September 28, 2018
News from Principal Christopher Berry
The rain finally seems to have ended, and it actually feels fall-like as I type this message. As we turn the page to October, there are several important events in the life of Tuscarora High School. First is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test or PSAT. All sophomore or juniors who are considering 2-year, 4-year colleges or post-secondary education are strongly urged to take this test on Wednesday, October 10. Why? First, it is a valuable practice for the actual SAT or ACT exam that is given, allowing students to understand the time constraints of the exam and the style of the test. While taking practice exams alone will not improve your score, they will allow you to become more confident with the exam itself. You simply cannot take too many practice exams in getting ready for the real SAT or ACT. Second, while the SAT is not a requirement for FCC or any community college, a certain level of score will exempt you from having to take remedial, zero credit courses that far too many students have to take at FCC. The PSAT puts you on the road to achieving that qualifying score to avoid costly remedial courses. Third, Tuscarora School Counselors will use these PSAT scores along with our Naviance program to education your son or daughter about what schools, programs and scholarships they may qualify for, or what improvements your child will need to make in order to qualify for a specific school you have in mind. Know now where you stand. Don’t make college a guessing game! Lastly, for Juniors, the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. With your permission, colleges will also send you information about their program which puts you in the mindset for the college search process. Time is growing short!! The deadline for registration for the PSAT was today, but THS has extended the window until Wednesday, October 3. Please go online at SchoolCash (info below) and register for this test. Parents, don’t be fooled by the comment from your children that it is “not worth their time.” All Sophomores and Juniors NEED to know where they stand. Also, as the calendar turns to October it’s great to note that Homecoming activities are coming up next week! Encourage your son or daughter to get involved with the spirit activities next week, beginning with special dress up days each day. The Homecoming Game Pep Rally will be on Friday, followed in the afternoon by the parade along Ballenger Creek where candy will be thrown to all community members from floats and cars. The parade will end at the Fanfest in the parking lot of THS, featuring games, face painting, temporary tattoos, food and fun for all families. At 7:00PM that night will be the Homecoming Football Game vs. Urbana, and the Homecoming Dance on day on 10/6. This is a great time of year to be involved with Tuscarora community activities, Titans, we look forward to everyone being a part of the activities next week!
Sincerely,
Christopher Berry Principal
Learn More
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Saturday, September 29
JV Football home vs. TJ High, 9:00 AM Cross Country at Carlisle High School Invitational, 9:15 AM Field Hockey vs. Hammond High School at Frederick High Field: Varsity 10:00 AM, JV 11:30 AM
Monday, October 1
Child Health Day Ring Orders, Cafeteria during lunches and Main Lobby 2:30 – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 2
Learning for Life to C. Burr Artz Library, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Golf at Frederick County Championships at Clustered Spires Golf Course, 9:00 AM Boys Soccer home vs. Walkersville High: JV 3:30 PM, Varsity 5:00 PM Girls Varsity Soccer home vs. St. James High, 7:00 PM Guidance College Financial Aid Program, Auditorium, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 3
JV Football at South Hagerstown High, 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 4
Golf vs. TJ High at Clustered Spires Golf Course, 2:30 PM Unified Tennis home vs. Catoctin High, 3:30 PM Boys Soccer at TJ High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Volleyball home vs. TJ High: JV 6:00 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Girls Varsity Soccer home vs. TJ High, 6:00 PM
Friday, October 5
2-Hour Early Dismissal For Students: Teacher Work Session Interim Date Varsity Football home vs. South Hagerstown High, 7:00 PM (Homecoming Game)
Saturday, October 6
SAT and Subject Test Cross Country at Wolverine Invitational at Watkins Mill High, 9:00 AM Field Hockey vs. Oakdale High at Frederick High Field: Varsity 10:00 AM, JV 11:30 AM Homecoming Game 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
Student Count
Absent Count
Attendance %
3077
Tuscarora High School
09
436
23
94.72%
10
407
18
95.58%
11
368
26
92.93%
12
375
22
94.13%
1,586
89
94.39%
See FCPS absence procedures.
PSAT COLLEGE-BOUND JUNIORS and SOPHOMORES TIME IS LIMITED. SIGN UP TODAY !!!
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 Packan in the Guidance Office Practice Student Guides are available in the Guidance Office 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
Safe and Sane
EVERYONE LOVES CHIPOTLE! NEED A QUICK, EASY AND DELICIOUS MEAL?
THS SAFE AND SANE FUNDRAISER NIGHT AT CHIPOTLE! LOCATED AT WESTVIEW SHOPPING CENTER
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018 5:00 – 9:00 PM
OUR PROGRAM RECEIVES PROCEEDS FROM EACH SALE!
NO FLYER NEEDED – JUST MENTION THS SAFE AND SANE AT THE REGISTER
DINE IN OR CARRY OUT! ON-LINE ORDERS DO NOT QUALIFY
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THS SAFE AND SANE PROGRAM! THE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES THE GRADUATION PARTY OF THE YEAR, EVERY YEAR!
Senior Pictures The last dates for Senior Pictures here in the building are October 9th & 10th
All students who have missed our previous sitting dates have been rescheduled Mr. Hartman has a master schedule, so please contact him via email for information: richard.hartman@fcps.org
Seniors who miss these last dates will have to schedule an appointment with Lifetouch and travel to either Gaithersburg or Baltimore to get their senior pictures taken
Red Cross Blood Drive Annual Red Cross Blood Drive!! Please donate blood at THS on Thursday, October 18, in the Auxiliary Gym. Students age 16 or older who meet height and weight requirements are eligible to donate. This drive is open to people from the community as well. Contact Beth Mummert at 240-236-6603 or at lizabeth.mummert@fcps.org to sign up!
