THE COUGAR CONNECTION
The Catoctin High School Newsletter • November 9, 2022
CHS Theatre presents Two One-Act Plays
On November 11 and 12, CHS Theatre will present two one-act plays for your viewing enjoyment. Showtime is at 7:00 pm for Order Up! a play by Kamron Kiltgaard and The Hallmarks of Horror a play by Peter Bloedel. Tickets will be sold at the door; $10 for adults, $6 for students. Directed by Evan Felmet and performed by CHS students. Play poster design by Sarah Burrier. See you there!
95th National FFA Convention
The 95th National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 26 - October 29, 2022. While at the convention, 18 Catoctin FFA members joined over 60,700 other FFA members and guests from across our nation. The National FFA Convention and Expo is the one of the largest student conventions in the world with a mission to develop, educate and inspire. Throughout the week, members were able to participate in sessions, contests, workshops, and a career expo.
The chapter made several industry stops on the way to Indianapolis. They visited the Corning Glass Museum in Corning NY, Niagara Falls in NY, the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, OH, United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Members competed in Career Development Events/Leadership Development Events. Each team or individual contestant extensively learned their subject and rehearsed their task in preparation for state convention. Teams and individuals competed in Agricultural Issues, Agricultural Sales, Livestock Evaluation, Marketing Plans and Extemporaneous Speaking. Catoctin was one of five eligible chapters from Maryland and was recognized nationally as a 2-star chapter. Two members receive their American FFA Degree, the highest honor bestowed upon FFA members.
WINTER SPORTS BEGIN NOVEMBER 15
Online registration is now open for the winter sports season which will begin on Tuesday, November 15. Winter sports teams at CHS include Boys and Girls Basketball, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Indoor Track, Boys and Girls Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, and Unified Bocce. For more details on try-out dates and times:
To participate in school sports activities, students must register at the FCPS online athletic registration site and submit verification of a medical examination on April 1 or after for each academic year of participation. Student physical examinations cover one school year only. Student-athletes should give hard copies of their physicals to their coaches on the first day of practice/try-outs. If a student participated in fall sports, they do not need to turn in a new form. Visit these links to view and print the physical form: Physical Examination Form Evaluación física
After try-outs, a meeting for winter sports team members and their parents will be on Monday, November 21 at 6:00 pm in the school auditorium.
For more information, visit https://www.fcps.org/athletics.
Arrival and Dismissal at CHS
To ensure student safety and to respect our neighbors, please adhere to the following procedures (and remind your students to do so, also):
Walkers should use the sidewalks only (do NOT cut through the Veterinary Clinic property - this is unsafe and disrespectful to our neighbors).
Drop off and pick up for students who are getting a ride to/from school should only be in the upper lot. This helps with the flow of bus traffic and also provides greater safety for the students who are coming and going.
Student drivers must have a parking permit to park on campus. Driving to school is a privilege that is afforded to students who demonstrate safe driving and who follow school rules - students who are unsafe or who do meet school expectations for attendance and behavior will have this privilege revoked.
Thanks for your partnership and cooperation in ensuring a safe an orderly arrival and dismissal.
Mark Your Calendar!
November 11 & 12 - CHS Theatre presents Order Up! The Hallmarks of Horror, 7:00 pm
November 15 - Senior Class Meeting, 7:35 am - CHS Auditorium
November 15 - Winter Sports Begin
November 16 - ASVAB, 7:30 am
November 23, 24, 25 - Schools Closed, Thanksgiving Break
November 30 - 2-Hr. Early Dismissal, Mid-term
December 3 - Santa's Workshop - CHS Cafeteria, 9:00 - 11:00 am
SENIOR CLASS MEETING
**REQUIRED for ALL SENIORS**
November 15, 2022 at 7:35 am
CHS Auditorium
Seniors are required to attend a meeting on November 15 at 7:35 am in the auditorium. Important information will be presented regarding graduation, cap and gown orders, senior t-shirts, the senior class fundraiser, the Safe and Sane graduation night event, and more. Make every attempt you can to be present. Contact one of the senior advisors (Shannon Byrnes or David Gadra) if you are unable to attend. The CTC bus will be held to allow seniors to attend this brief meeting.
Please use this link to complete a form prior to the meeting.
FCPS-FCC Early College INFORMATION NIGHTS
9th and 10th Grade Students!
FCC invites you to register for one of the following Early College Information Nights to learn about the FCPS-FCC Early College program:
Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 pm (virtual)
Thursday, February 15, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 pm (virtual)
The FCC Early College program is a way to earn an associate 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.
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 three sessions at www.tinyurl.com/EarlyCollegeInformationNight. If you register for a virtual date then you will receive the link to the Google Meet session in your registration confirmation email.
Visit www.tinyurl.com/FCCDualEnrollment to register for a Dual Enrollment Virtual Open House to learn about all DE opportunities. For more information, contact the DE Office at DualEnrollment@frederick.edu, 301-624-2893, or www.frederick.edu/de
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Catoctin Community,
Students received their Term 1 report cards last week. I take time to review the report cards each term – I enjoy seeing the students’ successes, while it is equally important for me to know where students are struggling. My conversations with students and teachers also inform my understanding of why and how students are succeeding and struggling. Through these conversations and assessments, there are several themes that have emerged:
Student attendance has a strong correlation with student success (it is nearly impossible to be successful without good school attendance).
Student engagement also has a strong correlation with student success (those students who are engaged in and committed to their learning and achievement have that reflected positively in their grades).
Failing grades typically represent a significant lack of effort. (Students who engage and put forth effort rarely end the term with a failing grade).
Teachers work hard to support student success. One of the main tools they use (in addition to the time in the classroom) is calling students for STEP. Students who take advantage of this support almost always improve their grade.
In addition to the patterns described above, I will share a common concern I hear from teachers – that student phone use causes a SIGNIFICANT distraction to their learning. As a school, we have reminded students that their phones should be away during instructional time; I know that teachers also reinforce this every day. Yet some students regularly allow this distraction to negatively impact their engagement and thus their learning and success. I encourage you to also reinforce the importance of engagement with your student and remind him/her of our expectations and yours related to their phones during the day. One of the best things we can do to support the growth of our students is to help them develop responsible habits, including the appropriate use of their devices.
Thanks, as always, for your partnership and support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school with any questions or concerns. We look forward to even greater student success in Term 2!
Go Cougars!
Sincerely,
Jen Clements
Principal
Official CHS Spiritwear!
Don't Miss a Game!
GO COUGARS!
Up-to-date CHS game schedules for all sports: https://www.frederickcountycmc.org/public/genie/312/school/6/
Watch games via live-streaming on www.nfhsnetwork.com/
Online game tickets, season passes: Go Fan-CHS
Join CHS Sports Boosters to support Catoctin Athletics!
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 Meal Benefits
All FCPS students can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits by online at: Meal Benefits. Paper copies are available in the front office. You must reapply every year for benefits.
NEED HELP?
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: 1-800-273-8255
To get help if you are thinking about suicide.
catoctin Safe and Sane 2023
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 32st 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 Safe and Sane T-shirts and Sweatshirts Now on Sale: Order Form
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:
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.
Holiday Shows at the MET. Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells Batman Smells - November 26 - December 18. A Christmas Carol - December 16-18. For more information about the shows click the link.
Angel Tree Applications are open from The Salvation Army of Frederick. English and Spanish application links.