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Braves Bulletin
January 7, 2024
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Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, Jan 10 - Last day for 11th grade students to register to take the SAT test for free
Monday, Jan 15 - Schools and offices are closed - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Wednesday, Jan 17 - Principal's Advisory Council meeting during Pride Time
Thursday, Jan 18 - Forrest Center Tech Expo (more info in Bulletin)
Friday, Jan 26 - No school for students, Professional Day, end of the 2nd marking period
Para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles.
New Administrator for 11th Grade Students
Mrs. McDaniel has retired and Mr. Matthew Rodriguez will be serving as the acting 11th grade administrator. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Rodriguez to the administrative team.
Evening Counseling Available
SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.
Free SAT Test for 11th Grade Students - Register by Jan 10
11th grade student at Chopticon.
- All 11th grade students are able to take the SAT for free at Chopticon on Wednesday March 13.
- In order to take this test, your student must register using this link.
- The deadline to register is Wednesday January 10th.
The SAT measures a high school student's readiness for college, and provides colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. It measures what students learn in school, determines if students are on track for college success, and opens doors for opportunities to prepare and pay for college.
Students may practice for the SAT by clicking on this link. If you would like more information on the in school SAT, please click on this link
Testing Logistics:
- The test will take place on March 13th at Choticon High school during the regular school day
- Each student will be assigned a testing location and they must be at their location by 8:00 am.
- The exam is digital. Therefore students must bring their fully charged laptops to school with them.
- Students need to bring a College Board approved calculator (check the link HERE for approved calculators)
- Students are not permitted to bring cell phones or headphones into the testing room. If you do, you will be asked to power them down and place them in a bin on the proctors desk.
- Students are not permitted to bring snacks, drinks, including bottled water.
- The test itself takes approx. 2 1/2 hours (including breaks). We expect all sessions to be complete by 11:30 (if everyone arrives on time).
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Smith @ vhsmith@smcps.org
New Feature - Nurse's Corner
Please take a moment to review this document. It has answers to many of your questions including when a student should stay home, elevator access and general health information.
24th Annual Forrest Center Tech Expo - Jan 18
The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (Forrest Center) will facilitate its twenty-fourth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday, January 18, 2024. The following sessions will be available for students to visit their favorite programs.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Session 1: 5:45-6:00 pm
Session 2: 6:05-6:20 pm
Session 3: 6:25-6:40 pm
Session 4: 6:45-7:00 pm
Session 5: 7:05-7:20 pm
Q&A with Counselors and additional time to visit programs: 7:30-8:00 pm
The purpose of the Forrest Center Tech Expo is to familiarize students and parents with Career and Technology Education (CTE) career options offered by the St. Mary’s County Public Schools. This is an opportunity to meet Forrest Center Staff and learn about the 21 completer programs as well as our five elective classes. High school counselors will be available to answer questions about career clusters and to assist students in planning their academic pathway.
For more information, visit the Forrest Center website, http://schools.smcps.org/tech or email questions to techcenter@smcps.org
College & Career Readiness Center News
Salisbury University On-Site Admission Day with Mr. Ellis Dec 11
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SPARK! Student Career Awareness Fair Field Trip
9th and 10th Grade Students
Thursday, February 1, 2024
10:20 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
USMSM – Smart Building – California, MD
Join us at the SPARK Career Fair to:
Learn about career options in Southern Maryland. Get insight about the path required to get there! (Including classes to take, certifications required, or college majors to pursue). Try out hands-on fun opportunities. Connect with companies to learn about future internship and employment opportunities. Students will engage with representatives from various departments of the Navy, MedStar, St. Mary's Hospital, and local businesses. Students will have an engaging experience while learning about potential careers and understanding the path required to get there. (This is not a job fair with recruiters handing out job postings) This opportunity is available to students in grades 9 and 10. Lunch will be provided for all students.
Students who wish to attend must complete the field trip form and return to Mrs. Nantz in the Career Center by January 24th. Seats are limited. Once your completed form is returned, your slot will be reserved on the bus for the field trip.
Upcoming Events in the Career Center
Exciting things are happening in the Career Center. We have a very knowledgeable group of professionals coming to Chopticon High School to share information about their careers. This is a great opportunity for students to speak directly to someone in their field of interest and to make
some professional connections. All presentations will be during A Lunch. Click HERE to register.
Jan. 17 - Careers in the Nuclear Industry (Civilian and Armed Forces)
Jan. 24 - Careers in the Air Force
Jan. 31 - Careers in Radiology
Feb. 6 - Careers in Cosmetology
Feb. 21 - Careers in the Coast Guard
Feb. 28 - Careers in Real Estate
For more information on these events, or if you are interested in sharing your pathway and/or your career, please contact Mrs. Nantz at kjnantz@smcps.org or 301-475-0215 ext. 38125
College Bound Seniors - FAFSA Completion Events
Seniors and Parents - FAFSA Completion Events
Senior Parents/Students,
It's almost FAFSA time!!!!! The application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open December 2023 (Exact Date TBD). Many students and parents feel anxious about filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. To guide you through the application process, Chopticon High School would like to invite you to the following workshops to assist in completion
FAFSA Completion Night – Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. – In-Person Event at Chopticon High School in the Media Center
Chopticon High School is hosting a FREE FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completion/Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, January 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. College Financial Aid Counselors will be available to assist parents and students in the completion of their FAFSA. This event will take place in the Chopticon High School Media Center.
