TSHS Cougar News
Keeping you connected to teaching and learning
Welcome students and families!
Due to school closures earlier this month because of inclement weather, the date of the last day of school has changed. Currently, the last day of school for students for the 2024-25 school year is moved to Friday, June 13.
We are almost halfway through the second semester of classes. This is a reminder that Interim Reports will be posted on February 24, 2025. Paying attention to the "small things that mean a lot" will help you turn in quality work. Using your time management skills will help you in meeting deadlines. Staying focused will help you succeed in having a successful second half of the school year.
As the winter months are here, so is Flu season. We are seeing an increase of students missing school due to illness. This is a reminder that you have (5) school days to turn in a parent or medical note to the Attendance office upon your child returning to school. If your student is a sports participant, a medical note is always advised so it won't interfere with participation. If your student is running a fever, has vomiting, or occurrences of diarrhea, they should be symptom-free for 24 hours, without fever reducing medication, before returning to school. If your student needs to be on an antibiotic, we recommend completing at least 24 hours of medication prior to returning to school as well. Parents, please refer to your child's physician for more recommendations due to illnesses. We thank you in advance for your part in helping prevent the spread of germs and illness within our building.
The Administration team are still implementing Hall Sweeps. Once the tardy bell rings, any student found in the hallway without a pass will receive a Saturday School Detention. Saturday School takes place on selected Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. If a student is assigned Saturday School and fails to attend, they risk receiving ISI (In-School Intervention) or even Suspension. It’s crucial for students to manage their transition time between classes. You have four minutes between classes before being marked tardy. If you are late leaving your previous class, be sure to get a pass from your teacher before heading to your next class. As a reminder, our school day begins at 7:30 a.m. Please ensure you arrive at school and to each class on time.
Additionally, remember that wearing or bringing backpacks or large bags into classrooms is not permitted. Students must utilize their lockers. If you encounter any locker issues, please use the QR code available in various locations throughout the building and in the Main Office. We encourage all students to continue demonstrating your Cougar Pride by being Prepared, Respectful, Involved, Diligent, and Eco-Friendly.
FEV Tutor halts operations, services are no longer available. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) was recently notified that FEV Tutor shut down its business operations and will no longer be providing services. The closure was effective Jan. 25. CCPS has been contracted with FEV Tutor since 2023, to offer students additional tutoring opportunities and support. The school system was notified over the weekend of the company’s closure. As part of the company’s shutdown, any scheduled tutoring sessions were canceled. In the notification provided to CCPS of the closure, FEV cites financial challenges and issues with the company’s ability to secure resources to continue operations as reasons for the company shutdown. CCPS is looking into alternative methods and tutoring options for students, staff and parents. Through its contract with FEV Tutor, CCPS offered free virtual tutoring opportunities to all grade levels of students. Parents looking for programs and resources to support their child at home can reach out to their child’s teacher for recommendations. Follow the CCPS website at www.ccboe.com for updates.
With the winter months here, school delays or cancellations may arise. If you would like to get TEXT ALERTS from CCPS, you must OPT IN to get the alerts, before you can start receiving them. To do this, from your cell phone, text YES to 67587. You should then receive a notification that you are now registered. This is a good way to get information regarding school delays, early dismissals, cancellations, school issues, transportation issues, and sometimes community issues that may involve a school or surrounding areas, etc. Stay informed via text.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities have aided in defining the history and culture of the USA. HBCUFest will emphasize exposing youth and teens to the culture of some of the premier colleges and universities in the country. Join in at Westlake High School, Saturday, February 15th from 10a-3p. The day will be filled with engagement and exciting interactions with various HBCU representatives. Additionally, teens will see performances, door prizes, student panels and attend information sessions.
*Online registration required for raffle entry (1 entry per participant).
*Must be present to win.
Click the link to register: Charles County Recreation, Parks & Tourism: HBCUFest College Explosion
Your Generosity Made a Difference — THANK YOU!
We want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated shoes to our recent Shoe Drive!
Thanks to your incredible support, we set an ambitious goal of collecting 2,500 pairs of shoes, and we are thrilled to announce that WE REACHED THAT GOAL — all because of YOU!
Your donations will directly help individuals and families in need, giving them the comfort and support they deserve. Your selflessness and community spirit have turned this goal into a reality, and we couldn't have done it without your support. Whether you donated one pair or many, you have made a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful.
On behalf of everyone involved, we offer our deepest gratitude. Together, we are creating positive change and making a difference, one step at a time.
Thank you once again for your incredible generosity and support!
