Download June Newsletter - Carroll County Public Schools

Dear Liberty High Community:
JUNE 2015
Core Statement
“Strive for Excellence”
5 Pillars of Excellence:
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Academics
Arts
Athletics
Service
Community
ADMINISTRATION
Principal
Once again the end of the school year approaches. Our school year is coming to an end
quickly despite several days off for snow during the middle of the year and a nice long
spring break. The last day of school for students is Friday, June 12th. Congratulations to
our students and staff for another successful year.
Many of our seniors will be receiving awards at our School Awards and Community
Awards Assembly scheduled for June 3rd at 9:00 AM. Final Exams are an intricate part of
the excellent educational program at Liberty. Underclassmen are scheduled for exams
this month. I would like to remind parents, and students of the CCPS policy prohibiting
students from taking exams early. Students who miss a final exam must:
 Send a letter to the principal requesting to re-schedule their exams.
 Make arrangements with their teacher to take their exams AFTER the originally
scheduled date.
 Be aware that an Incomplete or “I” will show up on the report card.
 Be aware that students will be graded as soon as possible, however, teachers are
not required to grade them until they return in August.
 Be aware that missing exams may affect grades and eligibility.
Mr. Jared Wastler
The counselors are feverishly working to ensure each child leaves school with a schedule
in hand. Since the master schedule is based on student requests, please take
special care in choosing your classes. Schedule changes will only be made for the
following reasons:
 Increase in academic rigor. (Example English 12 to Honors English 12)
 Student has not taken a course pre-requisite.
 Senior missing a graduation requirement.
 Concurrent enrollment/Internship approved.
Academic Facilitator
If your request meets one of the above criteria and need to make a schedule change,
please contact your counselor to discuss making a change.
Mr. Thomas H. Clowes
[email protected]
Assistant Principal
Mr. Shane Bongiovani
[email protected]
Assistant Principal
[email protected]
Mr. Brian Tombs
[email protected]
Athletic Director
Mr. Edward Devincent
[email protected]
Beginning August 1, 2015-2016 parking permits will be available for purchase ($20).
Parking permits are only sold to those students who are eligible. To obtain a parking
permit students must:
 Complete, signed the application
 Bring in a copy of your driver’s license
This is my final newsletter to the Liberty Community. I have enjoyed my time at Liberty,
but am looking forward to a new challenge at North Carroll. Mr. Ken Goncz with be
Liberty’s new principal. I am sure he will appreciate the wonderful community support that
I have enjoyed over the past years.
Liberty High School
5855 Bartholow Road
Eldersburg, MD 21784
Phone: 410-751-3560
410-795-8102
Fax: 410-751-3564
Counseling Office:
410-751-3566
www.carrollk12.org/lhs
Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Thomas H. Clowes
Mr. Thomas H. Clowes, Principal
JUNE
June 1
June 2
June 3
June 4
June 8
June 9
June 10
June 11
June 12
Senior Cruise
Senior Farewell – 7PM
Senior Awards – 9AM – 12PM
Graduation – 7:30 PM
Finals 1A & 3A
Finals 1B & 4B
Finals 2A & 4A
Finals 2B & 4B
LAST DAY
Report Cards
MAKING PLANS?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
August 12/13 Senior Portraits by appointment
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
August 27
Back to School Night
August 31
FIRST DAY SCHOOL
September 2 Underclass photos-7:30 am-2:00 pm
September 3 Underclass photos-7:30 am-2:00 pm
School Closed
September 7 Labor Day
September 14 Rosh Hashanah
September 15 Closed
September 23 Yom Kippur
[email protected]
If your child is going to be absent please email the
Attendance Secretary before 8:00 am in the morning or
call 410-751-3560. You also have five (5) days to
submit a written note, or call to excuse an absence.
That note can be turned in at the Attendance Window
or in the lobby between 7:15 – 7:30. Please call 410751-3560 ext.2258 if you have any questions or
concerns.
IMPORTANT WEBSITES TO REMEMBER
www.carrollk12.org/lhs
www.libertyathletics.com
www.lhsimp.com
www.libertydrama.com
www.yearbook.biz
www.carrollcountymval.org
Liberty HS
Athletics
Instrumental
Music
Drama
Yearbook Orders
SPORTS calendar
NOTICE - The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (A. H. E. R. A.) management plans for all buildings owned or leased by the Board of
Education of Carroll County are available for review at the individual Carroll County School locations and at the Office of Plant Operations located at
191 Schaeffer Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. Management plans are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and depict the
location, amount, condition, and response action projected for any asbestos-containing materials, if any are located in the school building.
