EAGLE NEWS

October 6, 2023

CHS CELEBRATES…

Varsity Field Hockey Senior Night

Congratulations to our stellar senior athletes: Helen Baldy, Abby Conrad, Julie Milinichik, Tara Williams!

 

Spectacular Performances!

Congratulations to Mr. Matchim and our Symphonic Band,  Symphonic Winds, and Wind Ensemble students for an incredible fall concert performance Wednesday night!

 

Checkout the Artwork in the CHS Halls

Art III students excelled at a skills-building assignment to become proficient with charcoal as a medium to create the illusion of reflective surfaces. 

 

Science National Honor Society

Congratulations to our new Science National Honor Society inductees and welcome our new board members!

New Board Members:

President – Madison Zhao

Vice President – Anurag Sodhi

Secretary – Justin Yu

Event Coordinator – Joanna Blackman

Science Journal Chair – William Gao

 

New Inductees: 

Caleb Addalia, Ayezhan Amir, Ciaran Brighton, Matias Caceres, Joel Chemmanur, Nicholas Cui, Oyujin Damdinsuren, Clarice de Melo, Ishani Ghosh, Ayush Ghosh, Tanvi Gupta, Emily Han, Sarah Hong, Ming Huang, Sunny Ji, Leia Kim, Christopher Lee, Kailan Li, Vishal Lokesh, Hibah Mehreen, Martin Meister, Sanjeevani Mukherjee, Dia Nawathe, Chloe Ng, Austyn Nguyen, Rachel Ni, Clara Pan, Nithya Parepally, Shruti Patel, Pavin Rajagopal, Avy Ramreddy, Emily Recksiek, Olivia Roh, Ava Rose, Rishi Selvamani, Riya Shah, Aryan Sharma, Surabhi Shastry, Sumedha Shastry, Akhil Shastry, Caleb Shim, Oliver Snydal, Nivi Srinivas, Max Swann, Arif Vempalle, Tara-Jade Williams, Kristine Won, Renee Wu, Isabella Wu, Sunny Yuan, Raiyan Zaman,Cindy Zhan

 

Student of the Month

 Congratulations to the Students of the Month for September:

Obiechina  Agbim, Cadeyrn Ahearn, Krystal Akua-Mitchual, Maya Avery, Seth Binnie, Sheymar Blackwell, Michael Borjas Castellanos, Nicole Bumbray, Eric Bush, Andrew Chong, Alton Crawley, Clarice de Melo, Lauren Duffy, Skylar Ellison, Nicholas Fikes, Chelsea Finnegan, Danni Freed, Yaslyn Fuentes Melendez, William Gao, Akshay Garg, Rocco Gargano, Naudia Graham, Alina Griffiths, Tate Hancock, Wesley Harris, Wesley Hicks, Benjamin Jordana, Kalina Kostova, Haven Kuawogai, Jessica Ladson, Bida Liao, Vivian Lin, Daniel Lynge, Chevan McIntyre, Khadija Mounaji, Vier Murphy, Allison Norton, Quinn Ostrowski, Nihira Patel, Jalaan Reddock, Landon Roberts, Sasha Ruff, Madeline Salter,  Cameron Schwartz, Kavya Shah, Haylee Simmons, Samuel Strong, Ming Sun, Maxwell Swann, Alexandre Tjia, Alannah Tucker, Sashwat Tulshyan, Samuel Voeltner, Princess Wayne, Tara-Jade Williams,  Afidi Wonkam, Renee Wu, Edwin Wu, April Zheng, Ryan Zou So proud of everyone!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date	Time	Event
October 9		Schools closed for students
October 11		Choir Concert at 7 PM
October 11 **This is a date change		PSAT - Grade 10
October 12		Orchestra Concert @ 7 PM
October 13- 14		Homecoming Weekend (Pancake breakfast, parade, game, and dance)
October 18 **This is a date change		PSAT - Grade 11
October 18		Senior Tropical Night DATE CHANGED TO MARCH 15, 2024!
October 20		Schools closed for students
October 21		Friends of Music Mattress Sale, CHS Cafeteria
October 25		Flu Vaccination Clinic
October 26 - 29		CHS Theatre presents Lost Girl  Performances at 7 PM on October 26, 27, and 28 Performances at 2 PM on October 28 and 29
October 31		3-hour early dismissal; end of first marking period ASVAB Fall administration
November 8		National Letter of Intent Signing Day 3:15 PM CHS Main Gymnasium
November 8		Lifetouch Picture Retake Day for Grades 9, 10, 11
November 12		Online Winter Sports Registration Closes
November 15		First day of Winter Sports Tryouts
November 28		Winter Athletic Orientation Program for Parents - 6:30 PM in Auditorium with breakout sessions to follow
December 9		Active Minds Holiday Thrift Shop - 9AM - 12 PM, CHS Cafeteria
June 11		Last scheduled day of school  Last inclement weather day weather day June 18

 

ALL THINGS HOMECOMING!

