THE COUGAR CONNECTION

The Catoctin High School Newsletter • April 28, 2020

class of 2020 senior recognitions

senior spotlight video segments

Catoctin High School is celebrating the Class of 2020 with a video segment called "Senior Spotlights" which airs on the morning announcements posted in Schoology every morning. In order to recognize every senior, we need students to submit information! If you have not already done so, please fill out the Senior Spotlight form, submit a few pictures and some details about your CHS experience and your future plans! The form is posted in Schoology.

Class of 2020 Future Plans Map

Seniors, what does your future after Catoctin look like? We are creating an interactive map for you to share your future plans. Let's put the Class of 2020 all on one big map ... TOGETHER! The map will be created using Padlet and all seniors will receive an invitation to participate! Padlet is simple! Once you receive the link, you just click on the plus button and add the location and description of your future plans: school, work, military or undecided. You can add specifics about your plans and even a photo or video clip if you'd like! Watch for more details coming soon in your Senior Class Schoology group! Thank you in advance for your participation and we are very excited to see what everyone will be doing after graduation!

Teacher Appreciation Week: May 4-8

Like our students, teachers are navigating the significant changes to the way we are teaching and learning right now. They are planning instruction, finding and creating resources, and providing students with feedback and support. In many cases, they are also learning a lot themselves so that they can create the best learning environment possible for our students.

Catoctin High School is very proud and appreciative of our teacher's efforts and work and will take some time next week to honor them. Teachers love to receive appreciation and positive feedback from students and their parents. Please consider sending an email to one or all of your child’s teachers, thanking them for their work on behalf of your child – a small gesture on your part will mean more than you can imagine.

senior class information

CAPS AND GOWNS

All cap and gown orders are being processed and will be shipped to CHS in May. If you have not yet ordered your cap and gown, visit: www.balfourmd.com to place an order as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email or message Ms. Byrnes (Shannon.Byrnes@fcps.org). Once a delivery date is set, pick up instructions will be announced.

YEARBOOKS

CHS yearbooks are in print and should be delivered to the school in the coming weeks. Pickup instructions will be announced soon.

SENIOR CLASS FUNDRAISER

The Senior fundraiser (Claire’s Gourmet products) will still be coming and pickup instructions will be announced once a delivery date is arranged.

GRADUATION

FCPS is committed to honoring Seniors and they are working hard to identify and implement a safe and appropriate way to do that. As we get further direction and insights about what format that celebration may take, details will be shared with you.

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Dear Catoctin Community,

We are starting the third week of the fourth term….the end of the school year is in sight, yet we don’t know exactly what that will bring. While there are still many unknowns at this point (for example, whether or not we will return to the school building this year and what graduation will look like), there are several important things we know for sure:

Our communication and collaboration are more important now than ever. We know that distance learning is not easy for many students (and parents). We are here to help, but we rely upon students and/or parents to tell us when you need help. We have made many outreach efforts in place to connect with you, especially when our data shows that a student in struggling. But it is equally important for parents and students to reach out to CHS staff if you are having difficulties. Teachers are very accessible via email these days, but you can also reach them by phone (we all receive voicemail messages through our email, so you are welcome to call a teacher’s normal school extension). Email and phone extensions are available on the CHS website (https://education.fcps.org/chs/ ).
Another great way for parents to stay connected with your child’s teachers and the work that they are doing for their classes is to set up your own access to Schoology. If you have not already done so, please reach out to any of your child’s teachers – they can share with you the information you need to connect.
FCPS has determined the grading system for Term 4. Please consult the Find Out First message that was sent last Friday for all of the details. In short, students will earn a P or ICOL for Term 4 (unless parents and students opt for a letter grade). The most important determining factor in earning a passing grade will be the level of engagement a student demonstrates with their school work. As noted above, we are ready to help – please let us know if there is anything getting in your way of engaging with your work. Near the end of the term, we will seek requests from parents who wish to opt for a letter grade for their child in any/all of their classes – please look for future communication regarding that.

We continue to live in a time of great uncertainty and we all have lots of questions about the future status of school and our activities; as we receive updates, we will share them. Please reach out to us with your questions and concerns – we will do everything we can to help resolve them. Our Catoctin community will stay strong as we continue to work together for our students.

Stay safe and stay well. Go Cougars!

