CHS News

Thanks is a small word but when it comes from the heart it makes us feel so special. As the class of 2025 prepares for graduation, many of our seniors have taken the time to write a heartfelt note of thanks to the administrators and the front office staff, as well as the teachers and counselors. We are touched by the thoughtfulness of our students and inspired to think that these are the individuals who will become our leaders!

Best wishes Class of 2025…we will miss you!

Congratulations to Callista Bernhardt, recipient of the 2025 American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) Outstanding Senior in French Award.

Callista was nominated by Mrs. Doff based on academic excellence and exceptional commitment to the study of French. Recipients of the award are non-native speakers of French, and the award is only given to one student per school annually.

The AAFT was founded in 1927, and is the largest national professional association of French teachers in the word with nearly 10,000 members. Its mission is to promote the student of French language and French-speaking literature and cultures at all levels.

Congratulations to the following gold and silver medal winners on the National German Exam:

• Aditya Sharma
• Georgy Kostov
• Kalina Kostova
• Amelia Bice
• Anna Ritterbusch
• Audrey Ho
• Maddie Tseu
• Kathryn Genovese
• Charlie Dideum (digital ed student)

Not pictured but also winners:

• Jasper Krantz, who left the ceremony with German efficiency
• Revanth Ramakrishnan Santhi
• Audrey Smallidge
  

Gratuliere! to all of our outstanding students.

Centennial continues to be far and away the best public school in Maryland and DC (perhaps the world?). We were the only public school with multiple award winners and came second only to the German immersion school in Potomac.

In addition to their medals, the students won a cash prize from the Maryland German Society and generous gift bags from the German embassy.

Congratulations to Dhruv Veda on being selected as a 2025 Carson Scholar!

Celebrated at the 29th Annual Maryland Awards Banquet on May 18, Dhruv was recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, strong character, and commitment to serving the community, which distinguishes Dhruv as a role model for others.

This is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are so proud to celebrate your success!

Our heartfelt thanks to the Korean American Parent Association (KAPA) for providing lunch for the staff on Tuesday, May 20. We were treated to a variety of homemade Korean dishes, lovingly prepared by KAPA parent volunteers.

The menu was extensive and everything was delicious!

• May 28 - Graduation, 3 PM at Merriweather ***SCHOOL DISMISSES AT 1:50 PM***
• June 6 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early ***Calendar Change***
• June 7 - Friends of Music Meeting, 7 PM
  
• June 9 - 13 - Full Days of School ***Calendar Change***
  
• June 16 - 17 Schools Close 3 Hours Early ***Calendar Change***
  
• June 18 - Last Day of School (if no other inclement weather days), 3-hour early dismissal ***Calendar Change***
• June 26 - Make-up final exams
• July 17 - Make-up final exams
• August 5 - Make-up final exams
  
• August 13 - Fall HS sports practices begin
• August 25 - School begins for students

School will dismiss at 1:50 PM on Wednesday, May 28, for graduation. Bus service will be provided.

All students must be out of the building by 2:00 PM so that our staff may attend the commencement ceremony.

Bell Schedule

Period 1 7:50 AM – 8:30 AM

Period 2 8:35 AM – 9:15 AM

Eagle Time 9:20 AM – 9:35 AM

Period 3 9:40 AM – 10:20 AM

Period 4 10:25 AM – 12:25 PM

A Lunch 10:25 AM – 10:55 AM

B Lunch 10:55 AM – 11:25 AM

C Lunch 11:25 AM – 11:55 AM

D Lunch 11:55 AM - 12:25 AM

Period 5 12:30 PM – 1:05 PM

Period 6 1:10 PM – 1:50 PM

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Please join the PTSA Staff Appreciation in THANKING the wonderful CHS Staff for all their hard work during the 2024-2025 school year. We are looking for food, gift donations and volunteers for the Staff Luncheon on Monday, June 16th at 11:30 am in the cafeteria.

Please sign-up and shop before Monday, June 9th!

Amazon items will be shipped directly to Martha Love's home and we have a raffle for the staff during the luncheon.

Sign-up Genius for food

Amazon Wishlist

June 10th Friends of Music Meeting​ - 7pm in the CHS Cafeteria

Please join us and the music directors on June 10, at 7 PM in the CHS cafeteria for a celebration of our many donors and volunteers, find out plans for next year, and welcome new families. Invite your friends and neighbors, including families of rising 9th graders, to hear all about the fantastic music program at CHS. Back-to-School Night is never enough time to meet the directors and learn about all that is going on with the music program. Light refreshments will be served. Come out to learn and ask questions.