Homecoming Spirit Week

Show your spirit wall week as we get ready for the best homecoming weekend ever…

Monday, 10/9 – No School

Tuesday, 10/10 – Barbenheimer Day: dress in pink or business attire or even both

Wednesday, 10/11 – PJ Day: come to school in your comfiest PJs

Thursday, 10/12 – Adam Sandler Day: show up in your best Adam Sandler outfit

Friday, 10/13 – Color Day: represent your class at the pep rally! 

• Freshmen – black

• Sophomores – blue

• Juniors – white

•  Seniors – red

• Staff – gray

Schedule of Homecoming Events for Saturday, October 14

• PTSA Pancake Breakfast, 7:00 – 10:00 AM

•   Homecoming Parade, 10:15 – 11 AM

•   Varsity Football Game vs. Mt. Hebron, 12 PM

• Homecoming Dance, 7 - 10 PM

•  

 PTSA Homecoming Pancake Breakfast

Enjoy a wonderful meal to start off your Homecoming festivities! All you can eat pancakes, sausage, fruit, drinks, and more... Be part of this CHS Homecoming tradition! Tickets are on sale now. 

 

Looking for Something to do on Saturday Morning? 

PTSA needs help for the Pancake Breakfast! Please consider volunteering for a shift during this community favorite event.  Use the Signup Genius link to sign up now. 

Thanks in advance for lending a hand!

 

Homecoming Parade 10:30 AM

The Homecoming Parade is back with floats, performances, and more! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and line the Centennial Lane parade route from Centennial Lane Elementary School to Centennial High School.

 

Homecoming Dance - Last Call to Buy Tickets!

The Homecoming Dance for students is on October 14, from 7:00 – 10:00 PM.  Dance tickets are on sale now thru 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 8. The tickets for the dance are $20. Payment for tickets will be made through the HCPSS Online School Payments system. 

 

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

CHS Spiritwear 

The CHS Boosters have several opportunities coming up for students, staff, and parents to purchase spiritwear in preparation for and during Spirit Week.

Sale Dates: 

Friday, 10/13 at lunches

Saturday, 10/14 at the Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, 10/14 at the Homecoming Football Game

 

Active Minds Holiday Thrift Shop

 Active Minds is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health, especially among young adults, via peer-to-peer dialogue and interaction.  The Centennial High School chapter of Active Minds will be hosting a Holiday "Thrift" Shop community fundraiser on December 9, from 9-12 in the CHS Cafeteria. 

 We are currently collecting donations of new or gently used items including, but not limited to: clothing (not shoes), board games, toys, candles, picture frames, arts and crafts, jewelry etc.  We are collecting through November 17th.  We have boxes set up outside of the main office.  Items may be dropped off during school hours and at homecoming events on Saturday 10/14.  Please contact Stacy Rosuck stacy_rosuck@hcpss.org if you have any questions.

 

Centennial Boys Soccer Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

We are offering digital dozen donuts at the price of $15, with the program receiving $7.50 from each sale.These dozen donuts can be redeemed at any Krispy Kreme store across the United States. If you purchase multiple dozens, there is no requirement to redeem them all at once. Additionally, you have the option to gift a digital dozen to someone by providing their email address. Buyers must buy these donuts via the link attached. This fundraiser is taking place throughout the whole month of October.

Link: https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/14826-centennial-high-school-boys-soccer-team-krispy-kreme-digital-dozens

 

CHS Fall Theatre Presents Lost Girl

Don't miss Lost Girl opening on October 26th and running through the 29th.  Lost Girl tells the story of Wendy after her adventures in Neverland with Peter Pan. In many ways, it is her coming-of-age story as she tackles the challenges in friendships, family, and romance that we face as we grow up. It is a beautiful script and story that you won't want to miss. 

LINK: https://hcpss.booktix.com/dept/chs/e/LOST

 Email Mr. Traver with any questions: jacob_traver@hcpss.org

 

Friends of Music Meeting – October 10th, 7 PM 

Please join us on October 10th, at 7 PM in the Band Room to learn more about how CHS Friends of Music supports the growth and success of our vocal and instrumental music programs. You do not have to be a member of Crescendo Club to attend. We do hope when you hear about all the great things happening, you’ll decide to join.

Coming Soon: FOM Fruit/Citrus Sale from October 2 to November 3. Mattress Sale on October 21st, in the Centennial cafeteria.

