Good Afternoon Students and Parents,
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. I cannot believe the first day of school will be here in ten days. Administrators, counselors, teachers and staff are working hard to make sure the building and classrooms are ready. We are looking forward to welcoming students into the building the week of August 26, 2024. Monday, August 26, 2024, is the first day of school for first time 9th graders, only. Tuesday, August 27, 2024, is the first day of school for all students. More information about the schedule for the opening of school will be shared in next week’s blog message.
First, I would like to say “Thank you” to all our parents and students who attended our Meet the Coaches Night for fall sports. It was great seeing students back in the building and providing parents and students with the opportunity to meet our coaches. I hope everyone appreciated this event. If you have any questions about athletics, feel free to contact Ms. Kristi Starr, Athletic Director, at kstarr@aacps.org.
Also, I would like to say “Welcome and Thank You” to all our Class of 2028 parents and students who attended 9th Grade Orientation. I, along with my admin and counseling team, look forward to working with you and supporting you for the next four years. It is going to be an incredible journey working together!
Bulldog Blog is back for the 24-25 school year! For our new parents and students to the Southern High family, every Friday, Southern High sends out a newsletter. The newsletter always has a message from me with important upcoming information regarding the school. Also, there are announcements from departments, club sponsors, athletics, etc.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Southern High staff members:
Jenni Bionidi (ELL) Danielle Bobbin (Math) Bernadette Barnett (Math)
Sarah Carlyle (Math) Nina Goforth (Bilingual Fac) Clifton Green (Math)
James Hart (Math) Jennifer Howard (ELL) Jennica Limani (Alt One)
Marcus Matthews (Sp. Ed) Kyle Motto (Business) Tamara Piegols (FACS)
Ray Schlauch (Science) Kathryn Sheley (Science) Leanna Steffen (English)
Liz Thompson (Testing) Steven Tilman (Math) Holly Myers (English)
Below is major information for the upcoming school year. Please take a moment to read through the bulletin.
24-25 Southern High Mission and Goals4
Our mission for Southern High is to be a safe and inclusive community that is focused on students by promoting rigorous learning, collaboration, curiosity, and accountability so that every student is ready for 21st century opportunities. Our school improvement goals for this school year are:
Algebra 1 MCAP Scores: Increase the percentage of students with proficient score on the MCAP Algebra 1.
EL Proficiency: Increase the number of EL students who demonstrate adequate progress on WIDA assessment.
College Career Readiness: Increase the percentage of students who score a 3 or better on an AP examination.
Graduation Rate: Increase the percentage of students who will graduate in 4 years.
Southern High believes that we can achieve our goals through collaborative planning, higher level thinking, scaffolding, literacy, formative assessments and data analysis.
AACPS Grading Policy Last week, I shared the new grading policy and changes. On Back to School Night, I will be available at 6 pm in the auditorium if you have any questions or concerns.
AACPS Cell Phone Policy
Over the past decade, cell phones have become a necessity in our world. A majority of individuals depend on cell phones for reminders, information, and assurance that our loved ones are safe. Phones have become essential to our daily lives. Adults are able to navigate and disengage when appropriate – professional meetings, family meals, etc. However, our students are struggling to use their devices responsibly during class. Southern High wants to support all students in being successful. When students are on their phones during instruction, they miss out on important directions, critical content knowledge, and social skills leading to a decrease in academic achievement and individual growth. This year, AACPS is taking a strong stand on cell phones because students are missing out on important instruction regarding content and skills. There are too many students who are not meeting success because of cell phones. Cell phones should be off and away during instructional time. Southern High will be honoring AACPS Cell policy. Cell phones may be confiscated, and parents will have to pick up cell phones. Also, disciplinary action will be taken according to the AACPS Code of Conduct. I am asking you on behalf of the faculty and staff of Southern High School to help us in curbing student cell phone use during valuable class time. Please speak with your student about the new cell phone policy. If you need to contact your student during the day, please do so by contacting the main office. Thank you in advance for your support.
Summer Assignments for English, Math and AP Classes
As we gear up for the summer break, we want to remind you of the importance of ensuring that your high school student completes their summer assignments before the next school year begins. These assignments are not just optional; they will be graded and play a crucial role in your child's academic journey.
The following classes have summer assignments:
English 9, 10, 11 and 12
AP Language and Composition
AP Literature and Composition
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Physics
AP Environmental Science
AP Studio 3D
AP Art History
AP Drawing
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A
Honors Pre-Calculus
Honors Algebra 2
Honors Geometry
AP Calculus
AP Statistics
AP US History
AP Human Geography
To access the summer assignments, please visit our school website at Southern High Summer Assignments. Here, you will find detailed instructions for each class, including deadlines and any additional resources required.
