Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Homecoming Weekend 2021!
NEW: Student Opportunity
The Montgomery County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) ACT-SO and MCPS have been working with high schools through designated liaisons.
- Students create projects following the appropriate rubric and receive support at monthly seminars.
- Students are encouraged to share projects with a teacher before submission. ACT-SO may provide mentors to students submitting projects.
- Projects are presented at a local competition and are adjudicated by specialists. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize and reward youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence as well as develop public speaking, time management and other life-building skills.
Important Dates:
- All ACT-SO applications, short bios (200 words or less), and photos (headshot preferred; selfies are acceptable) should be returned by November 15, 2021.
- Final due date for projects and applications is January 15, 2022. Additional Information . Projects and applications should be submitted via email to actsomoco@gmail.com.
Applications and projects will be acknowledged via email within 72 hours. For additional information contact ACT-SO Chairs Ms. Pat Price (actsomoco@gmail.com) or Ms. Laura Dennis (Ldennis99@comcast.net)
NEW: Illegal TikTok Challenges Note
We have received information that social-media is once again promoting illicit and illegal activities for the subsequent months. Some of these activities could even be considered assault and sexual harassment. Northwest High School will not tolerate such acts in our school, and offenders will be given the most strict and severe consequences in our MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Families – please once again speak to your children about the severity of these challenges, specifically, they are in violation of our MCPS Student Code of Conduct, are often illegal, and can result in not only a suspension of school, but can be reported to the police for legal actions.
We all want to continue to promote a safe, orderly and supportive environment at Northwest HS – an environment where all our students, staff and visitors feel safe and secure when they enter our beautiful school.
NEW: Student Password Update
- Students have been successfully updating their passwords for this school year using the new MCPS Student Password Manager.
- Students (in Grade 3 and higher) and their parents will receive Synergy Mail messages tomorrow, October 1st reminding them to update student passwords.
- Starting on October 10th, students who have not updated their passwords will receive frequent password expiration notices to their Gmail accounts.
- On November 9th student passwords that have not been updated will be automatically changed. These students may need assistance with retrieving their new passwords. November 9th was selected because it falls outside testing windows and marking period transitions.
- The process only takes a few minutes to complete. Here are the directions:
- Student navigates to SPM.mcpsmd.org.
- Student logs into SPM with their current userid and password.
- Student enters new password.
NEW: PSAT/SAT Day - October 13, 2021
On October 13th, all 9th grade students will be taking a practice SAT exam on a platform called Khan Academy. This is a great platform to prepare your child for any future college readiness exams. 10th and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT. On October 6th, students taking the PSAT/SAT will receive important information to assist them in their preparation for the exam. The information will include what to bring and what materials students can use to study for this exam. All 12th grade students will be on a delayed opening schedule and will report to school at 12pm.
NEW: Interested in being a Substitute?
MCPS is seeking substitute teachers! Substitute teaching is an excellent way to learn about our schools while allowing principals and teachers to get to know you. To qualify as a substitute teacher, each applicant must present proof of the completion of the minimum of an associate's degree or 60 college credits from an accredited institution.
Substitute teachers are temporary employees and are on an on call basis. An automated substitute calling system helps you manage your work schedule by allowing you to call at any time, day or night, to find jobs. This system is telephone and internet accessible. The system uses your subject area and location preferences to offer you jobs on the days you have selected and allows you to change the days you work.
Substitute Teacher Rates: Daily hourly rate of pay $18.79- Long Term rate $26.81.
If you hold a valid Maryland professional eligibility certificate or standard advanced professional certificate, the daily hourly rate of pay is $19.97-Long Term rate $28.45. In order to qualify for this higher rate of pay, you must submit a copy of your valid Maryland certificate.
NEW: This Week's College and Career Information
This NEWS Bulletin contains college career events, the virtual visit schedule at-a-glance and scholarship opportunities. Visit the College Career Information Center before school, during lunch or after school! Room 126. Visit the College Career web page! Got Questions? Click on the Got Questions link at the top of the web page to schedule a time to meet.
Financial Aid REMINDERS: Applications open for the FAFSA and MSFFA on OCT 1
Maryland State Financial Aid: The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)will be your resource for state financial aid. Creating an MDCAPS (Maryland College Aid Processing System) account will be the way graduating Maryland high school seniors accept state aid, including state scholarships. State aid will be calculated based on the completion of the FAFSA or MSFFA. State scholarship opportunities can be found here. The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please use the embedded links for more information. There are deadlines!
FAFSA Resource: studentaid.gov
College NEWS & EVENTS:
The college career high school visits will be in a virtual format for the 2021-2022 school year. Students who register to attend these visits MUST come to the visit location prepared with headphones and a Chromebook. Unless otherwise noted, visits will be in the College Career Information Center, Room 126. Please follow the instructions below to attend!