Centennial High School Friends of Music is a parent-led organization that supports the music programs at Centennial through volunteer efforts and financial contributions. Our efforts support the continued operation of the music programs and aid the music directors so our students have access to for their emotional, intellectual, and social growth.

Don’t forget to buy your yearbook!! There are only a few yearbooks still available for purchase. First come, first served.

Go to: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03346180

If you are planning to move during the summer, please try to submit all requests for records prior to June 1. Due to building repairs in our building this summer, our registrars will have limited access to files.

Attention all 9th - 12th graders interested in becoming a teacher:

Check out the FREE Towson University Summer Scholars Institute!

Info here: http://bit.ly/4cQKl09

CHS sophomore, Lucas Russell is spearheading a local initiative with Honorfold and Scouting America to retire and honor American flags.

Between April 28th, and the end of the school year, Honorfold and Scouting America, will be collecting American flags that are ready for retirement.

What kind of flags can be retired?

We are accepting flags that are worn, torn, faded, discolored, or otherwise unfit for proper display.

What size flags can be retired?

We will accept all flag sizes, from small home flags (2x3ft, 3x5ft) to larger flags used by some schools, businesses, and government buildings (5x8ft, 6x10ft, and beyond) If you are unsure bring it in and we'll make sure its retired with respect.

Where do I drop them off?

There will be a collection box near the front doors, designed to look like an American flag. Simply place any flags in need of retirement into the box.

Don’t have a flag?

If you don’t have a flag yourself but know someone who does, feel free to ask them and bring it in on their behalf. Every flag deserves a respectful retirement.

Why does this matter?

Retiring a flag with dignity is a time honored tradition that shows respect for our country and those we serve and served to protect it. By donating your old worn flags, it helps ensure that every flag is honored the proper way.

All flags must be turned in by the last day of school. All collected flags will be properly and respectfully retired in accordance with U.S. Flag Code and scouting traditions.

Thank you for helping us honor our nation’s flag.

HCPSS will offer its free summer meal program weekdays June 23-Aug. 1 (except July 4) from 12:30-2 p.m. at locations across Howard County. Open to all HCPSS students and any children ages 18 and under, there are no applications, enrollment or fees to participate in this program, however children must be present to receive free meals. Free meals also will be provided to all students participating in HCPSS summer programs.

The members of the CHS PTSA nominating committee have been selected:

• Jade Chang, co-chair, contact at: secretary@chsptsa.org

• Laura Hachani , co-chair, contact at: after-promchair@chsptsa.org
• Andre Gao, committee member, contact at: andregao@yahoo.com

The PTSA is actively looking for slates for several open positions for next year. Please consider taking an active role for the 2025-26 school year.

PTSA Bylaws

Make your summer plans! Sign up your children for 2025 Booster Summer Camps now!

View list of camps with dates and times here.

Register at https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/summer-camps

Our collection of Lost and Found items is overflowing!

Please take a minute to check the Lost and Found in the cafeteria for winter coats, sweatshirts, hats and gloves, backpacks, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more! All unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the school year.

We will be hosting make-up final exams on the following days this summer:

• June 26
• July 17
• August 5.
  

If students cannot make any of these scheduled sessions, they may call the school to make other arrangements.

Important reminder: due to building maintenance, we will be located at Burleigh Manor Middle School this summer.

Eagle Classic Golf Tournament

Save the date for Booster’s Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 26, at Fairway Hills!

Winter is still with us and we are all out of tissues at school.

We are grateful for the donations you have sent already, and hoping that you can send a few more boxes to the front office again!

We are gearing up for commencement for the Class of 2025 and need year help! If you have a cap and gown (red with blue and white stripe on arms) gathering dust, please donate it to the school. We like to have a few “extras” on had in case of emergency during graduation week.

Donations may be dropped off in the front office at Centennial at any time. Thank you!

The CHS Food Pantry is a great resource for our school community. We have exhausted many of the items and hope that you will continue your generous support to restock the shelves.

At this time, we need personal hygiene items, especially deodorant, shampoo, and toothpaste. We also need cereal, granola bars, rice, pasta, and soup.

Items may be dropped off in Student Services with Ms. DeVore.

Thank you for your support!

As we head into the winter months, families are reminded that in emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community only through the HCPSS website, email and text, Twitter/X and the HCPSS weather hotline. Be sure your Family File is up to date and that you have opted into texts to receive emergency messages.

