're committed to minimizing disruptions and maximizing learning time. To this end, I recently communicated with parents and students about our intensified efforts to address individual student attendance. If you missed the original message, here's a recap:
As students return from Spring Break, we're continuing our ongoing efforts to ensure punctuality and attendance. Moving forward, here's our approach for students found in the hallways without proper authorization:
- Students lingering in the hallway 5 minutes after the bell without a pass will receive a warning to proceed immediately to class.
- If the student is found in the hallway again during that period, they will be assigned to the supervised in-school intervention (ISI) room for the remainder of the period, where they can access and complete assignments.
- If a student persists in non-compliance, the student's administrator will reach out to their family for support, which may involve a phone conversation, a meeting with school staff, or arranging for the student's return to class when they are ready to engage in learning.
We've already seen positive results from this approach, and we're optimistic about further improvement this week.
In other news, there's a solar eclipse tomorrow afternoon. The extent of visibility will depend on cloud cover, but it promises to be an exciting event for science enthusiasts among us. I've included a link below with information about the eclipse, including safety measures.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to partake in our celebrations and explore the valuable updates from MCPS, our PTSA, and various CHS departments featured in this week's newsletter.
Here's to a resilient and rewarding week ahead for all!
A Taste of Celebrations
One of the greatest joys of my role as acting principal is being able to witness and celebrate the myriad achievements and moments of joy within our community. Whether it's academic accomplishments, artistic endeavors, athletic victories, or simply acts of kindness, each celebration represents a unique facet of our vibrant community.
I am continually inspired by the dedication, passion, and talent displayed by our students, staff, and families. From heartwarming stories of compassion to remarkable academic achievements, our community never fails to impress and uplift.
As we move forward, I am committed to shining a spotlight on these celebrations, both big and small. Your contributions make our community stronger, and it brings me immense joy to share these highlights with you.
National Assistant Principal's Week
This week, we had the privilege of celebrating our dedicated and hard-working Assistant Principals. Their unwavering commitment to our school community is truly commendable, and it's only fitting that we take a moment to recognize and appreciate all that they do.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took the time to submit a Google form to nominate Assistant Principals for recognition. Your contributions played a vital role in ensuring that they received the acknowledgment they deserved. If you missed the opportunity to give a shout-out last week and would still like to express your appreciation, I encourage you to use this form.
A State House Visit for Our State Champions
On Friday, April 5, our state champion girls basketball team visited the Maryland State House at the invitation of Delegate Gabriel Acevero. Our team not only observed our state government in session, they were honored with a proclamation as well.
A Statehouse Visit for NSL Government Students
Right before Spring Break, a group of NSL Government students also went on a tour of the Maryland State House in Annapolis. These students were able to see some of our delegates and state representatives as they left the chamber from their legislative work.
Forensics Public Speaking Team
The CHS Forensics Public Speaking Team just finished a great season! Isha Patel won 1st Place for the Children's Literature category in the Montgomery County Forensics League finals competition. She finished her senior season strong, and this was her 3rd year in a row making it to finals for this category. We also had three other team members qualify for finals this year and several students competed for the first time. We are so proud of them!
Debate Team
On April 6, Clarksburg debaters Edwin Cho and Harshil Trivedi traveled to Baltimore to compete in the Chesapeake District Debate Championship. The district includes all the public and private high schools in Maryland, Delaware, and DC. Their hard work all season paid off, as the Coyotes finished in third place overall. This qualifies them to compete in the largest academic competition in the world, the National Debate Championships held in June in Iowa. This is a first for Clarksburg!
Winter Majorettes
I am extremely proud of our hardworking Winter Guard and Winter Majorettes who competed in the KIDA Indoor Marching Championships Saturday. The groups have been competing all winter and I am proud to say that our Winter Majorettes are the Scholastic Dance CHAMPIONS! Congrats to the students and to their amazing coaches: Ashley Torkornoo and Kyla Dotson!
(Stay tuned for a much anticipated report on our Indoor Percussion and Indoor Winds who are competing today!)
First Tech Challenge
On Saturday, March 23, Clarksburg High School First Tech Challenge (FTC) team hosted a competition event for local teams. Each team had a series of challenges that their student designed and built robots had to complete. Looking ahead, our team hopes to host a much bigger event in the winter which would involve around 30 teams and two to three playing fields at a time.
Supporting Future Teachers
Thank you Ms. Shannon McKenzie (Teacher of the Year) for being the keynote speaker at the Young Educator's Conference at Montgomery College. We appreciate all of Ms. McKenzie's work to ensure we have a pipeline of well-prepared teachers for our future.
New Security Team Member
Before break we welcomed our latest security team member, Mr. Christy, to Clarksburg High School. Mr. Christy brings energy and joy to CHS each day and is willing to tackle any task, even a math assessment! Please join me in welcoming Mr. Christy.
