Braves Bulletin
December 10, 2023
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, Dec 13 - Class of 2025 Ring Deliveries during Pride Time
Friday, Dec 15 - Staff vs. Student Basketball Game pd. 7-8
December 18 - January 1 - Winter Break - Students return to school on January 2
2024-25 School Calendar Survey
The SMCPS Calendar Committee is seeking input in the development of the 2024-2025 school year calendar. Please respond to this Calendar Survey to provide your input.
Para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles.
Holiday Spirit Week
Student vs. Staff Basketball Game
On Friday, December 15th, MTSS will be hosting a Student vs. Staff basketball game during periods 7 and 8. Please contact Mrs. Walsh at hmwalsh@smcps.org for questions and/or additional information.
To be eligible to PLAY, students must:
Not be on the school basketball team.
Be referral free from November 28th until the start of the game.
Use 2 Braves Bucks as their player’s fee.
All other students will have the option to watch the game or go to the auditorium for an alternative activity. This choice must be made PRIOR to December 12th.
If you know you will need to pick up your child early, please contact the main office prior to December 15th to schedule a checkout. If at all possible, early checkouts should occur prior to the end of lunch. Please understand that it will take longer than normal to locate students for a 7th or 8th period checkout due to the alternative activities and locations.
9th and 10th Graders - Is the Tech Center Right for You?
f you are thinking about applying to the Tech Center, please join us for our virtual “Meet & Greets.” Students can login to a google meet with our teachers and learn more about what each program has to offer. If you attend one of our sessions, please make sure to use the QR code to complete the google form to record your required application visit. Click here for the schedule - the link may only be accessed from the student's school Gmail account.
Questions, please contact your counselor.
College & Career Readiness Center News
Maryland Apprenticeship Locator
The Maryland Apprenticeship Locator is designed to help you find apprenticeship opportunities near you. This locator includes only the programs that are currently seeking to hire apprentices. Please check back regularly as new opportunities may become available. Click here for more info or to sign up
Career Month - Apprenticeships
Did you know that through a Registered Apprenticeship program, you can obtain paid, relevant workplace experience while acquiring the skills and credentials that employers value? And that 90% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship retain employment, with an average annual salary of $80,000! Learn more about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for career seekers and prospective apprentices by stopping in the Career Center or checking out my webpage on the CHS website. Go to "quick links" and then to "College and Career". The "Career link" gives information about open apprenticeship opportunities.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Nantz at 301-474-5511, x 38125, or kjnantz@smcps.org
Salisbury University will be at Chopticon on December 11th.
We have an exciting event scheduled - Salisbury University will be here at Chopticon High School on Monday, December 11th for an instant On-Site Admission Decision Day!! What does that mean?
Salisbury Admissions Representative, Rahsaan Ellis, will be meeting with students, reviewing their completed application, and giving an INSTANT admissions decision.
What do you need to do?
- Submit a completed Salisbury University Early Action application by December 1st. - Oh, by the way, Mrs. White has application fee waivers!!!!
***A completed application requires a completed application (Common Application or Salisbury University direct application) transcript, counselor recommendation and SAT and/or ACT scores if applicable. ***
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.8.
- Schedule a 15-minute interview to have your application reviewed at the following link: Salisbury On-Site Admission Appointment (Limited number of appointments are available and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served).
For additional information, please contact Mrs. White at cmwhite@smcps.org or 301-475-0215, ext. 38139.
College Bound Seniors - FAFSA Completion Events
Seniors and Parents - FAFSA Completion Events
Senior Parents/Students,
It's almost FAFSA time!!!!! The application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open December 2023 (Exact Date TBD). Many students and parents feel anxious about filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. To guide you through the application process, Chopticon High School would like to invite you to the following workshops to assist in completion.
FAFSA Completion Night – Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. – In-Person Event at Chopticon High School in the Media Center
Chopticon High School is hosting a FREE FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completion/Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, January 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. College Financial Aid Counselors will be available to assist parents and students in the completion of their FAFSA. This event will take place in the Chopticon High School Media Center.
To accommodate our families, we are asking that if you are planning to attend, please RSVP through the google form with the link: FAFSA COMPLETION RSVP LINK HERE
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most states and colleges use information from the FAFSA form to award non federal aid. Students & Parents will complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form when it is available and use 2022 tax information. For more information or to complete the FAFSA, visit www.studentaid.gov
If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at 301-475-0215, ext. 38139 or cmwhite@smcps.org.
