School Calendar
Date
Event
Time
Thursday, September 24
Virtual Club Day
Block 3 Clubs: 1:45-2:30 pm
Block 4 Clubs: 2:45-3:30 pm
Friday, September 25 *
* School Open for Virtual Learning (Calendar adjustment.)
Block 1 Clubs: 1:45-2:30 pm
Block 2 Clubs: 2:45-3:30 pm
Monday, September 28
School Closed
News from the Office
Stay in-the-know about important FCPS news during virtual learning.
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban will be sharing updates every two weeks in the "Superintendent's Update" newsletter which will include messages, hot topics, reminders, resources and highlights in a condensed, easy-to-read format that allows readers to glance over essentials or dive into details.
Please read the Superintendent's Update Edition 1: fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/preview_message.aspx?type=newsletter&app=0&id=11122.
REGISTRATION: As a student in a First Semester Advanced Placement (AP) course, it is time to join your AP Classroom(s) by creating a College Board account, or logging into your existing account, at apstudents.collegeboard.org, a third-party online tool that is used to register and practice for AP exams. Creating an account in this system is the only way to register for the AP exams. AP teachers will be assisting students in creating this account if they have not already done so for another AP course. It is recommended that students use a personal email for their College Board account (for access to exam scores after graduation).
First Semester AP Courses: REGISTRATION IS OPEN! AP teachers should have already shared join codes with their students.
Exam Only Courses: REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Students who wish to take an AP exam for a course they are not enrolled in must receive a unique “Exam Only” code by emailing megan.kelly@fcps.org as soon as possible.
Second Semester AP Courses: AP teachers will share join codes when Second Semester classes begin in February.
Exam payment information will be communicated soon.
You can visit the following link to review College Board's privacy policy, view the data they collect, and see how that data is used. Parents: Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns, or if you would not like your child to participate.
Questions? Contact Assistant Principal, Mr. Chary (chaitanya.chary@fcps.org) or Mrs. Kelly in the AP office (megan.kelly@fcps.org)
Upcoming Math & English Proficiency Assessments September 2020
As we transition students to learning online, we must also transition how we assess that learning. All students currently enrolled in math (Algebra Acquisitions, Algebra 1, Algebra A/B or Geometry) and English (English 9, English 10, or English 12) courses will be taking the Performance Series assessment, provided by Scantron, in September and December. These tests help identify areas for future instructional focus and measure student progress.
The English assessment will be taken on Monday, September 21 & Tuesday, September 22, during virtual face to face instruction blocks.
The Math assessment will be taken the week of September 21, during virtual face to face instruction blocks.
Performance Series assessments are web-based, computer-adaptive assessments that provide scaled scores to measure proficiency regardless of grade level. Please note that students may see some test questions about topics or skills they have not yet learned. Students should be encouraged to answer those questions with their best guess and move on.
Students will take these assessments online at home, and they can use a PC, Mac, Chromebook, or iPad (except mini). The assessments should take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete. Teachers will share login information with students about these assessments during synchronous learning.
To ensure that your child has a positive experience taking this assessment, please note the following:
Performance Series tests are presented in a pop-up window. If the browser on your student’s device has a pop-up blocker turned on, the test will not launch. For specific instructions on how to turn off pop-up blockers on your browser, do an internet search on “pop-up blocker .”
We recommend that you clear the cache and cookies on the testing device. For specific instructions for doing this on your browser, do an internet search on “clear cache and cookies .”
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Performance Series Coordinator, Amanda McGrath.
Do you need help with your classes? UHS is now offering online tutoring Monday through Thursday.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
3:30-5:30
English Google Meet code: UHSEnglishTutoring
4:00-5:00
Acquisitions, Algebra 1, ITA, Geometry Google Meet code: UHSMathTutoring
3:30-4:30
French Google Meet code: UHSFrenchTutoring
Acquisitions, Algebra 1, ITA, Algebra 2 Google Meet code: UHSMathTutoring
Biology Google Meet code: UHSBiologyTutoring
Resource Room Google Meet code: UHSResource
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda McGrath, Assistant Principal, at Amanda.McGrath@fcps.org or 240-236-7674.
Looking for a book to read? Need a break from your screen? Check out books from the UHS Library Media Center! Click here for instructions on placing holds and picking up books. The next deadline for holds is Tuesday, September 29th; books will be available for pickup starting Thursday, October 1st. Happy reading!
