Gaithersburg High School

IMPORTANT GRADUATION INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES AND FAMILIES

INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE PARA LOS GRADUADOS Y LAS FAMILIAS

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Graduation Live Stream

Please use the QR code or link below to access the live stream for our graduation ceremony on June 12, at 2pm. 

Graduation Live Stream

New Principal Search

Hello Gaithersburg High School Community,

As we search for a new principal for our Gaithersburg community, we need your help and input.  This is your opportunity to think about the qualities of the future principal.  Your insights are valuable in shaping the future of the school community.  Please take a moment to share your thoughts and assure your voice is heard.

English version:       https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFR83F5

Spanish version:         https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFR83F5

Community Input Needed - New GHS Principal

Good Afternoon Gaithersburg High School Community,

You have received communication that Mr. Cary Dimmick will be retiring as Principal of Gaithersburg High School effective July 1, 2024.

Attached is a letter from Ms. Nicole Sosik, Director, Office of School Support and Well Being (OSSWB) regarding the selection process for the new GHS Principal. Included in this letter are links to complete a survey to offer input about the characteristics you seek in a new principal.

Ms. Sosik will hold an in-person meeting for the GHS Community on June 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the GHS Cafeteria. There will be a Virtual Community Meeting held via Zoom on June 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Zoom link is included in the attached letter.

Thank you for your valuable input in this selection process.

GRADUATION INFORMATION UPDATE

Trojan seniors and family members –

Graduation is fast approaching! 

Please see the important information below about the upcoming 2024 Graduation Ceremony:

Graduation Rehearsal Information:

• Graduation rehearsal is Monday, June 10^th, 2024, from 8:00a to ~12:00 pm in the PAC.
• Rehearsal is mandatory.
• Cap and gown packages and tickets will be distributed after graduation rehearsal.  No exceptions.
• STUDENTS MUST BE FREE OF OBLIGATIONS TO RECEIVE THE CAP & GOWN PACKAGES – and your TICKETS.
• To check for obligations, students and families should review their School Cash Online accounts.
• Graduation cap and gown packages will not be released early, so students are asked not to make any plans during the rehearsal window. 

Graduation Ceremony Information:

• Graduation is June 12, 2024, from 2:00 pm to ~4:00 pm at UMBC at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, 1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250
• Seniors NEED to be at UMBC for preparations by 12:30 pm.
• Families NEED to be at UMBC by 1:15 pm to get ready for the ceremony,
• IMPORTANT:  UMBC staff will not permit anyone to enter the Ceremony after 2:00 pm
• Each senior will receive eight (8) tickets. 
• IMPORTANT:  UMBC staff will not allow anyone to enter without a graduation ticket.  No exceptions.

 IMPORTANT ITEMS for Seniors:

• MCPS Board of Education recently passed a resolution to allow all seniors to decorate the top of your graduation cap. 
• HERE is an important letter which MCPS high schools are sharing regarding the cap decorations.
• This approval does come with some guidance, so if you are planning on decorating your cap, please note:
• Cap decorations should be appropriate, positive, and celebratory.
• Cap decorations should not be offensive to others, nor contain any vulgar language, pictures, depictions or expressions.
• Cap decorations cannot cause any disturbance in any manner, as graduation is a ceremony to celebrate all the graduate’s accomplishments.

Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the student being asked to remove the cap in order to participate in the ceremony. 

Any student unwilling to remove their cap for violating these guidelines, will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony, will be escorted out, and will not be allowed to return to the ceremony.

We are excited to once again celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing seniors!

Please email Ms. Smith at Stacy_E_Smith@mcpsmd.org with any questions or concerns. 

Estimados troyanos "senior" y familiares –

¡La graduación se acerca rápidamente! ¡El último día para personas mayores es este viernes 24 de mayo de 2024!

Consulte la información importante a continuación sobre la próxima ceremonia de graduación de 2024:

Información sobre el ensayo de graduación :

Ø El ensayo de graduación es el lunes 10 de junio de 2024, de 8:00 a. m. a ~12:00 p. m. en el PAC.

o El ensayo es obligatorio .

Ø Los paquetes y boletos de toga y birrete se distribuirán después del ensayo de graduación. Sin excepciones.

o LOS ESTUDIANTES DEBEN ESTAR LIBRES DE OBLIGACIONES PARA RECIBIR LOS PAQUETES DE TOGA Y GORRO – y su BOLETO S.

Ø Para verificar las obligaciones, los estudiantes y las familias deben revisar sus cuentas de School Cash Online.

Ø Los paquetes de toga y birrete de graduación no se entregarán temprano, por lo que se les pide a los estudiantes que no hagan ningún plan durante el período de ensayo.

