Knight's News
Events, information to keep you informed, and school highlights
Keeping You Informed:
Greetings MHS Families,
It is hard to believe we are only two weeks away from the start of the second semester. With the first semester wrapping up Friday, January 25, students should be taking full advantage of KnighsQuest time to seek support from their teachers to prepare for assessments. Afterschool tutoring continues to be available (see the tutoring schedule below). and will continue to be available the second semester.
MHS ended 2018 on a positive note. On December 15, MHS celebrated the dedication of the new gymnasium floor/basketball court to beloved coach Ron Engle who died in October 2016. The ceremony was a tribute to Mr. Engle for his decades-long career as a basketball coach, athletic director, and teacher. Mr. Engle's influence and inspiration are legendary and we are grateful that through the efforts of the MHS Sports Boosters organization, Athletic Director Mike DeSimone, and FCPS staff, that MHS was able to honor and recognize positive influencer Mr. Ron Engle by naming the floor after him.
Then just days ago, we learned that the Frederick News-Post Best of the Best Readers Choice Award listed MHS as the 2018 Best of the Best public high school. For the last two years, MHS has been nominated and earned the distinction of Best of the Best Public High Schools. https://fnpsites.net/bob2018/ It is through the hard work of a community of parents, students, and staff that a school carries such a favorable rating.
Finally, the week before the holiday, the Maryland State Department of Education released the 2017-2018 School Report Cards. School performance is determined by the combination of academic and school quality indicators. Schools earn points as well as a percentile rank which results in a star designation. Overall MHS performed very well. To view the MHS report card click this link MHS-MD2018reportcard I will share specific information at a parent meeting later this month.
While we have had much to celebrate, there is always room for improvement. In my opinion, there is no "staying the same." We are either getting better or getting worse. As I think back to the fond memories shared by coaches, parents, students, and colleagues the night of the Ron Engle court dedication, he was remembered for his lessons in self-discipline, hard-work, being responsible and respectful, and for encouraging students to "play like champions." It is those life-lessons and positive encouragement that had the greatest influence on so many for a lifetime. It is those very same lessons along with a positive attitude towards improvement that must be embraced by individuals and/or institutions to remain relevant and excellent.
In addition to looking at quantitative data points such as test scores, and graduation and attendance rates, we need to obtain qualitative feedback from all stakeholders in the school community to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Families, students, and staff will soon have an opportunity to share feedback about Middletown High's performance by participating in the annual FCPS Perceptual Survey. The survey materials and online access will be available January 24 - February 22, 2019. Information about the survey will be sent through Find-Out-First and will be posted on our website when it becomes available. Your feedback is appreciated and critical to the work we do. I look forward to our continued work together as a school community to improve the learning opportunities and experiences for our students.
Sincerely, Lee Jeffrey, Principal
New Faces in Key Places!
We are pleased to welcome our new front office staff members Kris Keepers, Angela Fossett, Margo Gallaway, and Stephanie Davis!
2019-2020 FCPS Budget News: On Monday, January 7, Superintendent, Dr. Alban's, the budget will be released via video. Then 6 pm on Wednesday, January 9 at the BOE meeting, FCPS budget staff will present to the budget to the BOE for consideration. The BOE will host a public hearing on the budget at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 6 in the Board Room at the Central Office building. For more information on the budget go to https://www.fcps.org/about/our-budget Frederick County Science & Engineering Fair: Frederick County Public Schools will be hosting its 38th Annual Science and Engineering Fair on March 29 and March 30. Registration is now open for all middle and high school students. The deadline to submit the online registration form and ISEF forms is Sunday, March 10. For more information, and to register, go to https://education.fcps.org/sciencesec/sciencefair
PSAT Scores Now Available: Students can access their PSAT scores through their College Board account at www.collegeboard.com. Here are two videos to help explain the log on directions and understanding/interpreting scores: https://youtu.be/1I6f51n3-dc https://youtu.be/5i-bOhSzyig. For juniors, this information is especially important; as this is a great way to prepare for the upcoming SAT given to all juniors @ MHS on March 6. Sophomores and juniors should review scores and utilize the resources available on the College Board webpage to prepare for the SAT. We will also be issuing individual student PSAT test booklets and a paper copy of individual score reports when they become available. If you have any questions regarding the score report, please contact your school counselor. Registration Wednesday, January 30: This is an important date. During KnighsQuest, students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will view a registration video and receive registration sheets. At 6:00 pm, MHS will hold registration meetings. There will be a presentation to incoming freshmen students (class of 2023) by MHS counselors in the auditorium. Registration sheets will be provided to parents that evening. Additionally, representatives from CTC, Virtual School, and MHS staff will have information available in the cafeteria. Be sure to attend this important meeting to learn about program offerings and course options. Miss Frederick and Miss Frederick Outstanding Teen Competition: Young women between the ages of 13 and 25 may enter the competition. If interested, be sure to attend one of the informational meetings-Saturday, January 12 at 1:30 pm at the C. Burr Arts Library or Wednesday, January 16 at 7 pm at the Urban Library. To request an information packet before the meeting, send an email to ?missfrederickmd@gmail.com
Support the MHS Academic Team: Teams from all 10 FCPS high schools are preparing for heated competition in matches open free to the public on Fridays at Frederick High. Matches start at 5:45 PM on Friday, January 4 and on the day of the championship, February 22. Matches start at 6 PM on Fridays, January 11, 18 and 25 and February 1, 8 and 15. See the news release for snow dates and other details including each week's theme: https://www.fcps.org/about/news/1650383/fcps-announces-academic-tournament-schedule.
