February 8, 2019
From the Desk of the Principal
In today's world, if feels as iff we are asked to give feedback on everything. We make a purchase online and the company wants us to rate our experience. We have a meal in a restaurant and the waiter asks us to go online and rate the service. There seems to be no end to the desire for people to know "how we're doing". With that in mind, I am here asking the same of you. We need to know how Tuscarora is meeting you and your children's needs as a school. The link below will take you to the annual FCPS Perceptual Survey. I would guestimate that it will take you ten minutes to rate us on a number of questions on a five item scale. What I can promise you is that we analyze this data carefully, and take it into consideration in terms of our school improvement plans, as well as the day-to-day ways in which we serve our community. You may be saying, "But Mr. Berry, didn't we do this in November?" Indeed the State of Maryland piloted its new survey tool in November to parents. Unfortunately this was a pilot and the state will not be sharing this data with us. The FCPS survey, however, is actionable data. We need all families to participate: those that have concerns, those that are pleased, and those who wish to share information. Your opinion genuinely matters in this case. Please take that ten minutes and complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FAM2307 It will help us continue to build on the positive climate and culture that we all seek in our school.
Parents of students who drive: we have seen an uptick in the number of students who are driving to school without a parking permit. As our lot becomes more crowded with cars without permits, students who have a legitimate right to drive are crowded out of the lot. As a result, we will begin tcketing and taking more drastic action to only permit authorized drivers in our lot. If you child drives, please ensure that your car has a parking permit displayed in the driver's side window. Parking permits may be obtained in the Main Office.
This week was quite the celebration, as eight students signed national letters of intent to continue athletic careers in college. It is always gratifying to see students who have made the deep sacrifices that high level athletics demands be rewarded with college acceptance and scholarships. Congratulations to these eight who signed on Wednesday. Nore information is below.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Christopher Berry
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Saturday, February 9
ACT Exam at THS FCPS Swimming Meet, Walkersville High, 10:00 am
Monday, February 11
Athletic Boosters Meeting, Media Center, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, February 12
Unified Bocce at State Meet at Hagerstown Community College, 10:30 am Learning for Life to Library, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Boys Basketball home vs. Walkersville High: JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 7:00 pm
Wednesday, February 13
Mock Trial vs. CTC, Frederick County Court House, 5:00 pm Board of Education Meeting, Central Office, 6:00 pm
Thursday, February 14
St. Valentine’s Day
Friday, February 15
Wrestling at Frederick County Championships, WHS, 4:00 pm Boys Basketball at Middletown High: JV 5:30, Varsity 7:00 pm Girls Basketball home vs. MHS: JV 5:30, Varsity 7:00 pm FCPS Academic Tournament, Frederick High, 6:00 pm
Saturday, February 16
Wrestling at Frederick County Championships, WHS, 9:0 am
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
FFA 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.
Class of 2020 Come to a night of family fun this Friday, February 8th at 7 pm in the Tuscarora High School auditorium. The Class of 2020 is sponsoring a movie night. Dress like the Boss Baby for a chance to win a prize. Admission is $2 for the movie or $5 for the movie and a snack pack! Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
See FCPS absence procedures.
Commendations, Congratulations, & Kudos
Student of the Week Jadia Robert 11th Grade
"Did an amazing job preparing for and taking her English PARCC reassessment, increasing her score significantly, and becoming College & Career Ready! I am so proud of her hard work and motivation this year." Way to Go! Congratulations to Grace Knor and Ben Mercier, both Tuscarora Titans who were finalists in the FCPS Student Member of the Board of Education election. While they did not prevail in the election, we applaud their dedication to civic participation! #TitanPride
PLTW Biomedical Science Program Congratulations to the following Tuscarora High School students who were accepted into the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science program for next year. The PLTW Biomedical Science program is a two year, nationally accredited course sequence which culminates in an independent research project that is guided by student learning in the program.
Islamiah Alabi, Mallory Brown, Madeline Cramer, Laura Crocker, Allison Fitzgerald, Skyler Gilreath, Travis Moulton, Marlee Myer, Christian Felipe Naranjo, Hniang Par, Jianna Rogers, Micaela Richards, Brooke Staines
Signing Ceremony Congratulations to the 10 Tuscarora High School students and their families for signing “Letters on Intent” to continue their athletic careers on the collegiate level! Many of these students have also received scholarship money for athletics, and were recognized at a Signing Ceremony this past Wednesday in the Titan Gymnasium. Way to go Class of 2019!
