News From the Mill Page 1

NEWS FROM “THE MILL” September 1-30, 2013

Watkins Mill High School

10301 Apple Ridge Road Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879

(301) 840-3959 FAX (301) 840-3980 http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/

MESSAGE FROM MR. MURPHY, PRINCIPAL

The first few days of the 2013-14 school year are off to a great start! Students arrived with clear excitement of a new school year--eager to get their schedules, see their friends, and meet their teachers.

Our staff was just as excited to welcome students back to school, and classes are off to a great start. As I have walked the halls and visited classes, I have been so impressed with how all of our students have

started the year. There is a positive “buzz” in the air and palpable anticipation of a great school year ahead.

If you would like to have a glimpse into daily happenings, important updates, photos, and classroom

activities, please be sure to follow us on Twitter @WatkinsMillHS! Here are a few examples of tweets from opening week. On the first day, we had our students tweet what they want Watkins Mill to be all about.

Here are a few highlights from our student homerooms:

From our student Tweets:

Watkins Mill is about preparing for you future, building your confidence & new experiences Watkins Mill is about pride

Watkins Mill is about kindness Watkins Mill is about preparing our students for a better future.

Watkins Mill is about RESPECT, KNOWLEDGE, POWER.

Watkins Mill is about diversity Watkins Mill is about positivity & school spirit

Watkins Mill is about becoming who you are Watkins Mill is about success

Watkins Mill is about THAT IB LIFE. Watkins Mill is about international community

Thank you students and well done!

As we begin the year, we are thrilled to be launching our candidacy for authorization to fully implement the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), in partnership with Montgomery Village and Neelsville Middle

schools. The MYP, a comprehensive IB education for all students in grades 6-10, provides a framework of

teaching and learning which encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. It also addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being during the adolescent years. The

MYP fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement, qualities that are essential for life in the 21st century. It will also prepare students for a wide

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Message from Mr. Murphy

College and Career Center Update

IB Update

Athletic News

PTSA & Booster

Important Dates

News From the Mill Page 2

range of opportunities in IB Programmes (IB Diploma, IBCC, IB Certificate) and other advanced coursework

in grades 11-12. We are thrilled to be implementing the MYP for the first time in 2013-14, as one of very few schools in the nation to offer the IB Diploma, IBCC, and MYP.

What does this mean for students? In a nutshell, we seek to infuse the IB education in all of our classrooms.

Students are already engaged in discussions about what it means to be an IB learner, from the International

Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile. You can see a great video about how the IB Learner Profile prepares our students for college, careers, and life in the 21st century, here.

The IB education also helps us ensure that students achieve academic excellence, develop 21st century

aptitude, and experience the rich excitement of the high school years as we prepare them for the world ahead. I would also like to draw your attention to the MCPS Strategic Planning Framework and the

International Baccalaureate (IB) Website for more information about how we seek to prepare our students

for college, careers, and life in the 21st century. In addition, our staff remains committed to:

- a positive, safe school environment; - personalization of the educational experience and knowing our students well;

- a culture of high expectations;

- college and career readiness for all students; - the International Baccalaureate (IB) education;

- high levels of student engagement, collaboration, innovation, and communication in the classroom; - supporting students’ social/emotional learning;

- student/parent involvement, school pride, and engagement that permeates the entire community.

To that end, please make sure your student is enrolled in the most rigorous courses that s/he can

handle--taking at least one IB, AP, or Honors course. It is not too late to consider these options! There are several opportunities for tutoring and extra help; please feel free to contact your child’s counselor to discuss

ways to get support.

On that note, this year we will continue to offer enrichment and support for advanced courses before school

and at STEP in the A200 computer lab. This lab will be staffed every day from 6:45-7:15 a.m. and during STEP by both the IB Coordinator and an IB or AP teacher, who will be there to provide help and support for

students.

This fall, we are also excited to open the School-Based Wellness Center, in partnership with the Department

of Health and Human Services. All students will have access to a wide range of medical and social/emotional services matched to their individual needs. These services will be complemented by a multitude of positive

youth development programs, student groups, and mental health services. Wellness Center programs and services will be offered exclusively to Watkins Mill students and will be available to the entire student body.

To enroll your child, simply complete the attached form.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/watkinsmillhs/news/Wellness%20Center%20Registration%20Packet.pdf

Also, please see a recent Gazette article about the new Wellness Center here. Parents and students are

needed to participate in the Wellness Center Advisory Committee, which will be discussed at the PTSA meeting on October 15. If you are interested, please contact me or Mr. Charles Feamster, assistant

principal.

As you know, another primary goal is to ensure a positive, safe learning environment for all students

and staff. The administrators and I will be visiting each student in English and Social Studies this week to go over our expectations for their behavior; keys to success; and “non-negotiables” that will lead to automatic

suspension from school. We will also be covering other policies and procedures, such as policies about dress

code, electronic devices, hats, and the attendance policy. Further information on our code of conduct can be found here.

