June 18, 2020
News from the Principal's Desk
Dear Tuscarora Families,
This is the final issue of the Tuscarora High newsletter for this school year. To say it has been an eventful spring seemingly doesn't seem to cover the journey that we've been on. But I am proud to say that the overwhelming majority of Tuscarora students and families rose to the occasion this spring, managing to find a way to learn and stay connected to the school community. For that, I am grateful.
All FCPS school building will continue to remain closed to the public until Monday, August 3. While staff will periodically be in the building, we are not available to retrieve or drop off items or for appointments. We will return phone messages that are left at the school, and certainly those staff members who normally work during the summer months (administrators, 11 month counselors) will return email and phone messages. We appreciate your patience with routine requests and the recognition that it is still not "business as usual" in our buildings.
We successfully concluded the collection of items from students in Grades 9-11 this week, and distributed diplomas and other information to seniors. We will be in touch with families that have not returned school materials in August, as these will be important to receive at an appropriate time. Please do not attempt return items to retrieve items until after August 3.
Find Out First will be offline from June 22 to approximately mid-July. Don't panic if you aren't receiving your daily messages from us. It is because FCPS will be conducting its annual routine maintenance and upgrades to the Find Out First system. We will return with messages in late July. Please see the message from FCPS concerning FOF below.
It's hard to not end one chapter without starting the next. We are just beginning to examine the details of the new school year, and what changes we will be directed to make in response to COVID-19. I will continue to keep you posted with details as they are determined, in conjunction with the decisions of the State of Maryland, Frederick County and FCPS. Change is hard, but flexibility is a skill we are all practicing to a greater degree these days. We will continue to do what is best for the students of Tuscarora High School, but also ask for your continued flexibility and patience as we move forward.
I wish you and your family good health in the weeks ahead. It has been a pleasure to have good partners in our community in the form or parents, guardians, family members, all in support of your students. Enjoy the summer sunshine, and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall!
With Titan Pride,
Christopher Berry
Principal
Keeping You Informed - School News
A Message From The Tuscarora Titan Staff to All Underclass Students
Tuscarora underclassmen, the staff at THS have missed your greatly these past few months. Many of them have messages for you as we start our summer vacation. Please take a few minutes to watch this video. Have a great summer! Check out this link:
https://youtu.be/znBiW5D9SFY
An Important Message from the FCPS Superintendent of Schools
Recently, FCPS administrators have responded to concerns raised about racially motivated postings by FCPS students on various social media platforms. We understand that emotions are high as a result of recent incidents in the news regarding protests for racial justice around the world in response to the death of George Floyd and similar examples of social injustice.
We believe engaging in respectful, meaningful dialogue between students and staff is healthy and can prove beneficial to building bridges to a stronger community through exploring and understanding our differences. However, we cannot ignore or accept racially charged threats and disrespectful social media postings.
This message serves to remind FCPS staff and students of our Aspirational Goal 5: FCPS will promote a culture fostering wellness and civility for students and staff. Furthermore, under Priority 9: FCPS will promote and maintain a safe and respectful environment. In addition, we recommend a review of Board of Education Policy 309 - Discrimination and Harassment. The purpose of this policy is to provide an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on a person's membership in a protected class.
Our staff is available to support our students by listening with empathy and assisting with developing skills to have difficult conversations while avoiding direct personal attacks. It is our desire to assist our students through this difficult time; however, we will not tolerate racially disparaging remarks or threats to the health and safety of a student. We will cooperate with law enforcement to address incidents of this magnitude.
Dialogues about the social unrest in our country are not easy. We are recommending the below resource to assist families with these discussions with their children: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZLJZStZ_ikoJwPZdB0CS2_4fsMD25ouHP0cZt08Hi3k/edit
We are all a part of the FCPS community, and every student has a right to a safe and respectful school experience as a part of the promise of public education. It is FCPS's desire to nurture healthy relationships amongst our students through the development of tools that will foster a future world where true equality, inclusion and peace will exist and our country can grow stronger together.
