Parking and Driving Reminders at CHS

Our two primary responsibilities at Catoctin High School are to educate our students and to keep them safe.  Safety in the parking lot and while driving on and near campus takes a team effort from staff, students, and parents/guardians.

Students – please take note of the cautions and expectations below to ensure your safety and that of everyone else.

Parents/guardians – please also take note of the details below and help us reinforce these messages with your student driver(s).

Arrival:

• Please be cautious and aware on your way to school and as you enter the CHS campus.  We have students arriving via bus, car, bike, scooter, and walking.  We all need to do our part to keep everyone safe in the neighborhoods and at school.

• When dropping off a car rider, please ONLY do so in the upper lot.  This facilitates a smoother traffic flow and ensures that the students who are being dropped off do not have to cross in front of our bus traffic.

• When in the upper lot, please pull as far around as possible before stopping to drop off your student.  This helps to prevent a significant back-up along Sabillasville Rd.

• Please drive slowly and stay aware in the upper lot – we also have students and staff who park there and thus are walking to the building.

• Use extra caution if backing into parking spaces.

Dismissal:

• Students who are getting a ride home via car should be picked up in the upper lot.  

• As we noted regarding arrival, please pull as far around as possible before stopping to pick up your student.  This helps to prevent a significant back-up along Sabillasville Rd.

• Student drivers who park in the main lot must wait until the first bus run leaves before leaving the lot.  Do not cut through the staff lot when exiting.

Parking:

• Any student parking on the CHS campus must display a parking permit.  The paperwork for this can be obtained from the front office.

• Parking on campus is a privilege that could be revoked for infractions such as fast or unsafe driving or going to your vehicle at unauthorized times.

• Students are responsible for anything in their vehicle and should not have anything that is illegal or in violation of FCPS policy in their vehicle.

Other important reminders:

• Whenever and wherever you are driving – please remember to STOP when you see red lights on a school bus.  Failure to do so puts students at risk and may result in a fine.

• Some nearby crosswalks have crossing guards.  Follow the directions of those guards and exercise caution at all crosswalks.

• Maryland law requires the use of seat belts (or child safety seats) by all passengers in all seats in a vehicle.

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Dear Catoctin Community,

Students, families, and staff took part in a survey administered by FCPS in the fall.  We recently received the data from that survey; while we recognize that these survey responses are just one piece of the puzzle, it is important that we process this information as part of our efforts for continuous improvement.  Some of the questions that highlight important areas of focus included:

• Students at my school show me respect.  – 61% of students responded agree or strongly agree

• I feel that I belong at my school.  – 69% of students responded agree or strongly agree

• Racism is a problem at my school. – 51% of students responded agree or strongly agree

We must work together as a school and community to ensure that every student feels welcome and a sense of belonging.  Educational equity is also a FCPS priority with the goal that every student is prepared for lifelong learning and success in today’s world.  Educational equity refers to all students having access to resources and appropriate rigor throughout their school career.  It also ensures that personal and social identifiers such as ability, age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status are considered assets of each unique individual.  

Our school and the entire Catoctin feeder supports and reinforces these FPCS priorities.  Ensuring everyone in our schools is seen, heard, known, valued and supported is some of our most important work.  Creating an environment that is affirming, nurturing and welcoming allows this work to take place.  All schools in our Catoctin feeder commit to collaborating with students and families around educational equity, anti-racism and establishing inclusive environments where everyone can experience success.

For more information on equity in FCPS please visit…

• Anti-Racism Policy 117

• Educational Equity and Excellence Policy 444

• Educational Equity and Excellence Regulation 400-41

Thank you for support of your student(s), our school, and our entire Catoctin community. 

Go Cougars!

Jen Clements
Principal

catoctin Safe and Sane 2023

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 32nd 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 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:

• • 2023 Seed to Roots Youth Art Performances will be held at the Weinberg Center on 2/20 at 6pm.  Information Flyer.

  • Frederick Blaze Youth Track and Field. Ages 8-14. Info night - 2/23, 7-8pm at C. Burr Artz Library. Information Flyer.

  • Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) is hosting African Storytelling Reimagined with author ADA-ARI on 2/26 at 2 pm at C. Burr Artz Library.  Information Flyer

  • The Arc of Frederick County is hosting an Open House on 3/7 from 12pm to 2 pm or 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm for transitioning youth students, their families and educators to learn how the Arc's support coordinators help people transitioning from school and into the adult world while navigating services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration and other local resources. The Open House is geared towards students between the ages of 18 and 22 and their families, natural supports and educators.  Information Flyer

  • MET's Fun Camp - Summer theatre camp which include musical theatre, acting, circus skills, improv, music videos and creative dramatics. Information Flyer

  • 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. Please see this Flyer for more information.