THE COUGAR CONNECTION
The Catoctin High School Newsletter • February 20, 2024
Board of Education Community Listening Session
The Board of Education of Frederick County is looking forward to visiting the Catoctin Feeder Pattern for a listening session. All members of the community are welcome!
When: February 21, 2024 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Catoctin High School Media Center, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont
The informal structure of a community listening session provides an opportunity for the community to highlight areas of celebration and areas of advocacy or concern to the Board and allow for dialogue and communication between the Board and the community.
The dialogue can be specific to the Catoctin feeder or across all FCPS communities.
Senior Meeting Information
A senior meeting was held on February 9. Below is a link to the slide show from the presentation that included important information such as timelines, graduation information, fundraising, safe and sane, senior t-shirt/cap & gown orders, and links for action items.
Note to Seniors: If you did not attend the meeting, make sure you view the information and complete the sign in form to confirm.
Community Foundation Scholarships Available
The Community Foundation of Frederick County has over 200 scholarships available for Frederick County high school students pursuing technical certifications and career training, 2-and 4-year degree programs, graduate and post-graduate studies, and those studying part-time or full-time. Only one application is needed to apply for all scholarships. The application opened February 15 and the deadline to apply is April 15, 2024. Learn more about how to apply by viewing this presentation.
SAT School Day Pre-administration Sessions
Catoctin High School will be administering the SAT School Day on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. All Juniors will be taking this assessment.
SAT pre-administration sessions will be held during STEP (10:20 am – 11:00 am) on the following dates:
Monday Feb. 26: Juniors with last names A – G
Tuesday Feb. 27: Juniors with last names H – O
Wednesday Feb. 28: Juniors with last names P – Z
Remote Virtual Program (RVP) and Early College Juniors
Juniors enrolled in the Remote Virtual or Early College Programs may attend any of the pre-administration sessions. If you can not make any of these sessions, please contact Mrs. Bellarmino to make other arrangements.
CHS and RVP Juniors: Please bring your CHARGED school-issued Chromebook with you to the pre-administration session. If you do not have a school-issued Chromebook, we will provide one for both the pre-administration and on test day.
Yearbook Orders Due February 25
Catoctin High School's yearbook company for the 23-24 school year is Jostens. All orders must be placed with Jostens. The school DOES NOT accept yearbook orders. You can order a yearbook online at jostensyearbooks.com or by calling 1-877-767-5217.
To guarantee your copy of the 2024 CHS Yearbook, you must place your order with Jostens by February 25th. This is when the school will submit our final purchase number. Books will continue to be on sale (with Jostens) after February 25th, however these books will be first-come, first-served until sold out. We do not intend to order many extra books. It is highly recommended that you place your book order with Jostens by the February 25th deadline.
Not sure if you purchased a book? Check the Jostens purchaser list as of 2/21/24: CLICK HERE
View the Jostens Yearbook Flyer: CLICK HERE
spring AP Classes
Please complete and return the blue AP Exam Registration paper that was given to you last week. The final due date is February 27, 2024. Please see your AP teacher or Mrs. Jacques if you have any questions.
Save the Date: PROM 2024
The Catoctin High School junior/senior Prom will be held on Friday, April 26, 7:00-10:00 pm. More details about attendance and eligibility guidelines will be coming soon.
Spring Sports Registration Now Open
Online registration is now open for the sprint sports season at Catoctin High School. Tryouts will be held beginning March 1, 2024. Catoctin High School offers the following spring sports: Girls and Boys Outdoor Track and Field, Unified Outdoor Track and Field, Girls and Boys Lacrosse, Girls and Boys Tennis, Baseball, and Softball.
To participate in tryouts, a parent/guardian must complete the online registration before attending tryouts on March 1 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. The physical must be completed on the FCPS physical form which is linked below.
Registration Information:
March 1, 2024 - 1st day of Spring Tryouts/Practice unless otherwise noted in the Tryout Schedule
For more information, please contact the team coach: Coach Directory
Online Athletic Registration (must be completed prior to March 1, 2024)
Sports Physical Form - English or Sport Physical Form - Spanish
Dual-sport athletes must have contracts completed and signed by March 1.
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 March 20, 2024 by 11:59 pm and should be made via SchoolCash Online.
If you have questions please contact the team head coach.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
In my last letter, I highlighted one of our recent events - the Community Dinner that we held in January. Since then, we have had another successful community event at CHS - our Annual Butchering. This is a true partnership between our FFA organization, our alumni, and our community supporters. While this serves as an important fundraiser for the FFA, it is also an amazing learning opportunity for our students (those directly involved and those who come to observe). All gain a greater appreciation for the source of our food (at least pork!) and the work that it takes to get it on our tables. I am thankful for the many volunteers who give up their day in support of this event, many of whom have done so for decades. The Butchering event is yet another example of the strength of our community and the support that is provided to our students and our school.
There are many opportunities for our families and community members to be involved in our school. If you would like to get involved but are not sure how to do so, please call or email me - I would be happy to connect you with something in which you are interested.
Thank you for your partnership and support - our school is stronger and our students benefit because of it!
Go Cougars!
