Knight's News
Events, information to keep you informed, and school highlights
Keeping You Informed:
October: National Anti Bullying Month
Once viewed as a childhood rite of passage that toughened kids to handle the pressures of adulthood, bullying and cyberbullying are seen by many experts as a major public health issue - on par with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes - with devastating and often long-term effects like the loss of self-esteem, heightened anxiety, and depression. Cyberbullying is especially hard to stop. The internet makes a taunt live longer. Because social media is so intertwined with how people communicate, taunts become hard to ever escape from.
On the simplest level, we can neutralize bullying by being nicer to each other. Students benefit from positive adult role models. Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help children prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school and community environment. For more information about National Bullying Prevention Month, please visit the Stomp Out Bullying Site A Free Event for Parents: PTA Council of Frederick County Sponsored Event:
Presentation: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age Presenter: Richard Freed, Ph.D. Date/Time: Thursday, October 18, 2018 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Book Signing: 8:30 - 9:00 pm (Wired Child available as well on Amazon.com) (Books will be available for purchase for $10.00 with Cash or Check ONLY)
Governor Hogan Announces the Official Launch of the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line
Governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday the launch of “Safe Schools Maryland,” a tip line and mobile app designed to streamline reporting of possible threats to students and school facilities. The Governor made the announcement at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) with student leaders, education officials, members of law enforcement and others in attendance.
A number of student leaders also participated in a roundtable discussion after the press conference. They asked questions and offered intuitive feedback about the tip line and school safety. It is critical that we get the word out and continue to engage students and other members of the community about the services that are available to them. There are a number of resources that are accessible to distribute that were present at the roundtable yesterday, from posters and business cards to wristbands. Attached is an example of one of the new flyers that could be used as a tool to engage your school community.
Within 7 minutes of the tip line being live, it received its first tip which was quickly assessed by the staff at MEMA and shared with the appropriate local school system. This resource will serve as a wonderful tool for communication between school communities, school safety personnel, and law enforcement.
Students, family members, parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members can anonymously report information to Safe Schools Maryland via a mobile app available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play, online at www.SafeSchoolsMD.org, or by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233). Trained technicians will respond to reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) invites the public to learn about new Maryland school-accountability measures at any of four regional meetings. The one-hour meetings will give the community opportunities to find out about Maryland’s new state-issued star ratings for schools, to preview the new format of state-issued school report cards and to learn about new school-accountability standards.
Meetings are from 7-8 p.m. as follows: Monday, October 29 at Frederick High, Thursday, November 1 at Catoctin High, Monday, November 12 at Brunswick High, and Monday, November 19 at Middletown High.
“In Frederick County, we work to empower all our students to receive an outstanding education,” says Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban. “While test scores are one important measure of Maryland’s new accountability plan, there are others included, like access to a great curriculum, attendance, school climate, college and career readiness, and student growth over time.”
Based on all these factors, the state will give each school a numerical score and a simple star rating, on a scale of one through five stars. These will appear on the new report card that the state issues for each school.
After the Maryland State Department of Education issues the new school report cards in December, FCPS will hold additional meetings in each high school feeder pattern to help parents understand the new factors that help measure school performance and to empower each school community to work together to equip students for success.
Free Flu Vaccination for Children:
The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) will host three free flu vaccination clinics for children ages 6 months to 17 years. Both the injectable (the shot) and intranasal FluMist® vaccines will be available. The free vaccine is provided by the Maryland Department of Health. An appointment is required to obtain a flu vaccine. There are two ways to make an appointment:
The clinics will be held at the Frederick County Health Department, 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702. Clinic dates and times will be:
FCHD does not have available flu vaccine for adults 18 years of age and older. Adults are advised to contact their healthcare provider or obtain a flu vaccine at one of the many locations in the community, such as pharmacies and grocery stores.
FCPS Marching Band Festival DATE CHANGE:
On Monday, October 22 at 6 pm, Middletown High will host the 2018 FCPS Marching Band Festival. All 10 Frederick County high schools and the Shepherd University Ram Band will participate!Come see this showcase of our talented local marching bands. Gates open at 5 pm. Admission: $5 Adults; $3 Students; Free for children 5 and under, senior citizens and FCPS employees. PLEASE NOTE: All of the parking lots in Middletown Park except the small lot closest to Coblentz Road will be closed at 4:00 pm to provide parking for the participating bands. There will be no access through the park past that lower lot except for band vehicles. Viewing Interims through HAC
Questions can be directed to the Counseling Office at 240-236-7403 or 240-236-7401. Winter Sports Registration:
Winter sports begin Thursday, November 15. All physicals must be dated April 1 or after and must be completed prior to Thursday, November 15. Online registration must be completed prior to Thursday, November 15. We look forward to a great winter sports season in FCPS. Please review the directions at the link below before beginning the registration process: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/Upload/0/6909.pdf
Once each athletic team is chosen and the roster is finalized, parents will receive an email to let them know when they may go online and pay the participation fee. The fee is $90 plus a $4 administration fee, totaling $94. The $4 administrative fee applies to both online and cash/check athletic participation fee payments. Note to parents: You will not be able to pay online until your son or daughter is selected for the team and the roster has been finalized. Payments may be made via School Cash Online http://www.fcps.org/athletics/athletic-fees
School Photos
Portraits are taken on picture day for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were handed out during KnightsQuest on Friday, Oct. 12.
