Springbrook Weekly Digest

Greetings, Students, Staff, and Families,

This week we are concluding the 2023-2024 school year. The last day of school for students is Thurs, June 13th; this is an early release day for students. Fri, June 14th is a professional day for staff and their last day before beginning their summer break and embarking on a period of rest and relaxation.

• Students, parents, and caregivers please ensure that students have submitted all classwork.

REPORT CARDS

Grades will be available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE Tues, June 18, 2024.

Report cards will be mailed home on Thurs, June 20, 2024.

SUMMER SCHOOL 2024 INFO

MCPS offers Regional Summer School at Richard Montgomery as well as online Central Summer School. Please contact your student's counselor for additional information regarding summer school.

YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION

Ms. Sarah Kinard and the her yearbook team will distribute ordered yearbooks to students during lunch this week.

Please view the Table of Contents to review what's in this issue of the SWD.

Warm regards,

Stephanie Valentine

Principal

Springbrook High School

This month we recognize the achievements, influence, and contributions of Caribbean Americans during National Caribbean American Month (NCAM). In 2005, Dr. Claire Nelson, futurist, sustainability engineer, and innovation consultant, led the campaign to declare June a celebration of Caribbean Americans. Nelson partnered with U.S. Representative Barbara Lee to introduce legislation recognizing the role of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. The Caribbean region is home to over a dozen island nations, including Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad.

Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of the genre, Marley fused elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady in his music and was renowned for his distinctive vocal and songwriting style.

The ceremony was held at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Friday, June 7, 2024. Springbrook High School celebrated the graduation of 426 of its scholars.

I salute the parents, caregivers, families, faculty, and staff for ensuring that our graduates received a high-quality education. Your support and dedication have been instrumental in the achievement and success of our scholars. A special thank you to Mr. Randall Gornowich, professional photographer and photography teacher, for memoralizing this significant milestone in the lives of our scholars.

Pictured left to right: Sharon Shimels (SGA Class Treasurer and Student Speaker), Hewan Zelalem (Class Council Secretary), Hermela Teklu (Class Council Inclusion Coordinator), Magdeline Afework (Class Council Treasurer), Principal Valentine, Fekir Seifa (SGA Class President), Nabiot Dube (Class Council Vice President), Lana Gawiesh (Class Council President), and Amber Li (Student Speaker).

Pictured left to right: Mr. Francis Gyimah (12th Grade Admin), Ms. Virginia de los Santos (Principal of White Oak Middle School) Dr. Harold Barber (Principal, JoAnn Leleck Elementary School), Dr. Norman Coleman (Principal, Francis Scott Key Middle School), Dr. Jeanie Dawson (Director, OSSWB), Principal Valentine, and Ms. Peggy Pugh (Chief Academic Officer).

Becoming a senior is an important milestone in your high school. Be sure to capture your senior memoires and create a lasting keepsake. Your senior portrait will be featured in the senior yearbook pages.

How to sign up for portraits:

1. Click here to access the website.

2. Choose your preferred time on June 26 and June 27, 2024.

3. Complete the required information.

If you are unable to find a suitable appointment time, please contact the customer care department at 716.512.6336 or email customercare@legacystuidos.com

Be sure to attend the color guard also known as the flag team, interest meeting Wed, June 12 at 11:30 AM in the band room. The first practices for color guard take place during Band Camp which is July 15 - 19, 2024, from 4:00 - 9:00 PM. For questions please contact Ms. Alyssa Bower at Alyssa_M_Bower@mcpsmd.org.

Apply to take fall 2024 Dual Enrollment Jumpstart Montgomery College classes no later than June 14th. Please click here for the 13 steps to requesting Fall 2024 classes. You may contact Ms. Sherrtya Campbelll at sherryta.j.campbell@mcpsmd.net with any questions.

This year's two day event focuses on Advocacy and Public Service with the Executive Director of Community Bridges (non-profit organization) and the staff Legislative Aide from Delegate Lorig Charkoudian's office. Students also experienced a working demonstration of four K-9 officers from the Maryland Department of Corrections. The K-9 officers showed students how they search for missing people, sniff for bombs and contraband.

On June 11, the ALL DAY law conference continues with legal panels featuring 17 attorneys and 1 circuit court judge who will run workshops with students on a wide range of the following legal topics:

• business
• criminal
• federal law
• immigration
• intellectual property
• tax

A huge thank you to Ms. Jenn Laskin, JLS Program Lead, for work in developing our scholars to organize an incredible event for students and arranging for sponsorship by Version and Intelligence Consulting Partners who provide gifts and lunch for the day.

JLS student leaders introducing themselves at the 6th Annual Law Conference.

Pictured: Ms. Jennifer Laskin, Justice, Law, and Society Program Lead and Sargent George Almiroudis from the Maryland Department Corrections K-9 Unit.

Pictured: Sargeant Keyuana Smith from the Maryland Department Corrections K-9 Unit with Springbrook students.

Pictured: Captain Nico Petros and Max from the Maryland Department Corrections K-9 Unit with Springbrook students.

On Fri, May 31, 2024, the Justice, Law, and Society and government classes visited Annapolis, MD. After a tour of the statehouse, , student engaged in a personal meeting with Delegate Lorig Charkoudian and her staff to discuss issues facing the Maryland House of Delegates. Students also enjoyed lunch in historic Annapolis and ended the day visiting the United States Naval Academy and the legendary US Naval Museum and Chapel.

2024 Summer MCPS SSL Information

Summer is a wonderful time for students to engage in SSL opportunities and earn SSL hours towards meeting the 75-hour state graduation requirement!

High school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the summer, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).

Students should hold onto any SSL Activity Verification forms (560-51) for service completed during this summer and turn them into their school’s SSL coordinator, Mrs. Curtis, in the fall.

June 2024 List of Upcoming SSL Opportunities - Unity Through Community

Additional updates and information about the MCPS SSL program are provided below:

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

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

Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE

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

MCPS SSL Program Overview

Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms

MCPS SSL Hub for Students

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

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
Instagram: @springbrookprinc