Towson High School Newsletter

Dear Towson High School Community,

Today, January 16, 2026, all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students received Course Verification Forms for the 2026-2027 school year. These forms reflect the courses that students selected for next school year when they participated in the Course Registration process in December/Early January with a School Counselor. It is essential that students and families review the Course Verification Forms, document any requested changes in the space provided on the form, and return the signed form to Period 1 teachers by Thursday January 22, 2026. Our 2026-2027 master schedule is built directly from students' course selections. As such, requests to make changes to course selections after the January 22, 2026 deadline will not be possible.

If you have any questions about your student's course selections, please contact your student's School Counselor:

• Last names start with A and ML students Dr. Hobbs (shobbs4@bcps.org)
• Last names start with B-F - Ms. Raley (craley@bcps.org)

• Last names start with G-K - Ms. Weir (nweir@bcps.org)

• Last names start with L-Q - Ms. Petras (mpetras@bcps.org)

• Last names start with R-Z - Mr. Tormey (stormey@bcps.org)

• Students in the Law & Public Policy Program - Ms. Bures (lbures@bcps.org)

In partnership,

Dr. Kim Culbertson

Students are recognized for being 5-STAR Towson Generals. Staff and Parents are recognized for demonstrating heart-work that helps our THS learning community to thrive.

• All of Our 5-Star Musicians for delighting us with their performances during the Winter Concert series.
• The Jazz Band for performing at Kenilworth Mall during the holiday season.
• The Jazz Band for performing at lunches on December 23.
• Lucia Bray, Grace Chung, Garrett McGuire, Justin Park, Brighton Stano, & Molly Van Valkenburg for bring nominated for the Carson Scholarship Program.
• Alex Ni, Charlotte Simon, Ana Mueller, Clay Schultz, and Eishi Matsushita for being true role models in Ms. Krochta’s AP Precalculus and AP Calculus AB classes. They shine for their kindness, positivity, generosity, and leadership. Each class, they go above and beyond to support a classmate who needs extra help, explaining ideas with patience and encouraging honest, independent work.

• Liam Sheehan, Khue Ho, Olivia Jones, Kavyaa Lamichhane, Max Stone, Ibhade Asikagbon, Emmy London, Lily Burrell, Ava Lewandoski for producing the "Towson Show" every Friday!

• Bronte Morton for taking second place in the 300m dash and winning the 55m and 200m dashes, and setting three new school records, at the Montgomery Indoor Track & Field Invitational.

• Aubree Lilly for taking third place in the 55m dash and second place in the 300m dash, and setting two new school records, at the Montgomery Indoor Track & Field Invitational.

• Ehis Asikagbon, Patrick Bourke, Gregory Leanna, Shantel Nedd, Riley Pagani and Anthony Townes for applying formulas to calculate radius, diameter and the volume of 3-D shapes!

• Marcus Amos & Sophie Vijayan who were recognized by the Optimus Club and received an Outstanding Youth Appreciation Award.

• Kaleb Thomas for advocating for his needs.

• Makhi Rice for ensuring that he meets all graduation requirements.

• Lily Schultheis for putting forth her best efforts to complete their US History exam.

• Ngechi Njuguna for presenting at the PTSA meeting on SGA updates.

• Tornike Gabunia for always being helpful around the school.

• Jules Hasan, Aden Daly, Elliott Keir, Wren Schuman, and Red Taylor for being wonderful representatives of the THS Performing Arts Department at our first BCPS Theatre Festival.

• Sam LaBuff for continuing to lead our technical crew and for thoughtful collaboration between the production team, cast, and tech crew.

• Wren Schuman for serving as our student choreographer for Mamma Mia! and for helping with auditions.

