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June 2017 Newsletter

Westminster High School Mr. Jeffrey P. Hopkins, Principal 1225 Washington Road | Westminster, MD 21157 http://www.carrollk12.org/whs/

Dear Owl Families;

It is hard to believe that the 2016-17 school year is coming to an end. I would like to thank the students, staff, and parents for making this a great year at Westminster High School. I am proud of what our students have been able to accomplish in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in the workplace. As with every end of the school year, we say good bye to our graduating seniors. They have been able to accomplish many great things in their years of schooling. It is also a time for us to say good bye to staff members who will be moving on to other schools or other opportunities. We wish them luck in their future endeavors. Wes Winters- Transferred to FSK Ann Lucas-BEST- Retiring Laura Doolan-English- Promotion to Assistant English Supervisor Shawn Simms-English- Relocating to Virginia Herb Jones- Speech Pathologist William Jones- Tech Ed Substitute Betty Barber- Cafeteria Manager - Retiring Barbara Voso- Food Service- Retiring Judy Hodge- Food Service- Retiring Diana Green- Food Service- Retiring Debbie Green- Food Service- Retiring Joy Stone- BEST Instructional Assistant- Transfer to Manchester Elementary At the May 10th Board Meeting, it was announced that I will be leaving Westminster High School. I would like to thank the students, staff and parents for their support as I have worked at WHS. I will take many good memories with me. John Baugher, Principal of FSK, will be the new principal. I am confident that he will receive the same warm welcome as I did. Westminster High School is an excellent place to learn and work. Enjoy your summer vacations and time with your family. The first day of school for the 2017-18 school year is September 5th. Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. Hopkins Principal

WHS Direct Phone Lines Main Office: 410-751-3630

School Counseling: 410-751-3636 Attendance: 410-751-3641

Health Room: 410-751-3958 Special Education: 410-751-3644

Athletics: 410-751-3637

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GRADE REPORTING DATES 1st Quarter Midterm End Date September 29, 2016 3rd Quarter Midterm End Date March 1, 2017

1st Quarter Report Card November 11, 2016 3rd Quarter Report Card April 11, 2017

2nd Quarter Midterm End Date December 14, 2016 4th Quarter Midterm End Date May 12, 2017

2nd Quarter Report Card February 2, 2017 4th Quarter Report Card June 14, 2017

Effective with the 2014-15 school year we no longer process Interims. Parents and students are encouraged to check grades regularly throughout the school year. Midterm dates are provided above for the sole purpose of students regaining eligibility.

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Monday, June 5 – Mods 1B & 3B Only Tuesday, June 6 – Mods 2A & 4A Only Wednesday, June 7 – Mods 2 & 4 (including B) Thursday, June 8 – Mods 1 & 3 (including A)

WHS BELL SCHEDULES

REGULAR 2 HOURS LATE

PLANNED 2 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES EARLY

Class Time Class Time Class Time

A-Section Open 7:20 9:20 7:20

Warning Bell 7:25 9:25 7:25

Mod 1 7:30 – 8:55 9:30 – 10:35 7:30 – 8:25

FLEX/ADVISORY 9:00 – 9:40 None None

Mod 2 9:45 – 11:05 10:40 – 11:45 8:30 – 9:15

Mod 3 11:10 – 12:55 11:50 – 1:15 9:20 – 10:45

A lunch 11:05 – 11:35 11:45 – 12:15 9:15 – 9:45

B lunch 11:45 – 12:15 12:15 – 12:45 9:45 – 10:15

C lunch 12:25 – 12:55 12:45 – 1:15 10:15 – 10:45

Mod 4 1:00 – 2:20 1:20 – 2:20 10:50 – 11:35

Dismissal 2:20 2:20 11:35

WESTMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB Bookmark http://www.carrollk12.org/whs/ to get Westminster High School online! Our user-friendly Home Page will point you in the right direction for our latest schedules, dates, times and places for all of our important events. Faculty lists, email addresses, departments, program of studies, course syllabi, calendars and special events are available at the click of a mouse. Our site is updated frequently! Be sure to take a look at the Media Center portion of the web page, there are links to all of WHS subscription databases that students may use for research at school as well as at home. Follow the events of the 2016-2017 school year online.

