Towson High School Newsletter

Dear Towson High School Community,

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2024 Maryland School Report Cards, and Towson High School is pleased to announce that we have maintained our 4-star rating (full report card).

On the 2024 Maryland School Report Card, Towson High School demonstrated growth in our graduation rate, attendance rate, 9th grade on-track rate, and the MSDE school survey which measures the quality and character of school life.

While we celebrate our growth, we also recognize that continuous improvement is essential. We remain focused on increasing academic achievement, supporting our multilingual learners in attaining English language proficiency, and expanding students' access to, and credit for, a well-rounded curriculum.

As we continue to "Level Up" this school year, we are committed to seeking excellence in all we do. Together, we will continue to shine bright in BCPS and beyond. Go Generals!

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.

• Olivia Bocande & Ryn Chambers for their volunteer work in the school counseling office - they are always happy to help out when we need them - either as tour guides for new students or with whatever we need support with.

• Anisa Kalil for being nominated for the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program!

• Amaya Peters for demonstrating a growth mindset.

• Isaac Pittas for being selected as a candidate for the Northrop Grumman Corporation 2025 Special Scholarship Competition through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

• VEX Robotics Team for making it to the semi-finals and winning the "Innovate Award" at their competition on December 7.

• Chance Washington for helping to clean up the cafeteria after his lunch.

• Ammoy Binger for encouraging her peers to be 5-star Generals.

• Performing Arts Students for delighting us at the Winter Concerts.

• Generals who Compost! Congratulations Towson High School, November was our best month ever with composting during lunches. With your dedication, we composted 1,121 pounds of food! Everytime you compost, you are keeping Towson High's carbon footprint low by keeping carbon out of the atmosphere generated by food at landfills. Keep up the Green Work, Generals!

• Jimmy Deriu, Alec Lewandowski, Eloise Holman Nall, Everett Snyder, Feyi Akinfesoye, and Sophia Xu for being 5-star Generals in Ms. Lyford-Pikes 1A class and fully participating in Advisory activities.

• Ms. Karsos for being named the 24-25 Towson High School Teacher of the Year.

• Ms. Mathews for joining the THS team as the Administrative Secretary. Welcome!

• Dr. Hobbs and Ms. L. Smith for planning and coordinating the MP1 Breakfast of Champions event.

• Mr. Dashiell, Dr. Hobbs, Ms. Petras, Ms. Raley, Ms. L. Smith, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Tormey, Ms. Valian, & Ms. Weir for presenting awards of the MP1 Breakfast of Champions event.

• Mr. Brotman for establishing partnerships with local businesses.

• Mr. Gavin & Ms. Shucosky for your willingness to support students in "out-of-box" ways. You are much appreciated!

• Officers Cardano and Schissler for their gallantry and carpentry in assembling two large storage closets for Ms. Moody.

• Mr. Palumbi for setting up and creating the timelapsed video of the Modular installation.

• Ms. Biancolli, Ms. Fluharty, & Mr. Jackson for presenting to the staff various tech tools for differentiation.

• Mr. Jackson & Mr. Worthington for leading PLC groups.

• Ms. Weinstock for helping a parent in need.

• Mr. Brooks, Mr. Jackson, & Mr. Olin for conducting 5-star performances at the Winter Concerts.

• Towson Theatre Boosters for their support of the cast and crew during the "Into the Woods" production.
• Towson Music Boosters for their support of the Winter Concerts and their fundraising efforts!
• Mr. Ickes for his volunteering his time to set up technology for staff.
• Chick-fil-A of Towson (1265 E Joppa Rd) for their generous donation for the MP1 Breakfast of Champions event.
• Rowena Daly for beautifying THS by planting seasonal flowers in our planters.

• December 20 - Schools & Offices Close 3-Hours Early
• December 23-January 1 - Schools & Offices Closed
• January 2 - Schools & Offices Reopen
• January 20 - Schools & Offices Closed
• January 24 - Marking Period 2 Ends & Schools Close 3-Hours Early for Students
• January 29 - Schools Closed for Students

This September, each student who expressed interest in attending Towson High School dances, submitted a signed Dance Contract. The dance contract outlines specific attendance, grade, and behavioral expectations to attend each dance hosted by THS this school year. Regarding attendance, we understand that there are several challenges a student may face throughout the school year which prevents them from being able to attend school as expected. If you are concerned about how legitimate, excused absences will impact dance eligibility, please contact Ms. Smith at lsmith21@bcps.org.

This month, Grade 9, 10, and 11 students are registering for their courses for the 2025-2026 school year. School Counselors are visiting with ELA 9, 10, and 11 classes throughout the month of December to meet with each student and review their course registrations for the 2025-2026 school year. Please access our Academic Planning Website for more information about Course Registration.

