MARRIOTTS RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Bits and Bridles Bulletin

March 3, 2017

Dates to Remember 3/8 Interim Reports

3/9 Full day for High Schools; MRHS Confer- ences 4-7 p.m.

3/10 3hr Early Dismissal 11:10; MRHS Confer- ences 11:45-2:45 p.m.

4/10-17 Spring Break What’s Inside . . .

Parent Conferences, 2 Weekly Athletics

Student Spotlight 3

Senior Class News 4 Call for Theater Per- 5 formers, Book Club, Prom Ticket Sales, & Summer Programs

AP Exam Registration 6

Boosters 7 PTSA Music Department There’s trouble for the stubborn Iowans of River City when a charming conman, Pro-

Community Events 8 fessor Harold Hill, comes to town. With the promise of creating a boy’s band despite his distinct lack of musical knowledge, Harold is confident in his tried-and-true method Columbia Gives 9 of selling instruments…until he encounters Marian the librarian. Annual Bingo Nite Meredith Wilson’s classic Tony Award winning romantic comedy will have your entire family singing along to the witty, fast-paced, and touching songs. Don’t miss this thrill- ing journey into the 1912 American heartland.

Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling Window Will Close Monday, March 6 @ 3:00 PM Parents and guardians may now schedule Parent-Teacher conferences. Access to the MRHS conference schedule will turn off on Monday at 3PM to allow teachers time to

prepare for their scheduled conferences. If for any reason you should need to cancel a scheduled conference, please contact the teacher directly. MRHS conference times are: March 9 from 4:00-7:00 (Note this is a full day for all high schools.) March 10 from 11:45-2:45 (3-hour early dismissal at 11:10 a.m.)

For instructions,click here.

Weekly Athletic Calendar

Wednesday, 3/8  Varsity Softball/Baseball scrimmage at Century 4:00  JV Softball/Baseball scrimmage vs Century at MRHS 4:00  Boys Lacrosse scrimmage at Wootten JV 4:00 Varsity 6:00

Thursday, 3/9  Girls Lacrosse scrimmage vs Roland Park at MRHS Varsity 4:00 JV 5:30  Spring Sportsmanship Night 7:00

Friday, 3/10  Tennis scrimmage vs South Carroll at MRHS 4:00

Saturday, 3/11  Baseball scrimmage at Mount St. Joe JV 9:00 Varsity Noon  Girls Lacrosse play day at Park 2:00

Spring Sportsmanship Night will be held on March 9th at 7 p.m. One parent/guardian for each student athlete is expected to attend. Coaches will hold team meetings in the following locations: Softball / Cafeteria Track / Commons Baseball / Media Center Girls Lacrosse / Rm 116 Boys Lacrosse / Rm 204 Tennis / Rm 222

Click Here to view the complete Athletic Calendar.

Page 2 Bits and Bridles Bulletin Student Spotlight Student Leader of the Month . . . AMARIS HESTER, Class of 2019, embodies the hallmarks of student leadership: inclusion, inspiration, dedication and pursuit of excellence. As the captain of the Speech team’s Congressional De- bate Squad, she has grown the team from 1 member last year to a team of 7 (and still growing!). She is a skillful leader – she has taught her teammates the intricacies of Congressional debate. Amaris is inspira- tional in helping her teammates improve their speaking and debate style. Her teammates look up to her and ask her for guidance. She regularly serves as a Presiding Officer in the Baltimore Catholic Forensics League at our league tournaments and competes in other speech events. She keeps her teammates and coaches in the loop of meetings and helps her team improve the legislation that is written. Amaris is also involved in many other activities: she is a member of the MRHS Mustang Chorale, MRHS Women’s Choir, Peabody Children’s Choir, Delta Scholars Club (a community service club), Model U.N. Club (and its Leader- ship Council), competes on the It’s Academic and Quiz Bowl Teams, and is actively involved Girl Scouts and her church. Amaris is a true rising star at Marriotts Ridge - her coaches and teachers are very proud of her!

Congratulations! MEGHAN LI, a 9th grade GT U.S. History student won the Howard County Commission for Women’s annual student essay contest for high schools for her essay on the theme, “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Businsss”. Meghan will be reading her essay at the Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on March 9th at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.

JULIA SIGRIST, a 12th grade GT Art student under Ms. Meirs-Bond, is a recipient of the National Art Education Association’s Rising Star award. She is one of only three students in the nation to receive this award in 2017. This award is given to a high school senior who is planning a career in art education. Selection is based on the student’s resume, letters of recommendation, artwork and personal statement. Julia received her award at the NAEA National Conference in New York City. Tabby Fique from the Howard County Conservancy had this to say, “Julia has always been clear that art is her passion . . . She has the ability to inspire and involve every single partici- pant in the groups that she works with.”