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Official WHS Twitter feed

(https://twitter.com/CCPS_WHS_OWLS) Westminster High School is now on Twitter! @CCPS_WHS_Owls is the official account of WHS. The purpose of this account is to promote school events, fundraisers, and to showcase student achievements. However, student names will not be used on our account. We may post pictures and videos of students; as long as their parent/guardian has not opted out through the consent and release to video, photograph.

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES Whenever a student is absent, verification must be made by the biological parent/court-appointed guardian via a written note, fax, email, or parent phone call. Regardless of the form of the notification, it must include the following: (1) Student’s legal name, (2) Student’s Grade, (3) Reason for absence, and (4) Phone number where biological parent/court-appointed guardian can be reached for verification, if needed.

a. Written Note: If you send a written note, please have your student present it to the attendance office upon their return to school prior to Mod 1.

b. Fax: Please fax notes to 410-751-3640 on the day of the absence* c. Email: Please email notes to the following address: whsattendance@carrollk12.org on the day of the

absence* d. Phone Call: Please phone in your student’s absence to 410-751-3641 on the day of the absence.

*In the event that the early dismissal for your student is a same-day request, please call the Attendance Office (410-751-3641) to arrange for the early dismissal. We would then require a parent to come to the Attendance Office with identification to sign out their student since it is sometimes difficult to determine if it is actually a parent who has made the call. If your method of reporting your student’s absence is fax, email, or a phone call, no further written notification is required. Please note that the school may call the biological parent/court-appointed guardian to verify the authenticity of an absence notification. Current policy states that if verification of an absence is not received within 5 days of the student’s return to school, the absence will be considered unlawful. In addition, students who are absent three or more consecutive days are expected to provide documentation from a physician.

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TARDINESS TO SCHOOL AND EARLY DISMISSALSThe school day begins at 7:30 a.m. Students who arrive to school after 7:30 a.m. must first report to the Attendance Office to be recorded as tardy to school and to receive a tardy pass admitting them to class. The school day concludes at 2:20 p.m. Students that request an early dismissal from school should bring a written note from a biological parent/court-appointed guardian requesting an early dismissal to the attendance office prior to mod 1 to receive an early dismissal pass. The principal may grant exceptions for athletes or students involved in extracurricular activities that were tardy or dismissed early from school for professional appointments such as physician or dental visits. A note from the physician or dental office must confirm that the missed time was due to the appointment. The student must present the note to the attendance office for approval and provide the approved note to the coach/sponsor in order for the student to participate. Tardiness resulting from a court summons must be substantiated by presenting a copy of the summons. Students who are tardy or dismissed early due to illness, whether through the nurses office or when a parent calls or provides a note, are considered to have a lawful absence for the portion of the day they missed however they do not meet the requirements of participation in athletics and extracurricular activities for that day. Students who present a note identifying an excuse other than one defined by state criteria, or who arrive with no note identifying the reason for their tardiness, will be considered unexcused for the portion of the day they have missed. Oversleeping, traffic and/or car problems are not lawful reasons for tardiness to school. Excessive tardiness to school will result in appropriate disciplinary action being taken by the administrator.

COLLEGE VISIT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION Parents of juniors: Junior and Senior students are allowed 3 college visits per school year. These visits are not counted against a student’s attendance record, IF we receive the information about the visit at least two days prior to when the student will be absent. Students must bring in a note from their parent to the Attendance Office stating the date they will be out for their college visit. The student will then be issued an “Extended Absence Pass” to show their teachers. If we do not receive the information ahead of time, the college visit WILL count as an absence (excused) on the student’s attendance record.

Athletes and other students who participate in extracurricular activities are to be present for the entire school day in order to participate (practice, play, or perform)

that day. Students who are tardy to school or leave early are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities.

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WORK PERMITS FOR STUDENTS Work permits are required for all minors under the age of 18 to work in the State of Maryland. Work Permits are not issued to minors under the age of 14. Work permits are issued by the Division of Labor and Industry and are not issued until the minor has been offered a job (if the minor changes jobs, a new work permit must be obtained).

