January 18, 2018
From the Desk of the Principal
The weather says we're in for a dicey wintry mix kind of weekend. Despite the delays and closures this week, Tuscarora’s students have been particularly focused, as I believe they understand the end of the semester is approaching rapidly. As of today, there are only four school days remaining in semester. Final projects are coming due, those last big tests and semester long assignments are coming to an end. While it may seem “too late”, it’s truly not. And it certainly is not too late to push a grade that is close to the next higher grade. As a parent, it’s an excellent time to drill down on TAC with your child and take a look at grades. What ideas and questions should drive the conversation? Here are a few to consider, not just for now, but also moving into 2nd Semester:
In the grand scheme, learning is more than just attaining grades. In addition to the practical, timely bullet points I have offered, take the time to reflect with your child about what subjects they are learning a lot about, which they have enjoyed and those for which they are developing a passion. After the accountability, the real joy is considering what education is helping your child to become. And finally, remember that 2nd Semester begins in two weeks. It is a clean slate and with it the opportunity to take the lessons you’ve learned about grades and apply them to a new class.
The cold blustery weather has added to the number of students and families who are choosing to drive their students to school in the mornings. As a result, our car lines on both sides of the building have been loger, waits to get into the lot longer, and more students arriving late to school. Allow me to please encourage you in the dark, winter month, for both safety and your peace of mid, to add 5-10 minutes to your minute trip, backing up the time you depart from home. The commute times that hold true in the fall no longer apply. Three tardy arrives means a student serves lunch detention THAT DAY away from the cafeteria. We do allow for a selected number of "emergency each term, but the way to ensure that you arrive on time is to take a bit more EXTRA time. There is zero traffic at 7:10 vs. a long line at 7:25.
Here's to a great ending to your semester,
Christopher Berry
Principal
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Monday,
January 21
Schools and Offices Closed: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Observance
Tuesday, January 22
Learning for Life Class to Giant, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Boys Basketball Home vs. S. Hagerstown High: JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 7:00 pm Girls Basketball at S. Hagerstown High: JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 7:00 pm Swimming vs. Catoctin High at Middletown High Pool, 6:00 PM, Senior Night Guidance – Junior Night, Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, January 23
Marines Lunch Time Display Wrestling Match home vs. Linganore High and Westminster High, 5:00 pm Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 6:00 pm Cheerleading at Frederick County Championships at TJ High, 7:00 pm THS Show Choir Showcase, Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Thursday, January 24
Unified Bocce home vs. Frederick High, 3:00 pm Boys Basketball at Frederick High: JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 7:00 pm Wrestling home vs. Walkersville High, 6:00 pm Guidance Registration Night, 7:00 pm
Friday, January 25
Term Ends Indoor Track at CMC Championships at Hagerstown Community College, 4:00 pm Girls Basketball home vs. Frederick High: JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 7:00 pm FCPS Academic Tournament, Frederick High, 6:00 pm THS Drama / Dance Performance, Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Saturday, January 26
Wresting vs. Century High and Catoctin High at Century High, 9:00 am Cheerleading home Invitational, 10:00 am All-County High School Concert, TJ High, 7:00 pm
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
Schedule Adjustment for PARCC
Next week THS will be administering the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment, or MISA. In order to give this state-mandated assessment of 200 minutes, it is necessary to break the assessment into two parts, one day of 120 minutes, one day of 80 minutes. This means that next Thursday, 1/24, we will not hold FLEX because of the need to maintain this testing structure. While students will not have the opportunity to meet with their FLEX teacher on Thursday, they will get extra time in each class. The hope is that students are using this additional time to work on missing classwork, review essential material, and get feedback from their teachers. State testing can be a difficult time, but the THS Administration has worked to develop the best model for all students impacted.
FFA Scrapbooking Crop Fundraiser
The Tuscarora FFA will have a Scrapbooking Crop Fundraiser on February 9th (10 AM - 10 PM) at the Frederick County 4-H Camp Center on Basford Road. Please see the attached flyer for more details or email Teresa.Stevens@fcps.org."
SCRAPBOOKING CROP FUNDRAISER to support Tuscarora FFA and Linganore FFA members
Quilters and Jewelry Designers are also welcome!
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Frederick County 4-H Camp Center
3702 Basford Road Frederick, MD 21703
Includes a 6 - 8’ table space, tea, coffee, soda, demonstrations, door prizes and 12 hours to work on your projects!
Early Bird Regular
Before Jan 31st Feb 1st – Feb 8th
$25 $30
What Should You Bring?
Photos
Scrapbook Supplies Snack to Share Sweatshirt/Jacket Chair Cushion Food will be available for sale by the FFA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration Form
Name ___________________________________________
Email _________________________________ Phone _____________________
Need an Outlet? ____Yes ____ No I will purchase lunch from the FFA ____ Yes ____ No
Names of other people in your group: _____________________________________________
Mail Form and Payment to:
Tuscarora FFA c/o Teresa Stevens 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703
For more information, please email Teresa.Stevens@fcps.org
Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
See FCPS absence procedures.
Commendations, Congratulations, & Kudos
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
Counseling Department Week of January 14th
College-Bound Juniors and Parents
Please plan to attend JUNIOR NIGHT on January 22 at 7:00PM in the THS auditorium.