Parking for the 24-25 school year
If you plan to drive this school year, you must register and take the quiz before you can purchase a pass. Students can review the information related to parking using this link and complete the parking quiz. Juniors are to park in the lot by the football stadium. Once you have reviewed the information and completed the quiz, students will need to register using this link. This year, the fee for parking will be $30.00, this is a one-time fee that includes fall and spring. Parking passes will be available to purchase at Back to School Night, August 22, 2024. Also, students may pick up passes on Friday, August 23, 2024, starting at 9:00 am and on Monday, August 26, 2024, starting at 9:00 am. All vehicles will need a pass by August 30, 2024, to park on school property. Students who do not have a pass or park in the wrong parking lots may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Back to School Night (BTSN),
On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Southern will host Back to School Night (BTSN), starting at 6:30 pm. You will pick up a copy of your schedule and be able to see your classrooms and meet your teachers. I scheduled our BTSN prior to the first week of school so all students would have the opportunity to tour the building and meet their teachers prior to the first day of school. If you have a conflict (double booked) or a hole in your schedule, counselors will be available to assist. If you need to change a class, course change forms will be available. Maps will be provided.
Ms. Goforth, our bilingual facilitator, and Ms. Howard, our English Language Development teacher, will also be available to assist parents and students whose primary language is other than English.
Prior to Back to School Night, we will be hosting a Family Life and Human Sexuality Preview Night. We will begin at 5:30 pm in the auditorium. Parents and guardians will be able to review the instructional material if you students are enrolled in Health A or Health B. Ms. McKay, Mr. Repass and Ms. Alexander will be available for any questions
Course Change for the 24-25
You will get a copy of your schedule at Back to School Night. If you need to request a schedule change, you will be able to pick up a schedule change form on the first day of school. The reason for the change must meet the one reasons set forth by AACPS and will need a parent signature.
Advisory Assignments
By Friday, August 23, 2024, advisory assignments will be posted on our website for students to view. Advisories are assigned by grade and last name. Students will report to their assigned advisory on the first of day school, August 26 and August 27, 2024.
Class of 2025 Senior Sunrise Breakfast
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, officers for the Class of 2025 are hosting a Senior Sunrise at the stadium field. T-shirts are on sale. Please reach out to the Class Officers.
Senior Portraits
Lifetouch will be here again on September 11, 12, and 13, from 10 am to 4 pm if you missed portraits in August or wish to retake. To schedule a time for your portrait, please use this link, https://schedule.prestigeportraits.com/schedule/home.html. For your portrait to be included in the yearbook, it must be taken by October 30, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Alvanos, 410-867-7100 or balvanos@aacps.org.
Underclassmen Portraits
Lifetouch will be here on September 5 and 6 for underclass yearbook pictures.
Download AACPS’ mobile app! At the end of the school year, AACPS announced the launch of a new mobile app aimed at providing a convenient, customizable avenue for families and the public to access information. The mobile app is available in Apple and Google Play stores by searching “Anne Arundel County Public Schools.”
The mobile app features:
Live feed of news and social media posts
Events calendar with phone sync
Push notifications
Customized communities where individuals can follow specific schools
Intuitive technology that adapts to phone language settings
Please take a moment to download the app. Next week, I will be sending out a short message to test run our new system.
Emergency Card Portal is available to parents for the 2024-2025 school year at aacps.org. An email with a unique PIN and directions to complete the form was sent via email to the student’s primary contact. If you have not yet completed the Emergency Card Verification please do so. If you need your student’s PIN or have other questions, please call the school office at 410-867-7100.
Transportation, bus numbers and bus stops, have been released. Please take a moment to check the bus schedule for time and location for pick up. Click this link for Southern’s Bus Stop List.
Lunches for the 2024-2025 school year will be $3.00. You can apply for free and/or reduced meals online. Click on this link to apply.
PTSO needs your support!! PTSO meets monthly, on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. PTSO is a vital part of the success of Southern High and its students. All memberships and fundraising proceeds are used to purchase technology for the school, support school wide events, celebrate our students and teachers, and more. Please visit the PTSO table at the Back To School Night to join and be a part of our PTSO!
Parents, please support Southern by joining our Athletic Booster Program!! Southern Sports Booster is a vital part of the success of Southern’s athletic program. This fundraiser can be used to purchase equipment for all sports (trophy cases, bocce courts, batting cages) field house maintenance, press box improvements, transportation for student athletes to special events, state championship jerseys, HUDL, Family ID, the Senior Sports Awards Banquet, and much more. Also, our Athletic Booster needs help with concessions. Please consider signing up for at least one shift at the snack shack. If a parent for each family volunteered at least one shift at the snack shack, the snack shack could be open for all fall home games. Please contact Southern’s Athletic Boosters, southernsportsboosters@gmail.com, to learn more.
Please feel free to contact administration or school counselors if you have any questions or concerns. If you need to contact me directly, please feel free to email me at: aahopkins1@aacps.org.
Sincerely,
Angela Hopkins
Principal
Southern High