Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Acting Principal Anita O'Neill
February 18, 2024
I trust some of you enjoyed yesterday's picturesque snowfall, which thankfully proved less disruptive than anticipated. As we wrap up this extended weekend, I extend my sincerest wishes for safe travels and enjoyable moments to those who ventured out.
This week, I begin with a chorus of gratitude:
- To our remarkable staff, students, and families: your cooperation and support during our Shelter in Place situation were commendable. The community of care that exists at Clarksburg High School was evident throughout this situation. Thank you.
- A heartfelt thank you to the PTSA and families who treated our staff to a delightful array of Valentine's Day treats. Your generosity and thoughtfulness were truly felt and deeply appreciated. Thank you.
- The Spanish Honor Society's gesture of placing heartfelt valentines in staff mailboxes, coupled with messages of love and gratitude in Spanish, was incredibly touching. Thank you.
As we near the end of February, I urge all students to prioritize their academic responsibilities. March 4 marks the completion of interim reports, and I encourage each of you to diligently complete assignments and seek support from your teachers if needed. Your commitment to your academic journey is pivotal to your future success.
Attendance remains paramount to academic achievement and community cohesion. I implore all students to prioritize punctuality and full participation in every class, as it not only fosters academic growth but also strengthens our bonds as a learning community.
Each week, I take pride in spotlighting the achievements and celebrations within our school. As an example, on Friday night, we celebrated senior athletes from many of our winter teams. The mood was celebratory and the energy was high. It was clearly a proud moment for our families.
Congratulations to Junior Praneel Suvarna. Praneel has been selected as one of two finalists for the position of Student Member of the Board (SMOB) for next year. We wish Praneel many good wishes as he progresses through the process.
I'm thrilled to announce that 11 of our students have been accepted into the prestigious 2024 Maryland All State ensembles. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about the dedication and talent of our students and the unwavering support of our staff.
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month and Lunar New Year, I encourage all students to engage in the various events organized by their peers, showcasing the rich diversity of our school community.
Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate more achievements from our students across various clubs, organizations, and teams. Please take a moment to peruse this newsletter for important updates, including details on upcoming celebrations, spring sport registration, and student opportunities.
Wishing you all a resilient and rewarding week ahead!
Districtwide Culture and Climate Survey
At Clarksburg HS, we believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of your perspective. Your family's input is crucial in shaping the future of our school community, and we invite you to participate in our Family Survey.
This survey aims to gather valuable insights into your experiences and opinions regarding various aspects of our school district. Your honest feedback will help us understand what's working well and identify areas where we can improve to create a more supportive and engaging learning environment for all students.
Participating in this survey is easy, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. Your responses are completely confidential, and the information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of enhancing our educational programs and services. The survey opens February 12, 2024 and closes March 15, 2024.
To access the survey, please click on the link provided below:
https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/
We appreciate your commitment to our school community and value the unique perspectives each family brings. Together, we can continue to build a positive and thriving educational environment.
Thank you for your time and input. We look forward to hearing from you!
This Week's Featured Black History Month and Lunar New Year Student Activities
Black History Month
We have two featured events this week. First, on Friday, February 23, all students will have the opportunity to attend our Black History Month Assembly. The assembly will feature educational and entertaining segments planned by various student groups.
Second, African Student Association (ASA) is hosting a ball at Clarksburg on Friday evening from 6 to 10 pm. Details are in the flyer below.
Lunar New Year
If you have not visited the World Languages hallway in the last week, please make it a point to stop by on Friday, February 23 during lunch to participate in CHS's own version of the Lantern Festival. The Festival will be educational and provide an opportunity to earn SSL hours. Details are in the flyer below.
24-25 COYOTE PUPS PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Are you, or someone you know, in search of a top-notch preschool experience for your little one? Look no further than Coyote Pups Preschool, located at Clarksburg High School!
Coyote Pups Preschool offers a unique educational opportunity where preschool children and high school students learn and grow together. Led by CHS Child Development students, this program fosters a vibrant learning environment for both young learners and student teachers.
Here's what makes Coyote Pups Preschool stand out:
Dual Educational Experience: Children aged four and high school students collaborate in a dynamic learning environment, fostering growth and development for all participants.
Practical Application: High school students enrolled in Child Development courses get hands-on experience by implementing curriculum and techniques learned in class, under the guidance of certified early childhood professionals.
Quality Education: Our program is designed to provide a high-quality educational experience for preschoolers, ensuring they are well-prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
If your child will be four on or before September 1st, 2024, we invite you to express interest in Coyote Pups Preschool by completing our interest form here. Our preschool coordinator will be in touch with registration details in late March.
