
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Weekly Update 1/23/2023
Translations/Traducciones/ትርጉሞች
CÓMO TRADUCIR ESTE BOLETÍN Haga click aqui.
ይህን መልእክት እንዴት መተርጎም እንደሚቻል ለመመሪያዎች እዚህ ጠቅ ያድርጉ
In This Edition
Family Forum on Fentanyl - NEW
Hall Pass Policy Change - NEW
ID Card Reminder - NEW
Free SAT Prep Tutoring from MCPS - NEW
Course Registration
Charity Month: Feed the Fridge
Tentative Graduation Date
Temporary Administrative Changes
Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
Entrances & Drop off Procedures
Late lunch arrival process
Counseling Office Update
College and Career Center
Athletics Info
Who to Contact & Administrator Assignments
Bell Schedules
Visitor Management System
Personal Mobile Device Policy
School Meals
SchoolCash Online
Emergency Forms and Contact Information
Important Notices
Family Forum on Fentanyl
Hall Pass Policy Change
Student ID Reminder
Course Registration
The course registration season for the next school year is underway. The counselors have visited Social Studies classes and are working with students to begin planning for the courses they will select next year.
Registration opened January 9th and closes on January 31st.
If you missed the Parent Registration Meeting for current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students or for current 8th grade students the slides will be posted on the main B-CC Webpage shortly.
Charity Month: Feed the Fridge
In January, B-CC's Student Government Association will be holding a month-long fundraiser benefiting Feed the Fridge. Students will be running bake sales, restaurant profit shares, a pep rally, and other pop-up events to raise awareness and funds for Feed the Fridge. Read below for details about this incredible organization and how you can help B-CC fight food insecurity in the DC area.
What is Feed the Fridge?
Founded in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Feed the Fridge aims to combat food insecurity across the DMV. This is done by providing fridges full of meals from local restaurants in recreation centers and schools.
Feed the Fridge has increased community food supply chains by:
- Placing 29 refrigerators at recreation centers, schools and other locations in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
- Providing more than 700,000 free meals to anyone who needs them.
Why/FAQs
- Through donations, Feed the Fridge has paid participating restaurants more than $2,000,000 to provide meals to DC area residents in need of meals, which in turn helps those restaurants stay open and pay employees.
- You do not need to be a registered SCO payee to make a donation. There is a guest check out, so please share with family and friends!
- Charity month starts in January but consider this for your year-end giving. Give in 2022 and consider starting out the year by helping others and giving again in January 2023.
- There is an ability to print a receipt. Feed the Fridge is a registered, tax-deductible charity.
To donate, visit: https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/23778/354/False/True
For more information, visit https://feedthefridge.org/
Tentative Graduation Date
The Class of 2023 will be honored on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 9 am. The ceremony will be held in Guckeyson Memorial Stadium on the B-CC campus.
It is important to note that this information is tentative pending final approval of the MCPS Board of Education. Please look for additional details in the spring of 2023.
Temporary Administrative Changes
Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
There are several free tutoring options available to MCPS students. FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education offer free, virtual tutoring. By logging into their Clever accounts, students can join a tutoring session. Both companies offer the same two services: On-demand homework help that require no scheduling and scheduled, ongoing tutoring for longer term support.
FEV Tutor
More information linked in English and Spanish
Offers tutoring without cameras for students in grades 3-12 who learn best without a camera.
To set up tutoring: mcps@fevtutor.com
Tutor Me Education
More information linked in English and Spanish
To set up tutoring: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549
Entrances and Drop-Off Procedures
Students can enter the building through the main entrance, the doors on the Chelton Road side of the school (by the auditorium).
Drop-off locations
Families who drive their students to school must drop-off and pick-up either on the Chelton Road side of the school (by the auditorium) or off of Pearl St. under the covered parking area. The East-West Highway entrance is the student parking area and the school bus entrance. Parents dropping off and picking up their students cannot use the East-West Highway entrance to ensure student drivers and school buses can enter and park safely.
During the school day Entrances:
During the school day students must enter through the main entrances of the school. The other doors in the building are labeled to ensure that students are not entering or opening the doors for their peers during the day. Please help us communicate this message to students to ensure everyone is safe.
Late Lunch Arrival Process
As you all know, open lunch is a privilege that we have at B-CC. It is critical that students are responsible and are aware of the time that lunch ends and the time 5th period starts. During a regular lunch schedule lunch ends at 11:54 and students are expected to be in 5th period no later than 12:00. For safety purposes students are to enter through the main entrance doors and by 12:05 students will be required to sign-in and get a pass.
