Weekly Newsletter
A Message from Principal Anita O'Neill
October 25, 2026
Happy Sunday, Coyote Community!
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful fall weather! It's a perfect day to spend some time outdoors, relax, and recharge before another busy week.
It is hard to believe that Friday marks the end of the first marking period! As a reminder, there will be no school for students on Monday, November 2, as teachers will be finalizing first-quarter grades.
Once grades are posted, I encourage students and families to take some time to review academic progress and reflect on where students stand in their journey toward earning semester credit. Remember, students must earn an overall semester average of at least 60% in each course to receive credit. First-quarter grades provide an important opportunity to celebrate successes, identify areas for improvement, and make a plan for a strong second quarter. Whether students are right where they want to be or have some work to do, there is still time to make a difference. The key is to stay engaged, seek support when needed, and make every day count!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! As always, I look forward to welcoming our wonderful students back tomorrow and finishing the first quarter strong!
Warmly,
Ms. O'Neill
Calendar of Events
October 27 PTSA Meeting (Media Center)
October 30 End of Marking Period 1
November 2 and 3 No School
November 11 Open House (Pre-register HERE)
November 23 and 24 Early Release and Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 25 Early Release
November 26 and 27 No School
This Week's Updates
Important Senior Information: Send your quotes
Senior quotes are due to the year book by November 1. Please use this link to submit yours:
More Important Senior Information
It's time to order your cap/gown/tassel for graduation!
Orders must be placed by DECEMBER 18th .
Cap/Gown/Tassels: Order here
**IF you are borrowing from a friend/Sibling you MUST let Mrs. Coe know as soon as possible**
**If you need financial assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Coe (room 159)**
If you missed the senior meeting, please view the slideshow for important info!
Celebrations
Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) Field Trip
Students in Biology classes particpated in the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) field trip to a local stream that is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. MWEE is a learner-centered, multi-stage educational framework that blends indoor classroom instruction with hands-on outdoor field investigations.
What an incredible Homecoming Week at CHS!
Friday evening brought our Coyote Community together for a wonderful Cluster Night celebration and Homecoming football game. We had a fantastic crowd cheering on our students, enjoying the parade, and showing their Coyote pride! Congratulations to our football team on an impressive 60–0 victory over Watkins Mill!
Saturday evening brought all the glitz and glamour of the Grammys to CHS as students arrived for our Grammy-themed Homecoming Dance. Our students looked absolutely amazing, and it was wonderful to see them enjoying an evening filled with music, dancing, laughter, and time with friends.
What a fantastic week of school spirit, celebration, and community! Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a memorable Homecoming Week for our students and the entire Coyote Community!
PTSA
Student Opportunities
C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.
Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.
Share Your Vision for America: Students in Grades 5–12 can write and perform a presidential speech and win prizes up to $1,000. Make Your Speech calls on students to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Mental Health & Wellness Fair: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School. Free and open to staff, students and families.
USG Lab Crawl: Open to high school students interested in engineering, technology, health or life sciences. Discover what it’s like to learn and work in these fields through interactive simulations and hands-on activities. Event is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building IV, 9631 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Register.
General CHS Information
Information from MCPS
The Conversation Is Underway. Your Questions, Concerns and Ideas Matter.
Why is MCPS studying school closures and consolidations? What does the data tell us? How will decisions be made? These are important questions, and they're exactly why we're bringing our community together. Our engagement sessions are underway, providing families, staff and community members opportunities to learn about the challenges facing our schools, ask questions and share what matters most to them. No schools have been selected for closure, no recommendations have been made and no decisions have been predetermined. You don't need to have all the answers, or even know all the questions, to participate. This is a process of learning, listening and planning together, and there's still time to be involved. Read the full story here.
Also visit MCPSStudy.org
Watch the Videos
English = https://youtu.be/vtn_QeqKZ2Q
Spanish = https://youtu.be/h2PJYSelS1c
Inside MCPS: The Realities of Our Aging Facilities
Leaking roofs. Failing heating and cooling systems. Aging buildings. Rising construction costs. The hard truth is that MCPS has significant facility needs, and waiting to address them only makes the problems more expensive.
In a new video series, "The Hard Truth," MCPS takes you inside schools and support facilities to show the real facilities challenges facing our district.
The Hard Truth: Doing nothing is not an option.
Watch the Video Series
Be Sure to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar
As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!
Complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6. Take the survey.
Board Seeking Public Comment on Two Policies
The Board of Education is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to two policies — Policy IPD: Travel Study Programs, Field Trips and Student Organization Trips and Policy BLB: Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings.
The comment period for Policy IPD closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy IPD.
The comment period for Policy BLB closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy BLB.
Now You Know — Career & Technical Education Program Changes
Important changes are coming to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Starting in fall 2027, MCPS will move from 51 to 37 state-approved CTE programs of study. Some will be phased out; others will be combined or updated. These changes provide great opportunities for students to explore new, integrated and modernized pathways that prepare them for high-wage, high-demand careers.
So, what does this mean? Some CTE programs will be integrated into our new six-region high school model, helping expand access to high-demand programs across the county. The programs will also align with Maryland’s new 14-career-cluster model.
If your student is already enrolled in a CTE program, there’s no disruption. They’ll be able to complete their existing program and earn their intended credentials.
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