CHS February Newsletter
A way for families to connect with CHS & The Community
We are looking to expand our community support efforts! CHS now has a full time Community School Facilitator, Sarah Miller (smiller18@bcps.org), and her goal is to help support our students and their families in and out of the classroom to expand academic and long term success.
CHS would like your input on items/topics/issues that are important to you so we can act more quickly. The easiest way to do that is to gather that information via this this form. All form submissions are anonymous unless you elect to provide contact information on the last question. In the next couple of months, we would also like to have a shared decision making team meeting that encompasses parents, students and staff. If you would like to join us, you can also email smiller18@bcps.org to be invited. Please take a few minutes to complete the form above so we can make informed decisions to support your students and our community. All input is welcomed and encouraged.
Our FALS students continue to get out and about experiencing life to the fullest! In December, they visited White Marsh Mall to get in the holiday spirit & the Baltimore Museum of Art to interact with modern art. Our Best Buddies mentoring group also had a wonderful pre-winter break gathering with the FALS students where they got to make crafts and indulge in some yummy treats! We love any opportunity to get these students together to have fun.
Intro to Career Research & Development: Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy
Intro to CCRD students participate monthly in the Chick fil A Leader Academy. January's lesson was about teamwork. Students learned what characteristics make good team members. They identified the best teams believe the best in each other, want the best for each other and expect the best from each other! Their number one take away was good team members let go of pride, ego and control to work together.
Forensics: Crime Scene Boxes
For the final exam in Forensic Science (a half credit elective course), our students had to create a crime scene in a box. Students were able to put everything they learned this semester to use and were able to try to solve each other's crimes! Such an awesome way to combine science and art! Per Ms. Funkhouser, we definitely have some future CSI agents at CHS.
After School Help on Tuesdays
RSVP to attend by 10am each Tuesday: https://forms.gle/tqEidTtQQztqfyLZ9
Peer Tutors Mon/Wed/Fri at Lunch
Sign up for Peer tutoring: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduYHNHJ7j-tU3Z9k5vlnBX_hzecY3dXKNOiFzFRBLoHvQe0w/viewform
Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for the 2024-2025 school year.
With the storm in January, BCPS used 2 of the 3 closure days. Only one true closure day remains then we will shift to virtual learning. The Virtual Learning Days will include a two hour delay to allow teachers to prepare for synchronous instruction. The first class will begin at 10:00. Students will access the Google Meet address and code on their teacher's Schoology page. The schedule is outlined below. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Virtual Schedule:
10:00-10:55 - Period 1
11:00-11:55 - Period 2
12:00-12:30 - Lunch
12:35-1:30 - Period 3
1:35-2:30 - Period 4
Students are reminded to bring devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home each day.
Class Advisors' emails:
Jillian Ganley - jganley@bcps.org
Sarah Miller - smiller18@bcps.org
Please reach out to advisors with any Class Specific Questions.
Class of 2026: Class Dues Payment Link
Class of 2026 Instagram: @chs.co2026
Our Chipotle fundraiser earned $146.10, thank you for your support!
Next class meeting is: Wednesday February 19th after school in room 18, combined meeting with the class of 2025. We will discuss our upcoming fundraisers and prom planning!
February Career Spotlight: Health and Biosciences
This cluster focuses on preparing dedicated professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue challenging and rewarding careers as they further their education. These programs require students to apply knowledge learned in science and mathematics to professions in the Health and Biosciences field. These careers are among the fastest growing and highest in demand in the country as the population ages and healthcare needs continue to increase. Some programs of study would be the academy of health professions and Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences. Careers in this pathway include physicians, research scientists, nurses, and other exciting careers.
Careers and Trainings in Health and Biosciences:
- Hopkins School of Imaging: Sonography (Ultrasound), Nuclear Medicine, Radiography
CCBC School Of Health Professions:
- Allied Health
- Anesthesia Technology
- Dental Hygiene
- Emergency Medical Services Technology (EMST)
- Health Informatics and Information Technology
- Histotechnology
- Medical Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Mortuary Science
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Radiation Therapy
- Respiratory Care Therapy
- Surgical Technology
- Veterinary Technology
- Bachelors of Nursing - Towson University
- Bachelors in Public Health - Towson University
Guest Speakers coming to CHS this Month:
- Medstar Franklin Square – Jenna Page (Thursday, February 6th) Medstar looks to serve their patients, those who care for them, and the communities which they are within. They look to be the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health.
- MD Department of Health – Wendi Lott (Date TBD) As a public health department, our goal is to improve the health status of every Maryland resident and to ensure access to quality health care. We are responsible for helping each person live a life free from the threat of communicable diseases, tainted foods, and dangerous products.
- Baltimore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Robert Sullivan (Tuesday, February 18th) We exist to provide a place for those who want to work and change their lives. The sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the whole of grappling teaches us how to over come all aspects of the condition known as stress. The more we engage in new and difficult situations, the less stressful they become for us both physically and mentally. We hope to help you find the form of therapy you need to make life that much easier on the mats of Baltimore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with us.