With immense appreciation,
Thomas Stone High School
Attention Class of 2025 and Class of 2026
PROM is in the air!! Get ready for an Enchanted Evening Under the Sea!
When: March 21, 2025
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Where:
Waldorf Jaycees Community Center
3090 Robert S. Crain Hwy
Waldorf, MD 20601
Tickets can be purchased during both lunches in the cafeteria lobby, now thru March 20,2025.
Tickets Pricing:
Early Bird ticket price: Now until February 20, 2025 = $90.00
February 21,2025 - March 20, 2025 = $95.00
Don’t miss your chance to create unforgettable memories with your friends! Limited tickets are available, so grab yours before they’re gone!
For more information, contact Mrs. Matthews in room 807 or via email at tmatthews@ccboe.com. See you at Prom!
Questions regarding Senior Information can be directed to the 12th grade Administrator
Mr. Werkheiser at cwerkheiser@ccboe.com
GRADUATION for TSHS 2025 will be Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 1:00p.m, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. Gates will open at 12:30p.m. Look for more information to come from Mr. Werkheiser, Senior AP, or right here in the TSHS Newsletter.
SENIOR TRIP to KING DOMINION
Full trip details, remaining cost, and the final deadline to submit payment will be coming soon. Please look for an email from Ms. Rabb in the near future.
In the meantime, the Senior Class Executive Board has voted to provide an additional opportunity for those who missed the fall window to submit their trip deposit. If you did not sign up to attend the Senior Class Trip, but would like to attend, you may submit your $100 trip deposit to Ms. Rabb, in room 812. Payments can be made by cash, checks, or money orders. Please make all checks and money orders payable to Thomas Stone High School.
Trip Details so far:
- Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
- Location: Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
- Time: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM
- Potential Total Cost: $150 (subject to change once information is received from King's Dominion)
- Cost Includes:
- Admission to the park
- Meals and drinks at the park
- Bus transportation
- Snacks for the bus ride
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Rabb at mrabb@ccboe.com.
Senior dues are $150. The due date to pay senior dues was Friday, January 31, 2024. If you have not paid your Senior Dues, please do so ASAP. You can submit your payment by cash, check, or money order to Mrs. Lee or Mrs. Gowin in the main office. This can be done between the hours of 7:30am – 2:30pm. Money orders and checks are to be made out to Thomas Stone High School, with the student’s name in the memo line. You can also pay online, with a debit or credit card by clicking on the link provided. Thomas Stone High School Senior Dues
The breakdown is as follows:
Senior T-Shirt $10.00
Senior Bag $5.00
Senior Picnic $20.00
Yard Sign $10.00
Caps/Gowns/Stoles $60.00
Awards $25.00
Stage Decorations $5.00
Graduation Programs $15.00
Total $150.00
*Senior dues cannot be discounted, however if needed, they may be paid in smaller payments until the balance is paid off in full, if needed.
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F202410OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2025
Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!
More about the Smilesafe program here.
TSHS' Chorus Department will be participating in a Double Good Popcorn fundraiser in the coming days... Grab yourself a bag or few and support TSHS Chorus Department. All proceeds will go towards TSHS' Spring Concert. The fundraiser will begin on February 17 and ends on February 21.
Click on the link below to support and enter the event code: FTMTEL
JROTC is selling Snack Time candy, nuts, and popcorn through Friday, 28 February. If you know a cadet in the program who is selling, please support them. If not, please use the program link below.
Support our Sophomore Class, Class of 2027, by purchasing some Joe Corbis! Please look out for an email in the coming days on how to make a purchase. If you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. Phillips, Class Sponsor, via email at adphillips@ccboe.com.
If you are interested in being a part of Thomas Stone High Schools' PTSO Committee, please contact Rita Osborne at TSHSPTSO@gmail.com. Come be a part of the PTSO Committee and make a difference. Applications are available in the main office and also available during all scheduled meetings. Please complete the application form and return, with payment of $10, to the main office. We hope to see you soon!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free form that allows students to apply for federal financial aid for college or career school: grants, work-study, and loans.
The FAFSA for 2025-26 must be received no later than June 30, 2026. Seniors and your parents/guardians will need to create a FSAID's before completing the FAFSA. Go to -https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to start the process.