News From the Mill Page 3

Please note that the school administration will not tolerate any forms of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, whether physical, verbal, or online. All incidents of bullying or harassment should be reported

to a staff member, counselor, or administrator, and immediate action will be taken. I would like to draw your attention to this form, which parents and students can use to submit a formal bullying complaint. The form

should be turned in to the main office, counselor, or administrator, and an investigation will be conducted

immediately. For more information on our bullying policies, click here.

Congratulations to the Watkins Mill community for winning the 2012-13 Outstanding Volunteer Program Award in MCPS! Watkins Mill HS is one of only 10 schools in MCPS to be recognized with this honor. This is

being awarded on the shoulders of the hardworking parents and community members in out PTSA and Booster Club, who logged over 8,300 volunteer hours last school year. This also acknowledges our collective

effort to create a family-friendly school community that utilizes and values volunteers. The significant

number of volunteer hours served indicates a school environment where staff, parents, and the community work together to make a difference for students.

On that note, I would like to thank the hardworking parents of our PTSA and Booster Club, for their

amazing support of our school. We sincerely appreciate the volunteer support and thousands of dollars that

have been raised to purchase the electronic marquee, upgrade the auditorium (PTSA), install new banners in the gym (Booster), bring upgrades to the stadium and concession stand, and raise thousands of dollars for

athletics and extra-curricular programs. Please show your support by becoming a member now! It’s very easy to become a member of both organizations, with one fee and one registration fee. Join online or the

registration form here:

We are very excited about our fall sports seasons, and we are anticipating great things from many of our

teams. We need your help in getting off to a winning start by packing the stands! You can also have dinner at our concession stand, sponsored by the Booster Club. Please plan to come out and support the

Wolverines at an athletic contest soon. We hope the entire community comes out to support our student athletes! The complete schedule can be found here:

http://www.watkinsmillathletics.org/index.cfm?action=main.calendar.

Home Openers:

Tennis September 6 Volleyball September 9

Field Hockey September 9

Cross Country September 11 Football September 12

Girls Soccer September 16 Boys Soccer September 18

Please note that SEASON ATHLETIC PASSES can now be purchased at the financial office during normal business hours (7:00-3:30). Prices are as follows:

Fall Adult = $30 Fall Student = $18 Winter Adult = $40 Winter Student = $24 Year = $70

SAVE THE DATES: Please be sure to join us for College Night (6:00 pm for juniors and seniors) and

Back to School Night (7:00 pm) on September 17. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to see

firsthand the great things that are happening at school and meet your child's teachers.

High School Plus begins September 3

News From the Mill Page 4

No School (Rosh Hashanah) September 5

Booster Club Meeting September 9

School Picture Day September 10 & 11

Senior College Night September 17 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Back To School Night September 17 7:00 pm

Early Release Day – (K-12) September 27

NCAA Information Night October 1 7:00 pm

PSAT/Practice ACT October 16

End of First Marking Period October 31

Homecoming Game November 1

Homecoming Dance November 2

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Please note that there is attendance policy remains in place in place for all high school students in Montgomery County Public Schools. Students accumulating more than 5 unexcused absences will

automatically risk failing the class unless an appeal is submitted and/or an intervention plan is successfully implemented.

COMMUNICATIONS We have several communication vehicles that will be used for routine and emergency communications. For

example, an automatic phone calling system will be used to send telephone calls from school with important information about school events and/or emergencies, and when students are absent. Edline is another

venue for us to communicate with you via email, and also simultaneously permit you to access your

student’s grades and classroom information. An active telephone number and email address are essential to maintain these communications. Please be sure to update emergency communication sheets and check the

Edline account to ensure that the information recorded is correct and up-to-date.

Also, please be sure to follow us on Twitter, yet another way we will be sending important communications, updates, and glimpses into daily activities and classroom instruction. A summary of steps that all parents

should take is found below:

- Activate Edline or log-in to your existing account - Sign up to follow us on Twitter

- Bookmark our website and check our regularly - Return the emergency contact sheets sent home the first day of school

- Notify the school of changes to email addresses and cell phone numbers

- Read this monthly newsletter - Sign up for MCPS Quick Notes

- Sign up for MCPS Alerts

Thank you for your support of your students and our school community. If we can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to email or call. A full staff directory can be found here:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/staff/

2013-14 is off to a great start! Looking forward to a great year!

