
Towson High School Newsletter
October 13, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Towson High School Community,
Each year, we engage in a continuous cycle of school improvement through the School Progress Planning (SPP) process. This year, we have set ambitious goals that focus on mathematics, literacy, college and career readiness (CCR), as well as creating a safe and supportive environment for all of our students. Our goals include:
- All students will achieve mathematics proficiency as indicated by the MCAP assessment.
- All students will achieve literacy proficiency as indicated by the MCAP assessment.
- All students will be college and career ready by graduation.
- All students will feel safe and supported.
To attain these goals, we commit to the following action steps:
- We will center student’s identities, strengths, interests, and needs in order to make instruction accessible for all students.
- We will clearly communicate the purpose and expectations for learning.
- We will hold high expectations for students and ensure that time on task is maximized so that students are cognitively engaged.
We will examine and interrogate our personal biases to become aware of the ways in which our own cultural experiences influence the conditions and learning opportunities that we create for students.
Our full SPP snapshot can be found on the homepage of our website. We believe that with these goals and action steps in place, we can make significant strides in enhancing the educational experience for all Towson High School students. Your support and partnership are invaluable in this journey, and we look forward to working together to make this school year a success.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Dr. Kim Culbertson
STARS
STUDENT STARS
- Damola Ariyibi, Skyler Haldens, Tori Kerr, & Jesse Van Doren for representing Towson HS at the Magnet Expo.
- The THS SGA for organizing and hosting the 2023 Homecoming activities.
- Mykayla Clayton for taking initiative to make the school better by cleaning up cups.
- AVID students for being outstanding representatives of our school wile visiting Towson University on our first college field trip of the year!
- Isabella Burbelo, Clara Fitch, Riley Gibbons-O'Neill, & Nika Nemirovsky for helping to set up the Senior Spirit Event!
- Class of 2024 Steering Committee for fantastic hall decorating and Nick Dimitriades for leading the effort!
STAFF STARS
- Ms. Falatko, Ms. Kromsky, and Mr. Olson for representing Towson HS at the Magnet Expo.
- Ms. Lambert, Mr. Olson, and Ms. Smith for organizing the annual SGA-sponsored Homecoming activities.
- Ms. Bissmeyer & Ms. Lyford-Pike for developing Advisory lessons for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Mr. Olin for thinking of the theater program and for creating thoughtfully edited resources for us to engage students with!
- Dr. Culbertson for her spirited leadership and enthusiastic support of the staff and students of THS.
- Dr. Hobbs, Mr. Tormey, & Ms. L. Smith for conducting technology checks and preparing students for the PSAT during English classes.
- Josh Marx for planning a Towson University tour and information session for AVID students, and for his leadership as a peer mentor and AVID Coordinator.
- Jackie Flynn for encouraging her Advisory students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month in meaningful ways.
- Mr. Olin for all your hard work organizing and preparing a New York City/Broadway trip for the performing arts students.
- Ms. Battle, Dr. Culbertson, Ms. Karsos, Ms. Kromsky, Dr. Lau, & Ms. L. Smith for chaperoning the Senior Spirit Event.
PARENT & COMMUNITY STARS
- Music Boosters for helping to reduce the cost of an upcoming field trip.
- Alumni Association for collecting "wish lists" from departments.
National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to the following Towson High School students for being awarded the National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation.
- Jack Blanchfield
- Eloise Buchler
- Amcolly Cao
- Rose Deguet Delury
- Isabelle Hammer
- Runa Matsushita
- Jameson Trumbauer
- Jackson Weber
- Kevin Xie
Homecoming 2023
Video Collage of Homecoming Week!
Click the picture of the general or click this link to view a video college of Homecoming Week!
Color for Character Week - October 16-20th
During the week of October 16-20, students and staff are encouraged to wearing a color each day to represent positive character traits. This is part of the larger BCPS "Mind Over Matters" campaign to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness for students and staff in Baltimore County Public Schools.
On Thursday October 19, students and staff are encouraged to wear red and purple since schools are closed on Friday. Also, wearing purple on Thursday supports Domestic Violence Awareness Day (sponsored by One Love) and “Wear Purple for Unity” (sponsored by GLADD).
