TSHS Cougar News
Keeping you connected to teaching and learning
A Message from Ms. Pearl
Welcome students and families. We are off to a great start and students are acclimating to the daily routines of school. We are asking students to make sure they show their Cougar Pride by being Prepared, Respectful, Involved, Diligent and Eco-Friendly.
We need students to monitor their transition time between classes. Students, you only have 4 minutes between classes before you are marked tardy. We have implemented our tardy policy, in which continued tardies to class will result in student consequences.
This is a reminder that you are not allowed to enter a classroom with backpacks or large bags. Students, you must use their locker. If you have a locker issue, please be sure to use the QR code, which is posted in numerous locations throughout the building.
Open House will be held Thursday, September 19th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. This is an opportunity for families to meet their student's teachers and learn about expectations for their courses. Please save the date and mark your calendars. Parents will have a choice to attend the PTSO meeting in the Auditorium or the ESOL Family Night in the Cafeteria starting at 5:30pm, followed by visitations to the classrooms starting at 6pm. We hope to see you all here, supporting your students and Thomas Stone High School!
Kona Ice will be available for purchase
CCPS PARTNERS WITH ELECTION BOARD
to educate students about voting
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) regularly partners with the Maryland State and Charles County boards of elections. Many CCPS facilities, including schools, serve as polling locations during local, state and national elections.
Staff from the Charles County Board of Elections are set to visit the seven CCPS high schools next month to share information with students about how to vote, voter registration and how to serve as an election judge.
These visits will occur during school lunch shifts so student instructional time is not impacted. The visit to Thomas Stone High School will take place on Tuesday, September 17th. Please talk with your student about the opportunity to learn about voting.
Charles County Board of Election staff are State of Maryland employees with the Maryland State Board of Elections and do not represent any party, affiliation or candidate in any election cycle.
CCPS plans to offer this opportunity to high school students annually. To learn more about the Board of Elections, visit Board of Elections | Charles County, MD (charlescountymd.gov)
UNDERCLASSMAN PICTURE DAY
School portraits, for grades 9 - 11, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18th and Thursday, Sept. 19th during Social Studies classes. Please save the date and mark your calendars. Your student will be informed of which day to come dressed to impress for the yearbook. We ask that all students sit for pictures regardless of the desire to purchase. Portrait package information will be sent home in the coming days. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Brown, our Yearbook Advisor, by email at andbrown@ccboe.com
SENIOR PICTURE MAKE-UP DATES
for the CLASS OF 2025
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AA4AA2AA3F5C07-50816556-thomas
COMMUNITY SCHOOL INFORMATION
Hello Thomas Stone Families!
Thomas Stone High School is a Community School, and we need your input to implement resources, services and support for your student and family. Please complete the Community School Parent Survey and Community School Student Survey to provide vital information to assist in creating programming and services. In addition, check out the Thomas Stone Community School Website for resource information, events and to sign-up for programs.
Thomas Stone Community School Website
Link: https://sites.google.com/view/thomasstonehs-communityschool/home
Thomas Stone High School Community School Advisory Committee
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/2brBC63JnB
Community School Parent Survey
Link: https://ccboe.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5q0dw6aWL8V9GIe
Community School Student Survey
Link: https://ccboe.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_034Gre5lxARl4uG
Please check out the following resources and fairs!
ATHLETICS
FOR ALL GAME SCHEDULE INFORMATION
For all game schedules, visit Thomas Stone Cougars - Official Athletic Website – Waldorf, MD (tscougarssports.com)
All tickets, for games and events, can be purchased on GOFan at https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24850 or using credit card at the events gate entrance. There is a fee for all home and away games. Make sure to look at the bottom of the event listed to see if it is in our back yard or theirs! You should purchase your ticket ahead of time, but tickets can also be purchased at the gate. Come and support our athletes and Thomas Stone High School!
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Students, if you are interested in class officer positions, please reach out to Ms. Wells for more information. Elections will be held within the first month of the new school year. Please follow our Thomas Stone Instagram page. @tStone_s_g_a for student life information or ask questions and make suggestions.
PTSO
PTSO COMMITTEE MEETING
If you are interested in being a part of Thomas Stone High Schools' PTSO Committee, please contact Rita Osborne at TSHSPTSO@gmail.com. Come be a part of the PTSO Committee and make a difference. Applications are available in the main office and also available during all scheduled meetings. Please complete the application form and return, with payment of $10, to the main office. We hope to see you soon!
PLEASE JOIN US
for our first TSHS PTSO meeting, in the Auditorium on Thursday, September 19th. The meeting will start promptly at 5:30pm.
GOT STUFF TO GET RID OF?
