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Braves Bulletin
February 11, 2024
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No Deliveries for Students
Just a friendly reminder with Valentine's Day this week. The main office cannot accept food, flowers or other deliveries for students. Thank you for your understanding.
Upcoming Dates
Spirit Week February 12-16 - More Info in this Bulletin
Friday, February 16 - Tech Center Application Closes at 3 pm
Saturday, February 17 - SGA Winter Wonderland Dance
Monday, Feb 19 - Schools & Offices are Closed - President's Day
Wednesday, Feb 28 - Spring Sport Registration Closes at 4 pm
Para nuestra comunidad hispanohablante
¡Saludos! Para leer en español, hay un botón para traducir en la esquina superior derecha de los anuncios de Smore cuando se abre por primera vez. Pueden hacer clic en el botón y después selecciona de la lista de lenguas disponibles.
Tech Center Application Closes on Feb 16 at 3 pm
Application deadline is February 16, 2024, by 3 pm. Applications will NOT reopen after the deadline. Students can apply for ONE program. If they change their mind, they must complete a new application, and must have a recorded visit for that program. The last application submitted by February 16, 2024, at 3 pm will be the one used.
MD Report Card Information
Spring Sport Registration
Registration is now open for spring sports and bowling.
Spring Sports Eligibility
Spring eligibility will be determined by the 2nd Marking Period Grades. You must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for the 2nd Marking Period. Registration closes on February 28th at 4:00pm. Tryouts start March 1, 2024
Bowling
You must have at least 2.0 GPA for the 2nd Marking Period. You must also have a current physical and have an approved status on FamilyID. Registration closes at 4 pm on February 16. Bowling will start February 20 through March 14.
This will be 4 weeks of practice. The health and safety of SMCPS students-athletes, coaches and all stakeholders will continue to be our top priority and drive all decisions.
Orndoff Named New Football Coach at Chopticon
Patrick Orndoff has been named the new Head Football Coach here at Chopticon. Coach Orndoff comes to us with 23 years of high school football coaching experience, he has spent the past six seasons serving as the Head Coach at St. Charles in Waldorf. Coach O, as he is known, is from Western Maryland and is married with two young sons, ages 3 and 1, and with a baby girl due in April.
“I am excited to lead the next chapter of Chopticon Football and to join the Chopticon community. Great things are on the Horizon for us. Go Braves!”- Coach O
Spirt Week Feb 12-16
Evening Counseling Available
SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.
Nurse's Corner
Please take a moment to review this document. It has answers to many of your questions including when a student should stay home, elevator access and general health information.
College & Career Readiness Center News
ASVAB Testing
Chopticon High School will be offering the ASVAB test on April 4, 2024 at 8:00am. Click here to sign up.
BECA Scholarship Fair - Great Success!
The BECA Scholarship Fair was a huge success. Thank you BECA for gathering so many outstanding organizations that are willing to assist our students with higher education. Also thank you to our Chopticon High School student volunteers for assisting.
College & Career Readiness Upcoming Events
Our “lunch and learns” have been very popular. Below is the list of who is coming next. This is a great opportunity for students to speak directly to someone in their field of interest and to make some professional connections. All presentations will be during “A” lunch. Click HERE to register.
Feb. 21 – Careers in the Coast Guard
Feb. 28 – Careers in Real Estate
March 5 – Job Corps
March 12- Careers in Law Enforcement
March 18 – Careers in Welding
March 20 - Careers in Occupational and Physical Therapy
The ASVAB test will be offered on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 8:00am at Chopticon High School. Click here to register. We will be offering free ASVAB study sessions during the entire 1 hour lunch period on April 2 and April 9. This is a great opportunity for students who are taking the ASVAB on April 11th. Click here to register.
The 2024 Job and Career Fair is going to be held at Chopticon High School on Thursday, April 4th. Stay tuned for more details. If you own a business or are affiliated with a company that would like to participate, please reach out to Mrs. Nantz at kjnantz@smcps.org or 301-475-0215, ext. 38125.
Reggie Rice Show to Benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults. There is also a meet and greet with Reggie for $30. Tickets must be purchased online at GoFan.
Volunteers are needed on the night of the event, each person would reach an ITS point (International Thespian Society) one gift card and 3 hours of volunteer service from LLS. Please complete this form if you would like to volunteer.
Questions - contact Alyssa Hammett
SMCPS Spectator Policy for After School Events
As we start another season of athletics, arts, and other activities, I want to strongly encourage you to come support our events. I also want to remind everyone of St. Mary’s County Public School’s policy regarding spectators at after school events:
No Bags or Purses Allowed
No outside Food or Drink Allowed including Water
Ticket Sales are online Only at Go Fan
No Cash option for tickets
Gates will open - one hour before the first event.
Concessions are cash and credit card.
Thank you, we hope to see you at our events.
Marc Pirner, Principal
Indoor Track Regional Champions!
Congratulations to our Regional Champions!
Katie Schwaner - 800 meter run
Weston Carr - 800 meter run
Weston Carr, Colton Longobardi, Dominic Longobardi and Nick Watson in the 4 x 800 meter relay
STATE QUALIFIERS
GIRLS
Marie Cable in the high jump
Katie Schwaner in the 800m run, 1600m run and 4 x 800m relay
Madison Eberle 4 x 800 relay
Callie Modrzejewski 4 x 800 relay
Madeline Matthews 4 x 800 relay
STATE QUALIFIERS
BOYS
Carson Mandis in the shot put
Colton Longobardi in the 4 x 800 relay
Moses Araya in the 1600m run and 3200m run
Nick Watson in the 3200m run and 4 x 800 relay
Weston Carr in the 800m run, 1600m run and 4 x 800m relay
Dominic Longobardi 800m run and 4 x 800m relay
Boys Basketball
Boys basketball defeated the Northern Patriots 86-66. Thank you to Mr. Williams for all of the great photos. More may be found here.
On Friday, Varsity and JV both earned the win over Calvert.
Senior Night for Cheer and Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball players - Jordan, Iverson, Cash, and David
Cheerleaders - Savannah, Avery, Taylor, Ashyia, Camryn, Katie, and Danielle
Girls Basketball
Varsity and JV both win against Calvert! Find more photos from Mr. Williams here.
Chopticon Alumni
Chopticon grad Courtlynn Cooney makes history at the University of Mount Olive as she reached the milestone of 100 career stolen base.
Around Chopticon
Important School Information and Links
No Food or Other Deliveries for Students
Here is a link to the daily menu.
Help Prevent the Spread of Infection
Students and staff should stay home with ANY signs/symptoms of illness. If fever-reducing medication was required within the past 24 hours to maintain a normal body temperature, you should NOT be in school.
Online Forms Each Parent/Guardian Should Complete
Please be sure you have completed the following:
- Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.
- Online Emergency Information Update Forms are available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. This form is important as this is the current contact information we have for parents/guardians.
- 2023/2024 Parent Permission - SMCPS Secondary Acceptable Use Policy and Online Platforms - More Info - must be completed for each student
- 2023-24 Meal Benefit Form
Braves Bucks
Hey Chop Nation! Braves Bucks are rolling out and you might not know how to spend them. Visit the school bank during PRIDE time and use your bucks to purchase any items listed below. Prices are subject to change based on supply and demand, so get down early for the best deals.
Parents - Braves Bucks are something students may earn to reward positive behaviors. Some examples of how a student may earn a Braves Buck is by going to a teacher's classroom during Pride Time for academic assistance or being on time to class during a Blitz. Students may trade in Braves Bucks for items in the "store" located in the School Bank.
Zion cashed in his Braves Bucks for a hoodie!