Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, December 17, 2023
NEW: This Week's message from Mr. Smith
Northwest High School Families,
I hope this last message of 2023 finds everyone well. With just five (5) days away from winter break, this will be the last edition of Northwest News until January of 2024. It is important that everyone maintain their focus on school and finish off 2023 strong. Over the past few weeks, some students have chosen to misbehave and operate in misalignment with the Northwest way. It is imperative that students understand we cannot accept these unacceptable behaviors. Remember this as we close out our time before winter break.
A special "THANK YOU!" to our PTSA for the wonderful Gift Wrapping and Dessert Bar event this past Friday, December 15. It is truly one of the most favorite events for the staff.
Jehana Muhsin and Kubra Ulusoy recently attended a Hackathon (Hack the nest) the weekend of Dec. 9th - 10th and earned support for a "Social Good" application. Their Trash Tracker application now has the opportunity for further development with a mentor and up to $1000 to see it rise to a prototype level. Congrats to both!
A reminder that our TENTATIVE Graduation date is Thursday, June 6 at 9:00 am at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Mark your calendars.
The application for the Middle College (MC2) Program, Class of 2028 at Northwest High School is now open! Interested incoming 8th graders and current NWHS 9th and 10th graders who live in the Northwest HS cluster are eligible to apply. The application can be found on the Northwest HS website, under quick links menu option for Middle College. The deadline to apply is Feb 16, 2024 at 11:59 pm. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lisa Shapiro at Lisa_M_Shapiro@mcpsmd.org.
Yearbook Pictures are available for purchase. Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc use your student ID when prompted for the online code. For questions regarding school pictures, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
The application for the Ulysses Signature Program Class of 2028 at Northwest is now open! Interested 8th graders who live in the Northwest cluster are eligible to apply. The application can be found on the Northwest website, under the Quick Links menu option for “Ulysses Signature Program.” You can also find the application linked here along with more information about the program. The deadline for submitting applications is February 16th, 2024. If you have any questions about the application process or the Ulysses Program, please contact Mr. David Parks david_p_parks@mcpsmd.org.
Hall Sweeps are continuing and if a student is caught in a hall sweep more than once, they will be assigned an after-school detention. Prioritize regular, prompt attendance to all classes.
Interested in donating to our community? Click this link to support any of our families in need.
Yearbook Updates!
Yearbooks are for sale here
Senior Baby Picture ads ($25) and Senior Memory Ads (prices vary) are due 1.26. Directions and examples are here.
Senior Baby Pic ads require two steps: Purchase an add-on on the Jostens site and then upload the content (picture and quote) on this google form. The Senior Memory pages are purchased and content added to the Jostens site.
In this week's newsletter, you can find new and important items such as our Winter Spirit Week, the winter wonderland event on Tuesday, December 19 at lunch, our tentative graduation date for the Class of 2024, College and Career Updates, the on-site admission event being held at Seneca Valley High School in January, information regarding the MCPS financial aid workshops, updates from our Media Center, a call from our Booster Club for Winter Sports Concessions help, Morgan's Message T-shirt sale, things to know from MCPS for Thursday, December 14, and the athletics and events calendar for the week.
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Amharic]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Chinese]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [French]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Korean]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Portuguese]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Spanish]
Remind Quick Guides for Parents [Vietnamese],
There are some important reminders including information regarding important upcoming Minority Scholars Program (MSP) events, school cash online, the annual holiday giving project, Yearbook sales information, a call for free store donations, ways to join the PTSA and Booster Clubs, a call for parents to join our parent councils, College T-Shirt Tuesdays, and ways to buy Class spirit gear!
We thank you for your continued support and trust. Let's make it a great week!
NEW: College and Career Updates!
COLLEGE CAREER Community e-NEWS BULLETIN HIGHLIGHTS: View the complete e-NEWS Bulletin on the college career web page and click on the e-NEWS link for all details. For details on all college career information and resources, visit the college career webpage. Questions? Reach out to Rochelle_Davis@mcpsmd.org
NEW! MCPS Financial Aid Workshops! Assistance with completion of the FAFSA & MSFAA. Registration Required.
