Weekly Update

Many citizens are concerned about reports in the media relative to ICE Raids and want to know how their local school systems plan to handle the issue. SMCPS will adhere to the guidance provided by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Please read A Guide for Students, Families, and Local Education Agencies on the MSDE website. Our actions are bound by law, and our administrative staff consistently ensures compliance.

The courses offered include:

Foundations of Computer Science

Health 2

Geometry

Spanish 1

Spanish 2

Online Federal Impact Aid Forms are still available through the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online Impact Aid 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.

Students interested in receiving tutoring should fill out this student interest form. Currently, tutoring is offered before or after school at LHS (by appointment). We also offer virtual tutoring (by appointment). Please email Theresa Smith at tmsmith@smcps.org for more information.

Each year, SMCPS schools are required to complete mandatory safety drills (fire drills, evacuation drills, tornado drills, etc…). One of the drills that we are required to complete each year is a “Lockdown” drill. The lockdown drill’s purpose is to practice the steps we would take if there was a threat on campus (someone with a weapon or a similar threatening situation).

In addition to conducting the drill, I am required to notify students, staff, and parents of the date the drill will be conducted. We will be conducting our Lockdown on Wednesday (3/19/25) around 9:15am.

The directions and procedures that students and staff will follow are listed below in bold:

Lockdown – Lock all exterior doors. Staff and students are instructed to report to the

nearest classroom or securable location and close and lock all doors and windows.

Students and staff should move away from doors and windows, drop to the floor and

remain quiet. Staff will continually assess the secured location and the environment for

changes in potential threat. If the level of threat changes, placing themselves or others

in imminent danger, staff members are authorized and should take additional actions

necessary to protect themselves and others from harm to include:

• Removing themselves and others from the area of the threat – RUN

• Relocate to another secured area where no threat exists – HIDE

• Survive by doing whatever is necessary to stop the threat – FIGHT

Lastly, I am also required to share a survey with students, staff, and parents after the drill has been concluded. I will share that survey after our drill.

Students from the Spanish Class experienced Latin dancing at Gracie’s Guys and Gals Dance Studio and Latin Cuisine at Plaza Azteca.

Latin classes celebrated “Ides of March Awareness Day” on Friday. The Ides of March was a pivotal moment for the Romans because it was a catalyst for the change of their government from a republic to an empire. For the Ides of March, Latin students wear togas and Latin Club celebrates with a Caesar salad party.

Congratulations to Vanessa Li! Vanessa has been named Student Member of the Board of Education for the 2025-2026 School year!

The LHS Spanish Honor Society sponsored a Food Drive at Giant on March 9. Over 200 pounds of nonperishable items were donated by very generous customers. All items were donated to a local food pantry.

Students had the opportunity to explore USMSM's campus where local businesses orchestrated simulator stations, some including man-made robots, VR, and even drones. All attendees took home a bag of merch and also many pieces of candy and gifts from all of the wonderful vendors who participated!

April is the Month of the Military Child. To recognize and support our military families, order a shirt to wear on April 23, Purple Up Day!

Order shirts now through March 21. You can pay online and shirts will be delivered to LHS and distributed to students prior to Spring Break. PUT STUDENT NAME & ID# IN PRIVATE NOTE AREA AT CHECKOUT.

The World Languages department and the International Club will be sponsoring a presentation from the University of Maryland Summer Language Institutes on Friday, March 14th during lunch in the Career Center. A representative from UMD will be present to discuss summer opportunities for students (primarily seniors) who are interested in studying Persian, Arabic or Korean. There is tuition due for this program, but there are scholarships available and UMD language credits (up to 12 credits) can be earned through participation. If you have any questions, see Mrs. Hayes in 2F05 or Ms. Salazar in 2F17.

Come to our School Information Night for Multilingual Families. This will be an opportunity to get a general overview of the school system in the United States, to learn about building family literacy, high school graduation requirements, community programs, and more. Don't miss out! Register here.

Mr. David and Mrs. Sutton's English classes are hosting an African American Read In at the Forrest Tech Center on March 19th.

Students are able to attend during A Lunch to see student exhibits, but they must RSVP. They will receive a pass in order to attend.

If you would like to attend, please complete this RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1BVanh6cw3VjmHHshfvoasUPf_WszCOcl8KzIvBDrkxD8-w/viewform?usp=dialog.

LHS will test all current World Languages students for the Seal of Biliteracy starting in March. Levels 1 and 2 will only test in reading and listening, levels 3, 4 and AP will test for listening and reading, but also speaking and writing.

If you’re NOT currently in a World Language OR you speak a language at home that we don’t offer at LHS but would like to try for it, see Mrs. Hayes in room 2F05.

For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy and a letter from SMCPS World Languages supervisor Wendy Tarr, click the links below.

MD Seal Information for Parents: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qbo2E2Ei707AKsdfL0CAeX0Q8c2v4PuU7x2H11I8IJk/edit?usp=sharing

Letter from Ms. Tarr: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLbNHzI8ZU74k8N8iMgqgyCZQ61mHjQ_aBqaUf-ZHlU/edit?usp=sharing

The Maryland State Department of Education is hosting a three-part virtual workshop series for Spanish-speaking families. These sessions will focus on how families can support their children in becoming biliterate and bilingual.