Jen Clements, Principal

CHs CONTINUITY OF LEARNING SURVEY

Catoctin High School families (only) are invited to participate in our school's survey on Continuity of Learning. We want to hear from you on how Continuity of Learning is going for your child(ren). While the survey is voluntary, your feedback is important to us! Your responses will remain anonymous and will be combined with the responses of other families.

To access the CATOCTIN HIGH SCHOOL survey online, go to: CHS COL Parent Survey

Important: This survey link is unique to Catoctin High School. Please do not share with families of children in other FCPS schools.

If you require a paper survey, please e-mail Rachel Olson at Rachel.Olson@fcps.org or call (240) 236-8078. The survey will remain open until Friday, May 8.

We thank you in advance for your feedback!

keeping OUr School Connected!

Catoctin High School has been working hard to keep students and staff together, even while we are apart. Every school day morning, students are greeted with the school's morning announcements in a video format. The announcements feature the Pledge of Allegiance by one of our faculty or staff members and their families, Happy Birthday announcements, news announcements, Senior Spotlight segments, and sometimes a visit with teachers or staff. Parents – if your children have not already shared these videos with you, please ask them to show you the announcements video we post each morning in Schoology.

Students and parents in need of assistance with Distance Learning may email or call (leave a message) teachers, administrators and counselors. View the school directory on the CHS website: https://education.fcps.org/chs/home.

Books and resources

Did you know you have access to FCPS Axis360 and all of Frederick County Public Library (FCPL) digital books and resources during Distance Learning?

Check out the links below for more information!

How to use FCPS Axis 360: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RsbbmAQ8jiimEuFDvS5ccRrz7lPTgIer/view?usp=sharing

How to access FCPL books and resources: https://fcps.libguides.com/digitalbooks

Emma Ford, Grade 12

Catoctin Student Presented with Frederick county Student Peace Award

The Student Peace Awards of Frederick County is a part of a network of programs that honor junior and senior high school students who have made a positive contribution to their school or wider community by promoting mutual understanding and respect for all people.

Catoctin senior Emma Ford was among this year's award recipients. “I want to be someone who helps anyone in need. I want to spread kindness and inspire others to get involved in service," said Emma. She's an active volunteer both in and out of school and her designated charity is St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Learn more about why Emma was chosen for this honor and more about all the county recipients by visiting: https://frederick.studentpeaceawards.org/2019-20-awardees/.

CATOCTIN FOOTBALL seeking donations for thurmont FOOD BANK

Members of the Catoctin High School and the CYA football program are providing needed goods to the Thurmont Food Bank. Due to unusual demand and the closure of regular food sources, the Thurmont Food Bank is in desperate need of donations!

Thurmont Food Bank gives out food to people from all of northern Frederick County, not just Thurmont. The food bank gives out food about 300 times per month and feeds an average of 1100 family/household members for two weeks. They also provide gas vouchers for people going to medical appointments and provide emergency short term overnight accommodations to those who are homeless.

Catoctin Football is seeking donations for the Food Bank. Items always in need: Pasta, Spaghetti sauce, Peanut butter, Tuna, Canned meats, Canned vegetables, Canned fruit, Rice, Shampoo, Latex gloves. You may drop off your items directly to the Thurmont Food Bank at 10 Frederick Road Thurmont, Maryland 21788 or you may drop at 119 Ironmaster Drive, Thurmont, MD 21788. Please make sure to wipe off any items with cleaning wipes before donation.

Need Help?

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: 1-800-273-8255

To get help if you are thinking about suicide.

safe and sane GRADUATION COMMITTEE NEWS

FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION PLEASE FOLLOW:

Facebook: Catoctin Safe and Sane 2020 Twitter: @CHSSane CONTACT US!! safeandsane2020chs@gmail.com

From the Safe and Sane Planning Committee:

Since the actual Safe and Sane Night has been cancelled, we will be sending an email soon with some information to let you know our future plans. If we do not have your email address, please send it to us so we can add you to the list. Email us at Safeandsane2020chs@gmail.com.

We hope all of our Seniors and their families are staying safe and well during this time. Please know that we are thinking of each and every one of you!

