THE COUGAR CONNECTION
The Catoctin High School Newsletter • March 5, 2024
boys indoor track & field win 1a state championship
Congratulations to the Catoctin High School Boys Track and Field team for a great showing at the State Meet on February 20 and earning the title of 1A State Championship Team
The 4 by 200-meter relay team of Shaymus Stull, Gavin Sheetz, Wayne Ferson, and Furious Trammel came in 5th. Shaymus Stull also ran a personal best in the 55-meter dash. The 4 by 400 relay team of Gavin Sheetz, RJ Etzler, Dennis Lease, and Furious Trammel took 4th overall. Gavin Sheetz also hit a huge personal best in the 55-meter hurdles. Gabe Riling dominated the mile by taking first place and hitting a personal best for the year. Gab is now the 2nd fastest miler in Catoctin history. Gabe Riling also won the 2 mile; blowing away the competition. What a great senior year!! Furious Trammel completely dominated the middle sprints by taking 1st in both the 300 and 500 meter - breaking the 1A classification record in the 500. Furious once again proved his strength by winning the hardest double in Indoor Track and Field. Deacon MacIlvain surprised 1A by blowing away most of the competition and getting 2nd in the shot put! Huge throw for Deacon and that really gave CHS some much needed points! Dennis Lease came in 4th in the half mile. This was an awesome run for Dennis and he was a key point maker.
The Cougars have taken this grand prize for three years in a row. "These guys came together as a team to face an impossible task and they made it possible working as one team with one Goal and one Achievement. We are all blessed to be Cougars today and every day. All the CHS Coaches are blessed to have great Cougar athletes!!" said Coach Lillard.
athletic director bruck retires - Acting AD named
Catoctin High School Athletic Director Keith Bruck retired on February 29th after 22 years of dedicated service at Catoctin High School. Mr. Bruck started at CHS as a Math Teacher, then moved to Student Support Specialist, and has been the Athletic Director for the past 5 years. We wish him the best in his retirement from FCPS!
Physical Education teacher Mike Rich has been named Acting Athletic Director for the remainder of the school year. If you have questions regarding athletics at CHS, please contact Mike by email at michael.rich@fcps.org.
Cougar Cubs Preschool registration open
The Catoctin High School Family and Consumer Science Department has openings in our MDSE Licensed Laboratory Preschool program. The program is held four days a week from 7:45 - 10:15 am for two sessions in the fall and two sessions in the spring. The tuition for each session is $105.00 ($1.75/hr.). Your child may attend all four sessions if you choose. This is a licensed preschool program and we can accept a maximum of 10 children. The program teachers are CHS child development students with CHS teacher supervision. Children must be potty-trained with no pull-ups and be at least 2 years old by September 1, 2024. No transportation provided.
If you are interested, please email program advisor Janice Gazmen or call 240-236-8135.
digital SAT SCHOOL DAY information
All Juniors are scheduled to take the Digital SAT on Wednesday, March 20. Students should arrive early to school and begin reporting to testing locations at 7:15. They should bring their FULLY-CHARGED FCPS Chromebook. Students who do not have an FCPS Chromebook will be provided with one. A calculator is included within the testing platform, but students may bring their own. They should also bring something to write with. Cell phones and smart watches will be turned off and stored away.
AM CTC students will not report to CTC this day. PM CTC students will eat their lunch after the test and depart for CTC at 11:45 am. Please direct questions about the SAT to Sarah Ryley, Assistant Principal, at 240-236-8100.
SAT pre-administration sessions will be held during STEP (10:20 am – 11:00 am) on the following dates:
Tuesday March 5: Juniors, last names A–G
Wednesday March 6: Juniors, last names H–O
Friday March 8: Juniors, 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.
Unified Bocce Wrap-Up
The Unified Bocce team had a great successful season. With skill and strategy, the team took to the courts at the county and state competition. Team captains Shay Johnson and Ashton Merritt lead the team with outstanding collaboration and confidence. Team members Lucas Bradley, Riley Elias, CJ Endlich, Alice Harrison, Jackson Manners, Eva Oleszczuk, Maria Perella, Lucas Phelan, Josh Ramos, Jonny Wastler, Chad Zimmerman gave maximum effort to represented Catoctin with exceptional character!
