Principal Weekly Message
March 14, 2021:
Good Afternoon DHS Families,
I hope you are having a restful weekend. Click here for the schedule for the week. Below are important updates.
Read this important community update for 5 things you need to know about the March 11 Board meeting, MCPS’ reopening plan and what’s ahead: https://tinyurl.com/3vj23znx
New Bell Schedule Starting Tomorrow
Please note, we have a new bell schedule starting tomorrow, Monday, 3/15. See the schedule below:
March 14, 2021:
Good Afternoon DHS Families,
I hope you are having a restful weekend. Click here for the schedule for the week. Below are important updates.
Read this important community update for 5 things you need to know about the March 11 Board meeting, MCPS’ reopening plan and what’s ahead: https://tinyurl.com/3vj23znx
New Bell Schedule Starting Tomorrow
Please note, we have a new bell schedule starting tomorrow, Monday, 3/15. See the schedule below:
Return to In Person Instruction
Please click here to review the safety protocols in place in MCPS to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Students returning to the building must complete this MCPS COVID-19 Attestation Form. (Note: This should be completed weekly before entering a school building, MCPS office building, school bus, or other MCPS location.) If you answer YES, do NOT come into the building.
Following the MCPS return plan, tomorrow we will expand our cohort of students who are returning to in person learning to include the following students who have chosen to be in-person:
- Learning For Independence (LFI) Special Education program,
- senior students who have a learning and academic disability.
On April 6th, our return to in-person students will expand to include the following students who have chosen to be in-person:
- all seniors,
- all grade level students who are enrolled in our Auto Technology, Horticulture, and Restaurant Management programs,
- all grade level students who have a learning and academic disability.
Starting on April 6th, in order to keep the number of students in our building aligned with CDC and DHHS physical distancing guidelines, we will begin rotating students allowed into the building on a weekly basis based on last name:
- Green Week - Students with last name beginning with A - K (4/6-4/9)
- Gold Week - Students with last name beginning with L - Z (4/12-4/16)
On Tuesday, March 16th at 7 PM, we’ll be presenting at the PTSA meeting to review our Return to In Person Instruction Plan. Please join us using the Zoom meeting information below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87060053241?pwd=ei90cEpYcnVMdzY5WVRCaFJuS0l3QT09
Meeting ID: 870 6005 3241
Passcode: 789072
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87060053241# US (Washington DC)
DHS Art Page
Please check out the DHS Art Page to review student work through virtual learning. Thank you to Ms. Schley and our Art teachers for creating and facilitating this site. Kudos to all our talented artists!
Athletics
DHS will have our first athletic competition in over a year this week! Our Field Hockey team will travel to Clarksburg on Friday the 19th for a 6pm contest.
Currently MCPS is not allowing any spectators at games. While we hope for a change in the policy, you can still see any event occurring in a stadium. All stadium and gymnasium events will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network. Parents and fans can subscribe to the network and have access to all games for a monthly subscription of $10.99/month (or yearly pass for $69.99/year). All games are free after 72 hours. Information regarding programming will be provided by local schools.
Spring athletic registration will begin the week of March 22nd. Stay tuned for more information.
Chromebook Distribution and Repair
In-person support, repair, and distribution of Chromebooks at the 45 West Gude Drive location will now take place from Mondays through Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be no distribution on Fridays. Click here for more information.
Student Parking (Applications were due on 3/5; however, we will accommodate late requests if spots are available.)
Student parking applications are being accepted for eligible seniors and juniors who are planning to return to in-person instruction this school year. To be eligible, a student must have a valid driver's license and be obligation free by the application deadline. Preference will be given to seniors. If there are sufficient spaces, juniors will be considered. Obligations can be checked and paid online through Online School Payments.
Students will be notified of their approval status via the email address entered on the application. If approved, instructions on when and where to pick-up the parking tag will be included in the email, along with any other relevant information. There will be no parking fee charged this school year.
