Charger News
February 23, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
- FEB 26 Interims Posted
- MAR 1 Read Across Charles County
- MAR 5 ASVAB Testing - 7-11am
- MAR 10 Daylight Savings Time (turn clocks forward one hour)
- MAR 11-15 Senior Portfolio Interviews
- MAR 13 Two Hour Early Dismissal
- MAR 15 NHS Blood Drive
- MAR 19 First Day of Spring
- MAR 21 NHS Induction Ceremony - 6pm
- MAR 25 - APR 1 Spring Break - Schools Closed
PRINCIPAL DAVIS' MESSAGE
Henry E. Lackey High School is excited to announce that our own, Spanish teacher,
Mr. Joshua Clark
was named the
Charles County Teacher of the Year!
Our entire Lackey community is incredibly proud of Mr. Clark’s recognition. We know Mr. Clark as an excellent, kind, compassionate, humble, and passionate educator. Now, all of Charles County knows it too! Making this recognition even sweeter is the fact that Mr. Clark is also a proud Lackey High School graduate! Please join all of us in congratulating this outstanding young educator.
CONGRATULATIONS MOCK TRIAL TEAM!
The Lackey Mock Trial team had a historic season in 2023-2024. The team qualified for the playoffs with a season record of 2-2. They then defeated Eleanor Roosevelt High School in the Sweet 16 round. Next, they scored a win over the School Without Walls in the Elite 8. The team qualified for the Final Four round for the first time in school history and they defeated St. Mary’s Classical Highschool in a close match. The team advanced into the Circuit 7 Championship match, but came up short against North Point High School. This marked the first time in Circuit 7 history that two teams from Charles County faced off in the championship match. This season 144 teams competed in the Maryland State Mock Trial Competition. The Chargers finished as one of the top 16 teams from across the state. We are so proud of the team for an excellent season!
GOOD LUCK MATH TEAM!
Last Math Team Meet
The last math team meet will be on Monday, February 26. If you see any of the math team members, be sure to wish them luck as we try and defend our three-year winning title!
UPCOMING MUSIC CONCERTS
- Music in Our Schools Choir Concert on Monday, February 26 at 6:30pm in the auditorium.
- District Chorus Festival Assessment at North Point High School on March 5 at 6:30pm. Includes Freshman Concert Women at 9:30am and Concert Men at 12:30pm.
- District Chorus Festival Assessment at North Point High School on March 6 at 6:30pm. Includes Women's Chamber at 9:00am and Chamber Choir at 12:00pm.
- District Band Festival Assessment at North Point High School on March 7 at 3:30pm.
SENIOR CLASS DUES ARE DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29
Senior class dues ($130) are due by FEBRUARY 29, 2024! Dues may be paid by cash, check payable to the school or www.myschoolbucks.com to pay dues online. Dues include cap and gown, stole, tassel, senior shirt, yard sign, awards, senior picnic, diploma, and diploma cover.
GRADUATION DAY
Graduation Day for Lackey will be held at Regency Furniture Stadium on Thursday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. Graduates will be invited to attend Project Graduation at the Charles County Fairgrounds on the evening of each school's graduation from 8:00 p.m. - midnight. We will post more information as it becomes available.
YEARBOOK
2024 Charger Yearbook now on sale! Get your 2024 Charger Yearbook! To purchase online, click the link. https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00000000
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Important Reminder - Bags
Parents and students are reminded, per CCBOE policy that ALL backpacks, tote bags, large purses or any bag larger than an adult hand are to be secured in the student’s locker. Bags may not be carried throughout the day or taken into classrooms. Parents and student are reminded that this rule exist for the safety of our entire school. Students must place their bags into their locker upon arrival. Bags may be retrieved at dismissal. No bags are to be taken to class. If a student has their bag in the hallway or classroom, they will be directed by a staff member to put into their locker. Repeated non-compliance may result in the bag being confiscated by an administrator with disciplinary consequences.
Important Reminder – Sales for Personal Gain
We have noticed a significant number of students selling candy, drinks, chips, and other snacks out of their locker or bags. This is a violation of CCBOE policy. No student may sell any item or product on school property for personal profit. Any student in violation of this policy will have their merchandise confiscated by school administration and face disciplinary consequences.
MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
Signs of Depression in Teens
As parents, we all want our children to be happy and productive. Sometimes, all of us become depressed. This article will give you some common signs of teenage depression, and some approaches to intervene with your teen.
If you are worried your teen may be depressed, look for the following:
Have they lost interest in things they used to enjoy?
