December 18, 2020
News from the Principal's Desk
Dear Tuscarora Families,
Three important days remain next week in our lead up to winter break. Our focus as a school has been very much on 2nd semester and even next year's schedule. If you receive an automatic call from us in the coming days, it is because we need important information from your family specifically. We are still seeking some of our families to indicate their intention for whether their children will return to Hybrid Instruction or remain in Virtual Instruction beginning January 28, 2021. We must have a separate form for every student. If you have three students at Tuscarora, you will need to fill out three separate Google Forms. We thank you for helping us ensure that our cohorts are balanced and safe for the students who are returning. The parent/student intent form can be found at:
tinyurl.com/thsintent
Midterm Reports will be mailed out early next week to families of student who currently have a D or F in one course or more. Given that the US Mail is running extremely slowly these days, I would encourage you to check grade reports in Schoology at some point over the holiday, and have a conversation with your child about their progress in each class.
This is our final Newsletter for 2020. We will be back in the new year with a fresh look to the Tuscarora Friday Newsletter, and plenty of information as we move toward our Hybrid Reopening - safety protocols, policies and procedures, course schedules for 2nd Semester, and information about a Return to School Night for Parents and Student. Stay tuned as we prepare for many changes ahead.
On behalf of the entire Tuscarora staff, please allow me to wish you a peaceful and relaxing Winter Break. May our families enjoy time with one another, and look forward to better days ahead in 2021.
With Titan Pride,
Christopher Berry, Principal
Looking Ahead - The Weekly Calendar
Date
Event
Time
Saturday, December 19
Sunday, December 20
Monday, December 21
First Day of Winter
Virtual School Block 1
Virtual School Block 2
FLEX
Lunch
Student Support
Self Directed Student Work Time
8:30 - 9:50 AM
10 - 11:20 AM
11:30 AM - 12 PM
12 - 12:30 PM
12:30 - 1:45 PM
1:45 - 3:30 PM
Tuesday, December 22
Virtual School Block 3
Virtual School Block 4
Self Directed Student work Time
Wednesday, December 23
Interims Mailed
10 - 10:35 AM
10:40 - 11:15 AM
12:30 - 1:05PM
1:10 - 1:45 PM
Thursday, December 24
Schools Closed - Winter Break
Christmas Eve
Friday, December 25
Christmas Day
Saturday, December 26
Kwanzaa
Sunday, December 27
Monday, December 28
Tuesday, December 29
Wednesday, December 30
Thursday, December 31
Friday, January 1
Schools Closed - New Years Day
Saturday, January 2
Sunday, January 3
Monday, January 4
Unified Bocce at Catoctin High(No spectators)
4 PM
Tuesday, January 5
Boys Basketball Home vs. Middletown High (No spectators)
Girls Varsity Basketball Home vs. MHS (No spectators)
JV 6 PM, V 7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 6
Wrestling Home vs. Urbana High (No spectators)
6 PM
Thursday, January 7
Boys Basketball at Frederick High (No spectators)
Girls Varsity Basketball at Frederick High (No spectators)
Friday, January 8
Indoor Track at Urbana High ( No spectators)
Swimming vs. Urbana High at Walkersville High Pool (No spectators)
Saturday, January 9
Sunday, January 10
See the FCPS calendar.
*Dates and times are subject to change
Keeping You Informed - School News
PLTW Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Programs are offered at THS!
The application window for 2021-2022 is now open! Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, February 12, 2021.
Biomedical Science: Current 9th & 10th grade students are eligible to apply. Email Ms. Crowell (patricia.crowell@fcps.org) for more information. Check us out on twitter @THS_Biomed and our Google site.
Mark your calendars: Biomed will hold an informational Google meet for interested parents/students on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7pm. Google meet information will be updated closer to the date.
Biomed Application: https://forms.gle/resPev6TRd6s42vD7
Biomed Teacher Recommendation Form: https://forms.gle/VN3eB5AoWsUrpgFa6
Engineering: Email Mr. Miles (aaron.miles@fcps.org) for more information or CLICK HERE .
Engineering Application: - https://forms.gle/e6emKZQRXTpq1Trz6
Engineering Teacher Recommendation Form: https://forms.gle/vgsEutEgf44BxWH86
Review the PLTW Program Presentation for more info
FCC Dual Enrollment Open House
Attend one of the three virtual FCC Dual Enrollment Open House events via Google Meet to learn about all of the FCC Dual Enrollment opportunities for FCPS students: High School Based, Open Campus, Career Pathways, and Early College.
