Braves Bulletin
January 15, 2024
Remembering Dr. King
"During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history." (source: https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/martin-luther-king-jr/)
Chopticon High School was opened in 1965 as part of the desegregation movement and was a consolidation of Benjamin Banneker High School, Leonardtown High School, and Margaret Brent High School. Dr. King was a leader in the desegregation movement so it is fitting that we take a moment to remember Dr. King and his courageous leadership in bringing about positive change in the world.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, Jan 15 - Schools and offices are closed - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Thursday, Jan 18 - Forrest Center Tech Expo (more info in Bulletin)
Friday, Jan 26 - No school for students, Professional Day, end of the 2nd marking period
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.
Spring Sport Registration
Registration is now open for spring sports and bowling.
Spring Sports Eligibility
Spring eligibility will be determined by the 2nd Marking Period Grades. You must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for the 2nd Marking Period. Registration closes on February 28th at 4:00pm. Tryouts start March 1, 2024
Bowling
You must have at least 2.0 GPA for the 2nd Marking Period. You must also have a current physical and have an approved status on FamilyID. Registration closes at 4 pm on February 16. Bowling will start February 20 through March 14.
This will be 4 weeks of practice. The health and safety of SMCPS students-athletes, coaches and all stakeholders will continue to be our top priority and drive all decisions.
Evening Counseling Available
SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.
Nurse's Corner
Please take a moment to review this document. It has answers to many of your questions including when a student should stay home, elevator access and general health information.
24th Annual Forrest Center Tech Expo - Jan 18
The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (Forrest Center) will facilitate its twenty-fourth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday, January 18, 2024. The following sessions will be available for students to visit their favorite programs.
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Session 1: 5:45-6:00 pm
Session 2: 6:05-6:20 pm
Session 3: 6:25-6:40 pm
Session 4: 6:45-7:00 pm
Session 5: 7:05-7:20 pm
Q&A with Counselors and additional time to visit programs: 7:30-8:00 pm
The purpose of the Forrest Center Tech Expo is to familiarize students and parents with Career and Technology Education (CTE) career options offered by the St. Mary’s County Public Schools. This is an opportunity to meet Forrest Center Staff and learn about the 21 completer programs as well as our five elective classes. High school counselors will be available to answer questions about career clusters and to assist students in planning their academic pathway.
For more information, visit the Forrest Center website, http://schools.smcps.org/tech or email questions to techcenter@smcps.org
College & Career Readiness Center News
College Bound - Noah Boone
Exciting news for Noah Boone. Noah has been accepted to Norfolk State University, Towson, Morgan State, West Virginia University, Stevenson University, University of Akron, and University of Alabama. Congratulations, Noah!!
Please share your college acceptance information with Mrs. White in the College & Career Readiness Center - cmwhite@smcps.org
SPARK and Other Opportunities
SPARK! Student Career Awareness Fair Field Trip
9th and 10th Grade Students
Thursday, February 1, 2024
10:20 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
USMSM – Smart Building – California, MD
Join us at the SPARK Career Fair to:
Learn about career options in Southern Maryland. Get insight about the path required to get there! (Including classes to take, certifications required, or college majors to pursue). Try out hands-on fun opportunities. Connect with companies to learn about future internship and employment opportunities. Students will engage with representatives from various departments of the Navy, MedStar, St. Mary's Hospital, and local businesses. Students will have an engaging experience while learning about potential careers and understanding the path required to get there. (This is not a job fair with recruiters handing out job postings) This opportunity is available to students in grades 9 and 10. Lunch will be provided for all students.
Students who wish to attend must complete the field trip form and return to Mrs. Nantz in the Career Center by January 24th. Seats are limited. Once your completed form is returned, your slot will be reserved on the bus for the field trip.
Upcoming Events in the Career Center
Exciting things are happening in the Career Center. We have a very knowledgeable group of professionals coming to Chopticon High School to share information about their careers. This is a great opportunity for students to speak directly to someone in their field of interest and to make
some professional connections. All presentations will be during A Lunch. Click HERE to register.
