December 10, 2018
From the Desk of the Principal
Tis the season, and also the season of many outreach projects by Tuscarora students. The Necktie Club organized a very successful canned food drive a couple of weeks back. The Titan Free Store continues to stock its food pantry and give away coats, clothing and other necessities to THS students and families. Last Friday, the Titan Reading Buddies made another visit to one of our feeder elementary schools, and on Saturday, the Santa’s Workshop sponsored by the senior class brought holiday cheer to our Tiny Titans and their families. This week brings the Horticulture Craft Show, brought to you by our green-thumbed agricultural science students. Project LIT and the Tuscarora PTSA are both sponsoring individual reading outreach and fundraising efforts at Barnes and Noble. And this doesn’t even touch on the THS holiday vocal, instrument and performance concerts coming up next week. Here. Check the announcements below for all of the details. We are so proud of ALL of these efforts and more that we, no doubt, didn’t mention. We are a stronger community when we join together to connect, reinforce, and celebrate our strength!
Last week, and continuing into this week, counselors are going into every 9-11th grade Flex class to discuss registration for the 2019-20 school year. While this may seem particularly early, registering students, creating a schedule and hiring the necessary staff is a complex process, and begins before the end of the first semester as students indicate their course preferences. Your child will be bringing home registration information, cards and course descriptions before the holidays. It goes without saying that they have many choices, and parent involvement in this process is an important one. First, parents should educate themselves about the process. Look at the materials, discuss these with your child. When they are space for elective classes in their schedule, consider all the many excellent choices that are offered right here at Tuscarora. In addition to advanced courses, internship opportunities and work study programs, Titans have a menu of interest-based classes. Students can learn a great deal about the real world and how to work with their peers in project-based courses such as publications, creative writing and yearbook. Arts courses such as vocal music, theatre, visual arts and instrumental groups allow creativity to take root. Technology courses involving engineering, computer science and woodworking courses are as real world as it gets, as are experiences in child development program with our preschool children. For some students, these are the kinds of courses help them ignite a passion that becomes a lifelong one, and sometimes leads to a career. Academics are the foundation, but electives are where students often discover themselves. Encourage your child to make the most of those eight slots in their day.
The winter sports season contests are getting underway. Out student athletes are well into their preparations, and the contests have just begun. We hope you will join us for what we know will be great competition, sportsmanship and hopefully numerous victories on the court, pool, arena, track and field.
As you may have read in the media, Tuscarora was names a “4-star” (out of 5) school by the Maryland Department of Education. This new accountability measure takes into account the academic standards and rigor, but also takes into account attendance, career and college readiness and graduation rate. We are proud of being among the schools who have achieved this distinction, further validating the pride we have in our school community.
Sincerely,
Christopher Berry
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Saturday, December 8
Hanukkah ACT at THS, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday School, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Indoor Track at Ed Bowie Invitational at PG Sportsplex, 9:00 AM Santa’s Workshop, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Admission $5.00 for each child
Sunday, December 9
Hanukkah
Monday, December 10
Hanukkah (Ends at Sunset) Learning for Life Class to Giant Grocery Store, 10:30 AM Swimming vs. TJ High at Walkersville High Pool, 6:00 PM THS Athletic Boosters Meeting, Media Center, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 11
SGA to FCPS Central Office, 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM Boys Basketball Home vs. Urbana High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Girls Basketball at Urbana High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 12
Boys Basketball Home vs. Winters Mill High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Wrestling at North Hagerstown High, 6:00 PM Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 6:00 PM
Thursday, December 13
Interim Date Swimming vs. Linganore High at Walkersville High Pool, 6:00 PM
Friday, December 14
2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students: Teacher Work Session Wrestling at Boonsboro High Tournament, 3:45 PM Boys Basketball at South Hagerstown High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Girls Basketball Home vs. South Hagerstown High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Robotics Parents Night Out, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, December 15
Saturday School, 8:00 – 11:30 AM Wrestling at Boonsboro High Tournament, 9:00 AM Indoor Track at Howard County Winterfest at PG Sportsplex, 9:00 AM
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
Attending a School Outside Your Attendance Area Dates for applying to attend a school outside the usual attendance area are January 2-March 1.*
FCPS will post the out-of-district application online on January 2 in the section For Families and Students at www.fcps.org. Those needing assistance may call 240-236-2493 after January 2. Schools projected to be over capacity in the coming school year are closed to out-of-district students. FCPS will post the list of restricted schools online in December.
For details, please see the updated Assignment and Transfer of Students Regulation 400-15: https://apps.fcps.org/legal/doc.php?number=400-15
*In the prior version of the regulation in place last year, the application window was April 1-May 31. In 2019, FCPS will post applications January 2, due by March 1.
Senior Recognition Ads Attention Parents of Seniors!
