Governor Thomas Johnson High School May 7, 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
A message from Principal Kibler:
May is here and so is the craziness of the last quarter. Our Advanced Placement students are amidst end of year testing, Dual Enrollment students finishing their final papers and taking final exams, spring sports competition is underway, Visual Performing Arts and Music are resurging back to the stage, Graduation is on the horizon and planning for summer programs is in full swing. I never thought I would be so happy to talk about May Madness. School is starting to look like school again and I love it!
Seniors don’t forget this Saturday, May 15 from 4-6 PM we are offering a “Walk Through Time,” photo opportunity. We want to recreate the year that was lost and provide a fun snapshot of TJs most memorable traditions. Information has been shared via Find Out First, Schoology and flyer. Please be sure to sign-up using the Sign-Up Genius. Time slots are filling up so don’t wait to sign-up.
Today closes the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. The GTJHS Administration thanks our teachers and Instructional Assistants for their selfless commitment to learning and leading. This year has been more challenging than any in our recent history. I would argue it has been one of the most challenging in our Nation’s history. In a time of uncertainty and worry, our teachers had to reinvent an artform that had been in existence for centuries. Very little of what was, transferred into this time that is. Every lesson, activity, test and project had to be recreated. A technical learning curve was not embraced by choice but by necessity. Creativity and ingenuity championed every task. For the first time our teachers had to teach students they couldn’t see. I am grateful for their resilience. We are so fortunate to live in a state and county that kept learning alive when other states and nations around the world lost all connection to their students. In many places there was no infrastructure to sustain education. Our FCPS and GTJHS teachers rose to the challenge. They created a pathway for learning. They provided an opportunity for engagement. They continued to impact lives from a distance. Please take time to thank a teacher who has made a difference in your or your student’s life during this historical year. A small message goes a long way. Words of appreciation and kindness will certainly add fuel to their engines as they race the final lap.
We say thank you again GTJHS Teachers and Instructional Assistants. You are heroes to many!
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day Patriot Nation.
Sincerely,
Tracey K. Kibler
For In-Person Learning: Be sure to review the daily self-check screening message 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.
Seniors, Capture a Year Lost: Please see the GTJHS Senior Year Snapshot flyer details on this fun event for ALL Seniors. It is a nice start to the evening if you are attending the Parent Sponsored Prom off site or is an opportunity to capture moments with your friends as an alternative to attending prom. Saturday, May 15 from 4-6 PM at your school Gov. Thomas Johnson HS. The cost is $3 Per Student. Come alone, with a date or bring up to 4 friends and walk through your Senior Milestones of GTJHS. Use this link to sign up for your time slot https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45aeaa2aa1f8c61-gtjhs. All from the class of 2021 are welcome.
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.
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.
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.
For athletic events, please view the Athletic Calendar Here
Athletic Events and Spectators: FCPS is excited to welcome limited spectators to spring athletic competitions. Admittance to all athletic events is limited to four 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:
AFA Update: This Spring, the Academy for the Fine Arts partnered with the Frederick Mental Health Association. Students collaborated to create videos that exemplified the transition from darkness to light and AFA Visual Arts students created works based around this theme as well. The Mental Health Association selected videos from our student creations to use at their annual drive-in fundraiser event on May 8. The works from our Visual Art students will be displayed in the lobby of the Mental Health Association's new building. We are honored to partner with this organization and hope our videos and artwork bring hope to those who need it. To see the full showcase, visit: https://www.fcpsartsacademy.org/darknesstolight.html
The Academy for the Fine Arts is a career pathway program housed right here in TJ High School. We offer students in grades 10-12 the chance to focus in art, music, dance, or theatre. To learn more about the AFA, visit www.fcpsartsacademy.org or contact jonathan.kurtz@fcps.org
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. 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.
Food Drive: North Frederick's MD Food Bank Food Drive is this Thursday, May 13 from 3-5 PM at North Frederick Elementary School. Supplies are first come, first serve or until gone.
Our Basic Bag of Groceries program from the TJ Patriot Pantry provides students and families in the TJ Feeder nutritious bags of groceries each week. Each bag contains 2 dinners, 2 lunches, snacks, juice, and veggies. 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.
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: 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