VIKING NEWS
January 17, 2025
Important Dates
- January 17-23, 2025 - Mid Term Exams
- January 20, 2025 - Schools & Offices Closed, MLK Jr. Day
- January 23, 2025 - End of 2nd Marking Period
- January 29, 2025 - Schools Closed for Students
- February 7, 2025 - Schools Closed for Students
- February 17, 2025 - Schools & Offices Closed, President's Day
- April 26, 2025 - Junior/Senior Prom
Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th
Student Celebrations!
We want to celebrate our students! All student celebrations will be shared through our instagram account @hcpss_mhhs. If you would like to shout out your child, team, club that has affiliation with Mount Hebron or HCPSS please click the bar below.
Singfest
Our choral students hosted Singfest with our feeder schools – Hollifield Station and Patapsco.
PTSA Mulch Sale - We Need Your Help!
Upcoming PTSA Mulch Sale Alert
It’s almost time! Our biggest fundraiser for After-Prom is around the corner- the Annual PTSA Mulch Sale. Stay tuned for the dates.
ATTENTION PARENTS!! - Mulch Sale committee needs your input to hold a successful mulch sale. Please take 30 seconds to complete this survey. You will receive this survey link from multiple channels, please fill out once. Thank you for your input!!
How can you get involved?
Students- Do you attend Mt. Hebron? Are you a part of a sports team or club? We need you! Join us for a fun filled event with snacks, drinks and a raffle draw for awesome gift cards!
Parents- Do you have a pickup truck, trailer or vehicle for deliveries? Your help will be invaluable to deliver mulch joy to our Mt. Hebron community area.
This is a fantastic opportunity to support our school, meet new friends/members of the community and make a real impact. Don’t miss out on this exciting Mt. Hebron PTSA tradition!
To volunteer or get more information, email us at: MHHSMulchSale@gmail.com
Mt. Hebron PTSA Mulch Sale Committee
MHHS News
High School Semester Exam Schedule January 2025
Friday, January 17, 2025 (A Day)
Period 1 Exam
Full day of school
All extracurricular activities are normal
AM/PM ARL Classes in Session
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 (B Day)
Periods 5 & 6 Exams
High schools close 3 hours early
No extracurricular activities, including practices, rehearsals, events, etc.
NO AM ARL Students
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 (A Day)
Periods 2 & 4A Exams
High schools close 3 hours early
No extracurricular activities other than 90-minute conditioning practices, which may begin at 2:45 PM
NO PM ARL Students
Thursday, January 23, 2025 (B Day)
Periods 3 & 4B Exams
All schools close 3 hours early
No extracurricular activities other than 90-minute conditioning practices, which may begin at 2:45 PM
NO AM ARL Students
Midterm Preparation Guide for Parents
As midterms are around the corner, the 9th Grade Team wanted to provide you the information that was shared with your students in December. Please review the following with your student and have them share with you their plan for preparing for midterms, beginning Friday, January 17th.
January 29 Virtual School Improvement Meeting
We would like to invite you to join us virtually for our Quarter 2 school Improvement Team meeting on Wednesday, January 29 from 9:00 - 10:30 AM. During the meeting we will be reviewing our school data about College & Career Readiness, Attendance and Discipline. There will be opportunities to engage in conversations about the data with teachers, students and administrators. We value your input. If you are interested in attending, please email Allison McCoy (allison_mccoy@hcpss.org).
Applications for Leadership U 2025 are now open!
Applications are available for current sophomores through April 7th, 2025, with interviews taking place in late April/early May and the program commencing in Summer 2025 as students begin their junior year. Interested students are invited to attend upcoming Information Sessions to learn more about the program and hear directly from recent graduates about the LU experience. Our first info session will be hosted on Tuesday, January 28th at the East Columbia Branch Library (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045, Marvin Thomas Room) beginning at 5:30pm. Additional info sessions to follow in February and March 2025 with updates located on the LHC website.
Join College Aid Pro's Monthly Financial Aid Webinar Series
Every parent wants their child to go to a college they’ll love—without breaking the bank. That’s why we’re launching a free monthly webinar series to help you navigate the financial side of college planning with clarity and confidence. Join College Aid Pro on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for expert advice and practical tools to help you make smart financial decisions for your family’s future. The first session is Tuesday, January 14th!
Choose the Series That Fits Your Family:
🎓 For Parents of Seniors:
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Senior Year
From understanding financial aid offers to making the final decision, we’ll walk you through paying for college without unnecessary stress.
