EAGLES NEST
January 4, 2019
From the Principal’s Desk…
Welcome back! We hope you all had time to recharge your batteries because things are heating up here at school. By the end of this month, we will have finished mid-term exams, selected courses for the 2019-2020 school year, and worked through the first 90 days of the year. Take a deep breath - it’s going to be fine!
As we approach mid-term exams and the end of the first semester, it’s a perfect time to sit down in front of Canvas with your student and take a look at what’s going on. By high school, we expect students to be able to self-monitor and manage their own learning. But, do not be fooled into thinking you no longer have a role to play. Even the most accomplished high school students require your subtle monitoring and occasional prodding to ensure they are, in fact, managing. Taking the time to assess before grades are due is a logical step to take.
I asked my administrative team what advice they have for parents who are helping students prepare for midterm exams. Here is what they said (in no particular order):
Make sure they eat a good breakfast.
Clear the calendar of things that will keep students up late on the evenings before the exam. If you can’t do that, make sure they build in review time before evening commitments.
Ensure they get good rest. Not just the week of exams, but always. If their sleep habits aren’t great, check this resource.
Determine if students are interacting with the material for each course daily starting now. They should spend time reviewing notes, assignments, and assessments each day. This a regular habit for all courses throughout the year.
Ask them how they plan to use the one remaining Eagle Time we have before exams strategically. Encourage your student to see teachers for support prior to the exam. Remember, there isn’t an Eagle Time next week due to testing.
Have your student attend review sessions where offered by teachers before or after school.
Check to see that they are completing all study guides when they are given - not at 3:00 AM the morning of the test! Cramming isn’t the answer.
Freshman should attend the midterm mastery sessions being offered January 15-17 after school. Seriously, it will help.
Course recommendations have already been made for next school year. Parents and students should be reviewing those recommendations and making course selections in Synergy by January 18th. For more information, and to review FAQs, scroll down to find the link referenced.
As far as our progress through the year is concerned 73 days down, 107 days to go (I am most certainly counting - it’s my job)! Don’t forget, we already had a school closure for inclement weather back on November 15th. This means, the last day of school has shifted one space to the right on the calendar making our last day of school, at least for the moment, June 18th.
Have a great weekend,
Cindy Dillon
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what’s happening at CHS! (and add our Google Calendar to your phone!)
Week at a Glance’ schedule for all Athletics & Activities
Monday, January 7th
4:00PM – Boys & Girls Indoor Track AA County Challenge Meet @ PG Sports Complex, Bus Departs @ 2:20PM
6:30PM – GT Information Night, CHS Auditorium
7:00PM – Listening Session with Calvin Ball, CHS Cafeteria
Tuesday, January 8th
3:00PM – Allied Bowling vs Glenelg HS @ Normandy HS, Bus Departs @ 2:30PM
4:00/5:30/7:00PM – Wrestling Tri vs Howard HS & Oakland Mills HS @ OMHS, Bus Departs @ 2:30PM
6:00PM – 8th Grade Parent Night, CHS Auditorium
6:30PM – PTSA Meeting, CHS Guidance Office
Wednesday, January 9th
4:00PM/5:30PM – JV & Varsity Girls Basketball HOST Marriotts Ridge
4:00PM/5:30PM – JV & Varsity Boys Basketball @ Marriotts Ridge HS, Bus Departs @ 3:00PM
Thursday, January 10th
3:00PM – Allied Bowling vs Howard HS @ Normandy Lanes, Bus Departs @ 2:30PM
7:00PM - NHS Induction Ceremony, CHS Auditorium
Friday, January 11th
4:00PM/5:30PM – Wrestling @ Loyola HS, Bus Departs @ 2:30PM
5:15PM/7:00PM – JV & Varsity Boys Basketball HOST Glenelg HS
5:15/7:00PM – JV & Varsity Girls Basketball @ Glenelg HS, Bus Departs @ 4:15PM
7:00PM – IMPROV Show, CHS Auditorium
High School Exams
High school exams will begin on Tuesday, January 22nd and go through Friday, January 25. Please see the schedule below:
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
● Period 1 Exam; Bell Schedule #1
● Full day of school
● No extracurricular activities, including practices, rehearsals, events, etc.
● AM & PM ARL Classes in Session
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
● Periods 2 & 3 Exams; Bell Schedule #2
● High schools close 3 hours early
● No extracurricular activities, except 90 minute conditioning practices which may begin at 2:45 p.m.
● No PM ARL Students
● Periods 4A & 4B Exams; Bell Schedule #2
● High schools close 3 hours early
● No extracurricular activities, except 90 minute conditioning practices which may begin at 2:45 p.m.
● No AM ARL Students
● Periods 5 & 6 Exams; Bell Schedule #2
● All schools close 3 hours early
● All extracurricular activities resume at 2:45pm
● No AM ARL Students
PSAT 8/9 reports
PSAT 8/9 reports have arrived and are being sorted. They will go home with students through period 3 on Wednesday January 9th.
CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL:
Good morning CHS. The Howard County Times has put out the next round of their Fall All County Teams. Please join me in congratulating many of our Outstanding Fall Student Athletes on their Amazing Fall accomplishments, and for being selected to the Howard County Times All County Team. A BIG Congratulations also goes out to the CHS Coaching Staff for everything you do to help our students excel in their sport. Stay tuned as I gather the Baltimore Sun’s All Metro Teams.
HOWARD COUNTY TIMES, ALL COUNTY TEAMS
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Jacob Cole – 1st Team
Chris Bieberich – 2nd Team
Justin Ziegler – 2nd Team
GIRL’S CROSS COUNTRY
Alison Betler – 1st Team
Cora Blount – 1st Team
Katerina Talanova – 2nd Team
Michelle Weaver – 2nd Team
BOYS SOCCER
Hamzah Elhabashy – 1st Team
Zach Grable – 2nd Team
GIRLS SOCCER
Carolina Pellegrini – 1st Team
Ashley Molz – 2nd Team
EAGLE NEWS
Please join The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County and Howard County Public School System in a workshop on what parents need to know about peer relationships and substance abuse. Read more
2019 Graduation
The window for graduation dates for the Class of 2019 is Monday, May 20 - Friday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 28 - Friday, May 31. Read more
After School Activity Bus
The after school activity bus is running for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoons. Read more
Midterm Review
Each year we offer optional, after school midterm review opportunities for 9th graders. Read more
PTSA/Boosters News
See what’s happening with CHS PTSA or CHS Boosters by clicking the names.
SAVE THE DATE for our upcoming PSAT/SAT/ACT Prep Courses! Registration will open soon....
Dr. Gagnon ScoreMoreTestPrep PSAT/SAT/ACT Prep Course at CHS this Winter
Save the dates for our upcoming Winter PSAT, SAT, ACT prep course (6 evenings), ScoreMoreTestPrep, offered at Centennial High School by Dr. Martha Gagnon and Rebecca Mason.
Better test scores mean more college and scholarship opportunities, so don't miss out on this great way to prep for your upcoming college tests!
Winter Session: Feb. 19, 21, 26, 28, March 5 and 7, 2019 Evenings: 6:00-8:00 pm
Registration will open soon at www.MarthaGagnon.com. For More information please go to www.MarthaGagnon.com or contact Jackie Crispell at jcrispell@verizon.net.
Winter Catalyst SAT Bootcamp
Catalyst’s two-day SAT Bootcamp arms students with go-to strategies for every question they’ll face on the day of the test so they can march into the test with confidence, momentum, and every key strategy fresh in their mind.
Dates: Saturday and Sunday - March 2 and 3 (attend both days) 9 am to 1 pm
Register at www.CatalystPrep.com and click on the Bootcamp Sign-Up on the website's menu bar.
If you have any questions please contact Jackie Crispell at jcrispell@verizon.net - A Portion Of The Proceeds Benefits CHS PTSA!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE ANNUAL CENTENNIAL BOOSTERS GALA: Saturday, March 9th at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in River Hill. It’s 2019 and time for the best party in town…the Centennial Boosters annual Luck O’ the Eagles Gala and Silent Auction. This is your chance to schmooze with Centennial parents and staff away from your student’s watchful eye. The evening features a silent auction, 3 course meal, upgraded open bar (beer, wine and soft drinks) the amazing Centennial Jazz Band and a DJ plus our 50/50 raffle and Wine Pull. Tickets are $75 ($70 if purchased before February 1st). For more information and to purchase tickets please go to www.centennialboostersonline.com/gala This event, catered by Putting on the Ritz, WILL SELL OUT so get your tickets today!
BONUS MONEY FOR YOUR STUDENT!?!?! GIVE BACK WITHOUT SPENDING EXTRA!
Did you know… that EVERY SINGLE ITEM you purchase using our personalized AMAZON LINK GIVES MONEY BACK to the CHS PTSA? Read more
CHS Boosters Adult Trivia Night
Join us for our second annual CHS Boosters Adult Trivia Night! We will be having trivia night on Sat. January 5th at Kiwanis Wallis Hall in Ellicott City. Doors open at 6pm, trivia starts at 7pm. Your $40 ticket includes professionally run trivia and dinner. This adult only event is BYOB. This great event is the perfect way to both support our teams and clubs while having fun with all the adults in our amazing community! Registration is now open and we are limited to the first 200 participants! So send in your registration asap! Return the attached flyer and payment to the CHS front office. Questions contact Meg Roth megroth@comcast.net Trivia Night Flyer
Please visit the Community News and Programs page on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations (http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/).
Ellicott City Rotary Club
The Ellicott City Rotary Club is looking for CHS sophomores and juniors interested in developing leadership skills. We are offering a $360 scholarship to participate in RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Weekend. This event is held in Chevy Chase, February 16-18, 2019. Visit RYLA to learn more: www.ryla7620.com. Interested 10th and 11th graders should contact Temrah Okonski: okonskitg@verizon.net. There will be a brief application and/or interview process. This is a great opportunity to enhance leadership skills while having fun and meeting new friends. Students will grow, discover, practice communication, team building, all while learning about community and worldwide service.