To see a Google translation of this message in Spanish, please use the "Spanish" link at the top of this message: Utilice el enlace "Spanish" en la parte superior de este mensaje para ver la traducción de Google en español:
From the Principal:
Dear Senior Parents,
It saddened me to read Dr Alban’s letter yesterday. I’m sorry that we are not able to hold a traditional graduation ceremony this year. It has broken my heart and I probably have cried as many tears as you have over what our seniors have lost. However, we are preparing a quality virtual ceremony for them and are currently working on some other special acknowledgments. When students come to get their caps and gowns next week, there will be a letter from the graduation committee that includes important information. Please review it carefully.
Term 4, OPT in for Grades
This is a reminder that parents need to fill out a form for each class if students are choosing a letter grade over the P/I. Please make sure your child’s name is on the form. The last date for seniors is May 22.
Videoconferencing/Synchronous Video
Some of our teachers will begin using live videoconferencing through Google Meet, but just as it is optional for students, it is also optional for staff. Why wouldn't teachers all jump on this newly approved technology? Certain classes lend themselves to it more than others. Some teachers have more/less technology access than others. Teachers have faced an unprecedented learning curve with the transition to distance learning, and this is "one more thing” to learn when they are already trying to design lessons to teach the remaining curriculum.
Please do not be disappointed if particular teachers choose not to use videoconferencing at this time. Instead, encourage your children to keep using the various resources that their teachers are providing, to dedicate time each day to working on assignments, and to ask their teachers (through Schoology messages, e-mails, or other means their teachers have established) for assistance, as necessary. ALL teachers want to support their students and have them be successful, but that support looks different class-to-class. We thank you for your continued support.
AP EXAMS:
AP Examinations began this week. Several students have had technological issues and have been asked to register for the June make-up test window. This has been frustrating for our students and families, but this is the solution that College Board has provided.
Link to the register for the June make-up test window (students should have automatically received an email) request a makeup exam.
Please take the time to look through the troubleshooting tips page before your exam to ensure technical capabilities. Troubleshooting Tips for AP 2020 Exams – AP Coronavirus Updates
For AP Art students, please carefully read the updates on the following link for submission of artwork
Digital Submission Updates
Deadline to submit portfolio is May 26 (11:59 pm ET)
Helpful Links BEFORE AP EXAMS:
SAT Information In compliance with public health guidance and school closures, the College Board will not be able to administer the SAT or SAT Subject Tests on June 6, 2020. Students can schedule for a weekend test administration. College Board has added a September 26 date in addition to the August 29, October 3, November 7, and December 5 test dates. Registration for any of these test dates will begin in May and College Board will contact students directly during the week of May 26 to provide an exact date.
Wi-Fi Update:
In addition to the 27 schools previously announced offering free outdoor Wi-Fi access in their parking lots to students and staff with valid credentials to access the network, 2 schools have been added. Service is now available at Urbana and Linganore High Schools. Log in using the same credentials as if inside the school.
Message from the Parents of the Class of 2020
Adopt a Senior Program
Attention seniors (and parents of seniors):
A Facebook group has been started to honor our seniors and bring smiles to their faces during this challenging time. Since the group began on May 12, the group has grown to nearly 300 members. Already over 70 seniors have been adopted by local families (some of whom do not even have a high school student but wanted to help out). The generosity of our community has been awesome, but we have more seniors left to adopt.
How does “Adopt a Senior” work?
1. The parents of seniors, or the seniors themselves, can post a picture along with their name, short bio, some likes/dislikes, with "Not Adopted" at the beginning of their post. Use this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/727688901370327
2. Whoever wants to adopt that senior will comment on that post. In fairness to all, please adopt only a senior who has not already been adopted. Feel free to adopt more than one senior so that no one is left out.
3. Once your senior has been adopted, EDIT your post to read "Adopted" at the beginning of the post.
4. The “adopting family” will send a PRIVATE MESSAGE to the senior to arrange a time/place for drop-off. This should be contactless, so leaving items on a front porch or sending them through the mail is best.
5. Plan to deliver items to your senior no later than June 2, which was their original graduation date. Feel free to distribute their gifts in small increments over time or as one gift basket or the like, whichever works better for you. Ideas include greeting cards, gift cards/e-cards, or even their favorite snacks! Anything to make them feel special.
6. Once cards or items are received, the senior or parent can post their appreciation for their “adoption” to the Facebook page
**Invite your local friends and family! Our seniors have missed out on so many monumental events, so let's do something so they know they are appreciated and cared about! Please keep this group positive and support each other.
If you have any questions about the program or do not have access to Facebook but would still like your senior to participate, please email the group's admin, Kathy White, at kk.white@comcast.net or Kiki Ratchford at Kikiratch@yahoo.com and they will be sure you are included. Also contact us if your senior has not been adopted after a few days.
Meals Update:
FCPS is closed for Memorial Day and will not distribute meals on Monday, May 25.
To ensure that children are fed, we will adjust the usual breakfast, lunch and supper meals distribution schedule at all 22 sites as follows:
Friday, May 22: We will distribute meals from 11 AM-1 PM for Friday, May 22 and Monday, May 25
Monday, May 25: No meals distributed at any site
Tuesday, May 26: We will distribute meals from 11 AM-1 PM for Tuesday, May 26
Wednesday, May 27: We return to our regular schedule and distribute meals from 11 AM-1 PM for Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28
Friday, May 29: We will distribute meals as usual from 11 AM-1 PM for Friday, May 29.
