Clarksburg High School
Weekly Message 12/19/21
A message from Principal Edward Owusu
Clarksburg High School Students, Staff, and Families,
We are in the final days of 2021 and I want to commend our staff, students, and families for their patience and resilience in dealing with a myriad of events. From staffing shortages, cancellation of sports/activities, technology issues, Tik Tok online threats, or COVID sickness, its been a roller coaster ride. And by the way, that's just the past week! We will get through this. I have so much gratitude for our Clarksburg community who have stepped up in so many ways, too numerous to name. Please know you are appreciated. That spirit of Clarksburg, emphasizing that Be Good, Do Good mantra carries us through it all with purpose and direction. Thank you.
This week is a shortened one, with classes Monday through Wednesday. All MCPS schools and offices will be closed Thursday, December 23 to begin the Winter Break and Holiday. Schools will reopen on January 3, 2022.
Thank you to the families that came to our first COVID Vaccination Clinic at Clarksburg this Saturday. 181 people were seen and able to get free vaccinations against COVID. The Clinic will return to Clarksburg on January 8, 2022. Please see the newsletter to learn about other action we are taking to address the spread in COVID at CHS.
Our Winter Choral Concert unfortunately has to be postponed and we have had to modify the calendar of a few teams for the Winter Sports Season. Check out the events listed and come out to support our Coyotes!
Please be sure to check out the schedule of college and university visits as well as the many scholarships that are available to our students. See the College and Career section of our newsletter and reach out to Ms. Somerville our coordinator with questions.
In this newsletter you will find information about the December SMOB Minute, MCPS systemwide messages, CHS Media Center News, supporting CHStage, Winter Sports, Clothing Recycling, college and university visits to CHS, and more.
As always, thank you for your continued support and trust. We will get through this. Happy Holidays and see you in the new year. And remember, together we are Clarksburg!
C'Burg Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 20 - Regular Bell Schedule; Girls Var. Basketball - Clarksburg at Northwest Varsity 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 21 - Advisory Bell Schedule; Edmentum Credit Recovery; Activity Busses
Wednesday, December 22 - Indoor T&F Meet #1 at PG Sportsplex (Athletes may enter at 12:30pm); Bocce - Northwest at Clarksburg 3:30pm; Girls Basketball - Springbrook at Clarksburg JV 5:30pm / V 7:15pm
Thursday, December 23 - Friday, December 31 - Schools and Offices CLOSED for Winter Break
Monday, January 3, 2022 - CHS Reopens - Regular Bell Schedule
A message regarding the rise in COVID cases at CHS
We are taking concerns regarding the increase in COVID cases seriously, and I am in constant contact with MCPS officials to identify and implement increased mitigation measures. Please note that if your child has tested positive they should stay home. Here is a student health checklist to use to make that determination if your child has symptoms. Additionally, if your child is a close contact of someone that has tested positive my administrative team will call and email you a letter via Synergy. Additionally, I am writing to share the steps we are taking:
- Collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) outbreak team, which is a group that will assist the school with contact tracing and communication.
- Pausing practices and games for any athletic team that has 3 or more cases - Pausing JV & Varsity Boys Basketball, Co-Ed Wrestling, Cheerleading, and POMS. Wrestling may come off pause and resume practicing on Wednesday 12/29. Boys Basketball may come off pause and resume practicing on Thursday 12/30.
Messages regarding duration of paused practices and competitions will be sent soon. - Athletics - All tournaments/invitationals/contests over break (12/23-1/2) are cancelled. Optional practices over break are allowed.
- Suspension of all Afterschool Non Athletics Extracurricular Activities - In an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep schools open, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has recommended Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) suspend all afterschool, non-athletic extracurricular activities from December 20, 2021 to January 7, 2022. Assemblies, performances, and club meetings may continue during the instructional day but should be limited to students and staff. All activities that occur after school may move to a virtual experience. Extracurricular activity staff should consider preparing for continued virtual experiences should DHHS extend the suspension timeline beyond January 7, 2022.
- Sharing additional DAILY announcements over the PA system and during Advisory regarding the importance of adhering to best mitigation practices (mask wearing, sanitizing, staying home when sick, and getting tested for COVID-19 as needed).
