THE COUGAR CONNECTION
The Catoctin High School Newsletter • December 16, 2022
Winter Break
Winter Break is December 23 - January 2. During this time, our school and office will be closed. We look forward to resuming our work on Tuesday, January 3.
Best wishes to all for a happy holiday and an enjoyable break!
December Retirees
Best wishes to our December retirees - Ms. Kim Flabbi and Ms. Val Grim. Ms. Flabbi, our special education program specialist and assistant athletic director, and Ms. Grim, a chemistry teacher and long-time field hockey official, have spent a combined 55 years serving the students of Catoctin High School; their presence and their contributions will be greatly missed. We wish them well as they head into retirement.
Although they are irreplaceable individuals, we will do our best to fill their positions. Until that occurs, please reach out to the front office if you have a need with which we can help (240-236-8100 or kellie.may@fcps.org or nicole.wangness@fcps.org).
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Frederick County Public Schools' (FCPS) students and staff will celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a free event on Thursday, January 5, 7 pm, at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, 1501 N. Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701
In the case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Thursday, January 19, same time and location.
The theme of the 33rd Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is Stick with Love. Hate is Too Great a Burden to Bear. During the event, a student from each FCPS school will be recognized as their school's King Award recipient.
Students were selected by their school based on their demonstration of positive leadership qualities, characteristic of Dr. King and of the Character Counts! Pillars: Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Trustworthiness, Citizenship and Respect.
In addition to students being recognized, there will be performances by the Frederick Classical Charter School Choir, Urbana High School Step Team, and Yellow Springs Elementary School Choir. Students from Tuscarora High School will host and emcee the event.
Help Support Homeless Students
The CHS Family, Community, and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) club is participating in the annual Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County (SHIP) Homeless for the Holidays program. During the months of November and December each year, SHIP collects hygiene items for Frederick County’s homeless youth through collection bins hosted by businesses throughout Frederick County. In 2021, over 12,000 pounds of supplies were collected and gifted to students in need. The FCCLA club has put a bin in the front vestibule and is accepting donations for this program.
Items needed:
Bathing items (Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, shaving cream)
Hair care items (Hair brushes, hair ties, hair accessories)
Dental Items (Toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, lip balm)
Other personal care items (Deodorant, lotion, personal hand sanitizer for backpacks, face wipes, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, toilet paper, cotton swabs, and adhesive bandages)
For more information please visit: https://shipfrederick.com/event/homeless-for-the-holidays/
SLeep in
Heavenly peace
Heavenly peace
The FCCLA Club would like to thank to Mr. Karl Rathvon who came to the Santa's Workshop event to share the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Program.
This program provides beds, sheets and coverings to students ages 18 and under who do not have a bed of their own. The organization is busily making and distributing beds (approximately 15 each week) in Frederick County. Imagine this holiday getting a bed of your very own. Laying your head on a bed brings a necessity for overall improved health and learning!
For more information check out the Sleep in Heavenly Peace website or email karl.rathvon@shpbeds.org
Mark Your Calendar!
December 23 - January 2 - Schools Closed, Winter Break
January 11 - Schools Closed, Teacher Work Day
January 16 - Schools Closed, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
March 1 - School Day SAT Test - All Juniors
Thurmont Lions Club Annual American Heritage Essay Contest
The Thurmont Lions Club (TLC) is excited to announce its annual essay contest. This year, the essay contest focuses on history, creative writing, and critical thinking. We truly hope that you encourage the students at your school to participate in this Catoctin feeder pattern contest.
The TLC will select an essay to advance to the Maryland Lions Club District Level Contest; winners at the district level will receive a $100 cash award and a USA flag.
Here is the topic for this year’s essay contest along with the rules for entry:
The high school topic (grades 9-12) is as follows: Patrick Henry was influential in shaping the Bill of Rights. As a volunteer, how can you influence others to volunteer and make a difference in today’s world?
The middle school topic (grades 6-8) is as follows: Patrick Henry once said, “I know of no way of judging the future, but by the past.” Today, the history of volunteerism in America continues to be written. You could be the next person to start the next world changing volunteer group. What would it be?
The elementary grades topic (grades 1-5) is as follows: It is 1777, and you have been invited to spend the day with Patrick Henry and George Washington. Use your imagination to describe your day with them.
The essay rules are as follows:
Use 8 ½ x 11” white paper
Essay may not be handwritten
Essays should be a minimum of 300 words, but not more than 500 words
Essays should include a separate cover page with the following:
Student’s name
Student’s address
Parent’s phone number
Name of school
Thurmont Lion’s Club name
ALL ESSAYS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2023. Essay entries will be picked up at all participating schools on Friday, January 6, 2023. Or, you could email essays to clemwilly218@icloud.com on or prior to January 5th.
CTC Skills USA Competition
Congratulations to our Catoctin High Students that placed in the CTC (Career and Technology Center) SkillsUSA Local Competition on December 9th
2nd Place - Jeremiah Manahan, Automotive Service Technology
3rd Place - Tommy Lee, Information Technology Services; Benjamin Mullennex, Electrical Construction Wiring
Honorable Mention - Cory Doody, Carpentry; Deondre Febus, Collision Repair Technology; Landen Hutson, Criminal Justice; Michael Lipchock, Plumbing; Autumn Millison, Esthetics; Matthew Uttermahlen, Plumbing
CTC Student of the Month
Ava Thompson was selected as a Career and Technology Center (CTC) Student of the Month for December. Ava is a student in the Teacher Academy of Maryland program. Congratulations, Ava!