Jumping Jack Challenge
The month of February ended with the Unified Generation Club promoting a school wide challenge. Students and staff took a minute to promote heart health and inclusivity by doing jumping jacks! Since the 29th was also Rare Disease Awareness Day, the club spotlighted the fact that millions of people live every day with a rare disease. All 97 eager participants jumped with purpose in support of an active lifestyle of health. Winners of the challenge were freshman Karen Lopez with 80 jumps/minute and Cougar Cubs preschooler Joseph Clements, who was a jumping machine (too many to count)! Each were presented with donated gifts! Congratulations!
The FCCLA Club and Learning for Life students had a great time together sharing fun and laughter as they played the game "Minute to Win It" and participated in the Jumping Jack Challenge!
Save the Date: PROM 2024
The Catoctin High School junior/senior Prom will be held on Friday, April 26, 7:00-10:00 pm. Prom tickets will be on sale April 9 - 18.
In order to be eligible to purchase tickets, students must:
be a CHS 11th or 12th grader
have good attendance
not have any financial obligations (check SchoolCash Online)
not have any behavioral infractions that make them ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities
Students with questions about these criteria should speak with an administrator.
Senior deadlines
March 8 - Second (final) Senior Class of 2024 Shirt order due; Claire’s Gourmet orders due
March 13 - Graduation Performer/Speaker Auditions
April 8 - Claire’s Gourmet Delivery
April 12 - Third and final Senior Meeting
April TBD - Senior Surveys due in Naviance
May TBD- Cap and Gown distribution at CHS
May 13 - Senior Last Day of instruction (to be confirmed)
May 17 & 20 (Fri. & Mon.) - Required Graduation Practices
May 20 - Senior Awards Ceremony, 6:00 pm
May 21- Graduation, 6:00 pm
Note to Seniors: If you did not attend the February 9 meeting, make sure you view the information and complete the sign in form to confirm. February 9 Senior Meeting Presentation
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 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. 120 families responded to the survey and some of the questions and responses that highlight important areas of focus include:
I feel well-informed about what is going on at the school - 74.8% agree or strongly agree
Teachers have encouraged me to be actively involved in my child’s learning - 60.7% agree or strongly agree
My child’s school culture is positive and motivating - 80.5% agree or strongly agree
I am satisfied with the opportunities for family involvement (event, education opportunities, resources) at my child’s school - 79.4% agree or strongly agree
The data gives us some insights, but we really need to hear more in order to affect positive change. The form linked below asks for family input on what would be helpful from your perspective - what can we do differently to ensure good communication and a welcoming and positive environment (for students and families). Thank you, in advance, for taking a little time to provide this valuable input. Our partnership is the best support we can provide for our students and your feedback just makes us stronger.
Family input form: https://forms.gle/NbyoYkKc8giqhUFs6
Go Cougars!
Jen Clements
Principal
MONTHLY GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
Attendance Update
As noted above, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school days (this includes all absences - excused and unexcused). The research shows that poor attendance has many negative impacts for students, including struggles in reading and lower graduation rates. We also know that we are best able to support students in their learning when they are in school. From a school perspective, chronic absenteeism is a measure for which we are accountable and it factors into our school’s report card. So for both individual students and our school as a whole, chronic absenteeism is an important data point.
At this time of year, many students are approaching a 10% absence rate. If students have not yet missed 18 days (which is 10% of our total school days), it is still possible to maintain a rate of attendance that will not reach the definition of chronic absenteeism. Please be mindful of your child’s attendance and come to school every day (unless you have a legitimate and excused reason to be absent; in those instances, please be sure to submit a note to excuse the absence).
Thank you for prioritizing good school attendance!
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 January for each school:
*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.
Parent/Guardian Involvement in High School
High school is a time of building independence and that is an essential part of development at this age. However, high schoolers still need a lot of guidance and it is crucial for parents/guardians to know about and be involved in their child’s activities both in and out of the classroom. Although parent/guardian involvement may look different in high school, it is still important and there are many ways to do so:
Stay connected with what your child is learning and doing in each of his/her classes. Check Schoology regularly and/or ask your child about their grades and their learning.
Reach out to your child’s teachers, counselor, or administrator if you have questions or concerns (about academics, social emotional, future planning, etc.)
Join one (or more!) of our parent organizations - PTSA or one of the Booster organizations.
Volunteer when opportunities arise (athletic concession stands, PTSA Colorfest parking, fine arts support, FFA events).
