October 2016 Volume 9 Dundalk High School Issue 2 Newsletter Dear Parents: October is a great month to really focus forward on our goals for the year. We estab- lish our goals based on our vision and mission. Our vision for DHS is to educate, teach, and inspire students to be college/career ready while fostering the values of productive, contributing citizens. Each month, we examine our vision to be sure everything we do at DHS aligns with our core values. For example, we are focused on building relationships with our stu- dents through an award-winning mentoring program. This year, over 50 faculty mem- bers have volunteered their time and talent to support our youth. The goal of the pro- gram is to establish lasting relationships with the students and their families that fo- Principal cus on improving attendance, attitudes, and student achievement. Kristin Anelli In addition, October is PSAT month. At DHS, we strongly believe that preparing all students for the PSAT and SAT prepares them for life after school regardless of Assistant Principals where their paths may lead. The types of skills assessed on the SAT, such as critical thinking, logical reasoning, analysis, evaluation, etc., are lifelong skills that all of us Timothy Arrington need to have to experience success in academics or our profession. The data gathered Andrew Deming from the PSAT will help your son or daughter to understand which specific areas will need improvement prior to taking the SAT. Preparing for the SAT begins in 9th grade Brett Molin because our students need that much time to mature as young adult thinkers. Larissa Santos Parents, you can help us ensure your child’s success by encouraging them to attend school. The state accepted attendance rate is 94%, which equals no more than 2.5 PTA President absences per quarter. When students miss time at the high school level, it is an ex- Charles Sussan tremely serious matter because missing time could equate to not earning credits. Not earning credits equates to lower GPAs, difficulty in gaining college entrance, and se- rious jeopardy of not graduating on time. Recently, Dr. Michael Galiazzo, the presi- 1901 Delvale Ave. dent of Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland, told our students that solid attendance in high school matters. He also stated that even in the manufacturing in- Dundalk, Maryland 21222 dustry, continuing education is a must in the 21st century. The newly revised BCPS grading policy is in effect. The following website is helpful in reviewing information regarding the new policy: School 410-887-7023 https://vimeo.com/183403548. Fax 410-887-7025 We continually invite parents and the community to become a part of the growth of School Counseling 410-887-7027 your school. You can do this by participating in the PTSA or Athletic Boosters Club and the many other activities the school has planned. We look forward to seeing you! Cafeteria 410-887-7033 Library 410-887-7033 Kristin L. Anelli Athletics 410-887-7288 Principal NJROTC 410-285-7670 Dundalk High School Check out the DHS Website: dundalkhs.bcps.org Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Ms. Anelli 1 Academic/Student Information 3—7 Health/Wellness 8—9 Athletics 10—13 Substitutes Needed 14 Announcements / General Information 15—18 Calendar October 2016 10/3 Schools closed/Rosh Hashanah 10/5 College Night for Seniors (Sollers Point Café), 6 pm—8:30 pm ** SEE PAGE 3 ** 10/8 PTSA Bingo/Boosters (Cafeteria), 6 pm—11 pm ** SEE PAGE 15 ** 10/12 Schools closed/Yom Kippur 10/13 CCBC at all lunches (Cafeteria) 10/19 PSAT Day, Senior Interview Day 10/19 Sollers Point Open House (Sollers Café) 10/21 School closed for students/MSDE Professional Development Day 10/22 Flu shots @ Dundalk Middle ** SEE PAGE 7 ** 10/26 Make-up Picture Day Grades 9-11 (Auditorium), 6:30 am—2:30 pm 10/28 First Marking Period Ends Page 2 SAT Tutoring for College Bound Seniors Students who are taking the SAT in October or November can get help preparing. After school tutoring is available every Tues- day (Math, Rm 3140) and Wednesday (Verbal, Rm 2161) College Knowledge Night Dundalk High School October 5, 2016 6:00 P.M. Sollers Point Cafe Parents, Please join us to gain more information about ap- plying to college, scholarships, financial aid, and how to support your child through the process. Page 3 PSAT Date—October 19th October 19th is PSAT day Seniors are invited to participate in a college night or job shadow. In order for this to be counted as an excused absence, the visita- tion form must be completed and returned to the office by