Did you know.... students can receive additional benefits from the Free and Reduced Meal application, such as fee waivers for ACT, SAT, and College Application fees. Upperclassman will need to complete a Free and Reduced Meals Application online, to receive these benefits. The online application can be found on the CCBOE homepage. https://www.myschoolapps.com/
The next SAT is scheduled for March 8, 2025. Registration Deadline is February 21, 2025. Late Registration Deadline - February 25, 2025
Register for your SAT at www.collegeboard.org
College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools
College Board is a non-profit organization that clears a path for all students to own their future through the AP Program, SAT Suite, BigFuture, and more.
The upcoming ACT examination date is scheduled for April 5, 2025. Registration Deadline is February 28, 2025 - Late Registration Deadline March 16, 2025
Register for your ACT at www.act.org
For all game schedules, visit Thomas Stone Cougars - Official Athletic Website – Waldorf, MD (tscougarssports.com)
All tickets, for games and events, can be purchased on GOFan at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24850 or using credit card at the events gate entrance. There is a fee for all home and away games. Make sure to look at the bottom of the event listed to see if it is in our back yard or theirs! You should purchase your ticket ahead of time, but tickets can also be purchased at the gate. Come and support our athletes and Thomas Stone High School!
Hello Thomas Stone Families!
Thomas Stone High School is a Community School! Check out the Thomas Stone Community School Website for resource information, events and to sign-up for programs.
Thomas Stone Community School Website
Link: https://sites.google.com/view/thomasstonehs-communityschool/home
Global Impact Wellness Group is offering a Youth Financial Literacy and Drug Prevention Program for students ages 12-19 via zoom for one hour each Monday and Thursday. You must be a Medicaid recipient and Maryland resident to participate.
A weekly stipend of $25 will be provided.
Click the link below to sign-up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZmm3q1mGO99f7BfzQs8m6auPozB4yZQB8Odfm-wdK6FJuWg/viewform
Please see attached flyer for additional information.
Did you know that CCPS has partnered with Hazel Health, a tele-mental health service for CCPS students in middle and high school . During in-school appointments, students can visit virtually with a mental health specialist in a designated location in the school that provides privacy. Trained school staff will accompany students to and from the appointment. Parents and families can learn more about Hazel Health here.
Please note that CCPS devices need regular updating to ensure that all software continues to work and to receive the latest security patches from Microsoft. Please check for Windows updates every Tuesday evening (or as soon after as possible). This can prevent many problems, especially during testing sessions.
If you have any issues with your laptop, please submit a ticket to Mr. Richardson by clicking the link provided https://askccps.ccboe.com/open.php. If your student is in the building, they may stop by Mr. Richardson's office, located in the Media Center for assistance.
If your student will be leaving TSHS, you will need to return your CCPS issued laptop and charger to Thomas Stone High School prior to being withdrawn.
FEBRUARY is NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH, CTE MONTH, and NATIONAL CHILDRENS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
February 14 - Valentines Day
February 15 - National School Resource Officer Day
February 15 - HBCUFest, Westlake HS, 10a-3p
February 17 - Presidents Day; Schools/Offices Closed
February 17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 19 - 2hr Early Dismissal Day for Students
February 19 - PTSO Meeting, SENIOR INFORMATION NIGHT 6:00pm
February 20 - Title I DADvisory Council Meeting, 6-8pm; Starkey Building
February 22 - Scholarship Workshop (location TBD)
February 24 - Interims Posted
February 27 - Career Fair (Grades 11-12); North Point HS
March 1 - First day of Ramadan
March 5 - 2hr Early Dismissal Day for Students
March 5 - Charles County Spelling Bee, Stoddert MS, 6p-8p
March 7 - Read Across Charles County Day
March 8 - SAT Day
March 8 - International Women's Day
March 11 - Board Meeting, 1p.m., Public Forum 6p.m.
March 14 - Pi Day, Schools closed for students and teachers
CCPS is, again this school year, participating in federal and state programs that provide free meals at qualifying schools. Thomas Stone High School is a qualified school. These programs include the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA). Students who attend Thomas Stone High School can eat breakfast and lunch for free for the entire school year. If your child would like to purchase additional a' la cart items, they can purchase these items by using MySchoolBucks.com.
TSHS ADMINISTRATION TEAM
9th - Mr. Snow bsnow@ccboe.com
10th - Mrs. Savage jsavagespriggs@ccboe.com
11th - Mrs. Loyd kloyd@ccboe.com
12th - Mr. Werkheiser cwerkheiser@ccboe.com
Instructional AP - Dr. Bateman jbateman@ccboe.com
To learn more about our Admin team, click the link below:
Thomas Stone High School
Website: https://stone.ccboe.com/
Location: 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD, USA
Phone: (301)753-1756
Twitter: @CougarsTSHS