 Parents, teachers, and administrators working together 
Friday, February 21, 2014
Administration
As you know, it is very important that we have your most up-to-date contact information.
We know that throughout the school year your address, telephone, e-mail or job may
change. Updating your information with the school can be easily done through your
Edline account. Simply log-in and find the link titled “Emergency Information Form”.
This link will take you to the page where you can edit your information by selecting your
child and clicking on the “Begin Input” button. We strongly recommend that you use this
process if your information has changed.
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We also want to let you know that a network-based electronic visitor management
system has been implemented at Springbrook High School to assist staff in identifying
and verifying business of visitors to the school. This new visitor management system is
part of a systemwide Montgomery County Schools initiative that eventually will be
implemented in all schools.
The new visitor management system is an automated system that replaces the current
paper/pencil sign-in/out logs for visitors. The new system will provide a computer,
scanner, and printer to the school. Visitors' driver's licenses will be scanned, and those
without identification will manually enter their information. All visitors will receive a
badge to wear while in the school building.
To read letter that was sent home to parents from MCPS:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/springbrookhs/homepage
/vms-english.pdf (English)
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/springbrookhs/homepage
/vms-spanish.pdf (Spanish)
Calendar
Sunday, February 23
o After Prom On-line Auction ends at 10:00 pm
Thursday, February 27
o Swim and Dive Team Awards Dinner at 6:30 pm in
the Cafeteria
Friday, February 28
o Career Exposé 7:30 am - 12 pm (during school day)
o Early Release Day
o Thailand Dinner at 7 - 9 pm in the Cafeteria,
Details: Dress to impress attire. Tickets in advance:
$50 per couple, $30 per person, $10 per student. At
the door: $60 per couple, $35 per person, $15 per
student. A full course dinner with entertainment will
be enjoyed.
Saturday, March 1
o Spring Sports season begins
Thursday, March 6
o ASVAB Testing during the school day – Check with
the Counseling Department if interested
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Friday, March 7
o Third Quarter Interims/Progress Reports
March 10 – 11
o Spring Sport Team Photos during the school day
Wednesday, March 12
o Career and College Readiness Workshop at 7 pm in
the Cafeteria
Saturday, March 15
o Swing into Spring Dinner Dance at 7 pm in the
Cafeteria
Tuesday, March 18
o SGA Blood Drive during the school day
o PTSA Meeting at 7 pm in the Media Center
Friday, March 21
o “Little Shop of Horrors” – SHS Spring Play at 7 pm in
the Auditorium
Saturday, March 22
o “Little Shop of Horrors” – SHS Spring Play at 7 pm in
the Auditorium
News from the PTSA
Springbrook High School PTSA After-Prom Online Auction is Open,
and we need bidders!
Go to www.biddingforgood.com/springbrook to see this amazing auction!
Bid on 263 GREAT PRIZES until Sunday, February 23 at 10 pm.
Don't miss your chance to snag a bargain!
HUNGRY? Choose from 68 RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATES including: Azul
17, Black Market Bistro, Cheesecake Factory, Eggspectations, Grill Marx,
Green Turtle, Jewel of India, El Andariego, Lebanese Taverna, Mamma
Lucia, Mandalay, Mark’s Kitchen, Pasta Plus, Pete’s New Haven Style
Apizza, Nando’s Peri-Peri, SweetGreen, Ranazul, and many more‼ Or, snag
some of the FOOD and GOURMET items including Whole Foods, Sniders,
cupcakes, elaborate cakes and other desserts for special occasions.
GOING TO THE PROM? Check out the Complete Tuxedo Rental, Limousine and
Florist items.
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LOOKING FOR A SHOW? How about tickets to Arena Stage, Clarice Smith
Performing Arts Center, the Folger, Olney Theater, Woolly Mammoth,
Imagination Stage or the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra? Maybe you would
rather catch a movie at The Majestic (Regal) or Centerpark (AMC), or go
see The Capital Steps.
WANT TO GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING? Try Sandy Spring Adventure Park,
Laser Tag, Canoeing, horseback riding or skiing. Feeling more like
looking than doing? Figure out which of the more than a dozen museums,
gardens and house tours are best for you.
WANT TO GET HEALTHIER? Try to decide which personal trainers, massage,
chiropractor, yoga classes, spa, gym or YMCA membership is best for you.
SPORTS FAN? Thumb through the Nationals, Capitols, Redskins, Terrapins,
NASCAR and Orioles items.
NEED TO LEARN STUFF? Take a look at the driving school items, ring
making workshop, pottery making and knitting classes!
WANT SOMETHING NOBODY ELSE HAS? Take a look at the original artwork and
jewelry by local artists.
