CHS News

National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve their personal goals and academic success, as well as planning for careers and becoming active in community service.

CHS shouts out our praises and gratitude to our exceptional school counselors: JaeHi Hebler, Tracey Jones, Irene Khaksari, Todd Kriner, Chris Sanders, and Lisa Clearfield.

Congratulations to freshman Sahil Prasad, who won a silver medal at the IAC National History Bee Quiz Qualifiers beating out internationally ranked players to qualify for not only the National Academic Championships in Arlington, Virgina, in April, but also the International History Olympiad in Paris, in July.

Sahil has been participating in It’s Academic competitions since the third grade. He is grateful for his coaches, Dr. and Mrs. Seifter, and the support of the It’s Academic club at CHS!

Congratulations to the following CHS students who won in the county-wide Young Author’s Contest:

Poetry Winners:

• 1st place: Kristen Braddy (9th grade) – “Memoir”
• 2nd place: Nathan Pressler (9th grade) – “Autumn's Last Leaf”
• 1st place: Zana Levy (11th grade) – “The Missing Man”
• 2nd place: Mateen Javid Bamizai (11th grade) – “The Star Child”
• 1st place: Yehji Hwang (12th grade) – “Elegy”

Short Story Winners:

• 1st place: Sukaina Hussain (9th grade) – “The Last Wishsmith”
• 2nd place: Litish Rajesh Deepa (9th grade) – “The Man I Called Grandfather”
• 1st place: Lyra Su (10th grade) – “Yellow Lines”
• 1st place: Olivia Zhao (11th grade) – “Why”
• 1st place: Callista Bernhardt (12th grade) – “Tormented”
• 2nd place: Sam Strong (12th grade) – “A Suffocating Red”

Open to students in grades 1 through 12, The Young Authors' Contest (YAC) contest begins with poem and/or short story entries at school-level, and moves to county competition where judges select a first and second place winner for each category and grade level. First-place Howard County poetry and short story winners have their written work forwarded to the state-wide contest.

The Howard County Literacy Association (HCLA) recognizes the first and second place winners with several honors: students can share their work by reading the poem or short story in public for friends, family, and community; students are invited to the Howard County YAC Celebration to receive acknowledgments during an awards ceremony and listen to a guest author discuss their craft; students have their winning pieces published in an anthology.

Congratulations to the CHS Science Olympiad Team who placed 2nd Overall at the Princeton University Invitational this past weekend:

• Anatomy & Physiology: Oyujin Damdinsuren, Kelly Ji —1st Place!!!
• Bungee Drop: Pavithraa Saravanan, Nicholas Cui — 4th place
• Codebusters: Rishit Chauhan, Sean Yu, Henry Berger — 5th place
• Disease Detectives: Oyujin Damdinsuren, Sean Yu — 2nd place
• Dynamic Planet: Ryan Chang, Henry Berger — 3rd place
• Experimental Design: Rishit Chauhan, Samir Vempalle, Nayeon Song — 1st place!!!
• Forensics: Matthew Yang, Sean Yu — 3rd place
• Geologic Mapping: Ryan Chang, Sarika Jonnala — 4th place
• Materials Science: Nicholas Cui, Martin Meister — 2nd place
• Microbe Mission: Maxwell Swann, Matthew Yang — 3rd place
• Optics: Martin Meister, Jacob Zhang — 3rd place
• Wind Power: Martin Meister, Matthew Yang — 6th place

Students in our G/T US History classes plus a few other interested students completed National History Day projects and displayed their projects at our CHS NHD fair on Tuesday February 4.

NHD is a national research program and competition for students in 6-12 grades. Students choose a topic from history, researching their topic with respect to the NHD theme. Finally, the students create a project to present their research. This year's theme is "Rights and Responsibilities."

Selected students will compete in the County NHD competition on March 22, 2025 at Guilford Park High School.

A BIG EAGLES CONGRATULATIONS to our Girls Indoor Track & Field Team for WINNING the MPSSAA 2A West Region Championship for the first time since 1989!

