Towson High School Newsletter

Dear Towson High School Community,

Your voice is important to us! The 2026 BCPS Climate Survey is available until March 6, takes five minutes or less, is anonymous, and is available in 20 languages for students, parents/caregivers, and community members. The survey can be taken from anywhere using a phone, tablet, or computer. If you are a BCPS parent/caregiver and employee, or if you have children in more than one school, you are encouraged to take the survey more than once to reflect these experiences. Students and teachers will take the survey next week.

Each year, we analyze the results from the BCPS Climate Survey and use the information to plan programs, supports, and initiatives for the upcoming year. If you have not done so already, please take the 2026 BCPS Climate Survey to ensure your voice is heard in our decision making.

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.

• The SGA for organizing the annual Culture Fair.

• The SGA for organizing a Winter Olympics competition between homerooms.

• The BSU for creating Black History Month Advisory lessons.

• Susan Bear, Noel Cannady & Zanele Mangundu for being guest announcers on the morning announcements!

• Will Budlow & Harrison Kahn for presenting to the PTSA on teen voter registration.

• Molly Van Valkenburg for presenting to the PTSA on Class of 2028 updates.

• Sofia Jeans for winning the Maryland Youth Art Month Flag Design contest.

• Ben Anastasio, Anna Butler, Jasen Carter, Adinah Fiterstein, Skyler Haldens, Evie Koehler, Ngechi Njuguana, & Connor Yoon for being accepted to the 2026 Maryland All State ensembles!

• Aubree Lilly who is Regional Champion in the Girls 55 meter and 300 meter dashes; Bronte Morton, Regional Champion in the Boys 55 meter dash and Regional Runner-up in the 55 meter Hurdles; Molly Van Valkenburg, Regional Runner-up in the Girls Pole Vault; and Jack Dobrosielski who placed fourth in the Boys 1600 meter run. All four Generals will represent Towson at the 3A State Championships on Wednesday February 18th.

• The Mock Trial Team for having an undefeated regular season, placing 4th out of 26 teams. Also, for moving on to the Regional Quarter Finals next week!

• Angel Campbell & Benjamin DuBose for earning the Spirit of Soccer Award for the state of Maryland at the annual MACA Awards banquet for their participation in Towson High's Allied Soccer Program throughout their career at THS.

• Leaderize for hosting Karaoke during lunch to celebrate Valentine's Day!

• SPPA Club for hosting a "Take a Heart, Leave a Heart" table at lunch to promote kindness.

• TAM students for organizing Advisory lessons and teacher notes for Love Teaching Week!

• Olivia Felton & Sophia Shockney for helping with a celebration for the SROs for SRO Appreciation Day!

• Josie Boucher for having a mentoring conversation with a yonger student.

• Officer Cardano & Officer Schissler - Happy SRO Appreciation Day (February 15)! Thank you for your 5-star efforts to keep us safe!
• Ms. Bures, Dr. Hobbs, Ms. Petras, Ms. Raley, Mr. Tormey, Ms. Weir, Ms. Weinstock, and Ms. Williams - Happy National School Counseling Week (February 2-6)! Thank you for your 5-star efforts to guide and counsel our students!
• Mr. Allen & Mr. Olson for their leadership with the annual Culture Fair!
• Mr. Carter for his leadership in advising the BSU Black History Month activities.
• Mr. Agletti, Ms. Anias, Ms. Biancolli, Ms. Bissmeyer, Officer Cardano, Mr. Castellani, Mr. Dashiell, Mr. Dalsimer, Ms. Flynn, Ms. Hancock, Dr. Hobbs, Ms. Keller, Ms. Mathews, Ms. Miller, Mr. Nash, Mr. Olson, Ms. Petras, Ms. Rogers, Officer Schissler, Ms. Schnitzer, Ms. L. Smith, Ms. M. Smith, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Tregaskis, Ms. Yelton for supporting school safety.
• Mr. Olin for organizing a 5-star NYC field trip, and Mr. Jackson & Mr. Worthington for chaperoning!
• Mr. Stevens for organizing additional parking for the NYC field trip.
• Ms. Bissmeyer, Ms. Benjalloun, & Mr. Dashiell for organizing and facilitating WIDA testing.
• Mr. Schenning for updating the school website.
• Ms. Fluharty for providing pictures to be added to the school website.
• Our Building Service Worker Crew & BCPS Grounds Crews for continuing to clear snow and ice.
• The Climate Committee for organizing a lovely note exchange among staff.
• Ms. Schnitzer for organizing the February Faculty Meeting and 9th Grade Team meetings.
• Mr. Blair & Mr. Tregaskis for their leadership with a math tutoring software.
• Mr. Marx for working with C&I on useful AVID data.
• Ms. McShane for organizing Love Teaching week activities, including Advisory lessons and teacher notes!