REGISTER @ http://bit.ly/3tf1JJp
Current workshop dates include:
- Northwest on Tuesday, January 9 from 3pm until 5pm
- Watkins Mill HS on Thursday, January 18 from 6pm until 8pm
- Clarksburg HS on Friday, January 19 from 6pm until 8pm
- Seneca Valley HS on Wednesday, January 31 from 6pm until 8pm
Space may be limited. Register early! The host school monitors registration for space availability!
UPDATE WITH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING!
MCPS College Career Information Center School Clusters present On-Site Admit Events:
January 11, 2024, from 6 until 8 pm. Registration information coming before winter break!
Confirmed colleges participating include Coppin State University | Hood College | Stevenson University | Trinity Washington University | Heidelberg University
Cluster Schools: Seneca Valley HS* | Watkins Mill HS | Gaithersburg HS | Damascus HS | Clarksburg HS | Northwest HS | Quince Orchard HS | Poolesville HS | *Host School |
ASVAB Parent Q&A Session. January 22, 2024, at 6 pm.
Meeting ID: 160 122 2764 Passcode: Parent
Give your child the chance to do just that. The ASVAB CEP is designed to help your child:
• Learn more about themselves and the world of work.
• Explore occupations in line with their interests and skills.
• Discover all the ways to enter the career fields they are best suited for.
• Develop an effective strategy to achieve their career goals.
The ASVAB is not just a military test!
REMINDER! There is a College for Everyone: Tips for Finding the "Right Fit"...Even When Grades are Average Thursday, January 18th, 7:00 p.m. | With over 2,000 four-year colleges in the US, a “right fit” school is waiting to welcome your student. Topics will include: how recent changes in college admission impact students with “average” grades and test scores; the strategy your student needs to highlight their interests and accomplishments in essays and applications to really set themselves apart from the competition; why GPAs and test scores hold greater weight at certain schools and the meaning behind acceptance rates; and how to find less competitive colleges that have the exact environment (including services for students with IEPs and 504s) and areas of study your teen needs to be happy and successful. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
REMINDER! The Princeton Review offers FREE Digital Practice Test Events for the SAT & ACT. SAT: Saturday, January 20 | ACT: Saturday, February 24. 9 am until 1 pm. Register HERE. Registration closes two days prior to the event.
JAG Jobs: All job opportunities are published in the latest Jag JOBS Bulletin available to download at any time from our College Career web page ‘Jag Jobs’ under College & Career Quick Links. https://bit.ly/3sKZRVw.
REMINDER! Paying for College Workshop: to be held in person and virtually this year. Students get a chance to work one-on-one with Financial Aid Counselors on their 2024-2025 FAFSA or MSFAA! The Paying for College Workshop events will be held on Jan. 20, 2024 from 11am-2pm at the Rockville Campus in the Student Services Building and on Thursday, Feb. 1st, 2024 from 4-7pm at the Takoma Park Campus in the Student Services Building and virtually. Please visit our website to register at bit.ly/FA_Help.
Money Matters → Scholarship Highlights & Reminders:
For a complete list of scholarships, including details for those listed below, download the latest publication of our Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin on the web. Post date refers to the first date published in the Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin. Additional Northwest High School Scholarship Resource (PDF format).
SCHOLARSHIP RECENT POSTS & HIGHLIGHTS:
- SCHOLARSHIP: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AWARDS. Available to JUNIORS. The Ida F. Haimovicz Visual Arts Award and the Fran Abrams Creative Writing Award benefit high school juniors enrolled in a public or non-public high school in Montgomery County and graduating in the class of 2025. DEADLINE TO APPLY: JANUARY 15
- SCHOLARSHIP: The Coolidge Scholarship. Available to JUNIORS planning to attend college in the fall of 2025. Applicants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States of America. Award is a full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. This one-of-a-kind scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university in the U.S. DEADLINE TO APPLY: JANUARY 18
- SCHOLARSHIP: PEARLS OF HOPE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP. Available to college bound high school SENIORS. Awards range from $1,000 to $8,000 over four years. Applicants must reside in Montgomery County and/or attend a Montgomery County Public high school. Applicants must reside in Maryland District 14. DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 29
- SCHOLARSHIP: MONTGOMERY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ACADEMIC SPECIALITY SCHOLARSHIP. Available to SENIORS planning to enroll full-time at Montgomery College (MC) in the fall of 2024. This is a full scholarship that will cover the cost of up to 15 credits per semester at the county rate for the first year and may be renewable for a second year. Students must be admitted to MC before they can access the online scholarship application and can complete an admissions application HERE. Once the student has been admitted and has set up their MyMC account, they will be able to complete the scholarship application using their MC login. PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: MARCH 1.
