Husky Highlights Newsletter
February 2022
Principal's Message
Welcome to the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year. I am so very proud of our Tuscarora Huskies who worked so hard to stay on top of their studies and coursework throughout the second quarter and with all the snow days. A special thanks to teachers and parents for your continuous motivation and encouragement of our students throughout this school year.
Happy Lunar New Year for our families who celebrate. We wish you a wonderful year of the tiger.
During the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. I would like to take this opportunity to extend gratitude and appreciation to our Black and African American community members for your contributions to our society. Tuscarora will be honoring Black History Month with a celebratory event on Wednesday, February 23rd. Please stay tuned for more information.
This newsletter is packed with lots of exciting news, celebrations, and opportunities for our Huskies. Please be sure to stay connected with the Husky community.
The following highlights a few important reminders.
- Thank you so much, Huskies, for continuing to follow the Covid-19 mitigation protocols. We know it may be a hassle, and we are appreciative that you take these steps to keep your school community safe. Please continue to follow these Covid-19 mitigation protocols so that we can do our part to stay in in-person learning. Updated information is included in this newsletter.
- For students who need a little bit more support to be successful with 2nd quarter, please take advantage of Credit Recovery opportunities. Please see your teachers or school counselor for more information about Credit Recovery.
- As we look into the second semester, please take advantage of the Tuscarora SLED program. SLED is an afterschool program designed to provide academic support for all students. Please take advantage of this program to support your student's academic success.
- As we connect with your students to plan for future course scheduling, please stay on top of all updates from the School Counseling Office.
As always, please connect with me or my staff and let us know how we can support you.
Pamela Croft
Principal
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
IMPORTANT REMINDER: TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY
Regardless of the condition of Chromebooks, please be sure to bring your device on Thursday and Friday, February 3 and 4th.
Thank you so much for your cooperation and teamwork!
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
COVID-19 Updates
As per Superintendent Ziegler's communication on January 26th, there will be communication each Wednesday to provide updated information "as further guidance about mask-wearing evolves". Please visit the 2021-2022 Mask and Mitigation Plan for the latest information.
As per these guidelines, all employees, visitors, volunteers, parents/guardians, and students older than 2 years of age are required to wear a well-fitting mask at all times, except as referenced in the "Periodic Breaks" and "Exceptions" sections of the 2021-2022 Mask and Mitigation Plan. This includes while in the LCPS school buildings, at school activities, and while entering, exiting, and riding the school bus.
Thank you in advance for exhibiting care for our school community.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
ATHLETICS
Happy February Husky Nation!
Information regarding what is needed for upcoming Spring Seasons:
Forms needed include a current VHSL Physical dated after May 1, 2021. The online registration is open for the entire year at the athletic website. Please visit www.huskyathletics.info to access the online registration and for schedules and general information.
Covid Updates Regarding Athletics:
FACE COVERINGS (MASKS)
Regardless of vaccination status, all employees, visitors, volunteers, parents/guardians, and
students older than 2 years of age are required to wear a well-fitting mask at all times, except as referenced below in the Exceptions section. This includes while in the LCPS school buildings, at school activities, and while entering, exiting, and riding the school bus.
Parents/guardians, vendors, and visitors to LCPS buildings are expected to demonstrate a high level of community concern for self and others to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Parents/guardians, vendors, and visitors will be reminded that masks are required while inside a school or administration building and asked to put on a mask in accordance with the CDC recommendations and Chapter 456.
Exceptions:
Exceptions to this requirement will be made in accordance with the CDC and the VDH
recommendations regarding masks. Students and staff will not be required to wear a mask in
the following circumstances:
- while eating or drinking (Students may remove masks only while eating or drinking. Students will wear a mask while entering and exiting the cafeteria, waiting in lines, socializing or otherwise not eating or drinking.)