Extraordinary Reading Team
Talitha Vazquez and Gretchen Moss are Clarksburg's exceptional reading intervention teachers. Central office has recognized them for fidelity in their work. They will be used as model teachers for an upcoming visit for a new reading teacher in the county. Outstanding work team!
Upcoming Cultural Celebration
Clarksburg's Art and Culture Showcase will be held on April 18th. We invite the whole Clarksburg High School community to participate in the cultural aspect of the night. Sign-ups for participation can be done via the Google form (see QR code) until April 15th.
Mr. Mulcahy
Anyone who knows Mr. Mulcahy knows that he is enthusiastic about sports. He has spent much of his life involved in the world of soccer. Mr. Mulcahy was inducted into the Frederick County Soccer Hall of Fame for his soccer and coaching prowess on March 10th. Congratulations!
Upcoming Counseling Lessons: Signs of Suicide
Please see the attached letters regarding upcoming lessons that will be delivered by our counseling department. This is very important information that all families should be aware of.
Important Testing Information: Please Read
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.
Attention Seniors
March 10 Senior Slideshow
Please review information in the attached Senior Slideshow. There is important information related to graduation and prom, including timelines.
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.
Upcoming dates: All senior hours are due by May 1st.
Support During Graduation
If your family requires special seating and/or language interpretation (Spanish or ASL) at graduation, please complete this form by May 15th. Please reach out to Ashleigh Coe if you have any questions.
Media Center Updates
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!
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
April 7, 2024
“… whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value..”
– Herman Hesse, German novelist, poet, and painter
Dear Clarksburg High School Families:
We want to extend our warmest thanks to all who participated in our March 19, 2024, PTSA meeting and all who attended and supported the West Area – Board of Education meeting on March 20, 2024, which was hosted at Clarksburg High School. We are very grateful for the dialogue and participation we had at both events. A huge thanks to the CHS team, MCPS, and MCCPTA leadership who were there to support our March 19th meeting!
The meeting highlighted how there is a glimmer of hope and light through challenging times. This is an opportunity we can work on to build up our partnership and community from the current turmoil we are experiencing. We hope we can continue the discussions through upcoming workgroup sessions. If you are interested in joining our workgroup sessions, please complete this form:
https://bit.ly/CHSPTSACommunityWorkgroupInterestForm
We want to take this time to all who have contributed to our After Prom Fundraising! We still need more support as we work towards organizing a great and safe event for our juniors and seniors. We need to raise $6000 left of our After Prom’s budgetary needs, and so far, we have only raised $864. We just need about 250 families to contribute $24 in honor of the class of 2024 to meet the rest of our funding needs. Last year, we had already raised $4000 by this time.
After Prom is not just a one-time event following Prom. After Prom is also an educational program as we have our annual Substance Use Prevention Program occurring on April 11, 2024 at the school for our seniors. This event partners up with Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) as well as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).
Here is the website for After Prom: https://chsptsaafterprom.wordpress.com/
Here are the various ways you can support After Prom:
TO HONOR THE CLASS OF 2024, WE ARE ASKING FOR A SUGGESTED DONATION OF $24 FROM OUR COMMUNITY to help us provide a fun & safe After Prom…but any and all donation amounts are much appreciated!
· Below are the various ways you can donate:
o Memberhub: https://bit.ly/CHSPTSA2024AfterProm
o Paypal: https://bit.ly/ClarksburgHSPTSAPaypal
o Check: Please make the check out to “Clarksburg HS PTSA”, and include the Memo, “After Prom”. Please kindly drop off the check to the school with a note to “CHS PTSA”.
· To support After Prom as a Volunteer or Food/Snack Donation, please visit the following link:
o Food/Snack Donation: https://bit.ly/CHSPTSAAfterPromFoodDonation2024
o Volunteer for After Prom: https://bit.ly/CHSPTSAAfterPromVolunteer2024
· Our next After Prom meeting is April 7, 2024:
o https://bit.ly/CHSPTSAAfterPromMeeting (need to register for each meeting session)
We really need all hands on deck to support After Prom as this is the biggest annual event for the PTSA. Parents of freshman and sophomores, this is a great opportunity for you all to support and shadow a lot of the current volunteers to prepare for when your students are juniors and seniors.
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.
To read the rest of our PTSA Note, please click the following link: https://bit.ly/CHSPTSANote472024
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.
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
April 13: Social Justice Fair
Join other interested individuals at the Social Justice Fair at Whitman High School. Details are found in the flyer below.
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.
April 20: Game Changer Conference
Young men and their families are invited to attend the Game Changers conference to be held at the Universities of Shady Grove. Please see the flyer below for details for the day.
July 4: Autism Speaks Potomac 5K
Consider volunteering for this important event either prior to the event, on the day of or maybe both. See key information in the flyer below.
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
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.