Have their eating or sleeping habits changed?
Do they seem unmotivated?
Are they lethargic?
Have their grades dropped?
Are they unusually irritable?
Have they appeared to be sad for at least 2 weeks?
If they are displaying more than a few of these symptoms, you may want to seek professional advice. If they express any thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately, including going to the nearest Emergency Room if the threats are serious or imminent.
Here are some things you can do as a parent to help a depressed teen:
Keep the lines of communication open. Express empathy. Try to talk to them about their feelings in a nonjudgmental manner. When you are trying to communicate with them, avoid trying to solve the problem. Also avoid telling them that what they feel is not important because others experience worse, or you give them everything so there is nothing to feel sad about, or any version of this that invalidates their feelings.
Encourage them to do something when you have the opportunity. Would they run an errand with you? Meet a relative for lunch? Do a chore? Go for a walk?
Point out positive things they do.
Tell them that you have noticed that they appear sad. Ask them for suggestions that they think could help. Offer to get them help and allow them a say in picking a mental health provider If possible. Be aware that there are a variety of treatment approaches, and medication interventions prescribed by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner that may be helpful.
Charles County Public Schools has partnered with Hazel Health to offer short term treatment in a virtual format. This treatment if free to you and you can sign up immediately. Visit the county website, go to the mental health section, and check it out.
Here at Henry E. Lackey, our entire Student Services Department will help you navigate this process if you would like. The counselors and I have resources we can send you. We will meet with your child if requested. We are here to help!
References:
This article is based on the following:
Dowd, Stephanie. “What to do if you think your teen is depressed”. Childmind institute. Org.
If you need immediate help, call the National Suicide Hotline or text 988
I have enclosed my link for Bookings if you would like to make an appointment with me:
https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SchoolPsychologist@ccboe.com/bookings/
Respectfully,
Beverly C. Hoy, Ph.D.
301-753-1753
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
Senior Portfolio Interviews
All seniors will complete a Senior Portfolio before graduation. The culmination of this portfolio project is the Senior Portfolio Interview that will occur during the week of March 11 - 15.
Important Reminder: Seniors, please bring, email, or forward a copy of ALL college acceptance letters, scholarship/financial aid award letters, and military enlistments to Ms. Long in the Career Center so the information can be included in the graduation program. Her email is glong@ccboe.com.
Please remember to keep a close eye on your scholarship application deadlines.
The College & Career Center provides students the opportunity to research information about careers, colleges, universities, technical/trade/career schools, apprenticeship programs, military service, financial aid, scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and job opportunities. For additional information click here or stop by and speak with Ms. Long, College and Career Advisor.
Counseling Department
To visit our counseling center staff and view more information on the services available, click here.
ATHLETICS
REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SPORTS IS OPEN!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. What are the eligibility requirements for SPRING SPORTS?
- You must have a 2.0 grade point average (no F's) and must not have more than 4.5 days absent during the 2nd quarter.
2. What SPRING SPORTS do we offer?
- We offer BOYS & GIRLS LACROSSE, TENNIS, SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, and TRACK.
3. What are the names and email addresses for each Head Coach?
- BOYS LACROSSE = Chris Batchelor (hel.lax.chargers@gmail.com)
- GIRLS LACROSSE = Matt Martin (matthewmmartin1975@gmail.com)
- TENNIS = Jon Juracko (jjuracko@ccboe.com)
- SOFTBALL = Carl Jones (caajones@ccboe.com)
- BASEBALL= Tom Fawcett (tfawcett@ccboe.com)
- TRACK = Jimari Jones (jajones@ccboe.com)
4. How do I register for SPRING SPORTS?
- To access and complete our online athletic registration for SPRING 2024, please visit: www.lackeyathletics.com (click on the REGISTER HERE ICON in the top right corner)
5. What do I need to do to make sure my child is registered for SPRING SPORTS?
- You need to register your child for the sport that they want to play, upload a valid physical form, and sign the covid19 waiver online. If your child already played a sport in the Fall or Winter, you can simply contact Coach Lush (jlush@ccboe.com) and tell him what sport your child wants to play in the Spring or have your child visit his office and he will take care of the registration.
6. What is a valid physical form?
- Your physical is valid for one calendar year. For instance, if your child had a physical on February 20th, 2023 and it is on file with us, they are medically eligible to play sports for us until February 20th, 2024. As of February 21st you would need you to upload a new physical into our system.
7. What do I do if I am having problems with the online registration process?
- There is a "Registration Cheat Sheet" on our website. If that does not help, please email Coach Lush (jlush@ccboe.com).