Girls All Results:

• 55m — Natalie Bank: 16th place, Leila Mammel: 17th place
• 4x800 — Gabriella Fikes, Carolyn Shadrick, Lauryn Crawford, Tessa Williams: 7th place
  
• 300— Eniya Headspeth: 1st place, Jada Franklin: 4th place, Bria Franklin: 16th place
• 1600 — Riley Herdson: 1st place, Kaylee Beal: 2nd place, Caitlin Fritz: 4th place
• 500 —Jacquelyn James: 6th place
• 55 hurdles — Constantina Bell: 4th place
• 3200 — Emily Graff: 1st place, Ariela Camacho-Bucks: 2nd place, Allison Crumley: 4th place
• 4x200 — Eniya Headspeth, Leila Mammel, Bria Franklin, Jacquelyn James: 2nd place
• 800 — Riley Herdson: 1st place, Kaylee Beal: 6th place, Catie Fritz: 9th place
• 4x400 — Jacquelyn James, Jada Franklin, Riley Herdson, Eniya Headspeth: 2nd place
• Shot Put — Stella Snydal: 8th place

Boys Scorers:

• 1600 — David Herzberger: 4th place
• 3200 — Ian Doll: 4th place
• 800 — David Herzberger: 3rd place
• Shot Put — Brody Buck: 3rd place

A BIG EAGLES CONGRATULATIONS to Josh Frazier on his 1,000th High School Career Point, score on Wednesday night's boys varsity basketball game vs. Wilde Lake HS.!

Congratulations to our amazing senior cheerleaders who were celebrated this week: Jaskin Kaur, Jennifer Littlefield, Haylee Simmons, Zahriya Thomas, and Ariya Weaver.

We are so proud of your accomplishments!

Left to Right: Coach Cee Cee Denby, Ariya Weaver, Haylee Simmons, Jennifer Littlefield, Jaskin Kaur, Zahriya Thomas

Co-sponsored by Dance Honor Society and National Honor Society, WorldFest is a Centennial tradition that showcases the fantastic cultural diversity of our school and our community.

This year’s event blended international food offerings, cultural workshops/seminars, activities, and an amazing talent and fashion show into an extraordinary night for everyone.

We are grateful for the students, their families, and community members who supported WorldFest by preparing special foods and exhibits and sharing their culture and traditions, as well as attending the event.

Special thanks go out to the following staff members who went above and beyond to make the entire evening possible: Cheryl Beall, Becky Clark, Stephen Doff, Dr. Miller, Michelle Flynn, Chris Sanders, Irene Khaksari, Tracy Jones, Vicki Sattler, Rosemarie Ha, Thomas Wheeler, and the entire CHS custodial staff.

• January 15 thru February 26 - Spring Sports Registration Open
• February 15 - Zumbathon, 9-11:45 AM
• February 15 - Friends of Music Annual BINGO Night, 7 PM
  
• February 17 - Schools and Offices Closed (Presidents Day)
• February 21 - Food for the Soul, 6-8 PM
  
• February 22 - Trivia Night Sponsored by CHS Boosters, 6 PM
• February 26 - SENIORS ONLY Wild West Night, 6-8 PM, tickets
• March 1 - Spring Sports Tryouts Begin
  
• March 11 - Spring Sports Orientation, 6 PM
  
• March 14 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early (Professional Work and Wellness Day)
• March 25 - Band Concert, 7 PM
• March 26 - Choir Concert, 7 PM
• March 27 - Orchestra Concert, 7 PM
• March 28 - Dancing With the Staff, 7 pm
  
• March 28 - End of 3rd Marking Period
  
• March 31 - Schools Closed for Students (Professional Work and Development Day)
• April 1 - Student Choreography Showcase, 7 PM
  
• April 3 - Awkward Improv, 7 PM
  
• April 4 - Prom at Martin's West, 7 PM
• April 4 - After Prom, Main Event at The Mall in Columbia, 10:30 PM - 2 AM
• April 5 - Zumbathon, 9 AM
  
• April 14 thru 21 - Spring Break, Schools Closed
• May 3 - Annual Boosters Bash, 7 PM
  
• May 19 - 30 - Class of 2025 Graduation Window
  

The Board of Education approved changes to HCPSS Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media, which will change students’ ability to use personal technology devices during the school day.

Please read the Message from the Superintendent describing these changes.

Join us for an amazing Cardio Dance Party on Saturday, February 15, from 9:20 - 11:40 AM (arrival starting at 9 AM).

Zumbathon is a community wellness event meant to bring attendees from area zumba/cardio dance classes together for a shared experience, and more generally, we want to invite the community at large to see for themselves how exercise through dance might be a way to embrace regular exercise that doesn't feel like a chore.

