Dear Towson High School Community,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Towson High School remains committed to promoting mental wellness among our students, staff, and families. To assist you or your student in navigating this important aspect of health, please check out the variety of resources available through BCPS:

• The BCPS Mental Health Resource Toolkit
• Baltimore County Behavioral and Mental Health Services
• BCPS One Pagers for Students, Families/Caregivers, & Teachers/Faculty/Staff
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• Parent University Resource Library
• Baltimore County Resource List for Children & Families
• TalkSpace Teen Therapy: TalkSpace Information & Parent Webinar
• BCPS Virtual Calming Room
• Community Support Hotlines

For a full list of BCPS mental health resources, please access this link. Together, let us continue to foster a supportive learning environment where mental health is valued and prioritized so that all members of our learning community can thrive.

In partnership,

Dr. Kim Culbertson

Students are recognized for being 5-STAR Towson Generals. Staff and Parents are recognized for demonstrating heart-work that helps our THS learning community to thrive.

• Jose Lemus for his 5-STAR work in English 12.
• Kaleb Bethea for recongizing the contributions of our Cafeteria staff.
• Leiland Garrison for completing the after school program star.
• Dominic Gardner for his 5-STAR growth so far this month!
• Ray Aoki, Daniel Schneider, Maegan Relano, Addie McGuire, and Ian Stevenson for collaborating over the course of this year (since September!) to create the digital animation titled “My Red Orb”. It will premiere at The Senator Theatre on May 16 during the 2024 BCPS Film Expo.
  
• TAM for organizing notes of appreciation for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• London Scott for demonstrating 5-STAR growth in Social Studies this week.

• Ms. Miller for assisting in the installation of the BMA: Art is for Everyone! art exhibition.

• Ms. McMillan for joining us as a long-term substitute this spring.

• Ms. Nash for leading TAM Teacher Appreciation Week initiatives.

• Ms. C. McCusker for attending the Stoneleigh Elementary Math GT night.

• Mr. Brotman for speaking at the PTSA meeting about internship and career opportunities for students.

• Ms. C. McCusker for advising the Class of 2024 and organzing Senior Prom.

• Ms. Falatko, Ms. L. Smith, Ms. Flynn, Mr. Buick, Mr. Brotman & Mr. Eastham for their preparations for Graduation.

• Mr. Filosa & Mr. Olson for their assistance with testing this week.

• Mr. Jochmans & Mr. Jackson for submitting the final components for their National Board Certifications.

• Mr. Jackson for organizing over 2400 AP tests.

• All of the teachers and substitutes that have assisted with AP testing.

• Ms. Williams, Ms. Weinstock, & Dr. Hobbs for organizing the Senior Awards programs.

• Mr. Marx for completing the annual AVID certification process.

• The PTSA for lunch & muffins during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• The Alumni Association for their generous donation for new LPP furniture.

The following standardized tests will be administered this spring. For more information about each test, including who will be tested and the importance of the test, click here.

• AP Testing - May 6-24
• MCAP Math - May 15-May 29
  
• Senior Final Exams - May 15-May 23
  
• May 20 - 2B & 4B Final Exams
• May 21 - 2A & 4A Final Exams
• May 22-24 - Makeup Final Exams
• Underclass Final Exams - June 7-14
• June 7 - 1A & 3A Final Exams
• June 10 - 1B & 3B Final Exams
• June 11 - 2A & 4A Final Exams
• June 12 - 2B & 4B Final Exams
• June 13-14 - Makeup Final Exams

Thursday May 30 is an asynchronous day for students. There will be no synchronous (Google Meet) instruction. Here are three things you need to know about May 30:

1. Attendance - Attendance will be taken on this date. To be counted as “present” for the day, students must login to Schoology by 9:00 am.
2. Assignments – Assignments will be uploaded to students’ A-day classes.
3. Schedule – Students will self-pace themselves throughout the day. Here is a schedule to assist students with pacing their day:

• Period 1A - 7:35 am - 9:05 am
• Period 2A - 9:05 am - 10:35 am
• Period 3A - 10:35 am - 12:05 pm
• Lunch - 12:05 pm - 12:35 pm
• Period 4A - 12:35 pm - 2:05 pm
  
• Wellness Time - 2:05 pm - 2:20 pm

Congratulations to Mr. Olin and the GT Chamber Orchestra for a superior performance at the Maryland Music Educators Association State Orchestra Festival on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Morgan State University’s Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center. Towson was one of eighteen participating public and private high school orchestras, and one of two BCPS orchestras.

