THE COUGAR CONNECTION

The Catoctin High School Newsletter • February 14, 2020

catoctin students excel in ctc sKills USA contest

Congratulations to the Catoctin High School Career and Technology Center (CTC) students who earned medals from the western regional SkillsUSA contests held on February 1. All first, second and third place winners have earned the opportunity to compete in the SkillsUSA MD state competition in April.

1st Place

    • Daniel Janc, grade 11, Electricity, Electrical Construction Wiring
    • Krista Royer, grade 12, Cosmetology, Cosmetology

2nd Place

    • Tessa Croyle, grade 11, Crime Scene Investigation, Homeland Security/Criminal Justice
    • Andrew Hahn, Jr., grade 10, Plumbing, HVACR/Plumbing
    • Nikole Torre, grade 12, Nurse Assisting, Academy of Health Professions

3rd Place

    • Corey Andrew, grade 11, Sheet Metal, HVACR/Plumbing
    • Madelyne Jones, grade 12, Esthetics, Cosmetology
    • Marques Miller, grade 10, Carpentry, Carpentry

FREE Community Dinner

The PTA, PTSA and School Administrators at Catoctin-Area schools* invite area families to a free Community Dinner on Wednesday, February 19, 6:00 pm at Catoctin High School,

Join us to:

    • Share FCPS resources
    • Build community spirit
    • Celebrate our Cougar community

Free dinner admission will also be provided to the JV and Varsity basketball teams.

*Sponsored by Emmitsburg, Lewistown, Sabillasville, and Thurmont Elementary, Thurmont Middle, Thurmont Primary, and Catoctin High Schools.

View the flyer here: Community Dinner

National FFA Week - February 24-28

Catoctin students are invited to show school spirit for the Catoctin FFA during National FFA Week, February 24 - 28!

    • Monday, 2/24: Boots Day - Wear any kind to represent the hard work and dedication of current and former FFA Members.
    • Tuesday, 2/25: Flannel Day - Wear Flannel shirts
    • Wednesday, 2/26: Camo Day - Wear any appropriate type of camo clothing (Remember, school rules still apply).
    • Thursday, 2/27: Greenhand Day - Support our Greenhand members (1st year members) by wearing green!
    • Friday, 2/28: Blue and Gold Day - Share in the spirit in the FFA Spirit and wear National Blue and Corn Gold

Students are invited to join FFA members for some fun activities throughout the week during your lunch shift! Activities through the week will include:

    • Monday, 2/24: Corn Hole - Come test your skills at corn hole!
    • Tuesday, 2/25: Lasso the Cow - See if you are a super awesome roper and rope the cow.
    • Wednesday, 2/26: Homemade Butter - Make your own butter and taste test it on a cracker.
    • Thursday, 2/27: Pop Goes the Corn - Guess the number of kernels and answer corn questions.
    • Friday, 2/28: Kiss the Animal - Donate your spare change to see a teacher kiss a Goat. Come donate some change into a teacher’s container! The teacher with the most money donated will kiss a Goat! *Proceeds will be donated to the Frederick County Animal Control.


boys and girls Basketball teams support community needs

KINNASTRONG FUNDRAISER

The Boys and Girls Basketball programs at Catoctin High School raised money for KinnaStrong during their JV and Varsity games against Walkersville on January 27th and 28th, 2020. They raised $1,531 from the 50/50 raffle, half court challenge and sale of KinnaStrong bracelets.

TOILETRY ITEM COLLECTION

The Boys Basketball Varsity and JV teams collected over 450 toiletry items for the American Legion Auxiliary Post #168 to be given to veterans at the VA Hospital in Martinsburg, WV during their military appreciation night.

calendar of events

Please visit this link for the most up-to-date athletic games: Catoctin Athletic Events

FEBRUARY

14 - 2 hour Early Dismissal.

14 - Practice SAT by Sylvan Learning Center. Only for students that have previously signed up through Sylvan Learning Center. 12:15 pm, Rm. 628.

17 - School Closed. President's Day.

17 - All You Can Eat Pizza, Salad and Drink Safe and Sane Fundraiser. Rocky's Pizza, Thurmont. 5:00-8:00 pm. Adults $10/Under 12 $5.

19 - Community Dinner. Open to community residents from the Catoctin feeder school area and 6:00 pm

22-29 - National FFA Week.

28 - Parents Meeting for spring sports athletes, 6:00 pm, CHS Auditorium.

29 - Safe and Sane Dance/Silent Auction with Ragged Maggie, Thurmont American Legion. $10 cover charge.

29 - First Day of Spring Sports, Tryout information will be sent in a Find Out First email.

MARCH

3 - Music Auditions for performing at Graduation, 2:30 pm Open to seniors only. See Mr. Gadra to sign up in advance.

4 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal.

5 - Speech Auditions for speaking at Graduation, 2:30 pm Open to seniors only. See Mr. Gadra to sign up in advance.

APRIL

8 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal.

9-13 - School closed. Spring Break.

24 - Junior/Senior Prom.

28 - School closed. Primary Election Day.


Note from the Principal .....

It is 2020, it is second semester, it is time to select classes for the 2020 – 2021 school year…..it is hard to believe we are more than halfway through the school year. Time sure flies when you are having fun! As I have written about before, every milestone in a school year presents a perfect occasion to reflect on your past successes and challenges while looking forward to the opportunities ahead. Whether students deem their first semester as a success or not, there is always room for growth and improvement. The other night, I posed two questions to my own children:

    • Of what are you most proud so far this school year or what do you feel like you did really well?
    • What are you hoping to learn and/or improve in the second half of the year?

