Springbrook Weekly Digest

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Welcome back to the SWD!

Last week, we celebrated Native American Heritage Month with a musical storytelling presentation and enjoyed the fantastic fall play, Dracula: A Comic Thriller. Winter athletic tryouts also began.

This week:

• The Class of 2026 (Juniors) Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser begins.
• The virtual PTSA meeting is on Tuesday, November 19th.
• Federal Impact Aid Surveys will be sent home with students on Wednesday, November 20th to parents in active uniformed or foreign services.
• Look for emails and calls from teachers and counselors for select families to attend parent-teacher conferences on Monday, November 25th.

Check out all updates in this issue of the SWD and have a wonderful week!

Winter Sports Season

Winter sports registration is now open on ParentVUE! Blue Devils get connected and consider trying out for basketball, bocce, cheerleading, indoor track, poms, swim & dive, and wrestling. Registrations submitted after November 13th may result in a delayed start on November 18th or a missed opportunity to try out. Once your registration is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If you have any questions, please contact Athletic Director Dan Feher at Daniel_Feher@mcpsmd.org.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parents may contact teachers and counselors to schedule parent-teacher conferences anytime of the year. However, on Monday, November 25th Springbrook High School will hold parent-teacher conferences to discuss select underperforming students. Teachers and counselors will contact parents and caregivers by email or phone. Please be sure to monitor your emails or calls for contact from the school; this is a great opportunity to connect with teachers and stay updated on your student's progress.

• Conferences will take place on Monday, November 25th from 12:15 - 5:45 PM with a dinner break from 3:00 - 3:45 PM.
• Conferences are 10 minute sessions
• Conferences may take place using Zoom, Google Meet, phone, or in-person

PTSA Virtual Meeting

Please join us for our November PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM. Principal Valentine will share updates. Other dynamic presenters will provide valuable information pertaining to free after school programs, acquiring internships, career coaching, etc. that are offered to the students. You don’t want to miss all the great information that will be provided.

Please use the following to join the meeting:

• Click here to Join the Zoom Meeting Link
• Meeting ID: 870 5197 7228
• Passcode: 289878

The PTSA thanks you for coming out to the Ledo’s fundraiser! Your continued support is extremely valuable in ensuring the PTSA meets it's 2024-2025 goals. Next month's PTSA restaurant fundraiser will be at Chipotle, 12060 Cherry Hill Rd, 12/04/2024 from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. We hope you help us close out the year with a huge fundraising event.

Warm regards,

Stephanie

Stephanie Valentine

Principal

Springbrook High School

On Thursday, November 14th, six Springbrook classes gathered in the Library Media Center to enjoy a musical storytelling presentation by Mwalim "DaPhunkee Professor." The event explored the rich cultural connections between African and First Nations peoples, which form the foundation of American culture.

Renowned as an artist, educator, and storyteller, Mwalim draws from his West Indian/Bajan and Mashpee Wampanoag heritage. His acclaimed work spans music, theater, and literature, and he is a nationally recognized expert in Native American traditions.

The presentation highlighted the oral storytelling tradition, the history and language of music, poetry, and the cultural influences shaping today’s art forms. This enriching event was made possible through the sponsorship of Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL).

Thank you to Ms. Julie Simon for arranging this amazing cultural event. Thank you Ms. Irene Guggenheim-Triana, Ms. Amy Hairston, Ms. Sheila Hoxie, Mr. Jason Woods, and Ms. Viky Sosa-Kirkpatrick for bringing their Period 4 students to this celebration of heritage and learning.

Shown above, left to right: Raeha Ramos (program coordinatro.) Principal Valentine, Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor (presenter), Tyler Chadwell-English (MCPL), Julie Simon (media specialist).

