John Champe Knightly News
Edition 8, December 13 - 31
All of the happy to you
May entering the holiday season this year bring you and yours all of the best things, be it time with loved ones, time to relax, or time to enjoy whatever craziness you find enjoyable.
Read on for updates-a-plenty that will take us into the New Year.
Admin Corner
Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Tyson on his selection as Virginia Thespian's Principal of the Year. This honor comes as a result of his continued support and advocacy for theatre arts at Champe.
Safety
PLEASE help us keep our students safe. Be alert and aware of crosswalks, lights and signage, etc. especially at Northstar, Conejo, and the Westridge community. The number of incidences of student injury or near so are rising, even with students crossing at correct times. Please slow down, refrain from distracting behaviors, and err on the side of caution for our students so they can get home safely.
Counseling
On Friday, December 17, students will view an introductory video in advisory about course registration. Course registration will begin when students return from winter break.
The December ACT at Champe has been cancelled.
The Counseling Department's Signs of Suicide presentation will take place in PE classes after the new year. Opt-out forms will be distributed soon via the school psychologist.
Staff Recognition
Ms. Nicki Cabaniss has been selected as Virginia Thespian's Teacher of the Year. We are proud of and grateful for her commitment to students and colleagues, and we agree with what one of her nominators stated: "even during a pandemic, Cab found opportunities for students to engage in unparalled ways" and is a teacher who transforms lives.
Ms. Suzanne Abdelrazaq, yearbook advisor at Champe, received acknowledgement from the Virginia High School League as one of seven winners of the Col. Charles E. Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholastic Journalism, which is a first-time recognition for Champe. This award is given to schools that earn at least five Trophy Class awards within seven years. Want to get in on the award-winning yearbook? You can purchase the 2021 yearbook by going to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use the school code 13848; then click the option "order a yearbook."
MAGIC Makers
At the December faculty meeting, Brian Sorg and Sarah Roos were selected as MAGIC Makers. Mr. Sorg has supported students and the counseling department alike through various assessments and other needs as they arise. Ms.Roos with our special education department has continuously helped kids that are struggling to transition back to school.
Mx. Harper led our eSports Splatoon team to a final ranking of 12th of 60 teams for the Eastern Region. The SMASH team moved on to Round 2 of the VHSL playoffs, which will take place December 18 at Shenandoah University's eSports Arena. Good luck!
PSAT Score reporting
Career Center
Academies
For Sophomores: HOBY Youth Leadership Program
Tenth graders are encouraged to explore the mission of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY) via the .pdf below. HOBY seeks to support leader development by guiding students through exploring their own unique skills and exposing them to leadership principles. Eligible students can express their interest for consideration by JCHS by completing the Google Form linked here.
Fun fact: Mrs. Bonner attended the HOBY conference when she was in high school. She shared that it was a great opportunity that led to many "what a small world" moments, including meeting three other attendees that she then reunited with two years later at Virginia Tech as they were moving into the same dorm. Two were hallmates and one was her roommate, with whom she continued to live for the time she was at VT. HOBY is a way to explore your own inherent traits, add to those, and network with peers.
Scholarship Opportunity
The South Riding Women in Business Scholarship is available for female graduating seniors interested in a career in business. Please check out the requirements and application in the doc below (SRWB Champe Scholarship).
If you missed the latest career center newsletter from Ms. King, you can check it out here; you can check out her latest scholarship newsletter here.
CHARGE up and Connect
COLLECTIONS TAKING PLACE - PLEASE CONTRIBUTE AS YOU CAN!
Check your closets!
As we enter the holiday season, please take a look through your closets for any gently used winter wear such as coats, gloves, hats and scarves for CAMPUS's winter drive for the American Red Cross through December 15. Please bring in donations to the collection boxes outside of the main office.
Gift Card Drive
The National Honor Society is collecting gift cards to benefit Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. Please send in cards (e.g. Target, Walmart, grocery stores, gas stations, or general ones like Visa or Mastercard) to Ms. Allen in Room 2200 through December 17.
