
Weekly Update
August 28-September 1

Week of January 26
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Come cheer on your fellow Raiders!!
Click here for the LHS SMAC Schedule
Click here to buy tickets for athletic events
Click here for the Fine Arts Performance Schedule
Stay healthy and stay in school!
As we navigate the challenges of winter, it's essential to prioritize health and wellness, especially among students and staff. While illness can be unavoidable, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of attending school whenever possible. Regular attendance plays a vital role in academic success, social development, and emotional growth. Make sure to stay healthy and practice healthy habits such as handwashing. This article from the CDC discusses the importance of handwashing and its impact on school attendance. Stay healthy, Raiders!
Need tutoring?
Students interested in receiving tutoring should fill out this student interest form. Currently, tutoring is offered before or after school at LHS (by appointment). We also offer virtual tutoring (by appointment). Please email Theresa Smith at tmsmith@smcps.org for more information.
Mrs. Heisler's "Big Read" Event!
On Wednesday, AP students participated in "The Big Read" Discussion. During this event, Students read the article "The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books". They talked about the article and it's implications with members of the LHS staff and SMCPS central office staff. Mrs. Heisler organized this academic discussion!
Chinese New Year!
Mrs. Chen's classes celebrated the Chinese New Year with a dragon parade! Loud noises and red colors will scare the evil spirts away and the dragon will bring us good fortune in the new year!
LHS Wrestling took care of business vs. Patuxent this week!
Girls basketball keeps up their winning ways! Improving to 13-1 with a win over Patuxent!
SGA Winter Carnival
Student Government is hosting a Winter Carnival and club fair in the cafeteria on February 1 from 11am-2pm. Student groups in the community will be hosting carnival games and advertising what they are up to. All proceeds will go to clubs in the community. Join us for an afternoon of family fun, baked goods, and games! Please come to support your club Raiders in their endeavors!
Club leaders, if you are interested in hosting a game, contact your sponsor or ltownsga@gmail.com.
Yearbook
Order a Yearbook
If you are interested in purchasing a yearbook, please visit the Jostens site.
Pictures Needed!
We are in need of pictures for the yearbook! Please click here to see specific requests. Please submit your pictures to Photo Share, which links directly to our yearbook account or send them to Mrs. Page. We appreciate your help! Be sure to include the names and the grades of the people in your pictures!
Grad Ads
Senior parents interested in creating a grad ad for the yearbook can do so through the Tribute Ads website. The deadline for creating an ad has been extended to the end of January. Please visit the Tribute Ads site to create an ad honoring your senior.
Senior Yearbook Items
Seniors, it is time to fill out the items for the senior section in the yearbook! You should fill out the senior awards & activities list, superlative form, and create your index card through your school Gmail accounts. The deadline to submit yearbook items is Monday, February 10. Seniors, please click HERE to access the form. Please note that only SMCPS students can access the form.
Class of 2025 Senior Yearbook Items
Seniors, it is time to fill out the items for the senior section in the yearbook! You should fill out the senior awards & activities list, superlative form, and create your index card through your school Gmail accounts. The deadline to submit yearbook items is Monday, February 10. Seniors, please click HERE to access the form. Please note that only SMCPS students can access the form.
What's Up in Wellness
Interested in joining the Wellness Club? Keep an eye out for information about meeting days, times, and room number! The Wellness Club will include activities like yoga and walking and provide helpful nutrition information. More information to be released soon!
MTSS UPDATES
Parents/Guardians can earn your students STRONG bucks!
MTSS stands for Multi-tiered Systems of Support which promotes school improvement through engaging, research based academic and behavioral strategies/practices. LHS is a Tier I and II school. We are focused on positive behavior and community engagement. Our acronym to teach and exhibit positive behaviors is STRONG.
Please fill out the parent survey below help us improve MTSS at LHS. Make sure to include your child's name and ID # so they can receive STRONG Bucks.