Sincerely,

Scott W. Murphy, Principal

News From the Mill Page 5

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE/CAREER CENTER:

COLLEGE NIGHT FOR SENIORS & PARENTS AT WATKINS MILL Seniors and their parents are invited to join us on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the

Auditorium as the counseling department explains the college application process at Watkins Mill including the request of official transcripts, teacher recommendations and counselor recommendations for students planning to

attend both two year and 4 year colleges. WMHS utilizes eDocs so that official high school transcripts and

recommendations can be transmitted electronically. There are a few colleges that are not equipped to receive electronic documents, so those documents will be mailed. Be sure to mark your calendar now for this important

informational meeting, as we will be explaining how to insure that your documentation arrives at the college(s).

COLLEGE VISITS College visits in the College/Career Center begin on September 10!! Throughout the fall, college admissions

representatives make appointments to visit & recruit Watkins Mill juniors & seniors. These meetings are held in the

College/Career Center. A list of colleges that have already made appointments can be accessed on Family Connection, www.connection.naviance.com/wmhs. All juniors and seniors should have usernames and passwords to enter the site,

but if forgotten, please contact your counselor or Mrs. Prochnow. Parents can enter the site as guests using the password “Watkins.” Once in the site, click on the “Colleges” tab and then click the “View all Upcoming Visits” link to

see the current list (subject to change).

In order to attend a visit, students must first click “sign me up” on Family Connection and then print out the

confirmation page and obtain teacher approval from the teacher whose class you will be missing. This is the student’s pass to attend.

For more info from the College/Career Center, please visit the College/Career Center webpage at

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/careercenter/

INFORMATION FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE: NCAA ATHLETE & PARENT INFO NIGHT

Interested in playing sports in college? Please join the WMHS Athletic Department on October 1 at 7 pm when Mr.

Keith Adams, former high school and college coach and founder of Coach Keith Adams: Students Athletes Valuing Education Project (CKA SAVE Project), will present information about the NCAA Clearing House for all student

athletes and their parents. Learn about how to market yourself to coaches and what steps are needed to play sports in college. Our special guest speaker will be Mr. Leigh Bodden, former NFL player with the New

England Patriots. Mr. Bodden will talk about his experiences as a student-athlete. The event will take place in the

Media Center.

PSAT REGISTRATION This year, the PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 16 at all Montgomery County High Schools.

Students in grade 9 and 10 will take the PSAT at no cost. For juniors who take the official PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), the fee is $14. The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT Reasoning Test. It is administered

only once during the school year and consists of two 25-minute critical reading sections, one 30-minute math section,

and one 30-minute writing skills section. Only students who take the official PSAT/NMSQT in their JUNIOR year will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Achievement Scholarship

Program or the National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program. Registration for juniors will take place in early October. Juniors who do not sign up to take the official PSAT/NMSQT will take a practice ACT called the PLAN at no

cost. Students should listen up for morning announcements for more information as we get closer to the date. The

score results for the PSAT and the PLAN will be given to students in mid-December.

Debbie Prochnow College/Career Coordinator

301-840-3957

News From the Mill Page 6

ACES

ACES (Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success) has arrived at Watkins Mill High School! There is an ACES Academic Coach, Dinécia Pierre-Louis, at Watkins Mill High School working with qualified 11th and 12th grade students

to provide individualized support while completing high school and navigating through the college entrance process. The ACES program is a collaborative effort between MCPS, Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove.

ACES assists students with getting into the college of their choice and if they choose to attend Montgomery College

and transition to earn a four-year degree through the Universities at Shady Grave, continuous support will be provided. Come hear about what ACES has to offer and how your child will benefit from this program right before

College Information and Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 17th at 5:30 p.m.

Dinécia Pierre-Louis ACES Academic Coach

Montgomery College

Serving at Watkins Mill High School Dinecia_PierreLouis@mcps.org

NEWS FROM THE IB OFFICE Despite the fact that we’ve just barely begun the 2013-2014 school year, IB Examination Registration, which must be

complete by early November, will soon be formally underway and will continue through the end of October. Next week, students in all IB classes will receive a full array of registration materials in their respective IB classes. Unlike Advanced

Placement Examinations for which we register students in the spring, the May 2014 IB Examination Session registration must be completed in the fall.

IB Examinations are sent to examiners all over the world, and fall registration enables the IBO to secure varied and qualified examiners to handle all worldwide registrants. For all students in the full IB Diploma Program, the IB

Career-Related Certificate Program, or in a TESTING LEVEL IB course, registering for the formal examination is a school and county expectation. Although the formal examinations do require payment of fees

for both IB Diploma/IBCC students as well as IB Course students, our school, county, and state will support families

who have documented financial need enabling all WMHS students to fully capitalize on the benefits of taking an IB course. The following courses are TESTING LEVEL IB courses. If your son or daughter is in any of the following IB

courses, please look for the IB registration papers within the next school week.

--- we encourage our students to continue language study and to take the formal examination in

12th grade. Thus, testing in this subject depends on the grade level.

