Weekly Update

Many citizens are concerned about reports in the media relative to ICE Raids and want to know how their local school systems plan to handle the issue. SMCPS will adhere to the guidance provided by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Please read A Guide for Students, Families, and Local Education Agencies on the MSDE website. Our actions are bound by law, and our administrative staff consistently ensures compliance.

Students interested in receiving tutoring should fill out this student interest form. Currently, tutoring is offered before or after school at LHS (by appointment). We also offer virtual tutoring (by appointment). Please email Theresa Smith at tmsmith@smcps.org for more information.

In Honor of Black History Month, The LHS Black Student Union is sponsoring a Spirit Week From February 24th-28th! Look at the graphic below for more information. Black Student Union encourages everyone to join in on both the spirit week and activities for a chance to win a prize for their class.

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Mrs. Mary Washington will be visiting LHS to speak about her experiences as a member of the St. Mary’s County Board of Education. She will be speaking during A lunch in the Media Center. If you are interested, click this link to find out more information and submit questions for her Q&A session.

On February 19, students from Mr. David's African American Literature class and students from the Black Student Union took a field trip to the visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. It was a great day!

The Student-Athletes below have committed to compete in college!

Hello Raiders! Did you hear that the 20th annual talent show is coming up this April 4th @ 6 pm! Auditions will be held at lunch on February 21st! Clicking this link you can sign up for auditions right here, There will soon be an after-school audition so sign up quickly because they're only a few spots! If you have any questions message us on Instagram @leonardtown28

Juniors who registered for the School Day SAT on March 12, 2025 will complete a digital readiness check and pre-administration during their world history class on Wednesday, February 26th. Juniors who do not have a world history class will be sent a pass to come to the media center that day to complete the readiness check. In order to complete this readiness check, you should have your school-issued device fully charged and updated (by restarting) the evening before. If you have issues with your school-issued device, please submit a help desk ticket HERE. Questions about the School Day SAT can be directed to Ms. Bridges (kjbridges@smcps.org).

April is the Month of the Military Child. To recognize and support our military families, order a shirt to wear on April 23, Purple Up Day!

Order shirts now through March 21. You can pay online and shirts will be delivered to LHS and distributed to students prior to Spring Break. PUT STUDENT NAME & ID# IN PRIVATE NOTE AREA AT CHECKOUT.

The World Languages department and the International Club will be sponsoring a presentation from the University of Maryland Summer Language Institutes on Friday, March 14th during lunch in the Career Center. A representative from UMD will be present to discuss summer opportunities for students (primarily seniors) who are interested in studying Persian, Arabic or Korean. There is tuition due for this program, but there are scholarships available and UMD language credits (up to 12 credits) can be earned through participation. If you have any questions, see Mrs. Hayes in 2F05 or Ms. Salazar in 2F17.

LHS will test all current World Languages students for the Seal of Biliteracy starting in March. Levels 1 and 2 will only test in reading and listening, levels 3, 4 and AP will test for listening and reading, but also speaking and writing.

If you’re NOT currently in a World Language OR you speak a language at home that we don’t offer at LHS but would like to try for it, see Mrs. Hayes in room 2F05.

For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy and a letter from SMCPS World Languages supervisor Wendy Tarr, click the links below.

MD Seal Information for Parents: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qbo2E2Ei707AKsdfL0CAeX0Q8c2v4PuU7x2H11I8IJk/edit?usp=sharing

Letter from Ms. Tarr: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLbNHzI8ZU74k8N8iMgqgyCZQ61mHjQ_aBqaUf-ZHlU/edit?usp=sharing

The Maryland State Department of Education is hosting a three-part virtual workshop series for Spanish-speaking families. These sessions will focus on how families can support their children in becoming biliterate and bilingual.

When: February 27, March 13, and March 27
Time:6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Facilitated entirely in Spanish

The Senior Class Meeting to review Graduation information and end of the year activities will be held on April 9 during 2nd period. If you have late entry, please be sure to arrive at LHS by 8:45AM and report to the auditorium. Seniors with a second period class, please report to class first and wait for an announcement.

Interested in joining the Wellness Club? Keep an eye out for information about meeting days, times, and room number! The Wellness Club will include activities like yoga and walking and provide helpful nutrition information. More information to be released soon!

MTSS stands for Multi-tiered Systems of Support which promotes school improvement through engaging, research based academic and behavioral strategies/practices. LHS is a Tier I and II school. We are focused on positive behavior and community engagement. Our acronym to teach and exhibit positive behaviors is STRONG.