• Mr. Bannon, Ms. Miller, Ms. Morris, & Mr. Muneses for earning National Board Certification!
• Mr. Jackson, Mr. Olin, & Mr. Worthington for conducting 5-star performances during the Winter Concert series.
• Mr. Olin for leading the Jazz Band at the Kenilworth Mall holiday performance.
• Ms. Mathews for her 5-star organization and follow through with payroll.
• The Climate Committee for organizing a holiday cookie party.
• Mr. Nash for being honored with the NIAAA Quality Program Award.
• Ms. Fluharty, Mr. Marx, & Mr. Olson for assisting staff in device care and management.
• Ms. Anias, Ms. Bissmeyer, Mr. Brotman, Mr. Filosa, Mr. Olson, Ms. Schnitzer, Ms. Taddeo, & Mr. Tregaskis for proctoring make-up Semester A exams.
• Ms. Anias, Mr. Tormey and Ms. Yelton for participating in a parent conference outside of your regular work day to help support a student.
• Ms. Battle for being an amazing, organized, and proactive substitute! Students love you.
• Ms. Hancock for always giving a helping hand.

• Ms. Houston & Ms. Mazurek for supporting students and teachers in the Resource Room during mid term/final exams.

• Ms. Taddeo for advocating for teachers in her department to ensure their integrity as educators is protected.

• Coach Thompson for his willingness to go above and beyond to support all students.

• Mr. Lloyd for being flexible and meeting students where they are.

• Ms. Anias, Ms. Bissmeyer, Mr. Brotman, Mr. Filosa, Ms. Fluharty, Dr. Hobbs, Ms. Mathews, Mr. Olson, Ms. A. Rogers, Ms. Schnitzer, Ms. M. Smith, and Ms. Taddeo for helping with Semester 1 Exam makeups.

• Ms. Schnitzer for organizing a Soup Pot-Luck!

• Mr. Worthington for organizing and hosting auditions for the Spring Musical, Mama Mia!

• Ms. Marks for her help and support with Mamma Mia! auditions and casting.

• Seasons Pizza of Towson for donating pizzas to Math Honor Society.
• Music Boosters for supporting the Winter Concert series.
• Janelle Diamond & Jenn McMenamin for delivering treats to teachers on 12/23.
• Ms. Annan for providing a delicious lunch for the Main Office staff.
• The Baltimore County Public Library for hosting a January "Library at Lunch" event.
• Karyn Fisher & Jessica Bello for presenting at the PTSA Meeting on "Top 10 Ways to Build Your Teen's Executive Function at Home."
• Local Dunkin' Donuts for donating donuts for staff before winter break.
• The Ritterhoff's for donating chess boards to The Chess Club.
• Monique Stins, alumna, for donating cookies for staff.

• January 16 - MP2 & Semester 1 Ends
• January 19 - Schools & Offices Closed
• January 20 - Semester 2 Classes Begin (Printed Semester 2 schedules were provided in 1B on 1/16; see a School Counselor in the Library on 1/20 during Period 1 if there are any problems)
• January 29 - MP2 Report Cards Available on FOCUS at 4:00 pm
• January 30 - MP2 Report Cards Distributed in Advisory
• February 16 & 17 - Schools & Offices Closed
• February 20 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early for Students

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is providing local school systems with the option to repurpose inclement weather days as virtual school days. These virtual instruction days will count towards the minimum required days of instruction under Maryland law.

The Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan applies to the 2025-2026 school year. When inclement weather is forecasted, BCPS leadership will monitor the weather forecast and families will be notified if BCPS will transition to virtual learning that day. Students will be reminded to take devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home. Staff will also be asked to prepare lessons and materials.

Each year, the College Board recognizes schools for outstanding AP programs through the "AP Honor Roll" awards. For the 2024-2025 school year, Towson High School earned a Gold medal on AP Honor Roll for our college culture, college optimization, and amount of college credit earned. Congratulations to all students and staff who participated in the AP program last year!

As in past years, students are asked to write essays inspired by one of three quotes. The 20 students with the highest-scoring essays will be invited to perform their speeches, in front of an audience of family, friends and judges, to compete for scholarship prize money. The speech event will be streamed live on CBS News Baltimore (WJZ). The winners will be announced on the air, during the WJZ Black History Oratory Competition Awards Special, where the top speeches will be broadcast on TV. All essays and signed application forms must be emailed to Oratory@wjz.com by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 25.

