Mr. Covert's Musings

Today is the halfway point for Marking Period 1! This weekend, you should log in to Schoology with your student to check their progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to their teacher directly.

Please note that a full year class is broken up into two separate semester 1/2 credits.

In each class, students will earn a 1/2 credit for Semester 1, which is a combination of Marking Period 1 (45%), Marking Period 2 (45%), and the Semester 1 Exam (10%).

Students will then earn a separate 1/2 Credit for Semester 2, which is a combination of Marking Period 3 (45%), Marking Period 4 (45%), and the Semester 2 Exam (10%).

**Note: Living Systems and American Government will have Semester 2/final exams weigh 20% based on MSDE requirements for the end of course exams**

The Semester 1/2 credit system places an emphasis on students being successful during each quarter. Students can't start slow and turn it on towards the end of the year, it's essential that they find success throughout the year.

If your student is on track and doing well, great; now encourage them to keep pushing and not get complacent.

If they are not achieving to their potential, I would recommend that you reach out to your student's assigned School Counselor (assignments below). Our counselors are outstanding, and they do a great job of helping our students be successful.

Last Names A-F: Ms. Slezak (hslezak@bcps.org)

Last Names G-Mi: Ms. Zegers (tzegers@bcps.org)

Last Names Mo-R: Ms. Sanacore (asanacore@bcps.org)

Last Names S-Z: Ms. Jahries (jjahries@bcps.org)

College & Career: Ms. Kovack (kkovack@bcps.org)

Homecoming is Coming!

The 2026 Homecoming Dance will be held in the HHS gym from 6-9pm on Saturday, October 24th!

Tickets will go on sale for $25 next week; Seniors Wed. 10/7, all other students Thurs. 10/8. Ticket sales will close on 10/21 or when all tickets are sold.

Students will be issued a unique personal code in homeroom that will allow them to purchase one ticket through GoFan. If any student does not receive their code in homeroom, they should check in with the office to clear any outstanding obligations (unsigned handbooks, attendance issues, financial dues, etc.) before they can make their purchase. Tickets can only be purchased online outside of school hours.

Due to generous donations from the PTSA, local businesses, and Hereford families, light snacks and drinks will be available at the dance at no cost. Doors open at 6pm (entry through the Auditorium), and doors will close at 7 PM. Bags should not be brought to the dance; any bags will be subject to search. A shoe/coat check will be provided. No heeled shoes or boots are allowed in the gym. This event is for Hereford High students only and will end at 9pm.

Any student in need of financial support to purchase a ticket should contact the school counseling department or My Neighbor's Foundation.

FFA Big E Success!

Our FFA students recently competed in the FFA Regional Big E competition! They worked hard in preparation, and did an outstanding job at the Big E. They competed against chapters representing each state from across the Eastern United States. We are proud to have them represent Hereford excellence and our state of Maryland!

Prepared Public Speaking - 3rd in the region!

3rd -Emily Michael

Environmental & Natural Resources -2nd in the region!

6th - Miles Wagner

8th - Melaina Grothe

Olivia Blymire

Cheyenne Troyer

Balance Point Wellness Partnership

Hereford High is pleased to announce a returning partnership with Balance Point Wellness beginning in November. Through this partnership, students will have the opportunity to receive individual therapy services during the school day. If you are interested in these services for your student, please complete this form. There are limited spaces and we anticipate them filling quickly. Balance Point Wellness accepts all major insurance plans. Please contact Molly Esworthy mesworthy@bcps.org with any questions.

Balance Point Wellness – Fill out form

Navigating Maryland Engineering: College Readiness Workshop

The University of Maryland’s Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering (CMSE) and Black Engineering Society (BES) are offering the Navigating Maryland Engineering: College Readiness Workshop. This workshop is designed to help high school students and their families better understand the college application process, with a special focus on applying to the A. James Clark School of Engineering here at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The day will consist of presentations from Admissions, CMSE, and various student organizations, and is designed to give you all you need to know to prepare your student to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Event Details:

· Date: Saturday, October, 10th 2026

· Time: 12 PM- 3 PM

· Location: A. James Clark Hall Room 1101, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Dr, College Park, MD 20742

· RSVP/Registration Link: https://futureumdengr.wufoo.com/forms/mh5r4td1ezijso/

October - Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Join us in talking about bullying to educate, spread awareness, and learning to be an upstander. Visit STOMP to learn more How to Talk About Bullying | StopBullying.gov

In the photo below are some helpful hints when speaking with your student about bullying:

Wear a Color for Character Week of October 5th - Oct 9th, 2026

A color for students and staff to wear each day of the week to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate.

Monday - BCPS Blue, Civility
Tuesday - Green, Equity
Wednesday - Orange, Unity
Thursday - Red, Respect
Friday - Purple, Positivity

Join the HHS Theater & Dance Boosters!

Hereford High School Theater & Dance Boosters' 2026/2027 membership drive is now underway. Please visit our website to join/renew your membership or if you just love Dance and Theater we encourage you to donate!

https://herefordtheateranddanceboosters.com/

This year we welcome Mr Walsh as our High School Theater Director. Mr Walsh will also continue to direct the Hereford Middle School theater program. The Theater and Dance Boosters does everything we can to support not only our students but also Mr Walsh and Ms Norton. We provide playbills for theater, printed programs for dance shows, microphones (always needed), cast meals, t-shirts for the cast/crew, financial assistance for students as needed, costumes/props and much more.

If your student is new to the dance program or interested in theater or crew this year, please join us for our next meeting:

- Date: Tuesday, October 6
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: HHS Library

You do not need to be a Boosters member to attend. Our meetings are open to everyone, informative, concise (about an hour), a great way to stay connected and have a few laughs. We greatly appreciate your continued support.