THE COUGAR CONNECTION
THE COUGAR CONNECTION
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The Catoctin High School Newsletter • November 25, 2025
Catoctin FFA - 1st Place in State Land Judging competition
Catoctin FFA - 1st Place in State Land Judging competition
Congratulations to these Catoctin FFA students for earning 1st place in the State Land Judging competition on Friday, November 21st.
Land Judging Team
Kourtney Bell
Simon Burrier - 1st place ind.
Gabby Brauning - 9th place ind.
Preston Clark - 3rd place ind.
Grady Abruzzese participated as an individual in this contest.
Homesite Team
Grady Abruzzese - 4th place ind.
Gabby Brauning - 8th place ind.
Preston Clark - 2nd place ind.
Blake Smith - 1st place ind.
Kourtney Bell participated as an individual in this contest.
Catoctin FFA “EMPOWER” at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo
Catoctin FFA “EMPOWER” at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo
Catoctin FFA members and advisors traveled recently to Indianapolis, IN for the 98th National FFA Convention. Students attended competitions, workshops and sessions, and explored the expo with over 300 colleges, companies and vendors in attendance. These members represented Catoctin High School to the best of their abilities and did a fantastic job at the convention. Read about the highlights of the trip and view photos here: Results - 2025 National Convention
Catoctin Unified Tennis Finishes Season with state tournament
Catoctin Unified Tennis Finishes Season with state tournament
Unified Tennis placed second in the District Tournament on October 20 earning them the chance to advance to the State Tournament on November 11. View photos from the District Tournament here: Catoctin Unified Tennis
Unified Bocce Tournament
Unified Bocce Tournament
In the spirit of inclusion, the Unified Generations Club is having a Bocce Tournament on Wednesday, December 17 during 2nd block FLEX time!
Registration ends on December 10th. All students and staff are welcome to participate. Team captains may register a team of four online (must be logged in to your school account): Bocce Tournament Registration Sixteen teams will compete for the title “King of the Court.” Entry fee is $20/team ($5/person) and the team fee will appear on the team captain's SchoolCash Online account after completing the team registration form. All proceeds and donations will be placed towards the Ms. Kelle Brumley Inclusive Scholarship.
Polar Plunge!
Polar Plunge!
Catoctin High School is officially registered and our team of students are ready to #BearTheCold on Wednesday, January 28th!
Together we can support the athletes and Unified® teammates and their sports, health, and leadership opportunities. Click the link here to donate to the CHS team: https://support.somd.org/team/635303
Students who have signed up must raise at least $50 in your name on the CHS team Polar Plunge page by December 1 and pay the $15 bus fee on your SchoolCash online account by January 15.
Questions? See Mrs. Ryley or Mrs. Coblentz.
Mark Your Calendar!
Mark Your Calendar!
November 26-28: Thanksgiving break, schools closed
December 2: 2-hour Early Dismissal, mid-term
December 22-January 2: Winter break, schools closed
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Hearing and Vision Screenings will take place at Catoctin High School on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025 for ALL STUDENTS NEW TO MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Maryland State Law mandates these screenings.
If your child requires glasses or contacts, please be sure they are brought to school with them or worn on screening days.
Please keep in mind, this is just a screening and if you have concerns in regards to your child’s vision and/or hearing, please seek further medical advice.
Parents/guardians who have an objection to this screening based on the tenets and/or practice of their church or religion must submit a written request for their child to be exempt from screening. For further questions, please contact the health room at 227-203-3159.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
I will admit this is almost exactly the same message I shared at this time last year (and, quite likely, the year before). It is so timely and appropriate that I will continue to share it this November (and in the years to come). We have a lot to be thankful for at CHS!
Last week was American Education Week and this week we observe Thanksgiving. These two celebrations provide us a great opportunity to recognize and be thankful for the work of our educators. Teaching is both challenging and rewarding. In my opinion, there is no greater responsibility than nurturing and fostering the growth of our youth. There is also no greater reward than seeing the happiness and/or satisfaction of a child/student/mentee who is learning and thriving. The role of educators has never been more integral in the lives of our children than now. I would encourage all students and parents/guardians to send an email or message of gratitude to those educators who have positively impacted your learning and your life or that of your children….a small message of thanks can mean the world to the recipient and can reinforce the purpose and the impact of his/her work.