THS School Counselors will be presenting valuable information regarding Maryland graduation requirements as well as explaining the college application process. Juniors will be visiting colleges this summer and completing their applications in the early Fall. It is important that you understand this process so that you will be able to fully explore collegiate opportunities and meet required deadlines.
Future Titans and Parents Registration Information Night Thursday, January 24 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Tuscarora High School Snowdate: Tuesday, January 29, same time Please plan to be with us to learn about the many academic opportunities that will be available to you when you become a Tuscarora Titan. Mark your calendar for Thursday, January 24th (snow date January 29th). The evening will begin in the THS auditorium at 7:00 PM with an overview of THS academic and elective programs. After this presentation you are invited to the Academic Fair in the THS cafeteria. THS curriculum leaders will be there to talk with you regarding the many courses offered at THS. A variety of other FCPS personnel will also be at the fair to explain additional FCPS Programs available to Titans. Among these will be the Career and Technology Center, Academy of Fine Arts, NROTC , Virtual School and others. We look forward to welcoming you to THS!
Seniors Planning to Attend FCC
The Admissions Office at Frederick Community College will be hosting an event called FCC Night for High School Seniors on Tuesday, 2/19 – 6:00-8:00pm in JBK Theater.
This event is for high school seniors and their parents to come to campus and learn about how to enroll, Student Services, the Honors College, Academic Programs, Financial Aid, Career and Transfer Programs, Counseling and Advising, and much more! Students can RSVP at frederick.edu/fccnight or by calling 301-624-2716. Space is limited.
College-bound Students and Parents
The MCPS HBCU fair will be held on Friday, February 22nd. Information about the fair, including registration and fliers can be found on the MCPS website at the link below.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familysupport/hbcu/.
FCC Dual Enrollment Payment
FCC High School Based Dual Enrollment Payment is Due by Wednesday, January 23th for SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES
Students who have not paid by January 23rd will be removed from the course.
Please use your student's PeopleSoft account at:
myfcc.frederick.edu or
pay in person at FCC Student Accounts Office in Jefferson Hall on the FCC campus.
*Please click on the link below for instructions on how to pay online & the Dual Enrollment Attendance Waiver, this form must be signed and turned in to Ms. Bonet in the Front Office.
FCC PAYMENT DIRECTIONS
THS ATTENDANCE WAIVER FOR FCC
Students taking FCC courses for the first time can reset their password at https://www.frederick.edu/faculty-resources/it-services/passwords.aspx(this is a new process).
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 Jessica McDonald He-Mi Carla Goto Mj-Sc Kay Wilson Sd-Z Elizabeth Forbes
Learn More
Senior Class of 2019- News & Activites
New Sub-Header
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
ASAP
Jan. 25, 2019
Feb. 28, 2019
Sigh Up Here at https://tinyurl.com/tshow19 or in the Media Center by Friday, February 8th.
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
Follow the Media Center on Twitter @mediacenter THS
Media Specialist: Carrie Palmer
Visit Our Online Resources
Student Health & Wellness
The Dangers of Electronic Cigarettes One of our school-wide goals for this year is providing our students and the community with additional information about the dangers of electronic cigarettes. We encourage you to read this article that shares the frightening and sad experiences of a high school student whose parents believe that his vaping addiction caused a medical emergency and led to a 40-day placement in a substance abuse rehabilitation program: https://goo.gl/SEjjHG Source: Dunn, Lauren, et al. "Vaping Sent This Teenager into Rehab. His Parents Blame Juul's Heavy Nicotine Dose." NBC News, 8 Jan. 2019, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/vaping-sent-teenager-rehab-his-parents-blame-juul-s-heavy-n956356
It is not only high school students who are using vapes. The Frederick County Health Department issued a press release on October 2, 2018, which said, "The percentage of both Frederick County middle and high school students currently using ENDS [Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems] exceeds that of cigarette use, which declined in previous years. According to the 2016 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 36.5% high school students and 12.6% middle school students have used an ENDS product once; 16.6% of high school students and 2.1% middle school students reported using an ENDS product in the past 30 days. Comparatively, 8.6% of high school and 1.0% of middle school students reported using cigarettes in the past 30 days." The full press release is available here: https://goo.gl/uYaJKM
Vapes or electronic cigarettes have become an increasing concern in recent years. According to Food and Drug Administration chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb last September, "The use of e-cigarettes has become an epidemic among teens and needs to be stopped." The concern, however, is not limited solely to vapes; "[s]tudies show that teens who vape are also more likely to go on to smoke traditional burned cigarettes. They also show that the nicotine in e-cigarettes is addictive, and that the other chemicals added as part of the flavoring might be harmful." You can read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/CFAhk7 Source: Fox, Maggie. "Teen Vaping Is an 'Epidemic,' FDA Says." NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 12 Sept. 2018, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/e-cigarette-use-epidemic-fda-chief-says-n908781.
Please do not consider JUULs or other electronic cigarettes as harmless or acceptable alternatives to other forms of tobacco. The Board of Education desires to maintain a safe, healthy and productive environment free of alcohol, tobacco - tobacco includes smokeless cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, dip, chew, snuff in any form - and other drugs. The possession, distribution, sale or use of alcohol, tobacco or any illegal or illicit drug, in any form, on school property at any time is prohibited. https://www.fcps.org/boe/selected-policies#Drugs
If you or your child is struggling with addiction, please seek help. One resource is the Frederick County Health Department: 301-600-3435.
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