Page 3 Bits and Bridles Bulletin SENIOR CLASS NEWS . . .

CAP/GOWN & Other GRADUATION MERCHANDISE Orders may be placed online through www.balfour.com or by mailing the order form and payment directly to Balfour. Further information can be found on the Class of 2017 page on the MRHS website. Please contact Mrs. Rashid with any questions.

SENIOR BANNERS ON SALE NOW! Congratulate your graduating MRHS student with a personalized banner. The banners will hang in the auditorium hallway during the month of May and will be returned to your grad- uate after the farewell assembly. The cost is $35 and all orders will be due by March 31, 2017. Please complete the order form and send it to the front office with a check payable to Marriotts Ridge PTSA. All profits will be donated to the PTSA. Contact Andrea Hartigan at [email protected] with questions.

YEARBOOK CUSTOM AD for YOUR STUDENT! Yearbook ads are a great way to celebrate student success and milestones and reflect on the person your student has become. Show your pride and support MRHS at the same time. Visit jostensadservice.com to create your recognition ad. Click here for a flier with more information!

Page 4 Bits and Bridles Bulletin Attn: Musical Theater Performers Are you a musical theater performer looking for the next big performing opportunity? Look no further, it is here! The 50th Columbia Festival Celebration is coming to Merriweather on April 23. All the high schools in Howard County are bringing casts from their Spring musicals to perform. We are in need of 10 to 15 movers/dancers to represent MRHS at this event. No dance expe- rience necessary. Rehearsals begin after school on March 8- March 29 in the dance studio from 2:30-4. See Ms. Spruill during Mustang Time or see the information on the dance studio door. Sign up today for this one time only musical theater performance.

STUDENT BOOK CLUB will discuss Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell Block 25 by Richard Evans on Monday, March 27th in the media production room. Stop by the media center if you would like a copy of the book. It’s never too late to join the Book Club!

Prom Ticket Sale Volunteers The Class of 2018 is in need of adult volunteers to sell prom tick- ets during lunch shifts on the following days: March 20-24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (*Note these are pre-sale days and tickets will be less expensive.) and April 18-28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please use this link to sign-up to volunteer! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a48aba72fa31-prom Question? Contact Jen Patterson or Lynn Rashid

Summer Programs . . .

HCPSS 2017 Summer Classes & Camps Course Information Online registration is now open. Read more . . .

Boosters 2017 Summer Camp Registration Boosters-sponsored summer camps with by MRHS Athletic Coaches and Fine Arts Teach- ers take place each summer. We offer a complete selection of Sports and Music/Fine Arts Camps to choose from for students in 1st-12th grades. NEW THIS YEAR . . . Let’s Get Cook- ing Culinary Camp and Multi-Sport Camp! MRHS offers the ideal atmosphere for an ex- ceptional summer camp experience with exposure to MRHS facilities and excellent staff. Most camps run for 5 days with weekly sessions beginning June 9th, ending the week of July 31st. For more information including the camp descriptions and schedules, CLICK HERE.

Page 5 Bits and Bridles Bulletin 2017 Advanced Placement Exam Registration is now open!

2017 AP Exam Dates: May 1 – 5 and May 8 – 12 - Late testing will take place May 17 – 19. This year MRHS AP exams will be administered at St. Michael Poplar Springs 1125 St. Michael’s Road, Mt. Airy, Md 21771 (with the exception of world languages and late testing, which will be administered at MRHS.

Registration will take place February 27 – March 24. The registration process includes completing a form in Naviance and returning a signed copy to Student Services prior to the deadline. Please note: NO registration will be accepted during Spring Break. Please plan accordingly.

Fees this year are $93 per exam. This year payment or installments can be made at any time during the year prior to the deadline by check, money order or through Online School Payments.

Online School Payments - HCPSS has contracted with Online School Payments, Inc. (OSP) to afford par- ents/guardians the ability to pay online for school activities, including AP exams. OSP accepts credit and debit cards (Visa or MasterCard) through a secure web browser at your convenience, 24 hours a day. OSP does charge a small handling fee for this service.