WANT TO MAKE SOME MONEY SELLING YOUR STUFF??
SUPPORT TSHS and JOIN IN ON THE FUN!
COLLEGE AND CAREER INFORMATION
#WhyApply Day
Let's celebrate our Class of 2025 as they begin their college/career application process. On Friday September 20th, seniors will be asked to share the college/career intentions. The #WhyApply Day kicks off the application season and provides encouragement for our students.
Staff is asked to wear their college attire to showcase their experience. This can open up a conversation between staff and students who may be interested in their school.
SAT / ACT TESTING OPPORTUNITIES
SAT
The next SAT is scheduled for October 5, 2024. Registration Deadline September 20 ,2024- Late Registration Deadline - September 24, 2024
Register at www.collegeboard.org
College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools
College Board is a non-profit organization that clears a path for all students to own their future through the AP Program, SAT Suite, BigFuture, and more.
ACT
The upcoming ACT examination date is scheduled for October 26, 2024 -
Registration Deadline is September 20, 2024 - Late Registration Deadline October 7, 2024
Register at www.act.org
PSAT
To take the PSAT this year, students must sign up and pay the test fee. Visit Mrs. Lush, the Testing Coordinator, in the media center to register. The test costs $18, and only exact cash payments, checks, or money orders are accepted. Remember, the deadline to register and pay for the PSAT is Thursday, September 12th. Late orders will not be accepted.
FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH for 2024/25 sy
CCPS is, again this school year, participating in federal and state programs that provide free meals at qualifying schools. Thomas Stone High School is a qualified school. These programs include the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA). Students who attend Thomas Stone High School can eat breakfast and lunch for free for the entire school year. If your child would like to purchase additional a' la cart items, they can purchase these items by using MySchoolBucks.com.
Fee Waivers
Did you know.... students can receive additional benefits from the Free and Reduced Meal application, such as fee waivers for ACT, SAT, and College Application fees. Upperclassman will need to complete a Free and Reduced Meals Application online, to receive these benefits. The online application can be found on the CCBOE homepage. https://www.myschoolapps.com/
MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT!
Did you know that CCPS has partnered with Hazel Health, a tele-mental health service for CCPS students in middle and high school . During in-school appointments, students can visit virtually with a mental health specialist in a designated location in the school that provides privacy. Trained school staff will accompany students to and from the appointment. Parents and families can learn more about Hazel Health here.
Laptops
Laptop distribution will begin this week. Students without a laptop will receive their laptop through their Science class starting Tuesday. Students, please note that devices need regular updating to ensure that all software continues to work and to receive the latest security patches from Microsoft. Please check for Windows updates every Tuesday evening (or as soon after as possible). This can prevent many problems, especially during testing sessions.
If you have any issues with your laptop, please submit a ticket to Mr. Richardson by clicking the link provided https://askccps.ccboe.com/open.php.
If your student will be leaving TSHS, you will need to return your CCPS issued laptop and charger to Thomas Stone High School prior to being withdrawn.
Dates to Remember
September 12-15 - Charles County Fair
September 13 - Schools Closed for Students
September 17 - National IT Professionals Day
September 17 - Constitution Day
September 22 - First Day of Autumn
September 23 - TSHS Senior Picture Make-up Session Day
September 25 - 2-hour Early Dismissal for Students
September 26 - TSHS Senior Picture Make-up Session Day
September 26 - Hispanic Parent Advocacy Night
September 30 - Interim Reports Posted to ParentVue/StudentVue
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
From left to right: Mrs.Jarmon(12th grade), Mrs. Salopek (9th grade), Ms. Ransom (10th grade), Mrs. Prado (11th grade)
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
WE CAN HELP
TSHS ADMINISTRATION TEAM
9th - Mr. Snow bsnow@ccboe.com
10th - Mrs. Savage jsavagespriggs@ccboe.com
11th - Mrs. Loyd kloyd@ccboe.com
12th - Mr. Werkheiser cwerkheiser@ccboe.com
Instructional AP - Dr. Bateman jbateman@ccboe.com
To learn more about our Admin team, click the link below:
CCPS TEXT ALERTS
With the winter months approaching, school delays or cancellations may arise. If you would like to get TEXT ALERTS from CCPS, you must OPT IN to get the alerts, before you can start receiving them. To do this, from your cell phone, text YES to 67587. You should then receive a notification that you are now registered. This is a good way to get information regarding school delays, early dismissals, cancellations, school issues, transportation issues, and sometimes community issues that may involve a school or surrounding areas, etc. Stay informed via text.
Thomas Stone High School
Website: https://stone.ccboe.com/
Location: 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD, USA
Phone: (301)753-1756
Twitter: @CougarsTSHS