CHS News

"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice."

~T.S. Eliot

Looking forward to a year of dreams and successes for the Class of 2025, and all best wishes to all of our students, families, staff, and community! Happy New Year!

THE CHS robotics team traveled to Glen Allen, Virginia, on Sunday, December 15, to participate in their first qualifying event of the 2024-25 season in the FIRST Tech Challenge. Our team placed 19 out of 34. They spent the day passing a robot inspection and answering questions posed by judges about their design and experiences, as well as competing and meeting other students interested in robotics. The team looks forward to improving their robot design and driving skills to win an award at the next qualifying event in Moorefield, West Virginia, on January 25.

The FIRST competitions have been going on every year since 2007. Students work together with their mentors to design and build robots. Teams program classroom-scale robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches.

CHS Speech and Debate competed in BCFL 4 on Saturday, December 14, at Baltimore City College.

Congratulations to:

• Shalisa Ibad for winning silver in Original Oratory
• Olivia Callender and Zainab Ghashtalai for winning gold in JV Public Forum
• Yukti Walvekar and Ana Gonzalez for winning silver in JV Public Forum
• Olivia Callender for winning gold in speaker awards for debate

Congratulations to our CHS Science Olympiad Team who competed last weekend. They placed 5th overall out of 79 teams! We placed in the top 10 in following events:

• First place- Bungee Drop
• Forth place- Disease Detectives
• Tenth place- Fossils
• Second place- Material Science
• Sixth place- OpticSeventh place- Robot Tour
• Forestry- 5th place
• Geocaching- sixth place
• Horticulture- sixth place
• Astronomy- 8th place

Incredible job everyone!

Congratulations to all of the student musicians on their marvelous performances this week. What a gift to set the tone for a relaxing and joyful winter break.

Under the Direction of Mrs. Rebecca Bilger

Under the Direction of Mr. David Matchim

Featuring Guest Conductor Maggie Cipriano

Under the Direction of Mr. Matt Boggs

Our heartfelt thanks to Karyn Hobson, Marha Love, and all of the CHS families who baked cookies for more than 150 staff members and bus drivers! It was a wonderful gift for us to be able to sample so many types of cookies and share so many of the traditions that are important to our families.

• December 16 to January 14 - High School Course Registration
  

• December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break, Schools Closed
• January 2 - School Opens
  
• January 7 - Incoming 9th Grade Parent Information Night, 6 PM
• January 10 - Skyward Theatre Presents Alice by Heart, 7 PM, tickets here
• January 11 - Skyward Theatre Presents Alice by Heart 2 PM and 7 PM, tickets here
  
• January 15 - Student Choreography Showcase, 7 PM
  
• January 17 - Full day of School; midterm exams; AM/PM ARL in session
  
• January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Schools and Offices Closed
  
• January 21- High Schools Close 3 hours early; midterm exams; no AM ARL
• January 22 - High School Close 3 hours early; midterm exams; no PM ARL
• January 23 - All Schools Close 3 hours early; midterm exams, no AM ARL
• February 22 - Trivia Night Sponsored by CHS Boosters, 6 PM
• April 4 - Prom at Martin's West, 7 PM
• April 4 - After Prom, Main Event at The Mall in Columbia, 10:30 PM - 2 AM
  
• May 19 - 30 - Class of 2025 Graduation Window
  

Send some love and encouragement to your student before midterms! The class of 2027 will be selling goodie bags from now until January 12. Bags cost $5 each and will be similar to the picture below. They will include some snacks, supplies and inspiring messages to boost confidence before midterms. Bags will be delivered Friday 1/17! Click here to purchase a bag for your student!

Cold and flu season is upon us!

How can you help?

• Donate tissues! Our school supply of tissues for classrooms has run low. Please consider dropping off a box of tissues in the front office.
• Practice healthy habits: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
• If you have cold and flu symptoms stay at home and rest!

Save the date for the incoming 9th Grade Parent Information Night on Tuesday 1/7/25 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM.

The information session will start at 6:00 PM in the auditorium. The elective fair in the cafeteria, and SGA/student athlete Q&A panel in the auditorium, will take place during the second half of the evening.