Counseling Corner
Please note even though we have reached the end of the second marking period, there will be no schedule change requests being processed.
Students, please refrain from requesting appointments with your counselor to discuss course scheduling. Guidance will meet with all students regarding this topic in mid-March.
Attention senior Mid-Year Reports will be going out after 2/1.
Make sure to know your counselor!Hensel: A-Cl - jahensel@smcps.org
Wolcott: Co-Ge / GIS - rrwolcott@smcps.org
Neitz: Gi-Ki - lkneitz@smcps.org
Guidry: Kl-N lcguidry@smcps.org
Barger: O-Sm - cdbarger@smcps.org
Sawyer: Sn-Z - wnsawyer@smcps.org
Career Center Updates
The Common Application is open!
2024-2025 Common App Essay Prompts
Make sure to use a personal email (not your school issued account). You will need to waive your FERPA and link your Common App to your Naviance account.
See reference guides below:
Letters of Recommendation Quick Guide
Common Application Matching Quick Guide
The College Application Process Guide
Please make sure to request your initial transcripts and letters of recommendation through your Naviance account. (Always ask a teacher in person for a letter of recommendation before requesting in Naviance).
New Scholarships Added to Naviance
Delegate Brian Crosby -District 29B Scholarship
Delegate Todd Morgan Scholarship- District 29C
2025 St. Mary’s County BECA Scholarship
2025 Margaret Brent High School Alumni Scholarship
2025 Masonic Charities of Maryland Scholarship
2025 Zaching Spirit Award Scholarship
2025 Senator Jack Bailey Scholarship
To view all scholarships, login to Naviance via Clever. Click Scholarships >> Scholarship Search.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
The Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award for students who enroll in one of the following programs: vocational certificate (credit-bearing); certificate; associate degree; licensure or certification (credit or non-credit courses); or registered apprenticeship program at a Maryland community college.
How do I apply? Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st, 2025 OR the MHEC One-App (for students who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA) and contact their local community college in order to apply. There is a 2.3 cumulative GPA requirement by the end of their senior year. Community College Promise Scholarship
Everything You Need to Know about the GI Bill Virtual Event
January, 27, 2025 from 5-6PM via TEAMS
BECA Scholarship Fair, Wednesday, Jan. 29th from 4:30- 6:30PM
USMSM Building 3, 44219 Airport Road, California, MD
Upcoming Career Opportunities:
January 27, 2025 - Sheriff's office visiting over lunch
January 28, 2025 - The Army will be visiting over lunch
February 4, 2025 - AV3 Demo day in the cafeteria during 2nd period
February 4, 2025 - Reality Fair Field Trip at the Tech Center during 7th and 8th period
February 5, 2025 - ASVAB Prep Class during lunch with the Marines in the career center (Open house)
February 11, 2025 - CSM Trades Center Field Trip
February 13, 2025 - Department of Natural Resources Park Services will be visiting over lunch
AV3 Demo Day in February
Contact Ms. Nagelvoort for more information---nmnagelvoort@smcps.org
Literacy Corner
Literacy Coach Lunch Help Sessions
Need help with starting an essay, revising a draft, or understanding a textbook, article, or novel for a class? Email Mrs. John (aljohn@smcps.org) to schedule a Lit Coach Help Session during lunch. Help sessions are available for both A and B lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. B lunch sessions are also available on Thursdays.
The Lunar New Year celebrations start this Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The Lunar New Year (also known as the Chinese New Year) celebrates the arrival of Spring and 2025 is the year of the Snake. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with some great books by checking out some of these Chinese and Chinese American authors:
Amy Tan
Maxine Hong Kingston
Adeline Yen Mah
Laurence Yep
Ting-xing Ye
Ji-li Jiang
Moying Li
Jean Kwok
Gene Luen Yang
NEW Raider Gear and Apparel!!