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your child's early education journey! For more information, please visit our website: COYOTE PUPS WEBSITE
PTSA Updates
MCPS Resources in Spanish
Attention Seniors
Get Those SSL Hours
News from the SSL office: Mrs. Coe will be using this GOOGLE FORM to receive SSL forms electronically INSTEAD of simply emailing the form. You can attach up to 10 files to each google form. Parents and students can both access and use this form.
In case you missed it in last week's newsletter, here are two opportunities to celebrate Black History Month and earn SSL hours. These two asynchronous projects must be completed by February 29 for a total of 4 hours. Pick one or do both. The links are below. See Ms. Coe if you have questions.
https://forms.gle/BGvzubLEz6kCK5ai7
https://forms.gle/2S8TRtn44bbSwuuW9
Upcoming dates: Meritorious Hours are due by April 3rd. All senior hours are due by May 1st.
Return Extra Chromebooks
This is for all students, but especially seniors . . . If you have more than one Chromebook, you need to return the extras immediately. Obligations of $350 per Chromebook will be added to accounts. Obligations will keep you from buying prom tickets and you will not be cleared for graduation if you have any obligation.
Senior Memorabilia
Don't miss out! Review this important information from Josten's.
Spring Sports
News from the College and Career Center
SAT Opportunities at CHS
CHS will once again host the SAT on multiple dates during the year. The dates the SAT will be held at CHS are: 3/9, 5/4, 6/1. Registration for these dates should be made through the College Board Website.
Code Purple: Virtual Learning Day
Student Opportunities
February 24: MSP Youth Anti-racist Film Festival
Please see information about an upcoming film festival sponsored by MSP, focused on anti-racism and featuring local young filmmakers. The event is February 24.
March 9: Girls Summit
See information about the upcoming Girl's Summit at Northwood High School.
March 11 to May 24: Girls with Impact
Exciting news! Montgomery County Public Schools has partnered with Girls With Impact to bring you a FREE Business and Leadership program for girls in Grades 9–12 and gender-expansive youth! Developed with Harvard leaders, this ‘mini-MBA’ program equips girls with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become tomorrow's entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. The 10-week live, online program begins the week of March 11 and ends the week of May 24. The weekly classes are one hour each and are managed by a trained coach with a master's degree in business administration providing the resources needed to get students from ideation to the launch of their venture ideas. Register your student at https://www.girlswithimpact.org/mcps.
March 16: MSP Annual Retreat
See information below about the Minority Scholars Program annual retreat.
Summer RISE
Apply for School Meal Benefits
This coming year all meals will incur a fee unless students have are approved for Free And/or Reduced fee Meals (FARMS). Eligible families complete the 2023-2024 FARMS application that is now available online. Here is the link: www.MySchoolApps.com.
Donations
Clothing to Cash
Did you know that you can support our school through clothing donations? See the attached flyer about the Clothing to Cash program that supports CHS.
Prom Drive
The CHS prom is May 3 and we want to support all students who would like to attend. Please see the attached flyer for ways you can support.
Calendar Items
Key January/February Dates
February 19 - No School, Presidents' Day
February 23 - Black History Month Assembly
February 23 - ASA Ball
February 24 - Last Day for Spring Sports Registration
February 29 -- Deadline for Black History Month SSL Projects
March 1 - Tryouts for Spring Sports Begin
March 9 -- Girls Summit (@ Northwood HS)
March 16 - Annual MSP Retreat (@Kennedy HS)
March 19 - PTSA Meeting, 7:00 pm, CHS Media Center
General Information for Students and Families
NFHS Network and GoFan
Dear Coyote fans,
As we kick-off the upcoming school year, we wanted to tell you that through our official partners, NFHS Network and GoFan, you can easily buy tickets for games and subscribe to watch live games online for when you can’t get there in-person.
Click this link to visit our school homepage, where you can:
- Click “Follow” to get alerts on our upcoming events.
- Click “Buy Tickets” to get tickets to upcoming events.
- Click “Subscribe” to watch live broadcasts of upcoming events (a portion of the proceeds are shared back with our school!).
Get Your Yearbook
2024 YEARBOOKS and TRIBUTE/AD PAGES are on sale for the cheapest prices of the year! Just visit www.clarksburgyearbook.com to make your purchase today! We have a limited number of discounts, so grab yours BEFORE we sell out!
CHS Website
Our CHS website has a wealth of information related to subjects like attendance, student service learning, athletics and more. Please take time to check it out so you have accurate information about policies and procedures at CHS.