Northwest News
Mr. Smith's Newsletter for the Northwest Community
Sunday, October 24, 2021
NEW: Make-up Underclass Photos
Underclass (grade 9-11) make-up pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, October 26. Students who meet the criteria below are eligible for make-ups:
- Any student who was absent for the original photo session.
- Any new enrollment or transfer student since the original photo session.
- Any student who was dissatisfied with their original portrait package. Please be prepared to hand the old package to the photography staff. Students must return their old package to the photographer in order to receive a new package.
- Any student who did NOT receive an ID card at the original session.
- Any student who has incorrect/missing data on their ID card from the original session.
NEW: College T-shirt Tuesdays!
NEW: Late Arrivals and Sign-in/Sign-Out Procedures
We know that things happen, kids oversleep, need to go to doctors and dentists, etc. However, recently we have had a steady stream of students arriving at school late, not just by a few minutes but until mid-morning. Not only do those students miss instruction, but it is also disruptive to everyone else in the classroom (especially the teacher) when they enter late. Therefore, we would like to ask you to do your best to make sure that your children get to school on time. We most definitely understand the struggle and appreciate your efforts!
Additionally, we want to ascertain that you and your child(ren) realize that it is imperative that they sign in and out at the attendance office when they arrive late or have to leave school early. While it may not seem like a big deal when students skip this step, we absolutely have to be able to account for everyone in the building at all times. In case of an emergency, we might not be looking for your child in the building if he or she signed out early but didn’t sign back in upon return, because as far as we know, they left school. If students don’t comply with this rule their absence will not be excused, even if they bring in a note.
As long as we have written permission (email to Ulrike_robinson@mcpsmd.org or note, no phone calls) from you ahead of time to dismiss your child early, they are able to sign themselves out. If students don’t feel well they should report to the health room and can be dismissed from there.
Hopefully this will clarify some of the procedures. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Robinson in the attendance office.
NEW: This Week's College and Career Information
Updated College Career e-NEWS Bulletin (Google doc) link for this week's edition of the Northwest News Community Newsletter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YwMxBtBDeNAqC7IsfAR_OG-fZMfe4HYspdUEDyvIERI/edit?usp=sharing
e-NEWS Highlights:
NEW: The Maryland College Application Campaign (MCAC) has added new opportunities for college application fee waivers including, Frostburg State, Salisbury University, Morgan State and Bowie State.
NEW: Hispanic Heritage Foundation Educational Grants now available for application.
NEW: Kappa Youth & Community Foundation Scholarship for male seniors of color.
REMINDER: College application assistance on Wednesday's from 2:30 until 3:15 in Room 126 and on Zoom.
REMINDER: Montgomery College is offering remote assistance with completion of the FAFSA and MSFAA.
REMINDER: "Walk Into Your Future" Mt. Calvary Baptist Church HBCU Virtual College Fair on Saturday, October 30.
NEW: High school College Career Virtual Visit Schedule for the week of October 25 through October 29.
Content:
Week Ending: October 22, 2021
This NEWS Bulletin contains college career events, the virtual visit schedule at-a-glance and scholarship opportunities. Visit the College Career Information Center before school, during lunch or after school! Room 126. Visit the College Career web page! Got Questions? Click on the Got Questions link at the top of the web page to schedule a time to meet.
Class of 2022!
Drop in for Answers and Assistance with the College Application Process. Wednesdays from October 20 thru November 18 from 2:30 to 3:15 pm. Room 126 or on Zoom! Join the Zoom meeting here.
Maryland College Application Campaign (MCAC) Resources:
The Maryland College Application Campaign is removing barriers for post-secondary opportunities! College application fee waivers listed below:
- NEW: Frostburg State University has a limited number of application fee waivers available. To request a waiver, send an email to Rochelle_Davis@mcpsmd.org. Include your full name, student ID and Frostburg ID as proof of intent to apply. Waivers will then be requested from the Maryland State Department of Education on a first-come, first-served basis.
- NEW: Salisbury University will be waiving application fees. Use the code MDAPP22.
- NEW: Morgan State University will be waiving application fees until November 12. Use the code MCAC22.
