February 2, 2018
Greetings Middletown High Families,
We had a very smooth start to the second semester this week. The students settled into their new routines very quickly.
Course registration for the 2018-2019 school year opened this week. The students received registration information during KnightsQuest on Wednesday, and last night we had a terrific turnout for our Registration Information Night. The registration process is different this year for students entering grades 10,11, and 12 because they are using their Naviance account to select courses. We have posted lots of information on the MHS website site to help students and families navigate the new process. The site has links to the course guidebook, various forms, and a video tutorial.
Students should be discussing course selection for next year with parents/guardians. This weekend would be a good time to start the course selection discussion since the registration window closes on Tuesday. Middletown High has many courses from which students can choose. Course selection should support students' post-high school plan. It is never advisable for students, including seniors, to take less challenging coursework. For anyone who has questions, or needs additional help with registration, counselors have extended their office hours to 4:30 pm on Monday, February 5 and Tuesday, February 6. The registration deadline is Tuesday, February 6 and the Naviance registration window closes at 11:59 pm Tuesday.
Student course selection determines our teacher staffing. During the registration and scheduling process, if only a few students signup for a particular class, that class will be cut. We make course and staffing decisions in early March which is why it is essential for students to choose courses carefully. Courses cannot be added after March.
if you have any questions, don't hesitate to give us a call.
Thank you,
Lee Jeffrey, Principal
Follow-up Information
We have received a few calls and emails from parents this week, concerning the FOF email that was sent explaining the prevalence of electronic cigarettes and Juuls in schools across the county and nation. Like other schools, we have had a few instances of students using e-cigarettes/Juuls on school property. We hope the information below will be useful in your discussions with your child about the negative effects of vaping.
E-cigarette/Juul devices heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. The liquid usually has nicotine, flavoring, and other additives. E-cigarettes/Juuls can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including:
Juuls can be manufactured to resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, or even everyday items such as pens or USB memory sticks. A Juul that looks like a flash drive is recharged by using the USB port on a computer. One Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.Below are some photos of Juul devices.
Take Action to Prevent the Flu & Other Illnesses
Flu activity is widespread across the US.Good health habits are essential. The following is a list of flu prevention reminders from the Frederick County Health Department Website:
-cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze -wash your hands frequently -don't share drinks -keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth -disinfect surfaces regularly -"If you are sick with flu symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone."
Looking Ahead
Friday, February 2
MHS Academic Tournament at FHS-free to public Wrestling: Varsity Match vs Urbana
Basketball: Boys JV vs Boonsboro
Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Boonsboro
Winter Cheerleading: Varsity Game vs Boonsboro
5:30 pm
7 pm
Basketball: Girls JV Game vs Oakdale
Swimming & Diving: Boys & Girls Varsity CMC Championship
2 pm
6 pm
Report Cards Issued
Academic Tournament Matches
Basketball: Girls Varsity Game vs Smithsburg
Basketball: Boys Varsity Game vs Smithsburg
Winter Cheerleading: Varsity Game vs Smithburg
7pm
ACT
10 am
*Dates and times are subject to change.
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
REGISTRATION CONSULTATION
Monday, Feb. 5 from 2:30 - 4:30 AND Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 2:30 – 4:30 Students and Parents - do you have questions about registering for classes for next year? MHS Counselors will be available in the MHS Counseling Center for questions after school on Feb. 5th and Feb. 6th from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary - students and parents will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Support the MHS Academic Team
Come out for the countywide Academic Tournament matches, held at the new Frederick High school on Fridays at 6 PM, through the championship on February 23, which starts at 5:45.
See MHS compete against other FCPS high school teams in fast-paced matches.
Special topics and details are online now: http://www.fcps.org/about/news/1625916/academic-tournament-open-to-public
Sophomore Class T-Shirts
Attention Parents of Sophomores: Last call for sophomore class t-shirts. The deadline has been extended to February 16th. Shirts can be purchased through School Cash Online.
Family STEM Night at MHS
On April 3rd, bring your school-age kids and come tour the country’s largest mobile STEM education vehicle: the Mobile Exploration Lab! At nearly 1,000 square feet, this high-tech classroom on wheels will be visiting Middletown High School all week and we’re excited to show it off. Parents and students also will have the opportunity to participate in the Micropipette Challenge, learning how to use a fundamental piece of scientific equipment and creating a visible spectrum by following a laboratory protocol. The Gumdrop Challenge, an engineering activity suitable for ages 5 and over, will also be available.
April 3rd: Event Schedule
Registration is free but required.
Register online at mdbiofoundation.org/events
Event Flyer (PDF)
Classmates 4 Life 2nd Annual Drug Awareness Video Contest
Kickoff Event: Tuesday, December 19th, 11 am @ the Career & Technology Center
Criteria: In a video between 30 seconds and one minute in length, answer the following question--"Why are drugs bad?"
Entry deadline: Submit videos by March 1, 2018, at www.classmates4life.com or drop off at any school or the FCPS Central Office.
Judging: Videos will be reviewed by a panel of judges and the general public via social media March 1-15, 2018.
Grab a camera. Make a video.
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.
FAFSA Finish
Eighty-five percent of college students receive some form of financial aid. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the assistance of financial aid experts at one of our free hands-on workshops. If you complete the follow-up survey by March 1, 2018, you could be eligible to win one of six $1,000 scholarships to Frederick Community College, two $1,500 scholarships to Hood College, , one $2,000 scholarship to Mount St. Mary’s University, or a $2,000 scholarship from The Community Foundation of Frederick County to a college of your choice.
Workshop Dates
Reserve your spot: www.FrederickCountyGives.org/FAFSAFinish
FASFA Finish Flyer
Spring Sports Registration
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.
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
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 contains a wide range of databases and other digital resources 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. 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