Patriot News
September 23, 2023
Hello Patriot Nation!
You will want to take a few minutes to read this message!
Governor Thomas Johnson High School is celebrating some incredible gains in student achievement. Too often the press and social media skew the culture of our amazing school. We continue to rise above the negative perception and quiet the critics with a steadfast mission fostering equity and excellence. GTJHS was recently celebrated by FCPS Leadership for our substantial growth in student achievement on the 10th grade English and Algebra I MCAP assessment. Our school led FCPS or ranked in the top 4 for all sub-groups. This data needs to be celebrated and valued. Our teachers and students have proven their worth! Behind the scenes we have built strong professional learning communities and leadership groups who analyze student achievement, individual learning needs and best instructional practices. Our work has resulted in improved state standardized test achievement and overall preparedness for career and college readiness. The data below compares our Growth and Achievement in comparison to the other 10 comprehensive high schools in Frederick County.
This data also opens doors for our students for advancement to college preparatory coursework, such as FCC Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement. It also helps our students advance towards graduation with more freedom and elective opportunities. We need your help at home to reinforce the work happening at GTJHS. How can you help us continue this charge of academic success?
- Monitor your child’s grade on Schoology and engage in their learning.
- Communicate with teachers and counselors when you have concerns or questions.
- Praise your child for making gains in academic achievement. Too often we only praise success and not growth. Success isn’t possible without growth.
- Build their confidence! Even when they believe they are unable to achieve or struggle in an academic area, we need to believe in their potential. Avoid comments like, “It’s ok you are not good in math, I was not either.” Or “Just get a passing grade and the credit.”
- Provide time in the evenings or on the weekends to talk about learning and life goals, both short term and long term. Goal setting and celebrating, create life habits.
I am so grateful for the GTJHS Staff. We continue to grow as educators and unify for excellence. We do believe in Every Child Every Day. I will continue to say to everyone I meet, GTJHS is on the rise! Please join us on our journey!
Tracey K. Kibler
Principal
Bell Schedule Change for 2023-2024 School Year
Over the course of the spring and summer, in collaboration with other schools and a GTJHS focus group of teachers across multiple departments and roles, our administrative team has been closely examining our daily schedule, specifically Connect and its effectiveness. While Connect has had some benefit for our students, the overwhelming consensus indicated that there was a need for change. This change comes at a pivotal time with the new expectations outlined in the Maryland Blueprint. FHS and THS are also piloting similar changes to their schedules.
This model is designed to meet the needs of our students academically and social-emotionally. It was also beneficial to minimize disruption and transitions.
Daily Bell Schedule- Non-Club Day
Opening Bell: 7:15 AM
Warning Bell: 7:25 AM
- Block 1: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Block 2: 9:05 AM - 10:35 AM
- Block 3: 10:40 AM – 12:40 PM
- 1st Lunch: 10:35 AM – 11:05 AM
- 2nd Lunch: 11:05 AM – 11:35 AM
- 3rd Lunch: 11: 40 AM – 12:10 PM
- 4th Lunch: 12:10 PM – 12:40 PM
Block 4: 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM
Wednesday Schedule- Club Day
Opening Bell: 7:15 AM
Warning Bell: 7:25 AM
- Block 1: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Club Time: 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM
- Block 2: 9:05 AM - 10:35 AM
- Club Time: 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM
- Block 3: 10:40 AM – 12:40 PM
- Club Time: 11:55 AM - 12:40 PM
- 1st Lunch: 10:35 AM – 11:05 AM
- 2nd Lunch: 11:05 AM – 11:35 AM
- 3rd Lunch: 11: 40 AM – 12:10 PM
- 4th Lunch: 12:10 PM – 12:40 PM
- Block 4: 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM
- Club Time: 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
ALL-IN Wednesdays
The objective of the ALL-IN Wednesday is to provide a day of intervention, support, socio-emotional learning (SEL), interest engagement and culture building. This is a day to reset, refocus and reignite student learning and engagement. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be full days of instruction with minimized interruptions.
Attendance
As a reminder, students are expected to be in their 1st block class no later than 7:30 AM. Unexcused tardy to any class block can result in lunch or after school detention, as well as additional disciplinary actions depending upon the excessiveness of the tardiness. Please ensure that when students are absent due to a lawful reason that a note is given to the attendance office within 3 school days of the absence.
Please email: tjhs.attendance@fcps.org with your student's name, grade, date, time, and reason for absence.
Counseling Office
September 2023 Counseling Newsletter
Our Counselors and staff are available: If you would like to make an appointment with your assigned counselor, you can email them or phone them directly.