- during recess, physical education (PE), or other outdoor extra-curricular activities (Students must wear a mask while in indoor PE classes, but may remove them while participating in physical education activity. In PE, masks will be worn while waiting in line, participating in direct instruction or otherwise not engaged in physical activity. PE teachers will prioritize activities that allow for physical distancing indoors to the greatest extent possible. For team practices and games indoors, participants will wear masks while on the sidelines but may remove them during play.)
- when receiving medical attention,
- while communicating with people who are hearing impaired for which the mouth needs to be visible.
*ALERT* The physical form has changed and must be competed on the new form: 2021 VHSL Physical Form
Our social media sites are @TuscaroraHusky on twitter and TuscaroraHusky on Instagram. We encourage you to follow those to receive immediate updates when they occur.
If you have other questions please email Athletic Director Tony Tallent; Tony.tallent@lcps.org
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
CELEBRATIONS FROM OUR FINE & PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT
Performance Ensembles
Congratulations to all of our performance ensembles for a great two months of entertainment.
VA Thespian Conference
Tuscarora Performing Arts participated in the 2022 VA State Thespian Conference at Shenandoah University. TPA mounted Songs for a New World on the professional college stage at Shenandoah University in front of 30 high schools from across the state.
Five of our students earned a superior rating on their individual events: Congratulations to Patrick Hensley, Amanda Anthony, Claudia Hunn, Ava Peach and Jordan Ayoub. And Claudia and Amanda held the top two performances in the state out of 168 individual events having the honor to perform their pieces in front of the entire conference.
Dillan Vanzego auditioned for 16 colleges and received multiple offers and acceptances. Great work to all students who attended the conference and performed.
All District Band
Congratulations to the following students who will participate in the All-District Band in February.
Jia Kan Choo, Clarinet
Collin Pryal, Trombone
Jayden Bruce, Percussion
Jia Kan and Jayden have also placed high enough to audition for the all state band.
All District Chorus
Congratulations to our choral students who auditioned and were accepted to All District Choir. The event will be at Rock Ridge on February 11th and 12th.
Sydney Nicklas
Mackenzie Haskell
Alyce Snead
Katelyn Gomez
Tyler Steeprow
John Gibson
AP Art Entry
6x8 in, Prisma colored pencils, white gel pen, and acrylic paint on mixed media paper
"This piece depicts how teenagers often struggle with expressing emotions. A buildup of varying emotions and feelings can cause internal confliction, anxiety, or even depression. The dull colors represent how internal feelings can radiate through a person's external expressions. Her blank face shows that mixed emotions can become too heavy to the point where we shut down. The faces in the background are roughly sketched because it expresses how they are passing feelings rather than permanent emotions."
AP Art Entry
"This piece represents the disconnect in relationship when a person is closed off to the other. I decided to have one hand replicate a statue and the other is human flesh. I had one hand reaching out to the other while the other is not truly reciprocating. This piece described how I felt in many of my relationships and I wanted to highlight the strain that puts on others and myself."
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Updates from School Counseling
Beginning the week of February 2, School Counselors will be meeting with students to discuss their course selections for the 22-23 academic year. Please check the LCPS Program of Studies for course descriptions or have your student reach out to their school counselor.
Tracy Mandina, School Counselor (A - COF & AVID 1 & 4)
Angela Barley, School Counselor (COG - HAC & AVID 2 & 3)
John Han, School Counselor (HAD - McA)
Megan Beardsley, School Counselor (McB - SCHE)
Samantha Charmo, School Counselor (SCHI - Z)
Jennifer L. Reed, Director of School Counseling
National School Counseling Week is February 7th - 11th, 2022. Take a brief moment to show your appreciation for your School Counselor by dropping by, saying hello, and maybe even an "elbow bump".
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
2022 YEARBOOK
Here is our cover photo for the 2022 yearbook!
To order your copy today, visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter our school code: 13699
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
NEWS FROM CONTENT DEPARTMENTS
English Learner Department
February 2nd will be the first day of ACCESS testing for our EL students. The testing will take several school days to complete.
