WHS WILDCAT NEWS
Back to School Newsletter, 2022-2023 SY
Principal's Welcome - Mr. Scott Noll
Wildcats,
Monday, August 29th, marks the start of the new school year. The administrative team is looking forward to your return! We are here to provide you with great instruction and support for a successful school year. Our summer school program was a huge success. Our fall sports teams have been practicing hard preparing for successful seasons. The Blue Band has been preparing for their performances and are sounding great.
Student schedules will be available to view in ParentVue and StudentVue after August 18th. A successful school year begins with excellent attendance. We want to see you here every day. Please come to school prepared and ready to engage in all classes. We also want to see you get involved in activities beyond the normal school day. WHS has a variety of clubs and extra-curricular activities to join. Take advantage these opportunities in order to have the best experience possible during your high school career.
We look forward to seeing all of you the first day of school!
Sincerely,
Mr. Noll, Principal
Welcome New Staff!
Andrew Mowen - Mathematics
Jesse Gentry - Mathematics
Erin Delaney - Art
Alexandrea Garcia - Art
Alicia Rice De Escobar - Spanish
Joshua Snow - Science
Rebecca Ward - Health
Michael Rechtorovic - PE
Kennedy Murray - Connections
Susan Thompson - Connections Paraprofessional
Freshman Orientation
Date and Time: Thursday, August 25th, 8:40-12:30 pm
We are very excited that your child will be attending Williamsport High School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 9th Grade Orientation Day on Thursday, August 25th, from 8:40-12:30 pm. Transportation will be provide to and from school on the students regular bus route. Please check the bus routes using e-link from the WCPS transportation webpage to find your child’s bus number and pick-up time.
WHAT IS LINK CREW?
Link Crew is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 9th graders by connecting them with Link Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 11th and 12th graders. Your student’s Link Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of high school.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
1. Students are encouraged NOT to bring backpacks, purses or other like items as the day is quite active.
2. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing and shoes.
3. Cell phone use is not permitted during orientation.
4.This is a student only function.
We look forward to a great orientation day!
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Mills, Ms. Yoder, or Mrs. Jackson at 301.766.8423.
Whom Do I Contact?
Assistant Principals:
Mrs. Eskridge - 12th Grade & 9th grade G-M
Mr. Parry - 10th Grade & 9th Grade A-F
Mrs. Paylor - 11th Grade & 9th Grade N-Z
Attendance Questions/Concerns:
Mrs. Michelle Quartucci, quartmic@wcps.k12.md.us, 301-766-8423
Student Intervention Specialists:
Mrs. Jackson - 9th & 10th Grade
jackspaul@wcps.k12.md.us, 301-766-8423
Mr. Mills - 11th & 12th Grade
millsjos@wcps.k12.md.us, 301-766-8436
Athletic Director:
Mrs. Crabtree, crabtemi@wcps.k12.md.us, 301-766-8424
Important Dates - Mark Your Calendar
Monday, August 8 - Meet the Coaches, 7PM (WHS Auditorium)
Wednesday, August 24 - Back to School Picnic, 6:30 PM
Thursday, August 25 - Freshman Orientation, 8:40-12:30PM
Monday, August 29 - First Day of School
Monday, September 5 - Labor Day, Schools Closed
Friday, October 21 - Schools Closed
Monday, November 7 - End of First Marking Period
Google Classrooms
Student ID's
Students will be required to use their student ID to get their breakfast and lunch. All students will be provided with an ID at the start of the school year. Please see below for further information regarding meal benefits.
Student ID's will also be used to track Good Standing and check in an out books in our media center.
Meal Benefit Information
Important - Effective for the 2022-2023 school year, meals are NO longer free for all students.
All students at any Washington County Public School can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Apply any time during the school year after August 1, 2022.
- All the information is confidential
- Only complete one application for all your children who attend WCPS
- Eligibility is based on family size and income guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- You will be mailed the eligibility status for your child(ren) once the online application is submitted and validated
- Online applications are normally approved within a few days
- Start your application today at www.schoollunchapp.com
Bus Route Information
Bus routes for the 2022-2023 school year will be posted on the WCPS website at: http://wcpsmd.com/transportation/bus-routes.
