Weekly Newsletter

April 6, 2026

Dear Coyote Community,

Happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed Spring Break and had an opportunity to relax and spend time with friends and family. I enjoyed my own "staycation," taking time to do simple things like hiking and kayaking, while also sprinkling in a few much-needed chores around the house.

The third marking period ends on April 14, and then we move into the final marking period of the school year. This is an important time to stay focused. As a reminder, students must earn an average of 60 percent for the quarter to earn credit for their classes. If a student comes up short this marking period, it is imperative that they use the final marking period to take advantage of every opportunity for support and reassessment. While summer school is an option for credit recovery, I imagine most students would rather spend their summer having fun and/or working a summer job than redoing classes. Let’s get it done now.

Please join us for our Arts and Culture Night on Thursday, April 9. This is a wonderful event that celebrates the diversity and talents of our community. There will be hands-on activities for attendees to participate in. We hope to see you at the event!

Recently, both nationally and locally, there has been an increase in teenagers gathering in public places to wreak havoc through fighting and other unsafe behaviors. These events are often fueled by social media and can be very dangerous. Over Spring Break, I shared a flyer that had been circulating online about one such local event. I encourage caregivers to have conversations with their children about the safety risks associated with these gatherings. Participants and onlookers alike can be put in harm’s way, and none of us want to see members of our community hurt.

Please take a few minutes to review the various updates in this newsletter, and I wish everyone a wonderful, productive week.

.

Warmly,
Ms. O’Neill

April 9 Arts and Culture Showcase

April 10 Naach Showcase

April 11 Prom

April 14 Last Day of Marking Period 3

April 21 PTSA Tik Tok Event (See Flyer Below)

Please find the Media Center Newsletter here.

In this issue:

• April is National School Library Month! Try our library trivia challenge for a chance to win a prize!
• Join Our Spring Reading Challenge!
• Learn more with our April resource collections: Arab American Heritage Month, Poetry Month, Autism Awareness Month, Deaf History Month, Earth Day, Test Prep
• Spotlight on Digital Citizenship: AI Algorithms - How Well Do They Know You?

The National Honor Society is now accepting applications from current JUNIORS who are interested in becoming a part of the organization before their senior year. Applications are due on April 24th. Students must read the application packet and be sure to follow all instructions therein.

Application packet LINK

Free event on April 21-22 at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Boyds. Will feature representatives from 250+ colleges and universities. The fair is open to all high school students and their families from 6:30–8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21.

Find the CHS course registration request form here.

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.

Pedestrian Safety Art Contest: Opening Monday, March 16. K–5 students are encouraged to create artwork demonstrating pedestrian safety. Deadline: Friday, April 17.

NAACP Youth Summit: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Richard Montgomery High School. This free event is open to all students and will offer leadership development workshops, a student panel discussion, and a reflection and advocacy campaign opportunity. Lunch, transportation and SSL hours will be provided.

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.