THE COUGAR CONNECTION
THE COUGAR CONNECTION
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The Catoctin High School Newsletter • August 1, 2023
Students and parents are invited to come visit Catoctin High School on Monday, August 21 for Back to School Night!
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Open House All students and parents are welcome to walk the halls, visit your classrooms, and meet your teachers. Printed class schedules will be available. You can also sign up for a school parking permit, a locker, and learn about the many clubs available at Catoctin!
6:00 - 6:30 pm: Frequently Asked Questions Session in the CHS auditorium. This session is geared for 9th graders and new students however all students are welcome.
We can't wait to see you!
New staff for 2023-24
New staff for 2023-24
Be sure to say hello to these new CHS staff members when you visit on Back to School Night!
Josh Beatty, Custodian
Jessica Coblentz, Special Education Teacher
Elizabeth Dougherty, Special Education Instructional Assistant
Margaret Fogle, Special Education Teacher
Heather Hounkanrin, Math Teacher
Lacey Littleton, Special Education Instructional Assistant
Donna Longwell, Main Office Secretary
Sarah Ryley, Assistant Principal (H-O)
Molly Smith, Speech Language Pathologist
Christopher Stack, Career Coach
Brenda Triantis, Special Education Instructional Assistant
Mark Trice, Science Teacher
Helpful Back to School Links!
Helpful Back to School Links!
important dates
important dates
AUGUST 2023
8/1 - National Night Out in Emmitsburg and Thurmont.
8/2 - Fall Sports Open House, 7:00-7:30 pm, Cafeteria
8/2, 8/7 at 9:00 am - Work Based Learning Training
8/8 at 9:00 am & 6:00 pm - Work Based Learning Training
8/9 - Fall Sports Tryouts Begin
8/10 - Student Schedules Available in Schoology and sent to Parent Email
8/10-8/18 at 3:00 pm - Student Schedule Change Window
8/15 - Catoctin Feeder Bus Tour
8/16 at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm - Work Based Learning Training
8/21 - Back to School Night, 5:30-7:00 pm
8/23 - First Day of School!
8/31 - Underclass Picture Day
SEPTEMBER 2023
9/4 - Schools Closed
9/22 - Mid-Term; 3.5 hours Early Dismissal
9/25 - Schools Closed
9/29 - Homecoming Football Game
9/30 - Homecoming Dance
OCTOBER 2023
10/9, 10/10 - Senior Portrait Make Up Dates: Link for more information.
20 - Schools Closed
23 - Underclass Make Up Picture Day
27 - Schools Closed
required training for Work-based learning students
required training for Work-based learning students
Catoctin High School students that are planning to participate in any work-based learning program (work study/internships) must complete a summer training course before the start of their experience. In addition, a work contract must be completed before being placed in the program. Work-based learning program advisor Mr. Gadra is hosting open office hours and training sessions throughout this month. If you are unable to attend any of these open office hours or training sessions, you must email or Schoology message Mr. Gadra (david.gadra@fcps.org) prior to the start of the school year. Students may drop in on the following dates and times:
Open Office Hours:
8/1, 8/2, 8/7, 8/8, 8/16 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Training Sessions:
8/1, 8/2, 8/7 at 9:00 am
8/8 at 9:00 am & 6:00 pm
8/16 at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm
Join a Sports Team at CHS!
Join a Sports Team at CHS!
Fall Sports Open House August 2
Fall Sports Open House August 2
Tryouts begin August 9
Tryouts begin August 9
Pre-registration required
Pre-registration required
Online registration is now open for the fall sports season at Catoctin High School. Tryouts will begin Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Catoctin High School offers the following fall sports:
Cheerleading Golf
Cross Country Soccer - Boys
Field Hockey Soccer - Girls
Football Unified Tennis
Girls Flag Football Volleyball
To participate in tryouts, a parent/guardian must complete the online registration no later than August 8, 2023 and the student must turn in a sports physical (dated April 1, 2023 or after) to the head coach on the first day of tryouts/practices or at the Fall Sports Open House on August 2. The physical must be completed on the FCPS physical form which is linked below.
Registration Information:
August 2, 2023 - Fall Sports Open House, 7:00-7:30 pm
August 9, 2023 - 1st day of Fall Tryouts/Practice
Online Athletic Registration (must be completed prior to August 9, 2023)
Sports Physical Form - English or Sport Physical Form - Spanish
Requirements once player is selected to a team:
Pay the FCPS Non-Refundable Seasonal Athletic Fee of $95.
