Pocomoke High School Involver
October/November 2026
A message from Dr. Rayne
Dear Warrior Community,
The first months of school have been fast-paced, positive, and productive for our Pocomoke High School family—our parents, guardians, extended families, community partners, staff, and students. Each of you plays a vital role in our students' success, and I want to thank you for helping us begin the year with pride, positivity, and purpose. Attendance and engagement have been outstanding. Our Warrior Tribe is truly amazing!
We are incredibly excited to share that the Maryland State Board of Education has announced that Pocomoke High School earned the highest rating on the Maryland School Report Card for the second year in a row: we are a 5-star school! PHS also ranks #6 in the state by percentage of points earned. Once again, our staff and students have proven that poverty does not have to determine a student's success in public school and beyond. Congratulations to our entire school community. Go Warriors!
Our After-School Academy (ASA) continues to offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including college and career guidance, math and reading support, one-on-one tutoring, "Cool Eats" cooking classes, gaming club, driver's education, and more. Enrollment remains open so that all students and families can participate as their needs change. Please contact us if you would like your child to join.
We loved connecting with families at our first Community Tribe Time on Wednesday, October 14. Working together with families and community partners strengthens our students' success. Please continue to monitor your child's progress in PowerSchool and make sure all forms and contact information are up to date. If you need help accessing PowerSchool, please contact our School Counseling Office.
Our students are taking ownership of their learning by tracking their grades and setting goals during #YourGamePlan time each day from 10:51 to 10:56 a.m. Ask your child about their weekly academic goals and their Your60 Game Plan. Students earning D's or F's are encouraged to attend Your60 sessions focused on improvement, which include enrichment, remediation, tutoring, clubs, and exercise. These sessions help students grow academically while staying engaged and connected.
Quarter 1 report cards will be distributed on Friday, November 6. Please continue to keep a close eye on your child's attendance and punctuality. All students must be in their first-block class by 7:55 a.m. and should attend every day unless they are ill.
We can't wait to welcome families and community partners into our building and classrooms during American Education Week, beginning Monday, November 16. Please bring a valid photo ID for our safety screening system and silence your cell phone before entering—our classrooms are cell-phone-free zones. Our staff and students are excited to share a typical school day with you!
With your continued partnership, your child will experience a school year filled with meaningful learning, growth, and opportunity. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback. Together, we will continue to make Pocomoke High School a place where every Warrior thrives.
With gratitude and partnership,
Dr. Jenifer Rayne, Principal
Pocomoke High School
SAFETY ITEMS
See Something, Say Something
The safety of our school depends on all of us. If you notice something unusual, concerning, or unsafe, please report it right away to a teacher, administrator, or staff member. Speaking up helps keep our school community safe.
Secure Entry Reminder
For everyone’s safety, please do not open doors for anyone at any time. All visitors and students must use the main entrance, ring the bell, and check in with the front office.
Exterior Doors
For safety, exterior doors must remain closed and locked at all times. They should never be propped open or left unlocked for any reason.
Student Drop-Off
All student drop-offs should take place on the side of the building at the student parking lot/cafeteria entrance.
ATTENDANCE
Showing up to school on time and every day is extremely important.
Maryland defines chronic absenteeism is missing at least 10% of school days (about 18 days a year), whether excused or unexcused. Frequent absences negatively impact academic success, weaken student engagement, relationships with peers, and connections with caring adults. Our students will have more opportunities for success if they attend school regularly.
Please continue to encourage your PHS student to attend school every day! #Everyday Counts!
Staff will continue to reach out to students and families regarding truancy and/or attendance concerns. Partnership is key to student success.
FAFSA opened October 1st - parents of Seniors: if you have not already done so, please complete your section now!
Upcoming Events in November
- November 6: Jacob A. Fuchsluger w/United States Naval Academy visit during Your60
- November 9: ASVAB
- November 9: Aniya Schmidt w/ Frostburg State University visit during Your60
- November 12: University of Maryland College Park and Goucher College Field Trip
- November 13: UMES Field Trip
- November 13: SU On-Site Admissions
- November 17: Wor-Wic On-Site Admissions
- November 19: AfterSchool FAFSA session for students and parents (3:30pm-5:30pm)
Upcoming Events in December:
- December 4: UMES On-Site Admissions
Don’t miss out on big events and updates...join Remind now to be IN the KNOW!
@poco27 (Class of 2027)
@poco28 (Class of 2028)
@poco29 (Class of 2029)
@poco30 (Class of 2030)
Feel free to reach out to the School Counseling Office with any questions!
