EAGLES NEST  

May 29, 2020

 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Due to changing enrollment, we will have a need to make adjustments to our school counselor-to-student assignments. Obviously, it is our preference to avoid such changes, but staffing needs make it unavoidable for the coming school year. We are making the change now as critical discussions between counselors and their students need to take place. For example, we are preparing to welcome our freshman class and our juniors are preparing for the college admissions process. For these events, students need to know who will be supporting them. The adjustment will affect some of our existing students. The adjusted breakdown will be as listed below. 

Students with the last names:

• A – Co Mrs. McKechnie-Howe

• Cp – H Mr. Kriner

• I – Mc Mrs. Hebler

• Md – Sg Mr. Sanders

• Sh – Z Mrs. Khaksari

The new Counselor assignment will be reflected on your child’s schedule for next year when that becomes available. All of our counselors are here to support our students as we make this adjustment. We will begin meeting with our rising seniors to assure their needs will be met with regard to college applications in the very near future. 

As you can see from the breakdown, we are saying farewell to Ellen Mauser. Mrs. Mauser will be moving to another school in our system and will still be reachable through email. We wish to thank Mrs. Mauser for her good counsel, community spirit, and giving heart. Though it is very hard to see her leave our nest, we are all to be reminded that once you are an Eagle, you will always be an Eagle. 

If you have questions or concerns about the new assignments please reach out to your counselor or our Student Services Team Leader, Jennifer_McKechnie@hcpss.org.

Thank you,

Cindy Dillon

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EAGLE NEWS

Senior Awards Program - Friday, May 29, 7:00pm

The Senior Awards program is posted for your viewing pleasure.  This program combines both customary senior recognition events: the evening Community Awards event and the Farewell Assembly (department awards). The link will be sent to you as an announcement through Canvas and will be posted on our website later this evening. The program will be posted on YouTube so you can access it anytime afterwards and will contain closed captions.  Plan on about 2.5 hours to watch the whole thing (that includes time for a self paced 'intermission' somewhere in the middle). Download a copy of the program to follow along as you view the show! 

Senior Diploma Pick-up, June 1st

On Monday, June 1 we will have another pick-up event for Seniors. At this round, students will pick up their diplomas, diploma covers (fingers crossed they arrive in time), graduation programs, and senior edition of the Wingspan. Students will also have another opportunity to drop off school owned materials and to request critical need items from the school facility. 

• Arrival:

  • One vehicle per household. Vehicle occupants must remain in their car at all times. 

  • Wear a face mask during your turn at the drop off station(s). 

  • Bring a sign with the name of the student in bold letters placed on the dashboard of the car.

  • Wear your Cap & Gown

  • Decorate your car! This is your final official drive through our parking lot. 

  • Upon arrival at the school parking lot, follow the established traffic pattern (scroll down for traffic flow maps) to avoid traffic backing up onto Centennial Lane.

    • Arrive using the main boulevard entrance into the parking lot.

    • Form two lanes of traffic.

    • Follow the main boulevard to the loading dock.

    • You will leave via the bus loop entrance and are asked to make a right turn only. [We will reassess the necessity of this depending upon traffic - follow directions here.]

• Diplomas will not be released to anyone other than the student or their legal guardian. Please bring identification if you are not the student. 

• Seniors should arrive at the following times based on last name:

  • Last Names A-C:  8:00-8:45

  • Last Names D-H:  9:00-9:45

  • Last Names I-L: 10:00-10:45

  • Last Names M-P:  12:00-12:45

  • Last Names Q-U:   1:00-1:45

  • Last Names V-Z + Make-up: 2:00-2:45

• There will be an ‘Optional’ photo station with the banner and diploma covers for anyone wishing to take photographs. Students wishing to take a photo should merge to the left hand lane (the blue one on the map). 

• Students should have all financial obligations satisfied in order to collect your diploma. This includes the return of borrowed technology. 

• If you have any school owned materials to return, you will need to complete a Materials Return Form (Links to an external site.) and place it in a grocery bag or similar container for return. This includes textbooks, technology, uniforms, sheet music - anything that you did not purchase. Each item being returned is to be clearly labeled with the name of the student and the name of the teacher who issued it to them

• Students unable to come at the scheduled time should send an email to Marie_Dow@hcpss.org. We will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs. 

We are unsure of the arrangements for students who are unable to claim their documents on this date. We anticipate another collection and distribution event later in the summer. 

Don’t forget to tune in to watch the Annual Awards Program on Friday, May 29 at 7:00pm. Links to the program will be posted on our website and as an Announcement in the CHS Student Community. 

 

 

New Student Orientations

CHS is holding two events for students who will be attending our school for the first time beginning in the fall of 2020. We are super excited to meet our new Eagles and help students and families alike become acclimated with your new home school.