Come to events at CHS to support our students and our school.
Share productive and actionable feedback (via surveys, email, or other avenues to provide input such as the form included in this month’s principal letter).
Read our newsletter to stay informed about our school happenings and other opportunities to get involved.
Finally, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to be more involved but are not sure how to get started - we are happy to collaborate with you to find the best way for you to stay connected with our school and with your child’s journey through high school.
CHS Career coach program news
The month of February has been filled with enriching activities, engaging guest speakers, eye-opening field trips, and insightful in-class presentations. Here's a glimpse into the exciting happenings:
Guest Speakers
Our Career Coach program has been fortunate to host a series of accomplished professionals from various industries, providing our students with invaluable insights into diverse career paths.
Zach Baker – Chief Clinical Officer / Sports Residency Director of Rehab 2 Perform spoke to students about careers in Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
Joyce Shry – Recruiter ; Frederick County Fire and Rescue Academy spoke about the Internship / Apprenticeship program
Career Coach Chris Stack said "We look to bring in more industry leaders, and experts in fields ranging from technology and healthcare to arts and humanities. These sessions not only offered students a chance to learn about different career options but also allowed them to ask questions and gain advice directly from those who have excelled in their respective fields."
College Recruiting for Student-Athletes
Mr. Stack, former DI College Athlete and former DI Soccer Coach, spoke to students who have aspirations of playing their sport in college about what it takes to play at the next level and how the college recruiting process works. He is currently piloting an introduction to college recruiting education program for 10 sophomore student-athletes who want to play in college and he hopes to expand the program next academic year.
Field Trips
The Career Coach organized an enriching field trip to Mount St . Mary’s University to explore Careers in Sports, specifically in Intercollegiate Athletics. Students heard from a number of former high school and college athletes who wanted to remain involved in sports outside of playing. This FCPS county-wide field trip allowed students to hear from professionals working in the sports industry.
Justin Miller, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Academics and Student-Athlete Support Services / SWA
Natalia Woods, Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Inclusive Excellence
Tyler Kraft, Director of Video Services / Social Media
Meghan Weeks, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Travis Scott, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Anna Nagro, Head Softball Coach
Justin Vink, Head Water Polo Coach
The Students also got a first hand look at the brand new ESPN studio on campus which is used to broadcast games on ESPN +.
In-Class Presentations
In addition to external activities, our Career Coach has been actively engaging with students in the classroom. Interactive presentations have covered topics such as resume building, interview skills, and career exploration and planning. These in-class sessions are an integral part of our commitment to providing a well-rounded and comprehensive career education.
Upcoming Events
Looking ahead, our Career Coach team has exciting plans for the upcoming months. We are working on bringing in more guest speakers and planning field trips to industries that align with students' emerging interests. We encourage parents, guardians, and the entire community to stay involved and support our efforts in guiding our students toward fulfilling and successful futures. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or would like to contribute to the Career Coach program, please reach out to Mr. Stack at Christopher.stack@fcps.org.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to empower our students on their journey towards career readiness!
SCHOLARSHIP INFO SESSION
Students are invited to attend a Scholarship Information Session on Tuesday, March 26 at 10:30 am in the auditorium. Learn about all of the local scholarship opportunities available to CHS students! Students can sign up here : https://forms.gle/SrHeTksJbtLwxdHQA (must be logged into your student account to register). See Mr. Stack for more information.
Community Foundation Scholarships
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 deadline to apply is April 15, 2024. Learn more about how to apply by viewing this presentation.
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.
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 high school Fundraisers
Discounted HersheyPark Tickets
$49 each (reg. $84.95)
On sale now through March 15. Proceeds benefit the Science Department field trip.
Buy online: https://bit.ly/3uPlMyY
Class of 2024 Senior Spiritwear
CHS senior long or short sleeve t-shirt, crewneck or hooded sweatshirt in gray. Senior names on back. Buy online: https://bit.ly/48rpD2Z
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:
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 pm, 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 Google Meet from your home. All are welcome to attend! Upcoming dates: March 19, April 16, and May 14 at 4:00 pm. To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/vqc-zgfr-zkh. Otherwise, to join by phone, dial 1-402-282-0447 and enter this PIN: 952 544 193#. To view more phone numbers, click this link: https://tel.meet/vqc-zgfr-zkh?hs=5
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!