--- we encourage our students to continue language study and to take the formal examination in 12th grade. Thus, testing in this subject depends on the grade level.

ychology

News From the Mill Page 7

ATHLETIC NEWS The falls sports season kicked off on Wednesday, August 14th with teams conducting their first day of tryouts. Contests begin on Friday, September 6th with the first Football game traveling to Frederick HS to kick-off the fall season. Please

check the WM athletic website for team information www.watkinsmillathletics.org.

Team members are still needed for Cross Country, Tennis, JV Field Hockey, and JV Girls Volleyball. Students who are

interested can see Mr. Spears, Athletic Director, for team information and required paperwork.

Please welcome the following new fall coaches: Ms. Katie Pesce JV Field Hockey

Mr. Tim Nori Varsity Football Ms. Kerry Krammer JV Girls Soccer

Ms. Brittany Miller JV Cheerleading

Coach Katie Pesce

This is my first year at Watkins Mill, and I am very excited to be joining such a great program. I have been involved with field hockey for over 20 years as both a player and a coach. I was a four year starter and Division II All-American

goaltender at East Stroudsburg University. After college, I moved to the D.C. metro area and have been coaching ever

since. I coached at Sidwell Friends for 8 years and most recently, at Colonel Zadok Magruder. I thank Watkins Mill for this new coaching opportunity and I am looking forward to a successful season with a great group of girls.

Coach Tim Nori

My name is Timothy Nori. I am a 2000 alumnus of Watkins Mill High School. I am entering my first season on the Watkins Mill Varsity football staff. My duties on the staff are the varsity Offensive coordinator and the line coach. I

have coached football in Montgomery County for the past five years. Before that I coached both at the high school

level and college level in Salisbury Maryland for three years. I also coach JV baseball in Montgomery County and have done this for four years. During the summer I am the coach of a travel 18U baseball team that travels the DMV to

compete in tournaments and showcases. I have a passion for coaching both football and baseball and I plan on bring my passion back to the Mill. Look forward to returning home. GO RINES!!!!!!!!

Coach Kerry Krammer I’m starting my second year at Watkins Mill High School and my first as the JV soccer coach. Soccer has been a part of

my life since I was 5 years old and I am excited to have the chance to start coaching. I currently have a dedicated group of girls who are working hard to achieve their goals for the soccer season. These past few weeks have been a

lot of fun and I am looking forward to having a successful season.

Coach Brittany Miller

I'm a first year JV cheerleading coach. I've had experience coaching with the Greensboro Eagles AAU Organization in Greensboro, NC. I started cheerleading on recreation squads as I a little girl. I have also cheered throughout Jr. High,

High School, and College. I've always had a passion for cheerleading and I'm so excited and happy to be able to share my spirit, love and passion with Watkins Mill High School! I'm looking forward to a successful season.

Fall Home Openers!!! Get ready to cheer on the Wolverines!!! Girls Volleyball Sept. 9th Einstein at Watkins Mill JV 5:30PM/Varsity 7PM

Football Sept. 12th Gaithersburg at Watkins Mill JV 3:00PM/Varsity 6:30PM Girls Soccer Sept. 16th Quince Orchard at Watkins Mill JV 5PM/Varsity 7PM

Boys Soccer Sept. 18th Whitman at Watkins Mill JV 5PM/Varsity 7PM

What Do Students and Parents Need to Know?

Helpful Information for Student-Athletes and Parents (The following information is placed on the Athletics web page)

News From the Mill Page 8

Required Forms

Students must complete and submit the following forms to the coach prior to participating in practices or tryouts. These forms are available at the school from either the coach or athletic director, or forms may be found on-line at the

MCPS website.

• Pre-participation Physical Evaluation. The Pre-participation Physical Evaluation is valid for one year from the

date of the exam, and covers participation for all sports within that time period. Students submit only the last page to the school/coach (Clearance Form). Schools keep the form on file.

• Emergency Medical Card. This form must be submitted for each sport in which the student wishes to participate.

• Student-Parent Participation Contract and Parent Permission Form. The form includes information that

student-athletes and parents are required to review, including reference to the Health/Safety section of the MCPS

Athletics website. This form must be submitted for each sport in which the student wishes to participate and is available in Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese.

• Consent Form – ImPACT Baseline Concussion Testing. All student-athletes must undergo baseline testing at

least once every two years. This form indicates that the parent and student are aware of the purpose of baseline

testing and that they consent for their child to undergo baselines testing.

• MPSSAA Concussion Awareness Form. This form indicates that the parent and student-athlete have received information regarding concussions.

• Pre-participation Head Injury/Concussion Reporting Form. This form indicates whether the student has

previously suffered a concussion.

• Transportation Form. This form is applicable whenever students are transported to games in cars. The coach of

the team will provide this form if it is necessary for that sport.

• Proof of Medical Insurance. This form is only required for football.

