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Dear Springbrook High School Students, Staff, and Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health and enjoying the remaining days of summer. This is a gentle reminder that buses will begin to arrive at 7:00 AM. The warning bell for the beginning of school is 7:40 AM. Please find the bus routes for Springbrook High School below:

• Bus routes and magnet routes

Copies of the Springbrook High School bus routes will also be available in the main office. Questions regarding bus routes and buses should be directed to the West Farm Lower Bus Depot at 240.740.1851/1852.

Let's Get Started

We are excited to announce that the school year is officially in session! As we embark on this new academic journey together, we encourage everyone to stay engaged and keep an eye out for all the exciting events and activities we have planned. Let's make this year a memorable and successful one for all.

Upcoming Events at The Brook"

• September 05 - Back to School Night at 6:30 PM

• September 10 - First Day for Activity Buses

• September 11 - Class of 2028 Grade 9 Student and Parent Night Meeting at 6:30 PM

• September 20 - Fall Pep Rally and Blue Devils Homecoming Football Game v. PBHS at 6:30 PM

• September 21 - Homecoming Dance from 8:00-11:00 PM

• September 25 - Class of 2025 Senior and Parent Night Meeting at 6:30 PM

• October 01 - Class of 2027 Grade 10 Student and Parent Night Meeting at 6:30 PM

• October 16 - National PSAT Day

• October 24 - Class of 2026 Grade 11 Student and Parent Night Meeting at 6:30 PM

The remainder of the newsletter includes important information to help you prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. Please read the information under each category heading carefully as we have made a few updates to policies and procedures such as attendance expectations, student school ID requirements, parking information, and lunch expectations.

Warm regards,

Stephanie Valentine

Principal

Springbrook High School

At Springbrook High School, we are committed to fostering a culture of punctuality and responsibility. Arriving on time is essential for student learning and maximized academic potential. To help diminish student tardiness, we encourage our parents, caregivers, and students to plan ahead, allowing sufficient time for morning routines and travel. Consistent punctuality sets a positive tone for the day and ensures students start their classes without missing valuable instruction time. We appreciate our support in ensuring that our students arrive on time, ready to learn and succeed.

Attendance

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes daily. Students must transition to first period at 7:40 AM; first period begins at 7:45 AM.

Acclimation Period

Students will receive:

• grace as they return and acclimate to school the first week of school Aug 26 - 30.
• reminders and participate in a brief conference if they report to school after 8:00 AM this week.

Lunch Conference

• The week of Sept 2 -6 and thereafter, students will engage in a conference regarding the negative impact of tardiness and absenteeism during the lunch block, should they report to school without an excused note after 8:00 AM

As we continue to work together to ensure a smooth and efficient start to the school year, we kindly ask for your cooperation in helping to reduce morning congestion. Our teaching staff, with the exception of a few, are expected to be at work at 7:25 AM. Morning congestion prevents staff from arriving to work to supervise students and to prepare for instruction. In an effort to ease traffic flow parents and caregivers are encouraged to:

• have their eligible students utilize the assigned school bus
• arrive extra early to school (e.g., 6:45 AM)
• develop car pools for students who are unable to walk to school due to other concerns.
• follow all drop-off procedures and be mindful of students crossing the street

Thank you for your understanding and support in making our morning s Springbrook High School safe and seamless.

As outlined in the Board of Education’s (BOE) recent communication, all students are now required to have their student IDs visible at all times while on campus. To support this, we have purchased lanyards for our entire student body. In the meantime, students are expected to carry their IDs with them at all times. This policy especially applies to students in grades 10-12, who must continue to carry their IDs from the 2023-2024 school year.

Grade 9 - Grace Period for IDs

We understand that grade 9 students and new students will not have IDs until they take their school photos. New student photos will be taken in September and students will receive their new student IDs the same day.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe school environment.

A fantastic way to boost school spirit and foster a sense of community at the football games is the thematic student section area. The coordinated clothing themes adds an extra layer of excitement and is also Blue Devil tradition.

The Student Government Association (SGA) identified some great themes for the football season. Scholars be sure to sit together, participate respectfully, and show your support to ensure our home games our memorable for players and fans.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO ATTEND SCHOOL GAMES?

1. Purchase your tickets for all games here.

2. Have your student ID.

3. Rock the Student Section Theme.

We're excited to announce the return of our SBHS Book of the Week program sponsored by the Media Center! Each week, we'll be spotlighting an intriguing and thought-provoking read for students and staff to enjoy! Be sure to check out the featured book. - Happy reading, Springbrook!