The cost for this event is just $7. We are partnering with the CHS PTSA – the school is providing the space at no cost, and all instructors and PTSA members are doing this at no cost, as a commitment to our community. The entire $7 per person fee is going directly to the PTSA to support programs and activities for CHS students, teachers, and their families. And anyone that might want to contribute a bit more to the PTSA, well that's totally up to you:) The $7 is paid on arrival by cash, check or PayPal.

http://doctorjeff.org/zumba-cardio-dance/zumbathons/cardio-dance-party-saturday-february-15-2025-centennial-high-school/

Help the PTSA by supporting the After Prom!

Come hang out with your friends and play games at Main Event in Columbia Mall on Thursday, February 13th, from 6--9pm. Bring your receipts to CHS PTSA table for any games, food, and drink and 20% will come back to us to help Fundraise for After Prom. All grades are welcome!

Join us Saturday, February 15th at 7pm for Friends of Music’s biggest fundraiser of the year – our annual Bingo night!

Doors will open at 6pm so that families can come early and listen to performances from some of our amazing student ensembles.

Concessions will be available at that time as well, so please plan to come early, have dinner, and spend some time with your fellow CHS Music families and Directors.

*New this year * We will have a gift card table where you can purchase discounted gift cards to various local restaurants and entertainment venues.

www.centennialmusic.org/bingo.html

Volunteers Still Needed
We also need volunteers to help make the night a success. Sign up using this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FACAA29A3FB6-54199870-friends#/

Donations
Still looking to donate an item for Bingo? We are in need of gift cards - any denomination, any place! - for our gift card table. Please bring in to your Director by Feb 7th or contact Megan: megankbenedict@yahoo.com. You can still make a cash donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=C6746YFU8X8WN

The Scholars Leadership Honors Program would be delighted if you would join us in our observation of Black History Month at the ninth annual Food for the Soul, Words for the Heart. It is an evening of cultural cuisine (fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, cornbread, and an assortment of desserts) and performances. This event will occur on Friday, February 21st from 6 pm-8 pm in the cafeteria.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Online ticket sales will end on February 20th. Use the link below to purchase your tickets.

Food for the Soul, Words for the Heart Online Tickets

We hope you can join us! Please contact Mrs. Holt (shalonda_holt@hcpss.org) if you have any questions.

Prom will take place on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Martin’s West. Stay tuned for more details on ticket sales.

Anyone who is planning to utilize a discretionary day prior to prom MUST have a note. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Attention Juniorss & Seniors!

Our PTSA provides transportation from the prom at Martins West to After Prom at the Main Event. If you are interested in taking the bus, please complete the interest form here:

INTEREST FORM TO TAKE THE PTSA BUS FROM PROM TO AFTERPROM ON APRIL 4, 2025

The CHS PTSA is planning an amazing After Prom event at the Main Event in Columbia for our students. The success of this event depends on volunteers - like YOU!

Please click on the links below to find out more and to sign up to help with planning, events, and prizes!

Subcommittee Volunteers:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45AAAB2FABF4C07-54474995-2025#/

Event Volunteers:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45AAAB2FABF4C07-54473263-2025#/

Amazon Raffle Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MZJJXH6KCEQX?type=wishlist

The CHS Food Pantry is a great resource for our school community. We have exhausted many of the items and hope that you will continue your generous support to restock the shelves.

At this time, we need personal hygiene items, especially deodorant, shampoo, and toothpaste. We also need cereal, granola bars, rice, pasta, and soup.

Items may be dropped off in Student Services with Ms. DeVore.

Thank you for your support!

Attention ALL students interested in trying out for a SPRING Sport!!! SPRING Sports Online Registration IS OPEN NOW thru the Parent Portal at HCPSS Connect. All students interested in trying out for a Spring Sport MUST have their Parent/Guardian complete their Online Athletic Registration thru their Parent Portal at HCPSS Connect. REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SPORTS WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH!!!

All incoming 9th graders are to have a Physical examination dated on or after April 1, 2024, all rising 10th, 11th and 12th Grade Students are to have a Physical dated within one year from August 14th, 2023 or dated on or after April 1, 2024. Please contact your Physician today to make an appointment if your child's Physical examination does not the criteria for valid Physicals above. Please contact your physician to make an appointment today if your child's physical examination does not meet the above requirements.

