Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Principal Anita O'Neill
March 8, 2026
Dear Coyote Community,
Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying what feels like the first truly beautiful day in quite some time. I’m a little late finishing the newsletter today because I made sure to get outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures — the feeling of cabin fever over the past month has definitely been real!
Our winter sports season officially wrapped up yesterday with a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss by our Girls Basketball team to Flowers, and a strong showing from our Wrestling team at the state championships (more details later in the newsletter). I am incredibly proud of all of our winter athletes and teams for the effort, sportsmanship, and pride they showed while representing Clarksburg. As we transition to spring sports, several teams will have scrimmages this week, with official contests beginning Friday, March 20. I hope you’ll come out and enjoy the warmer weather while cheering on our Coyotes this spring.
We are also beginning to see positive results from our new tardy interventions, with more students hustling to class and arriving on time. We appreciate those efforts. We still need continued improvement with on-time arrival to school. We recognize that traffic increases as we get closer to the start of the day, which is why the building opens at 7:00 a.m. Students should report to the cafeteria until they are released at 7:15 a.m. First period begins promptly at 7:45 a.m., and students should be in the building and ready to head to class by 7:40 a.m.
This week’s newsletter includes several important updates, including information about SAT Day on Wednesday for our juniors. You’ll also see details about a fun Pie Day fundraiser on Friday. Students can add money to the jar for the teacher they most want to see pied! Ms. Truitt and the Math Honor Society are collecting donations in the lobby each day this week.
Prom is also right around the corner. Tickets are now available online for $85, which includes entry to the prom, delicious food, bowling, and music. In this newsletter, you will also find information about several opportunities for students to shop for free for prom outfits.
Finally, interim grades were posted in Synergy on Friday. Students should review their current grades and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they are on track to earn credit for the second semester.
Let's have a great week!
Warmly,
Ms. O’Neill
Calendar of Events
March 11 SAT Day (See Flyer Below)
March 12 Senior Parent Meeting (7:00, via Zoom, Link to Come)
March 16 Signs of Suicide (Counseling Lessons)
March 20 No School for Students (Non-Instructional Day)
March 27 Spring Pep Rally
March 30-April 6 Spring Break
April 9 Arts and Culture Showcase
April 10 Naach Showcase
April 11 Prom
April 14 Last Day of Marking Period 3
This Week's Updates
🎉 BIG NEWS FOR CLARKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL!
CHS PTSA has been selected as one of only 98 high schools in the entire nation to receive a $3,000 National PTA grant sponsored by TikTok to host a special PTA Connected: Create with Kindness community event! Join us on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, for a first-of-its-kind, high-energy CHS Community Night where students, parents, and experts will talk about teens’ real online experiences, digital safety, and positive social media use. Even better—this event is completely FREE and includes a FREE dinner for everyone who attends, along with fun prizes, giveaways, and an exciting panel discussion with students, parents, and experts. It’s a rare opportunity to be part of a nationally recognized TikTok-sponsored program right here at CHS, connect with your friends and families, enjoy a great meal, and be part of an engaging evening celebrating our CHS community—so bring your friends, bring your parents, and don’t miss it! Whether you are a HUGE TikTok (or social Media) fan or against it, you must join this one of a kind event for a lively conversations that will benefit both sides. Pre-Registration will be mandatory for this event, for our accurate headcount for dinner. Please stay tuned for more detail on registration. We need several parent and student volunteer to coordinate this massive event. If interested or for more information, you may contact: ashique_tanveer_ptsa@yahoo.com.
Summer School Registration
Find the CHS course registration request form here.
Celebrations
National English Honor Society
A big shout out to members of the National English Honor Society (NEHS) who wrote about Women in Theater for the NEHS muse letter blog. Thank you to NEHS Sponsors, Carla Ingram and Corrine McCloskey for sharing this accomplishment with us. Please enjoy and celebrate their work (found at the link below) with us!
Wrestling State Championships
The CHS Wrestling Team showed up in a big way at Saturday's State Championship. All five competitors placed in their weight classes. Their results represent the most state placers in school history and the first multiple state champions in school history.
Congratulations to the following wrestlers:
- Elana Pelaez, State Champion, 105 pounds
- Amanuel Fisahaye, State Champion, 106 pounds
- David Dansou, 2nd place 126 pounds
- Aaron Fisahaye, 4th place, 113 pounds
- Mason Kellar, 4th place, 120 pounds
Student Opportunities
Red Cross Volunteer Opportunity
The Walter Reed Military Medical Center (the "President's Hospital") is offering 50 high school students a prestigious opportunity through the Red Cross to volunteer in our clinics. Our month-long program in July will allow students valuable clinical experience, medical awareness training, and more opportunities for our medically interested students. Apply soon as our applications close on March 20th and first come first serve! Link: sparrows.school/chs
The Matt Papirmeister Award: Open to high school senior art students. Cash prizes: $3,500, $3,000 and $2,500. Deadline: Sunday, March 15.
Montgomery County Science Fair: From 11:45 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at FDA Building 75, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.
Girl Power Contest: In recognition of Women’s History Month, entries for the annual are now open. Open to Montgomery County girls aged 5 and up, this year’s theme is: Women past and present have shown incredible, real-life superpowers. Who inspires you—whether a historical figure, family member, neighbor or advocate—and how did she use her powers to make a difference? Winners will be invited to a celebration in June. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
Keeping It Safe Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, the contest invites students to create a 30-second video on the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
Keeping It Safe Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, the contest invites students to create a 30-second video on the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
Sober Vibes Essay Contest: High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to write an essay persuading their peers not to drink before, during or after prom. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
Sustainability Poster Contest: All students and staff can participate in this annual contest to increase awareness of energy conservation, waste reduction and responsible recycling. Check out the new digital art category! Deadline: Friday, April 3.
Save the date: The Leadership Academy for Social Justice (LASJ) is holding a Social Justice Fair: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, Walt Whitman High School.
Maryland Center for School Safety’s Prepare 2026 Art Showcase : This year’s theme, Future Ready Schools, calls on student artists in Grades 3-12 to share their perspectives on what school safety means to them. Deadline: Sunday, May 31.