- Register for the visit in Naviance so that I have an idea of student interest and who will be attending. If you have already signed up in Naviance for a visit, great, you do not need to sign up in Naviance again. Once you have confirmed your registration in Naviance, be prepared to show your confirmation to your teacher for permission to leave class (print or snapshot the 'View Details' screen).
- Register using the link provided below if you have interest in attending the virtual visit. Some of the college URL's may be direct links to the meeting, others will require registration first and the visit URL will come directly from the college/university.
When attending each visit, you will be required to Scan the Attendance QR-Code located on the office door of Room 126.
Visit schedule for the week of October 4 - October 8:
Monday, October 4:
- Stony Brook U @ 8 am. The virtual visit URL.
- American International College @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Simmons University @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Stevenson University @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Tuesday, October 5:
- U. of Miami @ 8 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Lafayette College @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Pace University @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Landmark College @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
- U. of Pittsburgh @ 2 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Wednesday, October 6:
- Lycoming College @ 8 am. The virtual visit URL.
- East Carolina University @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Indiana U-Bloomington @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Elon U @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Thursday, October 7:
- Binghamton University @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- High Point University @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Johns Hopkins University @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Remember, the college URL may be a direct link to the meeting or for registration, after which you will be sent the link for the meeting. Check each link prior to the meeting date and please make sure you have signed up in Naviance! The visits are scheduled to be about 30 to 40 minutes. Please make sure you arrive to the College Career Information Center and log in with the college zoom meeting information on time. Your mics should be on mute with the initial log on.
It is recommended that when registering with the college URL, use your personal email and not your mcpsmd.net email so that the visit information will get to you successfully.
BRING A CHROMEBOOK AND HEADPHONES!
EVENT REMINDER: Northwest will be sharing a Financial Aid Webinar with Clarksburg and Damascus high schools on Wednesday, October 6 @ 7 pm. All topics of the financial aid process will be discussed along with Q&A. The target audience is the Class of 2022. The link to this webinar will post on the school website in the NEWS section and on the College Career Financial Aid & Scholarships page on the day of the event. Click on the image for webinar content details.
Additional financial aid resources can be found on the College Career Financial Aid & Scholarships page of our school website.
College Career Calendar News & Events on the web:
Keep watching for Scholarship Opportunities on the web & in the Jag Scholarship 'Apply Now' Bulletin: Download the Jag Scholarship 'Apply Now' Bulletin on the web for a complete list of scholarship opportunities and links to applications.
NEW: Attention Seniors!
Have you taken your Senior Portrait or need a redo?
Tomorrow, Monday, October 4th, and Tuesday, October 5th, there will be a third session of senior portraits held in the auditorium. Students/parent MUST register online and must complete a waiver before attending the appointment.
The session and yearbook photo is free of charge. Seniors can opt to take additional photos and purchase packages at a separate cost.
Read More Information and Find Required Waiver Here!
As a reminder, please visit the "Senior Class Resources" in "News" section on the Northwest website to access updates about senior class information throughout the year. Below is a link to a great resource posted there now that was shared with seniors during the senior class meeting on 9/22. (Note that some links are accessible through MCPS accounts only.)
NEW: Athletics Schedule for the Week of Monday, October 4 - Sunday, October 10
REMINDER: Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Celebrations Continue...
REMINDER: School Pictures
The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank your school for a great picture day!
We are reaching out to inform you that student images are now online.
Please share the information and graphic below with your parents:
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!
Please visit: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000872010 use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
REMINDER: Yearbook Purchase and Ads
$80 until 12/3
$90 until 1/31
$95 until the books arrive
$100 in person at distribution
Full page: $250
½ page: $130
¼ page: $80
⅛ page: $50
Baby Pic Ad $25
Deadline: 2/20
REMINDER: Media Center News
The Media Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 am -3:15 pm. Students can stop by for books, research support, tech help, and much more. If we don’t know the answer, we will point you in the right direction. Database access for students and staff will be updated next week and posted through English classes to support all subjects. During class time, all students are welcome with a pass from their teacher. Please use the QR code sign in when you enter. Before school, after school, and between classes you are welcome to stop by for a quick book check-out, tech support, or to say hi!
We have a huge selection of new books and a growing Graphic Novel section sure to be of interest. Currently on display are books from Hispanic and Latinx authors. If you have any ideas on how we can make our space welcoming and inclusive, we would love to hear it! Remember, this space belongs to the Northwest community and all of the Media Staff are happy to help you with books, tech, and curriculum and project needs.
REMINDER: National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Please congratulate our very own semi-finalists listed below and pictured to the left. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered in the spring.
