Springbrook Weekly Digest
Week of Jan 1, 2024
A Message from Ms. Valentine, Principal
Greetings, Students, Staff, and Families,
Happy New Year, Springbrook High School Community! May this year of 2024 bring success, joy, and memorable moments. Here's to wishing students, staff, and families a year filled with positive experiences. Further, as a school community, may we achieve our collaborative student-centered goals and aspirations, as we work to prepare out young peope to reach their future endeavors.
Reminders - Welcome Back and Marking Period 2 Ends Soon
Please remember school is closed through Jan 2, 2024 in observance of winter break.
- Classes resume Wed, Jan 3, 2023; period 1 begins promptly at 7:45 AM.
- Be sure to check grades in StudentVUE and ParentVUE; contact teachers directly via email and contact counselors to schedule parent/teacher conferences. Click here to identify your counselor.
Course Registration Begins for 2024-2025
Counselors will begin meeting with grade 9 -11students to review the course registration process which includes:
- Reviewing courses needed for graduation
- Discussing signature or pathway courses which constitute college and career readiness
- Exploring elective course offerings
Cheer on JV and Varsity Wrestling - Wednesday and Saturday
Attend our wrestling matches Wed, Jan 3, as the Blue Devils travel to Montgomery Blair to face the Blazers.
- Matches begin at 6:15 PM
- Purchase tickets here.
Cheer on Varsity Basketball - Friday
Attend our varsity double header Fri, Jan 5, as Blue Devils face the Richard Montgomery Rockets at home.
- Game times: Boys 5:30 PM and Girls 7:15 PM
- Purchase tickets here.
Support the SBHS Varsity Poms Invitational
Attend our Divison 3 Poms Invitational Saturday, Jan 6 at SBHS from 9:30AM - 9:00PM
- Purchase tickets here.
Testing
MCAP testing has concluded until the week of January 8, 2023. Identified students will take the MCAP Algebra 1 and MCAP ELA 10 examinations. Please remember students must take these MCAP and MISA examinations to meet their Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) graduation requirements.
In this issue:
- Schedule for the week
- Pics from Spirit Week and Winter Pep Rally
- ACES - Grade 10 student application closes Jan 12, 2024
- Free pre-apprenticeship opportunity for electrician preparation
- Athletics - Wrestling team continues to excel
- Athletics - Bocce Program Wins Opener
- Athletics - Students basketball section themes for boys' and girls' basketball
- Book of the Week (BOTW) - Book One of Shadow and Bone
- MCPS Inclement Weather Operating Status 2023-2024 - Purple Day
- Dual Enrollment is open for Spring 2024
- PLTW welcomes U.S. Space Force presenter
- PTSA - Thankful for the Springbrook PTSA (See pics from the PTSA Sponsored Staff Luncheon)
- SBHS Tutoring
- See Something, Say Something
- Upcoming SSL opportunities
Warm regards,
Stephanie Valentine
Principal
Springbrook High School
Follow Principal Valentine on Instagram and Twitter
X formely Twitter @SBHSPrinc
Showing that Blue Devil Spirit
Led by Ms. Sade Campbell and Ms Sherryta Campbell, and the SGA, Springbrook students and staff embodied school spirit all week. Student and staff rock pajama day below.
Students and staff make pajama day look "oh" so fashionable.
Springbrook staff wearing their winter seasonal sweaters.
Rachel (grade 11) and Grace (grade 10) in the pajama fit.
Seniors, Devereau and Izzie keep the crowd pumped as they host winter pep rally.
Seniors, Blaine and Reddit thoroughly enjoying the Blue Devil atmosphere.
Mr. Weinshel, grade 9 administrator, jumps for joy as he elevates and orchestrates energy from this ninth graders during the Winter Pep Rally.
Led by Mr. Weinshel, the Class of 2027 wins the coveted "Springbrook Spirit Stick."
ACES is Accepting Applications for Grade 10 Students
Mr. Pineda, ACES Coach, encourages grade 10 students and their parents or caregivers to apply to the ACES Program! ACES stands for “Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success,” a countywide partnership with MCPS, Montgomery College, and The Universities at Shady Grove. Students admitted to the program receive the following:
- 1-on-1 coaching and
- a personalized plan leading to a seamless educational pathway from high school to college completion.
ACES also prepares 11th-grade and 12th-grade students for life after high school, with targeted support for students who have been historically underrepresented in the higher education system.
The application is NOW OPEN and will close on January 12, 2024! For more information, including the admission criteria and application link, please visit our website at www.acesmontgomery.org. If you have further questions, contact Mr. Cristian Pineda, the Springbrook Coordinator for ACES, at cristian.a.pineda@mcpsmd.net.
FREE Pre-Apprenticeship: Electical Program Opportunity
Learn more about the pre-apprenticeship electrican coursework which partners with the Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) by contacting Ms. Nicole Brown , Internship Coordinator at Nicole_B_Brown@mcpsmd.org.