Open House dates are: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 7 PM Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 7 PM
Dual Enrollment courses allow you to earn college credits or industry credentials and your high school diploma simultaneously at a fraction of the normal cost. Your goals determine which option is best for you. Representatives from both FCC and FCPS will explain the benefits and requirements for each program
Register to attend one of three virtual sessions at https://tinyurl.com/FCCDualEnrollment
Contact the Dual Enrollment Office with any questions at DualEnrollment@frederick.edu
Safe and Sane Fundraiser
Support Safe and Sane and do your holiday shopping at the same time. Purchase gift Ecards for TEXAS ROADHOUSE from $10 to $100 using the link below and Safe and Sane will get 10% of the total sales...see online gift card fundraiser information HERE and gift card sales prize information HERE.
Then, look forward to using those gift cards, if you keep them, for a future fundraiser, where THS Safe and Sane will get an additional 10% back!!!
https://na.eventscloud.com/TuscaroraHSSAS
Meal Service During Winter Break
Due to the FCPS Winter Break, the schedule for FCPS Food and Nutrition Services meals distribution will be different from Wednesday, December 23 through Sunday, January 3. From 11 AM - 1 PM, all school and community locations will distribute 5 days' worth of to-go breakfast, lunch and supper meals on Wednesday, December 23 for Wednesday, December 23 through Sunday, December 27. From 10 AM-1 PM a limited number of locations (listed below) will also serve 2 days' worth of breakfast, lunch and supper on Monday, December 28 for Monday, December 28 and Tuesday, December 29. From 10 AM-1 PM a limited number of locations (listed below) will also serve 5 days' worth of breakfast, lunch and supper on Wednesday, December 30 for Wednesday, December 30 through Sunday, January 3.
These locations near the Tuscarora area will serve meals on Monday, December 28 and Wednesday, December 30: Ballenger Creek Elementary Brunswick Elementary Butterfly Ridge Elementary Centerville Elementary Crestwood Middle Governor Thomas Johnson High Lincoln Elementary Monocacy Elementary North Frederick Elementary Sugarloaf Elementary Waverley Elementary
Meal distribution will go back to the normal schedule on Monday, January 4. *Reminder: Children do not have to be enrolled in one of the schools listed above to participate. Any child 18 years old and younger can pick up meals at any of these locations. We also serve adults enrolled in an educational program for persons with disabilities. Adults can pick up food for a child. For details: www.fcps.org/meals
Titan Tutoring is Here for You!
Tuscarora has opening the Titan Tutoring/Extended Learning Opportunities. For the first term, we will have regular tutoring support for Math, English, Social Studies, Science, World Languages, Health/Physical Education, and Career & technology education! Supports starts at 4 PM, Monday through Friday, and goes until 8 PM, with support for most subjects daily. Students will be asked to sign in whenever they visit a class, and all school virtual learning policies still apply whenever students are in a Google Meet with teachers. Click the image below to go to the schedule:
Attention Students and Parents!
The THS yearbook needs your help! Thank you to all the parents and students who have responded to our requests for pictures and stories to include in this year's book! But, the year keeps going and we have a lot of pages to fill, so we are going to have to continue to respectfully ask that you consider getting involved and help us to tell YOUR story this year.
Please take a moment to look at the Link Tree account we have set up for the yearbook topics this year. We are updating topics each week and the links on our link tree open up google forms that you can use to send us pictures (cell phone pics are fine) and maybe a brief write up about the pics you submit.
Thank you from Mr. Hartman and the Remember the Titans Yearbook Staff
Link Tree Page: https://linktr.ee/THStitanyearbook
2021 Yearbook Sales Are Underway
Attention Titan Nation! Sales are officially open for the 2021 yearbook!
The books can be ordered at:
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
our school code is: 14640
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hartman at: Richard.hartman@fcps.org
Titan Assistance with Technology and Schoology
Virtual Learning can be a challenge, especially when technology or a Schoology question slows you down, or brings you to a stop. The solution for nearly every single Google issue in Schoology was found in the FCPS Troubleshooting Guide. For fast answers to your questions before calling the school or asking for assistance, this is a user-friendly guide. Please go to the link below, and bookmark it, or add the link to your toolbar.
