CLARKSBURG High School
Weekly Message 2/20/22
A message from Principal Edward Owusu
Clarksburg High School Students, Staff, and Families,
This week is a shortened week as Monday is Presidents Day Holiday and schools are closed. Mid quarter interims are on the horizon next week so students should maintain that academic focus. Thank you to all of our families and especially our PTSA parents for the wonderful treats provided this past week. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
Tuesday many of our seniors in the Class of 2022 will celebrate with Tu-Tu-Twosday by wearing Tu-Tu's. You have been warned!
This week our Counseling Services staff will be delivering the Signs of Suicide county required lessons to grades 9-12 via all English and ESOL classes. We understand that this may be triggering for some of our students. Students who wish to opt out of the lesson will be invited to go to the counseling office during the delivery of the lesson. We ask that if students confide in parents/guardians that they or a friend are having suicidal ideation or engaging in unsafe behaviors that it is reported immediately. See more information within our newsletter.
Congratulations to our Track & Field, Swim and Dive, and Wrestling Teams for a great performances at respective Regional and State championships. Shout out to our Basketball, POMS and Cheerleaders on festive senior nights this past week as well as performances. This Wednesday, MCPS will host for the first time a County Basketball Championship and our Clarksburg Girls Basketball Team will play in this inaugural event. Please come out and support our girls team as they take on a strong Walt Whitman High School this Wednesday at Richard Montgomery High School. Game time is 7:15 pm. Tickets available via gofan.co.
Don't miss this opportunity to register for Spring Sports! Parents may register students for Spring sports via ParentVUE. Spring Sports are: Baseball (V & JV); Boys & Girls Lacrosse (V & JV); Softball (V & JV); Allied Softball (starts 3/8); Boys & Girls Tennis; Boys & Girls Track & Field and Boys & Coed Volleyball. (Click HERE for more information)
Seniors and senior families should note that the final date to order cap, gown, and tassel is approaching. Please see the link in the newsletter to order today.
Please continue to use this FORM to report positive COVID-19 cases in students or staff. Any student who tests positive MUST isolate for 10 days (regardless of vaccination status or symptoms). Please view the isolation and quarantine calculator to determine return to school date.
In this newsletter you will find information about the, February SMOB Update, Game Changer Conference, PTSA Message, Signs of Suicide, SAT School Day and Accuplacer, AP Exam Payments, Summer Rise Internships, CHS Media Center News, MCPS systemwide messages, Information about closings or delays, Winter Sports, Clothing Recycling, college and university visits to CHS, and more.
As always, thank you for your continued support and trust. And remember, together we are Clarksburg!
C'Burg Upcoming Events:
Monday, February 21, 2022 - Presidents Day Holiday; No School - MCPS Schools and Offices Closed
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Regular Bell Schedule; Two-Two Twosday - Senior Tu-Tu Day for Class of '22; Signs of Suicide Presentations; CIAN Rapid Testing; Edmentum Credit Recovery; Activity Busses
Wednesday, February 23; Regular Bell Schedule; Signs of Suicide Presentations; Girls Varsity Basketball County Championships - Clarksburg v. Walt Whitman @ RM @ 7:15 pm
Thursday, February 24, 2022 - Advisory Bell Schedule; Signs of Suicide Presentations; Credit Recovery; Activity Busses;
Friday, February 25, 2022 - Regular Day Bell Schedule;
Your Invitation to Summer Rise
Calling all rising MCPS 2022-2023 juniors and seniors interested in learning about a career during the month of July. The MCPS Partnerships Unit will begin taking applications to participate in the 2022 Summer RISE program at 8AM on Wednesday, February 16. Summer RISE provides students with a four-week/50-hour, career-based learning experience and introduces students to high-demand career options that match their interests. Students must be available between July 5th through July 29th. Student registration will close at 5PM on Friday, March 4.
For more information about Summer RISE and to register as a participant, click here.
