August 20, 2021
Message From The Principal's Desk
Dear Titan Families,
Happy New Year, Titans! It seems strange to say that in the sweltering heat of August, but those of us who work in schools tend to measure the passage of time a little differently. August 18th was the beginning of our new school year, and the entire Titan staff was excited to welcome back all of our students for the first time in seventeen months. For the majority of our students, it has been about relearning the patterns and routines of in-school learning and how to be successful in the face-to-face world of education. And, of course, we still have elements of COVID safety that have altered our routines. But despite the hurdles that have been placed in our way, it is palpable – our students are excited to be here, they have quickly adapted to new expectations, and our staff are eager to meet them where they are, full of possibilities. There is something to be said about new supplies, new classes and new teachers. There is something exciting about figuring out if your friends are in your classes, and what the teacher is like. There is still something exciting about going to high school for the first time, if your child happens to be a ninth grader. As Titans, we are committed to making in-person learning a positive experience for our students. We will all learn together, learn from our mistakes, and work diligently to make school feel like school again. Welcome to the 1st Semester!
While we are happy to be back fully in person, COVID remains an everpresent concern that we are working to protect our students and staff against. I have been pleased that our students have adhered to the mandatory mask policy. Universal masking remains our most important mitigation strategy for the virus. But equally as important for parents to consider is this - if you child is displaying ANY COVID-like symptoms, please do not send them to school. We have already had instances this week where students came to school with clear symptoms, and ultimately tested COVID positive. Our mantra is this: "When it doubt, keep them out," Students will have the ability to keep up with schoolwork to a larger degree using Schoology. But to paraphrase the old adage, an ounce of prevention might prevent a good deal of serious illness among our students and staff. Likewise, when students have had close contact with a COVID positive students, those who have been vaccinated and are symptom free will be allowed to return to school immediately. Those who have no been vaccinated will be required to quarantine for ten calendar days. Vaccines work! If you have not already, please give strong consideration to having your child fully vaccinated.
Each Friday, we bring you The Titan Weekly. It is a must-read to have a strong sense of what is going on at Tuscarora. We bring you information you need, how to be prepared for all aspects of high school, and highlights of great things going on with our students and staff. Find Out First and Schoology are the primary ways that we communicate with our families, and this weekly wrap-up allows you a window into the world Tuscarora. We would also encourage you to check our webpage frequently for updates, and follow the school on social media for even more up-to-the-minute news at @thstitanpride. This issue contains a number of resources to get your school year started on the right foot.
With Titan Pride,
Christopher Berry
Principal
Looking Ahead - The Weekly Calendar
Here is the updated Weekly Calendar for Tuscarora High School and FCPS.*
5:00 PM
6:30 PM
Life Touch Make-Up Senior Portraits
Unified Tennis Meeting
Athletic Boosters Meeting
*Dates and times are subject to change.
See FCPS Calendar
Student Attendance Notes
If your child will be unable to attend school due to illness, doctor's appointments, or for any other reason, please communicate with THS via email:
THS.Attendance@fcps.org
Keeping You Informed - School News
IMPORTANT! Student Emergency Information
This past Wednesday, August 18, parents/guardians received an email from FCPS NoReply. This email provided instructions on how to use the secure online portal to provide updated student information for the coming school year. This online process replaces the paper Student Information Cards of the past. It is critical that Tuscarora High School have accurate contact information from all parent/guardians/emergency contacts! If you have not already, please take a few minutes to look back on your email from Wednesday, and complete the online form as soon as possible.
Sample Email Heading - Be on the lookout for..
From Address:FCPS
NoReplynoreplyregistration@powerschool.com
Subject: Student Information Form
Face Coverings Required
Frederick County Public Schools will be requiring all students and staff to wear face coverings inside our schools for the start of the 2021-22 school year. There will be no requirement to wear face coverings outdoors; however, it is strongly recommended particularly for those who are unvaccinated. The requirement to wear face coverings on school buses continues to be in effect. More detailed information about this requirement is provided in The Superintendent's Update, found at this weblink: FCPS Face Covering Details.
Schoology Parent Group
Calling all THS Parents!! Join the Schoology group for Parents: Tuscarora High School Parents 2021-2022. In this group you will have access to important informaton related to THS and have the ability to ask questions!
How to Join: Click Groups (top menu in blue on Schoology) - Click My Groups (right side) - Click Join a Group (right side) - enter access code.The access code to join the group is GNZS-X4HQ-CRN3T.
Please reach out to judith.jorgensen@fcps.org with any questions.
Free and Reduced Meals and Services
If you still need Free and Reduced Meal Applications, please email RoShaun.Dorsey@fcps.org or call the Main Office at 240-236-6400 with the number of applications that you need. Be sure to specify English or Spanish.
National Honor Society
All Juniors and Seniors with a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to apply for NHS membership. Postcards were mailed home to students and provided a Schoology group code. If you believe you are eligible and do not receive a postcard in the mail by this Saturday, the student should email Mrs. McGrew (karen.mcgrew@fcps.org) by Monday to access the group. Electronic communication is preferred so we can respond with the Schoology access code.
Important Yearbook and Picture Day information for Titan Nation!
Welcome back to the 2022 school year! We have several announcements related to yearbooks and picture days.
Senior Make Up days are happening next week!
August 23rd and 24th are scheduled for Senior pictures here at THS. Students who missed the July dates should have been automatically rescheduled and they should have received confirmation from our photography provider. If a student is unsure of whether or not they are scheduled, or they can’t recall their day or time, they MUST contact out photography provider directly at: 800-445-1191.