The office will remain open during the summer months from June 16th – August 28th from
7:30 am until 3:30 pm. You can reach the office by calling 410-751-3560.
Moving over the summer? Please remember to provide updated
proof of residency to Mrs. Shimoda, Registrar in the main office.
If you have any questions concerning acceptable documents,
please refer to the following list;
 SIGNED Lease/Rental Agreement on a home/apartment in which the parent/legal
guardian is currently residing (expired lease is not acceptable)
 Current Rent Receipt*
 Recent Bill for a service delivered to the residence (e.g., BGE, land-line phone, cable, oil, water)*
 Mortgage Statement/Bill*
 SIGNED Settlement Document
 Property Tax Bill from the current fiscal year indicating “Primary Residence”
 Deed (must show house number, street name, and name of parent/legal guardian)
 Residence Verification Statement accompanied by an acceptable proof of residency for the owner/lease of
the property.
Postcards with your date and time
will be mailed to your home.
Pictures will be taken between
9:30 am and 3:30 pm.
Portraits Dates:
Monday, June 15th
Tuesday, June 16th
Wednesday, June 17th
Make-up Dates:
Wednesday, August 12th
Thursday, August 13th
Senior ID Make-ups:
Wednesday, October 7th
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
If you can’t make your
appointment time, please contact
LifeTouch at 410-644-7700 or
1-800-445-1189 to reschedule.
Please do not contact the school.
Home Access Center is now available for parents and legal
guardians to login and view information pertaining to their child(ren).
Please follow these directions to login to your account:
1. Go to the Carroll County Public Schools website at
www.carrollk12.org
2. Click on the ‘Home Access Center’ link.
3. A new page will open; click the ‘Request Password’ link.
4. Enter the email address you provided on your child’s emergency
card (it will be the email account where you receive Connect5
message). You will receive an email to that account with a link to a
web page. If the email message does not appear within several
minutes check your junk mail folder and make sure it wasn’t
delivered there. It will come from [email protected].
5. Click the link from the email message and follow the instructions
on-screen. You will be prompted to answer three questions about
your child(ren). Once you have answered the questions correctly
your password will appear on-screen. Click the link on that page to
be taken to the Home Access Center login screen.
6. Login using your email address and the password that was
displayed on-screen. After logging in, be sure to click ‘Profile’ in the
top right-hand corner and identify a new password for your account.
Please make sure you review the User Manual located here:
http://www.carrollk12.org/homeaccessmanual.pdf. It contains
important information and FAQs regarding getting connected and
navigating Home Access Center.
Need Help? Contact [email protected]
In order to participate in athletics at Liberty High School, all candidates must complete the Carroll County Athletic Forms
Packet and turn them into the Athletic Director. The packets can be found at the following locations:
www.carrollcountymval.org - use Required Athletic Forms and Informational Athletic forms
www.carrollk12.org/ - use Quick Links and Athletics
http://carrollk12.org/sch/ - use Forms
You must print out the Required Forms Packet and are encouraged to read the Information Packet. The Forms Packet
must be completed, signed by a physician, parent and student and returned in person to the Athletic Director, Mr. Ed
DeVincent. If you do not have internet access, a small number of packets are available in the main office of the school.
You may not turn these packets into the main office, nor place them in Coach DeVincent’s mailbox! Coaches are
not permitted to accept these packets.
Here are the dates that you can turn these packets into Mr. DeVincent:
Monday, June 29: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Monday, July 6: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Wednesday, July 1: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Tuesday, July 21: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Tuesday, August 4: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Thursday, August 6: 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
Monday, August 10: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Tuesday, August 11: 9:00–11:00, 1:00–3:00
Concussion Testing: All candidates must also have completed concussion baseline testing. Testing is good for two
years from the date of the test. Dates and times for testing will be set up by the athletic department and appointments for
these dates and times can be made by contacting Ed DeVincent at [email protected] . For the fall sports season,
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returning athletes and incoming 9 graders may test on June 2 and June 3 at 3, 4, and 5 pm. There will be testing on
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June 1 for athletes playing football only. You must bring the “Sports Concussion Testing Program and Release
Information” form with you. This can be obtained at the above web sites, through your coach, or through the main office.
Fall try-outs begin Wednesday, August 12 and all candidates are expected to be in attendance. Practices will be held
every day after, excluding Sundays and/or other dates as determined by the coach.
