Panther Post
Pikesville High School Newsletter | February 2017
From the Principal's Desk
Greetings Pikesville High Family,
Welcome to the official mid-point of the academic year. We are fully immersed in teaching our varied curricula with the utmost skill and refining our PARCC, SAT, and AP preparatory work. Our continued goal is to see more of our students achieving at higher levels of success in their coursework and on upcoming, high-stakes exams. The common goal and mission of every teacher at PHS is to lay the foundation for academic excellence and student achievement.
We are soliciting your support in ensuring that your child is continuously staying on top of their schoolwork. You will make a tangible difference if you are encouraging deliberate time for reading/writing and other engaging, educational, and life-long activities at home. Thank you, in advance, for cultivating a conducive home-learning environment that promotes your child’s academic growth and development. We know that, with your assistance, we can be assured that every student will be properly prepared and in possession of the necessary skill sets that will position him/her for mastery of varied studies and significant assessments.
We are thrilled to announce that our Championship Boys’ Soccer Team was recently recognized and received a citation on the floor of the State Senate in Annapolis by Senator Bobby Zirkin (a Distinguished Alumnus of PHS) and numerous elected officials. This was quite an honor for our deserving young men who continue to bask in this unprecedented status.
Our seniors are experiencing a multitude of college acceptances, our sports teams are busy “PAWsitively” representing PHS, and our expanded extra-curricular offerings are making our students more connected contributors to our School of Excellence. We are proud of our premier Lighthouse High School and the work all of us, as crucial stakeholders, are doing to create a culture of consistently high-caliber teaching and learning. Know that I appreciate your continued support; we could not do this very important work without you.
Special thanks are extended to our Associate Principal, Ms. Janine Holmes, who has served PHS so very effectively during her one-month internship during January. We are appreciative of her quality time with us and wish her the very best in her future leadership endeavors.
Lastly, we hope you will find our new Panther Post format more mobile-friendly. You can also now easily share our school news with family and friends on social media.
With Pride, Honor, and Success,
Sandra G. Reid
“Excitement in education and student productivity, the ability to get a result that you want from students, go together and cannot be separated.”
Important Dates to Remember
February is Black History Month. Click HERE for a calendar of school events.
February 15 Spring Athletics Registration Opens | Click HERE to register
February 16 Interims distributed | PTSA meeting 7:00pm | Festival Concert 7:30pm
February 17 WBAL Special Guest Jason Newton, 12-1:30pm
February 20 School Closed in observance of President's Day
February 23 Parent-Teacher conferences 2:30-5:00 pm Parent-teacher sign up form
Looking Ahead...
March 16 PTSA Substance Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, and Outcome 7:30pm
March 22 Disability Awareness Day
March 23–25 Spring Musical The Wiz 7:30pm
March 25 It's Academic airs on WJZ at 10:00am
March 30 Night of Innovation 5:30-8:30pm
March 31 Third marking period ends
May 19 Senior Award program 8:00am
May 23 Senior Picnic 10:30am-12:30pm
May 25 Senior Prom
May 30 Graduation 2:30pm
GRADE REPORTING
By now, you have received your child’s second quarter report cards that were distributed to all students on Thursday, January 26. Our many honor roll students for the quarter will receive a congratulatory token from our business partner, Chipotle, for their notable work. You are encouraged to keep abreast of your child’s performance by regularly viewing your BCPS One account. It is updated regularly, for your viewing and close monitoring. Please be reminded that all teachers offer coach classes for additional reinforcement and advancement, if desired and/or recommended. Do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers, counselor, and/or administrator with any appreciations, concerns, or questions.
Third quarter interims will be distributed during homeroom on Thursday, February 16. PTSA Parent–Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, February 23 from 2:30– 5:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you then for this outstanding opportunity to hear from, and work with, our teachers to promote even more positive outcomes for the duration of the school year. PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN UP FORM HERE (print and send in with your child)
SCHOOL COUNSELING
Even though school counselors entered students’ course requests last month, that does not mean that everything is set in stone. Parents will get a printed verification of their child’s requests in March, and we can modify students’ requests for the 2017-18 school year until June. They should just request an appointment with us to make those modifications.
Seniors: we are going to hold a day long open house in February with a financial aid expert so parents can come in and get personal assistance with completing the FAFSA. It looks like about half of the senior class has completed their FAFSA, but we don’t know who those students are, so watch your emails for an announcement about our FAFSA day.