During Friday's Advisory Lunch Schedule lunch ends at 12:12 PM and students are expected to be in 5th period by 12:18 and required to get a pass by 12:23.
Anytime students arrive late, they will need to sign-in and will be given a pass to go to class. The administrative team will be monitoring late lunch arrivals, and there is a chance students can lose their open lunch privileges if they are consistently late.
Counseling Office News
Course Registration Information for 9th, 10th and 11th grades
Course registration is now open in StudentVue. The deadline to register for courses is set for January 31st. School counselors presented to students via social studies classes on the course registration process for the 2023-2024 school year in December. The presentation given to the students and course registration cards are posted on the School Counseling webpage. You can also find the Course registration presentation: Linked here. Please reach out to your child’s school counselor with any questions.
Post-Secondary Presentation for Seniors from School Counselors
School counselors presented to senior students via senior English classes on the Post-Secondary/College application process. We wanted to share with you the presentation that was given to students: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14Ynd9kG7Mdq53E2qS8HZ5W_oBXzJzVu-KTCyV8iNu_o/edit?usp=sharing
The presentation is also posted on the counseling webpage on our school’s website. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s school counselor with any questions.
Counselor Assignments
Find your child's counselor by clicking here!
College and Career Center News
HBCU Fair and On the Spot Interviews - The MCPS HBCU Fair is now open on the website link below! https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familysupport/hbcu/.
The fair will take place on Friday, February 17, 2023 at the Universities at Shady Grove, 6:00pm – 8:30pm. The flyer for the event is attached here. Seniors interested in interviewing must register in Naviance on the “2023 HBCU Fair On the Spot Interviews” survey. The HBCUs listed below will offer virtual on-the-spot interviews for 12th grade students during the week of February 13th. (with more to be added as confirmations come in from college representatives): Benedict College; Bluefield State; Chowan University; Copping State, Florida Memorial University; Lincoln University; University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; University of Baltimore; Trinity Washington; Alabama A&M
Seniors - As you begin to receive news of acceptance, please be sure to let me know! I am also collecting scholarship information so please show me copies of the scholarships you have been offered.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is the State of Maryland’s higher education coordinating board, responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland’s public and private colleges and universities. MHEC administers a variety of statewide financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and tuition waivers, for Maryland residents attending two- or four-year public or private colleges/universities in Maryland. If you are applying for college in Maryland and have completed the FAFSA you should also apply for aid through MDCaps https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/MDCAPS/StudentRegisterForLogin.aspx
Scholarships - Please be sure to check the scholarship list - I am adding scholarships weekly!
Seniors who are applying to schools in the UK through UCAS - Please connect to B-CC using the Buzzword Barons2023
Seniors - not interested in college? The D.C. Joint Plumbing Apprentice Committee is now accepting applications for the 23/24 year. Click here for more information.
Peer Partners Available! - Students Grades 9-12, do you need little extra help with Math, English or another subject? Peer partners are now available to tutor you for free. Please contact Mrs. Heald to connect with a tutor.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)- FAFSA application for the 2023-2024 school year opens on October 1, 2022. All seniors are strongly encouraged to apply even if you do not think you will qualify for financial aid. This one free form can determine your eligibility for myriad grants and aid for all income levels. The information also determines eligibility for federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The form is shorter this year and will take less than an hour to complete. Keep in mind that some scholarships required you to fill out the FAFSA! If you need help filling out the FAFSA please email Mrs. Heald
Complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2022-2023 as early as Oct. 1, 2022. Go to fafsa.ed.gov. Many colleges require the FAFSA to be completed by January 1. Both you and one parent or guardian will need to create an FSA ID. Step by step directions for FAFSA can be found here: Whether or not you think you will qualify for aid, many scholarships REQUIRE you to complete the FAFSA
How To Get An FSA ID Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj1Pn-shze8
Line by Line FAFSA Completion Instructional Video:
Note that many scholarships require a completed FAFSA for consideration.
Check specific financial aid requirements & deadlines for all colleges.
Planning to attend a college or university in the state of Maryland, sign up for an account on MDCAPS.
Depending on your FAFSA information, you may also qualify for aid from the state of Maryland. You must complete this application to receive the aid. Go to this link to create an account: MDCAPS login page.
Please visit the college and career center website to see a comprehensive list of events https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/bcc-ccc-website/home
Want to connect with B-CC Alumni?