📚 For Parents of Juniors & Underclassmen:
Your Roadmap to College Success
Learn how to plan ahead, maximize scholarships, and set realistic expectations so you’re fully prepared before senior year hits.
When: The 2nd Tuesday of every month
Where: Online – join from anywhere
Why: Because college should be a smart investment, not a financial burden
Click Here to Register Once for the Entire Series!
Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel (ECYP)
Attention 10th Grade Students:
The Elijah Cummings Youth Program (ECYP) was started 26 years ago by the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. He created ECYP because he had a vision that teens from Maryland's 7th District would have the opportunity to have their young minds and worlds expanded through this program. Through curriculum, dialogue, community service and travel, ECYP imparts the values critical for peaceful coexistence, whether it's here in Baltimore, in Israel, or anywhere in the world. ECYP fellows go on to be "our living messages we send to a future we will never see". They are leaders who aspire to see the future of the world as peaceful and prosperous. They build bridges between cultures and cultivate leadership for generations to come.
ECYP’s application opened on January 2nd and closes on March 31st. Applications can be found online. Students are also able to apply via email and mail.
ECYP seeks students interested in:
· International travel to broaden their worldview and cultural understanding
· Opportunities for networking and building like-minded peer relationships
· Receiving cross-cultural dialogue training
· Show evidence of academic achievement or potential
ECYP selects 12-13 students across Maryland’s 7th district. If selected, students have the opportunity to develop relationships with young people across the district, develop leadership skills, learn about leadership with leaders across the state via meetings in Annapolis and Washington, DC and travel. The program is free and at no cost to students.
If you have questions about the program, please feel free to reach out to Liza Koh, Program Director, via email at lkoh@ecyp.org. You can also learn more by visiting www.ecyp.org.
News Worth Repeating...
PTSA Staff Appreciation Committee
Please join the Mount Hebron PTSA Staff Appreciation Committee in thanking our amazing staff! Click on the link below to find easy ways to donate items helping the staff know that all of their efforts to care for our kids are seen and appreciated!
BSAP Saturday Math - Spring 2025 Program
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy (SMA) will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12 based on course availability. The BSAP Saturday Math Academy has been in existence since 1992. The program was developed in response to parents seeking math enrichment for their students. The priority was to learn instructional mathematical strategies to support their children at home and to accelerate academic achievement.
- Essential Program Information
- Spring 2025 Registration (Virtual)
- Registration will take place via HCPSS Connect on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 9:00 a.m.- until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Instructions for registration are linked below.
- HCPSS Connect Instructions (English)Links to an external site.
- HCPSS Connect Instructions (Spanish)Links to an external site.
- HCPSS Connect Instructions (Chinese)Links to an external site.
- HCPSS Connect Instructions (Korean)Links to an external site.
- Spring 2025 Program Sessions (In-Person): Sessions will take place on Saturdays from 9:00 AM -12:15 PM on the following dates: (1/25, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/8, 3/15)
- Program Fee: $80.00 Students eligible for FARMs fee: $40.00
- Program Location: Oakland Mills High School- 9410 Kilimanjaro Road Columbia, MD 21045
- Students will participate in math instruction as well as enrichments including chess, choir, STEM, or coding.
- Families who register their child(ren) for the program in HCPSS Connect are requesting enrollment. Notification will be emailed to families whose request was accepted.
- Acceptance in the program will be based on a first-come first-served basis and available space in the specified class.
- Payment Options: Families whose enrollment request is accepted will receive information regarding payment through MySchoolBucks. Additional payment options are available below:
- Online: Payments can be made through MySchoolBucks (4% service fee will be applied).
- Drop Box: Payments may be dropped off at the BSAP Office Drop Box located to the right of the BSAP Office door at the Old Cedar Lane Building. Please download the Registration Payment FormLinks to an external site. and include the completed form with your payment.
- Old Cedar Lane Building (BSAP Office: 5451 Beaverkill Road,Columbia, MD 21044)
- A student is not enrolled in the program until the program fee is paid. If payment is not received by the requested date, the child’s enrollment will be forfeited.
- Families of enrolled students will receive an invitation to a virtual Family Orientation on Saturday, January 18th from noon-12:45 p.m.
