2022-2023
Start of School Newsletter
Updates from Dr. Mirshah
Dear Panther Families,
Welcome to what I am sure will be an exciting and productive school year. I believe that great schools are the result of great teachers. The staff members at Paint Branch High School are dedicated to educating all of our students in an engaging, supportive, and collaborative environment. We are excited and look forward to partnering with you to ensure the social emotional wellbeing and academic success of our students.
In this letter, I’ve highlighted for you some resources and expectations that will help our school year be successful. Please note that our Paint Branch High School website is updated frequently, please make sure you visit so that you are updated on all the great things happening in our school.
During the course of the school year I will communicate with you on a regular basis. All of my communications are linked on our website and will be updated on this document: Dr. Mirshah Communication 2022
For any questions related to course selections and scheduling please contact your child’s counselor. All staff emails can be found on our Staff Directory.
Please take the time to review all of the information in this newsletter. We want to communicate our expectations in order to ensure the success of our students. And we know that our students will demonstrate the PB Way and exceed our expectations. PB - U KNOW!
We acknowledge that there are many primary and secondary languages spoken in homes within our school community. We have selected this newsletter platform in part because of the translation services it offers. Please use the directions below to translate the newsletter into one of dozens of languages available at the click of a button. Our goal remains to partner with EVERY family on behalf of our students.
- Click on the Translate button (This button can be found at the top of the emailed newsletter)
- Access the Translation and ADA bar
- On the right side of the newsletter, you'll see the ADA and Translation features. To translate your newsletter, click on the Translate button and choose your desired language.
We are excited and ready for this school year and can’t wait to see all of our Panthers on Monday, August 29, 2022 for the first day of school.
Dr. Mirshah
PROUD Principal, Paint Branch High School
Dr. Mirshah's Student Advisory
Instructional Focus
PTSA
Our parent leaders are instrumental in providing support for our Panthers and we need to hear your voices. Please join me in thanking the parents below for being willing to give of their time to lead our PTSA.
President: Carolyn Parker
Vice President-Elect: Ashley Moore
Secretary: Margarita Bohorquez
Treasurer: JiJi Knight
The Paint Branch High School PTSA holds General Meetings the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. We will be holding our meetings via Zoom and in-person, as COVID conditions allow. For more information about upcoming meetings, please contact Carolyn Parker at pbhsptsapresident@gmail.com
September 20, 2022: Welcome & Meet the Principal
October 18, 2022
November 15, 2022
December 20, 2022 NO MEETING
January 17, 2023
February 14, 2023
March 14, 2023
April 18, 2023
May 16, 2023
August 25, 2022: New Student Orientation (7:45 AM - 11:30 AM)
This event is for students only so we ask parents to drop students off and pick them up outside the building.
August 27, 2022: MCPS Back-to-School Fair (Transportation will be provided from Paint Branch High School)
August 29, 2022: First Day of School
August 29, 2022: Senior (Class of 2023) Sunrise (5:00 AM)
September 1, 2022 and September 2, 2022: Picture day for students in grades 9-11
September 5, 2022: No School for Staff and Students
September 8, 2022: Back to School Night
September 14, 2022: Early Release for students
September 26, 2022: No school for students
September 30, 2022: Early Release for students
October 5, 2022: No school for staff and students
October 12, 2022: PSAT administration for all 10th grade students (Class of 2025)
October 24, 2022: Professional day for teachers / no school for students
November 7, 2022: Professional day for teachers / no school for students
PB Gear!
Show your school PRIDE by wearing PB Gear. Paint Branch Online School Store
Orders should be placed by August 15th and can be picked up at school at the start of the school year.Morning Arrival Expectations
The safety of students, staff, and parents is a priority and we all need to play a role in ensuring safety in the morning. Typically we have the most traffic from 7:15-8:00 AM.
In the morning we may block the lane that goes to the traffic light in front of the school and will direct all vehicles to the right exit from the building. Cars can go to the circle down the street and turn around easily. Cars waiting for the light to turn green cause a back up - we will direct all traffic to the right during the busy drop off period.
We ask parents to not enter into the parking lanes as that blocks students and staff who are trying to park.
Parents can let their children out of the car at any point along the yellow drop off zone. Part of the challenge is most families wait till they get to the main entrance doors which creates a backlog of cars.
One of the issues that takes time in the morning is when our new student drivers drive to school and then need to change seats with parents in the parking lot. We know that our students need the opportunity to practice their driving skills, but if possible these families should try to arrive before 7:15 AM or make the change to the driver seat before pulling into the parking lot.