Graduation FCPS will hold virtual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 the week of June 8-12.
Please see the news release: https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1681143/fcps-announces-graduation-plans-virtual-ceremonies-to-honor-the-class-of-2020
LHS YEARBOOK You can still order a 2020 Yearbook Online, while supplies last! Go to:
www.yearbookordercenter.com
Use order number 4625
$85
Don't miss out on the memories, order soon since there are only a limited supply.
Stay tuned for yearbook distribution information, still to be determined.
FOF Email Whitelist: Please add FCPS_FindOutFirst@ezcommunicator.com and FCPS_LinganoreHS@ezcommunicator.com to your contacts in your email address book. This will ensure you will always receive Find Out First information from Frederick County Public Schools and Linganore High School. Adding the contacts above will ensure the emails will not get bounced back, or go into your SPAM folder.
ATTENTION COMCAST EMAIL USERS:
This past week Linganore had over 400 parents, students, and/or community members with Comcast Emails bounce back as SPAM. Comcast requires the full email address now, not just ezcommunicator.com. That means if you did not receive our LHS Find Out First communications about "Yearbook Sales" on Wednesday, May 6, or "Seniors Last Day of School." on Thursday, May 7, you need to add the contacts above to your email address book. Please add FCPS_FindOutFirst@ezcommunicator.com and FCPS_LinganoreHS@ezcommunicator.com to your contacts in your email address book. If you need additional assistance, please Google "How to Whitelist Email Addresses on Comcast."
Technology Support Assistance:
If you are having problems with technology, please check and see if your problem is listed on the Device Troubleshooting Tip List first. If you still need help, send an email to kimberley.hunley@fcps.org. Ms. Hunley will be available from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please leave a brief email with your name and the issue you're having. Ms. Hunley will work to address all issues in the order they are received.
COVID-19 Resources:
In addition to essential school-related posts, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions at fcps.org/update, here are Coronavirus COVID-19 resources you can rely on to understand and prevent the spread of disease:
Frederick County Health Department Maryland Department of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Governor's COVID-19 Pandemic: Orders and Guidance Mental Health Resources for Parents and Guardians to Help their Children
Senior Survey: Complete the Senior Survey 2020 on Naviance now. Go to: About Me tab>My Surveys>Surveys Not Started>Linganore 2020 Senior Survey. FINAL transcripts will be sent automatically to the college you have chosen to attend.
Juniors: Check out the Resource tab in the 2021 Student Service Schoology group to learn more about the college application process. Complete your Senior Profile NOW so staff have the information needed to write your letters of recommendation. 2) For college essay assistance, FCC information and to view a financial aid presentation please go to Schoology>2021 Group>Resource Tab
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAD) has Coronavirus Update Information institution's plans and policies for admission events; for consideration of high school transcripts and standardized test scores; for decision and deposit dates; for summer and fall semester plans; and more. NACAC
Career and Technology Center (CTC) for the 2020-2021 school year: The following programs have seats available: Advanced Floral Design, Agribusiness, Digital Design & Printing Methods/DDPM, Environmental and Landscape Design. No shadow required. Submit online application @ www.careertech.net. 2nd round applications are considered on a first come-first serve basis.
College Board: Access resources for college searches, student aid, AP test information, SAT dates and registration deadlines, and free practice in partnership with Khan Academy. The June 6, 2020 SAT has been cancelled. If safe, they will provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. CEEB/ETS High School Code: 210543 www.collegeboard.com
Summer Opportunity Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute offering 2 week on-line Architecture Career Discovery Program; Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 17, 2020. Register Now or contact Rensselaer Summer Programs Office at soaps@rpi.edu.
2020 ACT TEST DATES: ACT is offering additional summer ACT Test Date options and ACT Testing Online at Home, with remote proctoring to launch this fall/winter for U.S. students. For more information, see: ACT COVID-19 Update
Support Services: Students and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association. (MHA)
The MHA's Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting you to resources and information, dial 211.
With the physical facility closed, MHA's Walk-in Behavioral Health Services has moved to an online telehealth platform. The program, and the services it provides, remains the same in all other aspects; and will still provide comprehensive safety/wellness planning, resource information, and referrals as appropriate.
To access: Go to www.fcmha.org and click on the yellow banner at the top to access an intake form for the service. After completing and submitting the form, information to access the platform will be provided. This can be accessed via computer, tablet, or smartphone (must have access to internet/cellular data)
The Virtual Walk-in Behavioral Health Service is operational Monday - Friday from 10 AM - 10 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM - 6 PM.
Counselors are Available: We hope each of you are safe and healthy. If you need assistance from your school counselor, please contact us via email or Schoology:
Last Names A-C: Ms. Becker (Katherine.becker@fcps.org) Last Names D-I: Mr. O’Brien (Christopher.obien@fcps.org) Last Names J-Q: Ms. Larson (paula.larson@fcps.org) Last Names R-Z: Ms. Emery (Renata.emery@fcps.org)