ONLINE ATHLETIC REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS - Parents/guardians are to complete and sign the following Documents thru HCPSS Connect:

Go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect (Links to an external site.);
Do not use your Mobile Phone;
Login to your HCPSS Connect Portal (Parents & Guardian MUST use the parental login. Using your students log in information will not allow you to register);
Once logged in, go to the menu on the left and click the bottom option, “More Options” (Family File, Reports Cards, etc.). ​If you have more than one student make sure you have selected the student from the drop down menu at the top of the page.)
Click on Athletic Registration on the right hand side Menu, select the correct season - Spring;
Complete all of the following forms AND E-Sign each one at the bottom of each page, click Save & Next to go thru each Document…Do not skip or leave any boxes blank.

• Parent Authorization Form
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
• Concussion Information Sheet
• Concussion Testing Form
• Covid 19 Awareness Form
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form

Upload the following forms: Physical Examination Form. Upload ALL pages of the Physical Examination Form. Older physicals will not be accepted. (File sizes must be lower than 4 MB);
Upload a RECENT Utility bill, preferably a BGE Bill dates February or March 2025; utility bills older than February, 2025, for a Spring Sports Registration will not be accepted.

Reminders:

* Make sure Pop Ups are Allowed;

* Registrations MUST BE DONE on a Parents/Guardians HCPSS Connect Account;

* FILE SIZE Limits of 4MB for Physicals and Utility – Try uploading one page at a time;

* Do Not Use your Cell Phone - users have been receiving error messages when using their cell phones to Register.

* Registration will close on 2/26/25!

All students must have completed their online registration by February 26, in order to tryout. For more information regarding online athletic registration, please log on to the chs.hcpss.org website or see the instructions above.

We sent out a message for donations of tissues for our classrooms and are so grateful to everyone who sent boxes of tissues to our school. Such a tremendous help!

We still have a few weeks of winter cold weather left before we start in on spring allergy season, which means that we can always use more tissues.

If any CHS parent or alumni have a cap and gown (red with blue and white stripe on arms) gathering dust, please donate it. You can drop it off in the front office at Centennial at any time. Thank you!

SAT Boot Camps at CHS - JUST $199*

Sat., & Sun., Feb. 8 & 9, from 9 AM - 1 PM

These prep classes will prepare students for March 8, May 3, and June 7 SATs, and include:

• Taking a Practice Digital SAT Under Simulated Conditions
• How to Use the Bluebook App and its Tools to the Student's Advantage
• Understanding the Test and Its Adaptive Framework
• Strategies for ALL Sections of the Test
• Tips on Guessing, Timing, Scoring, and Confidence-Boosting
• PLUS - A percentage of student tuition is donated to CHS PTSA!

Visit www.theanswerclass.com to view the full class schedule and to register your student for the CHS dates!

*when you register at least one week ahead of your course.

Join CHS Boosters Club Today!

Support our CHS Eagles by becoming a member of the CHS Boosters Club. Our parent-run volunteer organization raises funds through membership donations and fundraising activities to support CHS student extra-curricular activities. From school sports teams to more than 80 clubs and organizations, including our award winning "It's Academic" team and the CHS "Magic Club" – the Boosters supports them all!

The Howard County Public School System does not provide money for team uniforms, equipment and other fees needed to run student programs. To help parents avoid membership and other costs, the CHS Boosters shares its fundraising efforts across all sports and activities to help our students enjoy a healthy, rewarding high school experience.

Membership is the Booster’s biggest annual fundraiser, and we need your help to support our students. If you have not already done so, please join today! The CHS Boosters is a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID # 52-1437160

CHS Boosters have some fantastic fundraising events coming up. Check out their website for more details.

Here are some highlight of what's to come...

Hey Smarty Pants! Put all that knowledge in your head to good use at Boosters Trivia Night on February 22, at Kiwanas-Wallas Park. Doors open at 6pm, trivia starts at 7pm. $50/person. Ultimate prize: Priceless bragging rights.

https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/trivia-night-22

Boost your social calendar! Save the date for the annual Booster Bash on Saturday, May 3, at Cushwa Brewing in Columbia at 7 pm. Fun with friends, beer/cocktails, good food and amazing silent auction items. $75/per person. More details coming soon!

Make your summer plans now! Sign up your children for 2025 Booster Summer Camps—Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Mock Trial, Soccer, Strength, Speed and Agility, Volleyball and Wrestling!

https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/summer-camps

Save the date for Booster’s Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 26, at Fairway Hills!

