EAGLES NEST
October 4, 2019
Centennial Community:
I want to take the first few lines of this newsletter to thank the staff who have graciously volunteered to help re-shape commuter behavior during morning arrival. They have been putting on those reflective vests these past few weeks for the good of the community, and we are so appreciative. What’s more, these staff members wanted to send a shout-out to you, the community - those of you who drop-off, as well as student drivers, who have been conscientiously working to ensure a safe and smooth start to each school day. How’s that for Eagle spirit?
Over the next few weeks, you will notice our volunteer staff will become less visible in the parking lot: they think you are ready to self monitor. Way to go! They will continue to be present at the cross-walks, but anticipate you will continue to drop your students off on the right hand curbs and use the left lane for passing and exiting the parking lot. If we notice things are starting to slip, they’ll come back for a refresher as needed.
We also want to acknowledge all of the parents, community members, staff, and students who contributed to a very successful Homecoming celebration. A special thanks to the Boosters who supported the purchase of Liberty - our new mascot - and also provided us with an amazing pancake breakfast. We love our traditions and the support of our community in helping to ensure they are enduring.
As you are already aware, the school system has eliminated the practice of issuing paper copies of interim grades. This week happens to coincide with the middle of the first quarter. By high school, we expect students to be able to 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 student requires your subtle monitoring and occasional prodding to ensure they are, well - managing. If you haven’t already, you should take the time to check in with your student and discuss their progress. If they cannot tell you how they are performing in each class, have them open Canvas and take a look together.
Finally, a word about attendance. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success from kindergarten through high school. Absences can be an indicator that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with content, or even facing social challenges. By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three major signals a student is at future risk of dropping out of high school. In the 9th grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Beginning in school year 2018-2019, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10% - regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. This means, a student who has accrued absences that amount to 10% of the school days at any given time should be receiving support and interventions to support to improve their absenteeism. To put that into perspective, a student who has missed 2.5 days as of today is currently on an attendance concern list.
Moving forward, as you begin planning vacations and college visits, keep a few things in mind:
Students are entitled to miss three school days per year for discretionary reasons.
Controllable absences should be reported to the school using a Discretionary Absence Form three weeks in advance of the absence.
Students who miss 5% of the days of any course may be denied credit for that course regardless of the grade earned.
The last possible day of the school year is June 22, 2020. Do not plan vacations, camps, or other activities that may result in student absences prior to that date. Those absences will be marked unexcused.
Last year, the cumulative attendance rate for Centennial was 95.68%. This puts us on the verge of losing points towards our exemplary rating from MSDE. Nobody wants to see us lose our 5-star rating! That said, if your student is sick, please keep them at home. Nothing is more important than their health and well-being.
Enjoy the weekend,
Cindy Dillon
EAGLE NEWS
DIPLOMA SIGNATURE CHANGE FORM (SENIORS ONLY)
The Howard County Public School System has instituted a Diploma Name Form for graduating seniors. A high school diploma is an OFFICIAL document. Accordingly, diplomas will be printed using the senior’s
full legal name as it appears on the birth certificate, passport or court-ordered name change document. Any family that wishes to have the printed diploma use a name other than that which appears in Synergy should download a copy of the Diploma Signature Change Form and submit it to Student Services no later
than Friday, October 4, 2019.
Humanities students and parents
On the evening of 22 October, at 7 pm, Dr. Scott E. Casper, the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences from University of Maryland, Baltimore County
will be addressing the Humanities students and their parents on the opportunities and advantages available for those who choose to major and/or minor in a Humanities subject
as part of their college/university program, wherever they chose to go, after graduating high school. In turn, he will also be speaking on career choices and opportunities for those students after college. Also, Dr. Casper and several representatives of the UMBC faculty and staff will also be addressing specific grants and scholarships available to students. Refreshments will be available as well as the opportunity for students and their parents to converse with these professional Higher Education Humanities scholars and the university staff.
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what’s happening at CHS! (and add our Google Calendar to your phone!)
Flu Vaccinations
Flu vaccines coming to our school! It's not too late to sign up online! Our flu vaccine clinic at Centennial High School will be held on October 28th, and you can go to vaccineconsent.com to sign up before October 4. Please contact the health room at 410-313-2533
with any questions. Thank you and here's to a healthy school year!
Class of 2022
LAST CHANCE! There is no better way to spend Homecoming and Spirit Week than by helping to fundraise for the Class of 2022!!! The sophomore class board is actively looking for prom venues for Spring 2021. We are trying to alleviate multiple fundraisers throughout the school year for families. Please participate in our first and (hopefully) only fundraiser for the 2019-2020 school year. We are asking for donations, but with your donations, your child receives Class of 2022 spirit wear. Donation amounts of $50, $100, or $150 receive gear, but any donation will help. Please visit https://osp.osmsinc.com/HowardMD/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=DA041-VAR26
BUBBLE Day: Friday October 11, 2019; PSAT Day: Wednesday October 16, 2019
All students in grades 9-11 will be participating in a “Bubble Day” session on Friday October 11th 2019, which is completing the pre-administration sections for the PSAT. Please make sure your student is here on Friday to participate in this session held from 9:40am-10:35am in the student’s PSAT room. During this time, 12th grade students will report to the auditorium for a senior class meeting.