For school year 2024-2025 BCPS high school students enrolled in courses awarding 1.0 credit will earn 0.5 credit after a passing grade is achieved for Semester 1 (MP1 and MP2) and an additional 0.5 credit will be earned after passing Semester 2 (MP3, MP4, and final exam). The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of how grades are determined by Semester 1 (blue box) and Semester 2 (purple box). School Counselors will be performing credit checks after each Semester and will recommend Credit Recovery options as necessary.

• MP1 and MP2 will each be weighted 50% to calculate the Semester 1 grade. Please note, the following three scenarios will result in students failing Semester 1, not earning a 0.0 credit for Semester 1, and having to engage in immediate credit recovery:
• MP1 – D, MP2 – E
• MP1 – E, MP2 – D
• MP1 – E, MP2 - E
• MP3 and MP4 will each be weighted 45% and the final exam will be weighted 10% to calculate the Semester 2 grade, with the exception of Living Systems and Government. For Living Systems and Government, MP3 and MP4 will each be weighted 40% and the final exam will be weighted 20% to calculate the Semester 2 grade (per MSDE requirements).

The Modular project continues! Please see the video below for a timelapsed video of the Modular installation. Many thanks to Mr. Palumbi for setting up and creating the video. Currently, we anticipate that Trailer classrooms will transition to the new Modulars in late winter.

Please review the Class of 2025 timeline for important events and deadlines.

• Prom: May 17 at M&T Bank Stadium
• After-Prom: FREE After-Prom Party, 11:00 pm - 1:00 am, Bowlero Timonium

May 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm at TU Arena

Senior Portrait FAQ & Senior Portrait Costs

Class dues are $40 per senior and are payable via the Online School Payment system (OSP).

Access Josten’s website to purchase your senior’s Cap & Gown and other graduation keepsakes.

• Starting October 7th, Ms. Valian will be in the Library in the morning before 7:35 am for college and Xello support.
  

• Ms. Valian is available every Tuesday from 2:00-2:35 pm on Google Meet for Xello drop-in support for Seniors who have Release Time.

Ms. Hancock (ehancock@bcps.org) and Ms. Kromsky (jkromsky@bcps.org).

This is a friendly reminder to pay your class dues. This will help fund our class activities and is required in order to attend Junior Prom. The dues are $25 and are due December 31st. You can pay them using the link: https://osp.osmsinc.com/BaltimoreCountyMD/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=EI475-307

Shake Shack Fundraiser Saturday 12/14 11 AM - 11 PM: Join the Towson Class of 2026 for a fundraiser you won't want to miss! Grab a burger, shake, or fries and help support our class. See you there!

Just in time for the holidays, the Class of 2027 will be holding a Spiritwear fundraiser. Orders will be accepted between November 11th to November 24th with delivery in mid December. All orders will be given directly to the THS student unless alternate arrangements are made. You can order using the link below: https://towsonclassof27.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Class Rings are now available to order!!!! Below you will find a video presentation all about class rings from our Josten's representative. Information about class rings was distributed during your child's English class. You can also view information about class rings using the QR code on the flier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpYUBMTmMds

The Sophomore Ring Dance will take place on March 7th. To attend the Ring Dance, your child must have paid their class dues. Class dues are $20 and can be paid via BCPS Online School Payment system. The link for this can be found on Towson High Schools webpage under "quick links".

Questions? Please contact Ms. Cerenzo, Class Advisor, at kcerenzo@bcps.org

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.

For the latest updates on the Towson High School Renovation/Addition Project, please click here. We are currently in Phase 0 - Temporary Modular Classrooms.

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.

Absent notes must be turned in within 5 days from the student returning to school. Please review the Towson High School 2024-2025 Operating Procedures document ("Attendance" section) for information on Absent notes, including how to submit them on FOCUS. Teachers are not required to provide makeup work for unexcused absences.

Exciting news- You can now use digital payments at concessions! The Towson High School Sports Boosters meetings are the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please consider joining to support our student athletes!

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

December 17 - Chorus Winter Concert 7pm, Auditorium

December 20 - Schools & Offices Close 3-Hours Early

December 23 - January 1 - Schools & Offices Closed

January 2 - Schools & Offices Reopen

January 8 - PTSA Meeting 7pm, Library

January 20 - Schools & Offices Closed

January 24 - Marking Period 2 Ends & Schools Close 3-Hours Early for Students

January 29 - Schools Closed for Students

February 6 - Report Cards on FOCUS at 4:00 pm

February 17 - Schools & Offices Closed