The Virtual Student Visit Days will be held as follows:

• June 11, 10:30-11:30 - Rising Freshmen New Student Orientation via Google Meet in four groups:

  • Group 1 - Last names A-F

  • Group 2 - Last names G-K

  • Group 3 - Last names L-R

  • Group 4 - Last names S-Z

• June 12, 10:30-11:30 - Students Transferring to Centennial in grades 10-12 via Google Meet. These students will attend a meet session. 

During these online orientation programs, we will introduce students to some of our staff members and discuss the many programs and activities available at our school. You will also meet some of your future classmates who will give you some insight about Centennial from a student perspective, as well as help to answer your questions. In the near future, we will also be sharing additional information via a Canvas module that you will be able to view on your own. 

The join codes for these Google Meets will be posted here about an hour before the session begins. They will also be sent via email so please be sure to check your inbox so you will know where to meet us.

We’re incredibly proud of our Centennial community and we couldn’t be more excited to have you become a part of our family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your current school counselor or your future school counselor with any questions or concerns. 

 

Yearbooks - Attention CHS families

The yearbook team is currently selling the 2019-20 yearbooks for $90.00. The final price increase goes into effect this Friday, so do not delay - reserve your copy today. All graduates get free "ship to home".

We do not order extra books in the hope of selling them; we order only what we need. Jostens cannot print more either, so order TODAY.

Yearbook ordering link: http://jostensyearbooks.com?ref=A03346180

Parents of seniors: Buy your ad space today and send a message to your favorite Eagle!

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Yearbook Ad

5. Yearbook ads last a lifetime. Your child will have this memory to share for many years to come.

4. It’s so easy—you can buy the ad and then take your time to upload the precious photos that tell your story.

3. It’s a great chance to show off your kids and highlight his/her accomplishments over the past 18 years!

2. You’re helping to support the yearbook class, a great educational opportunity for our students to learn about publishing, marketing, and more.

1. It's cathartic. Crafting a message for your graduate can help parents express the varied emotions of this milestone moment.

Ad ordering link: http://jostensadservice.com?REF=A03346180

 

Non-transported Boundary Change - From the Pupil Transportation Office

The following are changes that will be made to Centennial High School for the 2020/21 school year.

As outlined in Board of Education Policy 5200, Pupil Transportation:

1)Transportation services will be provided to students when the distance between their home and the home school is greater than the following:

        a)Grades 9 through 12: 1.5 miles

2)The bona fide residence of the parent/guardian will be used to determine eligibility for transportation services.  Distances will be calculated as follows:

        a)Detached homes and townhouses – Measurements will be from the residence property line to the property line of the school.

        b)Apartment complexes and condominiums – Measurements will be from the entrance to the building to the property line of the school.

In preparation for this change, the Transportation office consulted with the Howard County Traffic Engineering Office to review the walking route as a result of improvements made to Old Annapolis Rd.  A crosswalk is being installed on Old Annapolis Rd at Whitworth Way.  This crosswalk makes it acceptable for students to cross Old Annapolis Rd.

The following streets will now be included in the non-transportation zone.

• Arjay Cir – all addresses

• Bell Inn Ln – all addresses

• Coehorn Ct – all addresses

• Cragsmoor Rd – only 3674, 3685, and 3689

• Culverene Rd – all addresses

• Dahlgren Ct – all addresses

• Dee Jay Dr – all addresses

• Ducks Foot Ln – all addresses

• El Dee Dr – all addresses

• Font Hill Dr – only 3704-4122

• Galahad Ct – all addresses

• Garand Rd – all addresses

• Grosvenor Dr – only

  • 3647-3843 (odd #’s)

  • 3658-3856 (even #’s)

• Gwynn Park Dr – only 9710-9834

• Heather Glen – all addresses

• Inkpen Pl – all addresses

• Jay Em Cir – all addresses

• Jay Em Ct – all addresses

• Kings Bench Ct – all addresses

• Lamott Ct – all addresses

• Madelaine Ct – all addresses

• New Castle Ct – all addresses

• Palmetto Ct – all addresses

• Parrot Dr – all addresses

• Red Fox Ct – all addresses

• Restmoor Knoll – all addresses

• Riverside Cir – only 9764-9776

• Spencer Ct – all addresses

• Springfield Dr – all addresses

• Whitworth Way – all addresses

• Windflower Cr – all addresses

• Windflower Dr – all addresses

A new map depicting this change will be reflected on the HCPSS school information website and the school and bus locator application will be updated.