Congratulations to all of our MHS students who have been recognized by our staff as Ready, Respectful and Relentless! Click here to see the list of students.
Congratulations to MHS student Sara Nicholson! Sara is an FCPS Career and Technology Center student and was recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. The induction ceremony was held on December 13 at the Frederick Community College JBK Theater.
Dustin Muse Athletic Scholarship: The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Dustin Muse Athletic Scholarship application is open through 11:59 p.m. on February 15. Students in grades 6 through 12 may apply for scholarships to attend 2019 spring and summer athletic and sports activities or athletic camps. Scholarships support participation fees only, and payment will be made directly to the youth athletic organization and/or as a reimbursement to the parent/guardian with proof of payment. Applicants must be Frederick County residents and have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA. To access the application, visit www.ScholarshipsFrederickCounty.com. No paper applications are accepted.
Spring Youth Apprenticeships for Juniors/Seniors: FCPS and its business partners are offering 28 apprenticeships for semester 2. Application deadline is Friday, January 11. Materials and info are available at https://www.fcps.org/academics/apprentice-program.
The Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Summer (EI) Program: Engineering Innovation is the summer version of a freshman course offered to engineering students at JHU who have not decided which field of engineering will be their major. During the course, students complete lab activities in the computer, chemical, electrical, computer, civil, mechanical engineering, and materials science. The online application is now available. For more information, go to https://ei.jhu.edu/
Spring FCC High School Based Dual Enrollment Payment Due by January 28: Students who have not paid by the first week of class will be removed from the course. Please use your student's PeopleSoft account at myfcc.frederick.edu or pay in person at FCC Student Accounts Office in Jefferson Hall on the FCC campus. Click on the link for directions on how to pay online: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/upload/FCK/0/EndUser/84510/files/High%20School%20based%20Dual%20Enrollment%20Payment%20Directions%20(1).pdf
Reminders from the last Newsletter:
Registration Night - January 30, 2019 (snow date January 31) at 6 pm: Rising Freshmen and parents are invited to attend the presentation in the auditorium. Upperclassmen will attend a presentation in the Media Center. Graduation requirements, high school expectations, and course options will be discussed.
Chords of Courage presents: STEP UP! Student Songwriting Contest using songwriting as a catalyst for social change. Entry Deadline is Friday, February 15 by 11:59 pm. Please see the flyer for information on prizes, songwriting workshops, and a local Awards Concert. https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=9970.
Out-of-district applications: The Out of District Regulation 400-15 has been changed. Applications will be accepted by the Department of Student Services office from January 2 to March 1. This applies to first time applicants and students reapplying. Parents can apply by using the form located on the FCPS Web site: http://www.fcps.org/student-services/Forms. Any parent who needs assistance can call 240-236-2493.
MHS PTSA
Join, Donate, or Volunteer - MHS PTSA
Want to help? Volunteers or donations are always welcome. Have a favorite PTSA program or activity, have suggestions, or want to help in general? Contact us or join us at our next scheduled PTSA meeting at 7 pm on Monday, January 14, 2019, at the Heritage Room at the high school.
Support us by becoming a member or contributing to the Write-A-Check fund; visit our website for the membership form and other information: MiddletownHSPTSA.com
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 front office and provide at least one-week advance notice. MHS Teacher Tutoring Services:
ASVAB Test: If you're serious about joining the military, then get serious about the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The ASVAB is a timed multi-aptitude test, which is given at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide and is developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. For more information go to https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab. Middletown High Students can take this test on April 9, 2019, at Frederick High School at 7:30 am. See Mrs. Bertulaitis in Counseling for more information.
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
Communications to MHS via email: Middletown.HS@fcps.org
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