Beginning December 16, at 8:00 AM and through January 14, at 4:00 PM, current 8-11th grade students and their parents/guardians may view teachers’ course recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year and submit course requests. Full details on how to view recommendations and submit requests are available online.

Please note:

• Guides on how to complete Course Requests are available online.
• Students and their parents/guardians should use the Catalog of Approved High School Courses to review course selections, taking careful note of descriptions and prerequisites.
• Students and their parents/guardians can adjust a teacher course recommendation by using the dropdown to select the preferred course level.
• Students and their parents/guardians will add electives to ensure they have seven credits of primary requests and three alternates. Alternate selections should be added in priority order.
• If you want to change a course and there is not an option available in the drop down menu, parents/guardians should download and complete the High School Course Change Request Form and submit a paper copy to their child’s school counselor. Forms received during the course registration period will receive priority during scheduling. Requests received after this time will be accommodated if space is available.

Important Dates:

• CHS Counselors met with each grade level (grades 9th-11th) on December 11, 2024, explaining the course registration and academic opportunities. Our presentation is on our Canvas page (CHS Media and Student Services>Student Services>Scheduling tab>General Info tab) Direct link: https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34465/pages/chs-scheduling-general-info

• Counselors are meeting with each student through their English class starting on January 24th through February 11th.

• Please make sure each student requests 7 credits and 3 credits of alternate courses in Synergy by January 14th because our individual meetings are short.

• Spring 2025: Students and parents/guardians will have access to their list of registered courses by the end of the current school year.
• August 2025: Final 2025-2026 student schedules will be available prior to the start of the school year.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements are set and updated by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and may differ from the year of entry and the year of graduation. It is critical that families are aware of the graduation requirements that pertain to each graduating class. Please refer to the 2025-2026 Catalog of Approved High School Courses for graduation requirements and information.

To review what specific courses you will need to graduate, please use the following steps to access your progress on graduation requirements:

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy (https://www.hcpss.org/connect/) using parent/guardian or student credentials.
2. Select Course History from the left panel.
3. Set the Detail to On (in the top right corner) in each section to see your progress towards the requirements.

The CHS PTSA After Prom Committee is looking forward to hosting CHS prom attendees at Main Event on April 4th starting at 10:30p until 2:00am. One of the exciting traditions we look forward to continuing is a prize raffle. What prizes (think items valued between $25-$75) would you like to see included this year?

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjJlNJuM5IzSvlnTCOD7aA36A_Ub24P34QKBjD0FK3SoPfiw/viewform?usp=pp_url

Skyward Theatre (Centennial's Theatre Department) presents a special Winter production of Alice by Heart on January 10th and 11th . Tickets are available via HCPSS Booktix (https://hcpss.booktix.com/dept/chs/e/ABHCHS). The shows are at 7:00 PM each night and at 2:00 PM on the 11th . This show is rated PG-13 and is not recommended for young children.

Synopsis:
From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This world premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.

Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs are offered at Atholton (Army), Howard (Army) and Oakland Mills (Air Force) high schools. Each JROTC program provides an introduction to career opportunities in the United States Armed Forces and teaches principles of leadership, discipline and civic responsibility.

Any student who wishes to participate in JROTC but does not attend one of the schools that offers the program may apply for participation. Each school has a limited number of additional spaces available. To apply for participation for the 2025-2026 school year, students must contact a JROTC official by December 20th to schedule an interview. Only students who are interviewed during this designated period will be considered for enrollment. Letters of approval/denial/waitlist will be sent home in January.

To schedule an interview, contact the JROTC official for the program of interest:

• Air Force JROTC at Oakland Mills High School: Colonel (USAF, Retired) Bradly Scherer, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, bradly_scherer@hcpss.org or (410) 313-6945
• Army JROTC at Atholton High School: LTC (USA, Retired) William Reinhart, Senior Army Instructor, william_reinhart@hcpss.org or (410) 313-7076
• Army JROTC at Howard High School: Colonel (USA, Retired) William Laigaie, Senior Army Instructor, william_laigaie@hcpss.org or (410) 313-2878

More information about the JROTC program is available online.

If any CHS parent or alumni have a cap and gown (red with blue and white stripe on arms) gathering dust, please donate it. You can drop it off in the front office at Centennial at any time. Thank you!