Upcoming Concerts:

Wednesday, 10/11/23 Choral Concert at 7:00 PM

Thursday, 10/12/23 Orchestra Concert at 7:00 PM

 

FLU Clinic, October 25

Each year, the Howard County Public School System partners with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring flu immunizations into our schools for students. This year, they will also be offering the latest Covid vaccine. The clinic at Centennial High School will be held on October 25, 2023, during school hours. If you would like your child to be vaccinated against the flu and/or the Moderna Covid at this clinic, please register at this link:

https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/0247912065

You are not required to provide your child’s insurance information. It is perfectly fine to receive both vaccines on the same day. If you have any concerns about the new Covid vaccine, you are advised to speak with your child’s pediatrician. All in-school clinics will be closed to registration one week before the clinic date to allow our health room staff time to review and prepare the consents and make sure enough vaccine is ordered. If you have any questions, please call your school’s health room at (410) 313-2533.

 

Mentors Needed for Students in Engineering Design and Development  

Students enrolled in Engineering Design and Development (EDD) are in search of mentors to assist them in developing solutions to their final projects. The EDD class requires students to develop a product or system from its formative stages of research and development to a testable prototype and then defend their idea before a patent-style review board of engineering and marketing experts. 

Ideally, mentors should be practicing or retired engineers who guide students through the process of how to solve their problem and develop their solution. Mentor meetings may be face-to-face or virtual during school hours once a week for 15-20 minutes. If interested, please contact Eric Cullings at eric_cullings@hcpss.org. Read more.

 

Raise Money for CHS by Cleaning Up Your Closet

Clean out your closets and bring us your unwanted clothing, footwear, textiles, accessories including handbags, backpacks, jewelry and more!! Our school’s Clothing Cash collection bin is located at the curbside of BMMS. It is the far end, two bins when you drive down by Burleigh Manor MS toward CHS. The funds generated from your donated items will directly benefit and support our programs here at Centennial High School. Thank you very much for your support!

 

Winter Sports Registration 

Attention all Eagles interested in trying out for a winter sport!  Winter Sports Registration will open thru your Parent's/Guardian's Portal at HCPSS Connect, starting this Sunday, October 1st, THRU SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH!!!  All students interested in trying out for a Winter Sport are to have their Parent/Guardian complete their Online Athletic Registration thru their Parent Portal at HCPSS Connect. Read more.

 

Winter Sports Tryouts begin Wednesday, November 15th.  

All Students must have completed their entire online registration in order to participate in tryouts.  The Winter Sports Tryout Schedule for November 15th, will be posted on the chs.hcpss.org website soon. Read more. 

 

Fan Expectations and Safety at HCPSS Athletics Events

High school athletic events serve as a wonderful opportunity for students, friends, families, staff and community members to come together in support of their favorite teams. To ensure these games are able to be safely enjoyed by all in attendance, it is imperative that everyone adheres to the rules, expectations and laws in place to ensure safety. 

All children who are in 8th grade or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all HCPSS athletics contests or will be turned away from entry. Adult supervision must continue for the entirety of the athletic contest. 

Athletic contests are considered extensions of the school day, and behaviors that violate the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct or Board of Education policies are subject to the same disciplinary measures as those that occur during the school day. Any students found to engage in inappropriate, illegal or dangerous behavior, including verbal and physical abuse at games, are subject to discipline, including the forfeiture of the game itself. Non-student spectators who violate event rules may be asked to leave the premises and may be banned for the remainder of the season. Additionally, the Howard County Police Department maintains a presence at games and will ensure all applicable laws are adhered to. 

Please note that substances such as tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol are illegal to have on school grounds. Furthermore, no spectators are permitted to be under the influence of these substances upon entering school grounds. 

 HCPSS schools are welcoming environments for our friends around the county and state. All spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship to the athletes, coaches, officials, members of the marching band, cheerleaders and poms, dance teams, opposing fans, and everyone in attendance. Please show respect for all those around you. 

 

Lifetouch School Pictures

Don’t forget to order this year’s school pictures! Lifetouch invites you to enjoy 10% off your order using CODE F202310OFF. This offer expires May 1, 2024.  Redeem Now

Picture retake day for grades 9, 10, and 11 is Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Date Changes for PSAT

The dates for the PSAT have been changed. Please take note of the new dates:

October 11 - 10th grade

October 18 - 11th grade

 

RTA Bus Passes

Thanks to a continued partnership between HCPSS, Howard County Government, and Regional Transportation Agency (RTA), all HCPSS middle and high school students have access to free RTA bus passes through summer 2024. Students have full access to the RTA system and are not limited to transportation to and from schools or to school-related activities.   

If your child is interested, they can visit our front office to request a free pass. Read more. 

 

BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night – October 12

The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program invites you to attend the upcoming  BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night  on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Long Reach High School. This College and Career Opportunities Night invites scholars in grades 8 - 12 countywide to network with working professionals, colleges, and universities, explore post-secondary opportunities, and learn more about HCPSS pathways. The evening will highlight a variety of colleges and universities as well as local businesses and organizations. To register, please complete the Registration Form linked here. 