Find Out First Will be Offline
This is a reminder to parents that there is no need to update your FindOutFirst school or grade-level for the new school year! FOF will automatically refresh all parents' school and grade-level data from the FCPS Student Information System (eSchool).
Timeline: FCPS expects to transition student data to the new school year by early July. FOF will perform annual maintenance at that time. We will send you an email notice in mid-July when the changes are completed, so you can check your FOF account then and make any other news selections you'd like for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools will not be sending FOF notices about the new school year until after mid-July, as they will only be able to reach their 2019-2020 families.
Have a wonderful summer break from the school year! While FOF is offline June 26-July 15, check www.fcps.org/update for news. FCPS will also post information about the 2020-2021 school year on or about July 15 at www.fcps.org/backtoschool.
Update on Spring Sports Pictures
The Athletic department has provided Lifetouch with athlete addresses and Lifetouch has just begun the process of shipping spring sports pictures to individual homes. We thank everyone for their patience with this matter.
FCPL Summer Reading Challenges
The FCPL Summer Reading Challenges starts today! View this slideshow for more information. You can also share it with your students.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TJczPdKM9ClLnJ4NI5ClEazTXe1fRpKPExFQyhKHnxA/edit?usp=sharing
FCPL Summer Reading Challenge - Google Slides
docs.google.com
FCPL Summer Reading Challenge
2020 SUMMER SESSION LEARNING--HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT The FCPS Frederick County Virtual School (FCVS) oversees virtual courses for high school credit. Course offerings are restricted to a modified Partially Online Summer Session (POSS) Model due to COVID-19 social distancing precautions. POSS is designed for FCPS high school students who are independent, self-motivated learners. POSS offers honors and elective courses for grade improvement or original credit. Students must be currently enrolled and entering 9th-12th grade with consistent access to a computer device and high-speed internet. There will be no face-to-face sessions this summer. Students will need to work independently 20-25 hours/week and participate in video conferencing sessions as required by the teacher.
Find details and registration materials at https://education.fcps.org/fcvs/ by selecting "Summer Session Learning Options. "See "High School" or "Middle School" (based on your current level) to access the correct packet. Deadline: Completed forms must reach your school counselor via email before 3 PM, Thursday, June 11. Do not delay! Enrollment is limited.
Internships, Scholarships, Service and Job Opportunities
Mount St. Mary's University Summer Offerings
During this unprecedented interruption to education during the Covid 19 pandemic, Mount St. Mary’s University is offering a variety of summer offerings perfect for rising and current high school seniors who wish to begin earning credits from an accredited four-year university. Our regional accreditation ensures that Mount courses will transfer to any university across the United States. The courses, offered remotely, include options in humanities, business and STEM. Last, and perhaps most important, students can take a three credit course for $550.00 during Summer, 2020. We are offering this special pricing to support high school students and their families who may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
https://msmary.edu/admissions/summer-courses.html
Youth WORKS! 2020 Summer Jobs Program
For youth between the ages of 14 and 21, looking for a part-time summer job. For six weeks, July 13 - August 21, this summer you can earn a paycheck, learn valuable new skills, and get that job experience for your resume! Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements listed below.
ELIGIBILITY
Students eligible to apply for this program must be Frederick County residents between the ages of 14 and 21 with one (or more) of the following barriers to employment:
Low-income family status
Possessing one or more disabilities
Receiving assistance from Social Services
Enrolled in the Foster Care system
Connected with the juvenile justice system
Participating in Special Education
For more information please go to http://www.frederickworks.com/summer
United Way of Frederick County's Summer Serve
For youth ages 12-17 in volunteer service projects at various nonprofit agencies throughout Frederick County. The program provides participants a comprehensive understanding of areas of need in our community.
Summer Serve 2020 Dates
Session 1: June 22-26 and July 6-10 (week of June 29 - July 3 off for 4th of July holiday)
Session 2: July 13-17 and July 20-24
Session 3: July 27-31 and August 3-7
Leadership Week: August 10-14 (if you participate in any of the above Summer Serve sessions)
Scholarships Are Available!