- SCHOLARSHIP: ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. Issie Jenkins Scholarship (State of Maryland). Award $2,000. Available to high school SENIORS who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, a propensity for service, and noteworthy leadership. Minimum GPA 3.0. Essay, three letters of recommendation and resume required. Official high school transcript required Application materials to be submitted by email to IssieJenkinsScholarship@zphibmaryland.org. DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 6 (Received by)
- SCHOLARSHIP: HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP. Available to high school JUNIORS & SENIORS. Awards range from $10,000 to $25,000. Applicants must have demonstrated critical financial need ($65,000 or lower adjusted gross family income, and US citizenship. DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 15
NEW: Media Center Updates!
- The media center is happy to bring back the “Decorate an Ugly Paper Sweater” contest. Simply head to the media center and grab a sweater, decorate at home or school using any materials you want (we are providing some), and turn your completed entry into a media center staff member with your name and ID number on the back by 8 am Friday morning. We will Choose and announce 4 winners next Friday and gift you with a sweet treat to start your holiday!
- All students and staff have access to Teen Book Cloud through June 2024. Simply use this link or download the app: https://www.teenbookcloud.com/autologin.aspx?u=mcpsmd2&p=login. When you download the app, you'll see "school" and "library." Make sure you're on school. Username and password: un=mcpsmd2 pw=login
NEW: Our Booster Club NEEDS YOU!
The NW Athletic Department and the Booster Club want to provide our athletes and fans an awesome experience at each and every home game. To make that happen, we need your help to VOLUNTEER at the concessions stand. Parent and community member support is crucial to have a successful year! If we do not have volunteers, we will not be able to open the concessions stand.
Pick a slot or two or three...because WE NEED YOU! Sign up here.
There are multiple sports events to choose from. We want you to watch your athletes compete so please come help at other games so those parents can watch their athletes. Don't have a child playing a sport? Come out anyway. It's a great way to connect with other NWHS parents! Remember, concessions volunteers get into the games for free and all proceeds go directly toward supporting all of our students! Please put the sport/club you represent in the Comment section! (Please note all volunteers must be adult volunteers.)
Thank you from your 2023-2024 Concessions Committee! Questions? Email Susan Strawser at strawserfamily@verizon.net or text 301-442-8278.
NEW: Morgan's Message T-Shirt Sale!
Morgan's Message is selling long sleeve shirts from 12/11-12/21! Student ambassadors are working with NW students to promote positive mental health practices throughout the year. Support this new club by buying a new shirt, they are long sleeve athletic material. Use the link to order, $27/ each
NEW: Things to Know from MCPS for Thursday, December 14
1. Tune in Live Tonight to the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight will present her recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget TONIGHT at 6 p.m. at Odessa Shannon Middle School. You are invited to watch the presentation live on the MCPS website, on the MCPS-TV YouTube channel, and on the MCPS-TV channels in English and Spanish. The superintendent will unveil her priorities for the next fiscal year.
2. Testing Dates Available for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
Qualifying high school students are encouraged to sign up to test for the prestigious Maryland Seal of Biliteracy at various high schools.
Juniors and seniors who are native/heritage speakers of languages other than English, currently enrolled in upper-level world languages classes and/or attend outside language schools are encouraged to register for testing. Students can contact their school’s World Languages resource teachers to inquire about the Seal of Biliteracy. Read more for testing dates at each high school. Visit the MCPS website for more information.
