Community Update: Week of Sept 11th
Sharing information for the Wootton High School community.
Athletics Expectations and Safety
We are still at the start of football season. My purpose in writing to you is to reconvey information that is important for you to know about athletics. Additionally, this message underscores safety measures that are in place for large athletic events or events that are Tier 2 and higher.
Let's begin with what is most important: all Wootton High School guests, including students and families, are expected to be positive and appropriate fans while attending the game. This is an expectation for all guests. If this expectation is not being met, then please know your behaviors and actions will be addressed by the school system staff. I request that you please work with us as partners to create an exciting and safe evening of competition for everyone in attendance.
Please review the information below:
- Students at the participating schools will be allowed to attend with a valid ticket and by presenting an student ID or Synergy verification. All other school-aged spectators must be accompanied by an adult chaperone - this includes all elementary and middle school students. Adult chaperones must stay with and supervise students for the duration of their stay at the game. Spectators should expect to take additional time to gain entrance to events, as school IDs and enrollment are verified at the gate.
- NEW: Spectator numbers will be limited to 75% of stadium capacity to assist with event management.
- Inappropriate and unruly behavior at athletic events may result in your removal from the event and your suspension from subsequent MCPS athletic activities.
- Students and spectators should primarily be in the stands during the game. You may move to the bathrooms and concession stand and should return to the stands once done. After entering the stadium, Wootton students should go to the home section.
- There is no re-entry to events. Spectators will not be admitted after halftime. The stadium will be cleared at the conclusion of the JV event.
- Backpacks and outside drinks are not allowed.
- At the conclusion of the contest, Wootton fans are expected to promptly exit and leave campus at the end of the game and must have a pre-determined way home. Students who are chronically staying after games without a plan to depart will be asked to no longer attend such events.
- Only student-athletes, coaches, game officials, athletic department staff, credentialed personnel, and media are permitted on the sidelines of the field. Everyone must stay behind the fence in the stadium.
- Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through the GoFan App or at the door.
I am, also, providing you with the MCPS Fall Athletics Safety Plan for your review.
I thank you for your support of these measures so everyone can enjoy safe and healthy competition this season.
Sincerely,
Doug
Douglas Nelson, principal
Wootton Safety Week
Safety and security are critically important at Wootton High School. During Pre-Service Week, all staff at our school received annual training to share expectations about safety measures and procedures. This school year, Ms. Stephanie Labbe, Assistant Principal, is the identified lead for the school's safety plan. New this year: Wootton will participate in an approach called Safety Week. During the week of September 18th, we are enhancing our focus of safety by participating in many required drills. Please find the scheduled drills.
Monday (9/18): Directed Evacuation
Tuesday (9/19): Combination Shelter-in-Place and Lockdown
Wednesday (9/20): Severe Weather/Drop, Cover, Hold
Thursday (9/21): Fire Evacuation & Reverse Evacuation
Friday (9/22): NO DRILL, Early Release
Learn More about the New MCPS Pathway to College, Career, and Community Readiness
Calendar Reminders
FRI, SEPTEMBER 22 Early release day for students
MON, SEPTEMBER 25 Non-Instructional Day-No school for students and teachers
PSAT at Wootton
The PSAT will be administered districtwide on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The PSAT will be taken digitally only, with students accessing the assessment through the Bluebook application. The PSAT and SAT assessments are used to measure students' College and Career Readiness.
The PSAT will remain free to all Grade 10 students. Every Grade 10 student must participate. However, Grade 11 students must pay the $15.25 fee for the assessment and are encouraged to participate to obtain additional SAT practice and participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Only Grade 11 students must register for the PSAT/NMSQT assessment by paying the fee before Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The deadline to order PSAT/NMSQT test materials is earlier than in past years. Your payment will be your registration via School Cash Online (SCO). Please see the full community message here.
If you have any further questions, please contact your child's school counselor or Ms. Stephanie Labbe regarding the PSAT assessment at Stephanie_C_Labbe@mcpsmd.org.
AP Exams- May 2024
Beginning in the school year 2023–2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will pay for all Advanced Placement (AP) in alignment with the Maryland Blueprint and the MCPS strategic plan.
