BRAVES BULLETIN
Back to School Edition for School Year 2023-24
For Our Spanish Speaking Families
Wednesday, August 23
Need assistance logging into HAC? Contact Mrs. Werkheiser at mkwerkheiser@smcps.org. Students will need to contact via their school gmail account.
MVA attendance form - Mrs. Flora, main office, rnflora@smcps.org
Transcripts - submit request through Naviance or contact Mrs. White at cmwhite@smcps.org
Upcoming Dates
Monday, August 21 - Open House, 9th/10th grade 12:30 - 1:30 pm. 11th/12th, 1:30 - 2:00 pm - You can access your schedule through HAC
Wednesday, August 23
- Senior Sunrise at 6:15 am parking in bus loop - remember you have to have a school parking permit to park on school grounds during the school day
- First Day of School
Monday, September 4 - Labor Day - All Schools & Offices Closed
Thursday, September 7 - Picture Day
Friday, September 8 - Picture Day
Home Access Center (HAC)
Home Access Center (HAC) opened on Friday, August 18 at 5 pm for students to view their schedules. Please write down your schedule or have it available on your phone for the first day of school. Questions about your schedule may be addressed to the grade level counselor. The best and most efficient way to communicate with your counselor is through email.
Need assistance with HAC? Please contact Mrs. Werkheiser at mkwerkheiser@smcps.org.
Counselor Assignments
A to Cr - Ms. Julie Correll - jacorrell@smcps.org, ext. 38124
Cs to Ha - Ms. Cara Grysko - cagrysko@smcps.org, ext. 38122
Hc to Mc - Ms. Morgan Lemmings, malemmings@smcps.org, ext. 38128
Me to Sa - Ms. Amanda Hogan, ajhogan@smcps.org, ext. 38121
Sc to Z - Ms. Meg Walewski, mmwalewski@smcps.org, ext. 38123
Registrar - Ms. Dorothy VanRyswick, dmvanryswick@smcps.org, ext. 38104
Suggested Back to School Checklist for Parents
- Complete the 2023/2024 Parent Permission - SMCPS Secondary Acceptable Use Policy and Online Platforms - More Info - must be completed for each student
- Complete the 2023-24 Meal Benefit Form
- Check bus information here
- Review the SMCPS student handbook with your student
- Parents/guardians may add money to student meal accounts through MySchoolBucks
- Laptop Care and Fine Information
Suggested Back to School Checklist for Students
- Review the SMCPS student handbook with your parent/guardian
- Check your school emails for updated information
- Know your bus number
- Know your Student ID number "lunch number"
- Check your lunch account if you plan to purchase breakfast/lunch
- Get plenty of sleep the night before
- Bring your backpack with school supplies, fully charged laptop (and charging cord) and a water bottle to school the first day
- Have a copy of the school map (in this Bulletin) and your schedule on your laptop or phone
- Review the Student Device & Resource Accountability information
SMCPS Student Dress Code
Clothing and Accessories in General
Students must wear clothing that covers certain body parts. Clothes must be worn in such a way that the chest, midriff, pelvic/groin area, and buttocks are covered with opaque material.
Clothing displaying or suggesting profanity; sexual activity through graphic images, words, or innuendos; weapons; drugs/alcohol or drug paraphernalia; violence; or tobacco products may not be worn, visible, or displayed.
Clothing with identifiable gang/crew representation or paraphernalia may not be worn, visible, or displayed.
Symbols or messages generally accepted to promote intolerance, hate, racial slurs (for example Confederate flag, swastika, Ku Klux Klan or KKK) may not be worn, visible, or displayed.
Head coverings may only be worn indoors so long as the student’s face is visible and it does not interfere with instruction or student safety.
Shoes must be worn that are safe for all activities.
Official St. Mary's County Public Schools’ athletic uniforms may be allowed at the discretion of the coach and school administrator.
Student dress for school-sponsored activities must be in compliance with the Student Dress Code.
Important Information About Student Technology
Student Cost to Repair or Replace Technology
Parent Volunteer Portal
Important Notice Regarding Use of Cell Phones and Earbuds
1st Offense- Teacher provides verbal warning.
2nd Offense- Teacher provides verbal warning.
3rd Offense- Teacher provides verbal warning and communicates via email with parent/guardian, student and administrator.
4th Offense- Final verbal warning.
5th Offense- Discipline referral.
Consequence Chart:
First five violations - referral: 60 minute lunch detention
Second set of five - referral: 2 days of lunch detention
Third set of five - referral - 1 day of ISI
Reset after each marking period
Help Prevent the Spread of Infection
Student Buses and Drop-Off/Pick-Up Information
Travel Lanes for Drivers in the Morning
Please remember to stop at crosswalks to allow for pedestrians to safely walk across the travel lane.
Afternoon Pick-Up - Please park in any open space in the B lot and wait for your student.
Bus Information
Tech Center Buses
Morning TC sill stay in the bus loop upon arrival to board the buses to Tech Center.
Midday Tech Center will report to the bus loop after 2nd period - 9:40 a.m.
Afternoon Tech Center (pds. 7 & 8) students will eat A lunch and depart Chopticon immediately after A lunch from the bus loop
Morning entry into the building
If your first period class room number starts with:
- B - Entry 1
- A - Entry 2
- C/D/Gym - Entry 3
Meal Prices for the 2023-24 School Year
Meal prices for Secondary Schools:
Breakfast - $1.75
Lunch - $3.25
Milk - 50 cents
Funds may be added to a student's account by using the MySchoolBucks app. Information about unpaid meal charges may be found here. Lunch menus may be found here.
Reminder - No Food or Other Deliveries for Students
Here is a link to the daily menu.
Admission to Athletic Events
- All regular season tickets are $6.00 (online or card at the gate)
- Online ticketing is highly encouraged prior to arrival
- Employee badges from all three counties will be honored per SMAC Constitution
- As a reminder, No +1 or additional guest per SMAC Bylaws for local employees..
- MPSSAA passes are ONLY accepted for Region and State Playoff games, not regular season SMAC contests or SMAC championships.
- Senior Citizen Cards will only be for St. Mary's County residents.
- Anyone leaving the event without authorization MUST pay to re-enter
- No outside food or drinks are permitted
- No Bags (Other small permissible items such as keys, wallets, cell phones, credit cards, and cash may be carried in a pocket or by hand)
Important Links & Information
COMMUNICATIONS
There are several ways to keep on top of what’s happening at Chopticon High School. Please use any of the following:
- School Telephone # 301-475-0215
- Staff email addresses can be found on our website here
- Braves Bulletin - Weekly Updates for students and parents sent out via School Messenger. The latest edition is on the homepage of our website
- Twitter- @CHS_smcps
Chopticon High School
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/chs/
Location: 25390 Colton Point Road, Morganza, MD, USA
Phone: 301-475-0215
Twitter: @chs_smcps