1. To obtain a Work Permit: o The minor applies for a permit online and prints permit. o The minor signs the permit. o The minor's parent or guardian signs the permit. o The employer signs the permit.

Click on the following link to be taken to the Division of Labor and Industry site:

APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT

For additional information, contact: Employment Standards Service Division of Labor and Industry 1100 N. Eutaw St. - Room 607 Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-2357 FAX: (410) 333-7303 E-Mail Address: DLESSMinorWorkPermit_DLLR@maryland.gov

ATHLETIC/SPORTS INFO Please visit the website below for the most up-to-date information on the current athletic schedule including any rescheduling of games. This website is available school year-round and is always updated if there are any types of postponements or rescheduling. We encourage you to refer to this website often and whenever you are interested in checking the sports calendar for WHS. Additionally you can find helpful forms online such as the required athletic physical and concussion testing forms. Go to: http://www.carrollcountyathleticleague.org/ you can even set yourself up to receive automatic email notifications for any activities or changes to activity schedules.

ELIGIBILITY POLICY Please remember that the academic eligibility policy is in effect. Participation in extracurricular activities including athletics, public performances, and/or student leadership positions is regarded as an important privilege for students. A student becomes academically ineligible if he/she receives a grade of F for any course in which the student is enrolled during a marking period OR has less than a 2.0 weighted GPA for that marking period. An indication of Withdrawal Failing (WF) is considered an F for the specific marking period in which it is received. A grade of Incomplete (I) is considered an F until the work is satisfactorily completed. Quarter grades are used to determine eligibility. Grades received on the 4th quarter report card (to be distributed on June 14th) will impact all athletics, extracurricular activities, public performances and/or student leadership eligibility for the following school year.

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WESTMINSTER HS SUMMER BASELINE CONCUSSION TESTING INFORMATION Permission Slip Required to Test https://www.carrollk12.org/schools/Documents/Sports%20Concussion%20Testing%20Program%20and%20Release%20of%20Information3.doc.pdf Please follow signage on campus when you arrive as we have summer roof construction taking place – Main Entrance will be closed Location: Westminster HS Media Center Schedule: June 12th & 13th / 9:00am and 6:00pm June 14th / 9:00am June 19th / 9:00am June 20th / 9:00am July 17th & 18th / 9:00am & 6:00pm July 24th & 25th / 9:00am & 6:00pm August 7th & 8th / 9:00am Questions? Please contact WHS Director of Athletics, Terry Molloy at (410) 751-3637 or tdmollo@carrollk12.org

WESTMINSTER HS FALL SPORTS 2017 PRE-SEASON TRYOUT/PRACTICE SCHEDULE Golf Westminster National Golf Course / August 9, 10, 11 / 9:00am Cheerleading Main Gym Balcony / August 14, 15 & 16 / 4:30-7:00pm Boys Soccer Kate Wagner Road Fields / August 9, 10, 11 / 7:00-10:00am Girls Soccer Kate Wagner Road Fields / August 12, 14 & 15 / 7:00-10:00am Field Hockey WHS Field Hockey Field / August 9, 10, 11 / 8:00am-11:00am Football Locker Room / August 9, 10, 11 / 6:00am-3:00pm Cross Country Back of School / August 9, 10, 11 / 7:00-9:00am Volleyball Main Gym / August 9 – ALL candidates present 10:00am-1:00pm August 10 & 11 – JV 10:00am-1:00pm & Varsity 2:00-5:00pm

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NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT INFORMATION Non-custodial parents may receive school records and routine school information unless prohibited by court order. This information may be obtained in two ways. A non-custodial parent may register in the Home Access Center to receive electronic access to student information. Or the non-custodial parent may make a request to the principal for information annually in writing. The request should include the non-custodial parent’s name, address, student name, and the type of information requested. When a written request for information is submitted to the principal, the custodial parent shall be notified when such a request has been received by the school. However, the custodial parent may not ‘veto’ the non-custodial parent’s request without a court order.