Información sobre la ceremonia de graduación :

Ø La graduación es el 12 de junio de 2024, de 2:00 p. m. a ~4:00 p. m. en UMBC, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, 1000 Hilltop Cir, Baltimore, MD 21250

Ø Las personas mayores NECESITAN estar en UMBC para los preparativos antes de las 12:30 p.m.

Ø Las familias NECESITAN estar en UMBC antes de la 1:15 pm para prepararse para la ceremonia.

Ø IMPORTANTE : El personal de la UMBC no permitirá que nadie ingrese a la Ceremonia después de las 2:00 p.m.

Ø Cada estudiante del último año recibirá ocho (8) boletos.

Ø IMPORTANTE : El personal de la UMBC no permitirá el ingreso de nadie sin un boleto de graduación. Sin excepciones .

ARTÍCULOS IMPORTANTES para personas mayores :

Ø La Junta de Educación de MCPS aprobó recientemente una resolución para permitir que todos los estudiantes del último año decoren la parte superior de su birrete de graduación.

o AQUÍ hay una carta importante que las escuelas secundarias de MCPS comparten sobre las decoraciones de las gorras.

Ø Esta aprobación viene con algunas orientaciones, por lo que si planea decorar su gorra, tenga en cuenta:

Ø Las decoraciones de las gorras deben ser apropiadas, positivas y de celebración.
Ø Las decoraciones de las gorras no deben ser ofensivas para los demás ni contener lenguaje, imágenes, representaciones o expresiones vulgares.
Ø Las decoraciones de gorras no pueden causar ninguna molestia de ninguna manera, ya que la graduación es una ceremonia para celebrar todos los logros del graduado.

El incumplimiento de estas pautas resultará en que se le pedirá al estudiante que se quite la gorra para poder participar en la ceremonia.

Cualquier estudiante que no esté dispuesto a quitarse la gorra por violar estas pautas no podrá participar en la ceremonia, será acompañado fuera y no se le permitirá regresar a la ceremonia.

¡Estamos emocionados de celebrar una vez más los logros de nuestros increíbles adultos mayores!

Envíe un correo electrónico a la Sra. Smith a Stacy_E_Smith@mcpsmd.org si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud.

BUSSES AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION TO GRADUATION

GHS has chartered busses to take those in need of transportation to graduation at UMBC. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats are $25 per person and may be purchased via School Cash Online. To purchase, please complete this form. A link for purchase will be provided after submission of the form. 

(posted 04.15.24)

MCPS Student Hate-Bias Video

Trojan community –

The purpose of this message is to provide a brief overview of MCPS’ recent work around combating hate-bias - and to share the student-produced anti bullying/hate-bias video which is a key component of the MCPS communications campaign.

MCPS has created a district-wide team to develop a comprehensive approach to combatting all forms of bullying and hate-bias in our schools.  An MCPS video was released in March to the community in Things to Know to preview this work.  The comprehensive approach is rooted within the following three pillars:

IMPORTANT:  As part of pillar one, here is the student video that was released last week in Thursday’s Things to Know:  student anti bullying/hate-bias video

comunidad troyana –

El propósito de este mensaje es proporcionar una breve descripción del trabajo reciente de MCPS para combatir el prejuicio de odio y compartir el video contra el acoso y el prejuicio de odio producido por estudiantes, que es un componente clave de la campaña de comunicaciones de MCPS.

MCPS ha creado un equipo para todo el distrito para desarrollar un enfoque integral para combatir todas las formas de intimidación y prejuicios de odio en nuestras escuelas. En marzo se publicó un vídeo de MCPS para la comunidad en Things to Know para obtener una vista previa de este trabajo. El enfoque integral se basa en los tres pilares siguientes:

IMPORTANTE: Como parte del pilar uno, aquí está el video estudiantil que se publicó la semana pasada en Things to Know del jueves: video estudiantil contra el acoso y el prejuicio del odio.

Pesticide Application Notice 4/26/24

Graduation Date - Class of 2024

The date for graduation for the Class of 2024 is June 12, at 2pm, at UMBC. Each senior will receive 8 tickets. There are no extra tickets and tickets are not for purchase. Students will receive the tickets along with their cap and gown at rehearsal on June 10. 

(Updated - 04.15.24)

New Revisions to Attendance and Grading Policy

GHS students and families –

MCPS will be releasing the following information after winter break – both of which will go into effect on January 30^th, 2024 with the beginning of semester 2:

Revised Period Attendance Language:  In alignment with the Well-Being and Family Engagement and Professional and Operational Excellence pillars of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Strategic Plan, and MCPS Regulation JEA-RA Student Attendance, each classroom teacher is responsible for recording accurate attendance for all students, every period of a school day.