Congratulations to Coach Rob Wendel and the Wrestling Team
Springbrook Wrestling Competes at the Tuscarora's Clash
Two Blu Devils, Lincoln Wendel and Naol Demisse were undefeated weigh class champions. Lincoln was also names most outstanding wrestler of the tournament. #BlueDevilAccomplishments
Springbrook's Bocce Team Wins Season Opener
Coached by Ms. Kenya Jacobs, Springbrook is proud to announce that the newest edition to our team sports program rolls a major winning strike in their game against Gaithersburg High.
Hey Blue Devils! Dress for the Boys and Girls Student Basketball Section Themes
Feel the Magic and Attend Both Boys and Girls Basketball Games
Please be sure to attend and represent our boys and girls basketball teams, all season!
THIS IS OUR TIME - GO BLUE DEVILS!
As you relax with family and friends during the winter break, Ms. Curtis and the newspaper staff encourage you to check out the newest edition of the Blueprint. Dive into stories about winter sports, the 9th grade field trip, staff celebrations and Winter Spirit Week.
Springbrook's Library Media Center Highights the Jan 1 - 5, BOTW
This week's BOTW is book one of the the Shadow and Bone trilogy written by Leigh Bardugo. Surrounded by enemies, the once, great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters. The nation's fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. While being attacked by the Fold, Alina reveals a dormant power. Be sure to check out this book to learn what happens.
Be sure to scan the QR code to Follow Springbrook's LIbrary Media Center on Instagram!
Review the Various Operating Status Inclusive of Inclement Weather
Purple Day Is Inclement Weahter Virtual Learning Day
Please view the full list of systemwide weather-related and operating status options for MCPS. The document below, provides guidelines as set by MCPS, related to school status and activities during certain emergency or inclement weather conditions. Please note that MCPS may call a purple day which is a virtual learning day.
Purple Day - Virtual Learning Day
- Instruction will take place this day.
- Students will review the bell schedule for the day which will be posted on Springbook's webpage.
- Students will log into class periods using their MCPS issued Chromebook.
- Students will access teacher zoom links and codes found on the teacher's Canvas page.
- Teachers will engage students in content specific instruction for the period.
- Students will follow the bell schedule and attend their next class periods.
The 2024 Spring course catalog for Dual Enrollment with JUMPSTART is open for review only.
- Course requests will open the first week of November, so it is important to APPLY NOW if you have not already done so.
- Approved college classes taken through Dual Enrollment with Montgomery College are cost FREE for MCPS students this school year.
- There are options for students to take college classes at Springbrook, online, or on any of the three MC campuses.
- Please contact Mrs. Campbell for more details and to see if the Jumpstart program under Dual Enrollment is a good fit.
The U.S. Space Force Visits SBHS Project Lead the Way Classes
Thank you to Ms. Nicole Brown, Internship Coordinator, for her arrangement of this unique opportunity for SBHS students. Blue Devils in the PLTW Program welcomed Lt. Colonel Anna Gunn-Golkin from the U.S. Space Force. Students engaged in a discussion regarding the following:
- the mission of this specialized force and their vision for guarding our nation's interests in, from, and to space
- the protection and security of U.S. satellites
- humanitarian efforts
- the facilitation of space power and launches
- new waves of innovation and specialized equipment used by this unique branch
Devoted to Springbrook High School and the Springbrook Community
We are thankful for the incredible support, and efforts of our Springbrook PTSA, led by President Leslie West-Bushby. The PTSA sponsored Springbrook Staff Holiday Luncheon, not only provided a delicious meal but also served as a meaniful way to recognize the efforts and contributions of Springbrook staff. As a result of this holiday gathering, the Springbrook community was able to come together and express gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our staff.
I want to acknowledge President Leslie West-Bushby's leadership which has been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and collaboration with the PTSA. The ongoing commitment of the Springbrook PTSA is undoubtedly crucial in creating a postive and supportive school environement. It's heartening to see our Blue Devil community coming together to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work of educators and staff members. This collaborative spirit contributes significantly to the overall well-being and success of our school.
Shown above, Ms. Leslie West-Busby (PTSA President), Council Member Kristin Mink, Principal Stephanie Valentine, Mr. Heinz Weverink (PTSA Vice President), Dr. Laverne Kimball (Acting Chief of Schools), Ms. Laura Mitchell (MCCPTA Vice President of Advocacy, Chair) the Honorable Brenda Wolff (MCPS Board of Education Member).
Shown above, Ms. Egwim, the Honorable Brenda Wolff, Ms. Harris, Principal Valentine, Ms. Butler, and Dr. Kimball.
Become a PTSA Member
Please don't delay! Click here: Become a PTSA Member today! It is also tax deductible. We need your membership to successfully enhance and support Springbrook students and staff. The more members we have, the more we can get accomplished and advocate for Springbrook to receive! Please visit our website to see what the PTSA has already accomplished for Springbrook. PTSA Website.
Thank you in advance! We can't do what we do without you.
Safety is extremely important to our Blue Devil Community!
Blue Devils, please remember the SBHS See Something, Say Something Initiative. If you've seen something concerning at school, please use this QR code to report the incident. Providing details, location, and timeframe is really helpful.Visit the Springbrook Webpage to Learn About Upcoming SSL Opportunities
Springbrook High School
Email: Stephanie_Z_Valentine@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/
Location: 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-3800
Twitter: @SBHSPrinc