THE COUGAR CONNECTION
THE COUGAR CONNECTION
Embedded Files
The Catoctin High School Newsletter • April 2, 2026
Prom 2026
Prom 2026
The 2026 Catoctin High School Prom, "Night of 1,000 Lanterns", will be held on Friday, May 1 from 7:00-10:00 pm at the Thurmont Event Complex.
Prom is open to Catoctin High School juniors and seniors and their guests. Guests must be grade 9 or older and under age 21. Tickets will go on sale in the cafeteria and via student accounts on SchoolCash online after 4/13/26. A signed dance agreement form is required to purchase tickets. Tickets are $25 per person.
Prom will be held on an early dismissal school day and all students will be dismissed at 12:20 pm (CHS Bell Schedule). In order to attend Prom, students must be present for a full day of school. Per FCPS policy 430-02, a student's daily attendance is considered present for the full day if he/she is present for more than half of the school day. If students are planning to leave school earlier than the 12:20 dismissal, they must have a parent/guardian note and they should not leave before 11:00am. If a student arrives late to school, he/she will not be permitted to leave school early if he/she plans to attend Prom. Students will not be eligible to attend Prom if they have an unexcused absence on Friday, May 1 from school and/or classes - any absence will require a note from a parent/guardian.
Senior class fundraiser pickup
Senior class fundraiser pickup
The Senior Class fundraiser order pick up will be Monday, April 13, 1:00-4:00 pm in the front lobby of the school. Seniors must pick up their orders during this time as many items are perishable. If you have questions please contact Mr. Gadra.
FCC Open Campus Advising at CHS (2026-2027 school year)
FCC Open Campus Advising at CHS (2026-2027 school year)
There will be an advising session at Catoctin High School for new FCC Open Campus students on April 20, during block 2 (9:10-10:20), in the media center. Students may sign up for the session with FCC advisors using this form. This session is only for students who are NEW to Open Campus.
*If you are a returning Open Campus student and in need of advising, please contact Brooke Carey to schedule an appointment.
New This Year: Study Sessions for AP Exams
New This Year: Study Sessions for AP Exams
Catoctin AP students will be provided with after-school study sessions to prepare for their AP exams!
Please see the flyer below and have your student(s) sign up for any (or all) sessions here:
Mark Your Calendar!
Mark Your Calendar!
April 2 - Report Cards issued
April 3-10 - Schools closed for Spring Break
April 13 - Senior Class fundraiser pickup
May 1 - 2-hour Early Dismissal; Prom
May 19 - Graduation Practice
May 22 - Seniors Last Day
May 25 - Schools closed
May 27 - Schools closed
May 29 - Graduation Practice
June 1 - Gradation Practice, Senior Award Ceremony
June 2 - Graduation, 6:00 pm
CHS Distinguished Graduate Nominations
CHS Distinguished Graduate Nominations
Nominations are open now through April 15th. To submit a nomination, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hUw6ZssRadFduovW8
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2027 Distinguished Graduate awards. The Distinguished Graduate Organization was established in 2014 - 2015 to recognize the graduates of Catoctin High School who have made a difference at the local level, in the state, and/or in the nation. These men and women are nominated in five categories: Academics, Arts & Humanities, Athletics, Business, and Service (community, military, or public). Nominated graduates will be mailed an application to complete. Honorees are selected from those applications returned to the committee. All nominees must be graduates of Catoctin High School. Students who attended CHS but did not graduate from CHS are not eligible for recognition.
The community can also nominate a former Catoctin staff member (cafeteria worker, custodian, administrator, instructional aide, secretary, or teacher) to be recognized. The earliest a former staff member can be nominated is three years following their departure from CHS.
There will be an awards ceremony the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The freshmen and senior classes and the honorees’ families are invited to the awards ceremony. When each honoree receives his/her award, he/she will be invited to speak to the guests and students about the impact of a CHS education and the choices that he/she made that lead to personal success. The goal is for the freshmen and seniors to see role models in the many men and women who are Catoctin alumni. The day will conclude with a small reception in the media center to honor the recipients.
Nominations are open now through April 15th. To submit a nomination, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hUw6ZssRadFduovW8.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
Spring is officially here, we are in Term 4, and Spring Break will be here soon. A new season offers the opportunity for change - the spring brings warmer weather (usually), blooming flowers, outside sports, and the spring musical. The spring sometimes also brings out poor decisions by some teenagers - reckless driving, substance use, and inappropriate dress for school, as examples. We will continue to reinforce good decision-making by students so that they are safe and well and focused on their learning while at school. We know that our voice partnered with yours in these conversations can make a positive impact.
We are in the second half of this semester and the final quarter of the year; it is a great time for students to assess their status both in regards to their grades and their credits. Grades (and thus credits) are awarded in accordance with FCPS Regulation 416-03 Grading, Reporting, and Intervention (Secondary) . Some important aspects to note:
A final course grade of a D is the minimum to earn the credit. However, this grade reflects “a minimally acceptable performance” and thus students are encouraged to strive for a higher level of achievement.
