Weekly Newsletter

September 28, 2025

Dear Coyote Community,

It is hard to believe that September is already coming to a close! The month has flown by, filled with back-to-school activities and capped off by a spirited Homecoming Week that ended with a lively dance on Saturday night. I am so proud of the energy and enthusiasm our students bring to every event, and I look forward to continuing that momentum as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the weeks ahead.

Unfortunately, part of this week’s message must take a very serious tone. Drivers are creating unsafe conditions on Wims Road. Despite multiple posted signs stating NO STOPPING OR STANDING, many drivers continue to ignore them. We have observed frequent illegal U-turns and disregard for the crosswalk at Wims and 355, where students regularly cross. On Friday, a student was struck by a parent’s car while entering the crosswalk. Thankfully, the student was not critically injured. This is the second incident in the same location within the past year, and this unsafe situation cannot continue.

I ask all drivers to please obey traffic laws and posted signage to help us keep our students safe.

My team is currently reevaluating traffic patterns, including limiting access to the bus loop to buses and staff only. This would require all student drop-offs and pick-ups to occur on the Auditorium side of the building, with entry and exit via Foreman Road. Any changes will be communicated through future newsletters, Parent Square, and Synergy.

It is an honor to serve the Clarksburg High School community. Thank you for partnering with us to make this another positive, productive, and spirited week at Clarksburg!

Warmly,
Ms. O’Neill

Septebmer 8 to October 10 MAP Testing

October 2 Non-instructional Day

October 6 Make-up Picture Day

October 6-10 Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week

October 10 Hispanic Heritage Assembly

October 15 PSAT

October 15 9th Grade College MoCoCap Field Trip

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

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.

We wrapped up a wonderful Homecoming Week on Saturday night with a lively, spirited dance. Students came ready to show off their style and enjoy time with friends. Throughout the week, our halls were filled with creativity during decorating contests, enthusiasm during class competitions, and an extra dose of school pride as our Coyotes celebrated a thrilling 39–33 football victory over Richard Montgomery on Friday night.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated adult sponsors and student leaders whose hard work and enthusiasm made this week such a memorable celebration for our entire community!

We are proud to recognize Girls' Flag Football Coach Landefeld, who was recently honored by the Washington Commanders as Coach of the Week. This well-deserved recognition highlights his dedication, leadership, and positive impact on our student-athletes. Congratulations, Coach Landefeld!