The Remember the Titans Yearbook Staff would like to invite you to purchase an ad in the back of our yearbook to recognize your graduate. We presently have a little over 15 pages remaining in the Senior Recognition Ads section of the book and all ad space will be sold first come first served.If you would like information you may visit the THS Senior Class Webpage: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2019/yearbooks or the yearbook page on the school’s website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/yearbook or just contact Mr. Hartman directly at: Richard.hartman@fcps.org
FFA The 7th annual Tuscarora Horticulture Holiday Craft Show and FFA Petting Zoo will be held Thursday December 13th 3:00-7:00 PM in Room B117 and the Greenhouse. There will be lots of holiday decorations, free kids crafts, face painting and a petting zoo. Fun for everyone!? Project LIT Project LIT is a club focused on introducing books that are politically relevant, diverse in culture and thought-provoking at Tuscarora. You’ve probably heard about their most recent endeavor: a field trip to see "The Hate U Give" so that students can discuss Starr Carter's story in comparison to the movie’s presentation. They have also been working with Curious Iguana in downtown Frederick, but their latest effort needs your help. They have organized a fundraiser with Barnes & Noble to raise money to acquire books for the Tuscarora community! The fundraiser is on December 13th from 5pm until closing (9pm), and they have some great stuff planned!. They’ve reached out to me and I would really appreciate it if you could help spread the word about their Barnes & Noble fundraiser as well as come out yourselves. If anyone is interested in volunteering for this event, they can visit this link and sign up! If you’d like more information, walk on down to Mrs. Kremnitzer’s room and ask her -- I’m sure she can fill you in on all the great details. Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
11/30
12/3
12/4
12/5
12/6
92.12%
95.05%
94.23%
93.46%
93.41%
See FCPS absence procedures.
Commendations, Congratulations, & Kudos
News from the EL Department The EL Department has secured a grant from the Target Field Trip Grant Program to take English Learners to the Weinberg Center to see a performance of The Freedom Train, the story of Harriet Tubman, in January. For many students, this will be their first trip to downtown Frederick and their first experience in a beautiful theater setting such as the Weinberg. They will also learn about an American hero making connections to the English 9 curricular question "What is freedom?" Student of the Week Rachel Nichols 10th grade Nominated by Ms. Neuland: Very polite, willing to participate daily, help other students and offer help with any request from the teacher. She has a very positive attitude and does everything with a smile. A pleasure to have in class! Also nominated by Ms. Crowell: Rachel is a hardworking student in Biomed. She is always eager to participate in all activities and willing to help any classmate when needed.
Skills USA Competition Congratulations to all of the Tuscarora High School Career and Technology Center (CTC) students who competed in the “Skills USA Competition” this week. The awards were handed out on Friday in a ceremony at the Jack Kussmaul Theatre on the campus of Frederick Community College. Titans CTC students tied for the MOST NUMBER OF AWARDS bestowed to any FCPS high school! The winners, their place and their program area were as follows: Timothy Desir, 1st – Internetworking; Sophia Ferrer, 2nd – Web Design; Raissa Forkou, Hon. Mention – Culinary Arts; Nicholas Jones, 1st – Automotive Service Technology; Dalton Kephart, 1st – Electrical Construction Wiring; Angeliqe Laignel, Hon. Mention – Internetworking; Alyssa Masser, 2nd – Medical Assisting; Lauryn Mays, 3rd – Nail Care; Sydney Morris, 2nd – Cosmotology; Josabeth Rivera, 1st – Commercial Baking; Jacob Rudland, 3rd – Web Design; Brandon Spilis, 1st – Technical Drafting; Brittany Stowers, 2nd – Nail Care; Owen Sullivan, Hon. Mention – Automotive Service Technology; Hope Williams, 3rd – Commercial Baking; Isabella Witherell, 1st- TV Video Production.
Internships, Scholarships, & Jobs
USAMRIID Science Internship for next year for current juniors!! Applications for The United States Army Military Research Institute of Infectious Diseases science internships at Ft. Detrick are now available. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with scientists and military personnel in labs. Interns work in full-time paid positions next summer and then for credit during part of their school days during the school year. See Mrs. Mummert for an application packet. Deadline is January 18, 2019. **Note: this is a different opportunity from the Werner H. Kirsten Science Internships at NCI at Ft. Detrick.**
From the School Counseling Office
REGISTRATION 2020 HAS BEGUN!
All JUNIORS (class of 2020) have been given a Registration Sheet this week during FLEX. These Sheets need to be discussed with parents and returned to your FLEX teacher-with EIGHT class choices, TWO alternates and student and parent signatures. The due date for return is next week (at the latest).
All SOPHOMORES (class of 2021) will receive their Registration Sheet this coming week (December 10-14). Please discuss your academic opportunities with your parents and teachers. Class of 2021 Registration Sheets will be due the following week.
All FRESHMEN (class of 2022) will receive their Registration Sheets during FLEX the week of December 17-21.
Carson Scholar Fund Students in grades 9-12 with an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher in the combined courses of only English, Math, Science, Social Studies and World Languages may apply. Application and essay are to be submitted to Mrs. Goto in guidance by December 10, 2018. There can only be 1 nomination per school. Please see Naviance or guidance for the details.