2015-2016 SAT/ACT Test Date Information
For test dates and locations visit the following websites:
SAT – www.collegeboard.org
ACT – www.actstudent.org
Additional prep materials can be found on the LHS School Counseling Website:
http://www.carrollk12.org/lhs/counseling/additional/default.asp
EST Program Spots Still Available for Students in the Class of 2016!
Are you interested in Emergency Services Training? The Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association
(CCVESA) will offer and Emergency Services Technician (E.S.T.) program. This concurrent enrollment class will be offered
to Carroll County high school seniors during mods 3 and 4. Successful completion of the E.S.T. program will earn students
one elective credit as well as American Council on Education (ACE) credits. Students will be responsible for their own
transportation to the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center located at 50 Kate Wagner Road in Westminster. Students
will be required to receive permission from their high school to leave after 2 nd mod to be at the training center by 12:00 p.m.
Classes will run until 3:00 p.m. Students in their junior year are encouraged to contact their high school counselor to learn
more about enrollment into the E.S.T. program and to obtain enrollment forms.
Requirements:
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Must be at least 16 years of age.
Membership in a Carroll County Fire Company.
Maintain active status with home fire company.
Completed all graduation requirements or have them scheduled for senior year.
Provide your own transportation.
GPA of 2.5 (recommended).
Attendance of 94% for previous quarter.
Pass Fire Company Physical.
Juniors- Start preparing for Senior Year!
Senior Year will be here before you know it! Stay up-to-date with the latest information by completing your Junior
Survey today. Go to www.carrollk12.org/lhs
Scroll down the LHS Home Page and click on Junior Survey to complete it.
Summer is the perfect time to meet with your School Counselor to discuss college planning.
Please call the school @ 410-751-3560 to schedule your individual appointment
over the summer and register for the information sessions!
 Rising Senior Parent Information Night - June 10th at 6pm. Please RSVP to the
Counseling Office by June 8th
 Treasure Hunt: College & Career Search – July 30th from 1-3 pm or
August 4th from 9-11 am
 Using the Common App and starting online applications - August 5th from 1-3 pm
or August 19th from 9-11 am
Things to do to prepare:
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Work on completing the mandatory graduation requirement of 75 hours of service- forms and service
learning opportunities can be found in the counseling office. There are many opportunities (recognition,
scholarships, etc.) for students that complete many more hours. Students must earn 55 by the end of the
junior year to be promoted to senior status.
Talk to people about careers; learn as much as possible about different opportunities, especially in your area
of interest.
Consider retaking the SAT or ACT by November of your senior year. Study and prepare over the summer!
Think about teachers you will ask for letters of recommendations from. Most colleges encourage letters of
recommendation from at least one academic teacher.
Work on your strengthening your resume.
Many schools require a personal statement or college essay. Starting thinking about what makes you unique
and your long term goals. Develop a rough draft over the summer. See below for common essay and for
tips, go to the CollegeBoard website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html
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Recently, the 2015-2016 Essay Prompts were shared by the Common Application. There have been some
changes. Colleges using the Common Application will have a choice to use the essays, so it is important to
research the requirements for each college you are applying to individually. A college generally requires
one essay. Summer is a great opportunity to get started on writing essays!
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their
application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time
when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you
make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge,
a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale.
Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal that marked your transition from childhood
to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
For more resources, be sure to use the resources on our website:
http://www.carrollk12.org/lhs/counseling/college/default.asp. The College Board website and Get in 2 College
have a lot resources to get you started with the writing process.
College Resources for Military Families
The Military Child Education Coalition has a number of resources available to Military Families.
The School Quest website has Scholarship Finders, Free ACT/ SAT prep resources, information about tuition to
state colleges and much more!
https://www.schoolquest.org/transition-to-college
Scheduling Updates
We have now finished building the master schedule based on original student course requests made this winter.
Approximately 40% of students have complete schedules based on their original requests. Counselors are now
working through individual student schedules to ensure all students have the best possible schedule based on
requests and the master schedule offerings. The counselors will first look at a student’s alternate course selections,
if those do not work, then students with incomplete schedules will be contacted by the counselors. Schedules will
be available on Home Access beginning August 1st.
Again, due to budget and staffing cuts, the course offerings and space available in certain courses is limited. This
makes it very difficult to make schedule changes. Once all students are scheduled in the best possible way, the
counselors will accept schedule change requests if the request meets the following criteria:
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Increase in academic rigor (Ex: regular level to honors level)
Scheduled for a course but has not taken a pre-requisite course
A senior who is missing a graduation requirement
Dual Enrollment or Internship application has been approved
Any other request must go through the administration.