3. Become a Summer RISE 2024 Host and Help a Student Gain Work Experience
Are you interested in sharing your career experience with rising 2024-2025 MCPS high school juniors and seniors? Learn more about how to become a host for the 2024 Summer RISE program!
The Department of Partnerships is seeking businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to host students for a minimum of 50 hours of in-person, virtual or hybrid experiences. Read more.
4. Reminders and Opportunities
Maintenance and Operations Job Fair Set for Dec. 15
The MCPS Division of Maintenance and Operations is hosting a job fair on Friday, Dec. 15. There will be on-the-spot hiring opportunities for skilled plumbers, electronic technicians, maintenance carpenters, maintenance electricians and HVAC-R technicians.
Two sessions will run from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. and from 3–7 p.m. The fair will be held at the Division of Maintenance and Operations offices, 8301 Turkey Thicket Drive, Building A, First Floor, Gaithersburg. Jobs available are for first and second shifts.
FREE English Classes Available to MCPS Parents
The Class to Community (C2C) organization offers free English as a Second Language (ESL), GED and college prep, and digital literacy classes. Visit the C2C website for more information.
5. Bright Spots This Week
Students Showcase Their Skills at Local SkillsUSA Competition
From cosmetology and electrical construction wiring to auto refinishing, Thomas Edison High School is hosting this year’s local SkillsUSA competition. SkillsUSA is students’ first opportunity to demonstrate their career skills in a competitive setting. Students have the chance to apply the skills they have learned in classrooms, labs and on work-based learning projects. Read more.
Stone Mill Elementary School Community Raises Blue Ribbon Flag
Stone Mill Elementary School held a school assembly on Dec. 13 to raise its National Blue Ribbon flag. The school was given the Blue Ribbon distinction by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) in September. Stone Mill is the 43rd MCPS school to be named a National Blue Ribbon winner Read more.
MCPS Sixth Grader Gives Back This Season
Annabelle Lee, a sixth grader at Montgomery Village Middle School, is on a mission to bring warmth and joy this holiday season with her annual toy drive. She received toys, coats and socks from the Wheaton Dance Twirl Teams to give to kids in need in Montgomery County.
Check out the MCPS News Center for news and information, the latest photo galleries and videos.
NEW: Athletics and Events Calendar for the week of December 18 - December 24
REMINDER: Upcoming Minority Scholars Program (MSP) Events
11/30/23 Lunch and part of 5th pd. Joint presentation MC and USG. Focus on programming, $, transfer, student life, etc. Focus on Juniors and Seniors without specific plan or who are just starting to planning. Hoping to have a minimum of 30 students!
12/8/23 RM 252 Navy Federal Credit Union Lunch and Learn (lunch) They provide info and snacks. Focus on $ management and fraud alerts/concerns and developing a credit score.
1/19/23 6-9pm NWHS Annual Diversity Night sponsored and supported by NWHS MSP, SGA, and the NW PTSA. Plenty of room for all clubs and performance groups! Please send kids and groups our way! Club sponsors will receive an email next Monday with more details.
1st County MCPS Film Festival Open to all and due by 1/22/2023. Street documentary style.
3/16/2024 MSP Retreat Kennedy HS
REMINDER: Important School Cash Online Access!
MCPS has transitioned to a new online payments system called SchoolCash Online (SCO). This will be the preferred method of payment for all school-related fees, excluding school lunches. SCO will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SCO or at the school.
As of Monday, August 21, 2023, parent/guardians will no longer need an SCO PIN number to add their student(s) to their SCO account. Guardians will automatically get emails from SCO (noreply@schoolcashonline.com) with instructions if the email address is on file with the school. For approved parent/guardians who do not currently have an SCO account, an automated email was sent out with an invitation to create an account. For approved parent/guardians who already have an SCO account but have not yet linked their student(s) to their account, an automated email was sent from SCO for each unlinked student. The email had an “Accept” button, that once clicked, will attach that parent/guardian’s child to their account automatically. If you need support with the registration process, please email the Parent KEV group support drop box at parenthelp@kevgroup.com, or can call at 866-961-1803.