All 9th – 11th grade students will be participating in the administration of the PSAT on Wednesday, October 16.
The PSATs will take place on Wednesday, October 16th, beginning at 7:45 am. All 9th grade students will participate in the PSAT 8/9 while 10th and 11th grade students will participate in the PSAT/NMSQT. The test will only be offered once and there is no make-up date for students who are late or absent from school.
All students have been pre-registered.
Students should look at posted lists outside the cafeteria and media center prior to Wednesday to find their testing location. Staff members also have lists and can help students find their testing locations.
Please bring a scientific calculator to use for the test.
Cell phones, Smart watches, earbuds, Bluetooth devices, iPads, laptops, etc. should be left at home or off and put away in a backpack at the front of the classroom.
What Will Seniors do on PSAT Day?
Seniors are encouraged to choose one of the following activities:
Use the day to make other college visits with family or work on college applications and essays at home. Families may use one of their discretionary leave days (please send a note in with your student or email dhowse@hcpss.org.
Seniors who do come to school on October 16 will go to the cafeteria to work on college applications and essays, with teacher support.
Seniors who attend ARL are expected to attend ARL classes on October 16.
What are the advantages of PSAT participation and results:
The PSAT helps students prepare for the SAT. Students can become familiar with test format and test question types. Also, student scores predict SAT performance and can help with choices about further student preparation.
The PSAT registration also allows qualifying participants to be entered into scholarship and recognition programs (grades 10-11).
The PSAT is an introduction to many of the requirements for college and career-readiness.
Students will begin to receive information from colleges and universities as they explore their options.
Student performance will help to identify needed skill development and areas for improvement.
Students: Please remember to get a good night's sleep, eat a balanced breakfast, and report to school on time. Also, students should remember a calculator for use during the test! No calculators will be distributed or delivered to students on test day!
Please contact Tracy Scaltz, Assistant Principal (tracy_scaltz@hcpss.org) with questions about the PSAT.
Students with Testing Accommodations:
Some students receive testing accommodations at the high school due to a disability documented through a 504 Plan or IEP. These accommodations do not automatically apply to the PSAT or SAT. All accommodations must be approved by College Board. It is often recommended for students to take the PSAT without accommodations. This helps students and their parents to determine if the accommodations will be beneficial on the actual SAT. Please speak with your guidance counselor and/or case manager for additional information on the application/approval process.
CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL:
Got great news about our students, staff, or community? Send it and we’ll shout it out!
PTSA/Boosters
See what’s happening with CHS PTSA or CHS Boosters by clicking the names or by visiting our website.
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/).
Youth in Conversation
Youth in Conversation (YIC) is inviting all interested high school students to meet twice a month to have facilitated dialogues and create Podcasts. Our goals are to address the challenges and gifts of diversity, teach dialogue skills to use in difficult conversations and provide leadership opportunities for students to create environments where all feel welcome. The first meeting for the 2019-2020 school year will be on October 14. Email Rebecca Dietz at hoco.convo@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.
Youth in Conversation is a program of HoCo.Convo in collaboration with the HCPSS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Howard County Office of Human Rights, the Local Children’s Board, the Columbia Association Multicultural Programs and the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center.
College Admissions Panel Discussion
River Hill PTSA is presenting a panel discussion on college admissions. For more information, Click Here.
HC DrugFree Updates:
Free Parenting Classes for Parents/Guardians of 9-14 Year Olds: HC DrugFree and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office will once again provide the evidence-based series Guiding Good Choices for parents to gain skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. This 4-week series will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, October 22, 29 and November 5, 12 at Wilde Lake Middle School in Columbia. Parents are expected to attend all 4 sessions. To register, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGCOct2019 or see attached flier. Free workbook included. If you have questions, email Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director at Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
Teen Advisory Council: HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets one Monday evening a month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Barn/Teen Center in the Oakland Mills Village Center and is open to all Howard County high school students. Community service hours are available for all meetings and events. TAC will meet on Monday, October 21. To access the registration form, please visit HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council page at http://www.hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council-1 Refreshments provided at meetings, so must RSVP to Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
Community Service Hours: All students (elementary through college) can receive community service hours for volunteering during any HC DrugFree event. For information, please email Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
Save the date. Dispose of Old EpiPens, Medication and More: Howard County’s next convenient drive-thru medication and “sharps” (needles, syringes and EpiPens) collection will be held on Saturday, October 26 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot. HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police urge all families to clean out unwanted or expired over-the-counter and prescription medications and sharps. Visit HC DrugFree’s website at www.hcdrugfree.org and go to the Events/Drug Take Back Day page for more information about medication disposal, email Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
DALE CARNEGIE YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO RUN THIS WINTER
The Dale Carnegie Young Adult Leadership Program, open to all H.S. students teaches life skills in communication, leadership, interpersonal skills, public speaking, stress management, and self-confidence. This is a world renowned program offered at River Hill High School back by popular demand. Listen to what the Richard Montgomery High School principal has to say about Y.A.L.P: https://vimeo.com/289566507 and
INSIDER LOOK Young Adult Leadership Program https://vimeo.com/storiastudio/insiderlook
YALP is the high school version of the internationally renowned Dale Carnegie Course. Warren Buffett, American business magnate, investor, author and philanthropist, is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course…listen to what he has to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1I0AP28qy0