UNICEF Book Drive
IMPORTANT: SAT School Day & Accuplacer Testing for Montgomery College
SAT School Day:
Attention 11th Grade Students and Parents,
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be offered at Clarksburg on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The SAT is a national exam issued by the College Board and is used to measure high school learning and predict college success. SAT content includes reading, writing and language, and mathematics. ALL Grade 11 students will be automatically registered and expected to participate in the assessment based on the Maryland College and Career Readiness Act. There will be no cost to Grade 11 students to take the SAT on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 during the school day. (An alternate school bell schedule will be provided as academic classes will be limited to the afternoon) More information will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks.
Accuplacer Testing:
The Accuplacer will also be offered on March 23, 2022 at 7:45 AM in the Auditorium. The following groups will be participating:
- 12th grade Seniors that have applied to Montgomery College (MC) and will be contacted by Mrs. Somerville
- 9th Grade PTECH students who will be contacted by Mrs. Oxenford
- Jump Start to College 10th grade students who will be contacted by Ms. Jeanpierre
A Message for Families of Advanced Placement Students
Attention Clarksburg Families of Advanced Placement Students,
All Advanced Placement exams have been ordered through College Board. All students who both registered through AP classroom and submitted their exam deposit have had an exam ordered for them. The online payment system is open now for students to pay their remaining balance. All exams must be paid for entirely by April 25, 2022. If you have any questions please contact Amber Parks at Amber_M_Parks@mcpsmd.org
New - Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12
Note from Clarksburg PTSA - February 20, 2022
“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact”. – Les Brown
Dear Clarksburg High School Families,
We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the parents and families who supported the Valentine’s Week showing of love and appreciation to the teachers and staff of Clarksburg High School. The staff enjoyed the cookies, chocolate, fruits, cupcakes, tea, breakfast goodies, and snacks/chips! Thank you so very much for all of your generous donations and support to make the week happen! A special thanks goes out to Helen Snay, Susan Francis, Karen Accardi Epstein, and Sherif Kadir for creating the sign-up sheet, the daily set up of the treats, and the assistance with the surprise lunch donated by Java Cove DC! This special week would not be possible with you and all of your support. Thank you so much, again!
We also want to thank all of our members and CHS families who attended our February 15, 2022 General Membership meeting! Our special topic of that meeting was a Meet and Greet with our new Parent Community Coordinator (PCC), Shana E. Bailey, and a discussion on Parent Burnout with Bushra Queraishi, a Licensed Behavioral Therapist. Thank you so much to Ms. Bailey and Ms. Queraishi for joining our February General Membership meeting! Our next General Membership meeting will be on April 19, 2022. We look forward to seeing you then!
Here are a few notes we would like to share for this week:
After Prom organization has begun. We had our first big meeting on February 17, 2022. We are narrowing down our venues and it is between Dave and Busters or the school. We want to hear your voices to make After Prom a fun and memorable event for all, especially our seniors. Please be on the look-out for a survey coming soon. Our next meeting will be on February 27, 2022. Link for registration to the meeting is here .
There is a Culture of Dignity webinar on February 22, 2022. The topic is, “How to restart young people’s healthy habits: Are they slacking when they’re napping?” It is free to the public. Please use this link to register, and to read more information about the webinar: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Montgomery County Public Library is hosting a virtual program with Grammy nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist, Christylez Bacon, in celebration of Black History Month. The program is free. Please use this link to register and read more about the program.
Montgomery County Councilmember, Tom Hucker, is hosting a listening session around mental health support for students. Students are highly encouraged to sign up and to also speak up at the event. Link to register for the event is here: bit.ly/MCPSmentalhealth .
Rising Juniors and Seniors, please sign up for the MCPS Summer Rise internship program. Students will be able to immerse themselves in their field of interest to increase their knowledge and skills. Please click on the link to learn more about Summer Rise and to register: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/partnerships/summer-rise/
We hope you find the above notes helpful. As always, please let us know if you have any concerns or questions. Our email is: clarksburghighschool.ptsa@gmail.com.