Make-up photo day for those who missed the first photo day or want to have their photos retaken will be on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Students who wish to have their photos retaken must bring their original photos with them on Oct. 30.
To order photos go to mylifetouch.com and enter your Picture Day ID: MJ718258Q1.
Students are not required to purchase photos to have their photo appear in the yearbook.
The schedule for make-ups and retakes will be posted on the bulletin boards in the main hallway and outside Room 312, and outside the auditorium doors. It will also be posted on Twitter @mhsrtnews and Instagram @mhsrtnews.
If you have any questions or concerns, please stop by Room 312 or email Mr. Kady at noah.kady@fcps.org.
FAFSA Finish Workshops to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are welcome to attend any session that fits with your schedule. Register to attend this free hands-on workshop today: www.frederickcountygives.org/FAFSAFinish .
School/Location Date Time
Walkersville High October 17 6:30pm-8:30pm
Gov. Thomas Johnson High October 23 6:30pm-8:30pm
Oakdale High October 23 6:30pm-8:30pm
Brunswick High October 24 6:30pm-8:30pm
Frederick High November 5 1:00pm-6:00pm
Frederick Community College November 10 1:00pm-4:00pm Financial aid experts will be on hand to help you step by step through this free online application process. With multiple time slots available and a chance to win up to a $2,000 scholarship, these workshops focus on providing each applicant with personalized one-on-one assistance and an opportunity to access to the largest source of federal funding for higher education. Completion of a survey is required to be entered into scholarship drawing.
Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age presentation by Dr. Richard Freed on Oct. 18 at 7:00 pm at Frederick High School: Dr. Reed will focus on "how to build your child's bond with family and foster school success amidst the lure of digital screens." A book signing will follow.
More information can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PTACouncilFredCo/
MHS PTSA: Everyone is invited to attend the next PTSA meeting on Wednesday, October 17 at 7 pm in the Heritage Room. For the full PTSA calendar and more information, go to: https://www.middletownhsptsa.com/default.html FCPL Student Success Cards: All FCPS students can access a variety of library resources and materials offered by Frederick County Public Libraries at no cost.
With their FCPS student ID number, students can now:
How it Works
FCPS students can use a combination of their student ID number and a special prefix (119829) to access library resources.
At the library: Type 119829 followed by the eight-digit student ID number into a self-checkout machine or visit the circulation desk to check out materials.
Online: Type 119829 along with the eight-digit student ID number as the username. Then use “student” as the password. To change this password and to set a default library location in the future, log in and visit the “personal information” tab.
Keep Your Current FCPL Card
Students who already have a Frederick County Public Library card can keep their card. It will allow students to borrow up to 75 items and access additional materials, such as DVDs and video games.
Read more about this partnership here.
Counseling Office Updates:
Click here for the complete list of scholarships, college representatives visiting MHS, college open houses, and other opportunities available to our students.
New this week:
College Visits have been updated - please sign up through Naviance!
New college specific and general scholarships added in Naviance.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) workshops.
FCC Moving Mountain Speaker Series
Reminders: Interpreter Services: If you require interpreting services for any school event, please contact the counselor's office and provide at least one-week advance notice. MHS Teacher Tutoring Services:
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program: The application period for the 2019 high school level Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program runs until October 31. The program provides students with the opportunity to participate in research at a Department of Navy lab during the summer. It is open to high school students 16 years and older. The program pays $3,300 for new students for the 8-week summer internship. More information and details about eligibility can be found at http://seap.asee.org/ CTC Shadowing: Students who are interested in shadowing at CTC for possible attendance in the 2019-20 school year should see Mrs. Bertulaitis in Counseling.
Programs: We have 21 programs for students to choose from (students may choose 1 or 2 to shadow):
Advanced Floral Design Advanced Web Design AgriBusiness/Entrepreneurship Ag Metals/Welding Academy of Health Professions (AoHP) Auto Body Collision Repair Automotive Technology Biomedical Sciences CAD Architecture CAD Engineering Carpentry Computer Tech Cosmetology (only current 10th graders may shadow) Criminal Justice/Homeland Security Culinary Digital Design Printing Methods (DDPM) Electricity HVAC/Plumbing Landscaping Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) TV Multimedia
Daily Details:
Arrival Time: Students may enter the building at 7:00 AM. Students must stay in the cafeteria until 7:15. Students may not be walking through the hallways unsupervised. Office hours: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday - Friday
School Fees: The way to pay for school field trips, sports fees, spirit wear and more, School Cash Online is:https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com
"Ready, Respectful, Relentless"
http://education.fcps.org/mhs
Middletown High School 200 Schoolhouse Drive Middletown, MD 21769 240-236-7400 phone 240-236-7450 fax