• The PTSA for baking brownies for staff for Valentine's Day!
• The PTSA for donating incentives for students.

• February 16 & 17 - Schools & Offices Closed
• February 18 - Winter Bus Evacuation Drill (during AM dropoff)
• February 20 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early for Students
• February 20 - MP3 Interim Grades on Schoology
• February 28 - Spring Sports Tryouts Start
• March 20 - Schools Closed for Students
• March 13 - Ring Dance (c/o 2028)
• April 1 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
• April 2-12 - Spring Break
• April 24 - Junior Prom (c/o 2027)

Please review the map of the Towson High School Campus (shown below). All areas inside the yellow perimeter are "on campus." All areas outside the yellow perimeter are "off campus." All street roads (Aigburth Rd, Cedar Ave, Hillside Rd, York Rd, etc.) are "off campus." Students are expected to stay on campus and be in their scheduled location at all times during the school day.

• Early Dismissal notes should be submitted to the labeled bin outside of the Main Office by 8:00 am for verification. Students must pick up their blue early dismissal pass outside the Main Office during the transition from 1st to 2nd period and exit the building at the time of their early dismissal.sed and unlawful.
• If there is an unplanned reason for the Early Dismissal and a note cannot be submitted in advance, please call the Main Office 443-809-3608, to notify staff.

The Winter Bus Evacuation Drill will be conducted on February 18 during morning drop off.

THS Music Boosters Basket Bingo early bird pricing ends Feb 1. We are halfway to sold out, so get your tickets soon.

The event is Friday, February 20, 2026, 7pm-10pm. We will have BINGO bag prizes, exciting raffle items, food, fun, and music! 🎸🍕🎵

Early Bird pricing is $15/individual, $135/table of 10.🪅🎟️🪇

Regular pricing after Feb 1 $20/individual and $150/table of 10.🎟️ 🤩🎶

Child helper tickets are always $7.50 (for student musicians or student volunteers).

Save some money. Buy your tickets now. 🏃🏽‍♂️👛⏰

Questions? Email Charity Anastasio at charityanastasio@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting the Towson High Music Program and helping us continue our tradition of excellence. Together, we’ll make Basket Bingo 2026 the best one yet!

The THS chapter of the National Honor Society will be hosting a SAT Peer Tutoring workshop on February 26th from 2:30-3:30 pm in the Library. This event will give students the chance to practice College Board developed sample questions and refine their test taking strategies with an experienced peer tutor. This opportunity is for Juniors and Seniors in any stage of the SAT Prep process. Please contact Ms. Hne (fhne@bcps.org) if you have questions."

• Baseball-February 28th, 8:00-10:00 AM (Orchard Hills Park)
• Softball-March 2nd, 3:00-5:00 PM (Orchard Hills Park)
• Girls Lacrosse-February 28th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Meadowood Regional Park)
• Boys Lacrosse-February 28th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Meadowood Regional Park)
• Tennis-March 2nd, 5:00-7:00 PM (Carver A&T)
• Track & Field-March 2nd, 2:45-4:45 PM (meet in room 352 at 2:45 PM)
• Cheerleading-March 3rd, 4:00-6:00 PM (activity room)
• *length of tryouts will vary by team (minimum 3 days)

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 complete this form by February 27, 2026 to be considered for local scholarships and awards: https://forms.gle/JVj6MXn1aLPmssM69

Questions? Contact Ms. Bures at lbures@bcps.org.

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. 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.

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