Six starred reviews! A bold and irreverent YA novel that powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable, The Rest of Just Live Here is from novelist Patrick Ness, author of the ..

The National Recognition Programs award academic honors to high-performing, underrepresented students. The five national recognition programs include the National African American Recognition Program, National First-Generation Recognition Program (beginning in 2024), National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program.

Recipients are strong academic performers. Students who take eligible administrations of the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and meet the score requirements are considered for awards. Students must also identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, first-generation, and/or attend high school in a rural area or small town. Many colleges intentionally recruit awardees, and school communities often celebrate students who receive these awards.

Be a part of the solution. Take a stand for our planet and inspire positive change in your community.

MSP will meet Tuesday September 10 in Room E-306 (Ms. Hoxie). The Minority Scholars Program is a student led, student based, and student driven program, aimed at closing the opportunity gap. We’d love to see you there!

MSP has six key objectives: improve academic achievement, elevate student voice, promote leadership, enhance sense of belonging, build cultural capital and develop critical consciousness.

Vision statement: To create a world in which Black and Brown students and their intersectional identities experience true equity, a sense of belonging, and fully thrive in school and our communities

Mission statement: To empower students to analyze and disrupt racial inequities and systems of oppression.

Back to School Night will take place on September 5, 2024, at 6:30 PM. We plan on delivering a different experience in terms of the way you meet staff and learn about our instructional foci for the school year. Details will be shared on our web page and in an upcoming issue of the Springbrook Weekly Digest.

School non-instructional period and School transportation, including field trips:

Students may use their mobile devices during the following occasions:

1. Before or after the instructional day
2. During the transition period between classes
3. During the lunch block
4. Riding to or from school or during school-sponsored activities on MCPS and /or chartered buses as long as the mobile device use does not impact the safe operation of the bus.

Expectations and Protocol

If students do not comply with the expectations, the following process will be followed:

• First infraction - teacher will hold a conversation with the student using restorative practices and record in Synergy contact log.
• Second infraction - teacher will call or email parents or caregivers and record in Synergy contact log.
• Third infraction teacher will call for security; security will secure the cell phone until the beginning of lunch; of after lunch until the end of the day; teacher records in Synergy contact log.
• Fourth infraction teacher contacts security; security will secure the phone until the end of the school day; teacher records in Synergy contact log; security emails admin.
• Fifth infraction - teacher contacts security; security will secure the phone and escort the student to the grade level admin; admin contacts parent and schedules parent/caregiver conference with counselor and records in Synergy contact log.

Distribution

Chromebooks will be distributed to grade 9 students or other new students who have not received MCPS-issued Chromebooks on the first day of school during English or ELD class periods on Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27. Classes will report to the media center. Students with non-working Chromebooks will be sent to the media center with a pass during their English or ELD class period as well.

Obligations

Each student is financially responsible for damage caused or loss of any Chromebook and charger checked out to the student. The device shall be used for instructional purposes. The student is financially responsible when there is avoidable damage to the device.

Congratulations Class of 2025! You've made it to your senior year of high school. The Class of 2025 administrator and school sponsors look forward to supporting you this year (See the names of class officers below.).

The Senior Class Team includes:

Ms. Zaria Nabinett, Zaria_L_Nabinett@mcpsmd.org, Grade 12 sponsor

Mr. Michael Wyche, Michael_J_Wyche@mcpsmd.org, Grade 12 sponsor

Ms. Stella McCuiston, Stella_A_McCuiston@mcpsmd.org, Grade 12 Administrator

Important Info:

1. Senior Graduation Packages Are Available Sept 15 at highschool.herffjones.com (See the images below.).

Seniors please choose from 3 packages.

• Basic Package - $ 90
• Deluxe Package - $190
• Superior Package - $290

2. Senior Shirts

Senior shirts ( e.g., t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and hoodies) are available for purchase (See the images below.).