8. When is the first parent meeting?
- Our first parent meeting is on Tuesday, February 20th at 6:00 in the auditorium.
- 6:00 - 6:45 = Meet in the auditorium with Coach Lush to discuss the upcoming Spring Sports Season.
- 6:45 - 7:30 = Break-out sessions with the Head Coach of the sport that your child wants to play.
9. When is registration due?
- All student-athletes must be registered by Thursday, February 29th at midnight in order to be eligible for the first practice.
10. When does practice start?
- Our first practice date is Friday, March 1st. Each Head Coach will provide you with a calendar for the season at the meeting on the 20th.
11. WHERE CAN YOU LOCATE ALL OF OUR INFORMATION AND UPDATES?
- On our Twitter Account (@LackeySports)
- On our Facebook Account (Lackey Athletics)
- On our Website (www.lackeyathletics.com) If you hover over the tab, "MORE," it will give you a dropdown menu that will give you anything and everything that you need to know about Athletics at our school. There is a tab that is specific to FALL ATHLETICS 2023-2024. It will be changed to Winter once we move into that season but the information is generally the same.
Thanks!
Coach Lush
ATTENDANCE
Request for Absence Approval - Code 13 (Includes College Visits)
A unique life experience may include an educational field trip, athletic competitions not sponsored by the school, unique family circumstances (i.e., deployed parent visit), and/or career or alternate work experience.
An educational trip is one in which either the student is actively receiving instruction through a structured program directly tied to the curriculum, or the student is actively visiting another school, program, or college in preparation for potential future enrollment. Siblings may also be excused.
A “vacation” is not an educational trip or unique life experience.
To request an upcoming absence to be excused for these reasons, you must complete the "Parent Request for CODE 13 Excused Absence" form below at least two weeks in advance and submit it to Garcia Dixon, Supervising PPW, at gadixon@ccboe.com for Central Office approval. This form is also available on our school's website.
Attendance Reminders:
- The Attendance Secretary is not responsible for robocalls. They are auto-generated and go out for excused and unexcused absences.
- To check your student’s absences, go to ParentVUE and look under “Attendance”. If your student is marked absent, and you know they are present, please reach out to the teacher directly in ParentVUE.
- Students are only allowed 4.5 absences for extracurricular eligibility each quarter. If absent, they need to be bring a note from a parent, doctor, etc. in a timely manner.
- Attendance notes need to be submitted within 5 days of absence to be excused.
- Please clearly print the student's FIRST and LAST name, student ID number, and include the dates absent. All notes must have a parent's signature.
- Requests for administrative approval of absences must be sent to the respective grade level administrator at lease 2 weeks in advance.
Absence notes and attendance concerns should be submitted to Ms. Mullins, Attendance Secretary, at mmullins@ccboe.com.
REMINDERS
Breakfast is free for all students. Students may grab breakfast in the morning and take it to their first period class. Breakfast, including breakfast brought from home must be consumed within the first 10 minutes of first period. No food is to be consumed during classes at any other time. Parents if your child is late to school, he/she may not bring outside food into the building. Food must be consumed before entering the building when late to school. Students should refrain from bringing fast food for friends. Friends are unaware of dietary restrictions, allergies and parental restrictions.
Per CCPS policy, parents and students may not have food delivered to school during the school day. Food delivery services such as Door Dash and Uber Eats will be turned away. Students who open doors to receive food will be disciplined. The rule exists to help us maintain the safety of our campus.
Dropping off lunches:
- Parents may drop off forgotten lunches in the main office.
- Parents may drop off lunch for their child only.
- Parents may drop off food or drink during LUNCH PERIOD ONLY.
Early Dismissal: If a birth parent or legal guardian (appointed by the courts) is sending someone to pick up his/her child early from school for any reason, he/she must send a written note/email indicating who will be picking up the student and giving consent. Upon receiving the note from the birth parent or legal guardian, the school will then verify its authenticity and check ID of the adult who signs the student out of the building.
- Emergency Contact: Listing an emergency contact does not allow the individual to pick up a student at any given time in a non-emergency situation without prior written authorization from the birth parent/legal guardian (per the Charles County Public Schools Handbook: Emergency Card (2023-2024) Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools, pg. 2).
- Free Breakfast is available for all students each school day from 7:10-7:25 a.m. MyPaymentsPlus is available to monitor your student's lunch account balance and spending.
- CCPS 24-hour information line is available301-934-7410 or 301-392-6656, or website at www.ccboe.com for school closing information.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).