Families can also visit the e-Link website and enter their child’s grade and address to find pickup and dropoff times.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s routing information, contact the WCPS Transportation Department at 301-766-2902.
Pick Up & Drop Off
If you are planning to drop your child off at school please drop them off at the gym entrance.
If you are dropping your child off AFTER 8:35 am, please drop your child off at the front entrance. Students are considered tardy to school if dropped off after 8:35 am.
Visitors and parents are NOT permitted in the bus loop between 8:15 and 8:35.
All students must be signed out of the building when leaving during the school day.
Food Delivery Services
Tutoring Opportunities
Need help with math or science? Tutoring is offered on Tuesday and Thursday weekly from 3:30-4:30 pm.
Transportation, for after school tutoring only, is available starting on Tuesday, September 20th. Some exceptions do apply.
Locker Information
Lockers will again be optional for the 2022-2023 school year. Students will be permitted to carry backpacks. Backpacks are NOT permitted in student bathrooms and must be left in the classroom.
PE lockers will be assigned at the start of each semester. Locks are provided
School Counseling Information & Important Dates
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mrs. Downs - 9th grade last names G-M, 12th grade
email: downskri@wcps.k12.md.us
Office: (301)766-8426
Mrs. Welty- 9th grade N-Z, 11th grade, & STEM
email: weltymin@wcps.k12.md.us
Office:(301)766-8426
Mrs. Howe - 9th grade A-F, 10th grade, & EL
email: howeste@wcps.k12.md.us
Office: (301)766-8426
Upcoming Dates:
September 2 - Students will have until September 2nd to submit requests for class changes. If your child needs a schedule change, contact the counseling center at 301.766.8426.
October- Counselors will be presenting to students in their English classes.
During this time they will be discussing the following topics: academics, college and career goals, and social emotional well-being.
October 12th - Countywide PSAT Day for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be facilitated during the school day at no cost to students. Students can access resources on collegeboard.org to prepare and will receive more information in preparation for the practice test prior to the exam.
October 21st - College Application Day
College Application day will be a day dedicated to senior students to help provide information and support in developing post-secondary plans. Resources and information will be shared regarding military, trade schools, two year and four-year colleges. Support will be available to assist students in completing college applications, navigating Naviance, and moving forward with after graduation plans.
Wildcat Sports
Check out our Wildcat Sports Schedule Here!
Meet the Wildcats: August 29th.
Fall athletes will be introduced in the stadium at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Stan Stouffer Showcase: September 3rd and 10th.
Boys soccer hosts the Stan Stouffer Showcase. Games will begin at 12:00.
JOIN THE ATHLETICS BOOSTERS! The first meeting will be August 22nd, at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there.
Chromebook Information
Good Standing Requirements
Monthly activities are being scheduled throughout the 2022-2023 school year. Some of these activities are only for those students in good standing that month. In order to be considered in Good Standing, students must meet the following requirements:
No more than 1 unexcused absence for the month
No more than 3 unexcused tardies to school
No more than 1 discipline referral
No out of school suspensions
No obligations (Once all obligations are fulfilled, students meeting all other criteria are considered in good standing immediately).
HOMECOMING:
Students must be in good standing for September.
Seniors must have completed at least 60 SSL hours.
9th and 10th grade students may not bring outside guests.
PROM:
Students must meet the criteria above.
Students must be academically eligible.
Juniors - 60 Completed SSL Hours
Seniors - ALL SSL Hours must be complete (75 hours).
Students must have been in good standings for four months (September-April).
Student Service Learning Requirements
Students in Maryland must engage in service learning in order to receive a high school diploma. Student service learning is a method of practical education that links academic learning with student service, which benefits the community. Service-learning projects must include academic preparation, service activities, and structured reflection.
Students will need to complete 75 hours of service.
HOW CAN I LEARN HOW MANY HOURS MY STUDENT HAS EARNED?
- Log into Synergy as a parent
- Click on a student, then click on "StudentVue"
- Click on "Course History"
- Click "Graduation Status" near the upper right
- Scroll to the near bottom, where you will then see the Service Learning Requirement
There is a Student Service Learning bulletin board located outside of the Counseling Center. Students should be checking the board, in addition to their Google Classroom, for opportunities to earn hours.
Synergy App Update
App Update: https://www.smore.com/j7mxb