Weekly Newsletter

August 25, 2024

Dear Coyote Community,

WE ARE READY! WE ARE EXCITED! WE ARE ENERGIZED!

ARE YOU?

This summer, our dedicated Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) engaged in various activities to set the stage for an outstanding 2024-25 school year. They focused on their own learning, examined our current practices, and planned staff professional development for pre-service. Our team is committed to upholding the following conditions that will support the success of all CHS students:

• Maintaining a school community of care that fosters postive relationships with all stakeholders;
• Applying an anti-racist leadership lens and practices;
• Aligning MCPS initiatives and resources to the needs of our school community; and,
• Cultivating the professional growth of staff, the academic and emotional growth of students, and the engagement of families.

This past week, we welcomed back all staff with a flurry of learning and preparation, facilitated by ILT members, to ready ourselves for the return of our wonderful students. Throughout the week, our focus remained on student-centered learning and planning.

And now, we are ready and thrilled to welcome our students back tomorrow! It will be a great day and an even greater year. Let's do this!

Thank you to all the staff, students, families, and community partners who contributed to our readiness and the positive energy propelling us into the school year. On behalf of our staff, I’d like to extend a special thank you to our PTSA and other contributors for providing a delicious lunch during pre-service. It was very much appreciated and enjoyed.

Let's do this, Coyotes!

Here’s to embracing the resilience and opportunities that lie ahead!

Students and staff are encouraged to stop by the patio area by the cafeteria Monday morning between 7 and 7:40 for an energized back to school celebration. See friends, meet new people, enjoy some music and help us celebrate our return to school!

This year we have a new morning routine for students arriving to school prior to 7:15. All students will enter either through the front door or the auditorium door and report directly to the cafeteria where they will be supervised by administration and/or security team members. Students can get breakfast, do work, chat with friends, or rest until 7:15 at which time they will be released to get ready for their day.

Any student who has made arrangements to meet a teacher for support prior to the 7:15 start time will need to show the supervising adults an email from the teacher confirming the appointment. The email will serve as the pass to the teacher's classroom.

We will also have a new afternoon routine for students who have activities that do not start immediately after school. All students will report to the cafeteria where they will be supervised by our after school monitor until their activity begins. This is an excellent time to get a jump start on homework, have a snack or relax prior to an activity.

Supervision will be offered until 4:30. Students who have activities that start later than that will need to make alternative arrangements to leave and come back. Students may not be in the building unsupervised.

These processes represent shifts for our sophomores, juniors and seniors so please help us by reinforcing the new expectations. We will have adults reminding students the first few days of school of the new expectations.

In recent days, MCPS confirmed that all high schools will require staff and students to wear their ID badges this year. Like all other schools, there are a few steps that need to happen to operationalize this at CHS. First, we will need to communicate expectations so all stakeholders understand how we will manage this element of MCPS's overall focus on safety and security at CHS. Our team is working on clear, simple expectations that will support safety while not impacting instructional time or staff/student relationships. These will be shared widely when finalized.

Second, we will ensure that all staff and students get IDs when they have their school pictures taken. This will require us to take necessary steps to include seniors who typically do not get photos taken with underclassman. Finally, we will issue lanyards and ID holders.

Wearing of IDs will be extended to athletic events to further support safety and security measures already in place. High school principals are collaborating with central office leadership to develop consistent practices and messages so no guests are surprised by the expectation when they attend an event.

Like any new initiative, we realize there will be hiccups as we refine our processes. MCPS has established an expectation that we are running smoothly by the end of the first quarter. We appreciate your patience as we ensure what we put in place effectively supports safety and security at Clarksburg High School.

Students are encouraged to ride their assigned busses. However, we understand there is sometime a need to drop off a student. Parents dropping off students should enter campus via Foreman Boulevard and follow the established traffic pattern as directed by security.

Please note that drop off gets very congested and busy so again, we encourage students to use the busses so they do not risk being late to class.

Morning bus routes can be found here.

Afternoon bus routes can be found here.

Adults will support students finding their busses while they are getting acquainted with the parking spaces for departure.

Riding the school bus is a privilege. Please reinforce behavioral expectatons as outlined in messages from the Department of Transportation in the documents found below. Failure to meet expectations may result in a student's temporary or permanent removal from the bus.

Interested in joining a team of dedicated middle and high school students who run the election processes for the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) and Montgomery County Regional SGA (MCR) Officers? The Special Elections Committee (SEC) Board application deadline is 11:59 PM SUNDAY, September 9th.

Regardless of your background in protocols or advocacy, you can apply! The four diverse subcommittees are fit for all skill sets and interests: Events, Grievances, Outreach, and PR. As a board member, you will actively vote on topics like campaign rules, budgeting, voter accessibility, and more.

We urge you to learn more in the application description and consider applying! Apply here.

Coyote Nation!! Now is the time to make sure you cast your vote for the 2024 Homecoming theme! We want your voice as we plan for the upcoming celebrations. Homecoming will take place the week of September 30th through October 5th with the Coyotes taking on the Wolverines. Cast your vote using the form linked here.

Juniors and Seniors, let’s celebrate your academic work! Join the National Honor Society and/or the National English Honor Society for the 2024-25 school year! To apply for the National Honor Society, students must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.57 or a cumulative weighted GPA of at least 4.1 and have completed their student service-learning hours. Students will fill out the application and provide 3 teacher recommendations. The application can be found here.

To become a member of the National English Honor Society, students must be in their junior or senior year with an unweighted overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with a 3.5 overall in English courses and English-related courses. Students should also demonstrate an enthusiasm for language arts and a willingness to tutor in our writing center. Students will provide 2 teacher recommendations. The application can be found here.

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. Meal prices:

• Breakfast: Regular price: $1.30

• Lunch: Regular price: $2.80

Free and reduced price meals continue to be available for qualifying families. The application is done on line. Information and the link can be found in the document below. Please do not delay in appyling as we do not want students to go without breakfast or lunch if they desire a school meal.

Many students spent time this summer completing their required Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. It is very important to submit them as soon as possible, especially if you are a senior. You may submit forms electronically over the summer.

Please submit through this google form. The form is also on the Canvas page.

Please consider joining the CHS PTSA. Our PTSA is a great partner in our work and would love to have more staff, students and parents become members.

August 26 First Day of School

August 28-30 School Pictures Taken

September 2 Schools Closed

September 4 Regular Season for Fall Sports Begins

September 5 BTSN (More Details to Come)

September 15- October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month

September 17 PTSA Meeting

Our CHS website has a wealth of information related to subjects like attendance, student service learning, athletics and more. Please take time to check it out so you have accurate information about policies and procedures at CHS.