- REMINDER: Bowie State University will be waiving application fees for Fall 2022 incoming freshmen
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS & ALERTS: Details on all the opportunities listed below, including links to apply, can be found on the College Career Financial Aid & Scholarships page of our school website.
- NEW! Seniors: Hispanic Heritage Foundation Educational Grants. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage. Up to $4,000 in educational grants available. Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale). Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org to apply. Deadline: November 14.
- NEW! Male Seniors of color: Kappa Youth & Community Foundation Scholarship. 2.5 minimum GPA. Apply at https://kycf-grock.org/application-form/ by April 20.
- REMINDER! High school students in grades 9-11: Carson Scholars. $1,000. One student will be nominated from Northwest HS. Request for Nomination due November 8.
- REMINDER! Seniors: UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Request for Nomination due November 8.
- REMINDER! High school students: Veterans of Foreign Wars Youth Scholarship Program applications due October 31.
For a complete list of available scholarships, download the latest publication of our Jag Scholarships ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin on the web. No time to download? Visit the QR-Code Board just outside the College Career Information Center (Room 126) and scan the ‘Apply Now’ Bulletin QR-Code for immediate access on your mobile device!
FINANCIAL AID REMINDERS FOR THE CLASS OF 2022:
Financial Aid REMINDERS for the Class of 2022: Applications opened for the FAFSA and MSFAA on October 1. There is a filing deadline!
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) @ studentaid.gov
MSFAA (Maryland State Financial Aid Application) is available to students who are graduating Maryland high school seniors and are ineligible to receive federal aid using the FAFSA. MSFAA application is through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) MDCAPS (Maryland College Aid Processing System) platform. MHEC is a resource for state financial aid.
Montgomery College FAFSA & MSFAA Days. Help with completing the FAFSA and MSFAA will be available by remote access. Registration is now open.
College Career NEWS & EVENTS:
EVENT: "Walk Into Your Future" Mt. Calvary Baptist Church HBCU Virtual College Fair (608 North Horners Lane, Rockville, MD 20850). Saturday, October 30 from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm.50 HBCUs Expected. Onsite Admissions. Vendors. Seminars. Prizes. Register at yourfuture.splashthat.com.
- Virtual College Fairs sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Fairs ongoing throughout the year.
Events are posted on the web as they are received! On-Page Quick Links. Select College Career Calendar Events.
THE HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE CAREER VIRTUAL VISIT SCHEDULE:
The college career high school visits are currently using a virtual format. Visits scheduled for the second semester will be offered both in-person and in the virtual format based on the admissions offices protocol. Students in all grades are welcome to attend. Priority seating will be given to seniors on a space available basis. Students who register to attend these visits MUST come to the visit location prepared with headphones and a Chromebook. Unless otherwise noted, visits will be in the College Career Information Center, Room 126.
Please follow the instructions below to attend! Visits are scheduled to be about 30 to 40 minutes. Allow enough time to come to the visit location and log in with the college zoom meeting link.
- Register for the visit in Naviance so that I have an idea of student interest and who will be attending.
- Once you have confirmed your registration in Naviance, be prepared to show your confirmation to your teacher for permission to leave class (print or snapshot the 'View Details' screen.
- Register using the link provided below if you have interest in attending the virtual visit. Some of the college URLs may be direct links to the meeting, others will require registration first and the visit URL will come directly from the college/university.
- When attending each visit, you will be required to Scan the Attendance QR-Code located on the office door of Room 126.
- BRING A CHROMEBOOK AND HEADPHONES!
Monday, October 25:
- Delaware State @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- University of Delaware @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- University of South Florida @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Tuesday, October 26:
- Drexel University @ 8 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Salisbury University @ 9 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Moravian University @ 10 am. The virtual visit URL.
- Virginia Commonwealth University @ 1 pm. The virtual visit URL.
Friday, October 29:
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The virtual visit URL.
NEW: Community Donations needed MoCo Coalition for the Homeless
The NWHS PTSA and MSP are sponsoring the 2nd JagsSleepOut in order to raise and support the MoCo Coalition for the Homeless. In addition to the JagsSleepOut donation, we hope to give physical items to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.
