Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, September 17, 2023
NEW: This Week's Message from Mr. Smith
Northwest High School Families,
For those who celebrated Rosh Hashana, Shana Tova Umetuka! Thank you to our class of 2024 senior parents who made it out to our Senior Parent Information Night this past week. The picture to the left is of myself and those families who were the first ten (10) to arrive to the meeting! It was great to connect and discuss the celebration of the culmination of thirteen (13) years of school. We cannot wait to celebrate all our students throughout the year.
Yearbook loves to feature our seniors with their current NWHS siblings!
Do you want your senior to be featured in the yearbook with their sibling(s) that currently attend NWHS?
Please complete this form by October 2.
In this week's newsletter, you can find new and important items such as our upcoming PSAT Day, College and Career Updates, Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations, Homecoming Spirit Week, Homecoming Hallways, Fall Election Results, Things to Know from MCPS for Thursday, September 14, and the athletics and events schedule for the week.
As a reminder, beginning tomorrow, Monday, September 18, all cars driven by students must display a valid 2023-2024 parking permit and be parked in their assigned space. Cars that are parked in the incorrect space, or do not have a valid parking permit, may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. If you would like to a pickup or turn in a student parking permit application, please go to the Business Office (room 322) before school, during lunch, or after school until 2:45 p.m.
There are some important reminders including information regarding our Homecoming festivities in just a week, grades 9-11 school photo days, our upcoming activities fair, Hispanic Heritage Month festivities, yearbook information, ways for preschoolers to join our program, ways to buy our NW GSA Jag Pride shirts, information for MCPS' Girls Summit, the Class of 2024 Graduation Survey, ways to order the Class of 2024 t-shirts, an opportunity to join the Principals' Advisory Council, our upcoming Ulysses Parent Night, a call for free store donations, a note about our upcoming Financial Aid Webinar, SGA community photo folder and elections information, parking permit information, ways to join the PTSA and Booster Clubs, a call to support our Booster Club, fundraisers to support our PTSA, the new face coverings policy in effect, a call for parents to join our parent councils, parentVue resources, 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: PSAT Day is October 11, 2023!
The PSAT is coming to Northwest on October 11, 2023, for all 10th grade students and 11th grade students who register to take the assessment. The PSAT provides an important measure of each student’s readiness for advanced coursework, college and careers, and preparation for future college readiness examinations. All 10th grade students have been registered to take the PSAT by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), free of cost. For 11th grade students, the cost of the PSAT is $15.25, and this practice version of the SAT can also qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This year, the College Board has moved to a digital version of the PSAT and we will be administering the digital assessment here at Northwest.
All 11th grade students or parents/guardians must register for the PSAT. We have extended the deadline for 11th grade students to register for the PSAT to Wednesday, September 13th. If you/your child is interested in taking the PSAT, please complete and submit the 11th grade PSAT Interest/Registration Form. If you have already registered, you will be receiving additional information in the coming days via email.
As part of the pre-administration of the PSAT, students will have the opportunity to participate in the optional Student Data Questionnaire. All 10th and 11th grade test-takers must provide parent/guardian consent to complete the questionnaire. Please review the linked PSAT Student Questionnaire Consent Form for more information. You can print and return the consent form to the main office or provide consent electronically here.
NEW: College and Career Updates!
COLLEGE CAREER 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 RESOURCE: MyinTuition Cost Calculation. A college cost estimator for specific colleges and universities. @ https://myintuition.org/quick-college-cost-estimator/. Posted 14 August 2023 |
Join ACT for a free webinar, delivered by the financial experts at Collegewise, where attendees will learn the knowledge and tools that they’ll need to chart their path through the rising costs of higher education. Invest in Your Future: Expert Tips on Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Paying for College. Tuesday, October 17 7:00 PM EST (6:00 PM CT)
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Family Budgets: Making informed choices starts here
- A Real Breakdown of College Costs: Get a clear picture of what to expect
- The Financial Aid Process: From forms to timelines, we cover it all
- Maximizing Aid and Scholarships: Crafting winning strategies with the right college list
Can’t make the live show? No problem — registrations include access to the recording. We’ll deliver these insights straight to inboxes to make sure your students and families travel the journey to higher ed with confidence. REGISTER HERE. | Post 14 August 2023 |
Student-Athlete and Families Webinar. The Eligibility Center is hosting a webinar for college-bound student-athletes and their families on Sunday, September 17 from 5 to 6 pm. Click here to register.