11/18/2024 Monday COLLECT CAN GOODS DONATIONS AND DELIVER TO MANNA

11/19/2024 Tuesday ALL - WINTER SPORTS PARENT MEETING

11/20/2024 Wednesday 5:00 PM Girls Basketball Wootton (Joint Practice)

11/21/2024 Thursday ALL - WINTER SPORTS PICTURE DAY

11/21/2024 Thursday 5:30 PM JV Boys Basketball Chavez

11/21/2024 Thursday 7:00 PM Varsity Boys Basketball Chavez

11/23/2024 Saturday 10:00 AM Varsity Girls Basketball Duval

11/25/2024 Monday 5:30 PM JV Boys Basketball La Plata

11/25/2024 Monday 7:00 PM Varsity Boys Basketball La Plata

11/26/2024 Tuesday 6:30 PM Varsity Girls Basketball Long Reach, Roosevelt

11/26/2024 Tuesday 5:30 PM JV Boys Basketball Suitland

11/26/2024 Tuesday 7:00 PM Varsity Boys Basketball Suitland

11/30/2024 Saturday 9:15 AM Coed Varsity Swimming and Diving Seneca Valley and Springbrook

11/30/2024 Saturday ALL DAY Varsity Boys Basketball Gwynn Park

Our SBHS Book of the Week program is sponsored by the Media Center! This week we spotlight the following intriguing and thought-provoking read for students and staff to enjoy! Happy reading, Springbrook!

In Sky Wolf’s Call, award-winning author team of Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger reveal how Indigenous knowledge comes from centuries of practices, experiences, and ideas gathered by people who have a long history with the natural world. Indigenous knowledge is explored through the use of fire and water, the acquisition of food, the study of astronomy, and healing practices.

On November 14th, Springbrook's Black Student Union (BSU) proudly participated in Heritage Night at William Tyler Page Elementary School. BSU board members enthusiastically mingled with students and parents, sharing their love for Springbrook High School and the dynamic work of the BSU.

With warm smiles and vibrant energy, our students engaged the Page community, showcasing what makes Springbrook and the BSU so special. To add a personal touch, they handed out custom stickers, spreading the Blue Devils spirit and leaving a lasting impression. We’re thrilled to see our BSU building connections and inspiring the next generation!

Shown above, left to right: Bitania Andarge, Devin Desruisseau, Aidan Cook, Adja Gueye, Zahir Brown, Jordan Garner, Roman Redder.

Senior Flora Gomes spent a week at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with 11 other amazing young journalists! Flora reported, "I got the chance to connect with journalists from all kinds of backgrounds (Fox University, NASCAR, LEGO, etc.) and people working in fields that support the media, like PR and broadcasting. These experiences weren’t just about learning; they were about having real conversations and building connections with a group of teens who shared my curiosity for the world. I met some of the most passionate, talented people in that community, and being there reminded me of why I loved this field so much."

To learn more about the Hussman School Journalism and Media click here. The Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media, launched as a college preparatory program for diverse high school students. Each year the program brings 12 rising high school seniors to Chapel Hill, representing varying diversity, including but not limited to religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability/disability, sexual orientation and gender.

The 2025 Chuck Stone Summer Program will be held in person on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill on June 22-25. The application process is officially open and will close on Friday, March 21, 2025.

The application consists of the application form below plus:

• A letter of recommendation from a high school journalism adviser or guidance counselor emailed to
• Essay (submitted online)
• High school transcript also emailed to

The program will pay for the following:

• Travel fees (flights and airport transportation for out-of-state students)
• Housing – all students will be housed on UNC’s campus
• All meals

  If you are a junior which a passion for truth in media, you should apply.

  We've had two students accepted into this program from Springbrook two summers in a row! Let's make it a THREE PEAT. Applications are due on Friday, March 21, 2025.

  https://chuckstone.web.unc.edu/ - Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media,

  Questions? Call 919-389-3486

Join us for an informative event to learn to learn how to finance your education or workforce training. You can learn about MC Scholarships, financial aid programs, Maryland 529, dual enrollment, and more.

Wednesday December 4, 5-8 p.m.

In-Person at the Germantown Campus

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Fair/Food Trucks

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Opening Remarks/ FA presentation

6:45 PM - 7:15 PM - Breakout #1

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Breakout #2

8:00 PM - Program Ends

Registration is required.

