 Parents, teachers, and administrators working together 
Administration
Dear SHS Community,
Welcome to News from the Brook - a twice monthly publication – and the latest project from
SHS’s Communication Committee – a partnership between Springbrook High School’s PTSA
and staff. In that spirit, I would like to acknowledge and thank the parent members of the
Communication Committee: Ann Coletti, Margaret Smith , Garland DeMarco, Reva Gambrell,
and Evelyn Sesay. News from the Brook is the result of their work and dedication to
Springbrook High School.
On another note, PSAT scores are in and will be distributed to students next week in their
homerooms. Please take a close look at your child’s scores. We strongly recommend that they
register for AP or IB courses next year if they scored a 145 or above.
If your child is interested in joining our 10th or 11th grade International Baccalaureate Cohort/
Diploma Programme next year, please note that we are still accepting applications which can be
found at: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/ib/ibdp.aspx
Please contact Mr. Griffiths, IB Coordinator, if you have any questions (301) 989-5700.
It is our sincere hope that News from the Brook will keep you updated on our latest news and
information.
Enjoy!
Daniel E. García
Assistant Principal
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Upcoming Dates
Friday, January 17th:
2nd marking period ends
Grapple at the Brook XVI (Wrestling Tournament) at 4:00 pm in
the Gym
Saturday, January 18th:
Grapple at the Brook XVI at 10:00 am in the Gym
Monday, January 20th:
Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21st:
Professional Day - No School for Students
PTSA Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Media Center – (Guidance
Department -- new courses next year and course registration info)
Wednesday, January 22nd
Online Advanced Placement exam registration begins
Friday, January 24th
US Army Field Band Performance at 12:30 pm in the Auditorium
Thursday, January 30th:
Report Cards Distributed
Tuesday, February 4th:
Music Boosters at 7:00 pm in Room D108
Wednesday, February 5th:
Athletic Boosters at 7:00 pm in Cafeteria
PTSA News
Happy New Year! Your PTSA has been working hard to help enhance our students' academic
and social emotional development. We are building our community at Springbrook and seeking
engagement of Springbrook parents and the wider community. One of our primary goals is to
improve the communication flow between the school and the parents
Here are a few January highlights:
Newsletter - The PTSA Communications committee has collaborated with Springbrook's
Communication Action Team to launch this newsletter to provide families with the latest news
about Springbrook.
Membership - The Membership co-chairs, have focused their efforts on increasing our
membership. Our current membership is 268. We still need more members to make our goal for
the year. It is not too late to join! You'll find a membership form on the Springbrook website
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/parents/index.aspx
After Prom - The After Prom's major fundraiser, the online auction, is just days away! Bidding
begins on Friday, January 31, at 8:00 am and ends on Friday, February 23, at 10:00 pm. Go to
www.biddingforgood.com/springbrook to take a look at the great variety of items to be
auctioned off (134 and growing!).
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Join us for our next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 pm. Our guest speaker
will be Ms. Eileen Lisker, head of the Guidance Department, who will give a preview of new
classes for next year and discuss the course selection process.
Counseling Department
Counselors will be visiting 9th, 10th and 11th grade English classes early in February to
distribute materials for course registration for the 2014 - 2015 school year. Dates for the visits
will be announced soon.
The deadline for the Montgomery Scholars Program has been extended to January 31st. Visit
http://montgomerycollege.edu/admissions/MCScholars.
The deadline for the Board of Trustees Academic Specialty Scholarship is April 30th. Visit
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/BOTscholarship
College Goal Sunday is February 9th. Free FAFSA assistance. Register online at
http://collegegoalsunday.org/ or call 1-877-632-4709.
Guaranteed Access Grant. Online application and counselor form required. Visit
http://mdcap.mhec.state.md.us to create a student account.
Scholarship opportunity. Free online application available for the Herb Block Scholarship. No
GPA requirement. 4 required essays for up to $8,000! Visit www.herbblockfoundation.org
Please visit the Career Center for more scholarship information.
Choir/Theatre
This month, the Choral and Guitar students participated in the Winter Concert. The concert
featured over 80 musicians and contained music from multiple countries and several musical
eras. The Winter Concert was a wonderful way to end the semester for all of the hardworking
choral and guitar students!
Today (January 17th), the Springbrook Theatre Department is participating in an all-day countywide Festival at Blake High School. At the festival, theatre students prepare songs, monologues,
skits, and portfolios that are critiqued and adjudicated by theatre professionals. This is the first
year that Springbrook has participated in this event.
On February 21st, the Theatre Department will be hosting the second annual Middle School
Night from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Middle school students learn scenes and songs from “Little
Shop of Horrors,” meet the cast, perform in a showcase, and receive one free ticket to the Spring
Musical. For more information about registration, please contact Emily DeTroye at
[email protected].