Note to parents: You will not be able to pay online until your student athlete is selected for the team and the roster has been finalized.
Payments will be due no later than August 31 by 11:59 pm and should be made via SchoolCash Online.
For questions, contact the team head coach or Athletic Director, Keith Bruck (keith.bruck@fcps.org / 240-236-8090).
Student Schedules and Schedule Changes
Student Schedules and Schedule Changes
Schedules will be available for view in Schoology and will be mailed to the parent email on August 10. Schedule change requests will be open August 10th through August 18th. A schedule change request form* MUST be completed and shared with the student's assigned counselor AND signed by a parent/guardian no later than Wednesday, August 18th at 3:00 pm. (Please note that a schedule will be adjusted only after the counselor receives the form; emails and/or phone calls will not suffice.) Please follow all of the directions on the form. Schedule changes will close between August 18th at 3:00 pm through August 23rd to prepare for the first day of school. A second schedule change window will be open for the first five days of school, August 23rd - August 29th.
FCC, AP Coursework, Work Study, Internships, and PACEE (formerly SSL) Courses:
These courses require a different level of approval and will not be addressed via the regular schedule change process. If you have specific questions regarding these opportunities, please contact the appropriate person noted below:
David Gadra, Work Study/Internships: David.Gadra@fcps.org
Amy Bellarmino, PACEE (formerly SSL): Amy.Bellarmino@fcps.org
Mary Jacques, AP and FCC: Mary.Jacques@fcps.org
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to limited scheduling options and preservation of appropriate class sizes, ONLY schedule change requests that meet one of the criteria listed below will be considered. Elective courses, teacher changes, lunch shift changes, etc. will not be considered.
Schedule is incomplete (lists fewer than 4 credits per semester)
Student must repeat a failed course
SENIORS who need a course to meet graduation requirements
Courses are scheduled in improper sequence (e.g. Spanish 2 prior to Spanish 1)
Change in instructional level (e.g. English 10 to English 10 Honors)
*Completion of a schedule change form does not guarantee a schedule change can be completed. We will do our best to honor your request; however, class size and seat availability will impact this process. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
School Counselor Assignment & Contact Information:
Christy Wahl, Last Names A-G: Christina.Wahl@fcps.org, 240-236-8083
Cameo Lawlor, Last Names H-O: Cameo.Lawlor@fcps.org, 240-236-8084
Shannon Hayes Byrnes, Last Names P-Z: Shannon.Byrnes@fcps.org, 240-236-8085
Catoctin Feeder Bus Tour
Catoctin Feeder Bus Tour
Teachers and staff members from all of the Catoctin feeder area schools will be taking a bus tour to visit schools in Sabillasville, Lewistown, Thurmont and Emmitsburg on Tuesday, August 15. Join the fun and stop by at any of the locations below to visit with school staff from all of the Catoctin feeder pattern!
Schoology
Schoology
Schoology is Frederick County Public Schools selected learning management system to support course management, mobile learning, communication and collaboration opportunities PK-12. During the school year, all teachers will use the Schoology gradebook. Assignment grades will be visible for PK-12 while course averages will be available for Grades 6-12.
Students and parents can find helpful videos and information on connecting and navigating the Schoology program at the FCPS Schoology page.
Back to School Spiritwear
Back to School Spiritwear
Get your Back to School Cougar spiritwear now at the Cougar Sideline Store and save 20% for a limited time with the code SAVENOW!
The Freshman Class of 2027 t-shirt is still available for purchase for a limited time. White short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts are available. Purchase online or print and mail this form with your payment.
Meet Your School SRO Night
Meet Your School SRO Night
The 2nd Annual Frederick County Sheriff’s Office/Frederick Police Department School Resource Officer Back to School night is Tuesday, August 8, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. Three chrome books will be given away, one every hour! Students must be present to win. There will also be free schools supplies, food trucks, hotdogs, cotton candy, and popcorn!
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
It is hard to believe that August is here and that school starts in just a few weeks. If you are like me, that prospect brings a variety of emotions (excitement, anxiety) and a long list of things to do. I am confident that the 2023 - 2024 school year will be another awesome year at CHS, but I also know that we all (staff, students, parents/guardians, and our community) must work together to make that happen. This newsletter marks the official beginning of that collaboration for the year and it is my hope that the information shared here will help to foster our strong team work.