SENIOR PORTRAITS Victor O’Neill will be taking senior portraits July 24-26 at the Career and Tech Center (next door) due to construction work on our roof this summer. A postcard will be sent to your home over the summer with package details and appointment date. If you are on vacation during the above dates, there will be senior make-ups held October 12th and 13th. Any senior who will have a senior portrait done at a local studio must have her/his picture submitted by December 1 in order to appear in the yearbook. Those pictures must be head shots taken in formal attire* on a blue background WITHOUT props (refer to last year’s book for examples). We will NOT accept pictures on backgrounds that are any color other than blue. Please tell your photographers to NOT crop the pictures. All local photographers should submit the pictures via e-mail or on a CD as either a .tif or .jpeg file. If sending a CD, the photographer must include a thumbnail of all pictures with the seniors’ names. Please call your photographer and ask her/him to send the CD to Mr. Pond at Westminster High School. If you do not have a digital copy of your picture, the hard copy must be mailed to Mr. Pond or dropped off at WHS; please understand that non-digital copies will not be as nice as the digital ones due to resolution issues. Be sure the student’s name is clearly marked on the envelope. THE YEARBOOK STAFF IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AQUIRING YOUR PICTURE FROM ANY PHOTOGRAPHER OTHER THAN VICTOR O’NEILL STUDIOS. Any questions should be directed to Mr. Pond: rcpond@carrollk12.org *Formal Attire: • black tuxedo jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, no props, BLUE background • black drape, no props, BLUE background

2016-2017 WESTMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL DATES TO REMEMBER JUNE 1 Graduation Practice at WHS 8:00 am senior picnic at 11:00am 2 Senior Farewell Assembly - Auditorium 8:00am 5 8th grade transition day

Senior Community Awards - Auditorium 7:00pm Final Exams 1B and 3B only 6 Graduation Rehearsal at McDaniel College 10:45am Final Exams 2A and 4A only

WHS Graduation at McDaniel College 7:00pm 7 Final Exams mods 2 & 4 (including B) 8 Final Exams mods 1 & 3 (including A) 9 Last Day for Students, Two Hours and Forty-Five Minutes Early Dismissal System-wide 14 Report Cards Mailed Home

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HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER HSA REMEDIATION 2017 July 19 –28, 2017 Carroll County Public School students presently in grades 9-11 may enroll in an HSA Remediation program this summer if they have taken and failed one or more HSA’s. These will be offered regionally at the following sites: Manchester Valley High School Century High School Winters Mill High School Northwest Middle School (for Francis Scott Key High School) While students are encouraged to attend school in their region, they may register for any site. All registrations are to be completed through the student’s home school. The times listed in this document are for the Winters Mill High School location only. Please contact the other sites for their dates and times. 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. This program will be offered July 19 – 28 (see registration sheet for Westminster High School times). COST: Free Summer Testing Summer administration of the HSA’s will begin Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4, 2017. The testing site will determine the individual testing dates. Date Specifics July 19-21 will be for students that would like to work on a bridge project July 24-28 will be for test prep and finalizing the projects July 31-2 TESTING sessions

Next page: Registration form

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High School Summer Government HSA Remediation 2017

July 19 - 28, 2017 REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION PROCESS: 1. Complete the form below. 2. Obtain the approval and signature of student’s School Counselor. 3. Submit the completed and signed form to your home school counselor

STUDENT INFORMATION: (Please Print)

Name Student ID # Last First MI

Address Street City State Zip Home School

Transportation to this program must be provided by the parent or student.

1) Does this student have an Individual Educational Plan or a 504 Plan? (circle) Yes No

2) Does this student currently have a medical condition that can be life-threatening? (circle) Yes No

If Yes, explain the condition:

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION: (Please Print)

Name Cell Phone ( _____ ) Home Phone ( _____ ) Work Phone ( _____ ) ext

Summer administration of the HSA’s will begin Monday, July 31 thru Friday, Aug 4, 2017. The testing site will determine the individual testing dates. Counselor’s Name Date Counselor’s Signature

OFFICE USE ONLY

DATE Submitted and reviewed_____________ Initialed By_________ SITE____________________________________ Academic Facilitator Signature___________________________________ Date________________

c: Student/Parent Copy School Copy

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