Need new Raider apparel??? Check out our new school store at www.leonardtownspiritwear.com
Pick your clothing, choose a design, and it will be shipped directly to your house. Check weekly for new sale items!
No Food Delivery
Due to safety concerns and the demands on the main office, we do not accept food deliveries of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Need help finding out where to go for lunch? Click the button above to see open classrooms and club offerings for each day of the week.
Use this document to plan where you will go for lunch each day!
24-25 Weekly Tutoring Schedule
Monday - World Languages/PE/CTE
Tuesday - English
Wednesday - Science
Thursday - Math/Visual Arts/Theatre
Friday - Social Studies/Music
Need to study during lunch? Sign up for the media center for A Or B lunch By clicking on this link. Save it to your computer to sign up each day for a scholarly opportunity to get work done. You can always visit https://elibrary.smcps.org for resources.
We welcome you to incorporate physical activity into your day and join us in the gym for lunch. Completion of this form is a requirement for gym entry. Students are permitted to sign up for only one lunch block (either A or B). Students are expected to enter the gym through the side door adjacent to the girls locker room and be in the gym before the 10 minute bell. Students unlawfully tardy will be redirected to the cafeteria. Students are expected to remain in the gym, omit food or drink and have tennis shoes to be on the gym surface. Click the button below to sign up for the gym.
Reminder for Parents/Guardians - Student Drop Off
Parents who are dropping students off at school in the morning should use the parking lot lane closest to the building. Please do not park in in a space and wait to drop your student off. Unfortunately, parking is very limited for both students and staff. Utilizing extra parking spaces for this purpose can create an issue where there is nowhere for staff or student drivers to park. Additionally, please do not drive down the middle parking lot lane in order to drop a student at school. We appreciate your help!
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 24-25
Students will need permission to use Google's Additional Services. Please click on the links below.
The AUP is linked here as well as the information Specific to Google.
Technology related questions? Need tech help? Click the button below for more information.
Reminder: Students, make sure your laptop is charged each day!
Students, please make sure your laptop is charged each day. Bring your charger to school in case your battery runs out.
Need to purchase a laptop charger?
You can do one of two things:
- Go the the Media Center in your School. They can assess you a fine so that you can pay using My School Bucks.
- Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.
Ensure one of these links are being used:
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)
www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)
More helpful links for technology can be found at the bottom of the newsletter!
Schoology Access
Parents, if your student is new to LHS and you still do not have access to Schoology, please contact Ms. Smith (krsmith@smcps.org).
No Cell Phones No Headphones/Earbuds
As a reminder, cell phones and headphones/earbuds are not permitted during instructional time.
Times when cell phones can be used:
- When doors open at 7:50 to 8:00.
- During One-Lunch from 12:05 to 1:05.
- When the dismissal bell rings at 2:45.
Parents, if you need to contact your student, they will be able to respond during these times. During other times call the main office.
Please remember that the Cell phone policy also applies to early release students inside the building after their school day ends. Phones are only permitted to be used during lunch and after 2:45.
Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00.
Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Please complete the meal benefit application.
Helpful Links!
Bus Information
Bus passes should only be requested when students have a change in physical address or when there is an emergency situation and a student needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. Bus passes will not be granted for students simply wanting to go visit with a friend.
Need to obtain a bus pass?
Visit this site to submit a request electronically, or parents can write a note or send an email to Mrs. Dornisch at eadornisch@smcps.org. All relevant information must be included in the written request.
Bus Information includes: Student name, address, parent phone number, existing bus stop to be used, bus #, date, medical concerns, destination address, destination phone # and reason for the pass.
SMCPS Mental Health Website
Teen Mental Health & Wellness
Parent/Guardian Mental Health & Wellnesses
SMCPS Help Desk Ticket
LHS Tech Help
SMCPS Resources & Accountability
Leonardtown High School
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/lhs/
Location: 23995 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650, USA
Phone: 301-475-0200
Twitter: @LHS_SMCPS