The HCPSS Career Readiness Advisors (CRAs) are excited for the 2024-2025 school year, and we would love your help!

Last year, CRAs implemented a Monthly Career Cluster Spotlight series across the county. The Monthly Spotlights allowed students to explore a wide scope of careers while connecting those careers to both the HCPSS curriculum and student strengths and interests.

Each month, we spotlight a different career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to engage with professionals in those clusters.

Here is where you come in: we are looking for community members to share your experience, advice, and insight in your professional line of work.

Please fill out the following form if you are interested in donating a bit of your time and wisdom to HCPSS students.

Thank you!

Our commencement ceremony will take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Wednesday, May 28, at 3 PM. Seniors line up for graduation one half-hour early (2:30 PM).

Caps and gowns are required for the commencement ceremony!

Please Note:

• Physical diplomas are not awarded on stage.
• Diplomas/certificates and final report cards will be distributed immediately following the ceremony.
• Students who do not pick up these items will have the opportunity to collect them from school during normal school hours.

For more information regarding parking, photography, and watching the ceremony, please visit the HCPSS website.

We can't wait to see you there!

Lifetouch will make graduation photos available to families for purchase. The code is to be used to purchase photos on PhotoDay:

https://my.photoday.com/g/79661Grad25

We loved decorating the halls with graduation banners to celebrate our seniors!

For those who ordered a banner, they may be picked up in the front office.

In addition to graduation caps and gowns, Jostens also offers a range for products including graduation announcements, class rings, jewelry, and more. Check out the Mascot Shop for great keepsakes.

Keep current on news and events throughout the school year by checking the CHS website: https://chs.hcpss.org. We have added an A to Z Reference Guide to the website as your one-stop information finder: attendance policies, parking permit applications, food and nutrition services, student technology support, and much more.

Eagle's Soar tutoring will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays immediately after school in the Media Center from 2:35-3:05 PM for the entire school year. All content areas will be represented with teaching faculty, and honor society students will be supporting as well in many of the content areas. Please make arrangements for your child to attend, as this is a great resource to help them be successful this year. This is a GREAT place to get extra math help if your child is struggling. Unfortunately, transportation is not provided at this time.

EXTRA HELP:

• Eagle's Soar Tutoring – Every Tuesday and Thursday 2:35-3:05 PM in the Media Center (Starts September 17th)
• Math Tutoring – Monday through Thursday after school 2:35-3:05 PM in Room 508 (starts September 19th)
• Eagle Time – Every Wednesday 9:25-9:55 PM (they sign up on the CHS website with the teacher they need help with)

Parking passes have now been issued to Seniors and Juniors. It is important for all students parking on campus to make sure that their parking permit hang tags are visible. Also, please remember that students park in the white-lined spaces.

Still need a permit? Permit applications are on the CHS website.

Led by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MDCSS) within the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Safe Schools Maryland is an anonymous tip reporting system that allows students, parents, and community members to easily report anonymous safety concerns anywhere in Maryland. Tips received are routed to local and state education, public safety, heath, and/or social services support personnel for follow-up.

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Maryland Safe Schools

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Maryland Safe Schools

After school pizza sales begin next week! Students staying after school can purchase a slice of cheese pizza ($3 per slice, cash only) before heading to their club meeting, extra-curricular program, study session, or athletic practice/game.

Sales will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and will be fundraisers for the Dance Program, Alpha Achievers, and Science Olympiad. Buy your slice by the gym. All sales are first come, first served.

You and your family can join CHS PTSA anytime! Join now or add your child to your membership.

Help us meet our membership goals before the end of the year. A PTSA membership can make a thoughtful gift for a family member or anyone in the Centennial community.

Visit our online store to become a member now

Support our CHS Eagles by becoming a member of the CHS Boosters Club. Our parent-run volunteer organization raises funds through membership donations and fundraising activities to support CHS student extra-curricular activities. From school sports teams to more than 80 clubs and organizations, including our award winning "It's Academic" team and the CHS "Magic Club" – the Boosters supports them all!

The Howard County Public School System does not provide money for team uniforms, equipment and other fees needed to run student programs. To help parents avoid membership and other costs, the CHS Boosters shares its fundraising efforts across all sports and activities to help our students enjoy a healthy, rewarding high school experience.