- A second CHS vaccination clinic is planned for Saturday, January 8 from 10 am - 6 pm for any child 12 years and older that would include 1st, 2nd, or booster vaccine. The clinic will have a capacity of 200 vaccines. Registration Link will be sent at a later date in a separate message.
There are several immediate ways you can help to stop the spread of COVID-19 at Clarksburg High School:
- Reinforce the importance of appropriately wearing masks to your children. As I shared with students previously, the consistent and proper wearing of masks is a mandatory requirement; this is not optional. Students who do not wear masks properly while in the building may be removed from the academic program and begin to lose other privileges, such as participation in extracurricular activities. Eating and drinking shall be limited in classrooms during classes (water shall be permitted). During the lunch period, students should spread out as much as possible and wear their masks once they are finished eating.
- If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, do not send them to school. These symptoms include fever, cough, headache, and shortness of breath. Whether your child is vaccinated or unvaccinated, symptomatic individuals must remain home.
- Frequent testing is another important mitigation strategy. If your child experiences any of the symptoms listed above, please have them tested. In addition, please see below for information concerning on-site asymptomatic testing at Clarksburg High School. If you would like your child tested, please follow the directions below.
- All high school students are eligible for vaccinations. It is encouraged for all students to be vaccinated, barring any medical exemptions.
Please see the MCPS website for additional COVID-19 information. You can also see the quarantine and contact tracing updates from November 8 for more information. Finally, the Quarantine Decision Flowchart is a concise resource if you have any questions about the expectations and decisions around student quarantine.
On-Site Asymptomatic COVID Screening Test MCPS, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, is offering COVID-19 screening tests to students in all grades at no cost. Testing is one of the significant mitigation tactics MCPS will use this fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends random asymptomatic COVID-19 testing because it detects and can limit the spread of the virus, even in the absence of visible symptoms. This individual screening test requires that families “opt-in” and consent for students to be tested. A random sample of students in these grades will be identified and tested on a weekly basis with parental consent. Fully vetted and authorized contractors, not MCPS staff, will administer the tests. The opt-in form is necessary to allow your child to be a part of this testing process and can be found here. All parents are strongly encouraged to complete this form to increase the effectiveness of the testing program overall and increase the safety for all students.
Thank you and please reach out to me if you have questions, comments, or concerns.
~ Edward Owusu
Community Update - 12/17/21
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.
Course Schedule Change Request Window
Schedule Change Message for Seniors:
Seniors who are requesting an adjusted partial day schedule for the Spring semester of 2022 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 19th. Students who wish to change their course requests now for the second semester must contact their school counselor no later than January 19th, 2022 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.
CHS Student Schedule Change Process (Once the second semester starts)
Second semester starts January 25th.The schedule change request window will open back up and will run from February 4th to February 11th. Students can pick up schedule change request forms from their counselor in the counseling office starting February 3rd before school starts, during lunch or after school. No schedule change requests will be considered after the February 11th deadline. Students should return their completed schedule change request form to their counselor. Once students submit their request, it will be evaluated by their teacher, counselor, and administrator. The student and family will then be notified of the final decision and, if approved, a schedule change will be made. Please see here for counselor assignments.
Solicitud Para Cambio de Horario/Clase (Ya comenzado el segundo semestre)
El segundo semestre comienza el 25 de enero. La ventana para pedir cambios se abrirá de nuevo del 4 al 11 de febrero. Los estudiantes podrán obtener la forma para solicitar cambio visitando a su consejero(a) comenzando el 3 de febrero antes del comienzo del día escolar, durante la hora de almuerzo o al finalizar el día escolar. No se considerarán cambios después de la fecha límite del 11 de febrero. Los estudiantes deberán regresar sus formas completamente llenas a su consejero(a). Una vez haya sido sometida, será evaluada por el maestro, consejero y administrador. Luego el estudiante y familia serán notificados de la decisión final, y si está aprobado, se hará el cambio del horario/clase. Favor de ver el listado de consejeros(as) here.
Help Support CHStage - The Clarksburg High School Theater Program
Thank you! We appreciate your support!
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.