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Math Department
Springbrook High School’s Math Team is ranked 6th countywide! Note that the first three
schools are magnet schools. This speaks volumes about our math department and the students
who reside here. As a matter of fact, at the hardest meet (3 weeks ago), SHS actually scored
higher than all schools in the county, except for Blair High School (a magnet program). It was
during the ‘power’ round, where proofs are needed to be written. We believe this sends a
message, countywide, that even non-magnet schools can compete with the best in the county.
In addition, MCPS’ math team was 7th overall in the USA at last year’s ARML (American
Regions Math league). Again, this shows how competitive our county is, compared with the best
in the country.
We have three meets left and hopefully, we’ll be able to catch up to one of those schools above
us.  I think we can do it!!
Ranking
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7
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10
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12
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15
16
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20
21
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School Name
Blair
Richard Montgomery
Poolesville
Churchill
Wootton
Springbrook
Walter Johnson
Bethesda Chevy Chase
Whitman
Northwest
Watkins Mill
Einstein
Gaithersburg
Wheaton
Kennedy
Seneca Valley
Paint Branch
Magruder
Blake
Rockville
Sherwood
Northwood
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Season
totals
195
138
134
116
108
97
69
54
51
35
35
28
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13
12
11
10
8
4
3
3
0
Music Boosters
The Instrumental Music Boosters is an organization of parents, students, staff, and interested
community members who come together to benefit the award winning instrumental music
program at Springbrook, and ultimately, the entire student body. Join us in supporting the
Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Drum line, Jazz Band and Jazz Combo.
Music Booster meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Band Room. Our
next meeting is February 4th. All are welcome. For more information, contact us at
[email protected] or Mr. Wyman Jones at
[email protected].
Springbrook’s Music Director, Mr. Wyman Jones, has won several awards and much recognition
for his directing and teaching over the years. Congratulations to Mr. Jones on his latest award:
being selected as one of the recipients of the Living Legacy Award, co-sponsored by the
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and Farmers
Insurance.
The 2014 Living Legacy Awardees are distinguished African American men and women from
across the country engaged in extraordinary work to improve communities, institutions,
organizations and family life through the vehicle of education.
Stay tuned for information about future music events and fundraisers, which will be sent through
this forum. You can also check us out on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/SpringbrookHsMusic
Athletic Department
The Springbrook Athletic Department wishes everyone a Happy New Year!!!
Fall sports have been completed and the winter season is at the halfway point. We would like to
congratulate all teams and athletes for their effort, sportsmanship and representation of our
school.
 The following athletes were chosen “Most Outstanding” by their respective teams this
fall:
 Cross Country (Boys), Dawit Tegegn; Cross Country (Girls), Karen Escobedo;
 JV Cheer, Semira Bullock;
 V Field Hockey, Angelica Darling; JV Field Hockey, Lauren Johnson;
 V Football, Neiman Blaine; JV Football, Takah Collins;
 Golf, Lauren Moore;
 V Boys Soccer, Robert Galvin; JV Boys Soccer, Andrew Mair;
 V Girls Soccer, Akayla Gardner; JV Girls Soccer, Kristine Nguyen;
 Girls Tennis, Laurette Tekeudo;
 V Girls Volleyball, Maggie Wartman; JV Girls Volleyball, Damilola Ajayi
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Athletic Department announcements and upcoming dates and events:
 Springbrook High School is proud to announce the hiring of Andy Coleman as our new
baseball coach. Coach Coleman is a 1988 graduate of Seneca Valley high School and
was named All Met Player of the Year that season. He played baseball at the University
of Maryland Baltimore County. He resides in Ellicott City with his wife and 3 kids.
 Congratulations to sophomore swimmer Catherine Johnson for breaking the Springbrook
High school record in the 50 free with a time of 24:20!!!
 The annual “Grapple at the Brook” wrestling tournament will be held on January 17th
and 18th at Springbrook. 16 teams from Maryland and Virginia will be here competing.
 Boy’s Basketball is currently unbeaten in regular season play with a record of 7-0 and is
ranked #25 in the Washington Post. The team currently holds a collective GPA of 3.01!
 Springbrook is excited to announce we are now accepting nominations for next fall’s
inaugural class of the Springbrook Athletic Hall of Fame. We have a very proud
tradition in athletics and would like to honor our past athletes, coaches, administrators or
community members. To nominate someone, please visit our website
www.springbrookathletics.org
 The Athletic Booster Club is in search of new members. We meet the first Wednesday
of every month at 7:00 pm in the school cafeteria.
 Spring sports start March 1st. All athletes must have a current physical on file to
participate. Make those doctor’s appointments now!
Go Blue Devils!!!