Here are a few ways you can join us in celebrating our seniors:

Post on the "Adopt a 2020 Catoctin Senior" Facebook page. Families can post their CHS senior's photo and a little bit about them. Then, others can choose to "adopt" them by commenting and then asking for information about their favorite things and their mailing address. "Adopters" can then send or porch drop special notes, gift cards, flowers or snacks or other items to help lift their spirits and let them know they are thought of during this difficult time.
Now on sale: SENIOR CLASS OF 2020 Yard Signs. Cost is $15 and all profits will go to our Seniors. Contact Missy @ 301-730-8482 or comment on the "Catoctin Safe & Sane 2020" Facebook page.

ptsa news

Membership has its perks! Please consider joining the PTSA this year. Membership is $10.00 per member and with each paid membership you receive a free CHS Cougar Magnet. The magnet has been redesigned and only those that join PTSA will receive it for free! PTSA Registration Form

Scholarship information

Seniors should check their Naviance account for a complete list of scholarship opportunities and due dates.

PTSA Scholarship

The Catoctin High School PTSA will be awarding multiple scholarships this year starting at $250/each. The deadline has been extended to May 14, 2020. The following criteria will apply:

The student/applicant or immediate family member must be a CHS PTSA
All student applicants must have maintained a 2.5 grade point average.
Applicant must be planning to attend a trade school or college university in the Fall of 2020 (and provide documentation to PTSA).
Complete and return the scholarship application form to the CHS Guidance office by April 30, 2020 with a parent/guardian signature and guidance counselor signature.

Scholarships will be based on the applicant’s need and passion for furthering their quest for higher knowledge.

Applications submitted/received after May 14, 2020 will NOT be accepted for consideration. Forms: PTSA Scholarship Application PTSA Membership Form

Catoctin High School Athletic Boosters Scholarship

The Catoctin Athletic Boosters Club is proud to offer two $500 scholarships. One scholarship will be given to an outstanding member of our Girls and one to our Boys athletic program at Catoctin High School. This application will be reviewed by an independent selection committee, and will be judged based upon the merit of the application packet only. This Application must be emailed in its entirety to Coach Bruck by 7:00 pm on Friday, 5/15/2020.

In order to be eligible, the applicant must:

Be a graduating senior at Catoctin High School.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 through first semester of senior year.
Have lettered during their Junior or Senior year as a member of a Catoctin varsity sports team or participated as the official varsity team manager or statistician.

Click here for an application and detailed instructions: CHS Boosters Scholarship Application

Buzz Barker Scholarship Fund

Buzz Barker was a life-long resident of the Thurmont community and a dedicated volunteer for thirty-three years to Catoctin High School athletics. He had a deep love for the students and a true interest in their success beyond high school. Upon his death, his family, friends in the Thurmont community and the Catoctin Athletic Boosters Club created this scholarship fund to remember & honor his dedication to area youth. The scholarship fund will award one $1,000 scholarship each year to an outstanding CHS senior who has done well in the classroom, been involved in the athletic program and demonstrated good character and service to the Catoctin community. The recipient will be selected based upon the merit of the application packet only.

In order to be eligible, the applicant must:

Be a graduating senior at Catoctin High School.
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 through first semester of senior year.
Have lettered during their Junior or Senior year as a member of a Catoctin varsity sports team or participated as the official varsity team manager or statistician.

The deadline is 7:00 p.m. 5/15/2020. Click here for an application and detailed instructions: Buzz Barker Scholarship.

FCC Foundation Scholarships

Beginning April 1, 2020, seniors may start applying for FCC Foundation scholarships for the fall 2020 semester. The application will be open through June 30, 2020. Students will be asked to complete one general application which will identify any scholarships they may be qualified to receive. Students can only apply online and no paper applications will be accepted. Students can upload transcripts (official or unofficial), letters of recommendation, and other required documents directly into the system. CHS students who need digital copies of these items should e-mail their school counselor. Students will be notified of awards in July.

To apply, students will need an FCC student ID number, FCC email address, and password. If you do not already have an ID number/e-mail address/password you must first apply to FCC online at https://www.frederick.edu/admissions/credit-application.aspx to get this information. You may then fill out the scholarship application.

To complete the scholarship application process:

Go to: https://frederick.academicworks.com/
Click "Sign In" in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to begin.
Complete and submit the General Application.
Click on and complete any Special Scholarship Applications not covered by the General Scholarship.

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