Information Important information regarding athletic participation, health and safety, and eligibility is included in the following

sources, all of which are obtainable from the school and/or the MCPS Athletics website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/athletics.

• Student Information. This document includes four pages from the MCPS High School Athletics Handbook regarding a wide range of information affecting student-athletes, including eligibility, transfer rule, ejections, drug policies,

attendance, etc.

• Health and Safety. Parents and students are required to review the Health/Safety section of the MCPS Athletics website. The information included in this section is very important to the safety and welfare of students.

• Student’s Rights and Responsibilities. Distributed to all students early in the school year. Includes criteria for participation and school system rules and regulations. Available in the main office of the school.

• Student-Parent Athletic Participation Information. Provides information on athletic participation including eligibility

requirements. Available on the MCPS Athletics website or the athletic director.

Ticket Prices/Admissions

Information regarding ticket prices and season ticket options may be found in the Events section on the MCPS Athletics website.

News From the Mill Page 9

Extracurricular Activity Fee (ECA)

Students who are selected to participate on MCPS athletic teams must pay an extracurricular activities fee prior to competing in the first contest. The ECA fee is $30.00 per year and covers all extracurricular activities for the year.

Information is sent home to students during the summer. Additional ECA fee information can be found by searching Extracurricular Activity Fee on the MCPS home page or the Parents/Student section of the MCPS Athletics website.

Sportsmanship Sportsmanship is a primary mission of the MCPS interscholastic athletics program. MCPS has a comprehensive

Sportsmanship Award Program in which parents and spectators are included in game ratings that ultimately decide schools and teams that win Sportsmanship Awards. Information regarding the MCPS Sportsmanship can be found on

the General Information for Parents page of the MCPS Athletics website. Sportsmanship fundamentals include: • Fan support should be positive, respectful, and appropriate to a high school setting.

• Parents discuss issues and concerns with coaches at appropriate times. Avoid times immediately before or after

games. Appointments are best. • Spectators realize that officials must make judgment calls that are invariably disliked by one half of the fans.

Accepting unfavorable calls by officials can be important learning opportunity for students.

Contests Cancellation

Contests may be cancelled countywide due to inclement weather conditions, or locally at a school due to adverse field/playing conditions. Local schools can provide necessary, updated information. Generally, when schools are

cancelled, all athletic activities are cancelled. County–wide cancellation information can usually be found on the MCPS website, MCPS Channel 34, or local radio and television station.

EDLINE UPDATE – Families new to Watkins Mill High School will want to activate their edline account. Information was mailed home on August 26 from our central office regarding activation. If you do not receive

your code, please email Edward_W_Graf@mcpsmd.org An activated Edline account will allow you to:

Check your child’s latest grades and see missing work

See the status of credits for graduation

Receive email alerts when new grades are posted

Receive emails with school or class information

View team and club activities

Email your child’s teachers

View upcoming assessments

Our Watkins Mill HS website has a link on the right hand side for edline, and there is also a “how to activate my

edline account guide” there as well. Here are two important url’s:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/ www.edline.net

News From the Mill Page 10

MEDIA CENTER NEWS:

Welcome to the Watkins Mill Media Center!

(New books arriving daily!)

News From the Mill Page 11

A NOTE FROM OUR PTSA PRESIDENT – SUSAN YOUNG

Welcome back to school! I hope your students have settled back into new routines. The Watkins Mill PTSA is ready for another great year!

As your new PTSA President, I'm looking forward to a great year. I am the parent of a 2013 graduate, a rising

sophomore, and a rising 6th grader at MVMS. Although I am new to this role at WMHS, I am very familiar with our cluster’s schools, having served as PTA President at Whetstone ES and PTSA President at MVMS. I was also a Cluster

Coordinator for the Watkins Mill cluster from 2007-2010, and have been active in the WMHS PTSA since 2009.

Have YOU joined the PTSA yet? Bring your checkbook to Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 17 and

stop by the PTSA table! We'll have forms available and you can sign up very easily. Or, go to the WMHS website to sign up and join. You can join online or print out a form and send it in:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/ptsa/

And remember, your PTSA membership is a joint membership with the Booster Club! By joining, you can take an active role in your child's education and support our school. For seniors to be eligible for PTSA scholarships at the end

of the year, they must be members of the PTSA.

Do you want to learn more about what's happening at WMHS and the PTSA? Do you want to know more

about the new Wellness Center? Be sure to mark your calendar for our first meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 pm in the media center. Find out everything that's happening at Watkins Mill!

See you at Back to School Night! Go 'Rines!

Susan Young PTSA President

BOOSTER CLUB

Welcome to our new Wolverine students and families. We are excited for the energy you will bring to The Mill. Your parent leadership organizations, the Watkins Mill High School PTSA and Booster Club, look forward to your input of

ideas, time, and talent through active membership and participation.

