September 7, 2018
News from Principal Christopher Berry
From the Principal's Desk Happy New Year! That may sound strange to hear in September, but for those of us whose life is geared around the school calendar, it is indeed a new year. I’m very pleased that we are all back into our regular school routines, as we welcomed new and returning students to Tuscarora this past Tuesday. Each week on Friday, we provide our community with an informative newsletter. We strive to give you accurate information and schedules, reminders on important school events and routines, news about how you can be involved, and a spotlight on our students, staff and alumni. There is positive news to be shared each week, and I look forward to bringing it to you.
The year at Tuscarora has gotten off to a smooth and positive start. Titan students have quickly fallen in new and familiar routines, with the excitement of new subjects, teachers and the promise of what lies ahead. Today during Flex, we provided students a plethora of tables with information about all of the activities and clubs here at Tuscarora. There is absolutely an activity for every student here at THS, and several studies have proven what seems to be common sense: a student who is engaged with his peers and adults in an activity outside the classroom does better academically and socially inside the classroom. Talk to your student about it this weekend. What activity did they see that interested them? How can they gett plugged into something fun and exciting right away, if they aren’t already?
As I filled out my own children’s pile of “first day cards”, information and permission forms, it reminded me how we bury parents with paper this first week. One form I’m going to ask that you pay close attention to this year: the emergency contact information form. In today’s ever-changing world, it is vitally important that we have accurate contact information and emergency contact information for all families. This year, for the first time, Find Out First can only be added or updated, if you contact Tuscarora and provide new contact information. So much of what we send out happens these days online or via email. Hard copy mail is almost a thing of the past. Please make sure if you get a new phone number or email address that you contact the school and pass it on to us.
As always, the administrative team is happy to chat with you if you have a concern or question you’d like to discuss. We are very fortunate to have two new members of the Tuscarora Administrative Team this year. Tanisha Smith comes to us from Walkersville High School with over 20 years of experience. Jody Ratti brings a wealth of instructional experience, most recently in Anne Arundel County. We welcome both Mr. Ratti and Ms. Smith and our return administrators, Ms. Golibart, Mr. Milliman (Special Programs) and Ms. Lisa Smith. The new alphabet breakdown of student by administrators is as follows:
A-D Lisa Smith
E-L Helen Golibart
M-Ro Tanisha Smith
Ru-Z Jody Ratti
Special Prog John Milliman
Thank you for a great first week, Tuscarora! We look forward to a productive and creative 2018-19 school year! Sincerly,
Christopher Berry Principal
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Saturday, September 8
ACT at THS International Literacy Day
Sunday, September 9
National Grandparents Day Rosh Hashanah (Begins at Sunset)
Monday, September 10
Schools Closed ~ Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, September 11
Patriot Day: Anniversary of 2001 Attack Rosh Hashanah (Ends at Sunset) Guidance Senior Night, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 12
Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 6:00 PM Fall Athletic Teams Picture Day Underclass Picture Day Robotics Informational Meeting, Media Center, 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 13
FCPS CommUNITY Resource Fair at THS
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
Robotics Team Tuscarora High School's CyberTitans would like to invite all interested students in joining the robotics team.
Students get the opportunity to work with professional engineers, to design, build, and program a 120-pound robot to compete against others from around the world. No skills required, but desire to learn is! If interested, please do one of the following listed below.
Send Questions to Coach at joshua.holmes@fcps.org
Apply online at cybertitans3793.com/apply.html
Come to Informational Meeting on September 12 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm at Tuscarora High in Media Center Picture Day
Underclass Picture day is next Wednesday, September 12th! Picture day passes and order forms will be distributed on Friday September 7th during FLEX. Students will need a picture pass to be released from class. If there are any issues (lost passes or time slots that don’t work) please contact Mr. Hartman at: Richard.hartman@fcps.org, 240-236-6466, or simply stop by his room A-202 Service Animal
Tuscarora High School is welcoming a service animal for the new school year, 2018-2019. A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. A student at Tuscarora High School has a service animal.
Please keep in mind that service animals work and perform tasks and are not pets. Some tips to remember when interacting with service animals include:
Should you have questions regarding service animals you can refer to FCPS Regulation 200-19 or contact Assistant Principal Lisa Smith at Tuscarora High School .
National English Honor Society Titan Reading Buddies will be visiting Ballenger Creek Elementary and Tuscarora Elementary once a month on Fridays during FLEX to read and share the love of literacy with future Titans. This service opportunity is open to all Tuscarora High School students. To take part please pick up a bus permission slip in room B209.