To see if you qualify for scholarships or more information on Summer Serve and to register, visit http://www.unitedwayfrederick.org/summerserve.
Counseling Office Updates
Common Black College Application Information
Mr. Robert Mason, founder of the Common Black College Application (CBCA) is sharing seven upcoming college fairs. The college fairs will be held from July 2020 through March 2021. Also, a friendly reminder for a limited time the cost of the CBCA is now $20 to apply to 55 colleges and universities. Here is the link for students to access the application - https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/. If there are any questions, contact Mr. Mason at robert.mason@commonblackcollegeap.
Complete List of Support Services During COVID-19
COVID-19 Information
Frederick County Health Department https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=271
Maryland Department of Health https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/
Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Frederick County Health Department
Program Guide: https://md-frederickcountyhealth.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1310/FCHD-Brochure-May-2017?bidld
Community Health Services: 301-600-1733
Healthcare Connection and Preparedness: 301-600-8888
School Health Services: 301-600-3312
Women, Infants and Children (WIC): 301-600-2507
Frederick Health Hospital: 240-566-3300
Community Agencies
Frederick Community Action Agency www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/183/Frederick-Community-Action-Agency
301-600-1506 or 301-600-3955
Frederick County Department of Social Services: 301-600-4555
Heartly House: support for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Crisis Hotline 301-662-8800 https://www.heartlyhouse.org
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs: 301-631-2670
Salvation Army: 301-662-2311
Student Homelessness Initiative: Phone- 240-415-8971 Email- info@shipfrederick.com
American Red Cross: 301-739-0717 1131 Conrad Ct, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Mental Health/SEL Resources:
Our world has shifted dramatically over the past few weeks. Students and 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.
Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Services (a comprehensive online guide to local resources) https://fcmha.org/mhaguide
Virtual Walk-in Behavioral Health Services (crisis support).
Click on the link to schedule a virtual appointment during COVID-19 related closures: https://fcmha.org/coronavirus or reach us by phone 211 or 301-663-0011.
Frederick County Health Department Elderly Mental Health Outreach (grant funded counseling program ages 60 and older) https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/541/Ederly-Mental-Health-Outreach
Office phone: 301-600-11029
Substance use concerns, all ages https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/131/Behavioral-Health-Services
Office phone: 301-600-1755
FCPS Coordinator of Mental Health Services: 301-600-5306
Anxiety - https://adaa.org/
Depression - https://www.samhsa.gov/
Cyberbullying - www.fcps.org/academics/stop-bullying
Academic Resources
Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/
College Board / SAT / AP - https://www.collegeboard.org/
ACT - https://www.act.org/
Virtual Field Trips - https://www.discoveryeducation.com/community/virtual-field-trips/
PTSA and Booster Organizations
Safe and Sane Cancellation
It's with great regret that the THS Class of 2020 Safe and Sane All-Night Graduation Party will not take place this year. After nearly nine months of planning, each and every member of the parent planning committee was working hard to find a way to give our graduates a fantastic all-night celebration. The Planning Committee talked and discussed many different scenarios, but simply couldn't find a safe (within the social restrictions and precautionary guidelines) option to gather the students for this event.
However, we hope to be celebrating the THS Class of 2020 graduates at a later date. The parent party planning committee is still working out the details.
Our seniors have missed out on so many milestones this spring: prom, awards nights, spring performances and concerts, spring sports and activities, and much more. We certainly can't make up for them missing these special experiences, but we are hoping each graduate will know they have an entire community who wishes them the best for their future and wants to celebrate their THS achievements and graduation.
If you have registered your student for the Safe and Sane party, you will be contacted about receiving a refund. If you wish to donate your registration fees to the future event funds, you may indicate this when contacted.
Thank you for your support of the Class of 2020!!
PRINCIPAL Christopher Berry TUSCARORA HIGH 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703 240-236-6400 Phone 240-236-6401 Fax
Follow Us on Twitter @THSTitanPride Visit Our Website
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Helen Golibart Cynthia Hanlon Jody Ratti Tanisha Smith Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
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