WANT TO THROW A POKER PARTY TO END ALL POKER PARTIES? Have World
Series of Poker host and nationally syndicated sportswriter Norman Chad host a
poker party for 8 in your home, catered by Toni’s Kitchen.
NEED TO GET OUT OF TOWN? Bid on Vamoose and Megabus tickets. Stay at
hotels in Maryland, Virginia, Atlanta or Dallas. Or, throw caution to
the wind and spend seven nights at the resort of your choice.
DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT? Consider bidding on the Personal Life
Coaching or Organizational Coaching items.
WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, YOU ARE CHOOSING TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE ON
PROM NIGHT! THANK YOU! www.biddingforgood.com/springbrook
Questions? Contact Eileen Hollander at [email protected]
For more information about the PTSA, click on the PTSA tab of the Springbrook
website:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/parents/index.aspx
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Counseling Department
Registration Information:
Counselors will be visiting with students in English and ESOL classes now through
March 3rd to register students for classes for the 2014-2015 school year. All
registration forms were due to the counseling office by February 12th. It is important
that parents review their child’s course selections carefully.
For more information, please contact the Counseling Department at 301-989-5710.
Scholarship Opportunities:
Women’s Board Scholarship Program
Each year, the Women’s Board (supporters of MedStar Montgomery Medical Center),
awards scholarships to students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in
the healthcare field. Scholarships may be applied to student’s tuition, room, board
and fees. Last year, 13 high school seniors were awarded scholarships, ranging
from $1,000-$4,000.
To apply, go to MedStarMontgomery.org/Scholarship. Scholarship applications and
all documentation are due no later than March 14, 2014 at Noon. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact the Women’s Board via email at
[email protected] or leave a message at 301-774-8840.
Beat the Odds Scholarship
Attention sophomores and juniors! Win $10,000 in the 2014 Children’s Defense
Fund’s Beat the Odds® Scholarship program! If you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher,
write an essay about an experience you have overcome. Applications are due by
Friday, February, 28, 2914. Springbrook’s last winner was in 2006!
To apply, go to: http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs-campaigns/youthdevelopment-leadership/beat-the-odds/washington-dc/
College Readiness:
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline is Saturday, March
1, 2014. You can apply for the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students and
parents must have their individual pin numbers to submit the online application.
For specific questions, please call the FAFSA customer service line at -1-800-4333243. In addition, seniors with a 2.5 or higher GPA, and demonstrate financial need,
may apply for the 2014-2015 Guaranteed Access Grant. Application deadline is
also March 1, 2014.
College Success/College Preparation and Scholarship Fair:
May 10, 2014 from 1 - 4 pm at The Universities at Shady Grove. Excellent
Opportunity for 9th to 12th grade students. Flyers are available in seven languages.
See counselor for more information.
Colleges Visiting Springbrook:
Virginia State University, Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 8:30 - 10:00 am.
(Rescheduled from snow date.)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma
Programme (IBDP)
If you are interested in helping to invigilate (proctor) the Diploma Programme Papers
(IBO’s version of end of course examinations) in May, please volunteer. It is a great
way to see one of the at least three assessments students take in Diploma Programme
courses. One to two invigilators will be needed for each morning or afternoon
examination session. No prior experience is needed and training will be
provided. Parents may not invigilate a session in which their child is examining. Please
consult the IBDP examination schedule on Springbrook’s website (Testing Information
or the Diploma Programme pages) for dates:
(http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/springbrookhs/ib/may_20
14_exam_sched.pdf
For more information please contact Mr. Griffiths at: [email protected]
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Fine Arts Department
On February 21st, Springbrook hosted its second annual Middle School Night. Middle
School students from the area came to work with the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors,”
learned songs, presented a showcase for parents, and received a free ticket to the
show.
“Little Shop of Horrors” opens next month, March 21st, and runs March 22nd, 28th,
and 29th.
For more information please contact Ms. DeTroye at [email protected]
Journalism Department
“It's all storytelling, you know. That's what journalism is all about.”
- Tom Brokaw
Have you considered signing up to take Journalism next year? Join us for a year of
excitement! Be a part of the staff at the Springbrook High School newspaper, The
Blueprint. Learn the art and craft of writing, editing, photographing and documenting
news. The Blueprint is dedicated to reporting news that is relevant to our school and
surrounding community. Visit us online at: www.theblueprintnewspaper.com, the
official student news site of Springbrook High School
Help the Blue Devils AND earn some money for yourself?
Yes, it is true. The staff of The Blueprint, our student newspaper, is hosting a flea
market in the parking lot of White Oak Middle School on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Space is $20, and all proceeds will go to defray the publishing costs
of the newspaper. This is a great way to clean out your house or apartment and
contribute to a terrific cause. Save the date!
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Spring is in the Air!