Affordable & Convenient College Prep in Partnership with Mt. Hebron HS PTSA
SAT Boot Camps at Mt. Hebron HS
**These prep classes will prepare students for March 8, May 3, and June 7 SATs.**
- Sat./Sun., Feb. 1 & 2 from 9 am - 1 pm (in person)
- Sat., April 5 from 9 am - 1 pm + M/W April 7 & 9 from 7 pm - 9 pm (virtual)
- Sat., May 17 from 9 am - 5:30 pm (in person)
Live, Virtual ACT Boot Camps (offered monthly)
**These prep classes will prepare students for Dec. 14, Feb. 8, and April 5 ACTs.**
- Sun., Dec. 8 from 9 am - 1 pm + T/Th Dec. 10 & 12 from 7 pm - 9 pm
- Sat., Jan. 4 from 9 am - 1 pm + Weds., Jan. 8 & 15 from 7 pm - 9 pm
Live, Virtual College Admissions Crash Courses (offered monthly)
- Sat./Sun., Jan. 4 & 5 from 9 am - 1 pm
- Fri., Jan. 31 - March 21 from 5 pm - 6 pm
- See website for the full schedule of monthly crash courses.
A top-level overview of everything high school students need to know about the complicated, confusing, and competitive world of college admissions in order to best support their own application and college success. Recommended for 10th & 11th graders.
Each college prep class is only $199,* or choose a Premium Bundle and save up to $500. MHHS PTSA earns a portion of student tuition! Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student.
Class of 2025 Information
Caps, Gowns and Tassels
Click here to order a cap and gown unit (which includes a tassel) or use the QR code to the right.
Order by February 1, 2025.
Class of 2025 Graduation Window: May 19-30, 2025
HCPSS today announced the window for the Class of 2025 high school graduations as Monday, May 19-Friday, May 30, 2025. No graduations will be held on weekends or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
HCPSS makes the early announcement of the graduation window to accommodate planning by parents, students, schools and community members. Specific information regarding the dates and times of each graduation ceremony will be finalized in collaboration with Merriweather Post Pavilion and provided by mid-April.
Ceremonies will be held in person at Merriweather Post Pavilion, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation ceremony at the school.
Full HCPSS commencement information can be found online.
Families of High School Seniors: Prepare Now for the FAFSA
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is NOW available. We strongly encourage all families to complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the primary tool for determining a student’s financial need, enabling access to federal, state and local grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. You can complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov.
For students ineligible for federal aid via the FAFSA, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) offers the MHEC One App. This application allows qualified children of undocumented immigrants, who meet in-state tuition requirements, to apply for Maryland state need-based financial aid. The MHEC One App can be found on the [Maryland Higher Education Commission website (https://mhec.maryland.gov).
Graduation Information
Click this link to learn more about the Class of 2025 graduation.
Parent Facebook Groups
Freshmen 2028
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538298930108508
Sophomores 2027
https://www.facebook.com/groups/132631256538950/
Juniors 2026
https://www.facebook.com/groups/474264264531291/
Seniors 2025
HCPSS NEWS
2025 Summer Programs Registration to Open Feb 3, 2025
Synergy online enrollment requests will be open Monday, February 3 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, February 17 at 12 p.m. for the following Summer programs:
- BSAP Summer Institute (Entering Grades K-9)
- Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development (Entering Grades 1-8)
- Innovative Pathways High School (Entering Grade 9 and Current Grades 9-12) – original credit courses only
HC DrugFree
Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students
- Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
- Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
- HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring
HoCo Student Film Festival
Save the date for the 2024-25 HoCo Student Film Festival: Friday, May 2, 2025. (Film deadline: April 1, 2025.) The 2024-25 school year theme of the HC DrugFree Category is: Make the Call: Help Without Hesitation. For more information visit http://www.hcdrugfree.org/hoco-filmfest/
2024-2025 Parent Workshop Series
On January 22 at 7:00 PM, we will be offering a virtual talk titled “More Than Just Hand Washing: OCD in Children and Adolescents". The goal of this talk is to provide information about OCD in children and adolescents, the gold-standard treatments for OCD, and strategies that parents and teachers can use to empower their children and students to overcome OCD. At the end of the session, there will be time for questions to be asked and answered in real-time. Attached, please find a flyer with additional details about the workshop. Click here to register for the talk.
IMPORTANT LINKS
- Mount Hebron High School Website
- HCPSS Calendar 24-25SY
- HCPSS Student and Parent Handbook
- Mount Hebron PTSA
- Mount Hebron Viking Backers
- Follow us on Instagram: @hcpss_mhhs