PHS School Counseling team:
Mrs. Charlene Creese (CDCreese@worcesterk12.org): PHS school counselor for 12th grade and 10th/11th grade (A-L students); assists students in preparing for their futures and achieving their post-secondary goals.
Mrs. Lindsey Lines (LLines@worcesterk12.org): PHS school counselor for grades 9th grade and 10th/11th grade (M-Z students); supporting students as they navigate their high school journey.
Mrs. Melanie Aydelotte (mkaydelotte@worcesterk12.org): PHS Guidance secretary, assists with enrollment processes and provides PowerSchool support to our students and families.
PHS Career Coach
I’m Jodi Cloud, Pocomoke’s Career Coach. My role is to help students discover their interests and explore different career pathways during middle and high school. The goal is for every student to graduate with a clear plan—whether that’s entering the workforce, trade school, the military, or college.
I’ll be sharing opportunities for students—and sometimes parents—to explore future career pathways. These may include career fairs, field trips, internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and more. Stay tuned for upcoming events that will help connect learning in school to real-world experiences!
Pocomoke High School Tribes have had a busy October! Check out all the amazing events...
The First VIP Lounge of the year will be Friday, November 6th! Stay tuned for the Winning Tribe and how they Celebrated!
“Spooky Spotlights”
During October, Tribe members wrote positive messages for peers, staff, and teachers to spread spooky positivity to all. Every message earned their tribe 5 points, but more importantly, it spread appreciation, kindness and joy.
MCJROTC News
MARINE CORPS JARGON – Parents/Guardians please quiz your Cadet by asking him/her what the following phrase or word means, “What are your promotion requirements?”
MARINES CORPS RESERVE TOYS FOR TOTS: With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, the MCJROTC unit is participating in the Marine Corps Reserve TOYS FOR TOTS program. The program is seeking donations of new toys for distribution to less fortunate children throughout Worcester County. This worthwhile program, established in 1947, provides Christmas toys to disadvantaged youngsters in our community. PHS is serving as a collection site for the donation of new toys now through December 5th. Toys are needed for all age groups, and for both boys and girls. There is a Toys for Tots donation box located in the front lobby of PHS next to the auxiliary gymnasium. Toys brought in and delivered directly to Mrs. Taylor or Gunner Muni will earn points for your Tribes! Remember, ALL donated toys must be new, still in their original packaging, and NOT gift wrapped. Your donation of a toy to this worthwhile community effort will brighten the Christmas of a child!
SIGNIFICANT OCTOBER EVENTS:
· October 13th – The 251st United States Navy Birthday. Happy Birthday and Semper Fortis!
· Homecoming – Cadets did a fantastic job performing Color Guard and Sword Detail for the Homecoming Court pre-game and half-time festivities! Thank you to the following cadet performers: Bella Tidd, Maritza Lopez, Bryce Ritchey, Thomas Foltz, Kalen Lin, Kamaury Hall, Harlee Glenn, Michael Brooks, MacKenna Murray, John McAllen, and Brayden Robbins.
· Pocomoke JROTC Marksmanship/Air Rifle Match – Team members began practicing Air Rifle/Marksmanship and shooting for matches that take place each month. Please feel free to follow along at https://rezults.scopos.tech/club/pocomoke/.
NOVEMBER thru DECEMBER 2026 SCHEDULED EVENTS:
· Haircut Day(s) –1 December (12 January 2027)
· Joint Leadership Academic Bowl (JLAB) – (practice sessions opened on 1 Oct!) Two teams of six JROTC Academic Team Cadets will be selected and compete in an online Level I competition during November (including reading/grammar, current events, math, science, and military knowledge) against the rest of the JROTCs across the nation.
· Daylight Savings – On 1 Nov, daylight savings will signal our seasonal uniform change (Cammie blouse sleeves down, Winter Service and Dress Uniforms are in).
· November 10th, Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony – We will celebrate the Marine Corps’ 251st Birthday Ceremony this year on 13 November 2026 at Pocomoke High School. All families are invited and welcomed to attend.
· Naval Academy Annapolis Field Trip (Campus Tour) and Football Game – Saturday, 21 November 2026 cadets will travel to Naval Academy Annapolis for a scavenger hunt and lunch. At conclusion, Cadets will go watch the Navy Midshipmen Football Game!
· Cadet Promotions – the Month of November will be promotion practice and testing. Cadets know what they need to do to advance to the next rank. Cadets should be practicing and scheduling times with instructors to test at any point during the month of November so that they may be promoted during our early December Promotion formation.
· Parade Season! – On 30 Nov, Cadets will participate in the Pocomoke City XMAS Parade.