SMCPS Spectator Policy for After School Events
As we start another season of athletics, arts, and other activities, I want to strongly encourage you to come support our events. I also want to remind everyone of St. Mary’s County Public School’s policy regarding spectators at after school events:
No Bags or Purses Allowed
No outside Food or Drink Allowed including Water
Ticket Sales are online Only at Go Fan
No Cash option for tickets
Gates will open - one hour before the first event.
Concessions are cash and credit card.
Thank you, we hope to see you at our events.
Marc Pirner, Principal
Congratulations to the Newest Inductees - National Honor Society
On Friday the following students were inducted into the Ark and Dove Chapter of the National Honor Society:
SMAC Boys Senior Soccer All Star Game
Chopticon's Peyton Beale, Jacob Pingleton, and Cameron Outt were selected for the SMAC Senior All Star Game
Jingle Bell Run
On Saturday, early in the morning, Chopticon alumni, student/atheltes, parents, friends and many more in the community, ran a 5k in the Jingle Bell Run in Solomon's. The run raises funds to support research for Arthritis treatments & a cure.
Two of our Chopticon student athletes won 1st place medals for their age group - Kathleen Schwaner and Weston Carr. CHS Cross Country Alumni, Owen Joy, organized a group, Jingling Joggers, to help raise funds.
Boys Basketball
Varsity Boys Basketball with the win over Potomac 79-53
JV Boys Basketball Home Opener - Chopticon 59 Potomac 25
Boys Basketball Free Throw Competition
Boys Basketball completed the 3rd Annual Free-Throw-Athon in which players each shoot 100 free throws. Funds are raised each year to cover the team’s pregame meals as well as senior night. The Varsity program shot 74.5% as a group.
- Top 2 Performers:
- Senior, David Hancock (85)
- Freshman, Braylon Harrison (85)
Junior Varsity team shot 69.5% as a group.
- Top 2 performers:
- Freshman, Julien Kourouma (91)
- Sophomore, Tori Carter (84)
Girls Basketball Free Throw Competition
On Saturday, 12/2, girls basketball completed their free throw competition fundraiser to raise money for the program. Each player shot 100 free throws and prior to the event asked to gather pledges per shot.
- This year’s top performers were:
- Alyssa Mobley with 75/100 shots, Savannah Hardesty with 75/100 shots, and Abigail Gandy with 71/100 shots
Football All Conference Honors
Congratulations to our 2023 All Conference Honorable Mention Team - Dominic Echino, Joe Fry, Corbin Gottschall, and Iverson Hill.
Congratulations to our 2023 Senior All Academic Team - Andrew Dixon, Corbin Gottschall, Landon Johnson, and Jordan Pernell
Around Chopticon
Holiday Door Decorating
AFJROTC Fundraising Drive
We are the AFJROTC MD 20021 program located at Chopticon High School in Morganza, MD. We have 115 Cadets in our program who are committed to becoming future leaders. Our mission is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. Please help us reach our goal!
Click this link for more information.
Important School Information and Links
No Food or Other Deliveries for Students
Here is a link to the daily menu.
Help Prevent the Spread of Infection
Students and staff should stay home with ANY signs/symptoms of illness. If fever-reducing medication was required within the past 24 hours to maintain a normal body temperature, you should NOT be in school.
Online Forms Each Parent/Guardian Should Complete
Please be sure you have completed the following:
- Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online 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. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.
- Online Emergency Information Update Forms are available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. This form is important as this is the current contact information we have for parents/guardians.
- 2023/2024 Parent Permission - SMCPS Secondary Acceptable Use Policy and Online Platforms - More Info - must be completed for each student
- 2023-24 Meal Benefit Form
Braves Bucks
Hey Chop Nation! Braves Bucks are rolling out and you might not know how to spend them. Visit the school bank during PRIDE time and use your bucks to purchase any items listed below. Prices are subject to change based on supply and demand, so get down early for the best deals.
Parents - Braves Bucks are something students may earn to reward positive behaviors. Some examples of how a student may earn a Braves Buck is by going to a teacher's classroom during Pride Time for academic assistance or being on time to class during a Blitz. Students may trade in Braves Bucks for items in the "store" located in the School Bank.