Clarksburg High School

A message from Principal Edward Owusu

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY MESSAGE: https://www.smore.com/ab2dp

Clarksburg High School Students, Staff, and Families,

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week at CHS. The mental health of students can affect their education, social life, and emotional well-being. Students struggling with mental health may experience more significant challenges throughout school and adulthood, while those not struggling may have a greater zest for their education, social experiences, and more. Check out what's happening this week HERE.

As we close out October there are a few reminders of expectations. Your support is needed to ensure positive expectations of behavior. Clarksburg is a great community but it takes every single one of us to be vigilant and work towards a goal of a calmer and academic focused atmosphere at school. You can lead from any seat to make it happen. Marking Period 1 ends Tuesday. Students should look to make positive strides for Marking Period 2. Finally, this can be a stressful time for seniors applying to schools of higher learning before the November deadline. Remember you've got this! It's time to Register for WINTER SPORTS! Check out this link HERE.

Please be sure to check student attendance, as that can be a marker for success or disappointment. Reminder to check grades online via ParentVUE and StudentVUE. Check out the Week At A Glance and news below!

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Expectations of Behavior

I ask for your support at home to reiterate our message of respect for one another even when we disagree. The most common issues amongst students that we have seen are disagreements among peers related to social media posts and rumors, hurtful words, and name-calling. Some of the ways you can support your student at home are:

• Limit and monitor social media time. Students are creating group chats and using outlets such as Instagram and Snapchat to send hurtful messages about one another. They are posting altercations online which refuels old disputes.
• Encourage your student not to talk disparagingly about any other individuals. Reach out to the school when you as a parent/guardian know of an ongoing or possible dispute, so the school may intervene prior to a serious altercation.
• Talk to your child about seeking the support of a school counselor or administrator if they are struggling with interactions with their peers, receiving hurtful messages, or experiencing any kind of bullying.
• Encourage your child to say something to an adult if they see or hear something. When we are able to help students work through their differences early on, it avoids prolonged conflict and social-emotional turmoil.

The other concern occurs when students hear their peers arguing, they move toward the individuals, begin filming the argument, and sometimes encourage them to fight. We learn of students posting these pictures and videos on Instagram accounts and air-dropping them to one another. This glorifies violence that we will not tolerate at Clarksburg High School. Moving forward, any student who takes out their phone to film or encourage violence may be sent may receive consequences as outlined in the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. This type of behavior incites violence and disrupts our learning environment. Please talk to your child about the importance of speaking up to stop the argument, calling for staff assistance, or moving away from confrontational situations and seeking an adult's support.

We want all students to feel welcome and safe at Clarksburg High School, and it will take all of us coming together to make this happen. I appreciate your continued support as we work to provide a peaceful and welcoming learning environment for all of our students.

Check out the College/Career Center Update to learn about campus visits by various colleges, universities, employers, and military personnel. Please direct inquiries to Ms. Andrea Garris, Resource Counselor. More details about a new College and Career Coordinator will be shared soon.

Here are things to know for Thursday, Oct. 26. Get information about safety tips, upcoming application due dates, mental health awareness week, upcoming events, and good news highlighting students, staff, and events. Read message

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKLY MESSAGE: https://www.smore.com/ab2dp

 As always, thank you for your continued support and trust.

And remember, together we are ONE Clarksburg!