I always talk about the importance of partnership in supporting the success of our students; in reflecting on my role in that, I realized that part of my responsibility is to ensure that parents and families have information about school and what we do every day to support students and foster learning. Each month, I will highlight some of the work we are doing with and for students and ways in which we can partner together to support our students’ growth. As a starting point, I will highlight that our work with students each day should support them in many ways (we talk about this as meeting the needs of the WHOLE child); this includes their:
mental health
physical health
cognitive development
academic development
identity development
social emotional development
While our work may not always and explicitly address every aspect, there is support in each of these areas that we provide to students (and that families provide to students) all the time. There is a section included in this newsletter that highlights the new FCPS Code of Conduct. While this document reflects our processes related to discipline, it is much more than that - it establishes expectations for all who are part of the FCPS community; this provides a perfect place to start the conversations about the role each of us play in fostering a positive environment at Catoctin High School.
Another important topic at the beginning of the year (and throughout) is the importance of good school attendance. You will see a section each month (starting with this newsletter) dedicated to attendance. You will also see that this is a priority throughout our feeder schools. Research shows a very strong correlation between good school attendance and success. We need and want students here every day so that we can foster their learning, development, and well-being.
I look forward to a great school year and am excited about our opportunity to partner in support of our students’ health, development, and success.
Go Cougars!
Jen Clements
Principal
MONTHLY GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
MONTHLY GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
FCPS Parent/Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
FCPS Parent/Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
The FCPS 2023-2024 Parent/Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct will serve as an important resource for all of us as we work together to support student success. There is an entire section dedicated to information for parents to facilitate conversations with your student(s) - it starts on page 17 and is titled “Important Topics to Discuss with Your Child”. This is a great place to get conversation-starters to talk with your teenager about school (especially if you don’t always get a lot in response to your “How was your day at school?” question).
Page 2 of this document also spells out expectations for students, staff, and parents/guardians - we will use this in our work and ask you to review this as well.
We will be dedicating time to highlight some of this information with students during the first week of school and encourage conversations about this at home, too. Our common language and expectations will strengthen our partnership and thus our support of student success.
Attendance Update Attendance = Opportunity
Attendance Update Attendance = Opportunity
As a feeder, we continue our commitment to attendance knowing that being at school each day opens opportunities for our students. Below is the attendance rate* and rate of chronic absenteeism** for each school in our feeder for the 2022-2023 school year:
*Attendance rate - An overall school attendance rate of 94% or higher is considered proficient (and 96% or higher is considered excellent).
**Chronic absenteeism - a student is defined as chronically absent if he/she misses 10% or more of the school days.
Our shared feeder focus on attendance is outlined below:
Common Goal: Catoctin feeder pattern schools will use high yield strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism within the feeder from 25% to 21% or less over a 3 year period.
Statement of Action: If we more deeply understand our community, family and student profiles and build relationships among all stakeholders, then we reduce chronic absenteeism and increase overall attendance.
We appreciate your support in establishing positive attendance habits at home and reinforcing the importance of coming to school on time each day.
Attendance = Opportunity
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 Meal Benefits
All FCPS students can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Paper copies are available in the main office. You must reapply every year for benefits.
NEED HELP?
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: 988
To get help if you are thinking about suicide.
Catoctin FFA Attend the 95th Maryland State FFA Convention
Catoctin FFA Attend the 95th Maryland State FFA Convention
On June 27 & 29, 2023, 19 Catoctin FFA members attended the 95th Maryland State FFA Convention. The state convention was held at the University of Maryland, College Park. This year's theme was Making Waves! All students attended workshops and sessions,industry tours and participated in CDE/LDEs (contest) and got to network with over 390 members from across the state!
Agriculture Sales: The Ag Sales team placed 2nd in the state. This team had to research different types of utility trailers. They then had to sell the different products to potential consumers. Team members included Sophia Chism, Taylor Knott (8th place ind.), Ryleigh Ruch (2nd place ind.) and Trinity Spidle (4th place ind.).
Ag Marketing Ella Burrier, Caroline Clark and Peyton Davis are members of the ag marketing team. This team met with the owner of Sunny Acres Rabbitry. They made a marketing plan to help the owners make a larger profit and reach his goals in the future. The team placed 2nd in competition.
