January 10, 2018
Greetings Knight Families, It is hard to believe that we are already ten days into 2018. We are fast approaching the midpoint of this school year, and that brings final exams and the end of the semester. Many students are demonstrating excellent academic effort. For students needing support, they can seek assistance from their teachers during “KnightsQuest” time and through our after-school tutoring program (see the schedule below). The first semester ends Friday, January 26 and the process of registration for next school year begins the following week. Students and parents should start thinking about post-high school plans and course selection for next year that best supports those plans. Our registration night is Thursday, February 1 at 6:00 pm. That evening, counselors will provide information on the registration process. The registration process for students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 will be different from years past. For those students, registration will be completed by parents and students through the students' Naviance account. On February 1, MHS counselors will demonstrate and explain how students will register for courses through their Naviance account. We will also have representatives from the Career Technology Center (CTC), Virtual School, FCC Dual Enrollment, the Academy for the Fine Arts (AFA at TJHS), as well as Middletown High staff, available to explain program information. Essential information will be shared registration night, so we hope to see all parents and students that evening. It has proven to be a very chilly start to 2018. Although we are monitoring school and classroom temperatures, on a couple of occasions last week, we had to relocate classes when mechanical repairs were necessary. Because we noticed a few students arriving at school in shorts and t-shirts when wind chills were below zero, we ask that parents remind students to dress prepared for weather conditions and emergency situations. We still have plenty of lockers available for students if storage of outwear is needed.
We are looking forward to making 2018 a fantastic experience for all of our students and families! Thank you,
Lee
Looking Ahead
Thursday, January 4 - Thursday, January 18
JV Boys Basketball vs Smithsburg
Varsity Boys Basketball vs Smithsburg
Winter Cheerleading Varsity Game
5:30
7:00
Varsity Wrestling vs Brunswick
Varsity Wrestling vs Smithsburg
5:15
JV Girls Basketball vs South Carroll
Varsity Girls Basketball vs South Carroll
Tuesday, January 16
10:30-11:00
Friday, January 26
Early Dismissal: End of First Semester and Term 2 MHS Academic Tournament at FHS-free to public Drama Production: And Then There Were None
*Dates and times are subject to change.
January State Testing Schedule
Middletown High School will be administering PARCC, MISA, and HSA tests according to the schedule below:
Algebra 2 PARCC - Session 1
Only administered to current Algebra 2 students who participated in the Algebra 1 PARCC in 8th grade.
Algebra 2 PARCC - Session 2
Algebra 2 PARCC - Session 3
7:30-9:30am
11:40am-1:40pm
Tuesday, 1/9 -
Thursday, 1/11
Algebra 1 PARCC - All Sessions
Students taking an Algebra PARCC may choose to bring a graphic calculator or may use the on-screen calculator in the test.
Wednesday, 1/10
English 10 PARCC - Sessions 1 and 2
Students taking English PARCC will need earbuds or earphones for multimedia material in the test.
English 10 PARCC - Session 3
Tuesday, 1/16
Wednesday, 1/17
MISA Science
Current biology students will participate in the exam during their regularly scheduled class time.
Rosters of classroom assignments are posted on the testing bulletin board across from the Counseling Center.
Questions regarding testing? Contact Kevin Lynott at kevin.lynott@fcps.org.
Keeping You Informed
From the Attendance Office Below is our monthly attendance data. Our goal is to maintain a 96% monthly average.
Maryland School Performance Rating: Excellent - 96% Satisfactory - 94%
Reminders for Parents/Guardians of MHS Students:
Additional Announcements
MHS Inspired Speaker Series: Dr. Josh Funk
On Tuesday, January 16th, MHS will host Dr. Josh Funk during Knight's Quest.
A lifelong athlete, Josh became interested in becoming a physical therapist when going through PT as a D1 lacrosse player at Ohio State. After avoiding shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, Josh has been entrenched in the world of physical therapy and sports performance. Over the past few years, he has continually developed his knowledge base and expertise as a physical therapist through continuing education courses and working with athletes of all ages. Josh is heavily involved with the lacrosse community in Montgomery and Frederick County.
Career in Business or Accounting
Are you interested in a career in Accounting or Business? If so, there is an Intern Placement with FCPS Central office Accounting Department for next semester. They are looking for a conscientious student with an attention to detail. They need to work in a fast-paced office environment. The current pay for interns is $11.11 per hour. Please contact Mrs. Gibson (alisa.gibson@fcps.org) if you are interested.