Class Donations
Please remember that there are options in the online payment portal to make a donation to each grade level's class. Each class appreciates your generosity in helping to defray costs of activities throughout the year.
Thank you for your charitable love for others in our area at these times!
CLUBS
Remember to check out the ICC website for organizations that might interest you. You can also accrue service hours as part of the Knights Give Back service program. Check out your graduating class' Schoology course for volunteer opportunities.
ATHLETICS
Check out the JCHS athletics website for the full schedule of winter sports.
Planning to attend a boys' basketball game as part of Champe Chaos? Check out the spirit themes for the upcoming games:
Tues, 12/14 at Osbourn -- Tie-Dye
Fri, 12/17 vs. Battlefield -- Mid-Knight (Navy Out)
Sat, 12/18 vs. Stone Bridge -- Silent Knight (Holiday Gear)
Mon, 12/20 vs. Gainesville --S’Winter (Summer & Winter gear mix)
Wed, 12/22 at Unity Reed -- Slumber Party (PJs Out)
Thurs, 12/23 at Churchland -- Navy, Silver, White
PTSA
Our annual Teacher Appreciation Holiday Cookie Buffet is back on 12/16! We'd like to also show our appreciation by providing lunch, too!
Please sign up to donate items here. Or, if you're unable but want to help, please consider sending a PayPal donation to JohnChampePTSA@gmail.com
Don’t forget to set up Amazon smile on your app to support Champe PTSA before you finish holiday shopping! While you're at it, please link your Harris Teeter VIC card account number to their TIE Program. Visit customer service to link your account or email your name and VIC card number to JohnChampePTSA@gmail.com
Feeling '22, too?!
When we return to school on January 3, the senior class will be just over five months away from graduation (7pm on June 17, 2022 at Eagle Bank Arena on the campus of George Mason University).
The final round of senior payments are posted in the online payment portal! You can pay for all things graduation, including caps and gowns, celebration lunch on the last day of school for seniors, and breakfast before graduation rehearsal. When you access the portal for the "Senior Activities" line item, you'll see a drop down list for the three graduation-related items. Please note that you will have to select each and click "add to cart" for each item.
Thank you to the families that have paid since our last report. We are now at about 22% of the class that has paid for a graduation cap and gown (up from 17% previously). How many of you will ring in '22 with the satisfaction that a cap and gown for the big day is already ordered?
Please email meghan.bonner@lcps.org if you encounter any trouble.
The John Champe Library will be hosting its 3rd Annual Winter Book Fair in partnership with Bookworm Central December 13-16! Visit the Polar Bear Book Fair in the Champe Library, open each day from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Can’t make it to the Book Fair in person? Order online and have the books shipped straight to your home! The Online Book Fair is open now!
Enjoy great additions to your home library or purchase gifts for others while helping to raise money for library programs. In addition to great young adult titles, the Book Fair will have adult and family favorites, as well. Book fair proceeds are used to operate Champe’s amazing library program, including Maker activities, book clubs, author visits, reading promotion, and other special events. Thank you for supporting the John Champe Library!
For questions, please email: Sarah Anderson sarah.anderson@lcps.org and Catie Cote catherine.cote@lcps.org
Thank you in advance for your support!
SAVE THE DATE
December 20-31: Winter Break
January 3: Classes resume - it will be a "B day"
January: Academic Advising begins via Counseling Department
January 7: HOBY Interest Application deadline (sophomores only)
January 10-11: Academies of Loudoun represenative in the Career Center
January 17: MLK, Jr. Holiday - no school
January 20: Curriculum Night (6-8pm)
February 15: Academies of Loudoun deadline
February 25: SRWB Scholarship Application deadline (female seniors only)
John Champe High School
Website: lcps.org/JCH
Location: 41535 Sacred Mountain Street, Aldie, VA, USA
Phone: 703-722-2680
Twitter: @JohnChampeHS