- Linda Weinstein, Department Chair, last names A-B X68221 linda.weinstein@fcps.org
- Lauren Perkins, last names C-E X68210 lauren.perkins@fcps.org
- Katie Roberts, last names F-Hn X68279 katie.roberts@fcps.org
- Chris Riggin, last names Ho-Ma X68239 christopher.riggin@fcps.org
- Alisan Imhoff, last names Mc-Pi X68217 alisan.imhoff@fcps.org
- Katy Boyd, last names Pl-So X68392 catherine.boyd@fcps.org
- Matt Smith, last names Sp-Z X68220 matthew.smith@fcps.org
- Geri Beth Chavez, all Multilingual (ML) Students X68216 geri.chavez@fcps.org
Stay tuned into SCHOOLOGY daily for important announcements and information updates!
Counseling Office Phone Number: 240-236-8214
FOF: www.fcps.org under Quick Links, click on FindOutFirst Email & Text to create an account
Instagram: @TJCounselorFCPS
Senior Class 2024
Seniors 2024
Get ready to complete your high school experience with graduation caps and gowns. Order your official cap and gown here.
Frederick Community College - Upcoming Events
Virtual Admissions General Information Session ft. Financial Aid
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Zoom meeting, Register here.
This virtual session is open to all prospective students interested in FCC. Topics that will be covered include the enrollment steps, credit vs. noncredit programs, student support services, student engagement, how to pay for college and scholarship opportunities. Students will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.
Frederick County College Night
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 6:30- 8:00 pm
Athletics Center (Gym) - Register here.
This is our annual county wide college fair where over 100 colleges and universities will be present. Students and guests will be able to talk with Admissions representatives from different schools. Registration is not required, but encouraged this year, so we can get an expected head count.
NAVIANCE: https://student.naviance.com/gtjh
Enter your student ID number as the username and your password is student created.
ALL Transcript Requests: contact Christine Umberger: christine.umberger@fcps.org
Athletic
For all TJ Athletic Information, please visit our Athletic Website: https://tjpatriotathletics.com/
Stay up to date on the Patriots official athletic schedules here: GTJHS Fall Schedule
Follow the Patriot Athletics on Twitter at @GTJHSAthletics
School Year 2023 -2024 Athletic Starting Dates:
- Fall 2024: Wednesday, August 9, 2023
- Winter 2023: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
- Spring 2024: Friday, March 1, 2024
TJ Athletic Boosters: Join the TJ Boosters Family! Volunteer, Donate, or Become a 23/24 Member: https://tjpatriotathletics.com/athletic-boosters/
Facebook: TJ High School Patriots Boosters, Inc
Twitter: @AthleticsTj
Game Day September 22, 2023.
Football: Varsity Game vs @Walt Whitman High School 7:00 PM
Guidelines and rules for the game:
All spectator planning to attend to the football game on Friday
- All tickets must be purchased electronically by GoFan website link HERE. No cash will be accepted for tickets at the game.
- Screenshots of tickest or schedule will not be accepted.
- Concession stand will offer food and drinks and does accept both cash and electronic payments.
- Gates will Open at 6:30pm for the 7:00 pm kickoff.
- Ticket sales will conclude at halftime, and the gates door entry will close after halftime. There will be no re-entry for spectators at any point in the game.
- Only Walt Whitman and Thomas Johnson students can enter the game with a valid student ID or a copy of your TJ schedule.
- Students from other schools will not be permitted to enter the game unless a parent or guardian accompanies them at the entry and stays during all games.
- A maximum of two school-aged guests will be permitted.
- Backpacks and outside food or drinks will not be allowed in the stadium.
Important Dates and Time
- Monday, September 4 - Schools and Offices closed
- Friday, September 22 - 3.5 hour early Dismissal for students
- Monday, September 25 - Schools closed for Students
Fundraisers
We appreciate your support for our current GTJHS Fundraisers
We are now using the SMORE site to advertise our fundraisers
Please click HERE to see TJ Fundraisers for the Week of September 18-24, 2023
TJ Community
School Meal Information: All students at all Frederick County Public Schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits.
Electronic Meal Benefit Applications (MBA) for school year 2023-2024 are now available. We encourage all families who feel they qualify or are not sure if they qualify to fill out the electronic free and reduced-price meal benefit application online. We cannot accept a 2022-2023 application for the 2023-2024 school year. For paper applications will be available from your child's school by the first day of school, however, filling the application out online at LINQ Connect is the quickest and most confidential method. Families need to complete the new application prior to October 5, 2023.
For those who do not qualify for Free or Reduced Meals the cost of breakfast is $1.85 and the cost of lunch is $2.90. For more questions, please visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition site.
Tutor Me
"Tutor Me" Virtual Tutoring Services: TutorMe.com, a free student online tutoring and homework help service, is now available in any subject for students in grades 6-12, click here for more information.
Need Help?
Child Protective Services (CPS) 301-600-2464
Crisis Services: Dial 211
Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
Suicide Prevention Hotline: Dial/Text 988
Governor Thomas Johnson High School
Website: https://edu.fcps.org/gtjhs/home
Location: 1501 North Market Street, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 236-8200