CLARKSBURG High School
Weekly Message 2/13/22
A message from Principal Edward Owusu
Clarksburg High School Students, Staff, and Families,
There is so much packed in our newsletter that it's important click the link to open the full site.
This week CHS celebrates with Black History Month Spirit Week! The various days are detailed in our Newsletter. Monday is “Wear Pan-African Colors (red, black, and green) or Dashikis”. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Beyond Black History Month Spirit Week at CHS we also encourage our students and staff to participate in Chalk & Talk BHM celebration at lunch and after school on Thursday, February 17th where students may earn SSL hours!
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.
UNICEF is hosting a school wide Book drive. Please donate gently used books (graphic novels, literature, fiction, nonfiction, etc.) The books will go to the organization Comfort Cases which donates the books to foster care children. Book drop-off locations include the main office, library, and Portable 7.
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, AP Exam Payments, Summer Rise Internships, HBCU Fair, 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:
National School Counseling Week Feb 14-19, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022 - Valentines Day; Regular Day Bell Schedule; BHM Spirt Week - For the Culture
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - Advisory Bell Schedule; BHM Spirit Week - 90's Day; Edmentum Credit Recovery; Var. Basketball - Clarksburg at Watkins Mill G 5:30pm / B 7:15pm; PTSA Meeting - 7 PM; P-Tech New Cohort Invited Students Meeting - 7 PM
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - Regular Day Bell Schedule; BHM Spirit Week - Black Excellence; Seal of Biliteracy 7:45 am - 11:12 am - Auditorium; Swim & Dive - Metro Swim & Dive Champ (2/9 - 12) at Germantown Indoor Swim; Jump Start to College - Dual Enrollment Information Night - 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, February 17, 2022 - Advisory Bell Schedule; BHM - Spirit Week - HBCU Day; Credit Recovery; Activity Busses; Girls Var. Basketball - Clarksburg at Northwest V only 6:00pm (from 12/20); Boys Var. Basketball - Northwest at Clarksburg V only 6:00pm (from 12/20)
Friday, February 18, 2022 - Regular Day Bell Schedule; BHM - Spirit Week - Black Out; Var. Basketball - Paint Branch at Clarksburg G 5:30pm / B 7:15pm
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
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
14TH ANNUAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) COLLEGE FAIR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022
This free virtual event provides students in Grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. Representatives share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and much more. The event also features a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information and more. This event is co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
This year, our keynote speaker will be Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, President, Bowie State University.
See the HBCU Fair flyer for a snapshot of what you can experience at the fair!
See HERE for more information
New - Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12
Note from Clarksburg PTSA - February 13, 2022
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”– Helen Keller
Dear Clarksburg High School Families,
Thank you to all who have generously donated to show love and appreciation to our amazing CHS Staff! Thank you as well to the families who are leading this effort! You all have exemplified the beautiful Helen Keller quote above. The love we have for one another, especially for our CHS community, shows itself in many wonderful ways. We show it when we volunteer. We exude love when we attend games and shows to cheer on and applaud the hard work and effort of the players and performers. We give love when we even just say, “Good morning” or a “Hello”. The staff at our schools, from teachers to administrators to support staff, show us their love each and every day. Over and over, when we speak to teachers or staff they always state that they are there because they love their students, because they love their community. Love does not need to be shown in grand, or expensive, gestures – love can and does build up over time through the little and simple gestures we take for granted every day. Let us remember that for this week, especially. Let us show our love and appreciation for one another every day.
Please kindly review the following notes for this week:
Again, thank you to all who have donated so far. There is still time to donate for the middle to end of the week treats. Here is the link to sign-up:
Summer Internship Program Opportunities for students at NIST (deadline to submit is February 14, 2022): https://www.nist.gov/iaao/summer-high-school-intern-program
WSSC is holding an Art Contest for 9-12 graders in Montgomery County and Prince George’s Counties. The theme is, “Imagine a Day Without Water”. Submissions are due by March 18, 2022. Link to more information for the contest is here: https://www.wsscwater.com/artcontest
Maryland Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition. Open to all Pre-K to 12th grader in the state of Maryland. Students must connect with the Art Teacher to submit and deadline to submit is March 8, 2022. Please click on the link for more information: Information for Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition
We look forward to you joining us on February 15, 2022 for our February General Membership meeting. Here is the zoom link to the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89411101295?pwd=U3ZNOFQxOFZEYzJCU2JreVcycmUvdz09
We hope you find the above information helpful. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at clarksburghighschool.ptsa@gmail.com. Also, if you have not done so already, please join us as a member by going to our Memberhub Store at: https://chs-ptsa.memberhub.com/store.
