Weekly Newsletter

September 1, 2024

Dear Coyote Community,

We’ve had a fantastic start to the 2024-25 school year! The Class of 2025 kicked things off early with a Senior Sunrise event, marking the beginning of an exciting year ahead. Students, staff, and families gathered bright and early, energized by upbeat music and inspiring words from DJ Chris. The week was filled with community-building activities across classrooms, with upperclassmen stepping up to help our new students get acquainted with routines and the layout of our building. Each day, I left with a smile on my face!

This year, we are committed to strengthening our sense of community among all stakeholders. A strong, connected community will allow us to build on the wonderful things happening at Clarksburg by involving even more students and families. Here are a few highlights from this week that underscore our focus on community building:

• Back-to-School Night: This is not only an opportunity to learn about your child’s classes but also a chance to meet staff, connect with other community members, and discover resources available to support various needs. We encourage all families to attend. See details below.

• Football Players at Feeder Schools: Ms. Dommel, our PE/Health Resource Teacher, is coordinating an initiative to have our football players engage with the community by visiting our feeder schools and connecting with younger students. On Fridays before home games, some of our players will help with student arrival at elementary schools. We hope this fosters excitement among younger students to come out and cheer for their favorite players.

• Clarksburg Day Lite: Last May, we celebrated a full-day Clarksburg Day, which was a fantastic way to close out the year on our seniors' last day. The event was so positive that we’re hosting a "lite" version this Friday to continue building community among staff and students and to showcase the many activities available for students. See details below.

We’re looking forward to this week’s activities and the many more to come in the months ahead.

Please take a moment to review this week’s key information, celebrations, and announcements from various groups.

Here’s to embracing the resilience and opportunities that lie ahead!

Please note that parking will fill up quickly so we are offering a shuttle service during the times noted in the schedule below.

Caregivers will access student schedules via ParentVUE. Please ensure accounts are activated prior to the event.

5:30 p.m.-9:15 p.m. Shuttle bus service between Rocky Hill MS and Clarksburg HS

6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Grade 9 Parent Meeting -- Auditorium (building tours to follow)

6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Grade 12 Parent Meeting -- Auditorium

7:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. Classroom Rotations

Period 1 7:00 – 7:10

Period 2 7:15 – 7:25

Period 3 7:30 – 7:40

Period 4 7:45 – 7:55

Period 6 8:00 – 8:10

Period 7 8:15 – 8:25

Period 8 8:30 – 8:40

During pre-service week, staff engaged in professional development related to mindsets and teaching strategies aligned to our school improvement work. This week I would like to celebrate all staff who immediately began integrating new strategies this week. As our leaders visited classrooms, they observed high levels of student engagement and student-to-student discourse through the use of vertical work spaces. At these spaces, students collaborate to solve problems or discuss concepts.

Our P-TECH juniors enjoyed an engaging and informative orientation at Montgomery College on Thursday. Next stop: classes begin on Tuesday!

Megan Wessel, a teacher in our Social Studies department, was be honored on July 10th by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), National Capital Region, as the recipient of the prestigious ACC NCR 2024 Outstanding Community Partner Award. This recognition highlights Clarksburg High School's continued participation in the award-winning Street Law Diversity Pipeline Program.

Each year, students in Mrs. Wessel's Law classes collaborate with the ACC, Hughes Network Systems, and Street Law to immerse themselves in practical legal experiences in the classroom. Legal professional work with students both in the classroom and during the capstone field trip to Hughes where students participate in legal simulations and mock contract negotiations, in addition to networking and gaining insights from dozens of legal professionals.

Thank you Ms. Wessel for spearheading these opportunities!

Reminder: CHS students can sign up for Law I and/or Law II to participate in engaging deliberations, mock trials, and simulations all year long.

I want to applaud our students for their smooth adjustment to our new routines. They have responded well to gentle reminders and reported to the cafeteria as directed.

In terms of IDs, in the days to come, we will distribute lanyards and ID holders so that we can meet our target implementation date of September 9 of IDs for all. A reminder that they are to be worn at school and will be required for athletic events as well.