The PB Way
Cell Phone Policy
SchoolCash Online
MCPS has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees. SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school. Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/
Google Translate is available on the SchoolCash Online website and offers 160 languages for users. All school websites have been updated to reflect the new School Cash Online Link located under the Quick Link section. SchoolCash Online also offers a 24/7 customer support desk that can be reached by online inquiry or by calling 1-866-961-1803.
Class of 2023 - Senior Photos
Senior photos will be taken August 10th, 11th, and 12th from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM in the Cafeteria at Paint Branch High School. All students must schedule an appointment at least 48 hours in advance. Families can schedule online at: https://prestigeportraits.com/
Please search for our school by entering Burtonsville in the Enter City box and you will be able to select Paint Branch High School. Tux & Drape will be provided for required yearbook attire & counts as 1 outfit. Cap & Gown will also be available. Students should bring a strapless shirt or tank top for under the drape or a white t-shirt for under the tux. There are different package options for families with the basic package being free which includes 2 poses, 1 outfit, and 1 background.
Photos for Students in Grades 9-11
Attendance
Death in the immediate family
Certified illness of the student
Court summons
Work or activity accepted by school authorities
Observance of religious holiday
Quarantine
Physical and mental incapacity
Violent storms
State emergency
School Expectations
Effective Monday, August 1, 2022 at 4:00 PM students were able to look up their class schedules in Synergy. Families can follow up by contacting our school counselors if there are any questions regarding your child’s schedule. Please note that we do not change schedules unless there are implications for graduation. Students had the chance to select their courses last spring and staffing decisions were made based on those course requests. In addition, during the summer months counselors are not in the building daily and will not be able to respond to schedule change requests. If there are concerns students should see their counselor when school begins.
All students will be expected to bring with them a fully charged MCPS chromebook daily. Students who need a device can get one the first week of school during lunch. Once school begins we will have a process in place for the distribution of chromebooks to our incoming 9th grade students. Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 already have their devices to use in school.
Students in grades 9 and 10 will be provided lockers. Students in grades 11 and 12 will be provided lockers per student request.
We will continue our traditional open lunch campus. Parents should note that students in 9th and 10th grade should not leave campus for open lunch. Our open lunch is a right that is earned by students in the 11th and 12th grade. Students who disregard this expectation and leave campus could face consequences.
Agenda books will be provided for all students in 9th and 10th grade. They will be available by request for students in grades 11 and 12.
Dress Code
Paint Branch High School sets a standard of excellence in all areas for itself, its staff, and its students. It is the expectation that students meet this standard by coming to school dressed for success so that they are prepared to achieve at the highest level, in the classroom and beyond. Clothes must be worn in a way such that all private areas are fully covered with opaque fabric. Staff reserve the right to have a supportive conversation with students whose dress is not meeting the standard of success set at Paint Branch. The purpose of this conversation is to help students reflect on the way in which their dress represents their character and their identity.
Violent language or images (explicit or implied).
Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity).
Hate speech, profanity, pornography (explicit or implied).
Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.
Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments (visible waistbands and visible straps are allowed)
Swimsuits
Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon.
Any item that obscures the eyes, face or ears (except as a religious observance).
We want our students to focus on their learning and not on fashion. We know that our Panthers know how to dress appropriately for school.
Meet The Administrative Team
Dr. Mirshah, Principal
Afie_A_Mirshah-nayar@mcpsmd.org
Twitter @AfieMirshah
Instagram @AfieMirshah
Mr. Hernandez,12th Grade - Class of 2023
Twitter @APPBHS
Mr. Wiggins, 11th Grade - Class of 2024
Twitter @micahwigs
Mr. Ellegood, 10th Grade - Class of 2025
Twitter @ShermanEllegood
Dr. Mugerwa, 9th Grade - Class of 2026
Twitter @DrDavidMugerwa
Ms. Penn, 9th Grade - Class of 2026
Mr. Gerber, Dean of Students
Maryland Meals for Achievement Breakfast Program
Free and Reduced Price Meals Information
Online Applications are available now for Free and Reduced Meals for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have any questions, please call 240-740-7400.
Meal benefit eligibility from last school year will remain current only through the first 30 scheduled school days OR until a 2022-2023 application is processed.
Please note that unlike last year - All students will not automatically be provided free and reduced price meals. You must apply to ensure that this support remains in place.
FOR FASTER PROCESSING APPLY ONLINE. Households who apply online should not submit a paper application.
Please complete paper applications in black ink (not pencil).
If you ARE applying for free or reduced-price meals, first, last name, and middle initial are required.
Please provide birth date, grade, and school to expedite processing.
Use ONE application for ALL students in the household—including Pre-K, kindergarten, and foster—even if they attend different schools.
If any child you are applying for is homeless, migrant, or runaway, please call your child's school or contact the MCPS Homeless liaison at 240-740-4511.