When: February 27, March 13, and March 27
Time:6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Facilitated entirely in Spanish

The Senior Class Meeting to review Graduation information and end of the year activities will be held on April 9 during 2nd period. If you have late entry, please be sure to arrive at LHS by 8:45AM and report to the auditorium. Seniors with a second period class, please report to class first and wait for an announcement.

Interested in joining the Wellness Club? Keep an eye out for information about meeting days, times, and room number! The Wellness Club will include activities like yoga and walking and provide helpful nutrition information. More information to be released soon!

MTSS stands for Multi-tiered Systems of Support which promotes school improvement through engaging, research based academic and behavioral strategies/practices. LHS is a Tier I and II school. We are focused on positive behavior and community engagement. Our acronym to teach and exhibit positive behaviors is STRONG.

Please fill out the parent survey below help us improve MTSS at LHS. Make sure to include your child's name and ID # so they can receive STRONG Bucks.

The Raider Madness 3 on 3 Tournament is March 24-28 during A and B lunches in the gym. Student teams of 3 or 4 can sign up HERE to play! Please complete one form per team. Teams may include one staff member, selected on a first come, first served basis. Spectators must pay 2 STRONG bucks per day to attend. See you there!

Need new Raider apparel??? Check out our new school store at www.leonardtownspiritwear.com

Pick your clothing, choose a design, and it will be shipped directly to your house. Check weekly for new sale items!

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the major statute prohibiting sex discrimination in education. It states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal assistance."

Mrs. Morris (smmorris@smcps.org) is our Title IX Coordinator at LHS.

SMCPS Title IX Webpage

Due to safety concerns and the demands on the main office, we do not accept food deliveries of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Need help finding out where to go for lunch? Click the button above to see open classrooms and club offerings for each day of the week.

Use this document to plan where you will go for lunch each day!

24-25 Weekly Tutoring Schedule

Monday - World Languages/PE/CTE

Tuesday - English

Wednesday - Science

Thursday - Math/Visual Arts/Theatre

Friday - Social Studies/Music

Need to study during lunch? Sign up for the media center for A Or B lunch By clicking on this link. Save it to your computer to sign up each day for a scholarly opportunity to get work done. You can always visit https://elibrary.smcps.org for resources.

We welcome you to incorporate physical activity into your day and join us in the gym for lunch. Completion of this form is a requirement for gym entry. Students are permitted to sign up for only one lunch block (either A or B). Students are expected to enter the gym through the side door adjacent to the girls locker room and be in the gym before the 10 minute bell. Students unlawfully tardy will be redirected to the cafeteria. Students are expected to remain in the gym, omit food or drink and have tennis shoes to be on the gym surface. Click the button below to sign up for the gym.

Parents who are dropping students off at school in the morning should use the parking lot lane closest to the building. Please do not park in in a space and wait to drop your student off. Unfortunately, parking is very limited for both students and staff. Utilizing extra parking spaces for this purpose can create an issue where there is nowhere for staff or student drivers to park. Additionally, please do not drive down the middle parking lot lane in order to drop a student at school. We appreciate your help!

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 24-25

Students will need permission to use Google's Additional Services. Please click on the links below.

The AUP is linked here as well as the information Specific to Google.

Technology related questions? Need tech help? Click the button below for more information.

Students, please make sure your laptop is charged each day. Bring your charger to school in case your battery runs out.

Need to purchase a laptop charger?

You can do one of two things:

1. Go the the Media Center in your School. They can assess you a fine so that you can pay using My School Bucks.
2. Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.

Ensure one of these links are being used:

www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)

www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)

More helpful links for technology can be found at the bottom of the newsletter!

Parents, if your student is new to LHS and you still do not have access to Schoology, please contact Ms. Smith (krsmith@smcps.org).

No Cell Phones No Headphones/Earbuds

As a reminder, cell phones and headphones/earbuds are not permitted during instructional time.

Times when cell phones can be used:

• When doors open at 7:50 to 8:00.
• During One-Lunch from 12:05 to 1:05.
• When the dismissal bell rings at 2:45.
  
  

Parents, if you need to contact your student, they will be able to respond during these times. During other times call the main office.

Please remember that the Cell phone policy also applies to early release students inside the building after their school day ends. Phones are only permitted to be used during lunch and after 2:45.

• Here Comes the bus
• Bus Routes
• Bus Stop change-request form
• Transportation Forms

Bus passes should only be requested when students have a change in physical address or when there is an emergency situation and a student needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. Bus passes will not be granted for students simply wanting to go visit with a friend.

Need to obtain a bus pass?

Visit this site to submit a request electronically, or parents can write a note or send an email to Mrs. Dornisch at eadornisch@smcps.org. All relevant information must be included in the written request.

Bus Information includes: Student name, address, parent phone number, existing bus stop to be used, bus #, date, medical concerns, destination address, destination phone # and reason for the pass.

Website: https://schools.smcps.org/lhs/
Location: 23995 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650, USA
Phone: 301-475-0200
Twitter: @LHS_SMCPS