The MCPS Attendance Policy outlines that students are expected to attend all of their classes – for the entire class period – unless they have an excuse.

Below is the revised MCPS period attendance calculation for secondary students that will go into effect beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the first day of the second semester.

• PRESENT for Class = student is in class when the bell rings and stays for the entire class period
• LATE for Class = student is late to class for up to 50% of the scheduled class period
• ABSENT for Class = student misses more than 50% of the scheduled class period.

For more information on the MCPS Regulation JEA-RA Student Attendance please see here:  https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/detail.aspx?recID=258&policyID=JEA-RA&sectionID=10

 Revised Grading Policy:  MCPS has released updates to the Grading and Reporting guidelines that will be implemented beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the first day of the second semester. 

IMPORTANT Items to Note: 

• The interim marking period report will inform the parent/guardian of students in danger of failing or of dropping more than one letter grade from the previous marking period.
• If a student shows a marked decline in achievement after the interim marking period report, the teacher will inform (e.g., phone call, email, or text) the parent/guardian of this decline in a timely manner and document communication.
• A “Z” in writing for each course, subject, or the gradebook is used to denote that the student did not submit an assignment by the due date but still has an opportunity to submit the missing work. If the student does not turn in the assignment after support and intervention, the teacher may change the “Z” to a final grade level of a 0%.
• Teachers must designate assignments eligible for reassessment with an “R” in the gradebook.
• Students can receive an “0” grade for making no concerted effort on an assignment and/or assessment (students must make an effort to complete the assignment and/or assessment).

(posted 01-24-24)

Second Semester Parking

Students: you must reapply for a parking pass for second semester. You can complete the pre-approval form HERE. You must be free of obligations to purchase a permit. 

Student Parking Permits are required for all students wanting to park their vehicle in the Gaithersburg HS parking lot.

The cost for a one semester student parking permit is $39.00.

Students and parents will receive an email with additional information after the form is filled out.

(posted 01-18-24)

SENIORS! IT'S TIME TO ORDER FOR GRADUATION! 

We're ready to start taking orders for cap and gown. The cost is $85. Orders may be placed at Jostens.com. *PLEASE NOTE: You only need to order the "cap and gown unit." This unit includes everything you need for graduation: cap, gown, tassel, and stole. The black tassel offered is a souvenir tassel and will not be used for graduation. You may also use the QR code below to order. The window to order will be open until January 26, 2024.

Question? Please email Ms. Smith or stop by 2007. 

(posted 11/13/23)

Senior Information

Need to take your senior portraits? Looking for graduation information? Check out the Seniors page for all the details! 

GHS is a Free Breakfast School

Did you know? 

A message from the Maryland Division of Food & Nutrition Services (DFNS) - Maryland Meals For Achievement (MMFA)

What is Maryland Meals For Achievement (MMFA) Breakfast?

• MMFA Breakfast provides state funding to offer free breakfast in the classroom for all students. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be providing free student breakfast through MMFA at 117 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, including 28 new schools. By increasing access to breakfast at no charge, we are fueling students for academic success.

• Breakfast will be FREE, and students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast in their classroom. We encourage families to check out menus here and students to eat breakfast at school, fueling them to learn each day.

How does MMFA operate?

• Students are eligible to receive one free meal breakfast each. In secondary schools, students may pick up breakfast in the cafeteria to eat before period 1..

When will MMFA start?

• Schools previously operating MMFA will start MMFA operations on the first day of school.

• Free breakfast will be available to students at all MMFA schools starting with the first day of school.

(posted 08/23/23)

Parent/Guardian Consent for Use of Additional On-Line Services for High School Students

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) requires consent from parents/guardians (or eligible students) to provide high school students with access to Google’s G Suite Additional Services (such as YouTube) as part of their individual student accounts. Once parents/guardians give consent, this consent remains valid for the entire time the student is enrolled in an MCPS high school (but may be rescinded at any time).

In an effort to assist schools in assigning rights for Google Additional Services (such as YouTube) for new high school students, families can access the Google Suite Additional Services consent form in their ParentVue account.

Parents/Guardians – you can view all the applications that MCPS uses at the link below. ParentVue is where parents/guardians will (1) update any personal information, (2) register for athletics, (3) register for summer school and much more. 

The link to the list of ParentVue updates is:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HCNWPGEMv7fxuy-KYxeAS1F002jXTvVX/view

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our main office at 301-284-4500.

(posted 08/30/23)

Seal of Biliteracy

Did you know that you could earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy on your diploma if you are bilingual?  The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have attained high levels of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. Please complete this survey, it will help us provide you the necessary support you will need to achieve this special recognition.