7th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair - October 14th
The Seventh Annual Baltimore County Public Schools Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair is fast approaching! The college fair will be held on Saturday, October 14, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills 21117. Registration through StriveScan is open to all BCPS high school students and their families. Participants are also strongly encouraged to complete the Common Black College Application prior to the event. School counselors and college counselors are available to help with registration and application. Acces the full BCPS press release for a list of participating schools. Event updates, including transportation stops and pick-up times can be found here.
PSAT Day - October 17th
The PSAT provides an important measure of each student’s readiness for advanced coursework, college and careers, and preparation for future college readiness examinations. On October 17, the PSAT will be administered to all Grade 10 students, and Grade 11 students who opted-in to take the test. Students should bring pencils, an approved calculator, and their device and charger to school on test day. Click here to access the PSAT Student Guide for information about the PSAT and click here for information about the Digital PSAT. For more info about the PSAT, please contact Mr. Tormey stormey@bcps.org
BCPS Magnet Showcase - October 17th
Students and families interested in Baltimore County Public Schools magnet programs are invited to visit the programs during magnet showcase events in October. The magnet website identifies programs and the schools where they are located. BCPS magnet programs are theme-oriented courses of study that provide students with in-depth experiences in specialized areas of interest. BCPS has nearly 120 elementary, middle, and high school magnet programs in 32 schools across the county. While some magnet programs exist within comprehensive schools, there are also schools whose entire population is determined through the magnet application process. The Towson High School Showcase Event will be held on Tuesday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m.
Central Area Education Advisory Council (CAEAC) Meeting - October 18th
CAEAC will be hosting a virtual meeting on October 18th at 7:00 pm on Zoom. This month's topic is the BCPS Operating and Capital Pre-Budget. Everyone is welcome to attend! For more information, please visit the CAEAC Facebook page or email centralAEAC@bcps.org.
Fall Fest & The Masked Singer - October 26th
College, Trades, & Scholarships Expo - October 27th
Community Conversations with Dr. Rogers
Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers will host five “Community Conversations” regarding the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. Please join us to provide input on the process and share ideas on areas you believe BCPS should prioritize in the budget and investments the system should make to ensure it provides the greatest public education to every student. In addition to the budget forums, Team BCPS staff, parents, students and members of the community are encouraged to complete the FY 25 Budget Priorities Stakeholder Survey. The survey is available in multiple languages. Members of Team BCPS are also encouraged to access the BCPS “Budget 101” website for an overview of the BCPS operating budget—where our funding comes from, how it is spent, and how we ensure we are meeting the needs of every BCPS student.
The dates and locations of the Community Conversations on the operating budget are as follows:
- October 12, Sparrows Point High School Cafeteria, 6-7pm
- October 17, Pikesville High School Cafeteria, 6-7pm
- October 25, Loch Raven High School Cafeteria, 6-7pm
- November 9, Parkville High School Cafeteria, 6-7pm
- November 14, Western School of Technology High School Cafeteria, 6-7pm
Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please contact 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.
American Education Week - Parent Visitation Day November 15th
AEW Parent Visitation Day - Wednesday, November 15, 2023
American Education Week is a nationwide event that honors the dedication and hard work of educators and education support professionals. It emphasizes the value of a quality education and the need for collaboration among teachers, parents and the community to ensure student success. This year, American Education Week will be celebrated November 13-17, 2023. Towson High School will have a parent visitation day on Wednesay, November 15, 2023. Please make plans to visit the school and your child's classroom during this day.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), students have been engaging in Advisory lessons, including trivia, a geography lesson, and a door decorating contest! The winners of the door decoring contest will be announced on the last week of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Family Resources & Supports in Response to Violence in Israel & Gaza
A Message from Baltimore County Public Schools on the Violence in Israel and Gaza: Supporting Conversations with Your Child
Team BCPS’ heartfelt thoughts are with students, families, and staff members impacted by the violent and tragic events in Israel and Gaza. The impact of violent and traumatic events can be confusing, overwhelming, and frightening, resulting in feelings of fear or worry. Students, families, and staff with direct ties to the area of conflict might experience increased anxiety or stress that could be complicated by information shared on media outlets. Adults may also experience feelings of anxiety or stress when managing emotions and providing explanations to children. Children will look to adults for information and guidance on how to manage their emotions and cope with the various sources of information.