We would like to invite our entire school community to support the 30x30 Move-In-Kit Challenge. Here is the link for the sign-up genius. Please share with all of your groups. All donations can be dropped off to the Media Center by 11/22/21. All donations from the sleep out and the Move-In-Kit challenge are used in Montgomery County.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094DAFAA2AA31-ptsa
Information about the JagsSleepOut can be found here: https://www.nwhsptsa.org/sleepout/
Thank you for your support,
PTSA and MSP
If you have any questions, please reach out to Autumn Myers or Kim Summers.
NEW: Athletics Schedule for this week: Monday, October 25 - Sunday, October 31
Monday, October 25 - Boys Soccer - MCPS County Championship Game at SVHS (5:30 p.m.)
Monday, October 25 - Field Hockey Seeding Meeting (information forthcoming for playoff information)
Wednesday, October 27 - Girls Soccer will host the first round of playoffs *Time TBD
Saturday, October 30 - Montgomery County Cheerleading Championships - NWHS Varsity Cheer at 2:00 p.m. (Doors open at 1:30 p.m. - Montgomery Blair High School)
REMINDER: Winter Athletics Need to Know
10-12th graders must be academically eligible (2.0 and no more than 1 E) to participate. All 9th graders are eligible. Report cards come out November 12th
Get your sports physical (physicals are good for 1 year) done and submitted before November 15, 2021
Can drop off in Mrs. Tyler’s office (110) during lunch or after school. Not during class time.
Can email to Jody_D_Tyler@mcpsmd.org
Upload when registering
Please use the correct form! The MCPS SR-8 PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION FOR ATHLETICS with COVID supplement can be found on the NorthwestAthletics.org website.
Must be COVID-19 fully vaccinated in order to register. (2-weeks after your second dose)
Your Parent/guardian MUST register you for tryouts on ParentVue Online Registration. You may need to help your parent/guardian with these steps.
If they do not have their access code they need to email Ms. Veirs at Barbara_Veirs@mcpsmd.org.
Additional information on registration can be found on our website at http://www.NorthwestAthletics.org
Only student-athletes who are cleared to tryout can attend tryouts
Cleared students will get an email by 10pm on November 14th of their tryout status
Emails may begin to be sent earlier, so people are aware of status, but the email sent by 10pm on November 14th will be the one for if you are cleared to begin on November 15th.
No physicals will be processed the day of tryouts/practices
Physicals handed in the day of will be processed later that day/evening and emails will be sent to show approval for next day
You must have received a cleared email to be able to participate
Registration will open on Monday October 18th at 12pm and it will close on Monday November 29th at 12pm. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS/PHYSICALS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER THIS TIME.
Please note: Some teams may have more than enough people to tryout and have to make cuts. It will be a case by case decision if a student-athlete is allowed to tryout once cuts have been made. Please speak with the coach before coming to Mrs. Tyler. It is important to get all required documents in before November 15th, so you are able to tryout.
Tryout Location/Time
Tryout times and locations will be posted on the website and on twitter: @NWJagSports
After School Supervision – if tryouts or practices start later than 2:45pm and you cannot go home you must go to supervision located in the Cafeteria. Supervision is available Monday - Thursday until 4:30. Mrs. Tyler will work with coaches to make sure students are properly supervised.
MUST BRING WITH YOU TO TRYOUTS
Face Masks (bring several)
Water Bottle (no sharing allowed)
Practice clothes (shorts, shirt, proper footwear, sweats)
Team rooms are open before and after school for 10 minutes. Team rooms are not open during the school day.
REMINDER: Save the Date for NWHS Booster Club Silent Auction!
REMINDER: Join PTSA and Booster Club!
Join PTSA and Booster Club! These parent organizations support all stakeholders at NWHS: students, staff, parents, and community! Visit http://www.nwhsptsa.org/membership for more information! You can also find out more at the PTSA and Booster Club meeting on Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00 pm via Zoom. The link will be posted in the News section of the Northwest website on Tuesday morning.