A few weeks back ago, we brought up the power of a story and how each one of us has amazing stories to tell. We want to highlight the uplifting story of the group of CHS students who are rallying together as part of the Coyotes for a Cure 3.0 team to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Their goal is to raise $100,000 in just seven weeks! Our president, Nadia Syahmalina, took part in one of their initiatives to honor and remember her loved ones who lost their battles with cancer. As they passed away overseas, she has not been able to pay her respects to them. Coyotes for a Cure gave her the ability to pay that respect. If you have the time, please do check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/189324054979191/ to see how we can support these inspiring Coyotes to reach their goal and help raise funds for blood cancer research that can lead to a cure.
We are so very grateful to be a part of a generous, thoughtful, and inspiring community. We keep learning how interconnected we all are and how powerful the smallest gestures can be. Thank you for being there for the community as students, as families, as teachers, and as staff.
We have a few very important committees/positions that need to be filled:
Afterprom Committee (this committee will help organize After Prom, which will be held on April 29, 2022. This is just nine weeks away. After Prom was organized to ensure students will have a safe, fun, and alcohol-free night following the annual prom dance. We really need your support to make this happen!
Nominating Committee (this committee helps the election process of the PTSA. We will hold our general election in May 2022).
Audit Committee (this committee will help conduct a financial review of the PTSA before the general election in May 2022).
Thank you so much for all of your support and if you are not a member yet of the PTSA, please join us by clicking on this link: https://chs-ptsa.memberhub.com/store
May we all have a great and fun-tastic week!
Kind regards,
Clarksburg High School PTSA 2021-2022
Signs of Suicide Parent Letter
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) remains committed to sharing information and resources about mental health topics that could potentially impact students. During the 2017-2018 school year MCPS reviewed programs and activities that support the physical, social, and psychological well-being of students. A variety of initiatives (e.g. mindfulness, individual and group counseling, wellness initiatives, etc.) are available for students to participate in at each school.
We know that the teenage years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—challenging for teens, their parents/guardians, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (which is one of the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age than before. The prevalence of depression in adolescents and young adults increased from 8.7 percent in 2006 to 11.3 percent in 2014 (Mojtabai, et. al, 2016). Suicide also is the second leading cause of death among 11–18 year old youth in the United States (Centers for Disease Control, 2015).
To proactively address this issue, MCPS is enhancing its suicide prevention curriculum using the Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program. Currently, MCPS uses the Red Flags suicide prevention curriculum to discuss this topic in Health courses. The SOS® Program is a youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvement in students’ knowledge and adaptive attitudes towards suicide risk and depression, as well as a reduction in actual suicide attempts. Listed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, the SOS® Program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40 to 64 percent in randomized control studies (Aseltine, et al., 2007; Schilling, et al., 2016).
Our goals for participating in this program are straightforward:
To help students understand that depression is a treatable illness,
To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression,
To provide students with the education and skills to recognize the signs of serious depression and potential suicidality in a friend, and
To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
All students in Grade 6 through 12 will participate in the Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program. The program will be implemented between February 22nd and February 25. Students also will receive handouts that include the Act to Save a Life student newsletter and a list of school, local, and national resources that are available on mental health needs. A copy of the resource list is attached.
If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school counselor, Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Mr. Edward Owusu
Principal
CHS Media Center Newsletter - February 2022
Happy February, Coyotes! There's so much to learn and love this month. Dive in with this issue of our monthly newsletter: (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
- Share your love of your school library for a chance to win $100 Amazon gift card!
- Go on a blind date... with a book <3
- Explore our February resource collections: Black History Month, Great Books by Black Authors, Lunar New Year, President's Day, The Olympics, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day
- New contest to win a prize: Last Lines!
- Peep our NEW BOOKS!
- Spotlight on Digital Citizenship: Civil Discourse Online (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
(Links to an external site.Click HERE (Links to an external site.) to read the newsletter. Enjoy and reach out with any questions, comments, feedback!
