Weekly Newsletter

October 5, 2025

Dear Coyote Community,

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing and refreshing weekend. We have another exciting week ahead, highlighted by Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week (see the flyer below for daily themes) and a big send-off to Mr. Orifici and our Marching Band, who are traveling to Beijing and Shenzhen, China for an incredible cultural exchange experience. I look forward to sharing photos and stories from their journey in the coming weeks!

On Friday, I had the pleasure of announcing to our seniors, their families, and staff that the Class of 2026 graduation will take place on June 10 at 9:00 a.m. at UMBC. This beautiful venue provides a perfect setting to celebrate this milestone. Please note that there will be no school for CHS students on the day of graduation.

This week’s newsletter includes important updates on Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities, the MCPS boundary study, and several senior-specific reminders. I encourage you to take a few moments to review the sections most relevant to your family.

It is truly an honor to serve the Clarksburg High School community. Thank you for your continued partnership in making this another positive, productive, and spirited week at Clarksburg!

Warmly,
Ms. O’Neill

Septebmer 8 to October 10 MAP Testing

October 6-10 Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week

October 10 Hispanic Heritage Assembly

October 15 PSAT

October 15 9th Grade College MoCoCap Field Trip

October 15 Senior Meeting Auditorium, 10:00 am

October 21 PTSA Meeting (6:30, Media Center, See Flyer Below)

In addition to the various academic programs in the local schools, Grades 9, 10 and 11 students who live in Montgomery County and are currently enrolled in MCPS may be eligible to apply to MCPS High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs. These options are for students beginning in 2026-2027. For more information, visit the MCPS regional/countywide high school application programs website. Application season is expected to open in early October with a deadline of November 7, 2025. Transportation will be provided from the students home school unless otherwise noted. Please note that school assignments for part-time programs may be subject to change based on enrollment and staffing. Please see the FAQ document.

CLICK HERE FOR GRADE 9-11 APPLICATION FORM-opens Monday October 6 2025

Click here for Programs at a Glace

Students can meet with their assigned counselors if they have further questions.

There will be a Senior Class meeting on October 15th in the auditorium at 10:00 am. At this meeting we will discuss ordering cap and gowns needed for graduation and other important senior information. Directly following the meeting, the panoramic senior class picture will be taken at the stadium.

The 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Maryland students and families are encouraged to complete it early, no matter what postsecondary education plans they are considering. By submitting the FAFSA, students know how much financial aid they qualify for through state, federal and institutional programs. Read more.

Please watch the following video that was shared with all students during advisory on the latest MCPS/CHS SSL updates. We are hosting a project for Hispanic Heritage Month! Students can earn 2-8 hours on this project.

Still need to join the CHS SSL Canvas page? You can self-enroll at bit.ly/CHSSSL25-26. Parents and Families are encouraged to join!

Please email Mrs. Coe if you have any questions. ashleigh.a.coe@mcpsmd.net

Advanced Placement (AP) students and their families should read this important letter related to AP Exams.

Clarksburg High School is excited to partner with the Montgomery County Career Advising Program (MoCoCAP) to offer grade 9 students an opportunity to visit regional universities on October 15th. Early exposure to college can assist students in making more informed decisions about their post-secondary plans and further students' development toward college, career, and community readiness.

Clarksburg High School grade 9 students may choose between a field trip to George Washington Univeristy or American University. Also 9th graders can participate in asynchronous Virtual College Tours via myMCPS classroom. However, please note that space is limited for the in-person field trip opportunity and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon return of the field trip permission form to the College and Career office in room 108. The deadline to return permission forms is October 3rd and the permission slips can be found HERE. For further information please email denny_mortimer@mcpsmd.org

Remind is being phased out. Please ensure your parent tech tools are up-to-date so you do not miss out. Here is a link to the presentation given at the recent PTSA meeting to help you ensure you have the technology tools needed to be in the know.

Students in grades 9-12 can use StudentSquare only. They will login via the web or app, downloaded to their mobile phone, using the Log in with Google option. Below is a great video tutorial that models the login process and provides a detailed overview of navigating the StudentSquare app to view Posts, Smart Alerts, group and direct messages.

StudentSquare Overview Video

Calling ALL elementary, middle, and high school families in the Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest, Seneca Valley, Quince Orchard, and Watkins Mill clusters!!

Do you want to understand what the Boundary Study and the Academic Programs Study are and how they will impact YOUR children? Want to hear from advocates on the ground who will give you insight into what MCPS is sharing with the public? Do you want our up county voices heard? Come to the October 8th VIRTUAL information session and leave with a stronger understanding of how proposed changes could affect your children and our communities.

Join the Boundary Study and Academic Programs Study Info Session hosted by the Clarksburg and Damascus cluster coordinators on Wednesday, October 8 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM via zoom. The session will provide an overview of why these studies are being conducted, what’s being communicated, data and transparency challenges, and why it is so IMPORTANT for our communities to stay aware and to engage.

Please register for the VIRTUAL meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6ok3Q0J8TEmcJG_gLDeI4A

We look forward to seeing you there!

Clarksburg & Damascus Cluster Coordinators

Arti, Nadia, Audra, Danni, Joanna

¡Llamamos a TODAS las familias de primaria y secundaria (MS & HS) de los grupos de Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest, Seneca Valley, Quince Orchard y Watkins Mill!

¿Quieren entender acerca del estudio de límites (Boundary Study) y los programas académicos? ¿Y cómo estos impactarán a SUS hijos?

¿Quieren escuchar a los defensores locales quienes nos darán a conocer lo que MCPS está compartiendo con el público? ¿Quieren que nuestras voces de la zona norte del condado sean escuchadas?

Asistan a la sesión informativa VIRTUAL del 8 de Octubre con el fin de entender como los cambios propuestos podrían afectar a sus hijos y comunidades.

Únanse a la sesión informativa organizada por los coordinadores de los grupos de Clarksburg y Damascus, el miércoles 8 de Octubre de 7:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. por Zoom. La sesión virtual ofrecerá una visión general del por qué se realizan estos estudios, qué se ha comunicado al respecto, los desafíos relacionados con los datos y la transparencia, y por qué es tan IMPORTANTE que nuestras comunidades se mantengan informadas y participen.

Regístresen para atender la reunión VIRTUAL aquí:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6ok3Q0J8TEmcJG_gLDeI4A

¡Esperamos verlos!

Arti, Nadia, Audra, Danni, Joanna

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.

• Tuesday, October 7, 6–8 p.m. – Montgomery College Takoma Park Campus
• Thursday, October 9, 6–8 p.m. – Montgomery College Germantown Campus

During the Oct. 9 session, some colleges will offer on-the-spot admissions interviews for Grade 12 students.

On Friday, staff and students came together for a lively dance party in the main courtyard to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! 🎉 Ms. Zeppos did a fantastic job encouraging everyone to join in on the fun, while the DJ kept the energy high with a great mix of upbeat music. It was wonderful to see our Coyote community dancing, laughing, and celebrating together!