Weekly Newsletter

February 15, 2026

Dear Coyote Community,

I hope you are enjoying the extended weekend. It has certainly been nice to feel a bit of warmth after the stretch of cold weather. As I write this, I am at BWI awaiting my flight to Austin to attend a Solution Tree conference. My weather app says temperatures will be around 80 degrees — a welcome change from the past few weeks! I’m looking forward to engaging in meaningful learning with school leaders from across the country and bringing back ideas that will strengthen our work at Clarksburg High School.

A couple of important items for this week:

First, we are implementing a new tiered approach to student tardiness (see the flyer below). We have noticed a pattern of slow transitions between classes, resulting in students arriving late and missing the critical framing of the day’s lesson. We have been conducting sweeps and notifying caregivers when students are in the hallway after the tardy bell. Students have six minutes to transition between classes — an increase from five — and we sound a one-minute warning bell to help students pace themselves. Our goal is simple: every student in class, on time, ready to engage in bell-to-bell instruction.

I also want to emphasize that first period begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. Students should be in the building and prepared to head to class no later than 7:40 a.m. We have seen an increase in late drop-offs, which impacts instructional time. Students who arrive late will be addressed through the tiered interventions outlined below. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring students arrive by 7:40.

In light of the tragic event at Wootton this week, MCPS has asked all principals to reshare parent reunification plans with our communities. These plans are used whenever we must implement a structured pick-up process during an emergency. Please take a few minutes to review our plan, including the photos, so that you are familiar with the procedures.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I am proud to serve the Clarksburg High School community and deeply appreciate our students and families. I look forward to a strong week ahead.

Warmly,

Ms. O’Neill

February 16 No School - Holiday

February 17 No School -- Non-Instructional Day

February 20 -- Black History Month Assembly

February 27 -- Early Release (Grading and Reporting)

March 11 -- SAT Day

March 12 -- Senior Parent Meeting (7:00 via Zoom, Link to Come)

March 27 -- Spring Pep Rally

HERE you will find a recent presentation given by the Clarksburg Cluster Coordinators. The presentation contains recent updates on the Boundary Study and Regional Programs. There is a lot of important information in the presentation that IMPACTS YOU and YOUR STUDENT. Make Your Voices Heard!

As part of the MLK Week of Service, the CHS Leo Club in collaboration with the National Arts Honor Society created a beautiful mural for our main hallway. While the snow break delayed getting the project up, it is now on full display.

Thank you to our PTSA for the Valentine Day treats delivered to staff mailboxes this week. What a sweet treat! Thank you.

The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), the “Olympics of the Mind” is a major national youth initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is gearing up for this year's competitions. Students have opportunities to compete at the local and national levels in a variey of categories.

See the detailed information below and submit a registration to participate using this document.

What are we missing?

The Museum of the Contemporary American Teenage (MoCAT) invites teenagers from across the country to answer the question: What are we missing? Any interested students are invited to interpret the question, “What are we missing?” in whatever way is most meaningful to you. What are teens missing? What are “we” missing about teens? A variety of interpretations and approaches will allow the MoCAT team to capture/present the teen experience with the complexity the topic deserves. If you are interested, please review the slide deck for complete information.

Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest: This year’s theme is “What Is Humanity?” Students must be in high school to participate. Deadline: Friday, Feb. 20.

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.

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.

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.