HCPSS is providing students who have not met the College and Career Readiness (CCR) standard an opportunity to take/retake the English 10 and/or Algebra I tests. A detailed overview of the CCR standard and directions for checking your student’s status can be found here.

11th and 12th Graders who have not yet met the College and Career Readiness (CCR) standard have the following options:

• English = Take/retake English 10 MCAP in December/January

• Math = Independently take SAT to achieve a math section score of 520 or take/retake Algebra I MCAP in December/January

Please have your student report to the main office and register or contact Ms Somerville (jeri_somerville@hcpss.org) no later than Friday, December 20, 2025 if you wish to retake the ELA 10 MCAP or the Algebra I MCAP in January.

Students in 11th and 12th grade who meet the CCR standard during the 2024-2025 school year will have access to free AP exams for enrolled courses.

SAT Boot Camps at CHS - JUST $199*

Sat. & Sun., Jan. 4 & 5, from 9 AM - 1 PM

Sat., & Sun., Feb. 8 & 9, from 9 AM - 1 PM

These prep classes will prepare students for March 8, May 3, and June 7 SATs, and include:

• Taking a Practice Digital SAT Under Simulated Conditions
• How to Use the Bluebook App and its Tools to the Student's Advantage
• Understanding the Test and Its Adaptive Framework
• Strategies for ALL Sections of the Test
• Tips on Guessing, Timing, Scoring, and Confidence-Boosting
• PLUS - A percentage of student tuition is donated to CHS PTSA!

Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student for the CHS dates!

*when you register at least one week ahead of your course.

Join CHS Boosters Club Today!

Support our CHS Eagles by becoming a member of the CHS Boosters Club. Our parent-run volunteer organization raises funds through membership donations and fundraising activities to support CHS student extra-curricular activities. From school sports teams to more than 80 clubs and organizations, including our award winning "It's Academic" team and the CHS "Magic Club" – the Boosters supports them all!

The Howard County Public School System does not provide money for team uniforms, equipment and other fees needed to run student programs. To help parents avoid membership and other costs, the CHS Boosters shares its fundraising efforts across all sports and activities to help our students enjoy a healthy, rewarding high school experience.

Membership is the Booster’s biggest annual fundraiser, and we need your help to support our students. If you have not already done so, please join today! The CHS Boosters is a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID # 52-1437160

Brush up on your facts, pack up your favorite drinks and snacks, and join us for an evening of good food, good laughs, and great trivia at the annual CHS Boosters Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday, February 22, at the Kiwanis-Wallis Meeting Room. Doors open at 6 p.m. and trivia starts at 7 p.m. The cost for this adults-only event is $50 per person and includes dinner (BYOB). Register now as an individual to join other trivia enthusiasts or form a team of 10 for this fun-filled night.

Please note your team name with your​ registration (individuals should use Unattached as their team name). Mulligans are also available for purchase ahead of time or at the event.

For questions or to place a small group together, please email chsboosterspresident@gmail.com.

You and your family can join CHS PTSA anytime! Join now or add your child to your membership.

Help us meet our membership goals before the end of the year. A PTSA membership can make a thoughtful gift for a family member or anyone in the Centennial community.

Visit our online store to become a member now

As we head into the winter months, families are reminded that in emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community only through the HCPSS website, email and text, Twitter/X and the HCPSS weather hotline. Be sure your Family File is up to date and that you have opted into texts to receive emergency messages.

World's Finest Chocolates have arrived! Support the CHS Dance Program while satisfying your sweet tooth. We have a variety of bars and they're only $1 each! Buy 1, 2, 3...or a case of 60 to share with your family and friends! Contact rebecca_clark@hcpss.org for more information or use OSP to make a purchase.

The Howard County Film Festival is a county-sponsored festival in its 21st year that honors and showcases the incredible talent of aspiring filmmakers across Howard County. Participating high school and middle school students are entered to win trophies, recognition, and prize money for their work.

Donations from the community help keep this amazing program running each year. All proceeds donated will go towards acquiring prize money and awards for our student recipients.

For more information visit the website: https://hocofilmfest.weebly.com/.

Yearbook sales are here!

