WHS Weekly Newsletter
Home of the Lions - August 28, 2023
Principal's Message
Welcome back to school!
We were so excited to welcome our Lions back to WHS this week as we kick off the 23-24 school year. I want to thank our wonderful PTSA for providing snacks this week as our staff prepared their classrooms. We have so much to look forward to in the new school year. As always, our teachers, administrators, counselors and staff are ready to assist in any way, please reach out if you need anything.
Lastly, each year we ask all families who may require some assistance with school meals to complete the form using the following link: https://linqconnect.com/ . It is a yearly requirement to fill out the form so that there are no lapses in service to the students. If you need any assistance, please contact Ms. Dominguez at Suhey.Dominguez@fcps.org or 240-236-7209.
We will not have a newsletter next week, so look for our next edition on Friday, September 8th.
Take care,
Dr. Stephanie Ware
Principal
- Bus Schedule: Check your bus number and pick-up/drop-off schedules using your school ID HERE. Remember that there may slight delays at the start of school while the driver adjusts and learns the route. Check for bus stop information regularly; routes will fluctuate for the first few weeks of school. You can also check the bus status board for delay information HERE.
- New Online Parent Portal For Meals: FCPS is pleased to offer a new online parent portal, LINQ, for student meal purchases. See details HERE.
- Student Code Of Conduct: The following links are resources to help students understand what is expected of them. See the Student Code of Conduct here: English Spanish.
FOOD DELIVERIES REMINDER
Reminder -Students may not have food delivered to school via Uber Eats, Door Dash, or any other food delivery services. Parents, please refrain from sending these deliveries, and remind your students of the rule. Thank you!
School Picture Dates!
In preparation for the 2023 portrait season, Victor O’Neill Studios is pleased to announce
Walkersville High School the following school picture dates:
Senior Make-up B October 16-17, 2023
(9:00 am - 3:00 pm)
Auditorium
Underclass Portraits September 18-19, 2023
(8:00 am - 2:30 pm)
Auditorium
Underclass Make-up October 25, 2023
(8:00 am - 2:30 pm)
Auditorium
Details on how to sign up will be coming soon!
Schoology Help!
https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/upload/0/19893.pdf
Counseling News!
Senior Class Information
Senior year is busy – let us help you stay on track!
- Senior class reminders will be posted on Schoology in the WHS Senior Class of 2024 group. Students in the senior class have been automatically added to this group. Parents who want to join can follow these instructions:
- Click Groups at the top of Schoology.
- Select My Groups.
- Click Join Group on the right.
- Enter the Group Access Code: F48P-4VV6-QWSQS
- Click JOIN
- Please review the Senior Timeline for all important dates throughout the year
- Students: please let us know how to correctly pronounce your name for senior events (Awards & Graduation, etc.): Senior Name Survey
- Cap & Gown Ordering Information: will soon be available!
School Counseling Office
Counseling Department Information – 2023-24
Name
Job Title
Phone
Shannon Marble
Counselor, 9th Grade, A-Z
240-236-7214
Lauren Bishard
Counselor, 10-12th, A-F
240-236-7210
Susan Nash
Counselor, 10-12th , G-M
240-236-7342
Nikki Ramsay
Counselor, 10-12th , N-Z
240-236-7211
Alec Parker
Counselor, MEP students, 9-12th
240-236-7312
Shelby Healey
Counselor & BSS, Pyramid & LFL
240-236-7352
Hunter Robertshaw
BSS, 9-12th , A-Z
240-236-7237
Deanna Meyer
Registrar
240-236-7208
Suhey Dominguez
Secretary
240-236-7209
- Schoology: General reminders for students in all grades will be posted on Schoology in the WHS Counseling Office group. Students and parents who want to join can follow these instructions:
- Click Groups at the top of Schoology.
- Select My Groups.
- Click Join Group on the right.
- Enter the Group Access Code: KCCM-CPHP-HGP93
- Click JOIN
- Please review the Counseling Office Newsletter for updates
2023-2024 Supplemental Online Courses
Frederick County Virtual School (FCVS)
offers supplemental online courses for high school credit through multiple
school-year programs allowing students to take additional courses while enrolled at their home school.
To pre-register, students:
• Must be enrolled with FCPS
• Need reliable and consistent access to a device and high-speed internet
• Must commit to 5-8 hours/week to be successful.
FCVS School Year Programs:
• Virtual Outside of School
• Virtual In School
• Virtual After School Credit Recovery
• Virtual During School Credit Recovery
Click here for more information and pre-registration information.
Attention Dual Enrollment Students! Please read!