The WMHS Booster Club is an all school organization supporting our Wolverine athletic teams, theater and music

programs, and extra-curricular activities (ECA) clubs. We raise funds and coordinate volunteers for numerous school events through concessions, spirit wear, the annual Mike Tyler Wrestling Tournament, our Silent Auction Gala, Mulch

Sale, Golf Outing, and the March to the Mill Sports Camp. We need new Wolverine parent volunteers and leaders every year to replace graduating parents. Through participation you will learn and continue our tradition of success.

We offer a joint Family PTSA/Booster Club membership @ $30. Individual memberships are also available. Get details

and join online: http://watkinsmillboosterclub.blogspot.com/. You can also complete the membership form found further in this newsletter or at the Booster Club link on the school web site and return to the school office.

The Booster Club meets the first Monday school day of the month. The next Booster Club meeting is Monday,

September 9th @ 7:30PM in the Sky Bridge Room. We will draft the budget and schedule events for the remainder of

the 2013-2014 school year. We invite all parents, students, and school staff interested in learning more about your Booster Club to join us.

News From the Mill Page 12

Stay tuned for more information on our annual school pride initiative: WOLVERINE SERVICE DAY. Rain or shine,

student volunteers, individuals and groups, will clean and landscape to improve campus conditions and beautify our facilities while earning Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. There will be food and music provided. Projects will

include the stadium, athletic fields, parking lot, and Apple Ridge sidewalk. We need Parent Advisors to help guide the school assigned activities. Please contact school Athletic Director, Reggie Spears, or the Event Coordinator, Jim

Simpson @ Simpson4976@gmail.com to sign up as a Parent Advisor. http://redsaffire.phanfare.com/wmhs

We look forward to seeing everyone at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 17th. We will have membership

sign up and spirit wear tables so remember your checkbooks!

Please remember to scroll down for more info on Membership. Thanks for your support.

Go ‘Rines!!!

Lisa Rishell, Booster Club President Mobile: 240-888-5358 Email: lisarishell@gmail.com

MARCH TO THE MILL COUNSELOR SSL HOURS

March to the Mill counselors:

If you would like to get SSL hours for your participation in the camp this summer, please complete the form that you

will find here. There will be a manila envelope marked “March to the Mill” in the in-box on the credenza in the main office at Watkins Mill. Please place your completed form in that envelope by September 18.

Please spread the word that the camp will run June 16 – 20 and 23 – 27, will be held on the Watkins Mill High School

campus, and will feature a different sport every day – no repeats.

Also, we will have special staff tee shirts for the counselors this year, so counselors will need to commit by May 1 to

be guaranteed a counselor tee shirt.

Thanks again for your great work this summer. I hope you will consider joining us again next summer.

Go to http://marchtothemill.blogspot.com/ for camp updates, information, and photos

Click here for the SSL form

Get your March to the Mill on!

March to the Mill campers:

Join your friends and all the counselors and coaches at the first Friday home game of the season

Watkins Mill vs. Wheaton

Friday, September 20

6:30 PM

@ Watkins Mill High School

Wear your March to the Mill pinnie or tee shirt and get in FREE with a paying adult

Run down the field at halftime

If you participated in cheer and learned the “We got Spirit” cheer, bring your poms to the game and join the cheerleaders on the field!

Smash through the banner with the football players and cheerleaders!

News From the Mill Page 13

VOLUNTEER CORNER

Welcome to another exciting year at Watkins Mill High School! I am pleased to report that WM was recognized as being

in the top ten schools in the county for volunteer hours reported. This is such an honor and was possible only with the involvement of our parents and students. This award reinforces how important our students and community are to all

of us. With a new school year upon us, there are many opportunities to volunteer your time and talent to our students and community. Please contact me with your interests and availability.

Thanks!

Elaineratliff1@verizon.net

NEWS FROM THE HEATLH ROOM/WELLNESS CENTER

Welcome back to Watkins Mill! I am excited to be back at the Mill this school year working with your students. We have some very exciting things happening with health and wellness.

MEDICATIONS: First I would like to remind you that if your student needs any medication during the school day,

either over the counter or prescription, a medication administration form is available from the health room or on the MCPS web page for parents: forms, (MCPS 525-13). Parents and physicians must sign this form prior to the student

having medication in the health room. Students are not allowed to carry medication on their person during the school

day without permission.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Second, I would like to remind you that we need to have current contact phone numbers for parents/guardians/designated emergency contact personnel. Students may become ill or injured during the school

day and parents will need to be notified. Please call or email the main school office or health room with changes to

this information.