You and your family can join CHS PTSA anytime! Join now or add your child to your membership.

Help us meet our membership goals before the end of the year. A PTSA membership can make a thoughtful gift for a family member or anyone in the Centennial community.

Visit our online store to become a member now

As we head into the winter months, families are reminded that in emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community only through the HCPSS website, email and text, Twitter/X and the HCPSS weather hotline. Be sure your Family File is up to date and that you have opted into texts to receive emergency messages.

World's Finest Chocolates have arrived! Support the CHS Dance Program while satisfying your sweet tooth. We have a variety of bars and they're only $1 each! Buy 1, 2, 3...or a case of 60 to share with your family and friends! Contact rebecca_clark@hcpss.org for more information or use OSP to make a purchase.

The Howard County Film Festival is a county-sponsored festival in its 21st year that honors and showcases the incredible talent of aspiring filmmakers across Howard County. Participating high school and middle school students are entered to win trophies, recognition, and prize money for their work.

Donations from the community help keep this amazing program running each year. All proceeds donated will go towards acquiring prize money and awards for our student recipients.

For more information visit the website: https://hocofilmfest.weebly.com/.

Yearbook sales are here!

To purchase your copy, visit: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1066907/Centennial-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024100304183132083/CATALOG_SHOP/

The HCPSS Career Readiness Advisors (CRAs) are excited for the 2024-2025 school year, and we would love your help!

Last year, CRAs implemented a Monthly Career Cluster Spotlight series across the county. The Monthly Spotlights allowed students to explore a wide scope of careers while connecting those careers to both the HCPSS curriculum and student strengths and interests.

Each month, we spotlight a different career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to engage with professionals in those clusters.

Here is where you come in: we are looking for community members to share your experience, advice, and insight in your professional line of work.

Please fill out the following form if you are interested in donating a bit of your time and wisdom to HCPSS students.

Thank you!

The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Office is selling Kente cloth graduation stoles to families for graduating students. Kente is a traditional African textile that was first woven by the Ashanti people in Ghana and West Africa. Today, it is worn to pay homage to African ancestors and to show pride in the heritages of the Diaspora during ceremonial occasions.

Sales will run through April 30, 2025. The flyer for the stole sale can be found linked here.

The HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program is selling sarapes (stoles) for purchase by Hispanic and Latino graduating seniors. Sales will run through May 2, 2025. Purchases can be made directly here, or read more information and scan the QR Code here.

The Hispanic “sarape” represents the ancient customs of colorful textiles throughout all the ancient indigenous people of Latin America. These bright colors represented their devout spiritualism and the advanced knowledge they possessed. Additional history of the sarapes and the initiative in HCPSS for graduating seniors can be found here in English and Spanish.

Direct questions to Gaston Gamez, Hispanic Achievement Supervisor at (410) 313-6667.

It’s time to wrangle in another great senior event! The SENIORS ONLY Wild West Night will be held on Wednesday, February 26, from 6 – 8 PM in the CHS cafeteria.

Come enjoy delicious food from Mission BBQ: beef brisket and pulled chicken, along with all vegetarian sides – mac-n-cheese, green beans (no bacon), baked beans, garden salad, and corn bread. Drinks will include lemonade, iced tea, and bottled water, and our culinary classes will provide cherry and apple cobbler with ice cream!

We need a minimum of 150 seniors to pre-pay for this event by February 16. Only $30 per ticket, available on OSP.

If the event is canceled, you will receive a full refund.

HCPSS today announced the window for the Class of 2025 high school graduations as Monday, May 19, to Friday, May 30, 2025. No graduations will be held on weekends or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

HCPSS makes the early announcement of the graduation window to accommodate planning by parents, students, schools and community members. Specific information regarding the dates and times of each graduation ceremony will be finalized in collaboration with Merriweather Post Pavilion and provided by mid-April.

Ceremonies will be held in person at Merriweather Post Pavilion, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation ceremony at the school.

Full HCPSS commencement information can be found online.

Seniors,

If you are attending a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university as a full-time or part-time student, you are eligible to apply for a State Delegate or Senatorial Scholarship.

State Delegate Scholarship:

https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/pages/financialaid/programdescriptions/prog_delegate.aspx

Senatorial Scholarship: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_senatorial.aspx

ENTER YOUR ADDRESS to find out the name of your State Senator and State Delegate (they will appear at the bottom of the list): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Please come to Student Services to see Ms. DeVore if you need any assistance. Continue to check for Scholarships in Naviance and on the Bulletin Board outside Student Services.