- Angel C. Apollos
- Melanie Duong
- Imani Ghosh
- Jessica H. Hoang
- Jacob Johnson
- Krisha V. Patel
- Margaret M. Slaughter
- Flora Yen
REMINDER: Required Measures for Volunteers and Partnership Agencies
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
- Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation - NEW!
Beginning September 20, 2021, volunteers will be required to upload their Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination to remain on the volunteer roster.
Please review the Volunteer/Contractor Vaccination Attestation Update for details on this process.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
REMINDER: Extra-Curricular Updates
Our Extracurricular Activities are off to a great start! Here are a few reminders and updates:
- Students should sign in for extracurricular actives in the cafeteria, sponsors will meet them there.
- We have activity busses available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30.
- Students can find a list of current Northwest clubs here.
- We held our activities fair at lunch this week for students interested in signing up for a club. If you need help finding out information about a club, please email Margaret_M_Ledrick@mcpsmd.org.
- New! All students participating in an extracurricular activity must complete the Northwest Covid-19 participation form. This does not include athletics.
REMINDER: Graduation Survey
As a student or parent of a student in the current Class of 2022, please respond to this survey related to commencement venue selection for 2022 MCPS graduation ceremonies. Your input is important as we explore a variety of considerations for these important events celebrating our graduating seniors. Ceremonies held outdoors will have identified inclement weather back-up dates established in advance. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and input with us.
REMINDER: Apply to be a part of the Principal's Advisory Council
All students, regardless of previous leadership experiences or GPA, are invited to apply. In order for the PAC to be successful, we need a wide range of voices represented on the PAC. Most PAC meetings will be held during the school day through Jag PAWS time. On some rare occasions, an after-school meeting may be required. If you would like to be considered for membership on the 2021-2022 PAC, please complete this brief application. Applications are due by October 1, 2021. All members will be notified by November 1, 2021.
Click Here to Apply: https://forms.gle/JU4tcBnS9EzQyKHH8
REMINDER: Student Service Learning Hours Graduation Requirement
Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2021-2022 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the temporarily amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).
Please refer to important information about the MCPS SSL program provided below:
Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities
MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
All opportunities (including in-person): https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities
Virtual/remote opportunities: https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
For additional tips on how to search for opportunities, please go to https://bit.ly/SSLSearchTips
MCPS Form 560-50:
Individual SSL Request Form
Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
To request pre-approval for service, please complete https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval -- for in-person service, submit this form to your school’s SSL coordinator; for virtual/remote service, submit this form to SSL@mcpsmd.org
MCPS Form 560-51:
SSL Activity Verification Form
Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed
Student and supervisor must complete the form
SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed should be turned into your school’s SSL coordinator. (Due to the pandemic, SSL forms will be accepted for any service completed since June 1, 2019. Please note that after the 2021-2022 school year, SSL forms will no longer be accepted from previous school years.)
Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE
Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record
Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE
MCPS SSL Program Overview
Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms
MCPS SSL Program Overview may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
MCPS SSL Hub for Students - NEW!
Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!
Check out SSL forms, resources, and guidelines at https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS
If you have any questions about the SSL program, please email your school’s SSL coordinator (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS and https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsHS) or the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!
REMINDER: Annual Notification of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Each year, we are required by law to inform parents/guardians of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, P.L. 93 380, and its implementing regulations (FERPA), as well as their rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, 20 U.S.C. 1232h and its implementing regulations 34 C.F.R. Part 98 (PPRA). PPRA requires educational institutions to notify parents/guardians of their rights concerning the district's conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. The PPRA notice for distribution to parents/guardians can be found online and is available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Portuguese.
FERPA requires MCPS to give parents/guardians the opportunity to request that directory information be withheld. MCPS Form 281-13, Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy, contains the appropriate information, and is available online in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Portuguese on the MCPS website.
Please note that the Directory Withhold form was modified in 2020-2021 to more fully reflect distribution of directory information, including student and family contact information, as permitted under MCPS Regulation JOA-RA, Student Records, and state law. Specifically, prior references to "PTA" have been changed to "organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school." Examples of such organizations include, but are not limited to, the NAACP Parents Council and the Minority Parents Council. Also note that such organizations may request additional and updated copies of directory information during the course of a school year.
Note further, Form 281-13 has been revised to remove the interim options added only for the 2020-2021 school year regarding opting out of live classroom sessions online.
Parents/guardians may direct the principal not to release any or a specific part of this directory information if they return the completed form by September 30, 2021. If parents/guardians choose to change their decision at a later date, they need to contact the school directly. Parents/guardians and school staff must understand that if they withhold directory information, the decision affects all lists of or references to students distributed or used outside MCPS, whether prepared by the school, organizations of any combination of parents, teachers, and students of a school, or central services. The form remains in effect until the end of the school year on June 30.
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