Governor Thomas Johnson High School April 23, 2021 Patriot News
Dates and times are subject to change
FCPS has announced the Last day of school for students is June 17 and the Last day of school for teachers is June 18. More details about the 2020-21 school calendar are posted online here.
GTJHS Student Schedule Click Here
Hello Patriot Nation!
Term 4 is well underway and our teachers are pounding the pavement to bring our students to the finish line. We have increased the overall number of students attending hybrid by more than 100 for term 4 in comparison to term 3. It has made a noticeable difference in student engagement and achievement for those attending in person instruction.
Our Seniors are preparing for graduation and the events surrounding this special milestone. We are excited to be hosting graduation in our stadium and offering a livestream link for Patriot Nation to enjoy. We are holding face to face parent/senior meetings to share an abundance of information necessary for each graduate to successfully participate. I am thankful for the work of our counseling and administrative team for the countless hours spent behind the scenes to plan and organize our ceremony.
I need to speak candidly to our underclassmen. Next school year is on the horizon and will be here before we know it. To advance to the next grade students must earn a minimum of 6 credits per year. Currently teachers are experiencing a significant drop off in student attendance virtually. As a result assignments are incomplete and student achievement is not meeting expectations to earn a passing grade. We understand our students are fatigued. The world is fatigued with the fallout of the pandemic, however we have to resurge in purpose for forward progress. There is still time for our students to engage in coursework and earn credit. The alternative to passing required courses may be summer school, extended coursework next fall or repeating necessary courses. Teachers, counselors and administrators are here to support our students. We can meet face to face, virtually or by phone to create a plan for increased student success.
This past week we celebrated our wonderful administrative assistants who are vital in the operations of our front office and counseling office. These employees are unsung heroes and truly are the hidden figures managing the minutiae of our daily operations. I personally want to thank each of them for their dedication and commitment to our school. We are fortunate to have such a strong team supporting our administrators and counselors. I encourage members of our Patriot Community to send an email or message of thanks to one of our amazing administrative professionals. Words of appreciation go a long way after such a challenging year.
Best of luck to our spring athletic teams as they embark on their seasons. They more than anyone deserve an opportunity to compete after losing their entire season last spring. I also wish luck to our marching band, Academy of the Fine Arts, NJROTC and our TJ Visual and Performing Arts as they plan spring events and outdoor showcases. It is encouraging and exciting to have the return of live participation and performance back on campus.
Have a great weekend Patriot Nation!
Ms. Tracey K. Kibler
Principal
Attention Students who have registered to take AP Exams: Practice exams are now available on all school issued Chromebooks. Go to the left corner, click on apps, then go to college board. Sign in using your College Board username/password and start practicing now. Here is an overview of the digital AP Exams https://youtu.be/cUtHuYfPsFY Attached is the Updated Testing Schedule for 2021. Please reach out to Jamie Augustine jamie.augustine@fcps.org or Carolann Britton (AP Coordinator) carolann.britton@fcps.org with any questions or concerns.
For In-Person Learning: Be sure to review the revised self-check screening for symptoms each day, and please do not attend in person if you are ill or a close contact is ill.
Parking Permits: If you are a student that will be driving to school, we require you to have a parking permit. Please fill out the attached google form. Once the application is complete and approved by an administrator, a parking permit will be sent to your first block teacher. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Vance in the AP office. deborah.vance@fcps.org.
Attendance Information: If your student is going to be absent, late or needs to leave early please email: tjhs.attendance@fcps.org with your student's name, grade, date, time, and reason for absence.
Important Dates for Graduating Seniors:
Attention AP Seniors Only: Please complete the attachment for the AP Scholar Award Application and turn it in to Jamie Augustine (Jamie.augustine@fcps.org) or Carolann Britton (carolann.britton@fcps.org). Please ensure the form is turned into one of the names listed by May 14, 2021 in order to be eligible for the award. Please ignore the very last line on the form, there is no need to attach your transcript or grade report, we have access to those documents.
Attention Seniors who sing: If you are interested in performing the National Anthem with choir for Graduation, please see Dr. Taylor in room 1737 during connect or email her at kathleen.taylor@fcps.org.