Many parents/guardians have already connected to their child(ren)'s Schoology account using their Parent Access Code. If you have not yet created a parent account in Schoology, please use the information that was mailed home in August to create your account and connect with your child(ren)'s accounts. You should have also received an email that included the Schoology Parent Access Code, which is the same code as the one mailed home. If you do not have your Parent Access Code, please contact your child's counselor or administrator.
To learn more about parent account setup and student navigation in Schoology, please visit www.fcps.org/schoology.
EXCITING FUNDRAISER IN COLLABORATION WITH VINEYARD VINES!
The UHS PTSA is proud to offer the Urbana Community a limited edition "ONE URBANA" Vineyard Vines long sleeve T-shirt! A picture of the shirt can be found on the Order Form. The shirt will not be dated nor have a school name; instead it will just say "ONE URBANA" so it can be worn and enjoyed by all. This fundraiser will support the UHS PTSA Student Scholarships, annual Student Award Ceremony and student/ teacher needs. Please read the following information before submitting your order form and payment. If you have any questions after reading the information, please email UHSPTSAfundraiser@gmail.com. Thank you!
IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER INFORMATION
DEADLINE All orders are due by WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7th. Pick up will be at UHS in early December and details will be emailed after Thanksgiving Break. Please note that certain shirt sizes are limited. We will contact you by October 7th if there are any concerns with your order.
ORDER FORM You can complete the form in two ways: 1. Click on the FLYER to complete the Order Form electronically. 2. Or, download and print the ORDER FORM. Once you have completed your printed Order Form (legible handwriting, please), take a picture or scan it, and then email it to UHSPTSAFundraiser@gmail.com. * Please make sure both your payment and order form are submitted on the same day. Thank you.
PAYMENT PAYPAL is the preferred form of payment. If you have any issues, please email us. PayPal is safe, free and easy to use. Please make sure the name you submit when making your payment on PayPal matches the Name on the Order Form. Submit your full name (that matches the order form) and the total order amount by clicking here: paypal.me/pools/c/8sjWsgrAQf .
REFUNDS We hope to have a great response to this fundraiser; however, if we don't sell the minimum number of shirts needed to make it a success, the fundraiser will be canceled and refunds will be made via PayPal by late October. For updates, follow us on Facebook: @UrbanaHSPtsa & @UrbanaHighSchoolParentsPage .
Let us come together as ONE URBANA to support our amazing students and our incredible community.
To all eligible National Honor Society students and parents:
FCPS has made an executive decision to delay the start process of NHS. We will begin notifying eligible students via mail starting the week of October 5th. At that time, information will go live regarding the application and process.
Note on eligibility: An eligible student must have a 3.5 weighted GPA and is currently a junior or senior registered as an FCPS student.
Please email questions to our NHS advisor, Ms. Rowe, at Kristen.Rowe@fcps.org.
UHS GREEN TEAM Weekly Tip #3: Look around you, are you seeing any bioremediation in action? Recently, much new construction includes the development of rain gardens, small depressions that intend to collect and slow storm water runoff. They can often be found surrounding parking lots to collect contaminants such as oil, rubber worn from tires, antifreeze, and other substances from the vehicles. At UHS, we have multiple features for stormwater management that include the four rain gardens in front of our school. These are the depressions planted with small shrubs and the tall River Birch trees. We also have curb cuts along the front parking lot that slow the flow of stormwater, and direct it through the shrubs and bushes for filtration and bioremediation prior to the water making its way back to Little Bennett Creek. To learn more about rain gardens, visit youtube.com/watch?v=Q2EoHBnCCII.
FCPS is extending free "to go" breakfast and lunch service through December 2020 to all children ages 18 and younger, following recent approval from the United States Department of Agriculture. FCPS will also provide meals for adults 19 and older who are enrolled in an FCPS program for people with disabilities.
There are 34 FCPS schools that will distribute food from the kitchen serving line, including Centerville E.S. and Windsor Knolls M.S. In addition, four drop-off community sites will be distributing food from a school bus. Please visit www.fcpsnutrition.com for a complete list of schools providing meals, and for more information about the program.