Juniors: Beginning in February, Ms. LaVaute will be meeting with each of the juniors for college planning conferences. Be sure that you stay focused on your goals for after high school, and your decisions in and out of school reflect your long-term goals.
Sophomores: Keep working to improve upon your GPA by getting the best grades you can this year, and work on Khan Academy using your PSAT score report that you received in December. The PSAT in October will be the last college board test PHS will give before you take the SAT for college admissions.
Freshmen: With second quarter report cards released, we will be meeting with the ninth grade students who need a reminder that their performance this year will be part of their permanent record, on their high school transcript, which is a primary reference point for college admissions. The higher a student’s grade point average is beyond a 2.0 (C) average, the more options the student has. Some students are not fully accessing their resources, and others are following more temporary interests at the expense of long-term goals. Sometimes we could all use a reminder that being a student is their full-time job for at least the next several years.
From the Class of 2017
Pikesville’s Got Talent returns to PHS!
On Thursday, January 19, the senior class sponsored Pikesville’s Got Talent. The show was on hiatus last year due to the renovations occurring in the auditorium. This year’s show was hosted by senior class officers, Jamie V. and Reagan M.. The panel of esteemed judges included Mr. Dresner, Ms. Cryan, Ms. Bush, and Ms. Hall. Tylia F. won first runner up. Kyaire won the competition. Tylia’s vocal presentation of “Love on the Brain” wowed the audience, while Kyaire’s animation hip-hop took down the house. The event concluded with a surprise performance by this year’s class sponsors. Ms. Thomas received sound advice from Mr. Kotula as she experienced mock labor pains. Their lip-sync, “Push it real good” got a huge reaction from the crowd whose laughter filled the newly renovated auditorium!
Important Dates to Remember for Seniors
Senior Parent Meeting March 28, 2017 from 6:45pm – 7:30pm
Spring Musical – The Wiz – March 23, 24, & 25, 2017 at 7:30pm
AP Exams – May 1, 2017 thru May 12, 2017
Senior Awards Program, May 19, 2017 at 8:00AM
Senior Exams – May 15th thru May 18th
Senior Exams Make-Up Day is May 19th in the afternoon
Ticket/Cap and Gown distribution – May 18th from 10:45AM – 11:45AM
Graduation Rehearsal (required) May 23rd from 9:30AM – 11:00 AM in the Gym
Senior Picnic May 23rd from 11:30 – 1:30 in the stadium
Senior Prom – May 25, 2017 from 8:00pm to midnight
Last Day for Seniors – May 26, 2017
Commencement – Tuesday, May 30th at 2:30pm at Towson University
We are bringing back Purple Friday! Please show your PHS pride and wear purple on Fridays.
Chipotle Fundraiser
T-Shirt Orders Due
Stakeholder Survey
Who should take the stakeholder survey? All parents, community members, staff, and students in grades 4-12.
Why? Your anonymous feedback guides school improvement!
News from the English Department
The English department is excited to transition into our quarter 3 units. Students will be studying great works such as Canterbury Tales, "Fences," To Kill a Mockingbird, and Things Fall Apart. Students will also continue to develop their writing skills through exposure to argumentative, informational, and narrative writing prompts. Sophomores are working diligently to prepare for the PARCC exam, while Juniors continue to prepare for success on the SAT exam. Congratulations to Destiny L., winner of our English Content Celebration Challenge!
Social Studies
The Social Studies Department is helping to sponsor and prepare students for February’s Black History Month Debates. In celebration of this month, the department will also incorporate historical figures into lessons that will highlight African Americans heroes!
The It’s Academic sponsors (Mr. Dresner, Mrs. Filosa, and Mr. Goodman) will be taking their team to the television taping on February 4. Good luck team!
Mrs. Baikauskas will be taking her “Facing History” class to the Holocaust Museum in DC on February 10.
Mr. Dresner’s students in AP Psychology will spend the next month compiling scrapbooks of their own development, from birth to present, and tracking their development alongside the major stage theories they are studying in the child development unit. Students in AP U.S. History will be portraying progressive reformers and politicians of the early 20th century in a simulated "pitch" for congressional legislation.
The 9th grade American Government is currently learning the Legislative Branch Unit. As teachers continue to cover concepts and plan engaging lessons, please remember that all freshmen must pass a State HSA Government Test at the end of the year before graduating. Keep working hard and attend coach class!
Mr. Parsons and Mr. Cookingham are continuing to work on HSA Government Bridge Plans during and after school. If this pertains to you, please make sure your project is fully completed as soon as possible. Projects must be submitted for approval before credit can be received for graduation.
