Weekly Newsletter

November 16, 2025

Dear Coyote Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and that you’re already looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving break next week, beginning Wednesday. November is moving at warp speed, and it’s hard to believe how quickly the end of the semester is approaching.

Speaking of time flying, we now have only 38 school days left in the semester. Every class period matters. Please remind your students that the grading policy has changed—there is no trending of grades. To earn credit, students must finish the semester with an average of 60% or higher in each class. Now is the time for focus, consistency, and steady effort.

On another important note, we experienced a traffic incident at the intersection of Wims and Frederick Road during Friday morning arrival. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured; however, the situation underscored the need for patience and heightened attention when driving, especially during arrival and dismissal. While waiting with students afterward, I witnessed several additional near-misses at the same intersection.

I am asking for your partnership in two ways:

1. Please drive attentively and patiently, especially when turning onto or off of Frederick Road, as the hill limits visibility.

2. Please join me in continuing to advocate for improved safety measures at this intersection. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) oversees the area. You can share concerns with them at SHAD3TrafficTeam@mdot.maryland.gov or (301) 513-7300.

Finally, I want to remind families of two upcoming community events:

• MCPS Boundary and Programs Analysis Community Engagement Event
  November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at CHS (cafeteria and media center)
  Whether you are new to Clarksburg or preparing to graduate, your perspective matters. Even stopping in briefly contributes to this important conversation.

• PTSA Karaoke Night
  November 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria
  Bring the family, have some fun, and enjoy a great evening together.

It continues to be an honor and a joy to serve the Clarksburg High School community. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in making CHS a place where scholarship, leadership, and relationships thrive.

Warmly,
Ms. O’Neill

November 21, 22 Fall Play (7:00 pm, Auditorium)

November 18 PTSA Meeting Canceled . . . Please attend the MCPS bounary/program study meeting . . . see info below)

November 20 PTSA Karaoke Night (7:00 pm, cafeteria)

November 24-25 Early Release and Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 26 Systemwide School Closure

November 27-28 Thanksgiving Break

December 1-5 Scholastic Book Fair

December 4 PTSA Sponsored: Navigating College Financial Aid (6:30 pm, Media Center)

December 10 Fireside Chat with Ashique and Anita (6:30 pm, Media Center)

MCPS will hold a boundary study and programs analysis community engagement session at Clarksburg HS on November 18 @ 7p.m. This is an important opportunity for the Boyds, Clarksburg, Damascus, Germantown, and Poolesville communities to learn, ask questions, and share your voices. These proposed changes will have broad impacts on where students attend school. All are encouraged to come to the engagement session. Spanish interpretation and American Sign Language support will be available.

MCPS llevará a cabo una sesión de participación comunitaria de sobre los límites escolares y el análisis de programas de escuelas secundarias en Clarksburg HS el 18 de noviembre @ 7 p.m. Esta es una oportunidad importante para que las comunidades de Boyds, Clarksburg, Damascus, Germantown y Poolesville aprendan, hagan preguntas y compartan sus voces. Estos cambios propuestos tendrán un amplio impacto en el lugar donde los estudiantes asisten a la escuela. Se anima a todos a asistir a la sesión de compromiso. Habrá interpretación en español y apoyo en lenguaje de señas americano.

Staff, students and families, please join us for our first PTSA Karaoke night. This is a great opportunity to have a little fun and meet new people. Come ready with your school appropriate song requests!

We want to learn more about your family's experience in our schools. Your voice matters and helps us understand how students and families experience teaching, learning, and the school environment. Please take about 10 minutes to complete this caregiver survey.

Why is your feedback important?

It helps us:

• Better understand the experiences of students and families,

• Recognize what’s working well and where support may be needed,

• Ensure schools are welcoming, respectful, and inclusive for all.

Will anyone at the school know who filled out the survey?

• No. Your responses are confidential.

How will the responses be used?

• School and district leaders will review the feedback to understand family and student experiences and inform planning and decision-making for the upcoming school year.

The Clarksburg Ambassadors student leadership club conducting it's Thanksgiving Dinner drive giveaway. The Ambassadors will be raising money to purchase 60 Thanksgiving Dinners and then donating those dinners to families in need at Clarksburg High School and Rocky Hill Middle School. Please donate to our cause by clicking on the link below. Thank you for your support.

https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/103460/354/False/True

Apply online for meal benefits today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Households meeting federal income standards are eligible for free school meals, but must apply to receive this benefit. Only one application is needed for all students in a household.

Learn more.

On Friday, our staff enjoyed the fact that Coyote Joe, our very own coffee shop, was open for business after relocating to a more suitable location. Ms. Beddick and her students served up warm beverages and smiles.

Speak Up; Save a Life: Create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid/fentanyl abuse and overdose among teens. Deadline is Sunday, Dec. 7.

BOLT Leadership Academy: This program is open to high school freshmen and sophomores wanting to strengthen their leadership capacity through advocacy and management skills.

C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition. Students are asked to create a video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.” Top prize is $5,000. Deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Choose Respect Video Contest: Open to secondary students, this contest challenges teens to create an original video promoting awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Videos can be in English or Spanish. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

America’s Field Trip: This contest invites students in grades 3-12 submit writing or artwork in sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. Deadline is March 30, 2026.

Seeking High School Election Workers: This Montgomery County Board of Elections program provides students with an opportunity to serve Montgomery County voters during the 2026 Gubernatorial Elections in June 2026. Students registered to vote can submit an application. Students not registered to vote should download, complete and mail these three forms: Maryland Voter Registration, Election Worker Application and Permission Slip (for workers under 18 years old).

The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will be held starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. The parade features marching bands, lively dance troupes, floats, fire trucks and fun inflatables. The route starts at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring, heads south on Georgia Avenue and ends at Silver Spring Avenue. The parade will be held rain or shine.
The parade is looking for volunteers, who will dress in costume, serve as unit leaders, and be inflatable and balloon handlers. The hours for volunteers are from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (volunteers need to be present the entire six hours). Students 13 years old and older can receive Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating. Register as a parade volunteer here.