Please be aware that there is a sitting fee associated with Senior portraits, information on that can also be obtained from out photography provider.
Please note: Mr. Hartman is not responsible for scheduling Senior portraits, that must go through the company. Also please note that he doesn’t have information concerning portrait costs or sitting fees, that information is only available through our photography provider.
We will have at least one more make up day scheduled for seniors but we will not know the details on that until we get final tallies for next week’s sittings.
Yearbook Sales are officially open!
Every year we offer an ‘Early Bird’ special. This is the lowest price-point at which a book can be purchased. The special runs from now through October 15th. Books can be ordered at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
Our School Code is: 14640
Underclass Portraits are coming up soon!
Underclass pictures are scheduled for September 8th. Students will be scheduled by Mr. Hartman and his Yearbook staff. Picture passes will be distributed in Flex classes on Wednesday September 1st. There will be an additional underclass picture day held on October 14th.
From the Health Room
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Room will schedule appointments for parents to drop off medications and/or medical supplies for their student. No medicine/supplies will be accepted without a pre-scheduled appointment. To schedule an appointment please call the health room at 240-236-6424. Students are not permitted to self carry prescription or over the counter medications without the registered nurse’s evaluation. All medications need to be dropped off by parents with accompanying authorization forms completed.
Titan Tutoring
Titan Tutoring will be both in-person and virtual this year. More information will be coming at a later date.
Dress Code Reminder
Please remember that short shorts, short dresses, strapless tops, and low-cut muscle shirts/tank tops are not permitted. At no time should bellies or undergarments be visible. Hats and other head coverings are also not permitted. Since the temperature varies throughout the building, students are encouraged to bring a sweatshirt or wrap of some kind even on warm days. To review the FCPS Dress Code Policy, go to Policy 439, Dress Code for Students.
Congratulations, Commendations & Kudos
Coming Soon! The Congratulations, Commendations and Kudos section of The Titan Weekly will highlight notable individual student achievements, group and organization achievement, and the student of the week nominations. Stay tuned!
Counseling Office Update
Senior Information Night
Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Counselor Breakdown by Student Last Name A-C Danielle Moore D-Ja William Gill Jb-M Carla Goto N-Se Diane Cooper Sf-Z, L4L Joshua Harrison
EL Amy Pearre
Internships, Scholarships, Service & Job Opps
Aviation Education & Career Expo
Friday, October 29th, 2021
Leesburg Executive Airport -957 Sycolin Rd.- Leesburg, VA 20175
877.Pro.Jet1 or 703.889.8558 expo@projetaviation.com
You are invited to attend the 15th Annual Aviation Education & Career Expo “VISION 20/21”, hosted by ProJet Aviation, in Leesburg, VA. Date: Friday, October 29th, 2021 (9am – 2pm). This event is geared toward high school and college level students. We want to introduce students to the vast array of career opportunities within the aviation industry. The day is packed with industry leaders, aircraft displays, guest speakers, amazing prizes, demonstrations, and scholarships! To date: We have awarded over $1.2 Million Dollars in aviation education and flight training scholarships! We will change their destiny!
Some of the vendors and careers that will be represented include:
NASA * Pilots * Flight Attendants * Medevac Flight Nurses * Avionics Companies * Coast Guard Search & Rescue * Maintenance Mechanics * Air Charter Operators * Homeland Security * NTSB* Air Traffic Controllers* FAA* Military * Aircraft Sales * Publications * Hospitality * Transportation Security * Agricultural Aviation * Flight Instruction * Aviation Fuel * Aerial Mapping * Corporate Flight Departments * In-Flight Catering * FBI *and so much more! The entire day is FREE of charge and includes lunch!
If interested, please contact Mrs. Goto at carla.goto@fcps.org
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=
Titan Athletics
Fall Sports Update Fall Sports are underway! Tryouts have ended, teams have been selected and schedules are being finalized. This is an exciting time in Athletics – we are so very happy to see all of our student athletes back on the court/field/track and course. A few notes to remember as we get ready for a fantastic fall season:
Senior Class of 2022
THS Senior Page: Seniors 2022
Twitter Account: tuscarorahs22
Email: ths2022@yahoo.com
Senior Class Advisors: Judith Jorgensen, Carrie Palmer, & Aaron Miles
9/22/21
Claire's Gourmet Fundraiser Kick-off
Questions
If you have any questions please go to the senior website.
https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2022/home
News From the Titan Media Center
August in the Media Center
Click on this link to activate the image above.
Media Center Hours and Contact
Media Center Website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/mediacenter
Media Center Twitter: @mediacenterTHS
Daily Announcements
Daily recorded Tuscarora High School student announcements can be found on the homepage of the THS website.
Visit Our Online Resources
PTSA and Titan Booster Organization
PTSA News
PTSA Membership
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
COVID Resources
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
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).
https://fcmha.org/coronavirus
Phone 211 or 301-663-0011
Location: 226 South Jefferson Street, Frederick, MD 21701
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
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
Helpful Links
School Cash Online
Menus & Meals
Grades Online
FCPS Website
THS Past Newsletters
Contact us
Chistopher Berry - Principal
Andrew McWilliams - Asst Principal
Robert Nulter - Asst Principal
Jodi Ratti - Asst Principal
Tanisha Smith - Asst Principal
5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703
240-236-6400 - Phone
240-236-6401 - Facsimile