December 17, 2017
From the Principal's Desk:
Greetings Knight Families, It is hard to believe that we are officially coming down the homestretch of 2017. It seems that the days have flown by since term two began on November 13. Now, midterm is behind us, and when we return from break, there will be 18 days remaining in the semester which ends January 26.
Since the start of the term, our students have been heavily involved in many activities while maintaining high academic standards. The Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Orchestra, Percussion Ensembles, and Dance Team have been wowing audiences with their excellent performances. The winter athletics season is in full swing and bringing in large crowds. In addition to their academic and extracurricular work, our students have found time to be involved in philanthropic projects. The FFA collected toys for the Frederick County Toys for Tots program. The SGA sponsored a hygiene drive for local homeless students. The Key Club hosted a Hawaiian themed homecoming dance for seniors at a local assisted living facility. The National Honor Society held a collection for the Warrior Glam Bag Organization. The football team made the Touchdowns Against Cancer All-American Team for the second year in a row. Brady Rosner is running a collection to support a local Veterans organization. And members of the NAHS painted a beautiful winter scene on the front windows of the school. I congratulate the students for their hard work and dedication to their academics, and I commend them for their support of those who are less fortunate.
Remaining focused on academics is essential as we head into the remaining weeks of the semester. Students will soon be busily preparing for final exams as well as state and local assessments. Staying motivated this time of year can be a challenge. In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, limiting screen time can improve focus and motivation. According to a recently published study in the journal “Medicine,” screentime has become an important public health issue. Many students are online every day and every night. And while technology can be a great educational tool and source of entertainment, many students are staying connected into the wee hours of the night. Students, in particular, find it very difficult to disconnect from the "always-on environment" created by the internet and social media. To encourage our students to reduce their screen time, let's all make it a priority to carve time out of our schedules to disconnect.
We encourage all parents/guardians to monitor student attendance and grades through the Home Access Center portal (the link is at the bottom of the newsletter). For students experiencing difficulties, assistance is available during the school day through “KnightsQuest,” and tutoring is available after school through our Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) program. Additionally, the Middletown High Media Center is open most days at lunch and after school until 3:30 pm.
We hope that students take advantage of the resources made available to them. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. We are here to help.
Sincerely,
Lee Jeffrey
Photo credit: Mr. Brad George
Looking Ahead
*Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed Below is the calendar for upcoming PARCC and HSA testing.
January 9, 10, and 11
Announcements
Winter Spirit Week for Students
Monday, December 18th - Merry Monday, wear holiday colors
Tuesday, December 19th - Toppings Tuesday, wear holiday hats, antlers, elf ears, etc
Wednesday, December 20th - Wind Down Wednesday, wear pajamas
Thursday, December 21st - Ugly Sweater Thursday - wear your ugliest, tackiest sweater
Friday, December 22nd - Flannel Friday -- wear flannel anything
Mindful Mornings
Students are invited to come to the media center on Wednesday mornings to experience mindfulness before students start their school day.
Mindfulness simply means being present with yourself without judgment, and more and more people are practicing mindfulness to improve their lives. There are many benefits to practicing mindfulness including: less stress and worry, better focus, and establishing inner calmness. Recent neuroscience research shows that mindfulness actually changes the brain making it possible to move on and release negative patterns.
We invite students to start their Wednesdays in a refreshing way! Join us for mindfulness on Wednesday, December 20th from 7:00-7:15 am.
See Ms. Langley if you have any questions. Students may sign up in the media center.
Attention Junior/Senior Girls: Mardi Gras Princesses
The Frederick Woman’s Civic Club, Inc. invites junior and senior girls to join the Mardi Gras Ball’s Royal Court as a Princess at their upcoming Mardi Gras. They will be honoring young women who are Juniors, Seniors, or College Freshmen in Frederick County Public or private schools. The 57th Annual Mardi Gras Ball will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 6 to 11 PM at the Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center.
$1,000 Scholarship Awarded to the randomly selected Queen of Mardi Gras.