REMINDER: MCPS Student Member of the Board Message
My name is Hana O'Looney and I am the current Student Member of the MCPS Board of Education.
In an effort to stay connected with students this year, I am creating short, monthly videos to be distributed. You can find this month's message linked below.
Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/107ZpGNPOOKy3hlwDZVl-WhTE4damlV5t/view?usp=sharing
YouTube: https://youtu.be/dft5edN8Gd0
REMINDER: Informational Meetings Scheduled for new MCPS "Crown" High School
REMINDER: Student Rights and Responsibilities/Code of Conduct
In order to ensure a safe, productive, and positive learning environment, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) publishes two documents that help students, parents, and staff and understand school rules and regulations; the expectations for student conduct; and the possible consequences for violating the rules.
A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities is an overview of the rights and responsibilities students enjoy in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students.
The MCPS Student Code of Conduct provides an overview of discipline procedures and protocols and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide also discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines the various disciplinary responses.
All MCPS families have access to these documents in print or digital/printable PDF format. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand their rights and responsibilities and the district’s expectations for student conduct. If you have questions, please speak to a Northwest administrator.
Please click here for additional information and to access digital, printable copies of each document: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/ If you would like a printed copy of the guides, stop by the main office to request a copy.
REMINDER: Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County
Each year the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County provides food at Thanksgiving and food and gifts for the December holidays to low-income families. The Holiday Giving Project Coalition coordinates this seasonal program in conjunction with a variety of religious, business and nonprofit organizations. Families can be referred by School Counselors. All Northwest students will receive a paper copy of the 2021 Holiday Giving Form to bring home this week in their 3rd period class. If you are interested in receiving these services, completed forms should be submitted to the Northwest Counseling Office by Friday, October 22, 2021 to meet the Thanksgiving deadline. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. Please contact your student’s School Counselor if you have any questions.
REMINDER: Quarantine Instruction Feedback
REMINDER: Student Opportunity
The Montgomery County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) ACT-SO and MCPS have been working with high schools through designated liaisons.
- Students create projects following the appropriate rubric and receive support at monthly seminars.
- Students are encouraged to share projects with a teacher before submission. ACT-SO may provide mentors to students submitting projects.
- Projects are presented at a local competition and are adjudicated by specialists. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize and reward youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence as well as develop public speaking, time management and other life-building skills.
Important Dates:
- All ACT-SO applications, short bios (200 words or less), and photos (headshot preferred; selfies are acceptable) should be returned by November 15, 2021.
- Final due date for projects and applications is January 15, 2022. Additional Information . Projects and applications should be submitted via email to actsomoco@gmail.com.
Applications and projects will be acknowledged via email within 72 hours. For additional information contact ACT-SO Chairs Ms. Pat Price (actsomoco@gmail.com) or Ms. Laura Dennis (Ldennis99@comcast.net)
REMINDER: Student Password Update
- Students have been successfully updating their passwords for this school year using the new MCPS Student Password Manager.
- Students (in Grade 3 and higher) and their parents will receive Synergy Mail messages tomorrow, October 1st reminding them to update student passwords.
- Starting on October 10th, students who have not updated their passwords will receive frequent password expiration notices to their Gmail accounts.
- On November 9th student passwords that have not been updated will be automatically changed. These students may need assistance with retrieving their new passwords. November 9th was selected because it falls outside testing windows and marking period transitions.
- The process only takes a few minutes to complete. Here are the directions:
- Student navigates to SPM.mcpsmd.org.
- Student logs into SPM with their current userid and password.
- Student enters new password.
REMINDER: Interested in being a Substitute?
MCPS is seeking substitute teachers! Substitute teaching is an excellent way to learn about our schools while allowing principals and teachers to get to know you. To qualify as a substitute teacher, each applicant must present proof of the completion of the minimum of an associate's degree or 60 college credits from an accredited institution.
Substitute teachers are temporary employees and are on an on call basis. An automated substitute calling system helps you manage your work schedule by allowing you to call at any time, day or night, to find jobs. This system is telephone and internet accessible. The system uses your subject area and location preferences to offer you jobs on the days you have selected and allows you to change the days you work.