MHS Drama Department Presents And Then There Were None
FCC Night
Frederick Community College will be hosting their FCC Night for High School Seniors. Seniors and parents are invited to learn more about the enrollment process, Student Services, the Honors College, Academic Programs, Financial Aid, Career and Transfer Programs, and Counseling and Advertising. Two dates will be offered for this event, both in the JBK Theater:
Students can RSVP at www.frederick.edu/highschoolevent or by calling 301-624-2716. Space is limited.
Frederick Woman's Civic Club Youth Art Competition
Congratulations to the following students whose artwork (photography) is on exhibit at the Mary Hodgson Gallery at Frederick Community College. The opening reception was held on Friday, January 5th at 5:30 pm.
A big congratulation to Lydia Chance whose photograph, "Forgotten and Found," was awarded second place in the Women's Civic Club Youth Art Contest in the Digital/Photography Division.
Senior Class Shoe Drive
The senior class is holding a shoe drive for Casa Hogar Orphanage in Naco, Mexico until Friday, January 19. Casa Hogar, a severely underfunded orphanage in northern Mexico, houses 17 children aged 16 months to 16 years old.One of their greatest needs is shoes. By spending just 5 minutes sorting through your or your younger sibling's closet, you can find shoes that will make a child's entire year. Please bring your lightly used shoes in grocery bags marked with sizes to the collection bin in the cafeteria, and see Mrs. Boyll, or Mrs. Anderson with questions.
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.
Learning Management System Vendor Evaluation
A small group of students will participate in an evaluation on January 18 and 19 to help FCPS review and select a Learning Management Systems (LMS). Several students across the district will engage in this process with the support and supervision of the school’s Media Specialist. You may be familiar with Learning Management Systems such as Blackboard, Canvas or even ItsLearning. If not, we have a quick definition for you below.
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a digital platform that teachers use to deliver and manage instructional content, identify and assess individual learning goals, track the progress towards meeting those goals, and collect and present data for supervising the learning process. Teachers can utilize a learning management system to deliver content, track and report progress, handle course administration and analyze skill gaps. It serves as a ONE secure, safe location for students to access approved digital tools, create and complete assignments, check grades and communicate with teachers and peers without needing multiple logins.
The student perspective is important to us as we move forward in our selection process. Our goal for this time is for students to provide feedback to us on items such as:
Which platform is the easiest to log into?
Which one is the most visually understandable and clear?
How easy are the pages to navigate (page load time; number of clicks to find what you want; etc.)?
***At no time will any student data be used and/or shared.***
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lindsey Weaver at lindsey.weaver@fcps.org
FCPS FY19 BUDGET PLANNING
FCPS FY19 Budget Planning is Underway: The next few weeks are critical in the FCPS budget process as the Board of Education (BOE) determines what budget to submit to the County Executive by February 17. Please include the upcoming budget calendar on your school’s website and in communications to your staff and community members:
For details about the FY19 FCPS budget, visit http://www.fcps.org/about/fy2019-budget
For budget questions, please email us at fcps.budget@fcps.org
STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS: INTERAGENCY INTERNAL AUDIT
The Interagency Internal Audit Authority will be conducting an audit on Student Activity Funds. Once the schools to be audited are selected, the Financial Reporting Department will notify principals and secretaries of the chosen schools and will provide more details on the audit scope. We do know the auditors will focus in on FY2017 transactions—please make sure your records are complete and organized should you be lucky enough to be selected for this audit. Stay tuned…
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
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
FOOTBALL 2018 START DATE: August 8
Twitter: @mid_sports
MHS Sports Club: A 501C3 organization dedicated to the support of sports programs at MHS. The next meeting is Monday, February 5. 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. January 18 6:00 - 8 pm FCC Night for High School Seniors and Parents: JBK Theater FCC. Meet faculty. Find out about: How to enroll; Honors college; Student services; Financial aid; Academic programs; Counseling and advising; Career and transfer programs. RSVP 301-624-2716 or http://www.frederick.edu/highschoolevent Space is limited. See the flyer: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=8066
Click on the link for important information about graduation requirements, scholarships, application information for CTC/AFA and more! 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
PTSA There is still time to join the MHS PTSA. Membership form link: http://www.middletownhsptsa.com/upload/1617%20Membership%20and%20Donation%20multipurpose%20form.pub.pdf
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