• T-shirts (small - extra large: $18; customized name: $5; $18 plus for Size XXL $3; Size XXXL: $4)
• Long sleeve t-shirts (small - extra large: $25; customized name: $5; $25 plus for Size XXL $3; Size XXXL: $4)
• Hoodies (small - extra large: $38; customized name: $5; $38 plus for Size XXL $3; Size XXXL: $4)

Seniors, purchase your senior shirts by going to https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

3. Senior Portrait Information

• Legacy Studios is the official school photographer this school year.
• Senior portrait makeup photos will be held September 18, 20 and October 7 - 8 from 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Photos will also take place on the professional day, October 18 from 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM. A portrait link will be emailed to students, parents, and caregivers in early September. There is no cost for your yearbook photo. This sign up link is Springbrook HS Senior Scheduling.
• For senior portrait questions, email Legacy Studios https://legacystudios.com/ or call Legacy at 716-512-6336

3. Grade 12 Student Requests for Abbreviated Schedules

• Seniors sometimes make requests for abbreviated schedules. Request for abbreviated schedules will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for an abbreviated schedule, seniors must have met the SSL requirement for graduation.

The counseling department enthusiastically welcomes all staff, students, and families to the 2024-2025 school year. Our school counselors work with students and families to support the following:

• social emotional well-being,
• mental health
• substance abuse challenges
• student academic needs.

Please find the list of counselor assignments below as well as their email address information. Students are assigned to counselors by last name. Also, visit the SBHS Counseling and College and Career web pages for additional information.

The home and school partnership is critical to our collective work to support our students, so effective home and school communication is essential. Our entire staff is available to answer questions and concerns.

Contact Us to Answer Questions

• Feel free to contact us at 240.740.3800; a main office representative looks forward to greeting you and assisting you.
• Email - Because of the nature of our work to engage with and support students and educators, the best way to reach teachers, counselors, and administrators is by email. Our email addresses are available in the staff directory link on our web page. We ask you to give us minimally 24 hours to respond to your asks.
• Please do not hesitate in calling the school or request to make an appointment by calling 240.740.3800.

Fasting for Religious Reasons

• Parents and/or caregivers may ask that their students be excused from strenuous activities via a written note to the grade-level administrator requesting reasonable fasting accommodations as they relate to PE classes.

Schedule an Appointment

• Contact the main office at 240.740.3800 or email staff directly to request an appointment with a teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Vehicles of Communication

• Synergy - We use the Synergy platform to access Student Emergency Information. Your students' StudentVue and ParentVue information data informs the Synergy platform. Parents and caregivers, PLEASE use and monitor ParentVUE consistently.
• If you need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Ms. Veronica Anzures at Veronica_M_EspinozaAnzures@mcpsmd.org.
• ParentVUE is the parent portal to MCPS Synergy Student Information. It is available in seven languages on both web and mobile devices. It is a secure way to access attendance, classes, grades, report cards, online school enrollment, athletic registration, and Synergy mail. Access ParentVUE here.

Students may not leave SBHS property unless they are signed out by a parent/caregiver, via the attendance office or given permission by the principal or her designee.

All students must follow lunch procedures as outlined below:

1. Students have the option to purchase lunch in our cafeteria, the Springbrook Snack Shack (see the flyer and pricing below for the Snack Shack), or bring food from home.

2. Students may sit in the following areas to enjoy their lunch:

• Cafeteria
• Hallways
• In a classroom with a staff member, if given permission and supervised
• Outside on the baseball field, tennis courts, or basketball courts, weather permitted. Students may NOT eat in their cars or stairwells.

3. Students may not have off-campus food delivered to SBHS. Any food delivered or brought to school without permission of school staff will be kept in the main office until the end of the school day.

4. Visitors are not allowed in the lunchroom or other areas throughout the school without permission.

All in class major assessments are expected to be taking in class with the teacher of record. In class assessments are not permitted to be taken at home.

• Springbrook Webpage
• Bell Schedules
• 2024-2025 Traditional School Year Calendar

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.

• Breakfast: Regular price: $1.30

• Lunch: Regular price: $2.80

2024-2025 Free and Reduced Meals System Application

Online applications are the simplest and most efficient way to apply for FARMS. Households are encouraged to apply online at www.MySchoolApps.com. The online application and instructions are available in seven languages.

Additional Information:

Please remember that households must apply annually for the Free and Reduced Meals System. Federal income guidelines for meal eligibility are updated annually, and students who were not eligible for meal benefits last year may be eligible this school year. Meal eligibility is confidential information.

Add Money to Student Accounts

• Go to www.myschoolbucks.com, and click on "Sign Up Today" to set up a lunch account for your student.

School menus and more information

• To view school menus and for more information regarding meal programs, click here.

Springbrook Snack Shack

• The Springbrook Snack Snack provides additional healthy snack offerings for students at the brook. The Snack Shack is located across from the main gym.