To purchase your copy, visit: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1066907/Centennial-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024100304183132083/CATALOG_SHOP/

The HCPSS Career Readiness Advisors (CRAs) are excited for the 2024-2025 school year, and we would love your help!

Last year, CRAs implemented a Monthly Career Cluster Spotlight series across the county. The Monthly Spotlights allowed students to explore a wide scope of careers while connecting those careers to both the HCPSS curriculum and student strengths and interests.

Each month, we spotlight a different career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to engage with professionals in those clusters.

Here is where you come in: we are looking for community members to share your experience, advice, and insight in your professional line of work.

Please fill out the following form if you are interested in donating a bit of your time and wisdom to HCPSS students.

Thank you!

HCPSS today announced the window for the Class of 2025 high school graduations as Monday, May 19, to Friday, May 30, 2025. No graduations will be held on weekends or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

HCPSS makes the early announcement of the graduation window to accommodate planning by parents, students, schools and community members. Specific information regarding the dates and times of each graduation ceremony will be finalized in collaboration with Merriweather Post Pavilion and provided by mid-April.

Ceremonies will be held in person at Merriweather Post Pavilion, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation ceremony at the school.

Full HCPSS commencement information can be found online.

Now is the time to get in your applications for scholarships to obtain additional funding for college. In Naviance, under Scholarships, you can search for all available scholarships by date or name.

A scholarship document is also updated every month that features the current scholarships and due dates in Naviance, here's the link:

24-25 Scholarship document

Upcoming scholarships and deadlines are also POSTED on the bulletin board outside Student Services. Please check this bulletin board regularly.

The Community Foundation of Howard County has many scholarships available, but the due dates are not published yet. ALL the available scholarships are posted on the board.

Many are targeted to specific interest areas such as:

• Students whose life has been impacted by cancer (either themselves or a family member)

• Service on the Special Olympics Howard County Swim Team and Special Olympics Howard County

• Pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, Nursing, STEM, pre-law, agriculture or field related to farming

• Community and athletic involvement

• Students who participated on a SAC/HC travel or recreational team

  
  

Any questions? Please stop in Student Services for assistance.

If you still need to order a cap and gown (comes with tassel) for graduation, it must be ordered by contacting our representative at Jostens. See her contact information below:

KAREN STEWART

301.206.3999 ∙ Office

Email: karen.stewart@jostens.com

In addition to graduation caps and gowns, Jostens also offers a range for products including graduation announcements, class rings, jewelry, and more. Check out the Mascot Shop for great keepsakes.

We are collecting parent/guardian names who might be interested in helping with the Senior 2025 events (Class of 2025) throughout the school year.

Please provide your contact information in the signup genius form - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FA5AF2AABF8CF8-51782315-chssenior/172901958#/

If you have any questions about the senior events, reach out to the senior CHS advisors for the class of 2025 - Toni Ireland and Cheryl Beall.

If you have any questions about the signup genius, you can contact Beth at bemoll196@gmail.com. Thank you.

Keep current on news and events throughout the school year by checking the CHS website: https://chs.hcpss.org. We have added an A to Z Reference Guide to the website as your one-stop information finder: attendance policies, parking permit applications, food and nutrition services, student technology support, and much more.

All families must update their emergency contact information annually. We’d like Centennial to be the first high school to have 100% of the Family File information to be fully updated, so visit HCPSS Connect today and click submit on the final screen! Read more.

Eagle's Soar tutoring will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays immediately after school in the Media Center from 2:35-3:05 PM for the entire school year. All content areas will be represented with teaching faculty, and honor society students will be supporting as well in many of the content areas. Please make arrangements for your child to attend, as this is a great resource to help them be successful this year. This is a GREAT place to get extra math help if your child is struggling. Unfortunately, transportation is not provided at this time.

EXTRA HELP:

• Eagle's Soar Tutoring – Every Tuesday and Thursday 2:35-3:05 PM in the Media Center (Starts September 17th)
• Math Tutoring – Monday through Thursday after school 2:35-3:05 PM in Room 508 (starts September 19th)
• Eagle Time – Every Wednesday 9:25-9:55 PM (they sign up on the CHS website with the teacher they need help with)

Parking passes have now been issued to Seniors and Juniors. It is important for all students parking on campus to make sure that their parking permit hang tags are visible. Also, please remember that students park in the white-lined spaces.

