Principal's Newsletter
Some thoughts for the starting school year
May 17, 2024
From the Desk of the Principal
Dear Railroader Families,
We had a smooth and fun first graduation rehearsal today. Hard to believe that our seniors graduate in just four calendar days! All senior families are encouraged to take one last look at the directions below. As a reminder, our Senior Awards Program is on Monday at 1:00 pm. Parents of seniors are invited to attend, but parking will be at a premium. Please carpool if you are able. The graduation ceremony is held at the PNC Arena, with the GPS address listed below. Guests will not be admitted without tickets! This is an exciting time for our graduates and families, and we look forward to celebrating with you all next Tuesday.
For students in Grades 9-11, this is a reminder that Tuesday is an asynchronous learning day. Teachers will be providing you with assignments, due dates, and will be available live via Google Meet to answer any questions you might have between 1:00-2:30pm. Please see all important details about this day in the message below.
This is a season of celebration, and there are many kudos, achievements and awards highlighted below. Our varsity baseball team has advanced to the state quarterfinal game that is about to begin as I type this message. Let’s go, Railroaders!
Christopher Berry
Principal
The Week Ahead - Keeping You in the Know!
Only home athletic events listed. Check BHS Event Calendar for complete details of home and away contents.
All college recruiter visits are held during Connections (10:25am) unless stated otherwise. Sign-up in Naviance
Railroader News and Notes
BHS Roaderettes Auditions
Celebrating our BHS 2024 Graduates!
Brunswick High's graduation ceremony is Tuesday, May 21, at 9 a.m.at Mount St Mary's University's Knotts Arena. Tickets are required in advance for in-person attendance. The ceremony will be livestreamed at this link. It will also be archived for future viewing. Please join us in acknowledging the hard work of our graduating Railroaders!
You can find more information on FCPS graduation plans here!
Asynchronous Day May 21st for BHS Students - Grades 9-11
Brunswick High School will celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2024 on Tuesday, May 21 at Mount St. Mary’s University. As a result, all BHS staff will be present at this ceremony, and the school building will be closed to students in Grades 9-11. On this day, all students in Grades 9-11 will participate in an asynchronous day of instruction from home.
Prior to this asynchronous day of instruction on May 21, teachers will:
- provide assignments and directions to students in Schoology.
- provide a due date for these assignments, which may be Wednesday, May 22.
- provide a Google Meet link in advance where they will be available for drop-in virtual support for any students who have questions or need assistance.
On May 21, the asynchronous day of instruction:
- Students will complete assignments independently as directed by their teachers.
- Students may access drop-in virtual support from 1:00 – 2:45pm, only as needed.
Check out the FCPS Maryland YouTube page.
End of Year Chromebook Procedures and BYOD Reminder
Beginning this year, FCPS will make changes to our Chromebook management procedures for secondary students regarding their collection and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Moving forward, secondary schools will only collect Chromebooks from students in 8th and 12th grades. Additionally, starting next school year, student's will be expected to use their FCPS issued device for instruction throughout the school day. As a reminder, the FCPS BYOD program will end on June 10, 2024.
Current 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will keep their Chromebooks through the summer. This change will simplify end of year procedures for our students and staff. A physical inventory of each device will occur before students leave for summer, but this process should be significantly easier and less time consuming than the traditional collection. The physical inventory will ensure that FCPS has an accurate account of each device that is assigned to a student in the aforementioned grades.
As required by law, FCPS issued student Chromebooks will continue to have a restrictive internet content filter applied to them throughout the summer. Students will still be able to access FCPS approved educational programs. If a student has an issue with a Chromebook over the summer, the issue will need to be reported to the school's User Support Specialist at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
At the start of next school year, secondary schools will only need to issue devices to newly enrolled students, students who previously used BYOD, and 6th and 9th grade students. This change allows a majority of students to have their FCPS assigned devices for the first day of school.
Any family who will be unable to maintain their child's device over the summer or who knows they will be withdrawing from FCPS should contact the User Support Specialist Nicholas Bush: Nicholas.Bush@fcps.org or 240-236-8615 to coordinate a plan for Chromebook collection.
