MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Dear Catoctin Community,

We are quickly approaching the end of the school year - only 19 days of school for underclassmen and 8 days for Seniors as of May 5.   There is still a lot of important learning to be done yet this year and there are many traditional and fun events to take place.

I looked back at my message from this time last year; it was so timely and important that I am including almost the exact same message this time.  

It is as integral now as at any time of the year that students stay engaged and committed to their learning and their school work.  Please continue to encourage good attendance (we can’t teach and support students who are not present) and dedication to their work (we can’t assign a grade for work that is not completed).

This is also a good time for us to talk to our students about staying safe and making good choices.  There are a lot of fun events happening and we want students to be eligible to participate and to stay safe. 

We are excited for our upcoming graduation celebration at Mount St. Mary’s Arena.  Please take note of all of the details for the family and friends of our Seniors that were sent out and are included here.  We reminded the Seniors when we met recently that participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege that we want to afford to every Senior; please continue to encourage and support their positive decision-making so that they can be eligible to participate in this beautiful ceremony.

The Prom was held last Friday at the Thurmont Ambulance Company Event Complex – it was a beautiful venue afforded to us by the most generous Thurmont Ambulance Company (they donated the space and the food for our students).  They are truly committed to our school and our community and we are grateful for their support.

Prom and Graduation involve our upperclassmen; however, the message of good decision-making is always an important one for all of our students.  We partner with you every day to encourage our students (your children) to be good to themselves and others – physically, emotionally, socially, academically.  Our collective voice is a powerful and positive influence in their lives and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you on this every day.

Another important event next week is the celebration of Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week.  We are doing some special things to celebrate our amazingly committed staff; I would also encourage parents/guardians and students to give a small token of your appreciation – a note, email or Schoology message expressing your gratitude would be the greatest gift you could offer to the CHS staff members who are so dedicated to fostering our students’ growth and learning.  

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any CHS staff member if there is any way in which we can support you and your child(ren).

Go Cougars!

Jen Clements
Principal

Dress Code Reminders

As the weather gets warmer, the need arises more often for us to remind students about appropriate school attire.  We expect students to comply with the FCPS dress code that includes the following expectations per FCPS Policy 439.  Excerpts are listed below, for the full policy please reference the policy linked above.

The Board of Education (Board) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and positive educational environment, one which reinforces the mission of the school system while respecting students’ First Amendment rights. 

The Board provides the following standards for dress recognizing school administrators may impose additional standards specific to the needs of their individual schools, provided such standards balance the students’ First Amendment rights with the school’s need to maintain a safe and orderly school environment, and consideration is given to input from the school community. Such standards are to be consistently and fairly applied to all students regardless of gender. 

1. Students are restricted from wearing clothing that is unduly revealing (e.g. cut low at the neck or under the arms, exposes bare midriff, pants worn below the hips exposing the student's underwear or skin). 

2. Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items that promote illegal or violent conduct such as unlawful use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or weapons. 

3. Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items that are obscene, libelous or feature sexually offensive or vulgar words, pictures, phrases, drawings, etc. 

4. Students are prohibited from wearing clothing or items containing derogatory expressions or language demeaning an identifiable person or group such as based on a person's race, color, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability that could disrupt or materially interfere with school activities. 

5. Students are prohibited from wearing specific gang-related attire. 

6. Students may be restricted from wearing clothing that may conceal weapons or other illegal items such as drugs (outerwear jackets, etc.), and items that may be used as weapons (metal belts, chains attached to wallets/keys, etc.). Students may be asked to keep such items in their assigned locker during the school day. 

7. Students are prohibited from wearing head gear unless an exception is provided as outlined under #13 below. 

8. State regulations require the wearing of shoes in public places at all times. 

9. Students are expected to follow all school rules governing safety in specialized programs that may require the wearing of protective clothing, safety glasses, proper foot protection, or other similar requirements. 

10. Students may elect to wear a face mask/face covering for personal or health related reasons. 

11. Students may be restricted from wearing an item of clothing or article which impedes their ability to be fully engaged and participate in instruction.

We have important work to do with and for students at school each day.  Like any “work” environment, there are established norms of attire.  When students adhere to these policy regulations, it ensures that their time and ours does not need to spent in conversation about appropriate school dress.

We appreciate the partnership of our parents and guardians to help ensure that students’ attire is in compliance with these expectations.  When we all reinforce the same message, students are much more likely to respond positively.

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:

• • The Asian American Center of Frederick is holding a festival,  Asia On The Creek, on May 6, from 11:00am to 5:00pm on Carroll Creek Linear Park. For more details, click here.

  • The Monocacy Composite Youth Mountain Bike Team is holding a new rider & team info session for 6-12 grades on Wednesday, May 10, 6PM at Monocacy Village Park, 409 Delaware Rd, Frederick, 21701. For more information, see flyer.

  • The Frederick Community Volunteer Fair will be hosted on Saturday, May 13 from 10AM-1PM.  Information Flyer.

  • The Asian American Center of Frederick is offering citizenship services, from help applying for citizenship, to taking citizenship & English classes. See fliers below. For English, click here. For Spanish, click here.

  • The YMCA’s Summer Serve Program is designed to help young people (ages 12-17) awaken their inner leader, build their teamwork skills, meet like-minded peers, while creating positive change in their community. For more information click here. 

  • Free Range Kids & Teens Summer includes Circus Arts, Filmmaking, Musical Theatre, Murder Mystery Theatre, Gaming and Crafting, plus full productions of MEAN GIRLS Jr and  FINDING NEMO Jr. Visit freerangeworld.com for details and click here.

  • Frederick County (MD) Parks and Recreation’s 2023 Summer Camp season job opportunities are open. Information Flyer.

  • The Fredrick Book Arts Center is offering a summer art class for rising 9th-12th graders on Thursdays (July 6, 13, 20, 27) from 6-9PM. Cost is $180. Information Flyer.

  • Junior Achievement is offering the following two summer camps at the JA Youth Workforce & Innovation Center, 1725 Twin Springs  Road, Baltimore, 21227.  Entrepreneurship Summer Experience Camp is for rising 9-12 graders, June 26-30 from 10AM-2PM. The cost is $125. More information can be found here.  Biztown Summer Venture Camp is for rising 4-7 graders, June 26-30 from 9AM-3PM. The cost is $250. More information can be found here.

  • 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.