Ag Issues Our Ag Issues team Placed 1st in the state. The team consisted of Annalise Abruzzese, Kaitlynn Bentz, Alyssa Costa, Carly Ridenour, Savannah Ridenour and Katie Topper. This team created a presentation about including an agriculture class to the MD high school graduation requirements. They will travel to the National Convention in October/November for national competition.
Agriculture Communications Owen Cook, Cadence Lovejoy, Abby Moreland (9th place ind.) and Drew Potter participated in the Agriculture Communications contest. The team placed 4th. They had to work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz and editing exercise.
FFA Knowledge This team placed 4th. Students had to take a written exam on FFA history and work together to complete a team activity. Team members include Annalise Abruzzzese, Ellie Baker, Kaitlynn Bentz, and Carly Ridenour (8th place ind.)
Sr. Prepared Speaking Ellie Baker participated in this event. She wrote a 6-8 minute speech. She had to present it and answer questions about it. Her topic was about the floral industry.
Jr. Extemporaneous Speaking Annalise Aburzzese and Kayla Delcid participated in this event. They picked a topic out of a hat and had 30 minutes to write a 4-6 minute speech about the topic. They were allowed to use 5 resources. Kayla was 6th in the state and Annalise was first!
Employment Skills Savannah Ridenour participated in the Employment Skills contest. She had to create a resume and cover letter before attending the convention. At convention she participated in a job interview and had to write a follow up letter afterwards. She placed 8th in the state.
State FFA Degree Ellie Baker, Abby Moreland, Savannah Ridenour, Colt Sanders and Payton Troxell earned their state degree. This is the highest degree our state can bestove to its members.
Honorary State FFA Degree Alumni members Matthew Wayne Dellinger and Carrie Wivell Wolf were honored with their Honorary State FFA Degree this year. Both individuals are huge supporters of Catoctin FFA and help Maryland FFA throughout the year in various ways.
American FFA Degree Cadin Valentine was recognized for being an American FFA Degree candidate.
National Chapter Catoctin FFA was recognized for being a top chapter in Maryland. Our application will be forwarded to the National level for competition.
Retiring Maryland State FFA President Our chapter was proud to have Kendall Abruzzese represent us throughout the year as the 2022-2023 Maryland State FFA President. She spent the year traveling nationally and internationally to promote Maryland and American Agriculture. She worked closely with FFA members in the state and with National leaders in our country to tell our story.
catoctin Safe and Sane
Catoctin High School Committee for a Safe and Sane Graduation Inc. is not sponsored by Catoctin High Schoolcatoctin Safe and Sane
Safe and Sane is a non-profit, parent-run, tax-exempt corporation established to address the very serious issues of youth drinking, drug use and driving behavior during one of the highest risk social events of their lives. This will be our 33rd year of providing an alternative way for graduates to celebrate and “JUST SAY NO” to drugs and alcohol!
Want to get involved? Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/groups/catoctinsafeandsane. This is the best way for you and your Senior to stay up-to-date on events.
cATOCTIN SPORTS BOOSTERS
cATOCTIN SPORTS BOOSTERS
Catoctin High School Sports Boosters supports all CHS sports teams and coaches, all money raised goes to the athletic programs. We raise money through fundraisers, sponsorship, concession sales and membership.
For more information on CHS Sports Boosters or to make a donation, please visit our website!
ptsa news
ptsa news
CHS PTSA – A PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
CHS PTSA – A PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION
We need your help! The CHS Parent Teacher Student Association exists to help support all of our kids and the professional staff that works so hard on their behalf. We want to continue that level of support and we are looking for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering you can send an email to CatoctinPTSA@gmail.com.
PTSA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COLORFEST PARKING! This is the only PTSA fundraiser of the year. Monies raised from this event fund student enrichment, teacher appreciation, and annual student scholarships. Please email CatoctinPTSA@gmail.com if you can help!
CHS PTSA meetings will be held at 7:00 pm via Zoom Meeting from your home. All are welcome to attend! For more information, email CatoctinPTSA@gmail.com or contact:
Traci Tatum (President) / tracitatum41@gmail.com
Vacant (Vice President) / WE NEED YOU!
Peggy Davis (Secretary) / cowgirlproud@aol.com
Vacant (Treasurer) / WE NEED YOU!
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