Braves Bulletin
March 3, 2024
Upcoming Dates
Monday, Mar 4 - Rising Freshman Night, 6-8 pm
Wednesday, Mar 6 - PAC Meeting during Pride Time
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Wednesday, Mar 13 - SAT Testing Day
Para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles.
Students - Restart Your Laptops
IT is recommending that staff and students regularly apply Windows Updates and restart their devices at least once a week.
Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services
Spotlight on Special Education
There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Parents, please use this survey to share your appreciation for our special education staff members!
New Summer Sports Academies
SMCPS and St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday-Thursday. Registration begins March 1st. For more information, click here.
Evening Counseling Available
SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.
Nurse's Corner
Please take a moment to review this document. It has answers to many of your questions including when a student should stay home, elevator access and general health information.
Class of 2024 Google Site
College & Career Readiness Center News
ASVAB Testing
Chopticon High School will be offering the ASVAB test on April 11, 2024 at 8:00am. Click here to sign up.
College & Career Readiness Upcoming Events
Our “lunch and learns” have been very popular. Below is the list of who is coming next. This is a great opportunity for students to speak directly to someone in their field of interest and to make some professional connections. All presentations will be during “A” lunch. Click HERE to register.
- March 5 – Job Corps
- March 6 – Careers in Real Estate (date change)
- March 12- Career in Law Enforcement
- March 18 – Careers in Welding
- March 20 - Careers in Occupational and Physical Therapy
- April 26 – Careers as a Dental Assistant
The ASVAB test will be offered on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 8:00am at Chopticon High School. Click here to register. We will be offering free ASVAB study sessions during the entire 1 hour lunch period on April 2 and April 9. This is a great opportunity for students who are taking the ASVAB on April 11th. Click here to register.
Opportunity for 10th and 11th graders interested in Engineering – March 15th.
USMSM (University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland) will be hosting a hands-on engineering experience/activities with Dr. William Malatesta, PhD for 10th and 11th graders interested in a career in engineering. Dr. Malatesta is the Director of Engineering Education and Research Partnerships at NAWCAD. This is a field trip to the new USMSM building on Airport Drive in California, MD. Students will leave CHS on March 15th at 8:50am and return in time for lunch at 12:10pm. Permission slips are available in the Career Center and must be returned by March 1st. First come, first serve basis as spots are very limited (max of 22 students can attend). If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Nantz, kjnantz@smcps.org or 301-475-0215, x 38125.
SMCPS Spectator Policy for After School Events
I want to strongly encourage you to come support our events. I also want to remind everyone of St. Mary’s County Public School’s policy regarding spectators at after school events:
No Bags or Purses Allowed
No outside Food or Drink Allowed including Water
Ticket Sales are online Only at Go Fan
No Cash option for tickets
Gates will open - one hour before the first event.
Concessions are cash and credit card.
Thank you, we hope to see you at our events.
Marc Pirner, Principal
BRAVES BRAGGING
Aiden Arnold Earns His 100th Win at the State Competition
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Varsity Boys Defeat GMHS to Compete in the State Finals
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Indoor Ensemble Wins First Place
St. Mary’s County Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Color Guard both won first place this weekend at the KIDA Indoor Invitational. This is the second 1st place win for percussion this season, and the first 1st place win of the season for color guard.
Around Chopticon
National Honor Society Students Served Food at an Elks Event
Mrs. Mary Washington, SMCPS BOE Member Visited Chopticon this Week
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SSLAC Student Reps Participated in the State of the Schools Event
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SSLAC Students Meeting with Dr. Maher to Prep for Rising Freshman Night
Can't wait to welcome the Class of 2028
Important School Information and Links
No Food or Other Deliveries for Students
Here is a link to the daily menu.
Help Prevent the Spread of Infection
Students and staff should stay home with ANY signs/symptoms of illness. If fever-reducing medication was required within the past 24 hours to maintain a normal body temperature, you should NOT be in school.
Online Forms Each Parent/Guardian Should Complete
Please be sure you have completed the following:
- Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.
- Online Emergency Information Update Forms are available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. This form is important as this is the current contact information we have for parents/guardians.
- 2023/2024 Parent Permission - SMCPS Secondary Acceptable Use Policy and Online Platforms - More Info - must be completed for each student
- 2023-24 Meal Benefit Form
Braves Bucks
Hey Chop Nation! Braves Bucks are rolling out and you might not know how to spend them. Visit the school bank during PRIDE time and use your bucks to purchase any items listed below. Prices are subject to change based on supply and demand, so get down early for the best deals.
Parents - Braves Bucks are something students may earn to reward positive behaviors. Some examples of how a student may earn a Braves Buck is by going to a teacher's classroom during Pride Time for academic assistance or being on time to class during a Blitz. Students may trade in Braves Bucks for items in the "store" located in the School Bank.
Zion cashed in his Braves Bucks for a hoodie!