New Resource from College Wise. The Common App Made Easy. Visit the College Career College Application Resources web page and in the On-Page Quick Links section, select Common App. A direct link to the Guide is here.
COMING FALL 2023… NORTHWEST FINANCIAL AID SEMINAR for the Class of 2024. Learn when to apply for financial aid, how to apply for financial aid and what’s new with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 6:30 pm. Virtual. A link will be published on the Northwest home page on the day of the event.
College Career Calendar → High School Visits:
- St. Mary’s College of Md; Monday, September 18 @ 9:30 am
- Brown University; Monday, September 18 @ 10:30 am
- University of Maryland Baltimore County; Monday, September 18 @ 1 pm
- University of Maryland College Park; Tuesday, September 19 @ 8:30* FULL
- University of Miami; Tuesday, September 19 @ 9:30
- Florida Institute of Technology; Tuesday, September 19 @ 10:30
- **University of Michigan Ann Arbor**; Wednesday, September 20 @ 10 am; Virtual visit. URL is: https://umich.zoom.us/j/93592789276
- University of Southern California; Wednesday, September 20 @ 11 am
- William & Mary; Wednesday, September 20 @ 1 pm
- Washington College; Thursday, September 21 @ 10:30 am
THIS JUST IN: Princeton University; Thursday, September 28 @ 10:15 am
* UMD College Park visit has limited seating and will be held in the Staff Lounge unless otherwise noted.
** Virtual visit
Northwest High School visits with admissions representatives are open to all grades with priority given to the senior class (based on seating availability). Sign up for all visits is required using Naviance. Attending students must have permission from their teachers and attendance will be taken for each visit.
Students should print or download their visit registration confirmation and present that confirmation to their teachers in order to attend visits.
REMINDER! It is that time of year – letters from the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) start arriving. Please know that the counselors and/or school staff at Northwest High School have not nominated your son or daughter, because this organization is for-profit. We support the National Honor Society (NHS) which has a chapter at Northwest High School and is non-profit. The National Honor Society (NHS) is respected and honored by colleges and universities.
Here is some basic information: The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a for-profit national organization established in 2002. Their website states that “NSHSS is a distinguished academic honor society, committed to recognizing and serving the highest-achieving student scholars in more than 26,000 high schools across 170 countries. With access to valuable resources and a network of more than 2 million exceptional peers spanning high school to college and career, NSHSS scholars embody academic dedication and outstanding leadership in their schools, workplaces, and communities.” NSHSS is operated from a corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia and invites you to explore the benefits of membership.
Recognitions such as NSHSS, often referred to as Vanity Awards, should be checked out thoroughly before a payment is made to the organization. It should also be noted that joining NSHSS, or similar types, will not cast a student in a more favorable light or give them any advantage in the college application process.
NEW: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations at Northwest
NEW: Homecoming Spirit Week
NEW: Homecoming Hallways are Back!
NEW: Fall Elections Results are in!
NEW: Things to know from MCPS for Thursday, September 14
Pathway to College, Career and Community Readiness
MCPS created a new guide to help families, students and teachers work together to ensure student success.
The Pathway to College, Career and Community Readiness helps identify students’ strengths and areas of improvement to ensure each student receives the support they need.
Here’s how it works:
The academic milestones will be used to address any learning gaps before students transition to a new grade level, college or the workforce.
Parents will receive information about whether their child is meeting these specific benchmarks.
School staff, students and families will meet to decide the best way to help the student succeed.
In addition to academic benchmarks, schools will provide opportunities and experiences for students to cultivate core competencies and skills to prepare them for life after high school.
Visit the links below to learn about the milestones.
Elementary Schools (English)
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese
Middle School (English)
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese
High School (English)
español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese
COVID-19 Outbreak Measures and Vaccine News
As new cases of COVID-19 increase locally, we have seen outbreaks occurring in multiple schools across the county. Temporary outbreak precautions for individual classrooms where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly helps prevent spread to vulnerable individuals and to the rest of school. Check out the FAQ page for more information about how outbreaks are managed. The newly approved COVID-19 updated vaccine will be available in our area in the next few weeks. For information about COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccine availability, refer to Vaccines.Gov.