Mrs. Blanchard, Your CHS Media Specialist
MCPS Seven Things to Know - 2/17/22
Here are seven things to know for today, Thursday, Feb. 17. They include updates on the recommended FY 2023 operating budget, information about COVID-19 rapid test kits, inclement weather make-up plans, safety and social-emotional supports and more.
Strategic Additions to the FY 2023 Operating Budget Investments Discussed with the Board of Education
On Feb. 14, the Board of Education received an update on the FY 2023 recommended operating budget, including:- additional investments to support security in schools;
- Supports for students’ and staff’s social-emotional well-being and mental health, including telehealth services;
- Communications and community engagement enhancements;
- and more.
You can view the discussion online and review the presentation. These investments would be supported by:
- The annual MCPS operating budget;
- One-time funds provided through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER);
- Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (also known as Kirwan), which provides money to school districts in targeted areas.
Masks Still Required in MCPS Schools and Offices
Although Montgomery County is scheduled to lift mask mandates after Feb. 21, MCPS currently is maintaining its mask mandate for students and staff. The school system will review all available information and consult with local health officials about any change to this mandate in the coming days. Any changes to guidance will be communicated immediately.COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Tests Being Distributed
MCPS continues to distribute rapid test kits to all students and staff every 3 weeks through the month of March. These kits are an important part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.VIDEO: directions for use of COVID-19 rapid test kit
Staff and parents of students are reminded to report positive test results through the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Tool. (Reminder: these are nasal (nose) rapid test kits, please refer to the directions included in the kits prior to use)
Inclement Weather Day Make-Up Plan to be Released Next Week
MCPS closed schools due to inclement weather on Jan. 3, 4, 7 and 20, in addition to adding a planned system wide closure on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. These closures mean that MCPS must make up three instructional days to meet the required 180 days of instruction. The plan for making up the days will be shared with families next week.Safety, Security and Well-Being Parent Voice Forums
As part of the ongoing well-being, safety, and security review in all MCPS schools, district staff will be engaging parents from various school communities in the coming weeks in parent interest forums.
The conversations will cover:- Mental Health and Social-Emotional Well-Being
- Creating Safe and Equitable School Environments
- Safety, Security and Community Engagement Officer Program Enhancements
More information will be shared as forums are scheduled. Learn more about the work..
Upcoming Antiracist Audit Survey Reminder
All students in Grade 4 through Grade 12 will take an age-appropriate, anonymous survey in school between March 1 and March 31. Each school will decide on the date to administer the survey.- To opt your student out of this survey, complete this form and submit it no later than 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2022.
- These resources will explain the survey:
- The video that all students will see right before they take the survey
- Brief overview of the Antiracist System Audit (also in español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ)
- Explanation of what the survey will look like
- Frequently Asked Questions (also in español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ)
No MCPS Schools Entering 10-Day Virtual Learning Period
No schools will transition to virtual learning next week. MCPS will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and school operations on in-person learning and, if necessary, identify schools for temporary virtual learning.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH MCPS
As a reminder, here's a summary of the places where information is posted when the school system announces school cancellations, delayed openings or early closures due to weather conditions and other emergencies.
Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Other Food Deliveries
As a reminder, Students have limited options for lunch, including cafeteria served hot meals, which are free everyday, or to bring their own lunch. Delivery drivers are turned away at the school and when necessary, the food is confiscated and returned at the end of the school day.
All visitors to the school, even those attempting to deliver food, must use the main entrance only. Please discourage your students from attempting to have food delivered at other doors around the building. This creates a significant safety and security concern for your student and our school. Violations of this create a drain on resources and at times have caused such alarm that we have had to engage additional security and the police. Please help us continue to focus on the safety and security needs of the school by not ordering these meals to the school and by discouraging your child from ordering from a delivery service.