This generated a great conversation for us and I am certain it will in your house, too. I believe reflection and planning can be powerful tools in the process of learning and growth. This conversation can also help foster a feeling of empowerment. I shared the sentiment below with the students this week; I saw this online and feel it captures an important message as they start a new semester:

If you are not willing to learn,

No one can help you!

If you are determined to learn,

No one can stop you!

Students are in the midst of selecting their classes for next year. There are so many options, thus it is important that students make thoughtful and purposeful decisions. Please talk with your child about the following considerations:

    • How will you challenge yourself next year?
    • What are your post-high school plans – are there courses you can take that will help prepare you?
    • What are your strengths and your passions – what courses can you take that will feed those?
    • What are areas in which you need to grow – what courses can foster this growth?

If you and/or your child has questions about the course selection process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us - your child’s teachers, school counselor, and administrator can be great sources of advice and guidance.

The second half of the year promises to be as exciting as the first (both inside and outside of the classroom). I look forward to future opportunities to come together as a school and community in support of our students’ success.

Go Cougars!

Jen Clements, Principal

Attendance Matters . . .

ARRIVE ON TIME!

Students must be in the door of their 1st block class by 7:30 am. Unexcused late arrivals to school carry the following consequences per semester:

    • 3 times late = 1 After School Detention
    • 4 times late = 2 After School Detentions
    • 5 times late = 1.5 hours of Saturday School
    • 6 times + late = 3.5 hours of Saturday School

LEAVING EARLY

Students with pre-arranged appointments should bring a parent-signed note from home and turn it into the attendance office first thing in the morning. The student will get an attendance slip that allows him/her to leave class at the arranged time. This procedure is the most efficient way to pick up a student from school. If you have a last minute appointment, please call the attendance office or the main office with as much notice as possible.

ABSENCES

Please call and let us know if your student will be absent from school and send a parent or doctor note when he/she returns to school. Students with over 5 unexcused absences in a term may fail the term.

ILLNESS

Students who are feeling ill during the school day, should ask their teacher for a pass to go to the health room. The health tech will evaluate the illness and make parent contact if it's necessary for the student to go home. Students are not permitted to make their own arrangements to leave school.

SIGNING IN/OUT

All students must sign in when arriving late (or returning to school) and sign out when leaving early.

STUDENT ATHLETE ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order to participate in games or practices, a student athlete may not miss more than 90 minutes of the school day without a doctor's note. See this policy for complete details: Athlete Attendance Policy

chs bulletin

SWIM TEAM COMPETES AT COUNTIES - The boys and girls swim team recently competed in the county tournament. Each member of the team received a personal or season best time. They have been working very hard since the beginning of the season and have done an amazing job!

SENIOR NIGHT - Come join the Boys Basketball team for Senior Night on Friday, February 21st at 7:00 pm. Cheer on the Cougars as they face FSK in this season closer.

HERSHEY PARK TICKETS - The Leo Club is selling HersheyPark tickets now through March 25. Tickets are $36.95 each and valid May 1 - July 31. There are also tickets valid for all summer long, May 1 - September 27, for $41.95. The Leo Club will also sponsor a trip to Hershey Park on Memorial Day, May 25. If you are interested in attending, the bus trip fee is $10 in addition to the ticket price. You do not need to be a Leo Club member to attend. See Mrs. Steele in Room 110 for order forms or click this link: HersheyPark Order Form

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING - Tutoring is held in the media center Tuesdays - Thursdays, 2:30-3:30 pm. All students are welcome, no passes needed - just sign in upon arrival. Tutoring is not offered on Mondays or Fridays. There is a bus on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for students who attend the after school tutoring program. The bus will make limited stops. Please see Ms. Adams-Campbell, Ms. Newman, Mr. Livergood, Mr. Calhoun, or one of your teachers for a list of bus stops.

PARKING PERMITS - All vehicles parked on school property must have a parking permit. Parking permit applications are available in the main office or click here: Parking Permit Application. Vehicles without a permit will be fined $20.

COUGAR SPIRIT WEAR - We have an online store for Cougar Spirit Wear. Visit our store at CHS Sideline Store.


HELPFUL RESOURCES:


Catoctin sports boosters

Monthly Meeting - The next Catoctin High School Sports Booster meeting is March 16 at 6:30 pm.

Keep up to date with the sports booster by visiting the CHS Sports Boosters 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

Vacant Board Positions: The positions of Secretary and VP are still open. The next meeting will be held at the high school on February 25 at 5:00 pm. Please consider donating your talents to our organization so we can support the staff and students at CHS!

safe and sane news

February 17 - All You Can Eat Pizza, Salad and Beverage. Rocky's Pizza, Thurmont. 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Adults $10/Under 12 $5.

February 29 - Dance/Silent Auction with Ragged Maggie, Thurmont American Legion. $10 cover charge.

April 19 - Quarter Auction. Thurmont Carnival Grounds Activities Building, 1:00 pm.

May 9 - Gun & Cash Bash Drawing. Lewistown Fire Hall, 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 door.

Ongoing - Crab Raffle Drawing. Tickets $5 each. Drawing will be at the May 9 event.

FOLLOW US!! Facebook: Catoctin Safe and Sane 2020 Twitter: @CHSSane

CONTACT US!! safeandsane2020chs@gmail.com