Jen Clements
Principal
MONTHLY GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
Attendance Update
January 18 is the start of Semester 2. This is an opportunity for a fresh start - new classes, new teachers, and better attendance. For many, Semester 1 was highly successful and students had great attendance and outstanding grades - if that was the case for you, keep that up in the second semester! If you struggled in any of those areas, Semester 2 affords you the opportunity for a fresh start. I have said many times that good attendance often correlates with good grades (and bad attendance almost always correlates with low grades). Make it your goal to come to school every day; when you do, we can foster your learning and well-being. Please let us know how we can support your good attendance and your academic success.
*Attendance rate: An overall school attendance rate of 94% or higher is considered proficient.
**Chronic absenteeism: A student is defined as chronically absent if he/she misses 10% or more of the school days.
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 for November for each school:
School Calendar
This is the time of year that many of us are dreaming of summer vacation. When planning your vacations, please be sure to consult the school calendar to ensure your plans do not conflict with the final days of school. The calendar can be found on the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.org/about/calendar-handbook.
Please note that, as of today, the last day of school is June 6 (but that could change with more snow days). You can also find the calendar posted for the 2024-2025 school year (if you want to check the first day of school for next year - which is August 21).
FCPS is also considering options for the 2025-2026 school year - you are able to provide input to inform that decision (the details are also posted on the page linked above). Attendance at school is important and consulting the calendar before making plans can prevent scheduling conflicts for your student.
FCPS-FCC Early College Program
Frederick County Public Schools and Frederick Community College (FCC) invite you to attend one of four Early College Information Nights to learn about the FCPS-FCC Early College program:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (in-person, at FCC)
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 (virtual)
Times for all dates: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
The Early College program allows high school students to earn an associate's 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 of high school.
At the Information Nights, 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 one of these sessions at tiny.cc/earlycollegenight. A confirmation email will be sent with further information regarding the location and/or meeting link.
Contact the DE Office at DualEnrollment@frederick.edu, or visit www.frederick.edu/de for more information!
Applying For An Out-of-District Transfer
The FCPS Department of Student Services is now receiving requests for student enrollments in schools outside of the student's home attendance district for the 2024-2025 school year. Requests to enroll in a school that is not a student's home school district must be made by parents/legal guardians. Guidelines for requests are outlined in FCPS Regulation 400-15.
Parents/guardians must apply for an out-of-district enrollment annually. Therefore, if your child is currently attending a school out of your attendance district, you must complete and submit an application if you would like to request that your child remain at that school.
If a school's enrollment is over capacity, it is necessary to restrict out-of-district student enrollments in that school. This includes students whose daycare providers are located outside their assigned attendance area.
Out-of-district requests submitted as the result of school redistricting by the Board of Education may be denied.
Parents or guardians who wish to request an out-of-district enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year must apply by completing the out-of-district application. The applications are available in English and Spanish. The application can also be found online at www.fcps.org under the "For Families and Students" tab. The application window is open until March 1, 2024. Families will be notified of the decision by April 1, 2024.
Online Tutoring available 24/7
Our school is proud to announce that we’ve teamed up with TutorMe to offer 24/7 online tutoring to all students!
TutorMe is a place where our students can build the connections they need to learn and thrive. Through TutorMe, students connect with a tutor who’s an exact match for what they’re looking for – whether you’re stumped by an algebra equation, craving a confidence boost, or looking for an extra challenge. There’s more to TutorMe than live online tutoring. Through the TutorMe Writing Lab, you can submit drafts of any written assignment and receive detailed feedback from expert writing tutors in just a couple hours. Reference the TutorMe Support Guide to get started: TutorMe Student Support Guide (English) ESP. Guia de Apoyo- TutorMe (Spanish)
Click on the TutorMe icon in Clever to get started today.
SAT Test Prep Courses at FCC
Frederick Community College SAT Test Prep class schedule for spring 2024. Registration is now open for students. For more information visit frederick.edu/SAT.
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 Free and Reduced Meal Benefits
All FCPS students can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Apply online here. Paper copies are available in the main office. You must reapply every year for benefits. You can apply at any time during the year.
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.
Free Mental Health Crisis Care Center Open 24/7
Free, walk-in services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate, face-to-face support for anyone experiencing an emotional, mental health, family or relationship crisis in a safe, welcoming space. Frederick County Mental Health Association Crisis Care Center, 340 Montevue Lane, Frederick. For more information call 2-1-1 or 301-662-2255. Services are available for all ages. There is no cost for services and no appointment is necessary. For more information, visit https://fcmha.org/how-we-help/behavioral-health/.
catoctin Safe and Sane
Catoctin High School Committee for a Safe and Sane Graduation Inc. is not sponsored by Catoctin High SchoolSafe 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.
Don't miss these upcoming events:
Texas Roadhouse fundraiser on February 21 from 3-10 pm in Frederick
St. Patrick’s Day Bash, March 16, 6:30-11 pm, American Legion in Thurmont
Bingo!, April 14 at Lewistown Fire Hall, Doors open at 12:30, games start at 2 pm
See any senior to buy raffle tickets for a weekend getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
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. To become a member, please fill out this form.
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. Join PTSA by filling out this membership form!
CHS PTSA meetings are held monthly via Zoom Meeting from your home. All are welcome to attend! Upcoming dates: February 20, March 19, April 16, and May 14. Please email President Traci Tatum (tracitatum41@gmail.com) at for a link to join the Zoom meeting.
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!