Changes in Required Science Courses
Changes to the Science Course Sequence and Graduation Requirements
Some very big changes are coming to the science courses offered in Baltimore County and the graduation requirements. Incoming freshman (class of 2021) will be the first graduating class under the new MSDE Science graduation requirements. The new courses are aligned with the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), http://www.nextgenscience.org/. For more about NGSS and MSDE click on the following link: http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/instruction/curriculum/science/.
Here is a summary of the changes of the course graduation requirements for science:
Current Graduation Course Requirements
(for students in classes of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020)
Biology
2 other science courses
New Graduation Course Requirements
(for students in the class of 2021 and beyond)
Earth Systems
Living Systems
Integrated Physics and Chemistry (1 class) OR Chemistry AND Physics (2 classes)
At Pikesville, and across the county, all incoming freshman in the 2017-18 school year will be enrolled in Earth Systems. Students have their remaining three years of high school to pass Living Systems and Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) OR Living Systems, Chemistry AND Physics. We will continue to offer our current selection of science electives and Advanced Placement classes as long as there is sufficient enrollment in the classes.
More information will be available about this change to the science requirements and offering at the Night of Innovation on Thursday, March 30.
Course descriptions of the new science courses being offered as a part of the shift to the Next Generation Science Standards are available online in the 2017-2018 Student Registration Handbook published by BCPS:
Earth Systems
Earth Systems is a complex, problem based course designed to investigate processes that operate on Earth and also address its place in the universe. Earth consists of a set of systems - atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere - that are intricately interconnected. Students will explore how small changes, including human impact, in one part of one system can have large and sudden consequences in parts of other systems or have no effect at all.
Living Systems
Living Systems is a problem based course designed to investigate the relationships between organisms. The study of life ranges from single molecules, through organisms and ecosystems, to the entire biosphere and its history that is all life on Earth. Students in this course explore the interconnected and interacting components of life.
Integrated Physics and Chemistry
Integrated Physics and Chemistry is a complex, problem based course designed to investigate how systems or processes depend on physical and chemical sub processes. To understand the physical and chemical basis of a system, one must consider the structure of matter at the atomic and subatomic scale and discover how it influences the system's larger scale structures, properties, and function. The goal is to help students evaluate the mechanisms of cause and effect in all systems.
The Medical Explorers Club (MEC)
- Meets on Wednesdays in Room 104 (Ms. Byrd’s classroom) from 2:10-3:15pm
- New members are always welcome.
- If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Suchin on the Medical Explorers Club Facebook Page.
The Medical Explorers Club was started a year ago to educate Pikesville High students about the boundless and exciting opportunities in the health care field. This is the second year Pikesville High School is sponsoring a club promoting future careers and personal stories in health care. MEC will be broadening the pool of speakers this year to allow students the opportunity to not only explore traditional medicine, but homeopathic medicine, integrative alternatives such a herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques, animal and music therapy, and non-profit health organizations, as well as personal stories that can educate the members regarding their health. This year, we have exciting presentations on nutrition, cancer survivors, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, OT, PT, medical researchers, dentists, veterinarians, dermatology, plastic surgery, and so much more. MEC will also be dissecting pigs in March and will have a simulation day with medical students and residents. There will be different scenarios, such as CPR or an allergic reaction and we will practice what to do. MEC will also be working in the community with a food donation day. The Medical Explorers Club welcomes anyone interested in health care, or wants to learn more about various organizations, researchers, and field specialties.
Multiculturally Rising Above Differences
The mission of MRAD (Multiculturally Rising Above Differences) is to plan and execute cultural events every month to bring collective awareness to promote unity at Pikesville High. Some of the cultural events that have occurred this school year include Diversity Day, Native American Day, Day of the Dead, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Chanukah & Christmas caroling, Chinese New Year, and upcoming events for Black History Month (BHM). During BHM, Jason Newton, WBAL news reporter, will be our guest speaker, February 17, 2017 from noon to 1:30pm. There will be an It Takes a Village luncheon following the event with a one-on-one Q& A for interested students who wish to pursue communications, journalism, and/or Media. In March, MRAD, along with Educators Rising, AVID, Model UN, and select Government students will take a trip to the Capitol in Annapolis. Students will have a chance to tour the Capitol, meet politicians, eat, and observe a live session. PHS will receive an executive citation for attending. In March, MRAD and Educators Rising, along with Nurse Merani, will host a Disability Awareness month with week-long activities and events.
For more information, email Natalie Bailey.
It's Academic!