WELLNESS CENTER: Third, I would like to say a little bit about the School Based Wellness Center that has opened here at Watkins Mill this year. The Wellness Center is a partnership between Montgomery County

Department of Health and Human Services and Montgomery County Public Schools. Services provided will

include physical, mental and emotional care and resources/referrals for WMHS students and their school age siblings. Staff includes a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, certified medical technician,

mental health professional and counselors. Students must enroll in the program and parents/guardians will need to complete and sign the enrollment form prior to a student’s admission. (This form may be picked up at

school in the health room, guidance office or main office or it can be down loaded at: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/watkinsmillhs/news/Wellness%20Center%20Regi

stration%20Packet.pdf. This year, services that a student qualifies for are FREE. These services include sports

physical exams, hearing and vision screening, lab and diagnostic testing, immunizations, group therapy, one-on-on counseling and after school programs/clubs for students and parents.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding the health room or Wellness Center at Watkins

Mill H.S. Have a very safe and healthy school year.

Nancy Caruso, RN/SCHN 301-840-3954.

News From the Mill Page 14

How to Receive Emergency Information from MCPS

MCPS parents can receive emergency information from the school system in a variety of ways including

MCPS QuickNotes, Alert MCPS, Twitter, the MCPS website, MCPS TV, and a recorded telephone

information line. Please visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency for more information on how to

keep in touch with Montgomery County Public Schools and stay informed in times of emergencies.

Cómo Recibir Información de Emergencia de MCPS Los padres de estudiantes de MCPS pueden recibir información del sistema escolar en casos de emergencia

de varias maneras incluyendo MCPS QuickNotes, Alert MCPS, Twitter, el sitio de Internet de MCPS, MCPS

TV y la línea de información con mensajes grabados. Para más información de cómo mantenerse en contacto

con Montgomery County Public Schools y mantenerse informado durante emergencias visite

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency.

ACTIVITY BUS NEWS! – Watkins Mill will be running an activity bus every Tuesday and Thursday. This will

assist our students who participate in High School Plus, as well as those that are staying for any school-related activities. Please take advantage of this important enhancement to our school day. Busses will start on

Tuesday, September 3.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The main office is in need of parent volunteers to assist the office by answering phones, greeting visitors, and

special projects the office is currently working on. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sue Brown in

the main office, 301-840-5306.

K&K INSURANCE GROUP BROCHURE/INSURANCE – On the first day of school, student health insurance

brochures from K&K Insurance Group were distributed. More information and additional explanations of their

insurance program can be found at their website: http://www.kandkinsurance.com/sites/K12Voluntary/Pages/Home.aspx

News From the Mill Page 15

IMPORTANT DATES:

September 2 Holiday – Labor Day – School Closed

Marching Band Wolverines participating in the Gaithersburg Parade @ 1:00 pm

September 3

HS Plus Begins 2:20 – 4:00 Activity Busses run Tues/Thurs

September5

Rosh Hashanah – No School for students and teachers, Office Open

September 6 GTE - Quince Orchard at Watkins Mill 3:30 pm

FH-V - Watkins Mill at Gaithersburg V 5:15 pm

FB-V - Watkins Mill at Frederick 7 pm

September 7 George B. Thomas Registration, 8:30 – 11:00 am

September 9

Booster Club Meeting, 7:30 pm, Skybridge CR

FH-JV - Churchill at Watkins Mill V 5 pm/JV 3:30 pm GTE - Poolesville at Watkins Mill 3:30 pm

FH-V = Churchill at Watkins Mill V 5 pm/JV 3:30 pm GVB-V - Einstein at Watkins Mill JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

GVB-JV - Einstein at Watkins Mill JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

September 10

HS Plus, 2:20 – 4:00 pm Activity busses run Tues/Thurs.

Student Picture Day – during English class

GO = Northwood, Einstein, Watkins Mill and Seneca Valley BSO-JV = Watkins Mill at Clarksburg

BSO-V = Watkins Mill at Clarksburg

September 11 Student Picture Day – during English class

GO = Montgomery County MCPS Girls Match #2

GTE = Watkins Mill at Paint Branch GVB-JV = Northwood at Watkins Mill

CC = Blake, Rockville and Wheaton at Watkins Mill GVB-V = Northwood at Watkins Mill

GSO-JV = Watkins Mill at Clarksburg

FH-V = Watkins Mill at Springbrook FH-V = Watkins Mill at Springbrook, 7pm

GSO-V = Watkins Mill at Clarksburg, 7pm

News From the Mill Page 16

September 12 Pep Rally

HS Plus, 2:20 – 4:00 pm Activity busses run Tues/Thurs.

Football Doubleheader JV @ 3:00 and V @ 6:30 vs. G'burg H.S. – Home Game!

September 13

Powder Puff Game, 2:40 pm, stadium

September 16 Watkins Mill at Quince Orchard V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

Quince Orchard at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

Watkins Quince Orchard at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm Mill at Quince Orchard V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

September 17

HS Plus (after school) Activity busses run Tues/Thurs.