Still need a permit? Permit applications are on the CHS website.

The CHS Food Pantry was established during the 23/24 school year and has proven to be a great resource for our CHS families in need. We have exhausted many of the items and it needs to be replenished for the new school year.

Donations are requested from our CHS families. Supplies needed include the following items: granola bars, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, mac 'n' cheese, rice, beans, snacks, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, and soup. We with regard to non-food items, we are in need of socks.

Items may be dropped off in Student Services with Ms. DeVore.

Thank you for your support!

Led by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MDCSS) within the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Safe Schools Maryland is an anonymous tip reporting system that allows students, parents, and community members to easily report anonymous safety concerns anywhere in Maryland. Tips received are routed to local and state education, public safety, heath, and/or social services support personnel for follow-up.

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Maryland Safe Schools

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After school pizza sales begin next week! Students staying after school can purchase a slice of cheese pizza ($3 per slice, cash only) before heading to their club meeting, extra-curricular program, study session, or athletic practice/game.

Sales will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and will be fundraisers for the Dance Program, Alpha Achievers, and Science Olympiad. Buy your slice by the gym. All sales are first come, first served.

1. Regular Season Tickets are $5.00 and are only available on the App at GoFan.co.
2. Backpacks are PROHIBITED inside the Stadium.
3. Spectators are to adhere to ALL HCPSS Policies & CHS Procedures in the Student Code of Conduct.
4. No outside food permitted in the Stadium.
5. ALL Students in Grades K thru 8 MUST EACH be accompanied into the Stadium, seated throughout the entire event, being supervised by their parent or guardian.
6. No admittance after the 3rd quarter.
7. Once you leave the Stadium, you may not return.
8. Noise makers are prohibited inside the Stadium.
9. Cheer loudly for your team, not against the opponent, their fans, their band, their cheerleaders or the officials.
10. Students arrange for a ride during the 3rd quarter and notify your ride to pick them up immediately after the game.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2023-2024 Annual Snapshot has just been released. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The snapshot highlights how partners play a vital role in encouraging students to reach their full potential.

Please remember that all families are required by Policy 9000 to notify HCPSS if they move to a new home address. Current residency documentation must be updated each time residency changes.

On the Regular Bell Schedule:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 12:45 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 11:15 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

On the Eagle Time Schedule – Wednesdays:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS at 12:55 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS at 11:20 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

Each month, the Career Readiness Advisors spotlight a career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to learn from industry professionals in those clusters.

We are ALWAYS looking for speakers to participate in our monthly virtual panel discussions, and/or to engage with our students as an in-person speaker.

Please click on the following link to share your information:

HCPSS Career Related Speaker Interest Form

Both in-person and live, virtual, eight-hour college prep classes are being offered in partnership with Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, and Wilde Lake high schools and are open to students from all high schools.

CHS students can register for ANY Answer Class at ANY location or online – and a percentage of tuition will be donated to CHS PTSA! School year classes are being regularly added – check here often!

CHS PTSA teams with HC DrugFree to help spread the word about keeping drugs out of Howard County classrooms and communities.

HC DrugFree offers these educational opportunities for parents and adults.

HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council provides the youth perspective to the staff and Board of Directors of HC DrugFree to increase the effectiveness of HC DrugFree’s programs, newsletters, website, and other services. The Teen Advisory Council is composed of Howard County students in grades 8 through 12 (public, private and homeschool) who meet monthly during the school year to discuss teen use of alcohol and other drugs, and to develop educational messages that promote HC DrugFree’s vision of a county where teens are drug-free by choice.

Learn more about the Teen Advisory Council on the HC DrugFree website.

• Centennial High School’s website is a great source of information at https://chs.hcpss.org.
• On Twitter @hcpss_CHS and Instagram @CentennialHS.
• Read the Wingspan, CHS student newspaper
• CHS PTSA https://www.chs-ptsa.org/and CHS Boosters https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/.
• CHS Friends of Music http://www.centennialmusic.org/
• Register to receive school system updates and alerts at https://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/, click on Subscribe and select Centennial High School.