Morning Arrival

• At 7:00 AM, MCPS buses begin dropping students off at school. Students wait in the main lobby, main hallway seating areas, and the auditorium until 7:25 AM.
• At 7:00 AM, the cafeteria opens for breakfast. Students may eat in the main hallway seating areas and auditorium.
• At 7:25 AM, additional areas and other hallways, are available to students.
• At 7:40 AM, students transition to period 1. Instruction beings promptly at 7:45 AM. Instruction concludes at 8:31 AM; Morning Announcements are viewed in classes until 8:37 AM.

Parent and Caregiver Drop Off

• Parents and caregivers may drop students off beginning at 6:45 AM in the coned-off area next to the sidewalk. Students must enter using the main school entrance.
• Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their students use MCPS transportation to arrive at school or drop their students at the on-site school drop-off area no later than 7:25 AM. Note that parent and caregiver drivers contribute to traffic congestion.

Two Areas for Morning Drop Off

• Use the upper lot or lower lot to drop off students (See below.).

One Area for Afternoon Pick Up

• Parents and caregivers use the lower lot to pick up students after school

Upper Parking Lot Option #1 (RED Option) – Drive down Valley Brook Drive, enter campus by making a LEFT into the first entrance into the Springbrook High School parking.

• Take the first entrance into the Springbrook High School parking lot

• Pull and park your vehicle next to and parallel to the sidewalk, next to the school; ONE DROP OFF LANE

• Drop-off your student

• Turn RIGHT and exit the parking lot.

Lower Parking Lot Option #2 (YELLOW Option) – Drive down to Valley Brook Drive to the lower student parking lot.

• Enter the student parking lot, making a U-turn towards the right of the building

• Drop off your student by the steps leading to the building

• Students enter the MAIN ENTRANCE to the school

• Drivers exit the parking lot to Valley Brook Drive.

Request Parking Permits and Parking Eligibility

Students must apply for a parking permit; permits are assigned every semester. Parking is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked for failure to adhere to school policies. Students are not guaranteed a parking permit.

Applications are evaluated based on the following:

• absence of financial obligations
• classified as a 12th grader or 11th grader
• clear of any obligations
• participation in-school based supervised activities when activity buses are not available
• residing outside bus transportation boundaries
• having an unusual or imperative need
• satisfactory attendance, behavior, and sound academic standing

Parking Permit

• Students must complete the Google form to apply for a permit after ensuring the above criteria is satisfied.
• A parking committee reviews all applications and determines if a student is eligible to receive a permit.
  
• Within two (2) days of receiving the application, responses will be sent to the student's mcpsmd.net email account.
• The parking permit fee is $78 for the year. The payment should be submitted using online school payment.
• Parking permits must be displayed in the vehicle hanging on the rear-view mirror with the number facing outward.

Permits Maybe Revoked or Suspended

• Having outstanding obligations
• Being chronically tardy or absent from school
• Having met assigned detentions
• Accessing a parked vehicle without permission from security or an administrator
• Exceeding reasonable speeds or driving recklessly.
• Leaving school grounds without permission, not signing in/out from the attendance office.
• Parking in handicapped designated parking areas without an official handicap permit.
• Parking on school grounds not designated for student parking.
• Transferring permits to non-registered vehicles.
• Unauthorized transportation of other students off school grounds during the school day.
• Using parking spaces designated for staff, visitors, marked as reserved, or the bus lane during the school day.
• Violations of the school discipline policy.

Students are expected to park in the student parking lot. Students may not park in any faculty-designated, visitor-designated, or handicapped spaces or pick up or discharge passengers during the school day. Student vehicles must remain parked during the student's scheduled day. Students may not return to the student parking lot during their school day unless they have received permission from the principal, assistant principal, or security assistant. Loitering or having lunch in or around a vehicle is not permitted.

REMINDER: Speed limit on school property is 5 miles per hour and students must obey all traffic directional signs and signals when entering/ exiting the parking lot.

Parking and safety regulations are enforced. These regulations are attached to each parking application. Students who violate the rules may have their parking permits revoked and will be subject to other disciplinary procedures.

The PTSA, Athletic Boosters, and Music Boosters are critical to our success at SBHS.

These worthy organizations support our school by providing resources, fundraising, and advocating for issues relevant to our families, school staff, and the greater community.

