Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Acting Principal Anita O'Neill
January 7, 2024
Greetings Clarksburg Community!
Despite last week being a brief one for both our dedicated staff and students, my days were filled with immersion into the vibrant world of Clarksburg. The warm reception from parents, staff, and students, both in daily interactions and at various events, has been truly heartening. I've gained invaluable insights about our school, thanks to the wealth of information generously shared. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.
This week's newsletter is brimming with updates and information from our counseling department. I urge you to peruse these details, as several items come with impending deadlines that require your attention.
A particularly time-sensitive announcement carried over from last week pertains to the principal selection process. A friendly reminder that the staff meeting is scheduled after school on January 8, and the community meeting will take place via Zoom that same evening. All pertinent details can be found below in the community letters disseminated through various channels.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Together, let's make Clarksburg an even more enriching community for all.
Important: Principal Selection Process
Ms. Anita O'Neill is currently the Acting Principal at Clarksburg High School. In the weeks to come, MCPS will begin the Principal selection process to result in a permanent principal appointment. As part of that process, Mr. Christophe Turk, Director, Office of School Support and Well-Being, will hold meetings on January 8 to explain the process and begin collecting stakeholder feedback to be used in the selection process. Please see Mr. Turk's letter announcing the meetings and associated feedback links.
Updates from Counseling
Personal Body Space Lesson: January 16
Please read the important letter regarding the upcoming Personal Body Space Lessons that will be conducted during advisory on January 16.
Partial Day Schedules (Seniors Only)
Seniors who are requesting an adjusted partial day schedule for the Spring semester of 2024 should complete the CHS Partial Day Schedule Request form. This should be done as soon as possible to meet the January 19th deadline. Please make sure to complete all requirements on the form prior to submitting it to your counselor.
Mensaje Para Estudiantes Graduandos:
Estudiantes del grado 12 que deseen solicitar un horario parcial tienen que llenar esta forma CHS Partial Day Schedule Request. Deben completarla lo antes posible ya que la fecha límite es el 19 de enero. Asegúrense de completar todos los requisitos antes de entregar la forma a su consejero(a).
CHS Student Schedule Change Request for Second Semester
The schedule change request window for semester two changes is now open and will close January 18th. Students who wish to change their course requests now for the second semester must contact their school counselor no later than January 19th, 2024 and fill out the schedule change request form. Please see here for counselor assignments.
Solicitud Para Cambio de Horario/Clase del Segundo Semestre
La ventana para pedir cambio de clase para el segundo semestre está abierta desde ahora y cierra el 19 de enero. Todo estudiante que desee cambiar alguna clase del segundo semestre debe comunicarse con su consejero(a) no mas tardar del 19 de enero y llenar la forma apropiada. Favor de ver el listado de consejeros(as) here.
Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Registration cards and directions were provided to all students in grades 9-11 on December 13, 2023. During the next three weeks, counselors will be meeting individually with students through their English classes to collect the cards and verify that all selections are entered correctly. We encourage everyone to revise course selections prior to meeting with their counselors and making sure they have completed that card with 7 courses per semester, 3 alternatives for their electives and a parent signature.
9th Grade Monday, January 8 - Friday, January 12
10th Grade Tuesday, January 16 - Friday January 19
11th Grade Monday, January 22 - Friday, January 26
Health Education Parent Letter
Please read the attached letter regarding Health Education during second semester.
News from the College and Career Center
The Clarksburg High School College/Career Center provides in-person services daily from 7:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Visit the Career Center website and Career Center. Join the Career Center Canvas page. If you have questions contact Mrs. Siyeofori Nwator, College/Career Information Coordinator.
Juniors and seniors must register online in Naviance to attend all campus visit sessions. Please see the link for instructions. Come meet with Admission Representatives from schools you are interested in. Click this link for a list of upcoming Campus Visits.
FAFSA
There are major improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. This redesigned FAFSA form will be available by December 31, 2023 not December 1.
Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account—and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available.