MCPS to Host Girls’ Summit
The district is inviting all MCPS families to the Girls’ Summit on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Clarksburg High School. This event will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics. Join us for a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types!
Sessions will be provided in English and Spanish, and will be organized by grade level. Student Service Learning (SSL) hours will be available for students. Topics and activities will include:
Healthy relationships/dating violence
Social media use and mental health, including cyberbullying
Self-esteem
Identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety
Healthy eating and body image
Music therapy, Zumba and Kaiser Permanente spin bikes for art therapy
Narcan kits will be distributed and training will also be available.
Share Your Feedback on the 2024–2025 School Year Calendar
MCPS is seeking the community’s feedback as it works to finalize the 2024–2025 school calendar. Please complete this survey to share your input.
Your feedback represents an important component of the development process. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, alignment with assessment schedules and more.
Take the survey.
Survey in Other Languages:
Calendario escolar de MCPS 2024 - 2025 Comentarios
MCPS 校歷 2024 - 2025 年反饋
MCPS 학교 일정 2024 - 2025 피드백
Calendrier scolaire de MCPS 2024-2025
Calendário Escolar MCPS 2024 - 2025
Phản hồi về Lịch học MCPS 2024 - 2025
የMCPS ትምህርት ቤት የቀን መቁጠሪያ 2024 - 2025 ግብረመልስ
Board Seeking Public Comment on Three Policies
The Board of Education is seeking comments on proposed amendments to three policies:
Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement
Policy BLB, Rules of Procedure in Appeals and Hearings
Policy IJA, School Counseling Programs and Services
Language translations are available.
Draft amendments to Policy ABC have been available for comment since Feb. 9, 2023, and the comment period will close on September 18. The Board Policy Management Committee is tentatively scheduled to review public comments at its Oct. 10, 2023 meeting.
Draft amendments to Policy BLB have been available for comment since July 7, 2023, and the comment period will close on Sept. 18, 2023. The Board Policy Management Committee is tentatively scheduled to review public comments at its Oct. 10, 2023 meeting.
Draft amendments to Policy IJA have been available for comment since April 26, 2023, and the comment period will close on Nov. 6, 2023. The Board Policy Management Committee is tentatively scheduled to review public comments at its Dec. 14, 2023 meeting.
A description of the changes, draft changes and public comment questionnaires are available on the Public Comment Page.
Good News
The Leadership Training Institute Turns 30!
The Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at John F. Kennedy High School empowers students through a rigorous interdisciplinary education emphasizing experiential learning, community service projects, and leadership theory and application. LTI alumni and friends are invited on Oct. 6 to share LTI memories and celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the program. The event will be held from 6–8:30 p.m. at Montgomery Country Club.
Visit the event page for more information.
Briggs Chaney Middle School Enjoys a Yummy Start to the School Year
Students got an opportunity to taste test food items from the MCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) at this year’s Back-to-School night. DFNS uses feedback from food tastings to help guide menu decisions.
Student Athletes Kick Off the School Year with District Leaders
The Annual Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) Kickoff meeting was held on Sept. 12 in the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville. The SALC is made up of two students from all MCPS high schools and seven at-large members who meet bi-monthly to share ideas on the administration of the interscholastic athletics program.
NEW: Athletics Schedule for the Week of Monday, September 18 - Sunday, September 24
REMINDER: Homecoming is Saturday, September 30
REMINDER: Underclass Pictures Coming Soon!
School Picture Day is coming Tuesday September 19th, Wednesday September 20th & Thursday September 21st 2023. Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001030582#login
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
REMINDER: NWHS Activity Fair for Students
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: Join our Preschool Program!
Attention Junior Jags! We are looking for Junior Jags to join our Preschool Program designed to provide an environment where children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially! High school students are trained to provide individual attention that addresses the needs of each preschooler. They ensure a warm, loving, kind environment with an exciting and adventuresome atmosphere. We are committed to a safe, healthy environment where learning can take place. Students are provided with instruction in developmentally appropriate practices in accordance with guidelines established by the Montgomery County Public Schools.