Jan. 17 - Careers in the Nuclear Industry (Civilian and Armed Forces)
Jan. 24 - Careers in the Air Force
Jan. 31 - Careers in Radiology
Feb. 6 - Careers in Cosmetology
Feb. 13 – Managing Debt and Credit Cards
Feb. 21 - Careers in the Coast Guard
Feb. 28 - Careers in Real Estate
For more information on these events, or if you are interested in sharing your pathway and/or your career, please contact Mrs. Nantz at kjnantz@smcps.org or 301-475-0215 ext. 38125
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
Swim
Braves Swim Team hosted Northern and St. Charles Friday night at St. Mary's College. Both boys and girls earned new personal best times, Adyn Johnson improved his 500 free by 20 seconds. Wyatt Mejia takes 1st in his heat for boys backstroke and girls take 2nd in the 400 free relay. The girls come away with a Friday night WIN over St. Charles
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball earned the win over Leonardtown - 54-45 and JV 63-51.
Link to photos: https://www.amazon.com/.../29AfC244SoOpqF1BSXpP0w... and
Girls Basketball
Varsity Girls with a win over Patuxent.
Wrestling
Braves Wrestling over Arundel
Indoor Track
On 1/10/24, Girls and Boys Indoor Track & Field travelled to the PG Complex for SMAC Meet #1.
Both teams faced all 13 teams in SMAC.
Girls - Top 8 athletes scored.
Tatina Williams -5th place in shot put
4 x 800 -8th place-Carys Oliver, Madison Baker, Ryan Graves, Molly McKay
Personal Records
Carys Oliver -55 hurdles and 500m dash, ,Ryan Graves-800m run, Madison Baker -1600m run, Tatiana Williams-shot put, Allison Sonon-shot put, Carley Strafella-shot put
Boys - Top 8 athletes scored.
Connor Mozzo -5th place in the 1600m run
4 x 800-7th place -Jace Darvill, Garrett Boecher, Connor Mozzzo, Johnny Schwaner
Personal Records
Ryan Longobardi-55 hurdles, Drew Watson-500m dash, Avery Brown-500m dash, Johnny Schwaner-1600m run, Jack Howard-triple jump
On Saturday, Girls and Boys Indoor Track & Field traveled to the PG Complex to the Montgomery Invite. Girls and boys competed against 78 teams. Top 8 spots scored for Chopticon
Girls
Girls 4 x 800 came in 7th place Callie Modrzejewski, Katie Schwaner, Madeline Matthews, and Madison Eberle
Personal Records - Malia Tillstrum in the 300m dash, Madeline Matthews in the 500m dash and 800m run, Tatiana Williams in the shot put, Callie Modrzejewski in the triple jump, Girls 4 x 800
Seasonal Best, Callie Modrzejewski in the 500m dash, Danielle Baker the 1600m run, Madison Eberle in the triple jump
Boys
Weston Carr came in 5th in the 500m dash
Weston Carr came in 2nd in the 800m run-medal winner
Dominic Longobardi came in 5th in the 800m run
Carson Mandis came in 8th in shot put
Boys 4 x 800-came in 1st place- Dominic Longobardi, Weston Carr, Nick Watson & Colton Longobardi - medal winner
Boys Distance Medley came in 3rd place- Konnor Kent, Moses Araya, Weston Carr, & Nick Watson-medal winner
Personal Records - Weston Carr in the 500m dash, Brendan Nutter in the 1600m run, Konnor Kent in the 500m dash
Seasons Best - RJ Cook in the 55m dash, Boys 4 x 800
Around Chopticon
Forrest Center News
FCTC Natural Resources working with volunteers from #somdaudubon and #wildones, natural resources students winter-sowed native plants for pollinator gardens and our spring native plant sale.
Welcome Mr. Kendall Young to Our Staff
Mr. Kendall Young has joined our staff as a Safety and Security Assistant. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Young back to his alma mater!
Top Library Patrons
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.
Zion cashed in his Braves Bucks for a hoodie!