The Towson High School 2025-2026 yearbook is available to order at www.jostens.com. The last day to personalize a yearbook is February 27, 2026. The last day to guarantee a copy of the yearbook is April 24, 2026. For the class of 2026, yearbooks will be delivered to their primary address listed in Focus. Underclass students will be able to pick up their yearbooks at the beginning of the 2026 school year. Thank you for supporting the THS yearbook!

This is a friendly reminder to pay your $40 class dues. This will help fund our class activities and is required in order to attend Senior Prom. You can pay them on OSP.

Please reach out to the Senior Class Advisors, Mr. Sun ksun@bcps.org and Ms. Flynn jflynn3@bcps.org, with questions.

Junior Prom Save the Date:

April 24th in the evening

Towson High School

As a reminder, in order to purchase Junior Prom tickets students will need to meet academic and attendance expectations. To support accurate attendance, please remember to have your child submit a note within 5 school days for any absences to the office.

Dues for juniors will be $25.00 for the upcoming school year. Thank you to everyone who paid their class dues by December 31, 2025. The winner of the ticket for the Junior Prom is.......Holly Hauptman!!! Congratulations Holly!!! If you have not yet paid your class dues, there is still time. Remember in order to attend Junior Prom, you must have paid your class dues.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Cerenzo, Class Advisor, at kcerenzo@bcps.org

Ring Dance Save the Date:

Friday, March 13th

6:30 - 9:30pm

Towson High School

As a reminder, in order to purchase Ring Dance tickets students will need to meet academic and attendance expectations. To support accurate attendance, please remember to have your child submit a note within 5 school days for any absences to the office.

Dues for sophomores will be $25.00 for the current school year.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Weir, Class Advisor, at nweir@bcps.org

Questions? Please contact Ms. Marks, at smarks@bcps.org or Ms. B. McCusker at bmccusker@bcps.org, your class advisors.

Class of 2026 Steering Committee Meeting - THURSDAY 2/22 at 2:30 pm in room 107!!! All are welcome; we are looking for fundraising ideas and input! Can't wait to see you all there!

Students can receive extra support afterschool via Coach Class and Peer Tutoring. Coach Class is offered by each teacher, each week. Free Peer Tutoring is offered throughout the week by students and advisors of our national honor societies. All supports begin next week unless otherwise noted. BCPS also offers all high school students with free teen therapy through Talkspace.

Research has shown that attendance is a leading predictor of academic achievement and adult success. Students who find attending school important are more likely to attain goals like attending trade school, college, or getting a job. By showing up to school every day, students develop a positive work ethic and prepare for future success by developing healthy and productive habits.

Our attendance goals this year are for students to maintain at least a 94% attendance rate and to reduce chronic absenteeism. A student that misses 10% or more of school days in chronically absent. By missing just 2 days a month, a student will be chronically absent. Use the "Attendance Tracker" and "Parent Tips" below to support your student in maintaining satisfactory attendance. Additionally, we will send parents/guardians a "Weekly Attendance Report" each Friday afternoon so you can track your student's daily and period attendance.

Absent notes must be turned in within 5 days from the student returning to school. Please review the Towson High School 2025-2026 Operating Procedures document ("Attendance" section) for information on Absent notes, including how to submit them on FOCUS. Teachers are not required to provide makeup work for unexcused absences.

For the latest updates on the Towson High School Renovation/Addition Project, please click here. We are currently in Phase 1.

If you are not receiving text messages from the school and would like to, please text “Y” or "Yes" to 67587.

January 19 - Schools & Offices Closed

January 29 - MP2 Report Cards on FOCUS at 4:00 pm

February 16-17 - Schools & Offices Closed

February 20 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early for Students

March 20 - Schools Closed for Students

March 25 - Towson HS SAT Day

April 1 - School Close 3-Hours Early for Students

April 2-10 -Schools Closed - Spring Break

April 13 - Schools Reopen

April 23 - MP3 Report Cards on FOCUS at 4:00 pm

May 22 - Last Day for Seniors

May 25 - Schools & Offices Closed

May 26 - Class of 2026 Graduation, 6:00 pm, TU Arena

June 11 - Current Last Day of School (may change due to inclement weather)