Please check out this installment of the Media Center newsletter. You can find it here.

G-Suite Additional Services Consent Form & Supplemental Online Digital Tools - Clarksburg High School

CHS Parents and Caregivers: MCPS requires consent from parents/caregivers (or eligible students) to provide high school students with access to 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗚 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 as part of their individual student accounts. Without consent, students will not be able to access content on YouTube and other select educational technology platforms. Consent remains valid for the entire time the student is enrolled in an MCPS high school and may be rescinded at any time.

To provide consent, please fill THIS FORM.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

CHS Athletic Boosters is ready for another exciting Fall Season! Please support our athletes by volunteering in concessions and becoming a member today!

https://linktr.ee/chsboosterclub

Please consider joining the CHS PTSA. Our PTSA is a great partner in our work and would love to have more staff, students and parents become members.

Attention Coyotes! Did you know you can earn money or SSL hours for serving as an election worker during the 2024 presidential general elections, on November 5th.

Election workers are responsible for administering voting procedures and for making the process as easy as possible for voters.

Students must be U.S. citizens, at least 16 years of age or older and registered to vote in Maryland to serve. Yes, that's correct! 16 to register but 18 to vote in Maryland!

To apply visit Election Worker Portal, or text SERVE to 77788.

For more information, or to apply in person, Montgomery County Board of Elections staff will be present during lunch on September 3-4 (Main hallway near cafeteria).

ℹ️ Position Description & Stipend Info

ℹ️ Election Worker FAQs

Interested in joining a team of dedicated middle and high school students who run the election processes for the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) and Montgomery County Regional SGA (MCR) Officers? The Special Elections Committee (SEC) Board application deadline is 11:59 PM SUNDAY, September 9th.

Regardless of your background in protocols or advocacy, you can apply! The four diverse subcommittees are fit for all skill sets and interests: Events, Grievances, Outreach, and PR. As a board member, you will actively vote on topics like campaign rules, budgeting, voter accessibility, and more.

We urge you to learn more in the application description and consider applying! Apply here.

Coyote Nation!! Now is the time to make sure you cast your vote for the 2024 Homecoming theme! We want your voice as we plan for the upcoming celebrations. Homecoming will take place the week of September 30th through October 5th with the Coyotes taking on the Wolverines. Cast your vote using the form linked here.

Juniors and Seniors, let’s celebrate your academic work! Join the National Honor Society and/or the National English Honor Society for the 2024-25 school year! To apply for the National Honor Society, students must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.57 or a cumulative weighted GPA of at least 4.1 and have completed their student service-learning hours. Students will fill out the application and provide 3 teacher recommendations. The application can be found here.

To become a member of the National English Honor Society, students must be in their junior or senior year with an unweighted overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with a 3.5 overall in English courses and English-related courses. Students should also demonstrate an enthusiasm for language arts and a willingness to tutor in our writing center. Students will provide 2 teacher recommendations. The application can be found here.

There are no changes in meal prices this school year and students who qualify for reduced-price meals will continue to receive meals at no cost. Funds can continue to be added to student meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash or checks directly to school cafeteria managers. Prepayments on student meal accounts can be made through www.MySchoolBucks.com; note the increase from $1.95 to $2.49 per transaction for the 2024- 2025 school year. Meal prices:

• Breakfast: Regular price: $1.30

• Lunch: Regular price: $2.80

Free and reduced price meals continue to be available for qualifying families. The application is done on line. Information and the link can be found in the document below. Please do not delay in appyling as we do not want students to go without breakfast or lunch if they desire a school meal.

Many students spent time this summer completing their required Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. It is very important to submit them as soon as possible, especially if you are a senior. You may submit forms electronically over the summer.

Please submit through this google form. The form is also on the Canvas page.

September 4 Regular Season for Fall Sports Begins

September 5 BTSN

September 6 Clarksburg Day Lite

September 15- October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month

September 17 PTSA Meeting

September 27 Early Release

Our CHS website has a wealth of information related to subjects like attendance, student service learning, athletics and more. Please take time to check it out so you have accurate information about policies and procedures at CHS.