I have compiled a list of B-CC alumni who would be happy to connect with you via email to answer any questions you may have about their college, university, or program they are studying. This list will be updated as I connect with more alumni. You may find this especially helpful when you are making your college lists. Keep in mind that all of these students are still working hard in college and it may take a few days to reply to you. Please also be respectful with your questions. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you so much.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T5WGV1iaIlW4-yQSHOaE-H9ZFeXR8m5lfvGWiHxv8sE/edit?usp=sharing
Grades 9 - 11 - Please start getting familiar with Naviance
If you do not know your user name and password, please contact your counselor. Click here for an overview of Naviance. Or visit the Naviance page on our website.
Athletics Info
Student Athletes, as you being to make summer plans, please know that Fall Sports Tryouts are scheduled to begin on August 9th.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ATHLETIC EVENTS for 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Ensuring safety and spirited athletic events is a priority for MCPS. Decisions have been made with additional strategies that prioritize safety while encouraging the positive outcomes and engagement that football games bring to the school and community.The following actions started Friday, September, 23 and will continue through the remainder of the regular season and post-season.
- Students of the participating schools will be allowed to attend with a valid ticket on GoFan and by presenting their student ID or Synergy verification of their schedule.
- All other school-aged spectators must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
- Students and spectators must sit in the bleachers during the course of the game- no one is allowed to congregate on the concourse.
- Fans may use restroom facilities, purchase food from food trucks, and eat their food at a table, then must return to the stadium bleachers.
- There is no re-entry to events. Spectators will not be admitted after halftime.
- Students may not bring backpacks, tote or large bags.
- Outside food or drinks are not allowed in for any spectators.
Who to Contact & Administrator Assignments
Have a question? Need to know who to contact? Check out this list!
Please use the information below to identify your administrator.
Ms. Christine Rizkallah - Students with Last Names A - C
Ms. Vickie Adamson - Students with Last Names D - H
Mr. DeBerry Goodwin - Students with Last Names I - M
Ms. Rebecca Sutton - Students with Last Names N - T
Ms.Olga Shapiro - Students with Last Names U - Z
Bell Schedules
Visitor Management System
As a reminder, all visitors need to enter and exit the building using our Visitor Management System (VMS). This is a safety and security measure that is a countywide policy. A sticker will be produced for you to show staff members you have entered the building with correct protocol.
Personal Mobile Device Policy
On May 2, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices was revised to update conditions under which students may possess and use personal mobile (PMDs) on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities. This updated regulation at a glance document can be found if you click here. In the updated regulation, for the high school level, you will note that there are decisions that are to be made by the school’s leadership team.
As a result, the Instructional Leadership Team worked on creating a specific B-CC Personal Mobile Device Policy, which also includes language from MCPS COG-RA Regulation. The B-CC policy can be found if you click here. In this policy there is a consistent intervention approach that staff members should take when students do not comply with the expectations.
The school leadership team worked extensively over the summer to create training materials for staff to equip them with best practices. In addition, the leadership team created materials to ensure students are well versed with the expectations and the rationale behind why this policy is important.
There were questions submitted and an FAQ document has been created. Feel free to add any other questions that you may have by completing this form. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue to make this policy the best that it can be in order for our students to be fully engaged in instruction while at B-CC.
School Meals
It is recommended that families still complete the 2022-2023 FARMS application that is now available online. Here is the link: www.MySchoolApps.com. If you need assistance completing the online form, please contact your student’s counselor.
SchoolCash Online
Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. (Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts)
SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into our schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!
Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.
Directions can be found by clicking here!
Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/
Emergency Forms and Contact Information
Student Emergency Information should be updated through ParentVUE. Each year parents/guardians are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through the Online Registration portal (in the right corner of your ParentVUE home screen). We highly recommend that you complete this as soon as possible. It is critically important that we have accurate parent contact information on file with the school and system as soon as possible.
Here are links to the ParentVUE Support Guide and directions for completing the annual verification of information.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School - An International Baccalaureate World School
Our Vision
Access, Belonging, Collaboration—All students will access the resources of our IB World School. We will create a sense of belonging for all students, and we will work to collaborate with all stakeholders and explicitly teach students how to collaborate with one another.
Our Mission
The mission of B-CC HS is to develop lifelong learners; independent, critical thinkers; and responsible, compassionate global citizens. B-CC empowers its diverse student body by offering a rigorous instructional program as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities, supported and enriched by the surrounding community.
Learn, Think, Serve, Be Responsible
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/bcchs/
Location: 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-0400
Facebook: facebook.com/officialbcchs
Twitter: @OfficialBCCHS