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM 2015
June 23 – July 24, 2015 (No class on Friday, July 3)
The Summer School Credit Recovery Program will be held on the campus of the Gateway School in the
Distance Learning Lab located at 45 Kate Wagner Road, Westminster, MD 21157. Credit recovery is only
available for rising seniors who are short on credits to graduate (students with the potential to graduate in June
2016) or non graduates in the class of 2015. Applications are available at the school counseling office. No out-ofcounty, private school, or home schooled students may enroll.
Cost: $175 per course. Students who are eligible for Reduced Meal prices will be charged half price $88.00 per
course. Cost waived for students who are eligible for Free Lunch. Eligibility must be verified by the student’s home
school.
Times: Session I – 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Session II – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Transportation: Parents are responsible for the student’s transportation during this program.
COURSES – Courses will be offered for review credit only. No original credit courses will be offered. A
student may enroll in ONE course per session. Students will be assigned to sessions by summer school staff.
Note: A course will be closed if enrollment exceeds capacity.
To receive credit for a course, a student is expected to report to the credit recovery lab each day until all required
submissions and the final exam for the course have been completed.
The following courses will be offered:
Courses offered:
English 11
Biology
Health
English 12
Financial Literacy
World History
Courses offered in a small group instructional format.
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Algebra 2
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Geometry
HSA Remediation – A remediation program for students that plan to take the summer administration of the High
School Assessments (HSA’s) will be offered in Government and Biology. This program will be offered July 20 –
30 from 8 am – 11 am. If a student needs to remediate in more than one testing area, they should discuss various
scheduling options with their counselor.
COST: Free
Summer Testing
Summer administration of the HSA’s will begin Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, 2015. The testing
site will determine the individual testing dates.
Interested in a Career Connection?
Wondering what Career Connection means? What is this all about? Career Connections is part of a
national effort to best prepare students for “life after high school.” Career Connections links students, schools and
workplaces to provide students with credentials, experiences, and skills the help them transition to further
education, careers and adulthood; in another word, internships. Students are placed with employers according to
aptitude, ability, interest, and career plan.
Students in internships receive education that extends beyond, (and could never be duplicated), in the
classroom. Students not only acquire specific career related experiences and skills; they also gain skills, necessary
for any career, such as teamwork, problem solving, and interpersonal communication, just to name a few. Students
cannot go wrong with an internship. Students receive a grade, (this is a class), and experience in their field of
interest!
Interested in an internship now? Students may make an appointment in the Counseling office, to see Mrs.
Linfield, Career Connections Coordinator, or students may stop in Mrs. Linfield’s office, which is just off of the
cafeteria, during their lunch mod to meet with Mrs. Linfield. Mrs. Linfield may also be reached by calling the
school, or email at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
Consider how to get the most out of a high school education. Consider how to best prepare for “life after
high school.” Consider an internship!
SHEPHERD STAFF – BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
Only Carroll County Students are Eligible – Call 410-857-5944
When: June 15 through July 17
Monday-Tuesday-Friday – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Thursday – 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
Where: The Shepherd’s Staff Office, 30 Carroll Street, Westminster, MD (across from Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church)
Registration Requirements – Due to the increasing need ONLY registered students will be served.
 No phone registrations accepted
 All students must be registered in person by parent/guardian (no phone registrations)
 School name required for each student
When you register you will be given an appointment to pick up school supplies in August
Do You Need Financial Help or Assistance?
As the school year progresses, please let us know if you need help purchasing your student’s school supplies as we have some
resources available. There is also assistance with testing fees, such as for the PSAT, SAT, ACT or AP exams; some college
application fees, athletic fees and club dues. We may also be able to help with other needs such as clothing and furniture, so
please ask us!!! The Household Meal Benefit application for free or reduced meals is also available. For assistance or more
information, please call the School Counseling Office directly at (410) 751-3566, send us an e-mail or stop by the office to
make an appointment.
Your LHS School Counselors are:
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Mrs. Hamilton (A-E) [email protected]
Mrs. Taylor (F-K) [email protected]
Mr. Putt (L-R) [email protected]
Mrs. Quinn (S-Z) [email protected]
SERVICE LEARNING INFORMATION
Hello Parents and Students,
As the school year winds down, I would like to remind everyone of a few important aspects of Service Learning and also to
encourage all students to earn hours over the summer.