- Exams for students enrolled in an AP or IB course are at no cost to students and families;
- Students enrolled in an AP course for the school year 2023–2024 will be expected to participate in the corresponding AP exam;
- Students who elect to take an AP exam and are not enrolled in the corresponding AP course will be responsible for paying for the AP exam;
Important Dates
AP exam registration deadline is November 15, 2023.
More information about registration will shared as we get closer to the November 15th deadline. AP Coordinator: Bradley Rohner
From Counseling Services - To the Class of 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians for the Class of 2024,
You will receive a letter in the mail regarding graduation requirements your child needs in order to graduate in 2024. In this letter you will see three categories of graduation requirements.
- The courses your child needs to take
- The number of student service learning hours they need to complete if any
- If they need to take any Maryland state assessments
New Information for Grade 9 Students
Learn More About Wootton's Composting Program
Pre-order your Yearbook for the 2023-24 School Year Today!
- Reserve a copy at the back-to-school sale price of $70
- To purchase, go to https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob and use School code # 14787324
- The sale ends Oct. 31st. Parents of seniors can purchase senior ads at this time as well!
If Your Student is Leaving Early
A reminder that if a student is leaving the school building anytime during the school day, a parent signed note is required in advance. The student will bring the note to the Attendance Office before First period for processing and the student will receive a pass to leave their classroom at the scheduled time. The student must always sign out before leaving the building. If a student does not sign out, the absence will be considered unexcused. If a child returns the same day, a medical note, or parent signed note if it is not medical, is expected when the student comes to sign back in at the Attendance Office. Again, if they do not sign in, the absence will be considered unexcused.
Because of our new schedule, from 10:45am to 12:15pm, it will be difficult to locate students that have not followed the above process. This time period is Advisory and lunch at Wootton.
If the note has not been received in advance, you will have to come into the main office and fill out an early departure form. During the above hours, you will have to text or call your child to come meet you in the main office to pick up the form and then they must bring it to Attendance Office to sign out.
Please note, we cannot accept early departure requests via email. We cannot guarantee that the message will have been read in time to locate your child and advise them.
We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Pease find the Attendance Instructions for parents & guardians.
Important Wootton Reminders
Student Drop-Off
Student drop-off is located in the lower lot. Please do NOT drop your students off on Wootton Parkway. It is extremely dangerous to do so. Please utilize the drop-off location in the lower parking lot to keep our students (and you!) safe.
Please do not park in the neighborhoods near Wootton HS
Drop-Off Table
If you need to drop-off something for a student, you can use the drop-off table in the main office. Students can check the table between classes or during lunch. For safety reasons, food that hasn’t been picked up by 3:00 p.m. will be thrown out. Other items like clothing, etc. will be giving to lost and found after one week.
Lunch Procedures
Please be reminded that Wootton has a closed campus during lunch in an effort to ensure the safety and security of our students. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds to purchase lunch. Students are also not permitted to accept food deliveries from outside vendors.
Support the Wootton Athletics Mattress Fundraiser
Support the Wootton Athletics Mattress Fundraiser. There will be 30 different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost less than retail stores. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows, premium sheets, mattress protectors, and even adjustable power bases!!
Visit the Facebook event and click “GOING”, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! SHARE OUR POSTS: FACEBOOK EVENT LINK. Check out THIS VIDEO to see how it works!
Please consider supporting our Weight Room fundraiser as we improve the facilities at Wootton High School. Wootton Weight Room Renovation Fundraiser
2023-2024 Vaccination Requirements
Important Updates and Reminders Related to School Immunizations
Fall Parent Academy Schedule Now Available
Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO. Parent Academy TO GO is a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home.
The September, October, November and December webinars are listed below and are also available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.
Patriot Balloon Factory is Open
The Patriot Balloon Factory at Wootton is now taking orders!
The Patriot Balloon Factory is an in-school balloon delivery service founded and run by our Wootton School Community Based (SCB) program. All proceeds go toward the SCB Program Vocational Fund and help to continue and create meaningful work opportunities for our students. Balloon orders can be placed online and will be delivered to students and staff members during the school day.
Single balloons are $3.25 and balloon bouquets (one printed balloon and one solid color start balloon) are $5.25.
Link to order form: https://forms.gle/Kv4iD5wqiYcgQ5Xu8
Questions? Please contact Ms. Lily Herzing at Elizabeth_A_Herzing@mcpsmd.org