Cross Country/Track & Field Nick Hildebrandt - Mount St. Mary's - XC and Track & Field Dardlie Lefevre - James Madison University - Track & Field
Gymnastics Reece McClure - University of Maryland - Gymnastics Josephine Thomas - Western Michigan University - Gymnastics
Swimming Erin Lillis - University of Delaware - Swimming
Girls Lacrosse Chandler Stewart - Campbell University - Lacrosse Savannah Vance - Young Harris College - Lacrosse
Football Stefan Hackshaw - Towson University - Football Aris Hilliard - Davidson College - Football Joseph Shell - Brown University - Football
Teacher of the Yea Congratulations to THS English Department Chair and Literacy Specialist Lydia Kowalski on her selection as Tuscarora High School’s nominee for the 2019 FCPS Teacher of the Year! Lydia has worked tirelessly this year on many projects. Her nomination read as follow:
Tuscarora High School is proud to nominate Literacy Specialist and English Department Chair Lydia Kowalski as its FCPS “Teacher of the Year”. Ms. Kowalski is passionately committed to broadening the reading and literacy skills of her students, and sharing her professional expertise with her colleagues. She voluntarily serves as a co-teacher in developmental reading classes, and co-teaching lessons with other teachers in a variety of content areas. She personally “adopted” and served as a mentor for all Tuscarora’s English Learner students prior to the EL program establishment this year. Ms. Kowalski brings her personal love of reading to the Tuscarora feeder pattern through her creation of the “Reading Buddies” Outreach Program to Tuscarora’s elementary schools. On a monthly basis, THS students travel to elementary classrooms and read to other students, and talk about their love of reading. Ms. Kowalski conducts professional learning sessions with her colleagues on a array of literacy topics in a variety of non-English departments. Teachers rave about the practical strategies she imparts and practices she shares. Finally, Lydia is tirelessly committed to improving the climate at culture of Tuscarora High School, having overseen the THS “Student Member of the Week” program in 2018-19. Lydia Kowalski is a shining star among many good teachers at Tuscarora, and we are proud of her stellar contribution to our school.
Internships, Scholarships, & Jobs
From the School Counseling Office
Junior Conferences
ALL Junior (and Parents) should register for their individual Junior Conference with your school counselor.
NOTE: The online registration maybe found on the THS website or by clicking on the links below. Junior Conferences are running March 4th to April 17th. Each Counselor has their own sign up page according to student last name. Please put the STUDENT NAME when registering for the conference.
Moore A-C
Mills D-Hd
Goto He-Mi
Wilson Mj-SC
Forbes Sd-Z
Click on Link below
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B48AAAD2FA2F94-student6 MOORE
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B48AAAD2FA2F94-student5 McDonald
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B48AAAD2FA2F94-student9 GOTO
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B48AAAD2FA2F94-student8 WILSON
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B48AAAD2FA2F94-student7 FORBES
If you plan to attend and would like to request an interpreter, please contact Angela.Packan@fcps.org at 240-236-6439
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/.
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
Senior Class of 2019- News & Activites
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
Feb. 21, 2019
Feb. 28, 2019
Sigh Up Here at https://tinyurl.com/tshow19 or in the Media Center by Friday, February 8th.
April 26, 2019
May 1, 2019
PTSA and Booster Organizations
Safe and Sane
Thank you to those who came out and showed their support at Panera! It was a success!
Raffle Restaurant Tickets will go on Sale on February 19th and will be sold through February 28. $5.00 each. Throughout the month of March, we will draw a daily winner (31 winners). Each lucky winner will receive a $25 gift card to a restaurant! Winners will be posted on our Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter so make sure to follow us! (See below for info). Winners will also be contacted personally.
Where can you purchase a Raffle Ticket? We will have them for sale every Friday at the Donut Table on Main Street before school. They will also be sold at Chipotle on 2/26 from 4-8 and prior to the Talent Show on 2/28 from 6:30-7:00, and at other events. Please email us if you would like to make arrangements to purchase one or more!
Up-Coming Events:
Thru 3/31 Senior Photo Sessions by Nylec Photography 301-789-1600
Every Friday Donut Fridays! Krispy Kreme donut sales on Main Street $1.00
On-Going Puravida Custom Titan Bracelet Sales, every Friday at the Donut Table until sold out!
2/19-2/28 Restaurant Raffle Ticket Sales, $5.00 each. Win $25 gift card!
2/26 Chipotle Restaurant Night at Westview, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
*Must mention THS Safe and Sane
2/28 THS Talent Show hosted by the Junior and Senior Class! We will be there selling Raffle Tickets, Graduation Party Registrations, Titan Bracelets and Candle & Soap Central products prior to the show from 6:30-7:00.
3/31 9am-1pm Frederick Ford – Test Drive a Car between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm
and we earn $20!! Details on our Web page! Mark your calendars!
Tell your family, friends, and neighbors!
3/31 1:00-4:00 A/R Workshop – Canvas Projects, 1:00- 4:00 pm. Registration is now OPEN! Please join us for a fun afternoon! See link for details
and registration.
https://www.arworkshop.com/frederick/events/fundraiser-tuscarora-high-school-safe-and-sane/
For more information about these events and how to register for the Graduation Party on May 31st, please visit our THS Webpage so you don’t miss a thing! https://education.fcps.org/ths/safensane.
Follow us!
Facebook – THS Class of 2019 Safe & Sane
Twitter : @THS2019safesane
Instagram : THS2019Safe&Sane
Questions: Email us at THS2019safeandsane@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 Center Hours Monday – Friday: 7:20 am – 2:40 pm Media Center Website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/mediacenter Media Center Twitter: @mediacenterTHS
January Reading Challenge Congratulations to Eliana Damaska, Mora Adeoye, Sharon Niedringhuas, Skyler Gilreath, Milca Barou, Kyra Willard, and Dardlie Lefevre. They all completed the January Reading Challenge.
February Reading Challenge Stop by the Media Center for details.
Media Specialist: Carrie Palmer
Student Health & Wellness
Health Room Technician: Bruce Thompson School Nurse: Rebecca Montes, RN Health Room: 240-236-6400, option 4
Learn More
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
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