- All DE students should have already completed their FCC online application and know their FCC ID number.
- Students are expected report to class as indicated on their schedule. Students in a Monday/Wednesday or M/TU/W/TH section will report to class on August 23. Students in a Tuesday/Thursday section will report to their class on August 24. Professors will share key information about the course including how to navigate the FCC instructional platform.
- Mr. Keller and Ms. Bishard will visit all DE classes on August 23 and August 24 to share important reminders and collect the Dual Enrollment Participation Form from each student. The form can be found at: https://www.frederick.edu/credit-admissions/downloads/de/departicipationform.aspx
PSAT Registration is open!
PSAT/NMSQT REGISTRATION OPENS August 14th
(Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
Exam Date: Wednesday, October 11
7:30 AM to approximately 11:00 AM
Who Can Take the PSAT
The PSAT/NMSQT is an optional test that is available to students in grades 9-11. Please note that the test includes math content from courses through Algebra 2, which 9th and 10th graders may not have yet taken.
Why Take the PSAT
The PSAT acts as a precursor to the SAT as the two tests largely mirror each other in content and structure. The PSAT has fewer questions than the SAT. We recommend the PSAT for current 10th and 11th graders who plan to take the SAT in the future. NOTE: For 11th graders only, PSAT scores determine students' eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Registration
To register and pay for the PSAT, use School Cash Online at: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com. The fee for the PSAT is $18.00. Registration will open Monday, August 14th and closes on Monday, August 29th, at 11:59 PM. This is a fixed deadline - there is no opportunity for late registrations/payments.
Completing the payment in School Cash Online means the student is registered for the test (there is no additional required paperwork).
Students who have free/reduced lunch status will not be required to pay. If this applies, please contact Amanda Hoover at Amanda.Hoover@fcps.org (do not make online School Cash payment).
Home-School Students
Students who are not enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools and participate in an independent home-schooling program may register to take the PSAT at WHS if they live in the WHS school zone. Please email Amanda Hoover at Amanda.Hoover@fcps.org
Refunds
If a student does not take the test on test day due to circumstances beyond his/her control, a refund needs to be requested by October 15. Late arrivals will not be admitted into testing rooms on test day - refunds will not be issued in this circumstance.
Test Preparation
PSAT practice items can be found online at: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice.
What to Bring On Test Day:
● Two No. 2 pencils with erasers
● A calculator
What Not to Bring:
● Any devices, including smartwatches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content
● Protractors, compasses, rulers
● Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils, mechanical pencils
● Pamphlets or papers of any kind
SPORTS NEWS
Please click here for our Walkersville Lions Sports page, with links to Facebook and Twitter.
- WHS will be using the GoFan app this coming year for athletic contests. Please use the link https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24853… to purchase game day tickets or season passes! Yes, season passes are available for the upcoming athletic seasons. Support Lion athletics by attending any or all of the athletic events. Avoid the lines by purchasing digital tickets and passes.
- Stay up to date on all WHS athletics at https://walkersvillelions.com. Team pages and schedules for all programs.
Substitutes Needed!
Substitute? I don’t have a degree in education!
You don’t need a degree in education!!
You can work in education and support the children and staff in your community. There are so many reasons to help!
· Job flexibility – choose the days you can work and the schools you would like to go to.
· Get your foot in the door at FCPS by networking with staff.
· Add some valuable skills to your toolbox (problem solving, flexibility, etc.)
· It’s never boring!!
· Schools are exciting places to be and you can learn amazing things from the students and staff
· The demand is real, the appreciation is overwhelming
· Following the lesson plan and working with students helps to make the day go by quickly
· Gain an appreciation of how much work goes into running a school
· Your community needs you – we can’t do this alone
· Make a difference. What could be more valuable than being a positive influence to the children of Frederick County
Apply now at Substitute Application
Teacher Substitute; must have 60 college credits. $21/hour
Special Education Instructional Assistant; must have a high school diploma. $15.36/hour
We also have opportunities for long term Substitute positions that last at least 11 days.
Join our team and see the rewards!
Join “WHS PTSA” on Facebook to stay connected and get updated information about PTSA happenings and WHS events!
Visit our website at http://WalkersvilleHighSchool.my-ptsa.org for additional information.
Join the WHS PTSA
Thanks to all staff, students, and family members who have already joined the PTSA and made contributions to our important programs. It’s never too late to join or make a donation. Visit https://fspta-00023699.memberhub.com/store or scan the QR code below to become a member today!