Payments can be made for one or more exams (in “Activity”), or periodic payments at your convenience (in “Obligations” tab). The link to OSP is on the school website or below: http://osp.osmsinc.com/HowardMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Propert ies/Category.aspx?categoryid=DA075

Check or Money Order Payments - Please make checks payable to Marriotts Ridge High School and note AP test and the student name on the “memo/for” line. Checks should be sent to the Student Services, attention: Lisa Scott.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Scott, AP Testing Coordinator at [email protected]

Page 6 Bits and Bridles Bulletin Mustang Madness – March 11 The Boosters Annual Fundraiser! Players Bar & Grill from 7-11 PM Come join other parents/guardians for a night of fun and fundraising. There will be dinner, raffles, priz- es, a silent auction and music featuring The Dixon Ulmer Band. To purchase your tickets CLICK HERE $50 through March 9, and then $60 at the door Silent auction items, to name a few: Private Party at Union Jacks for 40 (great idea for a graduation party), Four Disney Park Hopper Tickets, Aruba, Jamaica, Deep Creek, Photography Packages, SAT/ACT Prep Course, Personal Training, Acupuncture, Medium Reading, Jewelry, Driving Classes, Sports Memorablia, Crab Feast, Sport Perfor- mance Classes, Professional Sporting Event Tickets (Orioles & Ravens), MRHS Camps, Prom Baskets and much, much more! Donations for the silent auction will be accepted until March 1. If you or somebody you know has game tickets, restaurant gift cards, services, vacation rentals or other items they would like to donate, please contact plgro- [email protected] or [email protected]

AFTER PROM NEEDS YOU! MRHS PTSA AfterProm committee will be holding a planning meeting on Tuesday, March 14th @ 7:00pm in Student Services. Anyone looking to help in final planning and pre-event project work is en- couraged to attend. If you would like to volunteer but are unable to make the 3/14 meeting, please contact Karen Chase @ 410.531.9818 or [email protected] as soon as possible.

Also, please check your calendars for April 29th. We will be sending out a sign up shortly looking for vol- unteers to assist in the numerous activities we hold at AfterProm. Mark your calendars now as we can only be successful if we have plenty of volunteers! After Prom immediately follows Prom. It will be at Glen- wood Community Center from 11:30 pm on 4/29 to 3:30 am on 4/30. Many more details to come!

NEWS from MUSIC FOUNDATION Save the Date . . . Saturday, March 25 2nd Annual Mattress Fundraiser We hope this “save the date” memo acts as a reminder that if you are in need of a mattress, please mark your calendar and visit this mobile showroom. Save up to 50% off retail, over 20 sets on display and a team of experts on hand to answer any ques- tions, all while supporting the MRHS Music Program!

Page 7 Bits and Bridles Bulletin Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC) All Middle and High School students interested in  Learning about Leadership and Service Opportunities  Sharing the Student Voice on HCPSS Policy and Community Issues  Gaining Leadership Skills  Practicing Community Service  Working with student leaders from across HCPSS are invited to attend HCASC meetings. Next Meeting Wednesday 3/8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Homewood Cafeteria 10914 MD 108 Columbia, 21042. Come join your fellow student leaders and work together to make Many Students One Voice. For more information please contact [email protected] or visit http://hcasc.hcpss.org/

Community Notices & Events The following events are neither sponsored nor endorsed by Marriotts Ridge HS or the Howard County Public School System.

The Howard County Library System is proud to announce their Homework Center initiative. The Glenwood Library Homework Center will have available:  Tables reserved for group study  A variety of school supplies for use (paper, pencils, markers, calculators, etc.)  FREE snacks during the next week, while supplies last! In addition, the Glenwood Teen area has undergone a major expansion that has doubled the size! Please stop by to visit, hang out, do homework, relax and find a good book!

HC DrugFree Teen Advisory Council (TAC) is open to all Howard County high school students and community service hours are available. The next two meetings will be on Mondays, March 13 and April 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Barn (Teen Center) in the Oakland Mills Village Center. Free pizza is provided. Teens must complete the registration form found on the Teen Advisory web page at www.hcdrugfree.org, and RSVP to [email protected].

Mark Your Calendar - HC DrugFree's Annual Senior Week: Staying Safe In Ocean City: Back by popular de- mand - Wednesdays, March 22 at Atholton High School and March 29 at Howard High School, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Parents (and grandparents!) and high school seniors are encouraged to attend. Ocean City Police and Beach Patrol will provide safety tips about water, beach, drugs/alcohol, crossing the busy highway, and much more.

HC DrugFree, 5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206 Wilde Lake Village Center, Columbia 443-325-0040 www.hcdrugfree.org

The Howard County Office of Workforce Development is offering the Young Adult Community Job and Resource Fair on Saturday, April 1, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at . Click for flyer with more information.

Read about more Community News and Programs of Interest. . .

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