Many of the places listed on the website, under the Ways to Earn Service Hours link on the Service Learning page (found on
the School Counseling page), have summertime opportunities. Also, many for profit businesses offer summer camps, which
brings me to my next note; this is the only time I accept hours from these types of businesses. So if you do participate in a
summer camp at say, Sunshine Kids Club, or Goddard School, or Merritt Athletic Club; to give a few examples, I will accept
those hours. Please note, you are to be providing counselor type service, not helping to clean bathrooms, mop floors etc.
If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact me. I also work several days during the summer and will be
checking my mailboxes for forms, so feel free to drop them off during the summer. I wish everyone a great summer and
hope to see many forms especially from those juniors and seniors that will need to meet the important deadlines listed
below!
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Service Learning is required in all Maryland Public Schools. Opportunities are announced on the daily announcements and
are kept updated on the LHS website (see highlighted web address below) under School Counseling – Service Learning –
Current Volunteer Opportunities. Here’s a reminder about what is required by MSDE for service learning.
 55 SERVICE HOURS are needed by the end of your junior year.
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JUNIORS WHO STILL NEED TO MEET THEIR 55 HOUR REQUIREMENT MUST HAND DELIVER REFLECTION
FORMS TO MRS. COSTOLO BY THE END OF MAY. IF THIS REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET THE STUDENT WILL
NOT PROMOTE TO SENIOR (12TH GRADE) AND WILL BE PLACED IN A JUNIOR ADVISORY UNTIL THE
REQUIREMENT IS MET. Keep in mind that you also need 75 hours completed in order to graduate. Work
on those hours over the summer!
 75 SERVICE HOURS are needed to Graduate.
There are many ways you can find Service Opportunities. Besides the morning announcements, which also come home via
email (if requested) you can also look in your local papers, check with places of worship and other Non-Profit
organizations. You can also pick up a copy of the current opportunities listing in the counseling office or view them on the
LHS Website, by clicking on the highlighted link or type into your browser:
http://www.carrollk12.org/lhs/counseling/service/default.asp
There you will find everything you need…
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Service Learning Reflection Forms
Carroll County Public Schools Service Learning Guidelines
Current Volunteer Opportunities – Updated regularly with all currently available opportunities
Ways to Earn Service Hours – Places to Volunteer / Ongoing Opportunities – A good resource for local places that
are continuously looking for volunteers
What You Can Do - Best Practices: Dos and Don'ts
Lend a Hand – A High School Guide to Service-Learning
What Counts and Does Not Count Towards Service Hours? – MSDE guidelines – Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of
Service-Learning
Vacation Bible School/Camp and Religious Ed Guidelines – please use these when filling out reflection forms.
Sports Team Manager Guidelines – explains that managers can only earn up to 50 service hours.
CCPS Information on Service Learning – Takes you to CCPS website
You can view your service hours in the Home Access Center (HAC) under the Test Scores tab located on the sidebar.
So, please bring me those forms! I’m hoping that I don’t have to chase down anyone for their Junior and Senior
requirements. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kim Costolo –
410.751.3566 or email me at [email protected]
Medication in the health room needs to be picked up by the last day of school
Friday, JUNE 12th
Per CCPS policy, ALL medications not picked up by June 12th will be DISGARDED. Medications will only be
returned to a parent or responsible adult. Children may not pick up medications.
2015 - 2016
School Year
Medication forms expire at the end of the school year and will need to be completed again for next year.
Medication forms for next year can be found on the health room door, main office, and on the Liberty home
page under School Nurse, www.carrollk12.org/lhs . Over the counter medication must be brought to school in
the original, unopened container labeled for the intended student.
Inhalers and Epinephrine can be carried by a student if a medication form is signed by doctor and parent, and
then brought to the health room. Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be brought to school (unopened in original
container) by parent or guardian and administered by school nurse after a medication form is signed by a parent
/guardian. All other medication whether prescription or nonprescription, needs to have a doctor (MD or NP)
signature. Physician assistant signature will not be allowed.
Please note:
No dogs or other pets, with the
exception of service animals are permitted in school
buildings or on school grounds without the direct
permission of the school administration.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMATION ~ The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The CCPS
provides nondiscriminatory access to school facilities in accordance with its policies and regulations regarding the community use of schools
(including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts). The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination
policies: Mr. Greg Bricca, Director of Research and Accountability; 125 North Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157; Phone: 410-751-3068.
LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL
5855 Bartholow Road
Eldersburg, MD 21784