Schoology Troubleshooting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OJWzxwXeSumMlev5Ac8_-B0aaKhW5_ofMvuRO3a1pws/edit
For general assistance with chromebooks and internet use, don't forget students and families have access to our Technology Help Page (found on our THS Website Home Page)
https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/ths-tech-news/home
Student Attendance Notes
If your child will be unable to attend Virtual School due to illness, doctor's appointments, or for any other reason, please communicate with THS via email:
THS.Attendance@fcps.org
Please include your child's name, grade, reason for absence and a phone number where the parent can be reached. Paper communication is ALSO acceptable if email is not an option. Call 240-236-6400 with any questions.
Congratulations, Commendations and Kudos
Staff Members of the Month of November
Your Titan November Staff Members of the Month are Ms. Koswenda and Mr. Wagner!
Ms. Koswenda is an English teacher who had this to share about her teaching experience, "This is my 5th year teaching and first year at Tuscarora. I have taught both middle and high school on the south side of Chicago in both suburban and urban settings."
Mr. Wagner is an Social Studies and Art teacher who shared this about his teaching career, "I began teaching in 1994 in upstate New York after graduating college with certifications in both art and social studies. I started my tenure in FCPS at Middletown H.S. in 2002 and transferred to Tuscarora H.S. in 2004, one year after the school opened and I had been hired as the school's first boys basketball coach (a position I held until 2010). As of 2018 I am once again teaching both social studies and art classes (after 17 years of teaching exclusively social studies classes)."
Ms. Koswenda and Mr. Wagner are both integral parts to the Titan community!
Titan Students of the Week
Each week, Tuscarora High School will honor two students of the week, chosen from the many student who were nominated by their teachers. One will recognize strong Titan character and work ethic, and the other will recognize strong scholarship. Here are this week's winners:
Titan Character of the Week: Vladimir Trejo Diaz
Nominated by Ms. Cooper
Comment: "I am so proud of his effort and hard work!"
Titan Scholar of the Week: Lauren Lawson
Nominated by Ms. Kremnitzer
Comment: "The entire semester has been one full of concerted effort on Lauren's behalf. She always submits quality work on time, checks in about her work, and is driven to make the most of our virtual learning experience. Lauren is the model student in the virtual environment. I'm consistently impressed by her."
Here is a list of all the nominees. If you have these students please take a moment to congratulate them!
Student First Name
Student Last Name
Staff Member Who Nominated This Student
Nilmar
Almeida
kierstin.rosensteel@fcps.org
Noa
Alo
jeffrey.feinberg@fcps.org
Emely
Arce Rivera
ellen.mcguinness@fcps.org
Briana
Balodis
cara.dawes@fcps.org
Stephanie
Bouda
katherine.aguirre@fcps.org
Jacob
Espinosa Medina
ashley.robinette@fcps.org
Shenalee
Fernando
sophia.hamilton@fcps.org
Steven
Flores Alvarenga
kristina.weber@fcps.org
Victoria
Hampton
patricia.crowell@fcps.org
Sean
Heare
elizabeth.geerlings@fcps.org
Madison
Hongmanivanh
Anika
Jergerman
Wesley
Kersey
Lauren
Lawson
amanda.kremnitzer@fcps.org
Natalie
Lepkowski
christine.banovic@fcps.org
Avery
Miller
Chloe
Nguyen
Raphael
Rodriguez
katherine.engelstatt@fcps.org
Luis
Rodriguez Perez
Kenan
Rodriquez
Miguel
Sosa
Kayla
Staton
Vladimir
Trejo Diaz
diane.cooper@fcps.org
Jackson
Van Tassell
maryrose.reed@fcps.org
Counseling Office Updates
Career & Technology Center Virtual Shadowing Is Now Open!
FCPS students in grades 9, 10 & 11 interested in learning more and/or applying to a program at the Career & Technology Center for the 2021-2022 school year can now sign up for a virtual shadow experience. November 12th - February 26th
Click here to request a virtual shadow: https://education.fcps.org/ctc/Shadowing
Click here to apply to the FCPS Career & Technology Center:
https://education.fcps.org/ctc/APPLY
Note: Shadowing is a requirement to apply.