The following students may be eligible for free or reduced-priced meals:
Students in households participating in Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
The following students qualify for free meals:
Foster children
Students certified as homeless or runaway
Students enrolled in the Migrant Education program
Students enrolled in the Head Start program
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid.
MCPS Website Free and Reduced Price Meals
ParentVUE Resources
ParentVUE Synergy is the system that MCPS uses for communication with families and the system where student information is maintained. We need all families to be active on Synergy and we need all families to complete the Annual Verification of information for each child online.
Most importantly we need accurate Emergency contacts so that the school can reach someone you trust in the event that there is an emergency and we are not able to reach designated parents/guardians.
Please update the emergency contact information in ParentVUE prior to the start of the school year for all of your children.
Bus Schedules for Paint Branch High School
George B. Thomas Learning Academy
Saturday school is back at Paint Branch High School for the 2022-2023 school year. The hours are 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (breakfast is from 8:00- 9:00). Saturday school will open on September 24, 2022 for in-person tutoring and mentoring.
Saturday School is a low-cost tutoring and mentoring program that provides a sixth day of learning and helps MCPS students enhance their mastery of core academic subjects. Classes begin in September and will end in May. Registration is $40 for students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) and $85 for non-FARMS students.
Website for George B. Thomas Learning Academy
Saturday school offers High School students in grades 9 -12, support in core subjects (English and Math) and High School Assessments. Also, AP Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and SAT/ACT test prep.
Fall Sports Registration IS NOW OPEN
MCPS and Paint Branch High School are excited to announce registration for Fall Sports. Below is information regarding the upcoming Fall Sports season, as well as the registration process. Additional information can be found on the MCPS Athletics website. (Note please register by noon on 8/8/22 to ensure your registration can be approved)
Tryouts for Fall sports will start on August 10th 2022 – Tryout Times and Locations can be found here).
Additional information, including a timeline of when parents and students should complete tasks prior to the start of Fall sports, Fall-SY2022-23-Athletics-Online-Registration.Parent-Letter1
FALL SPORTS OFFERED
Cheerleading (Coed)
Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
Field Hockey (Girls)
Football (Coed)
Golf (Coed)
Poms (Coed)
Soccer (Boys & Girls)
Volleyball (Girls)
Students must be registered by a parent through the MCPS ParentVue Portal. More information regarding the registration process can be found in this letter from MCPS (también disponible en español). Students must be registered by August 8th in order to guarantee that their registration will be processed in time for the first day of tryouts.
DO NOT SEND PAPER COPIES TO ANYONE. PARENTS MUST UTILIZE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCESS. COACHES WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FORMS.
Steps for Registering via ParentVue (DIRECTIONS AVAILABLE HERE).
Login to MCPS ParentVue Portal
Locate “Online Registration” in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
You should then see prompts to enter information for the “2022-2023 HS Athletics Registration – Fall”.
If you see something for “Annual Verification” or “Resume Annual Registration”, please click the “Start Over” button, logout and log back in, this should then allow you to access the Athletic Registration.The Athletics Registration screens will have you verify information in the system and then allow you to review and complete the Athletics Registration forms.
If any of the information appearing on the “Family” or “Parent/Guardian” information screens is incorrect, please contact the School Registrar to have this corrected before completing your registration.Make sure to hit SUBMIT upon completion. You will get a confirmation email for successful registration. If you do not get the email, go back and make sure to hit SUBMIT.
ParentVue Troubleshooting Information: If a parent is having trouble logging into the MCPS ParentVue Portal:
(MCPS also has a guide to ParentVue for parents here).
If you have never activated your parent account:
Parents were sent activation information at the beginning of the school year, which included an Activation Key. If you still have this information, use it to activate your parent account. If you do not have the activation information, email Paint Branch registrar Victoria_Lee@mcpsmd.org. Be sure to include the student name, ID and parent name in the email. You can also call the Main Office at Paint Branch at 301-388-9916 during normal office hours.Forgot your password? Click on the Forgot Password link on the ParentVue Portal.
Forgot the email address you used to activate your account? Email Paint Branch registrar Victoria_Lee@mcpsmd.org. Be sure to include the student name, ID and parent name in the email.
Pre-Participation Physicals - MCPS Form SR-8 is the ONLY form acceptable for participation in HS sports.
Students should complete their MCPS Physical Form SR-8 so that the medical eligibility form is ready for online submission or for submission to the coach prior to tryouts/practices. Physicals are valid for one calendar year. A partial list of Clinics that offer Sports Physicals within the Montgomery County area is available online. Physicals can be uploaded by the parent during the registration process. However, if a parent needs to submit a physical after the student has already been registered, email an electronic copy of the completed pre-participation physical (MCPS Form SR-8) to Paint Branch Athletic Director Heather_A_Podosek@mcpsmd.org.