· Parade Season! – On 3 Dec, Cadets will participate in the Ocean City XMAS Parade.
· Parade Season! – On 5 Dec, Cadets will participate in the Berlin City XMAS Parade.
· Parade Season! – On 7 Dec, Cadets will participate in the Snow Hill XMAS Parade.
· JROTC Annual Christmas Party! – On Friday, 18 Dec, all cadets are encouraged to report to the JROTC classroom to enjoy some holiday cheer (snacks, movies, games, gifts, etc)! TBD
· Stay Tuned! - Orienteering Competitions– orienteering is a physical fitness competition that includes running and applied map reading skills while looking for markers across various challenging terrains.
· Drill Season! – Drill Season will commence in January 2027! Our plan this year is to travel and compete at five schools around the Region (Delaware Military Academy, Seaford, First State Military Academy, Easton and Salem High School in Virginia Beach. All families our invited and welcome to attend.
WEEKLY FORMATIONS: Marine Corps JROTC Formations take place EVERY Thursday morning in the small gymnasium at 0710. Please see weekly schedule published on Remind each weekend. ALL Cadets should have proper grooming & hygiene, and be present in their Marine Corps camouflage utility uniform, which we have provided to them. Please contact Instructors with any questions or concerns.
JROTC EXTRA-CURRICULARS (TRACKS): Practices for all our extracurricular activities are scheduled throughout the week before school from 0700-0745, during Your60 from 1100-1200, or after school from 1500-1630. This will allow ALL cadets to participate in at least one extracurricular activity from one of the following areas that interests him or her the most: Physical Fitness, Marksmanship, Drill Team, and/or Academics.
HAIRCUTS & GROOMING STANDARDS: Any questions or concerns regarding the haircut and grooming standards please give one of the instructors a call. Cadets are required to have their haircut in accordance with the standards and regulations outlined by the Marine Corps JROTC Program. We have two professional barber/hair stylists available that come to our school and support our program and cadets about once a month. There is absolutely no cost to the student for this program requirement. Cadets “may” get their haircuts at home, we just ask they coincide with our monthly scheduled haircuts so that all cadets remain in unison. Lastly, we do take program donations, but ask that you not send money in with your cadet unless discussing with one of the instructors in advance.
COMMUNITY SERVICE & COLOR GUARD: Events vary from month to month and are conducted regularly throughout the calendar year. Community service hours are a VERY important part of our program, contributing to school graduation requirements, and often transferring to support student government service-learning hours. Additionally, service hours and credit earned for cadet involvement count towards promotions to the next rank and help cadets earn various ribbons or awards to be presented at our end of the school year awards ceremony. Finally, Color Guard cadets will gain invaluable experience that may support the drill team during competitions locally and on field trips. Please encourage your cadets to see one of the instructors for more information if they are interested in learning about this vitally important aspect of our program.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE! If at any time throughout the school year there are ANY 9th thru 12th grade students are interested in joining our JROTC Program, please contact one of the Guidance Counselors or speak to one of the Marine Corps Instructors at your earliest convenience.
JROTC REMIND Messaging: Cadet Parents, please join our Pocomoke MCJROTC REMIND group by texting @sempfi1775 to 81010, so that you may stay well-informed of all unit activities/events and announcements from week to week.
QUESTIONS: If at any time you have questions or concerns, please call us at the school at (410) 632-5200. You may also reach us directly on our cell phones: Gunner Chris Muni at (301) 848-6116 or ctmuni@worcesterk12.org, and Gunnery Sergeant Michael Towns at (757) 647-8009.
Semper Fidelis!
Chris Muni
Chief Warrant Officer-4, USMC, Retired.
Senior Marine Instructor – Pocomoke High School
Mike Towns
Gunnery Sergeant, USMC, Retired
Marine Instructor – Pocomoke High School
Athletic Training News
Winter Sports begin, Saturday, November 14th!!
Winter Sports Registration: Registration opened on September 1. Parents should register their athlete each season at the following link:
www.familyid.com/pocomoke-high-school
Athletic Physicals: Athletic Physicals are offered at no charge at the school-based health center. Parents can call 410-430-8388 to schedule an appointment. Athletic physical packets are available at the front office, attendance booth bulletin board, and the athletic training room bulletin board.
Yearbook students and Media Arts students are making videos and laying out the Yearbook
Drama students are working on a one act play as they continue to develop acting and technical support skills.
Creative Writing students compiled their first manuscript for mid-terms and made two short films as they wrapped up the class for the nine weeks. Next nine weeks they will continue to develop longer works.
Yearbooks for Sale
The yearbook can be purchased for $74. There are 21 days left to get it at the second lowest price.