The WIDA ACCESS test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
The student's growth is documented along with their level of English acquisition, and is used to determine accommodations they will receive ( Read Aloud, Word to Word Dictionaries, Extended Time, etc.)
*Please encourage your EL students to give their best effort when taking the test!*
Making Math Count!
Welcome to the second semester of the school year. SOL classes are progressing at a strong pace. During this second semester, students will continue to learn new content alongside with test taking strategies to help them perform successfully on their SOL assessment.
EVERY NINTH grade student, regardless of the course they are enrolled in, must take the SOL assessment if they are enrolled in a math SOL course.
Please continue to encourage your student to complete all assignments and seek help when needed. Starting in the month of February, SLED is back. SLED is our after school tutoring program. Students will be able to receive extra academic help every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Peer tutors and teachers will be available to support students on content already presented in class and also help students build strong foundations for upcoming content.
If your student can benefit from this opportunity, please encourage them to take advantage of this program.
Science Celebrations!
Join me in Congratulating Freshman Katie Andrade for being chosen for the Leesburg Garden Club Scholarship to attend Nature Camp 2022.
Nature Camp is a 2 week overnight camp in the George Washington National Forest, July 3- 16, 2022. Leesburg Garden Club is sponsoring 4 students from LCPS to attend. Info about the camp can be found here: https://naturecamp.net
Katie is an exceptional and diligent Earth Science student! She desires to learn more about Nature and appreciates and is so excited about the opportunity!
DECA
Congratulations! The DECA chapter at Tuscarora High School earned recognition in DECA’s Chapter Campaign Program for the 2021-2022 school year. Our Tuscarora DECA chapter is commended for its efforts to showcase the impact that DECA has in preparing our school’s emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for college and career success and making a difference in our community.
Tuscarora DECA also earned recognition through its listing on DECA Direct Online for our 2021-2022 Membership Campaign. As a Career and Technical Student Organization, DECA has had a positive impact on the college and career readiness of our youth for 75 years by providing meaningful connections among the school, community and business partners. Through DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program, students are engaged in experiential learning methods and authentic activities relating to careers in marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and management. DECA’s programs are aligned with National Curriculum Standards and support 21st Century Skills, Common Core Standards and Common Career Technical Core Standards.
Thanks to Tuscarora High School’s commitment to supporting experiential learning opportunities through our Tuscarora DECA chapter to assist in the development of academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.
Straight from Social Science!
Individual history tutors are also available during study halls. Please email Mrs. Lane at stefanie.lane@lcps.org if you are interested.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
SLED Opportunities
During SLED students can:
- work with peer tutors to get help with homework, assignments, and studying.
- work with teachers to review or relearn class materials.
- complete assessments.
- work with peer tutors or teachers to strengthen skills for upcoming class content.
These are just a few ways SLED can provide support for your student's academic success.
Afterschool bus transportation will be available for students participating in the SLED program
If you are interested in this afterschool program, please reach out to your student's teacher(s), school counselor, or Assistant Principal.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Notable Dates
DDI - Technology Inventory (Bring Chromebooks to School)
- Thursday, February 3, 2022 and Friday, February 4, 2022
School Counseling Week
- Monday, February 7, 2022 - Friday, February 11, 2022
SLED Program Begins
- Tuesday, February 8, 2022 (4:15PM - 6:15PM)
- Thursday, February 10, 2022 (4:15PM - 6:15PM)
- Every Tuesday & Thursday afternoon from 4:15PM - 6:15PM
Holiday - Presidents' Day
- Monday, February 21, 2022
Black/African-American History Celebration
- Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Excellence in Education Awards
- Thursday, February 24, 2022
Student Holiday
- Monday, March 7, 2022
End of Quarter 3
- Friday, April 8, 2022
Spring Break
- Monday, April 11 - 15, 2022
Student Holiday
- Monday, April 18, 2022
Tuscarora High School
Website: lcps.org/Tuscarora
Location: 801 North King Street, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: (571) 252-1900
Twitter: @TuscaroraHS