To accommodate our families, we are asking that if you are planning to attend, please RSVP through the google form with the link: FAFSA COMPLETION RSVP LINK HERE
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most states and colleges use information from the FAFSA form to award non federal aid. Students & Parents will complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form when it is available and use 2022 tax information. For more information or to complete the FAFSA, visit www.studentaid.gov
If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at 301-475-0215, ext. 38139 or cmwhite@smcps.org.
SMCPS Spectator Policy for After School Events
As we start another season of athletics, arts, and other activities, I want to strongly encourage you to come support our events. I also want to remind everyone of St. Mary’s County Public School’s policy regarding spectators at after school events:
No Bags or Purses Allowed
No outside Food or Drink Allowed including Water
Ticket Sales are online Only at Go Fan
No Cash option for tickets
Gates will open - one hour before the first event.
Concessions are cash and credit card.
Thank you, we hope to see you at our events.
Marc Pirner, Principal
Chopticon students' artwork to be featured in anthlogy publication
Congratulations to the following students for being accepted into the Celebrating Art Fall 2023 contest.
Celebrating Art is a national contest focusing on featuring the best student artists across the country. Only 40% of the entries are accepted for publication. Selected student work will be published in an anthology. Thank you to Chopticon Art Educator Ms. Jaime Shafer, for assisting students with this opportunity. The following Art 1 students were accepted for publication:
McKinze Lacey (clay pinch pot)
Brooke Buckler (clay pinch pot)
Addi Beswick (clay pinch pot)
Addie McNeely (clay pinch pot)
Layla Dixon (clay pinch pot)
Kate George (printmaking)
Cheyenne Stone (Printmaking)
Madison Crawford (printmaking)
Cheerleaders - Thank you for the great work supporting teams and fans
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Boys Basketball
Boys basketball earned a win on the road vs Huntingtown.
Girls Basketball
Over the holidays Lady Braves basketball spent two days at Patuxent High School for the Show Time Deli Holiday Classic tournament - Dowell bracket. Day one they faced KCA winning in overtime, 34-28 advancing them to championship game on day 2 to face Bowie High School. Day 2 Braves started out strong but Bowie earned the championship. Congratulations to Kirnique on her recognition of efforts as the all tournament player for Chopticon.
Varsity girls also earned a win on the road vs Huntingtown.
Gottschall Maryland 2023 All Region Team
Braves football player Corbin Gottschall was selected for the Maryland 2023 All Region team for offense. Congratulations!
Wrestling
The wrestling team competed in the Largo Invitational. They competed against 8 teams and went undefeated earning first place!
JV competed in a tournament at Great Mills on 12/16. Many of our JV wrestlers ended their day on the podium! Shout out to Blake Owens and Joe Fry, they were undefeated - Congratulations to all our Braves!
Swim Team
Around Chopticon
Braves Giving Back to the Community
The Mechanicsville Moose Lodge hosted a Santa experience for approximately 250 children on 12/17. Caught in action….Braves Football and Lacrosse athletes, Alex Quade and Kyle King assisted Santa.
Boys Basketball
The boys basketball team participated in Wreaths Across America by placing over 60 wreaths at Cheltenham Veterans' Cemetery. Players, family and coaches placed wreaths to honor our fallen American war heroes.
Staff vs. Student Basketball Game
Prior to the break, we hosted the staff vs. student basketball game. The staff won!
During halftime, we were entertained by a performance of Smooth Criminal. More photos will be posted in the next Bulletin.
Important School Information and Links
No Food or Other Deliveries for Students
Here is a link to the daily menu.
Help Prevent the Spread of Infection
Students and staff should stay home with ANY signs/symptoms of illness. If fever-reducing medication was required within the past 24 hours to maintain a normal body temperature, you should NOT be in school.
Online Forms Each Parent/Guardian Should Complete
Please be sure you have completed the following:
- Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.
- Online Emergency Information Update Forms are available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. This form is important as this is the current contact information we have for parents/guardians.
- 2023/2024 Parent Permission - SMCPS Secondary Acceptable Use Policy and Online Platforms - More Info - must be completed for each student
- 2023-24 Meal Benefit Form
Braves Bucks
Hey Chop Nation! Braves Bucks are rolling out and you might not know how to spend them. Visit the school bank during PRIDE time and use your bucks to purchase any items listed below. Prices are subject to change based on supply and demand, so get down early for the best deals.
Parents - Braves Bucks are something students may earn to reward positive behaviors. Some examples of how a student may earn a Braves Buck is by going to a teacher's classroom during Pride Time for academic assistance or being on time to class during a Blitz. Students may trade in Braves Bucks for items in the "store" located in the School Bank.
Zion cashed in his Braves Bucks for a hoodie!