School Meals Available for Graduation Day!
Great news! High school students don’t have to miss school meals on graduation day! Graduation day is a virtual learning day for all high school students, but meals will be available for purchase on the day of graduation. The menu will be limited and is available online at www.fcpsnutrition.com. All high schools will have breakfast available from 7:00-8:00 a.m. and lunch available from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The meals cannot be taken home; students must eat them at their high school. Students who want breakfast and/or lunch must come through the serving line and enter their student ID number to get meals.
End of Year Medication Reminders
Frederick County Health Department/ Frederick County Public Schools
The last day of school is June 7, 2024
- According to FCPS Regulation 400-23 students are not permitted to take their medications home at the end of the school year.
- A parent/guardian must pick up all medications in the health room by the end of the school day on June 7, 2024. To arrange for pick-up please contact health room staff directly.
- All non-emergency medication(s) and expired medication(s) of any kind remaining in the health room will be destroyed at the end of the school day, unless alternate arrangements have been made directly with health room staff.
Summer School
If your child will be attending a summer FCPS program and medication must be administered during summer school hours, contact the health room for additional guidance.
Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year
- All medication/treatment authorization form(s) must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Ensure that the appropriate authorization form is completed by your healthcare provider. Forms are available online at www.fcps.org.
- Verify the expiration dates on your child’s medication(s). Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.34.23.07, dictates that we determine expiration dates as follows:
- one year from the dispensing date on the pharmacy label (OR)
- expiration date on the medication package, whichever comes first.
- If the instructions on the pharmacy label states, “see attached”, you must provide the pharmacy attachment. Medication will not be accepted without the required attachments.
- To ensure your child’s medication/treatment needs are met at the start of the school year contact the health room on or after August 12, 2024, to arrange a drop off time for medications/supplies and completed forms. Health room staff will review medication/treatment authorization forms and medications with the parent/guardian to ensure compliance with state regulations. If the medication/treatment authorization forms and/or medications do not meet compliance, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to follow up with their health care provider.
- Per FCPS Reg 400-23, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to deliver medication/treatment authorization form(s) and medications directly to health room staff. Please do not send your child to school with medications.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Health Room Staff, Brunswick High School
Health Room Phone # 240-236-8558
Congratulations, Commendations & Kudos
Students of the Week
Academic Winner: Skyla Stokes
Nominated by: Mr. Tuomey
Skyla is a model student who is always prepared to begin the class. She can be counted on to participate, remain attentive, and her work is rarely matched in quality. - Mr. Tuomey
Outstanding Character Winner: Jevin Golden
Nominated by: Mr. Beavan
Jevin is always polite and courteous to students and staff. He takes time to greet people and shows a kindness that many students don't. - Mr. BeavanMia McGuffin in the Spotlight!
Brunswick High's Mia McGuffin is featured as part of the FCPS Journey to Graduation Senior Spotlight Series. Mia is an aspiring veterinarian who founded her own business called Green Acre's Suds, which creates products made from goat milk on her family's farm.
You can read her full story and learn more about her award-winning business via the FCPS All-Stars blog.
Senior Class of 2024
Graduating Seniors Lunch Accounts
As the school year comes to a close, you have some decisions to make regarding your student’s lunch account balance in Linq Connect. You are being asked to:
- Check your Senior’s Lunch account balance on Linq Connect.
- Make sure Auto Payments on Linq Connect are disabled for Seniors.
If your Senior’s lunch account has a positive balance please contact Brandie Hite at Brandie.hite@fcps.org or call 240-236-8562 with the Senior’s name and ID number along with what they would like done with the remaining money.
Any remaining funds can be managed in one of three ways:
- They can transfer the money from the Senior’s account to younger siblings if possible. Both students’ names and ID numbers are required.
- They can donate the remaining money to the School account that is used to cover lunch costs for students that are short on funds next year. Senior’s name and ID number required.
- They can have the remaining money refunded back to them by check that will be sent in the mail. Senior’s name and ID number required as well as the name and address of the recipient of the check.
Senior Event Calendar - Check Out All Senior Events!