This week, we are celebrating some of our distinguished graduates. Our students leave a lasting legacy during their time at Catoctin High School; these graduates are also great examples of the positive impact Cougars have long after they leave the halls of Catoctin. I challenge all of our students to think about the positive effect they will have during their time at CHS but also the good they will impart after graduation.
During this season, I am especially thankful for our staff and their strong commitment to our school and our students. I am also thankful for our students and our community - together we will continue the legacy of Cougar excellence and pride.
Happy American Education Week and Happy Thanksgiving!
Go Cougars!
Jen Clements
Principal
Student Conflict
Student Conflict
We have seen an increase in the number of conflicts occurring between students, some of which have escalated into disruptive and sometimes physical events. These situations are not only problematic for those who are directly involved, but they are also unsettling and disruptive for our entire school community.
While we recognize that there is a social aspect to high school, students should be coming to school to learn. There is always going to be someone in your world with whom you don’t get along; that is part of life and navigating that is a useful skill for all to learn. We can not always control (or even influence) the words and actions of others, but you always have control over your response.
To make it clear, this is what we expect of all who enter the doors of Catoctin High School:
Be respectful to others (or ignore those for whom you can’t)......even if you feel respect is not being afforded to you.
Make a good choice about how you respond to others (which means a response that does not cause a disruption or a fight).
Situations sometimes start when one individual “just wants to talk” to the other - when emotions are involved, this often results in a heated conflict.
Share concerns with an adult, but understand that we do not have a magic wand to control the behavior of others…….and that we do the best we can with the resources we have to affect positive outcomes.
When you do come to adults, follow the guidance you are given.
Catoctin is an incredible school that is filled with amazing people, each of whom has his/her own opinions, perspectives, personality, and gifts. With a little more respect, a little more self-control, and a lot more focus on the work of learning and achievement……we will return to calmer ways that are better for everyone.
Thanks to all for your part in prioritizing learning, safety, and well-being.
Survey reminder
Survey reminder
If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the FCPS School Climate Survey. We use this information to inform our work and in our efforts of continuous improvement. Our School Improvement Team and other staff groups will review and anaylze the results from our student, staff, and family surveys. Our Student Voices group will also rely heavily on this information to guide their efforts on behalf of our school community.
Thank you for your input.
2025-26 Family Survey
Catoctin High School invites you to participate in our school’s 2025-2026 Family Survey. Your feedback is important to us! Your responses will remain anonymous and will be combined with the responses of other families.
To access the survey online, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25_26_SysSur-Family
Important: If you have more than one child enrolled in FCPS, please complete one survey per child.
If you require a paper survey, please contact the front office by calling 227-203-3150.
The survey will remain open until Tuesday, November 25th at 11:59pm EST.
We thank you in advance for your feedback!
resources for families
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/.
PTSA - We Need You!
PTSA - We Need You!
Membership in the PTSA helps us provide:
School Improvement (Requests by Staff to Improve the School such as equipment or signage)
Staff Appreciation (Luncheons and Teacher Appreciation Gifts)
Honor Roll Awards
Senior Appreciation (Signage, Awards, Graduation Gifts, Scholarships)
New ideas to make CHS the best experience for all students and staff.
Parents, students, grandparents, staff, and community business are welcome to join! Join the Catoctin High School PTSA here: https://fspta-00020926.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true. For more information and a paper membership form visit: PTSA Membership Info
Follow the PTSA on Facebook! Search for Catoctin High PTSA or visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563952568524 Find out what the PTSA is up to and how you can help!
catoctin sports boosters
catoctin sports boosters
Catoctin High School Sports Boosters is a parent-based organization which provides support for all CHS athletes, sports teams and coaches. The Sports Boosters program is needed to cover the additional expenses not covered by the very limited Athletic Department budget. We raise money through fund raisers, concession sales, sponsorship and membership.
Al l of the money raised goes to support our athletic programs. With continued cuts to the Athletic Department's budget the burden falls on the Sports Boosters and the individual sports programs to come up with the needed funding to run successful programs. In addition, Catoctin is a 1-A school with a limited number of student-athletes and spectators which is how budgets are determined, because of this we are already at a disadvantage compared to the larger schools in Frederick County.
Please consider becoming a Catoctin High School Sports Booster Member. Help Catoctin Athletes by signing up now. Anyone can join. For more information: Sports Boosters
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