Substitute Teacher Rates: Daily hourly rate of pay $18.79- Long Term rate $26.81.
If you hold a valid Maryland professional eligibility certificate or standard advanced professional certificate, the daily hourly rate of pay is $19.97-Long Term rate $28.45. In order to qualify for this higher rate of pay, you must submit a copy of your valid Maryland certificate.
REMINDER: Yearbook Purchase and Ads
$80 until 12/3
$90 until 1/31
$95 until the books arrive
$100 in person at distribution
Full page: $250
½ page: $130
¼ page: $80
⅛ page: $50
Baby Pic Ad $25
Deadline: 2/20
REMINDER: Required Measures for Volunteers and Partnership Agencies
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
- Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation - NEW!
Beginning September 20, 2021, volunteers will be required to upload their Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination to remain on the volunteer roster.
Please review the Volunteer/Contractor Vaccination Attestation Update for details on this process.REMINDER: Parents, we need YOU!
We hope that you and your family will join us for future events and that you will consider becoming a part of the Northwest Hispanic Parent Council, African American Parent Council and the Asian American Parent Council. Please take some time to respond to this questionnaire and let us know how you would like to become involved.
Please contact the following administrators for more information about the Hispanic, African American, and Asian Parent Councils at Northwest High School.
Hispanic Parent Council: Nyurka_I_Morales@mcpsmd.org
African American Parent Council: Edward_Pegues@mcpsmd.org
Asian American Parent Council: Danielle_M_Abdelsalam@mcpsmd.org
REMINDER: Student Service Learning Hours Graduation Requirement
Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2021-2022 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the temporarily amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).
Please refer to important information about the MCPS SSL program provided below:
Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities
MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
All opportunities (including in-person): https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities
Virtual/remote opportunities: https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
For additional tips on how to search for opportunities, please go to https://bit.ly/SSLSearchTips
MCPS Form 560-50:
Individual SSL Request Form
Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website
To request pre-approval for service, please complete https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval -- for in-person service, submit this form to your school’s SSL coordinator; for virtual/remote service, submit this form to SSL@mcpsmd.org
MCPS Form 560-51:
SSL Activity Verification Form
Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed
Student and supervisor must complete the form
SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed should be turned into your school’s SSL coordinator. (Due to the pandemic, SSL forms will be accepted for any service completed since June 1, 2019. Please note that after the 2021-2022 school year, SSL forms will no longer be accepted from previous school years.)
Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE
Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record
Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE
MCPS SSL Program Overview
Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms
MCPS SSL Program Overview may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
MCPS SSL Hub for Students - NEW!
Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!
Check out SSL forms, resources, and guidelines at https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS
If you have any questions about the SSL program, please email your school’s SSL coordinator (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS and https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsHS) or the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!
Northwest Class Spirit!
It's a long-standing tradition at Northwest for each grade to wear their assigned CLASS COLOR on Pep Rally days! Each class sits in a designated section at the rallies so make an impact for YOUR CLASS by wearing your grade level color and make your presence known! Although participation with wearing class colors is optional, we hope you will join in the FUN!
The grade level colors are as follows:
Freshmen (Grade 9): YELLOW
Sophomores (Grade 10): GREEN
Juniors (Grade 11): RED
Seniors (Grade 12): BLUE
You can wear any clothing and/or accessories in your assigned color as long as you adhere to the school dress code. You can opt to wear clothing that you already own in your grade level color, you can purchase a shirt from the PTSA/Booster Club website for $4: http://www.nwhsptsa.org/shop (available sizes and quantities are limited), or you can purchase a T-shirt in your color at Michael's or Joanne's (the cost is usually around $4) and personalize with fabric markers or paint pens! The possibilities are endless to show your #JagPride!
Class of 2025 (9th Grade): Yellow
Class of 2024 (10th Grade): Green
Class of 2023 (11th Grade): Red
Class of 2022 (12th Grade): Blue
Northwest High School
Email: Scott_E_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://northwestjags.org
Location: 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: (240)740-7100
Twitter: @NorthwestJags