Important Reminders from our Attendance Office
Please review these important attendance reminders:
- If a student is late to school for any reason they must stop by the attendance office to sign in. This also applies if a student needs to sign out early with parent permission or parent pick up. An accurate sign-in/out time must be recorded in the system. (Please note: If a student does not stop by the attendance office then anything that the student is marked absent for will stay in the system).
- Please make sure whoever is signing the student out is on their emergency pick-up contact list in Parent VUE & is at least 21 years of age.
- Any notice sent for a student to sign out early must be submitted in writing.
Also, please remember that all parents/guardians and visitors are required to show ID upon entering our building.
All Means All and the Important Work of Access and Opportunity for All Students
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES & STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) publishes two documents that help students, parents, and staff and understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules.
A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Student Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines the various disciplinary responses.
All MCPS families have received a copy of these documents. Students were provided copies in their English Classes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand their rights and responsibilities and the district’s expectations for student conduct. If you have questions, please speak to the Clarksburg Administration.
Ways To Report
Bullying, harassment (including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment), intimidation, hazing, incidents of hate-bias, and concerning issues involving student gender identity are not tolerated in MCPS. We are committed to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools. Please see the multiple ways you can file a report below.
To file a Bullying Form online, click HERE
To file a Child Abuse & Neglect Form online, click HERE
To contact the MCPS Title IX Coordinator, click HEREHow You Can Report
✓ Contact school principal, counselor, student welfare liaison, or any MCPS staff member.
✓ Contact the Montgomery County Police Department, 301-279-8000.
✓ Submit MCPS Form 230-35, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form.
✓ Contact the MCPS Title IX Coordinator at TitleIX@mcpsmd.org. Reports and allegations concerning MCPS employees will immediately involve the Department of Compliance and Investigations. They can be reached at DCI@mcpsmd.org.
✓ Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line is an anonymous reporting system used to report threats to the safety and/or well-being of students. Call 1-833-MD-B-SAFE or download the App.
✓ Contact the Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP) for support. VASAP provides information, referrals and advocacy, as well as crisis and ongoing counseling for victims of sexual assault.
✓ Contact the Montgomery County Hotline at 240-777-4357. A trained staff member or volunteer will provide supportive listening and information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
✓ Send a text to EveryMind hotline telephone number, 301-738-2255, daily between noon and midnight.
✓ Use the MCPS Student Reporting Phone Application (Currently In Development)College/Career Center Update - Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Friday, February 25, 2022
Clarksburg High School
College/Career Center Update
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Friday, February 25, 2022
The Clarksburg High School College/Career Center provides in-person services daily from 7:15 am through 3:30 pm. Visit the Career Center website and Career Center on Twitter: @Cburg_Readiness. Join the Career Center Canvas page. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Somerville at Cintonya_A_Somerville@mcpsmd.org. Seniors, please bring copies of all acceptance and scholarship letters to the Career Center or email Cintonya_A_Somerville@mcpsmd.org.
Seniors
Complete the FAFSA now! Create (2 FSA IDs One parent and student). Create an MD CAPS’ account, if you are attending college in the State of Maryland!
Attending MC, deadline for Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is March 1, 2022. The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship that is available to students who enroll at Maryland community colleges.
Apply to Montgomery College and complete these four steps (Raptor Reference Guide)! If you need assistance with the application, come by the Center before school, during lunch or after school. Additional resources and information link.
Scholarships - FREE Money
Prepared by: Cintonya Somerville, CHS CCIC
C'Burg Athletics
Return to RAISE Communication 2.18.22
Please refer to the February 18 update for the latest information regarding MCPS Athletics. A Spanish version is also available.
Key update:
Effective Tuesday, February 22, there will be no restrictions on spectator capacity related to COVID-19.
Updated Forms on Website:
The latest information continues to be available on the COVID-19 Athletics Information webpage.
Request A National Honor Society Peer Tutor
Clarksburg High School
Email: Edward_K_Owusu@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/clarksburghs/
Location: 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-6000
Facebook: facebook.com/clarksburghighschool
Twitter: @Cburg_Coyotes