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MESSAGE
We are continuing to track lates to school. Please be aware that students should be in their seats when the 7:30 bell rings. Students will receive a warning the first two times they are late. On their 3rd and 4th late, they will receive a 30 minute after school detention. Students will be assigned a 60 minute after school detention for their 5th late and each one after that. Thank you for your continued effort in getting to school on time.
If your child will be absent, late or is leaving early, please email WHS.Attendance@fcps.org with student's name, grade, date and reason for absence. If your student is a student driver, please indicate this on the note. Student drivers will receive a pass to allow them to sign out on their own.
For early dismissals:
- Parent/Guardian will come to the office to sign student out **If not a student driver
- Please bring your ID
- Allow adequate time to locate student for an early dismissal
- If you allow someone else to sign your student out, please note the name you authorize in your note to the school. They will be required to show ID to pick up student.
Don’t forget, when going to a medical appointment, remember to get a doctor's note from their office. We will update your student's attendance accordingly. This is especially important if you have a student that has after school activities.
For more attendance information, https://education.fcps.org/whs/attendance
PTSA News!
WHS PTSA Announcements for 8/25/2023
Join the WHS PTSA!
Thanks to all staff, students, and family members who have already joined the PTSA and made contributions to our important programs. It’s never too late to join or make a donation. Visit https://fspta-00023699.memberhub.com/store or scan this QR code to become a member today! If you join by the end of August, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card donated by Ricci Italian Restaurant.
Anyone with ties to WHS may join our Facebook Group Walkersville HS Lions PTSA to stay connected and get updated information about PTSA happenings and WHS events!
PTSA General Meeting – Wednesday, 9/6/2023
Our first 2023-24 PTSA meeting will be held in person at WHS (Room 137) on September 6th at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited, so please join us! Our meetings are a great way to hear from administrators, staff, and other parents about what is happening at WHS and how you can get involved.
Staff Appreciation
We welcomed back all of our teachers, administrators, and staff members this past Monday with smiles and breakfast! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated items and time to make this such a great start to the school year. Also a huge shoutout to Weis (TJ Drive location) for the amazing breakfast bags and to Starbucks (Monocacy location) for all of the coffee. The support and generosity of our families and our community is greatly appreciated.
We’re always in need of volunteers for our year-round Staff Appreciation activities. If you want to show the WHS Staff some love by donating needed items or sharing your time, please contact Cara Boledovic at whslionsptsastaffappreciation@gmail.com for more information.
WALKERSVILLE HS LIONS PTSA FACEBOOK LINK
Welcome to the new Walkersville HS Lions PTSA group, and for joining us! It is our goal to include as much information about school events, activities, and anything else that is of interest...
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
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 elementary, middle and high school kids ages 4-17 are sleeping on the floor, a couch or with their parents/guardians or siblings. Beds include NEW EVERYTHING: frames, mattresses, blankets, sheets, and pillows. In the last 5 years, the SHP chapter has delivered 1430+ beds to 766+ families in Frederick Co.
See the fliers for more information.
MVA LEARNER'S PERMIT
If under 16, you must provide a completed verification of identity and/or school attendance, form (#DL-300) to an MVA official during the learner's permit application process. The attendance form must be presented to the MVA in a sealed, unopened envelope provided by the applicant's school or county home school coordinator, if home schooled. Please make sure to drop request a School Verification Form from the Attendandce Secretary and allow 24 hours for the form to be ready.
WORK PERMIT
Are you or your student getting a summer job? All students under the age of 18 require a work permit. You can apply directly at: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/wages/empm.shtml
Only the student, parent and employer are required to sign.
"It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school
property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers."
NEED SUPPORT - HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN?
We are here to support you! Do you have a question, but not sure who to ask? What do you need assistance with? Just complete the form linked here and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. https://forms.gle/bndJpvxzbCEuwrgC7
Walkersville High School
Office Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm
Email: brenda.price@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whs/
Location: 81 West Frederick Street, Walkersville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-7200
Twitter: @DrWare_FCPS
Tutoring!
Frederick County Public School is proud to announce that we’ve teamed up with TutorMe as we head back to school this year to empower our grade 6-12 students with unlimited on-demand access to 24/7 online tutoring!
From homework help to test prep, students can get live one-on-one help from 15,000+ verified tutors covering hundreds of subjects anytime, anywhere.
In addition to live tutoring, students can submit essays and papers for prompt, detailed feedback from writing experts within hours. TutorMe is available to all students via their current Clever Portal login. We're excited to partner with TutorMe to further support our students’ excellence.
Learn more about TutorMe here: https://www.fcps.org/student-services/tutoring