 

2020 SMOB Election Info

Here's an infographic containing information regarding this upcoming 2020 SMOB Election. Check it out - your voice matters!  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lCfK9dNrRnXeGdVV1csno-LUGz06O90a

 

AP Exams – Update 

Makeup Exams - AP students who requested a makeup exam will be notified via email directly from College Board on May 28.  If you have not heard by 5/29 please contact Ms. Covington directly.  acovington@hcpss.org  Additionally, students planning on taking an exam in June should review the resources on CHS AP Info page, including AP Exam Demo and the Explainer Videos.

 

HCPSS AP Survey - Thank you for your hard work on your at home AP exams. Please complete the following survey to share your at home test taking experience. The feedback will help us document technical problems and communicate concerns to College Board. The form will collect your email address/login in case we need to follow up on specific issues. Please complete the form for each exam you have taken. HCPSS AP Survey Link  Note: You must be logged into your HCPSS Google account before taking the survey. Go to https://hcpss.me/, login to GSuite and then click the survey link.

 

Free Score Report - Students should go to https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores prior to June 20 to send their AP scores to one college. Scores can be sent to additional colleges for a fee.

 

Cross Country Informational Meeting

Any student who is interested in trying out for cross country this fall is to complete the google survey. We will send information out through email regarding paperwork and tryout information. Tryouts will take place on August 12.  Google Survey: https://forms.gle/2hHW3bvFYkrV73zv7

 

Ways to communicate

If you would like to communicate information to the CHS community, please complete the Google survey with all of your information.  Click this link to get the survey.

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

See what’s happening at CHS! (and add our Google Calendar to your phone!) 

 

 

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CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL:

Got great news about our students, staff, or community? Send it our way and we’ll shout it out! 

 

• USDE announced today the recipients of the Presidential Scholars and Distinguished Teacher Awards.Congrats to Nadine Meister and Jason Piluk! Check-it: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

 

• Proud of our Eagles Andy Zong, Emilie Liang, Lilian Liu and Julia Ye. They are a part of the Clarksville Youth Care Group who raised $5k and produced 1,200 DIY face shields for our brave healthcare heroes.

 #togetherapart #CHSEaglePride@HCPSS https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/cng-ho-teens-donate-face-shields-20200505-kxqaknpicvb6nn6kzfwu4soomi-story.html?from=timeline&isappinstalled=0

 

• Maryland Personal Finance Challenge

Mary Samokhvalova, a junior at Centennial, competed with her team of three other Applications and Research Laboratory students at the Maryland Personal Finance Challenge. Mary and her team placed 3rd in the state and won a cash prize

 

• Congratulations to Sarah Toth.  She is the recipient of the PTA Council of Howard County Dr. Charles Ecker Scholarship for Community Service.

 

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PTSA/Boosters 

See what’s happening with CHS PTSA or CHS Boosters by clicking the names or by visiting our website.

 

Class of 2020! 

The Centennial PTSA is hosting a virtual raffle of after prom prizes.  Keep an eye out for more information on how to register and participate in the virtual raffle!  Over 175 prizes will be raffled off including Apple Airpods, Apple watches, JBL Flip waterproof speakers, television sets, a signed Justin Tucker jersey, Dormco trunk, google home mini, echo dots, a Segway Ninebot, Nintendo Switch, cash prizes ($100, $250, $500) and a MacBook Pro plus 150 $25 amazon gift cards. That’s over $8,000 in prizes just for the Class of 2020.

 

 

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Community News

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/).

 

Tutors Needed!

Hello Centennial!  My name is Justin Liang and I am a junior here at CHS. Due to these unprecedented times, students across the county are missing out on a large chunk of their education; meeting once a week just isn’t the same. Because of this, I decided to start a free, online, and volunteer tutoring program called the Eagles Tutoring Program. The idea of the program is to get CHS students to tutor other students.  While there are plenty of opportunities at CHS to get tutoring from other sources, this program is different because it will focus on the Middle School audience (although it is open to any high schoolers who want to be tutored:)). Specifically, we will be focusing on providing help to middle school students who perhaps don’t get the same support as we do. I encourage any of you who are willing to be tutors to sign up! Please see the website to sign up, or ask any questions. Here is the program’s website: www.eaglestutoringprogram.weebly.com  Stay safe, Justin Liang

 

Grace Community Church Food Resource

Below is the link to the Grace Community Church Food Resource form in English and Spanish. 

Grace will provide assistance until this crisis is over for those families that cannot easily access the Grab and Go Food sites or the Food Bank.

• Food Assistance Request Form (English)

• Food Assistance Request Form (Spanish)

 

Howard County Government resources

The information on grocery delivery for the elderly and/or unable to travel as well as information on accessing other resources, such as medical, cash, energy bill, or food access can be found at http://www.howardcountyreact.org/delivery.

 

Basic needs are critical right now, so if we can ensure the information is shared from a trusted source, we can make a difference for our students and families.

 

For more information, contact Howard County REACT at 410-782-0432.