Membership is the Booster’s biggest annual fundraiser, and we need your help to support our students. If you have not already done so, please join today! The CHS Boosters is a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID # 52-1437160

1. Regular Season Tickets are $5.00 and are only available on the App at GoFan.co.
2. Backpacks are PROHIBITED inside the Stadium.
3. Spectators are to adhere to ALL HCPSS Policies & CHS Procedures in the Student Code of Conduct.
4. No outside food permitted in the Stadium.
5. ALL Students in Grades K thru 8 MUST EACH be accompanied into the Stadium, seated throughout the entire event, being supervised by their parent or guardian.
6. No admittance after the 3rd quarter.
7. Once you leave the Stadium, you may not return.
8. Noise makers are prohibited inside the Stadium.
9. Cheer loudly for your team, not against the opponent, their fans, their band, their cheerleaders or the officials.
10. Students arrange for a ride during the 3rd quarter and notify your ride to pick them up immediately after the game.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2023-2024 Annual Snapshot has just been released. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The snapshot highlights how partners play a vital role in encouraging students to reach their full potential.

Please remember that all families are required by Policy 9000 to notify HCPSS if they move to a new home address. Current residency documentation must be updated each time residency changes.

On the Regular Bell Schedule:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 12:45 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS (M, T, TH, F) at 11:15 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

On the Eagle Time Schedule – Wednesdays:

• AM ARL bus departs at 7:50 AM and returns to CHS at 9:35 AM
• PM ARL bus departs on A DAYS at 12:55 PM and returns at 2:30 PM
• PM ARL bus departs on B DAYS at 11:20 AM and returns at 2:30 PM

Each month, the Career Readiness Advisors spotlight a career industry/cluster. We provide students with information about career cluster pathways, curricular connections to that pathway, and opportunities for students to learn from industry professionals in those clusters.

We are ALWAYS looking for speakers to participate in our monthly virtual panel discussions, and/or to engage with our students as an in-person speaker.

Please click on the following link to share your information:

HCPSS Career Related Speaker Interest Form

Interested in making movies?

Check out this great summer camp opportunity Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 am - 12 PM the weeks of June 23, July 7, and July 14, at Clarksville Elementary School. Open to students ages 9 - 17.

Girls Scouts of Central Maryland is hosting financial literacy sessions for Latino families.

Sessions at the Howard County Public Library Central Branch:

• May 19, 5 PM - Budgeting
• May 27, 6 PM - Bank Accounts

Sessions at the Howard County Public Library Elkridge Branch:

• May 20, 5:30 PM - Budgeting
• May 29, 7 PM - Bank Accounts

Both in-person and live, virtual, eight-hour college prep classes are being offered in partnership with Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Reservoir, and Wilde Lake high schools and are open to students from all high schools.

CHS students can register for ANY Answer Class at ANY location or online – and a percentage of tuition will be donated to CHS PTSA! School year classes are being regularly added – check here often!

CHS PTSA teams with HC DrugFree to help spread the word about keeping drugs out of Howard County classrooms and communities.

Teen Advisory Council - Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday June 9, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Must register to receive the meeting link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_6-9-25 More information: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/

Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City!

Senior Week should be a celebratory, memorable time with friends—not a risk! With the right planning, it can be a safe and fun experience for everyone. Check out HC DrugFree's recorded webinar, "Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City", for graduating high school seniors and their parents. The tips shared by Howard County teens, the Ocean City Police, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol are appropriate for all families or anyone visiting Ocean City, MD this summer or throughout the year. View webinar: https://hcdrugfree.org/senior-week/

We Need Your Support!!!

“It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives.”

Your support allows us to continue to provide our resources and programs to the community. To make your tax-deductible donation, donate online at hcdrugfree.org/donate or mail a check to:

HC DrugFree

5305 Village Center Drive

Suite 206

Columbia, MD 21044

Resources

DEA's Drugs of Abuse Resource Guide:

Education plays a critical role in preventing substance use and misuse. The 2024 DEA Resource Guide is designed to be a reliable resource on the most commonly used and misused drugs in the US and provides important information about the harms and consequences of drug use by describing a drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key facts. Learn more

Additional Resources

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Marylanders who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis should call or text 988. Learn more at 988.maryland.gov. Maryland veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 to transfer to the Veterans Crisis Line. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for LGBTQIA+ support.

Additional Resources

For more information, contact:

HC DrugFree

5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 206

Wilde Lake Village Center

Columbia, MD 21044

Admin@hcdrugfree.org

www.hcdrugfree.org

• Centennial High School’s website is a great source of information at https://chs.hcpss.org.
• On Twitter @hcpss_CHS and Instagram @CentennialHS.
• Read the Wingspan, CHS student newspaper
• 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.