Click here for the flyer | Click here for the link to register

A standing ovation to the talented fall play team—Ms. Dorothy Lee (director), Ms. Zakiya McFarlane (technical director), Ms. Heidi Mansen (set design coordinator), stage manager, cast, and crew of Springbrook High School for their outstanding production of Dracula: A Comic Thriller Starring Shirley Holmes and Jennie Watson! The performances, held on Friday, November 15th and Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 PM, was a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and theatrical brilliance.

From the captivating performances to the seamless technical execution, every element of the play reflected the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the team. The innovative storyline and dynamic characters brought the audience on a thrilling and comedic journey, showcasing the immense talent within our Springbrook HS community! Thank you to all of the staff, students, parents, and caregivers who made the production a success!

Congratulations on a spectacular performance—you have made us all incredibly proud!

Cast and crew: Faven Admundson, Nathan Ashurst, Emory Chris-Alao, Connie Dinh, Trudy Frank, Andrew Garcia, Remy Gardner, Ada Greene, Romeo Horton, Nathan, Joseph, Iniko Kouyate, Nicolas Legault, Nathi Mncube, Daniel Montgomery, Eileen Moran, Noah Nguyen, Quoc-Huy Nguyen, Jill Parreno, Brandon Rajo, Milo Richards, Destiny Love Rountree, Eden Shimels, Xavier Smith, Joshua Videla, Josie Wallace, Jaazul Ward, Keshet Weber, Christan Wilson.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, 23 enthusiastic juniors and seniors from the Springbrook High School National Academy Foundation (NAF) Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) had the exceptional opportunity to visit Capital Technology University. These students, who are currently immersed in computer science and engineering coursework, experienced an inspiring day exploring the university’s vibrant campus and learning about potential career paths.

Thanks to the generous support from Capital Technology University, PLTW, and the Computer Science Foundation, the visit was made possible through provided transportation and financial assistance. Accompanied by Ms. Yvette Edwards (Technology RT), Mr. Young (Cisco Lab Teacher), and Ms. Villarroel (Career Advising Coach), the students gained insights into scholarship opportunities, college credit for PLTW courses, and unique resources the university offers for aspiring technology and engineering professionals.

The day was filled with valuable experiences: students were captivated by Capital Technology University’s passionate faculty and welcoming student ambassadors, who shared firsthand insights into campus life, career preparation, and the school’s dynamic learning environment. A standout highlight was a hands-on robotics session, where students had the chance to engage with cutting-edge technology and gain a deeper understanding of the field.

We are incredibly grateful to Capital Technology University and our supporting partners for this enriching experience and are already looking forward to bringing another group of NAF students for an engaging spring visit! See pictures from the day below.

We're excited to announce our upcoming Double Good fundraiser, happening from November 18th to November 22nd! This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise funds to help reduce the costs of next year's prom and other senior activities. Please support the Class of 2026 and order some delicious popcorn.

Students, parents, and caregivers contact Ms. Latrice Curtis, Class of 2026 sponsor, at latrice.c.curtis@mcpsmd.net or Latrice_C_Curtis@mcpsmd.org for questions.

November

• Nov 25 - Early Release Day for Students
• Nov 26 - Early Release Day for Students
• Nov 27 - Systemwide Closure - Schools and offices closed
• Nov 28 - Holiday - Thanksgiving
• Nov 29 - Holiday - Thanksgiving

The live broadcast for It's Academic showcasing our Quizbowl scholars aired yesterday at 10:00 AM on WETA. Shown below are Hillary the host of It's Academic and seniors Nwaamaka Agwu, Aurna Dasgupta, and Nebir Hassan. Please click here to view our Blue Devils embroiled in scholary matches against DeMatha High School and Landon School. A tremendous thank you to Coach Knocke and the Quizbowl team! We are Blue Devil Proud of you!

Pictured above, Nwaamaka Agwu, Aurna Dasgupta, Nebir Hassan, Coach Knocke, and Principal Valentine.

Safety is extremely important to our Blue Devil Community!

Blue Devils, please remember the SBHS See Something, Say Something Initiative. If you've seen something concerning at school (e.g., student in crisis, harrassment, illegal substances, weapons, etc.) please use the QR code to report the incident. Providing details, location, and timeframe is helpful.

Email: Stephanie_Z_Valentine@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/
Location: 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-3800
Twitter: @SBHSPrinc