College/Career Center Update - December 20, 2021 through December 21, 2021
Clarksburg High School
College/Career Center Update
Monday, December 20, 2021 - Tuesday, December 21, 2021
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.
1. Seniors, please bring copies of all acceptance and scholarship letters to the Career Center or email at Cintonya_A_Somerville@mcpsmd.org.
How are you paying for your education? Seven (7) items needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Create your FSA ID. Next, complete an MD CAPS’ account? If you need assistance, come by the Career Center.
Attend MC visits to CHS. Apply to Montgomery College for FREE! If you need assistance with the application, come by the Center before school, during lunch or after school. The process takes twenty minutes.
Campus Visits
No visits planned for this week.
Class of 2022 (12)
Montgomery Scholars Scholarship (MC) Deadline: January 6, 2022
Macklin Business Institute Scholarship MBI) Honors Program (MC) Deadline Extended: January 19, 2022
Montgomery College Board of Trustee Scholarship (12) Deadline: March 1, 2022
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship (12) - Deadline: March 1, 2022
Anthony Richard Tilghman Memorial Scholarship Trust Deadline: March 1, 2022
Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (3 Scholarships) County-Wide Scholarship, MCAC Educational Program Scholarship Deadline: March 14, 2022
Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship - Deadline: March 14, 2022
2022 Pearls of Hope Community Foundation, Incorporated (POHCF) Scholarship Programs (12) - February 22, 2022
Class of 2023 (11)
2022 Coolidge Scholarship-Nomination Required (11) Deadline: January 19, 2022
Class of 2024 (10)
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest [Damascus Post 171] (9-12) Deadline: December 20, 2021
Class of 2025 (9)
Scholastic Art and Writing Scholarships (9-12) Deadlines Vary
Prepared by: Cintonya Somerville, CCIC
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)C'Burg Athletics
Coyote Athletics Upcoming Events
The Winter Sports Season continues this week and we want to ensure you have all the information to come out and support your COYOTES!!!!
Here are some important highlights:
All spectators MUST remain masked while indoors. Participating student athletes, officials are permitted to remove masks during competition.
Welcome to the world of digital ticketing! ALL MCPS High Schools will utilize www.GoFan.co website to purchase electronic tickets. All spectators may purchase tickets through the following means:
- Click this link: https://gofan.co/app/school/MD27281 and select the event and buy the tickets. Each ticket is $5 ($4 plus $1 service fee) for everyone ages 11-61. 10 and under & 62 and older is free. IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT "swipe" (redeem) the tickets until arrival at our ticket boo/entrance. Tickets may only be redeemed in the presence of our ticket manager at the door. Tickets redeemed prior to arrival at the event will require the purchase of a new ticket.
- Spectators may also type ‘GoFan’ into any browser. Once on the site, search for Clarksburg HS and buy the tickets
- CHS will have a QR code linked to the above site posted at our ticket booth at the school.
- Spectators may pay cash at the gate. $5 for everyone ages 11-61. 10 and under & 62 and older is free.
- Children that are not of high school age must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. (This includes middle school students that must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Please note that all basketball games are showing up as 7:15pm even though the JV games are at 5:30pm. Also note that our away, out of county, games are not listed on the GoFan site.
Concessions will be available so spectators may purchase food and drink. Food and drink must be consumed in lobby areas or outside. No food or drink will be permitted inside gymnasiums for spectator consumption.
Return to RAISE Communication 12.17.21
Please refer to the December 17 communication for the latest updates regarding MCPS Athletics. A Spanish version is also available. The updated Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan is here. As communicated systemwide this afternoon, athletic practices and contests can continue as scheduled, because of the vaccination requirement for MCPS Athletics. However, please note the following guidance from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services:
- All contests during Winter Break (December 23-January 2) are cancelled; optional practices are allowed, per MCPS regulations.
- Beginning Monday, Dec. 20, if a team has three or more active positive COVID-19 cases, all team activities must be paused for 14 days (this will begin on Dec. 20, not retroactive).
- The indoor track and field season is scheduled to begin on December 22, 2021 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex. Tickets are only available through GoFan and are limited to the first 400 fans. Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within the past 72 hours of the meet is required to enter the Sportsplex. More information is available here.
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