The It's Academic Team taped its competition on Saturday, February 4 at WJZ studios and will air on March 25 at 10:00am on WJZ TV. Make sure to tune in!
The following participants, as well as other members of the club, have been working diligently to prepare. TV Team: Matt E., Zach L., Myshko C.. Alternates: Ori R. and Eddie F.
AVID
You're Invited!
April 6 Avid End of Year Celebration 6:30pm | View invitation
April 28 Avid Senior Signing at 8am | View invitation
Take our AVID QUIZ for incoming 9th Graders QUIZ!DECA
Pikesville High students place in top three in all their events at regional business conference
TOWSON, MD — Aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs from Pikesville High School participated in their first DECA Regional Conference and placed in the top three for every event they entered. DECA is an international association for high school and college students interested in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Pikesville High students participated in the DECA conference for Region 4. Hosted by Patterson Mill High School in Bel Air, the conference, held on Jan. 18, featured 11 schools from Baltimore and Harford counties and Baltimore City. Students from Pikesville placed in the following individual and team events:
Jesse A., Grade 11 – 1st place, individual principles of business management
Cydney E., Grade 11, and Andrea H., Grade 11 – 1st place, marketing management
Shayan and Shouran F., Grade 12 – 2nd place, marketing management
Ryan M., Grade 12 – 3rd place, overall marketing concepts test
Davin W., Grade 12 – 3rd place, individual business finance role play
Hannah J., Grade 11, and Tinbit B., Grade 12 – 3rd place, hospitality team event
At the conference, students participated in a marketing concepts test, and business and marketing workshops on topics including entrepreneurship and leadership development. DECA is sponsored by Kelly Seawell, a business teacher and DECA advisor, and David Kreller, school to career advisor. See the full article.
Pikesville Players
Ease on down the road with the Pikesville Player's as they go somewhere over the rainbow in The Wiz! Join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin man, and Lion on March 23, 24 and 25, 2017 beginning at 7:30pm in the PHS auditorium. Tickets: $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. The Wiz is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. and adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.
The Health Suite: Avoid the Flu
Flu Season is still prevalent in the area. Symptoms of A and B influenza include high fever, body aches , cough, and fatigue. Norovirus is also still present and symptoms include Gastro-intestinal upset. Please adhere to the 24 hour time limit before your student can return.
All medicines that a student carries with them, either OTC or prescription, must have a doctor's order. Nurse Merani has plenty of OTC medicine should your child need it throughout the day, and students are welcome to stop in.
If you are interested in being part of Pikesville Disability Week in March, as we have a committee and are planning the event, Please email Nurse Merani amerani@bcps.org
Thank you
SMOKING CESSATION GROUP
Nurse Merani, in conjunction with the Caron Group, is interested in starting an 8-week smoking cessation group. The dynamics of the group include games, strategies and much more on peer pressure and triggers associated with smoking (or any addictive type substance).
Please email Nurse Merani with questions or interest. The group will most likely start in Mid February.
Community News
For more information, click on the links below
Pikesville Rec Council Winter & Spring Schedules
Everything from ballet, lacrosse, and chess, to Hebrew and Spanish immersion classes.
Local Black History Month Events
Celebrate and learn about Maryland's role in Black history and support what our students are learning this month. Events include music, history, art, and educational activities. These events are not vetted by BCPS.
4front is Baltimore’s new open channel to high-school-age Jewish teens. We connect, collaborate, influence, and enact positive change and innovation. Check out our March 5 event HERE.
March 5 Workshop for Baltimore Homebuyers
Interested in purchasing a home? If so, attend a Housing Festival with realtors, lenders, title companies, inpsectors, movers, and more. Click Buy Baltimore for more information.
Pikesville High School Vision
Pikesville High, the heartbeat of our culturally-diverse community, is where pride in our work, and honor for ourselves and others, combine to ensure success in cultivating our globally-competitive students.
About Us
Assistant Principals
Grade 12: Ms. Alison Becker abecker2@bcps.org
Grade 11: Mr. Adam Carney acarney@bcps.org
Grade 10: Ms. Alice Burke aburke@bcps.org
Other Important Numbers:
Main Number: 410-887-1217
Guidance: 410-887-1219
Nurse: 410-484-4795
Athletic Director: 410-887-1257
Email: pmichalski@bcps.org
Website: http://pikesvillehs.bcps.org/
Location: 7621 Labyrinth Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, United States
Phone: 410-887-1217
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pikesvillehighschool/
Twitter: @PikesvilleHS