The program’s curriculum is appropriate for the year before a child enters kindergarten. Children must be toilet trained and 4 years old by September 1. Since many different high school students will be teaching the preschoolers, the program is designed for the pre-kindergarten child who can cope with daily changes and flexible scheduling. Special education services are not provided through this program.
If interested, please reach out to Katherine_S_Skiscim@mcpsmd.org for an application.
REMINDER: NW GSA Shirts are Back!
The Jag PRIDE T-Shirts are back! All proceeds from the sale go to benefit the NW Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). Show your PRIDE with your choice of the logo on a black or white shirt. The sale is open from September 11th-27th. Thank you for your support!
Sale Link: https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/41557/354/False/True
REMINDER: Class of 2024 Graduation Survey
REMINDER: Be a part of Mr. Smith's Advisory Council (PAC)
All students, regardless of previous leadership experiences or GPA, are invited to apply. In order for the PAC to be successful, we need a wide range of voices represented on the PAC. Most PAC meetings will be held during the school day through Jag PAWS time or during lunch. On some rare occasions, an after-school meeting may be required. If you would like to be considered for membership on the 2022-2023 PAC, please complete this brief application. Applications are due by October 3, 2022. All members will be notified by November 1, 2022.
Click Here to Apply: https://forms.gle/JU4tcBnS9EzQyKHH8
REMINDER: Ulysses Parent Night is Coming Soon!
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: SGA Community Photo Folder and Ways to get Involved!
Did you know the SGA compiles digital photos and videos from events throughout the year? Check it out! If you'd like to review media from the year, please click here! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XqgFR8ihedgoVXBxF0JsSem49c8dyDMt
If you'd like to contribute photos or videos, please email them to Ms. Ledrick at Margaret_M_Ledrick@mcpsmd.org or send to the SGA Instagram at @nwhs_sga.
REMINDER: Parking Permit Information
Parking permit applications and payment will be accepted by the Business Office, Room 322, before school (7:25–7:40 a.m.), during lunch (11:11–11:56 a.m.), or after school (2:30–2:45 p.m.). Students must not have any outstanding financial obligations to the school and must be academically eligible (2.0 cumulative GPA with no more than one E) to be eligible for a parking permit. The price for a full year parking permit is $78.00 (processing fee included) payable by cash, check (made out to Northwest High School), or online using a credit card through SchoolCash Online. To pay online, a link will be sent to the student’s school email once the application has been received and approved for eligibility.
During the first three weeks of school (August 28-September 15), students may use any parking space in the lower parking lot. All approved parking permits will be distributed to students before school, during lunch, or after school in front of the Business Office, Room 322, on September 14 and 15. Beginning Monday, September 18, all cars driven by students must display a valid 2023-2024 parking permit and be parked in the student’s assigned space. Cars that are parked in the incorrect space or that do not have a valid parking permit may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
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: NWHS Boosters need your Help!
Are you Ready for FALL Sports? YES! YES! YES!
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! Click here to sign up.
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!
Thank you from your 2023-2024 Concessions Committee!
REMINDER: Face Coverings Policy is in Effect!
For the safety of our school environment, face coverings may be worn indoors only for health, religious and/or cultural purposes. When used for health protection or to prevent disease transmission, acceptable and effective face coverings are well fitting surgical masks, KN95-style masks or N95 respirators. With the exception of face coverings worn for
religious or cultural purposes, individuals will be asked to remove other types of face coverings (such as a ski mask, neck gaiter, or scarf over one’s face). If the alternate face covering is worn for health purposes, NWHS will provide surgical masks for student, staff or visitor use. If a face covering is needed at school for health purposes, NWHS will provide surgical masks for students, staff or visitors who do not already have access to one at school.
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
REMINDER: ParentVue Resources
What is ParentVue?
ParentVUE provides a way to view all school related information and data for all your students. Register for athletics, special programs, communicate with teachers and verify your student information annually. For more information, please check out the "quick guides" linked below in various languages.
ParentVUE Quick Guides for Parents
ParentVUE Support Guide (link to translated version is in the footer of every page)
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