In BCPS, it is the goal to provide an environment that is safe and supportive, free of bias and hate with supportive resources that foster positive learning experiences. Families are welcome to contact the school to discuss their child’s needs, access counseling, mental health services, and additional resources. At any time, students can speak with a trusted adult (i.e., principal, teacher, counselor, social worker, school psychologist, etc.) to support them. The resources below are intended to support families and staff in coping with the horrific events:
- Supporting Youth Affected by the Violence in Israel and Gaza: Tips for Families and Educators (nasponline.org)
- Talking to Children About War
- How to talk to children about war: An age-by-age guide (msn.com)
- Terrorism and War: How to Talk to Children
- How to talk to your children about conflict and war | UNICEF Parenting
- How To Talk to Kids About Tragedies in The Media
- Building Community Resilience for Children and Families
- Helping Children Cope with Trauma (childmind.org)
- Helping Kids Cope with Frightening News - Child Mind Institute
- Nine Tips for Talking with Kids About Trauma
Department Spotlights
Athletics
Congratulations to the Boy's Golf Team!
The Boys Golf Team won the BCPS County Championship! Go Generals!
Towson High School Spirit Wear Sale!
Click the advertisement below or use this link to access the spirit wear store.
Recurring News
BusWhere App
BCPS is pleased to announce the countywide implementation of BusWhere, a location tracking software that allows subscribers to see bus locations in real time on a mobile phone or computer. Via the BusWhere app, subscribers may opt to receive notification as the bus is approaching a designated bus stop or if there are significant delays.
On or about October 2, 2023, families of bus riders should have received an e-mail invitation directly from BusWhere to create an account. Watch this informational video to learn more about BusWhere!
Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM)
Student Supports
Students can receive extra support afterschool via Coach Class and Peer Tutoring. Coach Class is offered by each teacher, each week. Free Peer Tutoring is offered throughout the week by students and advisors of our national honor societies. All supports begin next week unless otherwise noted.
23-24 Clubs & Organizations
Towson Clubs & Organizations
We encourage all students to be actively involved in clubs and organizations throughout the year. Please check out the club list below. Students that are interested in starting a new club should contact Ms. Smith at lsmith21@bcps.org.
Senior Information Corner
Attendance Matters
Research has shown that attendance is a leading predictor of academic achievement and adult success. Students who find attending school important are more likely to attain goals like attending trade school, college, or getting a job. By showing up to school every day, students develop a positive work ethic and prepare for future success by developing healthy and productive habits.
Our attendance goals this year are for students to maintain at least a 94% attendance rate and to reduce chronic absenteeism. A student that misses 10% or more of school days in chronically absent. By missing just 2 days a month, a student will be chronically absent. Use the "Attendance Tracker" and "Parent Tips" below to support your student in maintaining satisfactory attendance. Additionally, we will send parents/guardians a "Weekly Attendance Report" each Friday afternoon so you can track your student's daily and period attendance.
Attendance Tracker
Parent Tips
Weekly Reports
Get Involved: Join a Parent Organization
Opt-In for Text Messages
If you are not receiving text messages from the school and would like to, please text “Y” or "Yes" to 67587.
Important Links
Upcoming Events
October 14 - Homecoming Football Games
October 17 - PSAT Day (10th grade students & 11th grade students who opt-in)
October 17 - Law & Public Policy (LPP) Magnet Showcase
October 20 - Schools Closed for MSEA Convention
October 21 - THS Theatre Boosters Clothing to Cash Event
October 26 - Masked Singer Senior fundraiser @ 7:00 pm, Auditorium
November 3 - Marking Period 1 Ends & Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students
November 8 - PTSA Meeting
November 9-11 - Fall Play
November 14 - Marking Period 1 Report Cards Available
December 5 & 6 - Underclass Photo Makeup Days