The final course grade (for one semester courses) is determined by the combination of the two term grades. For students taking Biology and Government, the End of Course (EOC) assessment is also factored into the final grade.
Regulation 416-03 defines the final calculation for grades. As one example, a grade of B for Term 3 and A for Term 4 results in a final grade of an A. So, students are encouraged to strive for their strongest performance possible this term in order to achieve the highest final course grade possible.
Final course grades are the only ones that are reflected on transcripts and used in Grade Point Average (GPA) calculations.
Students’ final grades can be overridden based upon poor attendance. In these instances, we would have been in communication and partnership with the parents/guardians and student to try to affect positive change throughout the semester prior to a grade override. We want students to be successful, but also need to uphold the standards of attendance and performance in order to award credits.
If you have questions about your child’s grade in a particular class, the teacher will be the best source of insights and information - please reach out to him/her first. If you have questions about grades in general, transcripts, etc. your child’s school counselor would be happy to help.
Student learning is our highest priority and grades should be a reflection of that. Good grades can also open doors for students (not to mention lower car insurance rates). We want to foster student learning and their earning of good grades in support of their future aspirations. Please reach out with questions or concerns.
Thank you for your partnership as we support our students’ engagement and success through the end of the school year.
Best wishes for a safe, enjoyable, and restful break!
Go Cougars!
Sincerely,
Jen Clements
Principal
resources for families
resources for families
Catoctin High School Pantry
Families in need of school supplies or other items should email kelly.gruber@fcps.org.
Local Food Banks
Thurmont Food Bank, 10 Frederick Road, Thurmont. For more information call 240-288-1865.
Emmitsburg Food Bank, 130 S. Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg. For more information call 717-642-6963.
FCPS Free and Reduced Meal Benefits
All FCPS students can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Apply online here. Paper copies are available in the main office. You must reapply every year for benefits. You can apply at any time during the year.
Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464
To get help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
Crisis Services: Dial 211
To get help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
To report threats or situations that put your safety or others’ safety at risk.
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
To get help if you are thinking about suicide.
Free Mental Health Crisis Care Center Open 24/7
Free, walk-in services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate, face-to-face support for anyone experiencing an emotional, mental health, family or relationship crisis in a safe, welcoming space. Frederick County Mental Health Association Crisis Care Center, 340 Montevue Lane, Frederick. For more information call 2-1-1 or 301-662-2255. Services are available for all ages. There is no cost for services and no appointment is necessary. For more information, visit https://fcmha.org/how-we-help/behavioral-health/.
PTSA - We Need You!
PTSA - We Need You!
Membership in the PTSA helps us provide:
School Improvement (Requests by Staff to Improve the School such as equipment or signage)
Staff Appreciation (Luncheons and Teacher Appreciation Gifts)
Honor Roll Awards
Senior Appreciation (Signage, Awards, Graduation Gifts, Scholarships)
New ideas to make CHS the best experience for all students and staff.
Parents, students, grandparents, staff, and community business are welcome to join! Join the Catoctin High School PTSA here: https://fspta-00020926.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true. For more information and a paper membership form visit: PTSA Membership Info
Follow the PTSA on Facebook! Search for Catoctin High PTSA or visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563952568524 Find out what the PTSA is up to and how you can help!
CHS PTSA Scholarship
CHS PTSA Scholarship
This year, the CHS PTSA will be awarding three scholarships this year at $500/each. The following criteria will apply:
The student/applicant or immediate family member must be a CHS PTSA member by March 31st, 2026.
All student applicants must have maintained a 2.5 grade point average.
Applicants must be planning to attend a trade school or college university in the Fall of 2026 (and provide documentation of admission to PTSA).
Complete and return the scholarship application form to the CHS Guidance office by April 30th, 2026, with a parent/guardian signature and guidance counselor signature.
We will be awarding scholarships based on the applicant’s need and passion for furthering their quest for higher knowledge.
Applications submitted/received after April 30th, 2026 WILL NOT be accepted for consideration. Scholarships will be announced at the Senior Awards Night. Good luck in your endeavors to continue your education!
catoctin sports boosters
catoctin sports boosters
Catoctin High School Sports Boosters is a parent-based organization which provides support for all CHS athletes, sports teams and coaches. The Sports Boosters program is needed to cover the additional expenses not covered by the very limited Athletic Department budget. We raise money through fund raisers, concession sales, sponsorship and membership.
Al l of the money raised goes to support our athletic programs. With continued cuts to the Athletic Department's budget the burden falls on the Sports Boosters and the individual sports programs to come up with the needed funding to run successful programs. In addition, Catoctin is a 1-A school with a limited number of student-athletes and spectators which is how budgets are determined, because of this we are already at a disadvantage compared to the larger schools in Frederick County.
Please consider becoming a Catoctin High School Sports Booster Member. Help Catoctin Athletes by signing up now. Anyone can join. For more information: Sports Boosters
Page updated
Report abuse