Click here to learn more about the FCPS Career & Technology Center admissions process: https://education.fcps.org/ctc/Admissions
The Career and Technology Center (CTC) is part of the Frederick County Public Schools system. With more than 24 programs to choose from, students have the opportunity to gain college and career experience in a variety of areas.
For additional information about the CTC, the application process and more go to http://education.fcps.org/ctc/, email Kristen.Daly@fcps.org or call 240-236-8493.
FAFSA Virtual Finish Event
A number of community partners are bringing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Finish Virtual Events to the community this fall to provide students and parents with assistance in completing the FAFSA. These virtual appointments are also available to assist families in completing the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA), which allows qualified children of undocumented immigrants who qualify for in-state tuition under §15-106.8 of the MD Education Article to apply and be considered for certain types of state need-based financial aid.
During these virtual appointments, a financial aid expert will work with students and parents in completing these applications and will be available to answer any questions. FAFSA and MSFAA applications must be completed by March 1, 2021 for a student to be considered for state-based financial aid. For more information and to request an appointment, visit: www.FrederickCountyGives.org/fafsa
Counselor Breakdown by Student Last Name
A-Cr Danielle Moore Cs-Ja/ L4L/ Pyramid William Gill Jb-M Carla Goto N-Se Kay Wilson Sf-Z Joshua Harrison
English Learner Diane Cooper
Internships, Scholarships, Service and Job Opportunities
Maryland Youth Apprenticeships
Current Juniors and Seniors:
Positions for the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program will be posted on Monday, December 7 at www.fcpsyouthapprentice.org.
All applications are due to Mrs. Mummert by Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Application materials are available on the website and require an application, resume, cover letter, and teacher recommendation.
Contact Mrs. Mummert at lizabeth.mummert@fcps.org with any questions.
Science and Engineering Internship Opportunity
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at Carderock. SEAP provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer. Here is the link with information https://seap.asee.org/
Financial Aid with FCC
High school seniors: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at www.fafsa.gov on October 1, 2020. Please be sure to check with colleges for deadlines. For any Maryland State financial aid, the deadline is March 1, 2021. The FCC Office of Financial Aid is open, remotely, 8:30 am- 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. You can contact them at financialaid@frederick.edu or (301) 846-2658. For FCC scholarship information or questions, contact mthornton@frederick.edu .
Ways to Pay for College
Join the Maryland State Department of Education and Mario Armstrong as he guides you through the twists and turns of finding money for college, and meet Maryland students as they share their own financial aid success stories. This hour special contains interviews with college financial aid advisors and experts that can answer viewer questions. Here is the link to access the program: https://youtu.be/LB-BW3Zwk_c?t=8
Johns Hopkins BioMedical Innovation Course
Johns Hopkins is offering 3-credit college course: EN.500.130: Biomedical Engineering Innovation, January 25 – April 23, 2021. To be eligible, you must have completed the following prior to starting the course: Algebra 2, a class that covered the trigonometric functions, Chemistry and/or Physics and have As and Bs in your high school math and science classes. If interested, apply at https://ei.jhu.edu/apply/application-materials/
Senior Class of 2021 News
TITAN SENIOR NEWS
Listed below are important dates and information for the Class of 2021.
Visit the THS Senior Page for up-to-date Senior Information -
https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2021/home
Twitter Account: @tuscarorahs21
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ths21seniors/
Email: ths21@yahoo.com
Senior Class Advisors: Judith Jorgensen, Carrie Palmer, & Aaron Miles Contact Information
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Gown Package and Payment
The deadline to order caps/gowns is January 15th. The form that students completed earlier in the school year provided information for the gowns to be created, but students must still choose a cap/gown package and pay for it. Students can order using the mail-in packet or online.
More information here: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2021/gowns
Deadline: February 1, 2021
Senior Quotes for the Yearbook
Seniors please fill out this form to have your senior quote included in the yearbook.
Deadline:
May 2, 2021
Senior Class 2021 Video
How have you and your classmates grown over the years? What was it like when you were young and silly, and what image captures you and your friends today?
Please submit no more than 3 photos for the senior video.
** Please label the photos with the name of the student and age.
You will receive a confirmation email that your photos were received. If you do not receive a confirmation in 7 days, please check the email address and resubmit.
Submit photos to ths21@yahoo.com.