October 14th. Forms are available in the main office. Page 4 Prom 2017 PASSPORT TO PROM 7 Rules & Requirements for 2017’s Senior Prom Before purchasing prom attire, make sure you have: Received written approval that your guest has been approved Service learning hours are complete. Maryland state requires 75 hours (See Ms. Cline or Ms. Huemmer). Obligations have been paid to Ms. Diegel Class dues have been paid to Mrs. Zahm or Ms. Gingher School attendance requirement: You cannot miss more than 18 school days! No suspensions You must be on track to graduate May 2017 Once all of these requirements have been met, you can buy a prom ticket and prepare for your amazing night! Do NOT purchase/rent prom attire until you have met all seven requirements, including approval for your guest, and you have your prom ticket. The New Grading System Have you heard? There’s a new grading system in Baltimore County. Why? “The need to facilitate deeper learning for every student has prompted a number of changes in our classrooms, including our approach to grading. We believe grades should provide equitable, accurate, specific and timely information on student progress,” says Dr. Dance. (Baltimore Sun article dated 9/13/16). Watch a video explaining the requirements and expectations at: https://vimeo.com/183403548 Page 5 Attention Dundalk High School Seniors, order your Senior Banner today!!! This is a PTSA sponsored fundraiser for the senior Class of 2017. 1. Complete the order form at the bottom of this flier. 2. Each family can order more than one banner per student. (pictured sample) 3. Cost of the banner is $_30.00_ (15in height x 32in wide) 4. Completed Order Form and Payment can be turned in during lunch at the school store to Mr. Oppenheim. 5. Cash or check payment accepted. Checks should be made out to: DHS PTSA 6. Last day for placing Senior Banner order is on: Wednesday, March 22, 2017. 7. Questions: Contact- Charles Sussan at 410-292-9786 DHS SENIOR BANNER order form PLEASE PRINT: Student Information First Name: Last Name: Congratulatory Message: Buyer’s Name: _______________________________________________________________ Buyer’s email _______________________________________________________________ Contact number: ________________________________________________________________ Page 6 Make-up Picture Day is Coming! October 26 This is your chance to take a great picture that you can share with all of your family and friends. Make sure you mark the date on your calendars! Be sure to bring your order form and payment envelope back to school on picture day, plus the most important thing of all, your SMILE! THIS IS FOR 9TH, 10TH AND 11TH GRADES ONLY. If you would like to learn more about the portrait program that LifeTouch is offering, please visit www.schoolprints.lifetouch.com/students. Free Breakfast and Lunch As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Dundalk High School is participating in a Community Eligibility Provision pilot program for the current school year. All enrolled students attending DHS are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch meal at NO CHARGE. Some additional items to note: Students must choose a “reimbursable” meal that contains all the components required by the USDA The breakfast meal offers 4 components and 3 must be selected The lunch meal offers 5 components and 3 must be selected Only full meals are FREE Students who have early dismissal after second period are invited to eat on A lunch if they like. But if they choose to eat on A lunch, they must stay for the entire lunch period and will be dismissed at 11:15, Students who have early release after second period and choose to not stay and instead go to their college classes or their jobs, they are welcome to do so, but should exit campus immediately. Page 7 From the School Nurse, Mrs. Hicks Page 8 Influenza The Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Fever* or feeling feverish/chills – Muscle or body aches temperature greater than or equal to 100° Headaches Fahrenheit Fatigue (tiredness) Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. * It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. Children younger than 5 years old have a greater chance of having problems with the flu. Most chil- dren will get better without needing to go the doctor. Children with a long term condition such as asthma and diabetes are more likely to have a severe problem if they get the flu. A child of any age with severe signs of the flu should go to the doctor. If you are unsure, call your doctor and ask if you child should be examined.