CALLING ALL JUNIOR GIRLS: CLASS OF 2020 Program Name: Distinguished Young Women of Frederick County Who is eligible: Class of 2020 young women (only juniors in high school) Amount Awarded: Over $20,000 in cash and over 200 colleges offer scholarships for participation Requirements: Frederick County residents. 3.0 minimum GPA How to Apply: Go to distinguishedyw.org and click APPLY NOW. Their
application will be sent to the local chairperson
Deadline to Apply: January 1, 2019
Program will be held at Tuscarora High School on March 16, 2019. Applying does not obligate them to participate. There is no fee to enter and this is NOT a beauty pageant. Participants are evaluated in 5 areas and can win money overall and for individual categories 1. Scholastics (transcripts and test scores are evaluated) 2. Interview (10 minute interview about yourself-we prepare you) 3. Talent (a 90 second piece of your choice-can be any talent, i.e. monologue,
singing. painting, music, dancing)
4. Fitness (a routine is taught to you) 5. On stage speaking
For a video that shows what the program is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euOC-6J_J4c&feature=youtu.be Any questions before applying can be sent to Nicole Orr at Frederick@distinguishedyw.org
Attention: Students in grades 9-10 The FCPS Career and Technology Center (CTC) invites you to "shadow" a CTC program there.
A specialized FCPS high school, the CTC offers 25 career preparatory programs, most open to students in grades 10-12. Here's a link to programs offered:
https://education.fcps.org/ctc/programs.
Sign ups are opened for Shadowing appointments that will begin in November.
Students: A shadow experience provides an opportunity to experience a program of interest first-hand. You spend two class periods at the CTC in the program for which you might apply. You participate in classroom activities and are able to meet with and talk to the instructor and current students. The shadow experience is also a part of the CTC application process and acceptance criteria. Instructors evaluate students during the shadow experience on use of time, enthusiasm and attitude, how well you follow directions, and your aptitude specific to the program being shadowed. Skill level and knowledge of the specific career field are not as important as a positive attitude and a willingness to learn!
The process to shadow a CTC program has changed this year. To participate, THS students must:
*STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING UP ALL MISSED WORK.
Students will be issued a bus pass for the assigned date and time (AM/PM) to ride the bus to the CTC. Some programs take longer than others to assign shadow times due to the number of students interested in the program. There is chance it may take up to a few weeks to receive a shadowing date and time.
Serving students with last names: A-C Danielle Moore D-Hd and EL Learners Jessica McDonald He-Mi Carla Goto Mj-Sc Kay Wilson Sd-Z Elizabeth Forbes
Learn More
Senior Class of 2019- News & Activites
Safe and Sane You may have heard that the THS Safe and Sane Committee is planning THE Graduation party of the year for our Senior Class of 2019! For information, please visit https://education.fcps.org/ths/safensane. There you will find the party flyer, how to register on line, a link to print out a Registration Form, detailed information about up-coming restaurant night fundraisers, a special Senior Portrait Session offer by Nylec Photography, and our Restaurant Raffle! Did you know EVERY Friday we sell Krispy Kreme Donuts on Main Street for $1.00?
Black Friday shopping was a success and wait until you see the prizes we have secured for our seniors! Every senior who attends the Safe and Sane Graduation Party will go home with a great prize!
Follow us on our social media (listed below) and look for pictures of the prizes, along with other important event information. Stay up to date – follow us today!
Up-Coming Events:
11/1-3/31 Senior Photo Sessions by Nylec Photography 12/10 Paisano’s Pizza Restaurant Night 5:00-8:00 1/14/19 LaPaz Restaurant Night, 4:00-9:00 1/29/19 Starvin Marvin Restaurant Night, 11:00AM-9PM
Our next Safe and Sane Meeting will be January 14 at 6:30 at LaPaz! Please join us and see what we are working on! ALL classes are welcome to join us! Come learn what it’s all about at any time!
Hope to see you at one of our events! Thank you for supporting Safe and Sane! Facebook – THS Class of 2019 Safe & Sane Twitter : @THS2019safesane Instagram : THS2019Safe&Sane Titan Senior News
TITAN SENIOR NEWS – CLASS OF 2019
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 Twitter Account: @tuscarorahs2019
Date
Dec. 8, 2018
Jan. 4, 2019
PTSA and Booster Organizations
The THS PTSA is sponsoring a Barnes and Noble Book Fair. Volunteers are needed to help with the Welcome table and the Gift Wrapping table on Friday, December 14th from 4-10 PM. Students who volunteer will earn volunteer hours. Please sign-up at the https://www.volunteersignup.org/HD9AD. For questions, contact Rubina Shreiner at RHShreiner@gmail.com.
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 Specialist: Carrie Palmer
Visit Our Online Resources
Student Health & Wellness
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 Jody Ratti Lisa Smith Tanisha Smith Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
View Past Newsletters