Be sure your parent and any other contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account. Even if a contributor doesn’t have a Social Security number, they will be able to create an account when the 2024–25 form goes live.
The CHS College/Career Center will offer FAFSA completion support sessions beginning January 2024. Specific dates will be communicated.
See this Better Financial Aid Webinar presentation for useful information.
*Note if you are not eligible for FAFSA, you may be eligible for the MSFAA.
SENIORS
Here are links for everything you need for a successful transition into college
Have you completed the CHS Senior Packet? If not, please do so as soon as possible.
Naviance Process:
Colleges I’m Applying to Section (Video)
Link Common App to Naviance (Video)
Visit this link for more information regarding relevant scholarships
Seniors attending 2-year colleges need to complete the Transcript Release Form.
“Crash College to College (CC2C),” offered by the George B. Thomas Learning Academy (GBTLA) Saturday School, provides one-to-one help or a small group session to assist you with the college application process. Class meets every Saturday morning from 9 am through 11 am in the Career Center. Fees are $85 for non-FARMS recipients and $40 for FARMS recipients. Register here. Check out Saturday School At-A-Glance.
Saturday School Fall Semester Topics Include: College Applications, Scholarship Applications, Essay Editing, College & Scholarship Search, Naviance Assistance, Student Brag Sheet, Teacher/Counselor Recommendations, ACT/Sat Registration, FAFSA Completion
Virtual Opportunity, Thursday, January 18th, 7:00 PM.
Bezos Scholars Program: Applications to the Bezos Scholars Program will open on November 30, 2023 and will close on January 25, 2024. Bezos Scholars Program - juniors; U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have received DACA status; enrolled in or have taken one or more advanced course during their high school career (his includes Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college-level courses); available to fully participate in the year-long program and attend all dates for the Aspen Ideas Festival trip in Aspen, Colorado, slated for June 22 - June 28, 2024; Deadline: January 25, 2024
If you need assistance, please contact Mrs. Siyeofori Nwator, College/Career Information Coordinator
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." - Will Rogers
SAT Opportunities at CHS
CHS will once again host the SAT on multiple dates during the year. The dates the SAT will be held at CHS are: 3/9, 5/4, 6/1. Registration for these dates should be made through the College Board Website.
Student Opportunities
January 29: Junior Day
January 29: STEAM Fair -- Earn SSL Hours
Check out this opportunity for students in grades 8-12 to earn SSL hours and engage in fun learning experiences.
Summer RISE
Apply for School Meal Benefits
This coming year all meals will incur a fee unless students have are approved for Free And/or Reduced fee Meals (FARMS). Eligible families complete the 2023-2024 FARMS application that is now available online. Here is the link: www.MySchoolApps.com.
Calendar Items
Key January Dates
January 8-10 - Winter English MCAP
January 13 - Maryland State Thespian Festival
January 15 - Martin Luther King Holiday
January 15-19 - MLK Week of Service
January 16 - PTSA Meeting; Winter Algebra MCAP
January 26 - MP2 Quarterlies
January 29 - Professional Day; No School for Students
General Information for Students and Families
NFHS Network and GoFan
Dear Coyote fans,
As we kick-off the upcoming school year, we wanted to tell you that through our official partners, NFHS Network and GoFan, you can easily buy tickets for games and subscribe to watch live games online for when you can’t get there in-person.
Click this link to visit our school homepage, where you can:
- Click “Follow” to get alerts on our upcoming events.
- Click “Buy Tickets” to get tickets to upcoming events.
- Click “Subscribe” to watch live broadcasts of upcoming events (a portion of the proceeds are shared back with our school!).
Get Your Yearbook
2024 YEARBOOKS and TRIBUTE/AD PAGES are on sale for the cheapest prices of the year! Just visit www.clarksburgyearbook.com to make your purchase today! We have a limited number of discounts, so grab yours BEFORE we sell out!
CHS Website
Our CHS website has a wealth of information related to subjects like attendance, student service learning, athletics and more. Please take time to check it out so you have accurate information about policies and procedures at CHS.