Submit music requests to https://tinyurl.com/2021seniorvideomusic
If you have any questions, please contact judith.jorgensen@fcps.org or email the address above: ths21@yahoo.com.
Media Center Updates
Media Center Hours and Contact
Media Center Website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/mediacenter
Media Center Twitter: @mediacenterTHS
Check out the virtual THS Library Media Center at tinyurl.com/thslibrarymediacenter
Weekly Media Center News
Check out this week's media center news.
https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/mediacenternews2020/december-18
Take a look at this week's media center news. Our Book of the Week is American Street by Ibi Zoboi. Also featured is a collection of holiday books available on our reading app, Sora.
Daily Announcements
Daily recorded Tuscarora High School student announcements can be found on the homepage of the THS website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/
Visit Our Online Resources
PTSA and Booster Organizations
PTSA News
The PTSA has launched a new website. If you are looking for board members or meeting dates, the PTSA website has that information. Not a member of the PTSA yet? Find out all about membership and joining the PTSA, as well purchasing a membership and making donations. Memberships and donations fund grants, scholarships, staff appreciation, and PTSA programs.
Get connected - Follow us on:
Twitter @tuscarorahsptsa Instagram @tuscarorahsptsa Facebook @THSptsa14 Email: TuscaroraHighPTSA@gmail.com
Athletic Boosters - Our Titans Need your Help and Support!
FCPS Athletics is a MD State Leader! We are one of the ONLY local counties to have any sort of athletics occurring right now! The student athletes are having a blast, seeing their teammates, connecting with their coaches and staying safe! However, there are no competitions, and therefore, no athletic budget (which comes solely from gate receipts). The state is now looking at the possibilities of incorporating three shortened seasons in the spring, and there is a lot of work to be done to prepare and plan for such a non-traditional plan for interscholastic athletics. Please consider joining us to be a part of the solution. Our teams, our coaches, and most importantly, your students NEED our support and positivity now and this upcoming year. The loss of a traditional fall and winter ticket gate means the serious loss of all athletic funding. Come help us determine how we can/will be able to support ALL athletic teams moving forward.
BE A PART OF THE 2020-21 THS ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB!
As we prepare for whatever HS Athletics will look like during the upcoming year, the THS Athletic Boosters wants your input, welcomes your ideas, and needs your support. With the uncertainty of the upcoming year and the current financial conditions, this is the best possible way to help support the student athletes at Tuscarora. Each and every program is going to need our help navigating this year.
Click Here to Join the Booster Club!
Learn More
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
Mental Health / SEL Resources 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
Phone 211 or 301-663-0011
Location: 226 South Jefferson Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 10:00am – 10:00pm Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
For Telephone Support: Call 211 or 301-662-2255,
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week www.fcmha.org
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
Substance Use Concerns: https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/131/Behavioral-Health-Services
Office Phone: 301-600-1755
Alateen: http://www.alateenmddc.com/alateen-meetings-in-this-area/
Alanon: https://sites.google.com/view/afg24district2/electronic-meetings-temporary?authuser=0
Community Food Resources
Brunswick Food Bank: Drive through service at the American Legion, 18 South Maple Ave., Brunswick, MD 21716 Drive through only. Thursdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Contact 301-834-9718
Frederick Community Action Agency: George L. Shields Foodbank, 14 E. All Saints St., Frederick, MD 21710
Food Bank: Mon, Tu, Thu, Fri, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Soup Kitchen: Daily 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
Carry-out only. Contact 301-600-1506
Frederick Rescue Mission: 419 South St. Frederick, MD 21701
Meals to Go:
Breakfast Mondays - Sundays 7:00 - 8:00 AM;
Lunch Mondays - Saturdays 12:00 - 1:30 PM and Sundays 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
Food Distribution Pantry Center Tu and Wed, 1:30 - 3:30 PM; Thu 2:00 - 6:00 PM Food Pantry Closed Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Contact 301-695-6633
Jefferson Food Bank: 3866 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755 First and third Saturdays of each month, 10:00 - 11:30 AM. Contact 301-371-5721
Titan Health and Wellness
Health Room Technician: Bruce Thompson School Nurse: Tae Ju, RN Health Room: 240-236-6400, option 4
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 Andrew McWilliams Robert Nutter Jody Ratti Tanisha Smith Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
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