Student Services News
Frederick Community College (FCC) will be hosting Virtual General Information Sessions throughout the fall for prospective students. Each session will cover the same general information on how to get started at FCC and will also feature a special presentation from a dedicated area of the college. Find out more and register to attend at the links below!
Thursday, October 15, 6:00-6:45 pm (Counseling & Advising and Transfer Services Presentation) https://fccVirtualOctober15.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, October 21, 2:00-2:45 pm (Multicultural Student Services Presentation) https://fccVirtualOctober21.eventbrite.com
Monday, November 2, 6:00-6:45 pm (Adult Education and ESL Presentation) https://fccVirtualNovember2.eventbrite.com
Tuesday, November 17, 6:00-6:45 pm (Academic Pathways and Course Formats Presentation) https://fccVirtualnovember17.eventbrite.com
Resources
Students with IEP and 504 plans
Questions? Please contact: Amanda McGrath, Assistant Principal Amanda.McGrath@fcps.org 240-236-7674 Mardy Holt, School Counselor Mardy.Holt@fcps.org 240-236-7625
Senior News
Follow the UHS Senior Class on Twitter at twitter.com/uhsseniorclass.
Attention Class of 2021: Did you miss the August Senior Portrait Session?
Don’t worry, additional Senior Portraits Sessions will be taken on October 14 and 15 in the UHS Auditorium by appointment only.
Scheduling Senior Portrait Sessions Be on the lookout for the mailing from Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits the last week of September! Please contact the Prestige Portrait Customer Service team at 1-800-445-1189 or schedule your session online at prestigeportraits.com if you do not receive the mailer. Seniors who are unavailable on your scheduled appointment date/time, please contact Prestige Portraits to reschedule.
Confirm Your Senior Portrait Session Please confirm your session online at prestigeportraits.com. Only confirmed appointments will be accepted at the camera. Prestige Portraits will be unable to accept walk-ups until further notice.
Day of Your Senior Portrait Session Use the Auditorium entrance when arriving for your scheduled appointment time. Wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth. (During their individual session, they will be advised to remove their face covering to capture their image.) Practice social distancing by limiting close face-to-face contact with others.
Health and Safety The health, safety and well-being of everyone in the school is top priority. Prestige Portraits has enhanced their cleaning protocols that they are implementing for picture day to ensure camera stations are sanitized and safe for students.
You’ll notice the following enhanced cleaning protocols on picture day:
Please contact Prestige Portraits Customer Service Department with any questions or concerns at 410-644-7700 or 1-800-445-1189.
Safe & Sane News
Planning is underway for our Senior Graduation Celebration!
SENIOR T-SHIRTS AND FACE MASKS Class of 2021 Senior T-Shirts and MASKS are on sale NOW thru 9/25. All profits go to Safe and Sane and will be distributed during HOMECOMING WEEK (OCT.12-16). Click HERE to order today! GO SENIORS!
REGISTRATION Graduation and SAFE and SANE will be held on June 3, 2021. Safe and Sane will run from 10PM-5AM. Registration will open next semester.
FALL RAFFLE Keep an eye out next month...our RAFFLE is going VIRTUAL! You will be able to buy your tickets with the touch of a button and SHARE the link with family and friends!
PARENT MEETING Mark your calendars!! Our first Parent Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7th at 7pm using Google Meets. CLICK HERE to join the meeting!!! Parent involvement is welcome and needed!! You don’t need to have a Senior to get involved!
Stay in the loop with SAFE and SANE - Register for email updates on our website and follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Have your graduating senior follow us on Instagram: @uhs.class2021
Get involved to make this year a great one for our SENIOR CLASS!
Visual & Performing Arts News
Urbana H.S. Dance Company auditions will be held virtually on Monday, September 21st. Here is the LINK to the UHS Dance newsletter that describes all the necessary information.
If you have any further questions, please email Mrs. Humphries at Chelsea.Humphries@fcps.org.
Sports News
First Semester Voluntary Conditioning and Skill Based Practice Seasons
Spring Sports: Monday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 22 Online Athletic Registration is now open online at www.fcps.org.
Winter Sports: Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, November 19 Online Athletic Registration will open on Wednesday, October 14.
Please contact your respective Head Coach for more information about your sessions.
Follow the Hawks schedule, roster, events, and photos all in one place at urbanahawksathletics.com.