The National English Honor Society is now accepting applications. Students who have completed two high school English classes and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply.
Becoming part of the National English Honor Society has a one-time induction fee of $10. This covers national registration, a certificate and full society benefits including eligibility for scholarships and writing awards, participation in regional and national events, and access to the NEHS Museletter. Through involvement with the Tuscarora NEHS chapter, you will receive opportunities to advance the study of language and literature, to develop skills in creative and analytical writing, and to meet others who share your accomplishments in the discipline of English. Applications are due on Oct. 1, 2018 to Mrs. Kowalski in B209. Here is a link to the application https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-pO1_z5LiB67Yn8zPA4DeMRBt3yah_Yt_4OolOxuTfE/edit?usp=sharing National Honor Society The THS Chapter of the National Honor Society recently mailed postcards to all juniors and seniors with a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher inviting them to complete this year's candidate form. NHS forms and additional information are located on the THS website under the Extracurricular and Co-curricular tabs. Students who need assistance or additional information are asked to speak to an adviser. Advisers are Mrs. McGrew in room A178 or Miss Crowell in B127.
Internships, Jobs, and Scholarships
Work Based Learning Current juniors and seniors: Youth Apprenticeship openings are now posted for the school year. Applications and resumes should be returned to your Work-based Learning Coordinator by Friday, September 7.
23 youth apprenticeship positions are available with 19 employers including:
Canapes Catering KM Appraisals Wagner's Meats Fountaindale Auto Phoenix Mecano Manufacturing (3 positions) Trinity Salon Bane Bio All Around Plumbing Dynamic Auto Holly Hills Country Club Agronomy Assistant TEI Electrical Ben Lewis Plumbing WF Delauter and Sons Bryant Group Bopat Electric South Mountain Lawn and Landscape Dustin Construction Toothman Orthodontics (3 positions) FJNB Engineering
See descriptions of position openings and access applications: http://www.fcps.org/academics/apprentice-program
Contact your school's Work-based Learning Coordinator with questions or for assistance with the application.
Learn More
Counseling Office Updates
ALL SENIORS (and parents) should register for their individual Senior Conference with your School Counselor.
NOTE: The online registrations may be found on the THS website or
by clicking on the link below, each counselor has their own sign up page according to the last name of your student:
We look forward to seeing you
Student Last Names A-C Moore https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4caaaf2fa7fb6-student8
Student Last Names D-Hd McDonald (Mills) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4caaaf2fa7fb6-student9
Student Last Names He-Mi Goto https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4caaaf2fa7fb6-student10
Student Last Names Mj-Sc Wilson https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4caaaf2fa7fb6-student11
Student Last Names SD-Z Forbes https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4caaaf2fa7fb6-student12
COLLEGE-BOUND JUNIORS and SOPHOMORES Registration for the PSAT is now open! Spaces are limited! Register BY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28th When: October 10, 2018 - Blocks 1 and 2-at THS Payment: $17.00 Please pay on the following link https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/
If you are not able to pay through the above link, you may bring a CHECK (made payable to Tuscarora High School) to Mrs Welker in Room A122 Practice Student Guides are available in the Guidance Office and Mrs. Welker's room (A122) PSAT Prep Sessions: Registered students are offered Prep Sessions during FLEX. You must bring your Chrome Book to each Prep Session. Register for the Prep Sessions: https://goo.gl/forms/vyEVxK32tlahqH6z1
Serving students with last names: A-C Danielle Moore D-Hd Jessica McDonald He-Mi Carla Goto Mj-Sc Kay Wilson Sd-Z Elizabeth Forbes
PTSA and Booster Organizations
Not a member yet? Find out how to Join the PTSA
See names of PTSA Board and Committee Chairs and more
Media Center Updates
Media Center Hours
Monday – Friday: 7:20 am – 2:40 pm
Media Center Website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/mediacenter
Media Center Twitter: @mediacenterTHS
Chromebook Distribution
All students are expected to have a device by Wednesday, September 12th. If students are planning on getting a school issued Chromebook, they must complete the forms before they can receive it. Payment and forms can be dropped off in the Media Center.
Media Specialist: Carrie Palmer
Visit Our Online Resources
School Health
Health Room Technician: Bruce Thompson School Nurse: Rebecca Montes, RN Health Room: 240-236-6400, option 4
Photo Gallery
PRINCIPAL Christopher Berry TUSCARORA HIGH 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703 240-236-6400 Phone 240-236-6401 Fax
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ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Helen Golibart Lisa Smith Mark Smith Cynthia Zimmerman Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
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