Scholarships are Available: Log into Naviance to check out the current scholarships available for TJ students. Please be aware of approaching deadlines, each scholarship differs with dates and criteria.
Take time to read over the April Counseling Newsletter
Our Counselors are available for all your in person and virtual needs. If you would like to make an appointment with your assigned counselor, you can use the link: https://patriotschool.org/counseling/conversations-and-presentations/ or contact them directly.
TJ Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament: Friday, May 14 at Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville, MD. Registration fee is $100 per golfer ($90 for TJ staff and alumni) this includes: Cart, Greens Fee, Range Balls, Continental Breakfast and Lunch. Register online here. There are also many opportunities for sponsorship. Form can be found here: Athletic Golf Tourney 2021.
For athletic events, please view the Athletic Calendar Here
Athletic Events and Spectators: FCPS is excited to welcome limited spectators to fall athletic competitions. Admittance to all athletic events is limited to three guests per student-athlete. Please know that some athletic competitions are held off campus, and FCPS will respect and follow all guidelines set forth by those organizations and venues, which may include no spectator policies.
Admittance to athletic events will begin 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Outside food and beverages are prohibited, and concession sales will not be available.
When seated in the TJ Stadium , please use the designated spaces on the bleachers to ensure social distancing, face coverings must be properly worn (fully cover mouth and nose) and social distancing must be practiced at all times when on school grounds, inside and outside, and at all competitions held off FCPS campuses.
FCPS Sports - Livestream Events: Click on the logo of the host school and their live streaming YouTube channels will be listed
A quick reminder of dates, as they currently stand:
If so, consider being a founding member of TJ's own National English Honor Society chapter. According to NEHS, "The National English Honor Society (NEHS) recognizes the academic accomplishments of America’s high school students and promotes their continuing interest in the English language arts. NEHS is the only high school honor society exclusively for students of English. As such, it provides a unique opportunity to engage students, teachers, and local schools in the valuable experience of discipline-related national honor-society participation." Join us for book clubs, writing and speaking competitions, or just to hang out and talk about literature. Contact Ms. Stecyk (rachael.stecyk@fcps.org) or Mrs. Sterling (patricia.sterling@fcps.org) by email or on Schoology.
The Patriot 3K Color Rush: TJ's Future Business Leaders of America Club is having a 3K Fundraiser on Sunday, May 16 from 8 AM-2 PM. All of the proceeds will help purchase the new electronic sign for GTJHS. Please consider signing up with your family to walk or run in this fun community event. There will be color throwing stations through out the race route. See the attached flyer for information on how to sign up and receive a free race shirt. Patriot 3K Color Rush Flyer. Online registration can be done here: https://linktr.ee/tjfbla
Yearbooks are currently on sale: Our general on-line yearbook sales are still available, visit https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ and enter the TJ school code 4749 to order a yearbook today for $75. Also, please consider donating a yearbook to a current senior who may not be able to buy one themselves.
Our Basic Bag of Groceries program provides students and families in the TJ Feeder nutritious bags of groceries each week. Each bag includes dinners, lunches, breakfasts, snacks, and other items like condiments. If you would like more information on how to sign up for the Basic Bag of Groceries or to make a donation, please email Robyn.myers@fcps.org. Donations of gift certificates form local grocery stores are appreciated. This will give Ms. Myers the resources she needs to shop for our community. Thank you
Need School supplies? TJ has a limited number of backpacks stuffed with school supplies available to TJ Students, please contact Robyn Myers at Robyn.myers@fcps.org or 240-236-8258 to receive a backpack!
Community Materials: For grades 6-12, the Monocacy Mountain Bike Team is accepting new members, please see the flyer for information and to attend an upcoming virtual meeting. Frederick County Parks and Recreation has provided the Summer 2021 Recreater, this is full of camps, classes and more.
Need Help?
COVID-19 Resources: Frederick County Public Schools has provided a Health Metrics Dashboard for families. Please consider this a useful tool for any COVID-19 related questions https://www.fcps.org/update/dashboard
Visit Us Online: https://patriotschool.org/
Gov. Thomas Johnson HS
1501 N. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
240-236-8200 Phone 240-236-8201 Fax