MCPS ha hecho la transición a un nuevo sistema de pagos en línea llamado SchoolCash Online (SCO). Este será el método de pago preferido para todas las cuotas relacionadas con la escuela, excluyendo los almuerzos escolares. SCO ayudará a aumentar la eficiencia y la seguridad en las escuelas al realizar pagos directamente en las cuentas bancarias de las escuelas y eliminar la necesidad de que los maestros manejen dinero. Se incluirá una tarifa de procesamiento en todos los artículos disponibles para la compra, independientemente del tipo de pago utilizado en SCO o en la escuela.
A partir del lunes 21 de agosto de 2023, los padres/tutores ya no necesitarán un número PIN de SCO para agregar su(s) estudiante(s) a su cuenta de SCO. Los tutores recibirán automáticamente correos electrónicos de SCO (noreply@schoolcashonline.com ) con instrucciones si la dirección de correo electrónico está registrada en la escuela. Para los padres/tutores aprobados que actualmente no tienen una cuenta de SCO, se envió un correo electrónico automático con una invitación para crear una cuenta. Para los padres/tutores aprobados que ya tienen una cuenta de SCO pero que aún no han vinculado a su(s) estudiante(s) a su cuenta, se envió un correo electrónico automatizado desde SCO para cada estudiante no vinculado. El correo electrónico tenía un botón "Aceptar", que una vez que se hace clic, adjuntará al hijo de ese padre/tutor a su cuenta automáticamente. Si necesita ayuda con el proceso de inscripción, envíe un correo electrónico al buzón de apoyo del grupo de padres KEV al parenthelp@kevgroup.com, o puede llamar al 866-961-1803.
REMINDER: Holiday Giving Project
Each year the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County provides food at Thanksgiving and food and gifts for the December holidays to low-income households. The Holiday Giving Project Coalition coordinates this seasonal program in conjunction with a variety of religious, business and nonprofit organizations. Families can be referred by School Counselors. Contact your student’s counselor if you are interested in receiving these services. The deadline for requesting services for Thanksgiving is October 26th, 2023. The deadline for requesting services for the December Holidays is November 20th, 2023. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. Please contact your student’s School Counselor if you have any questions.
REMINDER: Yearbook Sale Information
We have a community upload spot for candids. Please upload any pics of your student(s) that may end up as features in the yearbook. Please add names and grades.
Pick up your 2023 yearbook supplement that features spring sports, graduation, prom, spring musical. If you purchased a yearbook, these are included in the price. Pick up in 250 or 261 before school, during lunch, after school until 2:45. Ask for Ms Koutsos.
The 2024 yearbook is available for purchase.
The first sale price is $90
The 2nd sale price is $95
Then the rest are $100
$105 in person at distribution
Senior only can purchase ad space in the back of the book. Personalized ad space is available for sale. And baby pics/quotes space can be purchased for a community page.
REMINDER: Free Store Supplies are in Demand!
Many NW students visit The Free Store daily. Because of high demand, the Free Store has run out of composition books and spiral notebooks! If you have any gently used, no longer needed school supplies, please donate them to the Free Store, room 264. We also always need calculators, backpacks, and test prep books. We take donations all year long. We will also be collecting donations during Back to School Night. Thank you, NW community, for your support!
REMINDER: Join the PTSA and Boosters!
The PTSA and Booster Club are instrumental in providing the school with advocacy, outreach, financial support, and building school spirit for our students, staff, and community. In order for us to be able to support these ongoing efforts, we need our families and staff to join us now! You can join at nwhsptsa.org/membership. Thank you!
REMINDER: Northwest Parents' Councils Questionnaire
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. This questionnaire has been translated into Spanish.*
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: Tara-dee_S_Henry@mcpsmd.org
Asian American Parent Council: Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org
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 $8: 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 $5) and personalize with fabric markers or paint pens! The possibilities are endless to show your #JagPride!
Class of 2027 (9th Grade): Yellow
Class of 2026 (10th Grade): Green
Class of 2025 (11th Grade): Red
Class of 2024 (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
Northwest High School serves over 2400 students and is home of the Jaguars!