Now is the time to get in your applications for scholarships to obtain additional funding for college. In Naviance, under Scholarships, you can search for all available scholarships by date or name.

A scholarship document is also updated every month that features the current scholarships and due dates in Naviance, here's the link:

24-25 Scholarship document

Upcoming scholarships and deadlines are also POSTED on the bulletin board outside Student Services. Please check this bulletin board regularly.

The Community Foundation of Howard County has many scholarships available, but the due dates are not published yet. ALL the available scholarships are posted on the board.

Many are targeted to specific interest areas such as:

• Students whose life has been impacted by cancer (either themselves or a family member)

• Service on the Special Olympics Howard County Swim Team and Special Olympics Howard County

• Pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, Nursing, STEM, pre-law, agriculture or field related to farming

• Community and athletic involvement

• Students who participated on a SAC/HC travel or recreational team

  
  

Any questions? Please stop in Student Services for assistance.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter with the financial support of the Alpha Foundation of Howard County, Inc., offers financial assistance to graduation high school seniors in Howard County, pursuing higher education.

Scholarships to be awarded for the 2024-25 school year:

• Marian and Brother Cecil G. Christian Memorial Scholarship: $4,000
• Bro. Freeman Louis Sands, Sr. Memorial Scholarship: $2,000
• Outstanding Scholarship Awards: Four awards of $1,500 each

Details regarding eligibility and applications may be found at www.apakpl.org and www.alphafoundationhc.org.

If you still need to order a cap and gown (comes with tassel) for graduation, it must be ordered by contacting our representative at Jostens. See her contact information below:

KAREN STEWART

301.206.3999 ∙ Office

Email: karen.stewart@jostens.com

In addition to graduation caps and gowns, Jostens also offers a range for products including graduation announcements, class rings, jewelry, and more. Check out the Mascot Shop for great keepsakes.

We are collecting parent/guardian names who might be interested in helping with the Senior 2025 events (Class of 2025) throughout the school year.

Please provide your contact information in the signup genius form - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FA5AF2AABF8CF8-51782315-chssenior/172901958#/

If you have any questions about the senior events, reach out to the senior CHS advisors for the class of 2025 - Toni Ireland and Cheryl Beall.

If you have any questions about the signup genius, you can contact Beth at bemoll196@gmail.com. Thank you.

Keep current on news and events throughout the school year by checking the CHS website: https://chs.hcpss.org. We have added an A to Z Reference Guide to the website as your one-stop information finder: attendance policies, parking permit applications, food and nutrition services, student technology support, and much more.

All families must update their emergency contact information annually. We’d like Centennial to be the first high school to have 100% of the Family File information to be fully updated, so visit HCPSS Connect today and click submit on the final screen! Read more.

Eagle's Soar tutoring will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays immediately after school in the Media Center from 2:35-3:05 PM for the entire school year. All content areas will be represented with teaching faculty, and honor society students will be supporting as well in many of the content areas. Please make arrangements for your child to attend, as this is a great resource to help them be successful this year. This is a GREAT place to get extra math help if your child is struggling. Unfortunately, transportation is not provided at this time.

EXTRA HELP:

• Eagle's Soar Tutoring – Every Tuesday and Thursday 2:35-3:05 PM in the Media Center (Starts September 17th)
• Math Tutoring – Monday through Thursday after school 2:35-3:05 PM in Room 508 (starts September 19th)
• Eagle Time – Every Wednesday 9:25-9:55 PM (they sign up on the CHS website with the teacher they need help with)

Parking passes have now been issued to Seniors and Juniors. It is important for all students parking on campus to make sure that their parking permit hang tags are visible. Also, please remember that students park in the white-lined spaces.

Still need a permit? Permit applications are on the CHS website.

Led by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MDCSS) within the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Safe Schools Maryland is an anonymous tip reporting system that allows students, parents, and community members to easily report anonymous safety concerns anywhere in Maryland. Tips received are routed to local and state education, public safety, heath, and/or social services support personnel for follow-up.

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Maryland Safe Schools

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Maryland Safe Schools

After school pizza sales begin next week! Students staying after school can purchase a slice of cheese pizza ($3 per slice, cash only) before heading to their club meeting, extra-curricular program, study session, or athletic practice/game.