Due date: January 5, 2018
Click on links for more information:
Community Service Hours
Students who do community service are reminded to submit the Record of Volunteer Hours and Community Service form to Mr. Zimmer and Mrs. Gibson in room 315. Forms should be submitted within two weeks from the completion of activities.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Seniors
Monday, December 18, is the last day (space permitting) to purchase a senior message in the yearbook. You won't want to miss out on this opportunity to say something special to your graduating senior as he or she closes this chapter in your lives. A few words and a couple of pictures from the past can say so much about the journey you have shared and the pride you feel. This is one of the most popular features in the yearbook and time and space are limited, so don't miss out. All ad purchases will be treated as first-come, first-served. Parents can go directly to the website at Jostensyearbook.com to place an order. Under the "Yearbooks" tab, go to "Order Your Yearbook Ad" and pick "Order a Student Ad". You can design your ad right there on the site or simply submit the photos and have a Jostens representative do it for you. (ALL yearbook advertisement submissions and photos will be reviewed and may be edited for style, content, and appropriateness. Content that is in violation of any FCPS policy is prohibited. The parent is providing consent to use personal information about his/her child in this submittal and assumes any and all responsibility and liability in the event any objections are raised by the school staff, the administration, and the student.)
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found box in the cafeteria will be cleaned out during winter break. All remaining items will be donated.
Cafeteria - Student Accounts
Reminder: Restrictions placed on student accounts carry over from year to year. If you have placed restrictions on a student’s account, such as “no snacks,” the student will not be able to spend lunch funds on snacks until the parent removes the restriction. If you have any questions, contact Amy Dewes, amy.dewes@fcps.org.
Extended Learning Tutoring Information
For students needing additional support in English, Math, and Social Studies, tutoring is offered after school according to the schedule below:
-English: Ms. Clark: T & TH: 2:30 - 3:30 pm -Math: Mr. Frey: T: 2:30 - 3:30 pm and TH: 2:45 - 3:45 pm -Social Studies: Ms. Thompson: T & TH: 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Fundraisers
Pointsettias and Evergreen Centerpieces Sale
Media Center
The MHS media center's online catalog, LS2PAC, is a great way for students to search and place holds on books. Students can log in using their FCPS GAFE account.
The media center's webpage also contain wide range of databases and other digital resouces available for student use in research or personal curiosity. In order to access the login information for each database, students may refer to the "Database Passwords" Google Doc located under the title "Database Subscriptions" on the grid.
Is your student looking to listen to an audiobook or download an eBook? Axis360 is a resource provided by FCPS that contains eBooks and audiobooks available for check out on all digital devices. Both fiction and nonfiction titles are added regularly.
To access Axis360, users will log in with their FCPS IDs and the PIN will be the last four digits of their ID. This applies both to students and staff.
For example...
Here are the links to Axis360:
High Schools: http://fcpshs.axis360.baker-taylor.com/
Middle Schools: http://fcpsms.axis360.baker-taylor.com/
Elementary Schools http://fcpses.axis360.baker-taylor.com/
Links to the HS and MS Axis360 walls are also located at the top of the grid on the MHS Media Center homepage.
Media Specialist: Lindsey Weaver
Visit Our Online Resources
Athletics Information
Winter Sports Registration: Link to register for winter sports- https://frederickcounty-ar.rschooltoday.com/
http://www.middletownathletics.org
http://www.frederickcountycmc.org Twitter: @mid_sports
MHS Sports Club: A 501C3 organization dedicated to the support of sports programs at MHS. https://sites.google.com/site/mhsportsclubmd/
Athletic Director: Mike DeSimone
Counselor Update
Be sure to check out information about scholarships, college visits, and other important counseling news using the link below.
News From the Counseling Office
Our School Counselors: Meredith Bagnell (A-D) Brad George (E-K) Greg Chapman (L-Rod) Paula Langley (Roe-Z) Department Chair
Learn More
Round Table News
See other works by our students: Student Media Experience
PRINCIPAL Lee Jeffrey Middletown High 200 Schoolhouse Dr. Middletown, MD 21769 240-236-7400 Phone 240-236-7450 Fax
Follow Us on Twitter @MHS_Jeffrey Visit Our Website: https://education.fcps.org/mhs/
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Brooke Hontz Danny Rumpf Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org