June 14, 2019
News from the Principal's Desk
Dear Titan Families,
Summer is about to arrive! As students wind down their last days, it's clear that we are all ready for a different pace, and the chance to relax. Just a reminder that our Main Office and Guidance Office will be open each day 7:30am - 5:00pm, Monday-Thursday. On Fridays, all FCPS offices are closed in the summertime. We maintain a smaller crew here during the summer and 12-month employees do take leave time, but an administrator and the guidance office are always available to take your call or return it in a timely fashion.
FCPS will migrate to the use of Schoology next year for it's online grade reporting. Many teachers have begun to use Schoology this year, so you may already have some familiarity with its use. Prior to next fall, parents, teachers and students will need to take steps to be prepared to use and benefit from Schoology. I would encourage you to take a look at the information below and follow the steps included.
The Tuscarora Newsletter will be published periodically, approximately 2-3 times this summer. Encourage those families new to THS to sign up for our Find Out First news. It is a different address than the elementary and middle schools. Families can sign up on our website homepage and scroll down on the right. Feel free to check our website from time to time; and I will continue to tweet periodically: @thstitanpride. Even if you’re not a twitter user, it’s an excellent source of daily news and information.
On behalf of the teachers and support service employees of Tuscarora High School, may summer allow you to slow down just a bit, connect with family members a little more often, and enjoy activities and possibly vacations. Thank you for making this year a great one for Tuscarora's students, staff and families!
With Titan Pride, Christopher Berry Principal
Looking Ahead - The Weekly Calendar
Exam Make-Up Day students are only in school to make up an exam – 2-hour dismissal
Friday, June 21
First Day of Summer
Have a wonderful Summer Break!
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed - School News
Schoology Is Coming for ALL FCPS Families!
Frederick County Public Schools has selected Schoology as its learning management system (LMS). Schoology provides course management, mobile learning, and communication tools. Schoology enables our students, parents and teachers to engage with learning materials and their school community from the classroom and beyond. During the 2019-2020 school year, all secondary teachers will use Schoology gradebook. Assignment grades and course averages will be visible in Schoology while attendance, interim, term and final grades will appear in HAC.
Teachers may use Schoology as a tool to enhance learning, connectivity and communication. While secondary teachers will be using the Schoology gradebook, some may choose to use additional features of the system. With Schoology, students can digitally submit assignments, review grades, participate in interactive discussions, receive announcements and feedback, take tests, write academic blogs and more. Should your child’s teacher decide to use additional features within Schoology, you will be able to view your child’s activity within the platform.
We value your participation in your child’s education, and we encourage you to read Schoology’s Privacy Policy & Terms of Use at https://www.schoology.com/privacy.php. Student progress and activity will be monitored by faculty to promote a safe, secure, and controlled environment.
Below you will find instructions on how to create, log into, and use your Schoology account. Please note that each child has a unique parent access code provided on your Parent Access Letter (PAL) letter.
Sign Up as a Parent- http://bit.ly/signupparent
Don’t forget to download the Schoology App on your mobile device.
Back to School Night Date for Fall, 2019
Mark your calendars now for the Tuscarora High School 9th Grade Orientation and Back to School Night. These events will take place on Thursday, August 29, in the auditorium, cafeteria and classrooms. Additional information will be provided to families prior to the event, but save the date!
Chromebook Collection for 9-11th Grade Students!
Junior Class of 2020 - You Senior Portraits Begin Next Week!
Attention Class of 2020 ... you are the rising seniors and parents of upcoming seniors... senior picture portraits have been scheduled for the following dates with occurred this week: June 12th, 13th, and 17th.
If you missed your sitting you will be automatically rescheduled for a time slot on one of the following days: July 22nd and July 23rd. If you can’t make that appointment a final sitting will be scheduled for you on one of the following dates: October 10th and October 11th
If, for whatever reason, a class of 2020 graduate cannot make any of the scheduled sitting dates or times, you can still schedule a sitting at the Prestige Studio. They have locations in Gaithersburg and Baltimore. However, it is very important to understand that, if you don’t get photographed on one of the in-school dates, it will be absolutely critical for you to communicate directly with Mr. Hartman, the Tuscarora Yearbook Advisor. If you, or your child, is photographed beyond the dates listed above, Mr. Hartman will have no record of the image and the only way the senior portrait will be included in the yearbook is if students and/or parents reach out and communicate that information to Mr. Hartman. If you you have other questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Hartman at: Richard.hartman@fcps.org
Free Physicals Over the Summer
You want to try out next year? You NEED a sports physical!
We have TWO chances for FREE SPORTS Physicals...
Please make sure to bring your completed FCPS Athletics Physical Examination form
1. Saturday, June 15 - At Gov. TJ High School - 8am-11am - click here for info
2. Monday, July 15 - At Monocacy Health Partners (194 Thomas Johnson Drive) - 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30pm - you MUST register for this one. click here for info
JUNIOR, SOON-TO-BE SENIOR CLASS OF 2020
Visit the THS Senior Page for up-to-date Senior Information
https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2020/home
Twitter Account: @tuscarorahs2020
Please visit the senior class website and Twitter account frequently during your child’s senior year.