Towson’s orchestra is to be commended for their performance. Judges score ensembles based on five criteria including: Tone Quality; Intonation; Blend and Balance; Technique; Interpretation; and Musical Effect. Of the twenty total individual category scores across four judges, Towson received seventeen (I) Superior ratings and three (II) Excellent ratings, resulting in an overall (I) Superior combined score. Amazing! Not only did Towson’s GT Chamber Orchestra perform the most difficult repertoire, but the ensemble also received extremely high marks. “Our hard work really paid off,” Mr. Olin reflected, “I knew that if we went out there and performed our absolute best, we would be successful, and that’s exactly what we did. I am so proud of this group and their commitment and dedication to performing music at the highest level!”

The May episode of BCPS "Entertainment Blvd" features the Towson High School GT Jazz Ensemble. Check out the episode by clicking the video image below!

Students in Vincent's Anatomy & Physiology class measured each other's blood pressure using equipment purchased through generous PTSA grant funds. Thank you, Towson HS PTSA for supporting our students as they learn skills with which they might serve others.

Friday, May 3, our TAM students embarked on a journey to Frederick Community College to take the Parapro test. Passing this assessment enables them to work as paraprofessionals, providing invaluable support to teachers and students in educational settings. We commend their dedication and hard work in preparing for this milestone. Join us in congratulating our TAM students on their commitment to excellence and their determination to contribute positively to the learning environment.

The Law & Public Policy (LPP) magnet program hosted their annual Law Day Celebration on Friday May 3. Students, teachers, and parents joined the celebration which included guest presentations from Katie Curran O'Malley, Michael Pelekhaty, Elijah Sharp, and an awards ceremony to honor all of the LPP students' accomplishments this year.

• Senior Prom:
• Saturday May 18, 7:30-10:30 pm
• Marriott Owings Mills Metro Center
• Doors open at 7:30 pm. Doors close at 9:00 pm. All students and their guests must arrive by 9:00 pm.
• Students may not leave prom until 10:00 pm.
• All students must leave the venue by 11:00 pm.
• All attendees must (1) have purchased an online ticket (a list of names will be at the prom check-in) and (2) present photo id at the prom check-in (student photos on the FOCUS app are permissible).
• Additional Q&A: See this document!
• Prom reminders for parents from Dr. Culbertson (see 4/29 newsletter for full message):
• Discuss transportation plans with your student. This includes transportation to Prom, the PTSA-Sponsored After Senior Prom Party, and home. Encourage your student to take advantage of ride share offers by the PTSA (see below for more information).
• Discuss the importance of refraining from alcohol or illegal substance use, as well as the consequences for engaging in such behavior. All students that engage in alcohol or illegal substance use will face disciplinary action in accordance with the BCPS Student Handbook. Seniors that engage in alcohol or illegal substance use risk their ability to participate in remaining Senior activities, including the Senior Picnic and Graduation.
• Stay informed about your child's prom plans and the events they will be attending. Make a plan to communicate with your student throughout the night.
• Encourage your student to attend the FREE PTSA-Sponsored After Prom Party at Bowlero Timonium from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. The entire bowling alley is rented and bowling & video games are free. There will be plenty of food, entertainment and awesome prizes (cash, airpods, gift cards+++). After-prom is drug/alcohol free and there is security.
• After Prom Party Info:
• Saturday May 18, 11:00 pm-1:00 am
• Bowlero in Timonium
• Our PTSA has organized a FREE After-Prom Party for our Seniors.
• All Seniors and their guests are invited to attend. After-prom is open to all graduates & their guest, regardless if they attend prom.
• The entire bowling alley is rented and bowling & video games are free.
• There will be plenty of food, entertainment and awesome prizes (cash, airpods, gift cards+++).
• After-prom is drug/alcohol free and there is security.
• Ride Share Form:
• The PTSA provides discounts on rides offered by ride share companies on prom night.
• If you are interested, please fill out this google form by May 19 at 1:00 am. The ride share credit will be texted to the phone number provided on the form. Ride Share Credits Flyer & UBER Safety Info

• Senior Picnic – 5/24: Sign-up to volunteer for the Senior Picnic on May 24 from 2:20-5:00 pm here.
  
• Purchase Supplies from Amazon Wishlist: Purchase items to support the After-Prom Party & Senior Picnic here.
• THS Class of 2024 PTSA Facebook Page: The THS Class of 2024 Family Info facebook page has all the info for needed donations and volunteer signups.

• Daytime Awards - May 23; 8:00-9:00 am; Auditorium, All students invited
• Evening Awards - May 23; 6:30 pm, Auditorium; Invited students & families only
• Sports Awards Show – 5/28: May 28, 6:00 pm; Auditorium; All Fall, Winter, and Spring Athletes are invited to attend. Food will be served to Athletes from 4:30-5:30 pm in the cafeteria.