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
A few Springbrook alumni who completed the full IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) came to
speak to and answer questions about the IBDP of students and parents on December 18th. The
students, who have graduated or currently attending colleges and universities such as McGill,
Haverford, U of MD – College Park, New York University, Vanderbilt, Mount Holyoke, and the
University of Virginia, shared the benefits and realities of participating in the most rigorous
program any high school has to offer. The sharing of experiences as Springbrook students in the
IBDP was greatly appreciated by all in attendance.
Applications for the tenth grade cohort of students interested in participating in the IB Diploma
Programme during their eleventh and twelfth grade years have been turned in. Fifty-five current
ninth grade students have requested to be members of the cohort. The purpose of the cohort is to
create a community of learners focused around a common endeavor: participating in the IB
Diploma Programme. It is hoped that the cohort will help students build relationships with each
other to provide emotional and academic support as they progress through a rigorous academic
program. Students participating in the cohort will take Honors English 10, AP U.S. Government
and Politics, Honors Chemistry, a world language, math at the appropriate level, and any of the
arts/P.E./technology courses needed for MSDE (Maryland Department of Education) graduation
requirements.
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Forty-seven current tenth grade students have submitted applications to participate in the IB
Diploma Programme starting in the 2014 – 2015 school year. Most of the applicants are
interested in participating in the full program, which requires them to take six Diploma
Programme subjects, and completion of the program core (Creativity, Action, Service; Extended
Essay; Theory of Knowledge) over the next two years. Graduates of the IBDP are more than
prepared for any level of post-secondary education and beyond, and typically receive higher
college and university admissions rates over students in the general population.
Advanced Placement
Registration for Advanced Placement exams will be taking place beginning on January 22,
2014. This year each AP exam costs $92.56 ($89.00 + $3.56 processing fee). All registrations
will take place online and parents can pay by credit card if desired. To register go to:
http://www.totalregistration.net/AP/210969
Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Meal Subsidies (FARMs) can request exam waivers
during the online registration process. Families who do not currently qualify for Federal
subsidies can petition for financial assistance during the registration process as well.
Regular AP exam registration continues through February 12, 2014. Late registration,
February 13, 2014 through February 21, 2014, will incur an additional $20 late fee per
registration. All registrations must be paid by February 24, 2014 or the exams will not be
ordered.
More information and the AP exam schedule are available in the Bulletin for AP Students and
Parents which students received before final exams, and on Springbrook’s website under Testing
Information: http://springbrookhs.org/aboutus/testing.aspx
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP)
The IB MYP Personal Projects are in full swing. We have about 150 sophomores participating.
The projects are due to their supervisors the week of March 17, 2014. For more information:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/ib/PersonalProject.aspx.
Journalism Department
Parents – It is that time of year again! The staff of the yearbook wants you to know that time is
running out to reserve a copy of this year’s yearbook for your child. Go to the school’s website
and select the “Order your yearbook” button on the left side of the page or simply go to
www.jostensyearbooks.com
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To address the financial issues from the past few years, fewer books have been ordered this year.
As a result, all books will surely sell. Reserve your copy ASAP. The parents of seniors are also
reminded that it is also the time to recognize your child’s impending graduation with a Senior
Recognition ad in the yearbook. Space is very limited, so it is suggested that you reserve your
space now and build your ad later. Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to reserve your ad space.
Web News
National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist
Congratulations to Springbrook's William Uko for being named a National Achievement
Scholarship Semifinalist!
The National Achievement® Scholarship Program is an academic competition established in
1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students. Of the more
than 160,000 students who currently enter the National Achievement® Program each year, over
4,700 are honored. A group of about 3,100 Outstanding Participants are referred to colleges for
their potential for academic success. A smaller group of about 1,600 are named Semifinalists,
the only students who have an opportunity to advance in the competition for National
Achievement Scholarships.
Springbrook Students Win Posse Awards
Springbrook High School was the only school in the NEC to have three Posse scholarship
award recipients! Founded in 1989, Posse identifies public high school students with
extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college
selection processes. Posse extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and
academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams (Posses) of 10 students.
Posse partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership
scholarships.
Springbrook has three recipients of the Posse award this year. They are: Jonathan Brown,
Swanee University; Tariro Kandemiri, Swanee University; and Anthony Ramos, Bucknell
University (Chemical Engineering). They were all awarded four-year full-tuition
scholarships. Congratulations to all!
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Harris Kelly, 12th grader, is interning at the Department of Commerce Green
Store in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, January 8, Harris was given an award
to thank him for his hard work. The award was presented by Ellen Herbst, Chief
Financial Officer of the Department of Commerce. The “Green Store”
repurposes office supplies within the Department of Commerce. Since opening
this summer, it has saved over $130,000.
News from the Brook, point of contact: [email protected]
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