Please fill out the parent survey below help us improve MTSS at LHS. Make sure to include your child's name and ID # so they can receive STRONG Bucks.

MSDE designates that students are College and Career Ready when they complete the following by the end of their sophomore year: earn an unweighted 3.0 GPA or pass the ELA MCAP and pass the Algebra I MCAP or earn a grade of A, B, or C in Algebra I. During February and March, the LHS Literacy Coach, Mrs. John, will be meeting with Juniors who have not earned CCR and are not currently on the path towards earning it. Individual plans for college and career readiness will be discussed at these meetings.

Need new Raider apparel??? Check out our new school store at www.leonardtownspiritwear.com

Pick your clothing, choose a design, and it will be shipped directly to your house. Check weekly for new sale items!

Due to safety concerns and the demands on the main office, we do not accept food deliveries of any kind. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Need help finding out where to go for lunch? Click the button above to see open classrooms and club offerings for each day of the week.

Use this document to plan where you will go for lunch each day!

24-25 Weekly Tutoring Schedule

Monday - World Languages/PE/CTE

Tuesday - English

Wednesday - Science

Thursday - Math/Visual Arts/Theatre

Friday - Social Studies/Music

Need to study during lunch? Sign up for the media center for A Or B lunch By clicking on this link. Save it to your computer to sign up each day for a scholarly opportunity to get work done. You can always visit https://elibrary.smcps.org for resources.

We welcome you to incorporate physical activity into your day and join us in the gym for lunch. Completion of this form is a requirement for gym entry. Students are permitted to sign up for only one lunch block (either A or B). Students are expected to enter the gym through the side door adjacent to the girls locker room and be in the gym before the 10 minute bell. Students unlawfully tardy will be redirected to the cafeteria. Students are expected to remain in the gym, omit food or drink and have tennis shoes to be on the gym surface. Click the button below to sign up for the gym.

Parents who are dropping students off at school in the morning should use the parking lot lane closest to the building. Please do not park in in a space and wait to drop your student off. Unfortunately, parking is very limited for both students and staff. Utilizing extra parking spaces for this purpose can create an issue where there is nowhere for staff or student drivers to park. Additionally, please do not drive down the middle parking lot lane in order to drop a student at school. We appreciate your help!

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY 24-25

Students will need permission to use Google's Additional Services. Please click on the links below.

The AUP is linked here as well as the information Specific to Google.

Technology related questions? Need tech help? Click the button below for more information.

Students, please make sure your laptop is charged each day. Bring your charger to school in case your battery runs out.

Need to purchase a laptop charger?

You can do one of two things:

1. Go the the Media Center in your School. They can assess you a fine so that you can pay using My School Bucks.
2. Go directly to the DELL store. You can purchase directly from their website and have it shipped to your home.

Ensure one of these links are being used:

www.dell.com/mpp/smcps (click Shop Recommended Solutions to get to the discounted power cords)

www.dell.com/mpp/smcps-chargers (leads directly to the purchasing portal)

More helpful links for technology can be found at the bottom of the newsletter!

Parents, if your student is new to LHS and you still do not have access to Schoology, please contact Ms. Smith (krsmith@smcps.org).

No Cell Phones No Headphones/Earbuds

As a reminder, cell phones and headphones/earbuds are not permitted during instructional time.

Times when cell phones can be used:

• When doors open at 7:50 to 8:00.
• During One-Lunch from 12:05 to 1:05.
• When the dismissal bell rings at 2:45.
  
  

Parents, if you need to contact your student, they will be able to respond during these times. During other times call the main office.

Please remember that the Cell phone policy also applies to early release students inside the building after their school day ends. Phones are only permitted to be used during lunch and after 2:45.

• Here Comes the bus
• Bus Routes
• Bus Stop change-request form
• Transportation Forms

Bus passes should only be requested when students have a change in physical address or when there is an emergency situation and a student needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. Bus passes will not be granted for students simply wanting to go visit with a friend.

Need to obtain a bus pass?

Visit this site to submit a request electronically, or parents can write a note or send an email to Mrs. Dornisch at eadornisch@smcps.org. All relevant information must be included in the written request.

Bus Information includes: Student name, address, parent phone number, existing bus stop to be used, bus #, date, medical concerns, destination address, destination phone # and reason for the pass.

Website: https://schools.smcps.org/lhs/
Location: 23995 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650, USA
Phone: 301-475-0200
Twitter: @LHS_SMCPS