Tuscarora Athletic Department Announces Summer Titan Sports Camps
Wanna "get good"? Have fun? Make friends? Be a leader? Become a Titan? Join us for the 2019 season of THSTitans Sports camps. Info and registration can be found at http://www.titansportscamps.com
Class of 2020 Student and Families - Looking Ahead to Your Graduation Schedule!
FCPS is moving its entire graduation schedule back a week, and as such, times and dates are shifting from the traditional post-Memorial Day week schedule. Please take a look at the schedule below, mark you calendars, and note all days and times.
May 28, 2020 Last Day of Instruction, THS Senior Final Exams
May 29, 2020 THS Senior Final Exam Make-up Day
June 1-3, 2020 Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal Days, 8:00am-12:00pm
June 4, 2020 Graduation, 10:00am, Mt. Saint Mary’s University
Attendance
We are approaching the time of year when we receive questions from parents about attendance or there are discrepancies about when a student is in school. While it is rare, it is still disconcerting when parents discover multiple days when their son/daughter has not been in a particular class or has been out part or whole days. How then can parents know about attendance. This is where the Home Access Center (HAC) is useful. Below are directions for accessing and navigating in the HAC attendance features.
Attendance Month View Page - The Attendance Month View page enables you to view your student's attendance during any month in the current school year. If your student was absent or tardy on a date, the day will display with a colored background. The Color Legend below the month indicates the type of attendance each color represents. To display the Month View page, click Attendance on the HAC menu.
Change Months - To navigate from month to month in the current year, use the arrows at the top left and right of the calendar.
View Attendance Details - To view details for a date when your student was absent or tardy, move your pointer over the day. A tooltip displays the type of attendance entered by the office or teacher for the periods affected.
Calendar Page - The Calendar page provides a month view of the following information on your student, class assignments, class events and activity events. To display the Calendar page, click Home on the HAC menu, then click the Calendar tab.
Customize Calendar Information - To hide or display the Filter pane, click the Filter icon. To include or exclude information on the calendar, check or uncheck the appropriate boxes in the Filter pane on the left. To collapse the pane's Filters, Calendars, or Values section, click the section's down symbol. To expand a collapsed section, click the section's up symbol.
Change Calendar Views - To display other months, use the arrows to navigate forward or backward a month at a time. To display the week view for the current week, click Week. To display other weeks in the calendar's week view, use the arrows to navigate forward or backward a week at a time. To display the day view for the current day, click Day. To display other days, use the arrows to navigate forward or backward a day at a time. To return to the current month, week, or day in the above views, click Today.
See FCPS absence procedures.
Congratulations, Commendations and Kudos
Tuscarora's Eskuchen Named Support Employee of the Year
Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban announced the names of the 2019 School-Based and Central Office Support Employees of the Year at last night’s Board of Education meeting. They are Terry Eskuchen and Sharen Gartrell. She also announced the winners in six other Support Employee of the Year categories.
The FCPS Support Employees of the Year program recognizes outstanding members of the school system’s support staff in eight broad job categories. Two of the category winners are selected to receive the overall FCPS Central Office and School-Based Support Employee of the Year awards. The two overall winners receive a cash award, a paid day off, special trophy and Board of Education pin.
Terry Eskuchen, School-Based Secretary of the Year, is the overall 2019 School-Based Support Employee of the Year. A secretary at Tuscarora High School, she has been with Frederick County Public Schools for more than 20 years.
“Terry expertly manages athletics program finances, bus transportation, coach contracts, certification requirements, and more,” said Superintendent Alban. “In addition to her exceptional work supporting the athletics program, she handles all school facility and field trip requests. She helps prepare the school newsletter. The institutional knowledge Terry brings to her position, having worked at THS when it first opened in 2003, is invaluable,” she added.
Tuscarora High School is honored to have Ms. Eskuchen on our staff and is so pleased that FCPS has recognized her tireless efforts on behalf of the school!
National English Honor Society Students Writing Project
The National English Honor Societies (NEHS) in FCPS worked together to create their own version of Colby Sharp's Creativity Project. Please read through the prompts and creative submissions that talented THS students contributed as well as other FCPS from across the county. Happy Reading and please share the link to spread the word: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/fcps-nehs-creativity-project/home
Senior Class of 2019 News
Congratulations Tuscarora High School Class of 2019!
Internships, Scholarships and Summer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunity with Advanced Biofuels USA in Frederick
Advanced Biofuels USA is a non-profit education organization dedicated to promoting the understanding, development and use of advance biofuels as a solution for climate change mitigation, pollution control and economic development. They are looking for a volunteer for 2-3 hours per week to help with data entry. If interested, email Joanne Ivancic at info@advancedbiofuelsusa.org
Interested in a Career in Medicine?
Consider the "S2M2: Science, Service, Medicine & Mentoring" Summer Camp to be held at THS July 29-August 2. Interested students must apply and be accepted into the program. Cost is $500; scholarships are available. Apply at https://aacfmd.org/s2m2 by June 22 or see Mrs. Mummert for more information.