Interested in attending CTC?
Students interested in applying to a CTC program must first schedule a shadow experience for the program(s) they would like to apply for. CTC Shadowing is open until February 28th. The last day to sign up for a shadow is February 10th, 2023!
Click below for more information about CTC programs and to request a shadow.
FCPS Support Staff Employee of the Year Nominations Open
Has an FCPS support employee gone beyond the call of duty to help you? Have you observed a support staff member excelling in their day-to-day activities? Have they done something particularly noteworthy? There are so many reasons to nominate someone for the FCPS Support Staff Employee of the Year Award!
This award recognizes support staff employees whose contributions to Frederick County Public Schools exemplify the highest attributes of service and excellence. It recognizes outstanding members of the FCPS support staff from eight broad job categories. Of the eight, one central office and one school-based employee will receive the Support Employee of the Year award.
Central Office
Business Support (includes Food Service and Transportation office/garage employees, Technology Services, Interpreters, etc.)
Custodian/Maintenance/Warehouse
Secretary
School-based
Bus Driver/Bus Assistant
Custodian
Food Service
Instructional/Special Education Assistant/Community Liaison/User Support Specialist
Secretary/Registrar
An FCPS support employee may be nominated for this award by anyone in our community, including FCPS employees, students or former students, and parents. A panel of FCPS judges will screen the nominations and select finalists. Finalists will be recognized and presented with awards at the Board of Education meeting on April 19, 2023.
Complete eligibility, nomination criteria, process and selection guidelines are located online at www.fcps.org/awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 27, 2023. Please contact Wanda.Ford@fcps.org or 301-696-6900 with any questions.
FCPS-FCC Early College INFORMATION NIGHTS
9th and 10th Grade Students!
FCC invites you to register for one of the following Early College Information Nights to learn about the FCPS-FCC Early College program:
Thursday, February 15, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 pm (virtual)
The FCC Early College program is a way to earn an associate degree and high school diploma simultaneously by attending FCC full-time during your junior and senior years. The program was created to increase participation and completion for students from populations historically underrepresented in higher education and is open to all FCPS high school students. FCPS students apply to Early College during their sophomore year.
Members of the Dual Enrollment Team will go through the details of the Early College program and acceptance process, and they will answer questions from interested students and families.
Register to attend www.tinyurl.com/EarlyCollegeInformationNight. If you register for a virtual date then you will receive the link to the Google Meet session in your registration confirmation email.
Visit www.tinyurl.com/FCCDualEnrollment to register for a Dual Enrollment Virtual Open House to learn about all DE opportunities. For more information, contact the DE Office at DualEnrollment@frederick.edu, 301-624-2893, or www.frederick.edu/de
School Improvement Plan
Every year we set school-wide goals that we use as one means to measure our success in our work with students. We can only achieve these goals through the partnership with our parent/guardian community and the engagement of our students. Please take a few minutes to review each document (Parents and Students) and reflect on how your efforts support these goals.
Go Cougars!
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
At this very busy time of year, it is important to pause and reflect on where we are:
• The fall activities (sports, fall play, fall FFA events) are in the rearview mirror
• Our winter athletics are now in full swing
• Our FFA continues to take part in community activities, competitions, and fundraisers
• The performing arts department has already begun work on the spring musical
• And, most importantly, we continue to challenge students to do their best thinking and learning in every class every day and where we are headed:
• Many extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities to come for students to be positively engaged in our school community
• To the fast-approaching second half of the school year
When we return from Winter Break, we will have just 6 school days before the end of the semester. Every day remaining in this term is important to ensuring a strong finish to students’ first semester courses. Also on the near horizon is the fresh start that comes with a new semester and new courses. We will continue to encourage and support students to end this semester successfully and to take good advantage of the excitement and opportunity of the new year and new semester.
Students and staff have worked hard in 2022 and have earned the change of pace that Winter Break affords us. I offer my wishes to each and every member of our community for a peaceful and enjoyable holiday and a fun and restful break. Please note that the office will be closed from December 23 – January 2; we will also take this time to refresh so that we are re-energized for the work to come in 2023.
Happy Holidays and Go Cougars!
Jen Clements
Principal
Official CHS Spiritwear!
Don't Miss a Game!
GO COUGARS!
Up-to-date CHS game schedules for all sports: https://www.frederickcountycmc.org/public/genie/312/school/6/
Watch games via live-streaming on www.nfhsnetwork.com/
Online game tickets, season passes: Go Fan-CHS
Join CHS Sports Boosters to support Catoctin Athletics!
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 by online at: Meal Benefits. Paper copies are availablYou must reapply every year for benefits.
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.
catoctin Safe and Sane 2023
Catoctin High School Committee for a Safe and Sane Graduation Inc. is not sponsored by Catoctin High School
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 32st 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.
Safe and Sane Fundraising Events: Event Calendar
Catoctin Safe and Sane T-shirts and Sweatshirts Now on Sale: Order Form
T-shirt and sweatshirt orders and money are due by January 10th
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
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. For more information visit: https://edu.fcps.org/chs/ptsa
PTSA General Meetings - Come Join the Fun!
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!
community flyers
These flyers have been approved for electronic distribution by FCPS:
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an all-volunteer 501(C)(3) non-profit that builds twin beds, and delivers them, FREE of CHARGE, to families in Frederick Co Maryland whose kids, ages 4-17, are sleeping on the floor, a couch, or with their parents or siblings.