 

Calling all Sophomores in the Class of 2026! 

Our annual donation campaign is up and running. Families received a letter home in the mail last week. This year we will be in charge of securing a Prom location and beginning the early planning process for next year's Prom. We can't do this without your support! Read more

 

Update Your Family File

All families must update their emergency contact information annually. We’d like Centennial to be the first high school to have 100% of the Family File information to be fully updated, so visit HCPSS Connect today and click submit on the final screen! Read more.

 

Apply for Financial Aide

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility.

 

Student Technology Supports

Students, please remember to bring your chromebook fully charged to school every day.  We have a limited number of loaner chromebooks reserved only for students with broken chromebooks.  If your chromebook is not working, please bring it to the media center.

 

Student Meal Payments

New this year, HCPSS will use LINQ Connect, a secure, online portal that allows families to make payments to their child’s meal account, monitor their child’s account, schedule automatic recurring payments, set up low balance alerts, submit a Free and Reduced Meals program application, and more. More information, including how to set up your account, is available online.

 

Lockers

Lockers are available to all students throughout the school year. Students may come to the front office before the school day begins, during their lunch shifts, or during Eagle Time to request a locker assignment.

 

Parking Permits

Permission for students to drive and park vehicles on school system property is a privilege. Parking spaces for students at Centennial High School are limited. Accordingly, in order to be granted this privilege, applications for parking permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis in priority order: 1) Seniors; 2) Students enrolled in Work Study/Intern Mentor Programs; and, 3) Juniors.

Permits will be issued in this order through the end of the third week of school. Beginning September 18th, remaining permits will be issued in the order applications are received. Permits will not be reserved for students who do not yet have a valid Maryland Driver's License. Students ARE NOT required by the school system to attend a ‘Safe Driving’ presentation this school year.

To apply for your permit:

• Login to HCPSS.me.

• Complete the application packet and save as a pdf.

• Take a photo of your driver’s license.

• Follow this link to submit the online application. The information collected through the online application is required by HCPSS.

• Your submission will be reviewed, and you will be notified via email once it is accepted.

For questions about applying for a parking permit at CHS please contact Kristen Forman at Kristen_forman@hcpss.org.

 

Attendance

Please follow these procedures to report an absence:

Absence notes and tardy notes for excused absences are to be emailed to CHSabsence@hcpss.org. Students who bring in physical notes may drop them off in the front office before the start of the school day. 

Discretionary absence requests must be completed and attached through email in advance of the absence. The last possible day of school for the 23/24 SY is June 18th. If there are any make-up days added to the end of the year, we need you to be available to take exams on any day from June 7-18. Any requests for Discretionary Absences during that window of time will not be approved. Likewise, Discretionary Absences will not be granted during the week of January 16th, mid-term exam week. For questions about attendance, please reach out to our Attendance Secretary, Diane Howse at diane_howse@hcpss.org.

 

 Support the Groups Who Support Us

The CHS PTSA offers programs, services, and supports to enhance the high school experience for all students, teachers, and parents. Join the PTSA now by logging into the  CHS PTSA website. 

The CHS Boosters serve all student extracurricular activities, including sports teams, school clubs, and student organizations. Join the Boosters now by logging into the CHS Boosters website.

Friends of Music supports vocal and instrumental music at CHS to guarantee the sustainability of these programs and to provide vital support to our music directors. Help our talented musicians thrive by joining us today through the FOM website: http://www.centennialmusic.org/.

It is important to support organizations that do so much for us and our students. We are a community! 

 

Stay Connected

•  Centennial High School’s website is a great source of information at https://chs.hcpss.org.

• On Twitter @hcpss_CHS and Instagram @CentennialHS.

•  CHS PTSA https://www.chs-ptsa.org/and  CHS Boosters https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/.

• CHS Friends of Music http://www.centennialmusic.org/

•   Register to receive school system updates and alerts at https://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/, click on Subscribe and select Centennial High School.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day 

The Take Back Day is October 28, in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot from 10 AM - 2 PM. Safely dispose of prescription medication, over-the-counter meds, sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more!  Also, 100 medication lockboxes purchased by HCPSS will be given away for FREE!  

 

HC DrugFree Parent Classes

HC DrugFree is offering Guiding Good Choices parenting classes to help equip parents and/or grandparents with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9 - 14 yrs. old and held over Zoom.   

 

Howard Lions' Pride Third Annual Craft Fair

Saturday, October 21st,  from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Howard High School. Our 100+ vendors will be selling crafts, books, candles, kitchen goods, jewelry, home decor, clothing, accessories, and much more! General Info link: https://tinyurl.com/3tzxuhme.