May we all have a wonderful week! Thank you so much for all of your support!
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 - 2/10/22
Here are seven things you need to know for Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. They include the appointment of a permanent superintendent, information about the school well-being, safety and security review, an antiracist audit update, information about COVID-19 rapid take-home test kits and more.
Board of Education Appoints Next Superintendent, in a Historic Announcement
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight was named permanent superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools on Tuesday, Feb. 8. She is the first woman and second African-American to lead the school district. Dr. McKnight will move from her interim position into the permanent role as MCPS superintendent as of July 1, 2022. She has 23 years experience as a public school educator and administrator, the vast majority of which have been in MCPS.No MCPS Schools Entering 10-Day Virtual Learning Period
No additional 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.MCPS Conducting Thorough Review of Well-Being, Safety and Security in All Schools
In recent weeks, district staff have engaged numerous key stakeholders to inform this work and have also presented to the Board of Education and Montgomery County Council in public meetings. The four key areas of focus include:- Mental Health and Social-Emotional Well-Being
- Creating Safe and Equitable School Environments
- Safety, Security, and Community Engagement Officer Program Enhancements
- Joint Incident Command Framework
The workgroup will bring proposals for discussion and consideration to the Board of Education meeting on Feb. 24.
Stakeholders guiding this work include:
- High school principals and current Community Engagement Officers
- Middle school principal cabinet & elementary leadership from administrator employee association
- 230 students from all middle and high schools
- Already established advisory groups: Reimagining School Safety and Students Well-Being (RSSSW) Steering Committee and the Student Well-being Action Group (SWAG), which include community representatives
- Employee association representatives (MCAAP, MCEA, SEIU), including association leadership
- Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services staff and Montgomery County Police Department representatives
Antiracist Audit Survey: More Information
On Feb. 2, Dr. McKnight shared this update on the ongoing work and commitment to address racial and systemic barriers in the school district. An update was sent to families to provide more information about what to expect for the upcoming surveys.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.
- Any parent or guardian who does not want their child to take the survey should complete this form.
- Here are some resources to help to better understand this 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)
COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Tests Being Distributed
MCPS will distribute 190,000 rapid test kits to all students and staff. These rapid test kits will be distributed through March, starting with 50,000 test kits that will be sent home during February. Staff and parents of students are reminded to report positive results through the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Tool.Board of Education Receives MCPS Operations Update
At its Feb. 8 meeting, board members heard from MCPS staff who shared updates around COVID-19 impacts. Positive COVID-19 cases across the district have dropped significantly. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is now providing case investigators to provide COVID-19 follow-up for MCPS students and staff. MCPS has hired more substitutes and is seeing fewer unfilled substitute positions. MCPS has served all bus routes since January 21, 2022.Spectator Limitations Adjusted at MCPS Extracurricular Events
Spectator limitations were adjusted from 25 percent of facility capacity to 50 percent of facility capacity for all indoor extracurricular events. They remain at that level. Masks are still required inside all MCPS schools and facilities. Review COVID-19 athletics information at this website. You may also refer to the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Athletics newsletter.Montgomery County Public Schools
Read Dr. McKnight’s message to the community.
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 - Monday, February 14, 2022 - Friday, February 18, 2022
Clarksburg High School
College/Career Center Update
Monday, February14, 2022 - Friday, February 18, 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.
MCPS Historically Black College/University (HBCU) Fair will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm for grades 8-12. Register here.
Scholarships and FREE Money
Prepared by: Cintonya Somerville, CHS CCIC
C'Burg Athletics
Return to RAISE Communication 2.11.22
Please refer to the February 11 update for the latest information regarding MCPS Athletics. A Spanish version is also available.
Key updates include:
- In alignment with CDC guidance, MCPS is now accepting requests for religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement because of the decreasing COVID-19 community transmission rate, coupled with Montgomery County’s high vaccination rate. This updated process begins with the Spring 2022 season - registration is now open. Religious and medical exemptions are submitted using MCPS Form 560-30A, which is also available in Spanish.
- The number of ticketed spectators at contests in MCPS facilities remains at 50% of facility capacity – there will be no changes at this time.
- Overnight trips may resume beginning February 18.
Updated Forms on Website:
- Return to R.A.I.S.E. Plan
- Vaccination Requirement FAQs
- New 560-30A COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Request Form for Student-Athletes
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