Sales will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and will be fundraisers for the Dance Program, Alpha Achievers, and Science Olympiad. Buy your slice by the gym. All sales are first come, first served.

1. Regular Season Tickets are $5.00 and are only available on the App at GoFan.co.
2. Backpacks are PROHIBITED inside the Stadium.
3. Spectators are to adhere to ALL HCPSS Policies & CHS Procedures in the Student Code of Conduct.
4. No outside food permitted in the Stadium.
5. ALL Students in Grades K thru 8 MUST EACH be accompanied into the Stadium, seated throughout the entire event, being supervised by their parent or guardian.
6. No admittance after the 3rd quarter.
7. Once you leave the Stadium, you may not return.
8. Noise makers are prohibited inside the Stadium.
9. Cheer loudly for your team, not against the opponent, their fans, their band, their cheerleaders or the officials.
10. Students arrange for a ride during the 3rd quarter and notify your ride to pick them up immediately after the game.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2023-2024 Annual Snapshot has just been released. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The snapshot highlights how partners play a vital role in encouraging students to reach their full potential.

Please remember that all families are required by Policy 9000 to notify HCPSS if they move to a new home address. Current residency documentation must be updated each time residency changes.

On the Regular Bell Schedule:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 12:45 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 11:15 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

On the Eagle Time Schedule – Wednesdays:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS at 12:55 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS at 11:20 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

Each month, the Career Readiness Advisors spotlight a career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to learn from industry professionals in those clusters.

We are ALWAYS looking for speakers to participate in our monthly virtual panel discussions, and/or to engage with our students as an in-person speaker.

Please click on the following link to share your information:

HCPSS Career Related Speaker Interest Form

The Howard County Commission for Women presents the 2024 Student Essay and Poster Contest to commemorate Women's History Month. This year's them is Moving Forward Together - women Educating and Inspiring Generations!

Submissions must be received no later than 5 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025.

For poster/essay contest rules and to enter, go to www.howardcountymd.gov/CFW2025contest.

There will be a program supporting parents/caregivers or parents/caregivers and their school age students at Silhouette Stages on Saturday, February 22nd from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM.

This program is an opportunity for parents to meet, connect and learn, as well as for us to “spill the tea” and share supports and programs available in HCPSS to support LGBTQIA+ students. Silhouette Stages performers will be presenting several selections from their upcoming show, Kinky Boots and will also offer a cast Q&A after the program.

The LGBTQIA+ Commission of Howard County will be providing a lite pizza lunch in the lobby after the show. Registration is required as space is limited. An advertisement is linked here and registration link is included here.

Both in-person and live, virtual, eight-hour college prep classes are being offered in partnership with Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, and Wilde Lake high schools and are open to students from all high schools.

CHS students can register for ANY Answer Class at ANY location or online – and a percentage of tuition will be donated to CHS PTSA! School year classes are being regularly added – check here often!

CHS PTSA teams with HC DrugFree to help spread the word about keeping drugs out of Howard County classrooms and communities.

We Need Your Support!!!

“It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives.”

Your support allows us to continue to provide our resources and programs to the community. To make your tax-deductible donation, donate online at hcdrugfree.org/donate or mail a check to:

HC DrugFree

5305 Village Center Drive

Suite 206

Columbia, MD 21044

Resources

DEA's Drugs of Abuse Resource Guide:

Education plays a critical role in preventing substance use and misuse. The 2024 DEA Resource Guide is designed to be a reliable resource on the most commonly used and misused drugs in the US and provides important information about the harms and consequences of drug use by describing a drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key facts. Learn more

Free Support Meetings:

Looking for a list of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the Howard County area? Learn more

Additional Resources

For more information, contact:

Joan Webb Scornaienchi

Executive Director

HC DrugFree

5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206

Wilde Lake Village Center

Columbia, MD 21044

Admin@hcdrugfree.org

www.hcdrugfree.org

• Centennial High School’s website is a great source of information at https://chs.hcpss.org.
• On Twitter @hcpss_CHS and Instagram @CentennialHS.
• Read the Wingspan, CHS student newspaper
• CHS PTSA https://www.chs-ptsa.org/and CHS Boosters https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/.
• CHS Friends of Music http://www.centennialmusic.org/
• Register to receive school system updates and alerts at https://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/, click on Subscribe and select Centennial High School.