• Senior Picnic: Friday May 24, 2:20 pm, Fields

All financial obligations must be satisfied before graduates can get their cap & gown and graduation tickets. Financial obligations include the BCPS-issued device, device charger, textbooks, musical equipment, athletic equipment and uniforms, cafeteria balances, etc.

• Device & Charger: All graduates must return their device and charger by May 24. Once graduates are certain that they no longer need their device for assignments, final exams, or AP exams, they can turn their devices and chargers in to Mr. Ickes in the Library. The replacement cost for a lost or damaged device is $355.00. The replacement cost for a lost or damaged charger is $40.00. Please make checks payable to Towson High School.
• Other Obligations: All other financial obligations should be resolved by May 24. For outstanding obligations, please make checks payable to Towson High School.

Graduation Tickets:

• 6 Tickets: Each graduate who has fulfilled their financial obligations will be given 6 tickets after graduation practice on May 29.
• All Guests Must Have a Ticket: All guests attending graduation, including infants and children, must have a ticket.
• More or Less Tickets Needed? Please complete this form by May 24 if your family requires less or more than 6 tickets for graduation. We will use the information provided on the form to try to better support individual family needs.
• Two Mandatory Graduation Practices - 5/28 & 5/29: There are 2 mandatory Graduation Practices:
• Mandatory Practice #1 - May 28 – All graduates should arrive at the Café by 7:35 am (ending time will vary but we anticipate practice ending by 9:30 am). Breakfast will be provided by the Senior Class and then students will practice the Graduation ceremony. Students who have fulfilled their financial obligations will receive their cap & gown. Students are not permitted to stay on campus after graduation practice.
• Mandatory Practice #2 – May 29 – All graduates should arrive at the Turf Field by 7:35 am (ending time will vary but we anticipate practice ending by 10:30 am). Students will practice the Graduation ceremony two times. Students who have fulfilled their financial obligations will receive their graduation tickets. Students are not permitted to stay on campus after graduation practice.
• Graduation Ceremony – 5/30:
• Graduation Ceremony: May 30 at 10:00 AM at TU Arena (formerly known as the TU SECU Arena)
• Graduate Arrival Time: All graduates are expected to arrive at the Old Arena (the Towson Center) by 8:30 AM. To be eligible to walk in the ceremony, graduates MUST be in line by 9:30 AM.
• Cap and Gowns: Caps and gowns for the Class of 2024 Graduation Commencement Ceremony should be purchased using Jostens ASAP!
• Graduate Attire: Graduates should be dressed in semi-formal attire under their caps and gowns. Options include dresses, skirts, slacks, collared shirts, dress shoes. Attire to avoid includes jeans, flip-flops, shorts, and sneakers.
• More Details About Graduation: For more details about graduation, including attire guidelines, cap tips, parking, guest information, TU Arena floor plan, livestreaming, and language accessibility, please access this document.
• **Updates were made to this document to include prohibited items – please review the full list of items that are not permitted in TU arena. Storage will not be available for prohibited items.

Additional questions regarding these and other senior events may be directed to Ms. C. McCusker at cmccusker@bcps.org.

All Fall, Winter, and Spring Athletes are invited to attend the Sports Awards Show on May 28 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium. Food will be served to Athletes from 4:30-5:30 pm in the Cafeteria.

Students can receive extra support afterschool via Coach Class and Peer Tutoring. Coach Class is offered by each teacher, each week. Free Peer Tutoring is offered throughout the week by students and advisors of our national honor societies. All supports begin next week unless otherwise noted. BCPS also offers all high school students with free teen therapy through Talkspace.

We encourage all students to be actively involved in clubs and organizations throughout the year. Please check out the club list below. Students that are interested in starting a new club should contact Ms. Smith at lsmith21@bcps.org.

Research has shown that attendance is a leading predictor of academic achievement and adult success. Students who find attending school important are more likely to attain goals like attending trade school, college, or getting a job. By showing up to school every day, students develop a positive work ethic and prepare for future success by developing healthy and productive habits.

Our attendance goals this year are for students to maintain at least a 94% attendance rate and to reduce chronic absenteeism. A student that misses 10% or more of school days in chronically absent. By missing just 2 days a month, a student will be chronically absent. Use the "Attendance Tracker" and "Parent Tips" below to support your student in maintaining satisfactory attendance. Additionally, we will send parents/guardians a "Weekly Attendance Report" each Friday afternoon so you can track your student's daily and period attendance.

If you are not receiving text messages from the school and would like to, please text “Y” or "Yes" to 67587.

May 18 - Senior Prom

May 27 - Schools & Offices Closed - Memorial Day

May 30 - Class of 2024 Graduation @ 10 am; Asynchronous Learning Day for grades 9-11

June 13 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students

June 14 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students; Last Day of School