Employment Opportunity: The Mattress Connection on Buckeystown Pike is looking for part time stock room help. Applicants must be able to handle mattresses. Offering flexible hours. See Mrs. Mummert for application information.
Safe Schools Act of 2018 Brings Law Enforement to FCPS
Governor Hogan signed into effect the Safe Schools Act of 2018. The law, among other things, encourages close cooperation between school systems and law enforcement.
In Frederick County, our law enforcement partners have dedicated resources to schools by requiring officers to make checks at schools during their shifts. They will stop into schools and walk through them after notifying staff in at the front office. Their intent is to be a proactive/positive presence.
We appreciate this partnership in keeping all students and staff safe.
SHIP SleepOver
All THS students and families are encouraged to participate in SHIP's SleepOver to Benefit Homeless Youth campaign to build awareness and create critical funds for Frederick County youth experiencing homelessness each year. The campaign kicked off earlier this month, and concludes with a mega-event overnight on Saturday, October 13th, at Tuscarora High School Stadium where they'll be treated to a night full of food, laughter, bonding, and entertainment. Who knows? A few of us might even get some sleep on the grass field that night!
Details and registration can be found at www.shipfrederick.com/sleepover . The SleepOver campaign is open to all FCPS middle school and high school age students, and of course, adults. Support is provided by FCPS, Mattress Warehouse, Matan Properties, Roy Rogers Restaurants, and numerous other community companies and organizations.
National Honor Society
The Writing Center is open & ready for business! The National English Honor Society students are manning the writing center and offering help to all titan students for any stage of the writing process. Students can get help during FLEX in B209, after school on Tuesdays or Thursdays in B223 or on-line if they have a rough draft written.
If a student does not sign up we can't guarantee that a tutor will be there to meet them.
Please take advantage of this great resource for your next written assignment!
Commendations, Congratulations, & Kudos
Student of the Week
Uyen Le
Uyen was nominated by her Spanish 2 teacher, Ms. Clark, for her academic achievement and participation in class.
Download Document
Internships, Jobs, and Scholarships
Paid Internship for current Junior/Seniors: Barnstorming Designs, a graphic design studio in downtown Frederick is offering a paid internship. Experience with Adobe programs (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator) a plus. Resume and Cover letter required for application. Contact Mrs. Mummert at 240-236-6603 or lizabeth.mummert@fcps.org if interested.
Counseling Office Updates
COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS (and Parents) Financial Aid Presentation This presentation will be “How to Pay for College”. A college financial aid director will speak about the forms, timeline, and procedure you will need to follow to receive financial aid. If you are planning to attend college, at either FCC or a four year school,this meeting is extremely important. Tuesday, October 2 at 7:00p.m in the THS Auditorium.
FAFSA Finish Workshop These workshops are set up to help families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are welcome to attend any session that fits with your schedule. Register to attend this free hands-on workshop today: www.frederickcountygives.org/FAFSAFinish
School/Location
Date
Time
Catoctin High
October 10
6:30pm-8:30pm
Walkersville High
October 17
Gov. Thomas Johnson High
October 23
Oakdale High
Brunswick High
October 24
Frederick High
November 5
1:00pm-6:00pm
Frederick Community College
November 10
1:00pm-4:00pm
Financial aid experts will be on hand to help you step by step through this free online application process. With multiple time slots available and a chance to win up to a $2,000 scholarship, these workshops focus on providing each applicant with personalized one-on-one assistance and an opportunity to access to the largest source of federal funding for higher education. Completion of a survey is required to be entered into scholarship drawing
COLLEGE-BOUND JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES
PSAT REGISTRATION for all College-Bound Sophomores and Juniors
PSAT Registration has been extended to October 3. We have a few more seats available. If you have not yet registered for the October 10th PSAT, please register and pay ($17.00) on the following link: http://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com. Practice Student Guides are available in the THS Guidance Office. See your School Counselor if you have any questions.
NEW COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS Counselor Assignments are based on students last name
A-C: Ms. Moore D-Hd and EL Students-Mrs. McDonald He-Mi- Mrs. Goto Mj-Sc- Mrs. Wilson CTC Attention 9th & 10th graders! CTC (Career & Technology Center) will be at THS during FLEX on Thursday, October 11, 2018. CTC has wonderful programs to include Auto Body & Auto Tech, HVAC, Computer Aided Design, Criminal Justice, Web Design, CISCO and many more! Please come to guidance to sign up or email Ms. Pampori at muby.pampori@fcps.org.
Serving students with last names: A-C Danielle Moore D-Hd Jessica McDonald He-Mi Carla Goto Mj-ScKay Wilson Sd-Z Elizabeth Forbes
Activity News and More
TITAN SENIOR NEWS
Listed below are important dates and information for seniors. Visit the THS Senior Page for up-to-date Senior Information - https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2019/home - New Web Address Twitter Account: @tuscarorahs2019
Sept. 28, 2018
Claire’s Gourmet Fundraiser Kick off for the fundraiser is Friday, September 28th during FLEX. Orders are due to Mrs. Palmer in the media center or Mr. Miles in A143 by Monday, October 22nd.
ASAP
Nov. 6, 2018
Dec. 5, 2018
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 We have currently distributed over 1200 Chromebooks. There are still over 300 students who are still in need of a device. Please get the paperwork submitted, so we can get the devices to those students. If any students who turned their Chromebook paperwork did not receive a device, please advise them to come to the media center during their lunch shift.
Forms and Additional Information: https://education.fcps.org/ths/node/1424
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
Follow Us on Twitter @THSTitanPride Visit Our Website
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Helen Golibart Lisa Smith Tanisha Smith Jody Ratti Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
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