- CCBC Medical Imaging – Debbi Lam (Thursday, February 27th) This is a medical imaging program offered at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). The program trains students to become radiographers (X-ray technicians) and provides additional specialized training in areas like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) through post-certification courses. Students create diagnostic images of the human body using various imaging technologies for medical diagnosis.
Mr. Scalice has posted sign ups for these presentations in the CHS Hub on Schoology.
See him with any questions.
If your child misses a day of school the parent can now upload their note directly into FOCUS. Doctor's notes, personal notes, court summons, whatever proof you would normally send in with your child, can now be directly uploaded for verification. Follow the steps below to learn how
(Visual Steps are also provided below in a PDF).
1. Log into the Focus Parent Portal. Navigate to the Alerts section and click on the “Student’s name has X days with unexcused absences/tardies without a note or reason” link. Note: You can also locate your student’s attendance information by navigating to your student’s name on the left menu. Click the down arrow to expand additional menu options. Select Absences.
2.Scroll down the page. Locate the Date column to find the date you wish to submit the note. Locate the Excuse Note column, hoover over the No Files section, and select Scan, Upload, or Take Photo to upload the note for that day’s absence. Select the file to be added.
3.The file name/image will be displayed in the Excuse Note column if the attendance note has been uploaded successfully.
BALTIMORE COUNTY FOOD PANTRY LOCATOR
Baltimore County has a new web tool displaying community partner food distribution sites across the County.
Developed by Baltimore County’s BCSTAT team, the Food Pantry Locator web tool includes detailed information about community food access locations. Residents should enter an address or select "Use my location" and adjust the distance slider to view food pantries near them; selecting a pantry's entry in the list will reveal contact information, hours of operation, and special instructions.
Please read through this article for more information about the program and other food assistance resources: Baltimore County Releases New Food Pantry Locator (baltimorecountymd.gov)
Affordability Connectivity Program
As a result of Baltimore County's participation in the CEP Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to students, all families are eligible to receive a discount of $30 per month off your internet bill. Please visit GetInternet.Gov to apply and/or ask questions.
By offering Talkspace’s digital modalities, like unlimited messaging therapy, we can extend support that students can access beyond school hours, year-round, at their convenience. Eligible students interested in therapy can sign up, take a brief assessment specific for teens, and get matched with a dedicated, licensed therapist. Once matched, therapy sessions take place on Talkspace’s secure and encrypted platform, accessible from the teens’ smartphones, tablets or computers. Teens can communicate with their therapists at any time with an unlimited number of private messages at no cost.
To be eligible for this program, teens must be enrolled in a BCPS high school and be over the age of 13 at the time of signup. Eligible teens can sign up for unlimited messaging therapy and gain access to Talkspace Go, a comprehensive teen mental health self-guided program.
Students can access this service by registering at talkspace.com/bcps and use the keyword: bcps
Did you know you can get an automated grade report and missing assignments to be sent straight to your email every week so you don't have to remember to go looking for them? It's an amazing way to stay informed about your student's academic performance. If you haven't created an account in Focus, you'll have to do that first. Directions Below.
Join Groups in Schoology to stay up to date on CHS events!
Schoology groups are created to share information outside of courses for specific groupings. AP Students, Graduation Cohorts, CHS Hub (School wide) , and various clubs all have different groups where they share info. To join groups once you have logged into Schoology, click Groups at the top, and then click the My Groups link on the top right corner, on the next page click join group on the right and enter the join code.
The CHS Hub is where all the School wide news, events, and information is posted. To join the CHS HUB on Schoology, use join code WMTMX-CXF6X.
Each Graduating Class also has their own group to discuss class events and class dues and fundraisers, The join codes for those are listed below in bold:
Seniors - Class of 2025: DX56-SDWD-6KQZB
Juniors- Class of 2026: S4HF-SS5W-QF24W
Sophomores - Class of 2027: MWBM-K6TF-HHGZ8
Freshman - Class of 2028: KFN4-4HRS-BVF42
If your child has an issue with their device, such as it is physically broken, won't hold a charge, missing a key...please complete a technology support request by using the student's google log in to be added to the list and our tech liaisons will connect with them as soon as possible. You can also complete the form if your child does not have a device because it is lost or stolen (charges may apply see below for chart).
If your issue is not related to the physical device (like resetting a password or an issue with schoology/microsoft) you must contact the BCPS Help Desk by calling 443-809-4672.
Stay Connected with your child's teachers with Talking Points!
BCPS has purchased a new tool to help connect families and teachers more directly. Teachers can text the primary contact in focus and it will translate to the contact's native language, automatically. We hope this will help increase two way communication with all families and improve student achievement.
Download for Iphone App Store here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/families-talkingpoints/id1320244591
Lockers are not automatically given to students. Any student that would like to be assigned a locker for the school year must request one through this link: Locker Form
The CHS website is a great resource for families. Informational Links about bus stops, the bell schedule, the handbook, monthly engagements calendars, and much more can all be found right on the main page of the website. There is also a tab for department contacts that have email contacts for all teachers and staff.
Check out the Website today: https://chesapeakehs.bcps.org/