The main objective of the Booster Club is to raise funds to support and promote ALL school-sponsored extracurricular activities, such as drama, music, debate, newspaper, as well as interscholastic athletic programs. Support means financial aid to pay the total or partial cost of needed materials, awards, equipment, goods, or services. Funds are obtained by collecting dues, operating a concession stand at as many extracurricular activities as possible, and by organizing other fundraising activities. Some of these include the sale of sports programs, student directories, the After Prom event, and mulch sale. The Booster Club encourages all of its members to volunteer their help in these activities as much as possible. The Booster Club will also willingly provide encouragement, guidance, or advice to any group at any time. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to administer and govern the affairs of the Booster Club, which includes the granting of funds to requesting extracurricular groups. The meetings are open to all. Interested members are urged to attend. Review the Springbrook website for more information.

Thanks to the PTSA and NAACP Liaison for their tireless efforts in ensuring that SBHS is a PTA School of Excellence! The PTSA and NAACP Delegate work collaboratively to unite our community, parents, staff, and local businesses to support student achievement in all areas. The PTSA wants to recruit active parents and caregivers that will work to impact change, thereby creating the optimal school for students. Meetings occur at 6:30 PM every third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome! Click here to join the PTSA. The PTSA provides resources, fundraises for the school, and advocates for the SBHS Community.

The Athletic Boosters is a volunteer group of interested parents and/or caregivers who support all athletic-related activities at SBHS. The Athletic Booster Club fundraises and provides financial support, and services to athletic teams that may not be able to be provided through the usual school structures. For more information regarding meetings and involvement, contact Ms. Debbie Black, Athletics Booster President, at dablack39@hotmail.com.

The Instrumental Music Boosters (IMB) is an organization of parents, staff, and interested community members, who work collaboratively to benefit the Springbrook Music Program. IMB organizes fundraising activities and supports field trips, competitions, and performances. For more information regarding meetings and involvement, contact Ms. Irene Guggenheim-Triana, instrumental band teacher, at Irene_E_Guggendheim-triana@mcpsmd.org.

School buses begin arriving at 7:00 AM. The school day is 7:45 AM - 2:30 PM. Springbrook has 7 instructional periods with a break for lunch.

Find the bell schedules for the first two days of school below:

Parents and caregivers, please click here to access the recommended list of supplies to support your student as they transition back to school.

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.

Please review and update your student's emergency contact information.

Each year parents and/or caregivers are asked to complete the Annual Verification of emergency information through the Online Registration portal (see the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). It is critical that SBHS has accurate parent contact information on file. Please update this important information prior to school starting.

Links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.

Summer is a wonderful time for students to engage in SSL opportunities and earn SSL hours toward meeting or exceeding the 75-hour state graduation requirement! Parents and caregivers, please have your student submit all summer SSL hours using the forms listed below to Ms. Latrice Curtis, SSL Coordinator at Latrice_C_Curtis@mcpsmd.org.

MCPS Form 560-51:
SSL Activity Verification Form

Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed

Student and supervisor must complete the form

SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed after June 1, 2023, should be submitted to your school’s SSL coordinator when schools resume in the fall.

MCPS Form 560-50:
Individual SSL Request Form

Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website

To request pre-approval for service, please complete https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval -- for in-person service, submit this form to your school’s SSL coordinator; for virtual/remote service or service to be completed during the summer, submit this form to SSL@mcpsmd.org

Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE

Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record

Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE

MCPS SSL Hub for Students

Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!

Check out SSL forms, resources, and guidelines at https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS

Be sure to apply for testing accommodations for these assessments as soon as possible. Accommodations must be approved by the parent organizations (e.g., ACT and College Board) seven weeks in advance of the testing date. Parents and/or caregivers must submit a Student Eligibility form in addition to supporting documents.

ACT

Please click here to learn about the process for submitting a request for ACT accommodations and English Language Support.

• Please note, ACT and College Board grant approval for testing accommodations related to college entrance examinations. College Board requires psychological testing that has occurred within the last three years of schooling.

Advanced Placement (AP)

• For questions regarding AP examinations please contact both Ms. Latrice Curtis at latrice.c.curtis@mcpsmd.net and Ms. Lindsey Lipinski at lindsey.e.ruhle@mcpsmd.net, AP Coordinators).

College Board

Both the PSAT and SAT examinations are governed by College Board. Please click the link below to access more information regarding the criteria to apply for testing accommodations for the PSAT and/or SAT examinations. Click here to review the criteria for College Board.

Please contact Ms. Karen Greger, School Resource Counselor, at Karen_L_Greger@mcpsmd.org or at 240.740.3750 for more information regarding College Board and ACT testing accommodations.

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