Open parking in the student lot will be in effect through 3/15. After this date, students must have an approved parking permit to park on school grounds. Security will be enforcing student parking regulations. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Support Sessions with Counselors and Administrators
Our counselors and administrators are available every Tuesday morning between 8:15-8:45 AM. We’d love to see you there. The Zoom information is below:
Ms. Whitely, Mr. Higgins, Ms. Stevenson
- Zoom Link (click here)
- (Meeting ID: 915 8232 8092 / Passcode: 045183)
- Zoom Link (click here)
- (Meeting ID: 927 1301 9949 / Passcode: 133927)
SSL Opportunity (Ongoing)
Is your student looking to earn SSL hours throughout the year? Does he/she have basic editing skills and attention to detail? If so, please ask them if they are interested in working for the DHS PTSA! We are looking for a Website Administrator who would post weekly updates to the PTSA website (including formatting and verification of links). Intermittent updates to the site would also be required when other changes are needed (e.g., when officers change, etc). All changes come via email and can be completed at the student's convenience (within reason). This work typically takes about 1 hour a week. SSL hours will be provided (and this position would be a great addition to a college application : ). Contact [email protected] for more information and/or to express interest!
MCPS Seeking Feedback on 2021-2022 School Year Calendar Options
During a work session on March 9, 2021, the Board of Education reviewed calendar scenarios for the 2021-2022 school year. MCPS has developed two calendar scenarios that reflect different start and end dates for the 2021-2022 school year. To view the draft calendar scenarios, please click here.
All draft scenarios include:
· Full spring break
· Possible make-up days
· A minimum of 180 instructional days
The Board is seeking feedback on the calendar options. You can share your thoughts on the options here. The Board also reviewed and discussed two options for the Innovative School calendar (Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools). The Board is scheduled to adopt the final traditional and innovative school calendars on March 23.
Hours Changed for Chromebook Distribution
There are new hours for Chromebook distribution at 45 W. Gude Dr. in Rockville. Distribution will take place Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will not be distribution on Fridays. More information is available here.
Update on Mathematics Courses
MCPS recognizes the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many students’ learning in mathematics over the course of the 2020 and 2021 school years. As a result, adjustments to existing courses and alternative recommendations for course pathways are currently being discussed. While no decisions have been made for the 2021-2022 school year, MCPS continues to engage in discussions and will meet with school principals, teachers and the community to receive feedback and make needed adjustments.
A final decision about the district mathematics course offerings will be made in April. As a result, mathematics course offerings and student recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year may change in the coming weeks and months based on student data and anticipated readiness. Addressing the needs of all students continues to be the top priority for the district.
Update on State Testing
The Maryland State Board of Education recently approved that the following spring 2021 assessments will be cancelled:
- English Language Arts (ELA) (grades 3-8, 10)
- Mathematics (grades 3-8 and Algebra 1)
- Alternate Assessments in ELA and Reading (grades 3-8, 11)
- Maryland Integrated Science Assessments (MISA) in grade 8 and high school
- Government Assessment in high school
The MCAP ELA and Math assessments will be given to students in the fall of 2021, on a much smaller scale. School staff will use data from the assessments to assess student progress.
The Maryland State Department of Education will provide additional information on how the cancellation of these spring assessments will impact high school assessment graduation requirements.
Middle School Students Invited to Participate in Invent the Future Challenge
Middle school students are invited to participate in KID Museum's Invent the Future Challenge and invent real solutions to environmental problems. The Invent the Future Challenge is one of the region’s largest maker challenges integrating science, technology, engineering and design. KID Museum brings together over 1,000 middle school students, families, educators and community members to invent solutions to the question:
What will you make to protect life on this planet?
Through the process of designing their own inventions, students learn to innovate, solve problems, gain confidence and work with others—all skills for future success.
Learn more: https://kid-museum.org/programs/invent-the-future/
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me, your child’s administrator, and/or your child’s counselor with any questions or concerns. Have a great evening!
Kevin Yates
Principal
Damascus High School
Phone: 240-207-2400
Follow me on twitter or visit our website
DHS Counselor/Administrator Assignments