Girl Scouts Seeking Volunteers
Girl Scouts Nation's Capital is looking for high school girls to help with their summer camps. Volunteers do NOT need to be Girl Scouts. Camps will be held in June and July in Frederick and Hagerstown. Sign up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cb-teen
Job Opportunity for Graduating Seniors
All Around Plumbing is currently seeking an entry level Administrative Assistant. Responsibilities include calculating time sheets, entering account payable, filing and scanning, answering phones, general office duties, etc. Applicants must be efficient in MS Office, detail oriented, organized, an effective communicator, willing to be trained and a quick study. Hours are M-F from 7:00 to 4:00. This position also offers benefits and a competitive wage. See Mrs. Mummert for application information.
Another Job Opportunity for Graduating Seniors
Construction work for graduating Seniors: M.T. Laney Asphalt Contractors in Eldersburg, MD, is hiring people age 18 and up for the summer and beyond. Positions are for those interested in a career in construction or just looking for a summer job before starting school in the fall. Applicants are not required to have prior experience. Apply in person Mon – Fri 8:30 – 4:00 PM or online at https://www.mtlaney.com/careers.php
School Counseling Office Updates
FCC Ambassador Scholarship
Each year 25 high school seniors from Frederick County are awarded the FCC Ambassador Scholarship for maintaining a 3.5 grade average through grades 9-12. It is awarded to students attending FCC the fall term following their graduation from high school. Ambassador Scholars will be asked to participate in the Ambassador Program while at FCC. The Ambassador Program provides students an opportunity to volunteer for a minimum of ten hours per semester. Examples of opportunities may include providing campus tours, performing college outreach functions, assisting at college activities, etc.
Awards: Full-time students will receive $350 for the fall semester, renewable for up to three additional semesters, depending on maintenance of at least a 3.0 grade point average and participation in the Ambassador Program.
Applications are available the website listed below, in the Admissions Office at FCC, (first floor J-Building, Enrollment Services) at FCC, and in the Counseling Office at Tuscarora. Ambassador Scholarships are awarded based upon date of receipt of application and high school transcript to FCC. This scholarship is provided through the FCC Foundation. For more information on other scholarships, please go to: frederick.edu/foundationscholarships
Attached is the Ambassador Scholarship application. You can also find it on our website at this link: Ambassador Scholarship
2019-2020 School Supply Distribution for Students in Need of Assistance
In cases where pre-registration is not required, guardians MUST bring the student’s ID, report card or school schedule (etc.) for identification purposes on distribution day.
Contact: Religious Coalition, 301-631-2670 ext. 0 - No pre-registration
Donation drop off: Wednesday, August 14, 12-6 PM: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center, 199 North Place, Frederick, MD. Supplies must be delivered by donation source.
Distribution: Thursday, August 15, 9 AM-6 PM: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center, 199 North Place, Frederick, MD
*Spanish Interpreters and Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired Available*
2019 Teen Summit & Resource Fair
The Frederick County Teen Coalition will be hosting the first Frederick County Teen Summit. This is a FREE event for teens, parents, and caregivers. Registration is required and seating is limited. To register and for more information please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/frederick-county-teen-coalition-20098428019
Congressman Jamie Raskin Academy Service Information Night
Congressman Raskin will be hosting a U.S. Service Academy Information Night on Thursday, August 22 at 7p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School. Please RSVP to Christa Burton at christa.burton@mail.house.gov or (301)354-1000. Visit www.raskin.house.gov for more information on this evening program and the nomination process.
2019-2020 Virtual School (VOS) Course Registration
VOS (Virtual Outside of School) is a blended-learning program designed for students who are independent learners and have consistent access to the Internet and a computer outside of school. Online resources are the primary source of learning, and most courses are taught at the honors level. Students are required to attend a few face-to-face evening sessions for instruction and/or proctoring exams with the course teacher. Who can attend VOS? Currently enrolled and attending FCPS students in grades 9-12.
Sign up EARLY to reserve a seat in the course you want to take because courses fill up quickly! Students register through the school counselor. You may download information about attendance requirements, fall and spring schedules, submission deadlines and the pre-registration form to submit to the school counselor under 2019-2020 Fall and Spring Course Info here: https://education.fcps.org/flex/vos
Serving students with last names: A-C Danielle Moore D-I Jessica McDonald J-N Carla Goto O-Sv Kay Wilson Sw-Z Elizabeth Forbes
PTSA and Booster Organizations
Not a member of the PTSA yet? Find out how to Join the PTSA
See names of PTSA Board and Committee Chairs and more
Learn 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
Media Specialist: Carrie Palmer
FCPL Summer Reading Challenge
The summer reading has challenge has kicked-off and will go until August 31st. All you need to do is register, record your reading, and then get great prizes!
Sign up online: https://fcpl.beanstack.org/reader365
Visit Our Online Resources
Titan Health and Wellness Health Room Technician: Bruce Thompson School Nurse: Karen Stum, RN Health Room: 240-236-6400, option 4
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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