The graduation date for BHS has finally been announced! The BHS Class of 2024 will be hold its graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 21 at 9:00am at the PNC Arena on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg. What are the other major events throughout the year and related to graduation that you need on your calendar now? Check out this newly updated link below with all of the important dates for the Class of 2024.
Athletics
Railroader Athletic Events for the Coming Week
Staff
- The link above will give you the schedule of events for BHS this week
- Please come support our Student-Athletes!
Coaches
- Please double check your scheduled start time / location for games.
- Please make sure you have received a bus slip in your mailbox – double check departure times.
- Bus Policies
Officials and Opposing School ADs - Please let me know if our schedules do not agree.
Tickets and Video
- Fans can purchase tickets online for regular season contests and skip the line at the gate at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24761
- Games can be watched live on the NFHS Network
- Please familiarize yourself with this information for the Winter Season.
Booster Organizations
BHS PTSA News
We welcome all Parents, Students, and Teacher to join the PTSA!
If you or your student have not had an opportunity to join the PTSA, or just want to make a donation, print a membership/donation form from the link below:
https://edu.fcps.org/bhs/sites/bhs/files/PTSAMembershipForm.pdf
The PTSA does little to no fundraising, so most of the income comes from memberships and donations. You or your student can deliver the completed form and $10 membership and/or donation to the school office (cash or check). Please mark the envelope - PTSA. Electronic payment for membership is now available through PayPal. Choose @BHSPTSA1 or scan the QR code below. In the comments, include your name, email, contact number, whether you are a BHS staff member, your student’s name and grade. If you have any questions please email the PTSA at brunswickptsa@gmail.com. We are excited for this school year and we hope to see you at a future meeting!
Railroader Reminders
Important Attendance Reminders
The State of Maryland has set the attendance goal for each school at 96%.
How can you help BHS achieve that goal? Send your healthy child to school every day on time. Also, plan vacations around the FCPS calendar. Thank you for your support!
Parents and guardians are reminded of these important basic guidelines regarding attendance:
- When your student is absent, please notify BHS.attendance@FCPS.org or turn in a written note immediately after the absence. Please provide physician's notes when applicable.
- Student's who drive to school must have parent/guardian authorization to dismiss early, and must sign-out upon their departure through the main office.
- If a student will be dismissed early, please e-mail the attendance office, BHS.attendance@fcps.org no later than 7:30 am on the day of the early departure or provide your student with an early dismissal note for the attendance office. The student will receive a pass to leave their classroom early, signing out in the main office before leaving. If a note has not been sent in advance, parents must enter the building to sign their student out.
- Student's who arrive to school late anytime after 7:30 must obtain a pass to enter any area of the school. The student must have a parent note in order for the absence to be excused. Any student who arrives late without a parent absence note will be assigned consequences from their administrator based on the frequency of these late arrivals.
Being Prepared for School - Chromebooks
Being prepared every day for school means many things, but perhaps most importantly, it means having your Chromebook fully charged and ready to go. Do you have a place at home where you charge your Chromebook each night? Is this part of your daily routine? Loaner Chromebooks are available on an emergency basis ONLY, and must be returned to the Media Center at the end of each day. Chromebook chargers are not available to be lent out. Most classrooms do not have outlets for charging. Be prepared - charge your Chromebook at home each night!
TutorMe.com, a Free Student Online Tutoring/Homework Help Service
TutorMe.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through the FCPS Clever Portal and offers on-demand assistance. The TutorMe.com service provides assistance that aligns with the FCPS curriculum, including knowledge of new curriculum tools being implemented. The service maintains rigorous standards providing high-quality, diverse tutors, screened for excellence (including a criminal background check). The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Features include:
An online lesson space with a virtual whiteboard
Text editor and chat space
Audio/video chat (although you do not have to use this feature or turn on your camera)
A function to allow sharing of screenshots of work examples to assist tutors as they provide support
More than 300 subjects from math to science, social studies and languages
Students can access TutorMe through the FCPS Bookmarks, when logged in to Google Chrome through their FCPS account, and click on the Clever Portal, then TutorMe. More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.