College Information Night for Seniors. Auditorium, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Back-to-School Night for Parents, Auditorium, 7:00 pm

GO -Seneca Valley, Magruder, Wheaton and Watkins Mill at Northwest Park Golf Club 3:30 pm CC-Rockville, Watkins Mill and Seneca Valley at Gaithersburg 3:30 pm

September 18 HS Plus, 2:20 – 4:00 pm

Activity busses run Tues/Thurs. GO- Montgomery County MCPS Girls Match #3 at Laytonsville Golf Course 3 pm

BSO-JV Whitman at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

GSO-JV - Watkins Mill at Whitman V 7 pm/JV 5 pm GVB-V - Watkins Mill at Wheaton JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

GVB-JV - Watkins Mill at Wheaton JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm BSO-V - Whitman at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

GSO-V - Watkins Mill at Whitman V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

September 19 HS Plus, 2:20 – 4:00 pm

Activity busses run Tues/Thurs. GO - Wheaton, Watkins Mill, Kennedy and Northwood at Sligo 3:30 pm

GTE -Watkins Mill at Seneca Valley 3:30 pm

September 20 FB-V -Wheaton at Watkins Mill 6:30 pm

September 21

FB JV-Clarksburg at Watkins Mill 3 pm TEN G-Watkins Mill at Blake 3:30 pm

FB V-Clarksburg at Watkins Mill 6:30 pm

News From the Mill Page 17

September 23 G-Ten - Wheaton at Watkins Mill 3:30 pm

BSO-JV - Watkins Mill at Blake V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

GSO-JV - Blake at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm GVB-V - Watkins Mill at Damascus JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

GVB-JV -Watkins Mill at Damascus JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm BSO-V - Watkins Mill at Blake V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

GSO-V - Blake at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

September 24

HS Plus (after school) Activity busses run Tues/Thurs.

FH-V- Blake at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV 5 pm FH-JV - Whitman at Watkins Mill V 3:30 pm/JV 5 pm

September 25 NHS Induction, 7 pm

GO- Montgomery County MCPS Girls match #4 at Laytonsville Golf Course 3 pm

GTE - Watkins Mill at Kennedy 3:30 pm GVB-V - Clarksburg at Watkins Mill JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

GVB-JV - Clarksburg at Watkins Mill JV 5:30 pm/V 6:30 pm

September 26

HS Plus (after school)

Activity busses run Tues/Thurs. BSO-JV -Watkins Mill at Wheaton (at WM) V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

FB-JV -Watkins Mill at Damascus 5:30 pm FH-JV - Watkins Mill at Blake V 7 pm/JV 5:30 pm

BSO-V -Watkins Mill at Wheaton (at WM) V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

FH-V - Watkins Mill at Blake V 7 pm/JV 5:30 pm

September 27 EARLY RELEASE DAY

GSO-JV - Watkins Mill at Wheaton (at WM) V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

FB-V - Watkins Mill at Damascus 6:30 pm GSO-V -Watkins Mill at Wheaton (at WM) V 7 pm/JV 5 pm

September 28

George B. Thomas – OPENING DAY, 8:30 am to 11:00 am GTE -Watkins Mill at Sherwood 10 am

September 30

BSO-JV - Rockville at Watkins Mill V 5 pm/JV at RO 3:30 pm FH – JV - Watkins Mill at Poolesville V 7 pm/JV 5:30 pm

GSO-JV - Rockville at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV at RO 5:30 pm

FH-V - Watkins Mill at Poolesville V 7 pm/JV 5:30 pm GSO-V -Rockville at Watkins Mill V 7 pm/JV at RO 5:30 pm

BSO –V-Rockville at Watkins Mill V 5 pm/JV at RO 3:30 pm

News From the Mill Page 18

IMPORTANT LINKS WMHS Website Home: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/ Athletics: http://www.watkinsmillathletics.org/ College/Career Monthly Newsletter: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/careercenter/ Calendar: http://coldfusion.mcps.k12.md.us/cfms/webteam/calendar/calendar.cfm?calendarID=watkinsmillhs Staff Directory: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/staff/directory.aspx Edline: www.edline.net Edline Assistance: Mitchell_Joy@mcpsmd.org PTSA Information: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/ptsa/ Booster Club: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmillhs/boosters/boostersClub.aspx Lunch Pre-Payments: https://www.mylunchmoney.com/ Student Service Learning: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/ Bullying: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/230-35.shtm Free SAT/ACT Prep: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/hsi/testprep.shtm

News From “The Mill” will be published monthly on the news pages of the school website and Edline; emailed to all active Edline accounts; and is available by hard copy in the main office. If you would like a copy emailed to your Inbox, please

make sure that your Edline account is activated with your current email address.