In addition to waving a hearty goodbye to the snow, it is also time when the yearbook
staff puts the finishing touches on this year’s edition of the yearbook. The staff is
excited to announce that spring sports will be included in this year’s book. Sales
have been brisk lately, and we have sold half of the books. Reserve your copy ASAP
by going to www.jostensyearbooks.com or by sending your child to school with
$70. In-school orders may be made in room E314.
Parents, there is still time to purchase a senior ad in the yearbook to applaud your
child’s accomplishments as she or she gets closer to graduation. The deadline is
March 4, 2014.
Journalism Booster Club
As our journalism program grows, so does the need for assistance from the
community. The 2014-15 school year will be an important one for the program as the
major scholastic journalism convention (NSPA) will be held in Washington,
DC. There are tentative plans to bring the Journalism 1 and Newspaper students to
this convention, and it’s never too early to plan for this fun and educational event. If
you are willing to assist with these preparations or with the formation of a parent
group that would support the Journalism program at Springbrook HS, please contact
Tim Hibberd.
For more information on these events or on anything connected with the
Journalism program, contact Journalism adviser Tim Hibberd at
[email protected]
Science Department
Springbrook will host our first STEM Fair on March 19th at 7 pm!
Please feel free to come out and support out students, who will be displaying their
projects ranging from art using technology to mechanical engineering! This is going to
be a great night!! We have already received an invitation acceptance from the NGA
(National Geospatial Intelligence Agency).
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If you work for/with an organization that could either donate supplies for our students or
help in any other way, please contact Serenity Moore at
[email protected]. If you want to see how wonderful our students are,
just stop in on Wednesday, March 19th! Thank You!!
Music Department / Music Boosters
News:
The US Army Field Band performed at Springbrook on January 24, 2014. Students
were treated to a wide range of music.
Events:
 February 12 and March 3 – Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Members will return
again this year to work with Orchestra students. This is a great opportunity for
these students to work closely with professional musicians in small group
instruction. The students were invited to attend an orchestra concert on
February 1st at the Strathmore.
 February 15 -- The Symphonic Band was one of three school bands selected for
the National Band Directors Conference Workshop at Oxon Hill High School.
We are pleased because this is a GREAT educational opportunity! Someone will
work with each section of the band.
 February 27 -- The Jazz Combo will perform at the Baltimore Washington
Corridor Chamber Association, at Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum, MD.
They will donate a scholarship for a senior music student. This year, the
recipient will be a senior from the Jazz Band.
 February 25 -- Please support our Pizza Sale right after school.
 March 15 – SWING INTO SPRING, 7- 10 pm in the Brook Café
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this fun evening of dinner, dancing
and live music, all performed by our music students. Reserve your seats early to
catch the discounted price!
(Please see attached flyer for reservation details.)
Another highlight of the evening is our Silent Auction. Your tax-deductible
donations of gift cards, culinary specialties, services and all items in good shape
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will help make our SWING INTO SPRING dinner-dance and silent auction a
success.
Please contact [email protected] by March 1 to discuss
and/or to arrange a convenient pick up. THANK YOU!
The Music Boosters holds its monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at
7:00 pm. Please join us. We would love to see more supporters of the program. Look
out for information about future music events and fundraisers, which will be sent through
this forum. You can also find us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/SpringbrookHsMusic or contact us by email at:
[email protected]
Athletic Department /Athletic Boosters
News:
 Congratulations to our football players who signed national letters of intent for
the NCAA: Alex Evans, East Carolina University; Julian Granby, Bowie State
University; and Tatah Ndeh, Shepherd University!!
 Springbrook junior diver Micah Ho won the divisional diving
championship! Good luck at regions and states!!!
 The Blue Devil boys basketball team is currently 19-2 and is the 4A East Division
champions. They have locked up the top seed in section II of the 4A North
region. State tournament brackets for boys and girls basketball will be drawn on
Sunday, February 23rd.
 The boys and girls swim teams have broken 8 school records this year! Names,
events and times will be posted in the next “News from the Brook” due to the fact
that there is still a lot of swimming to be done, and hopefully more records will
fall!!!
 Congratulations to senior long distance runner Karen Escobedo for qualifying in
2 events for the Maryland Indoor track championships to be held on Tuesday,
March 18th at the PG Sportsplex.
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Important dates and upcoming events:
 March 1st is the deadline to nominate individuals for the inaugural class of the
Springbrook Athletic Hall of Fame. See our website at
www.springbrookathletics.org for a nomination form and additional information.
 Baseball, Softball, Boys/Girls Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Boys and Coed
Volleyball, Boys Tennis and Gymnastics start March 1st. All athletes must have
a current physical on file to participate. Make those doctor’s appointments now!
 Baseline testing for spring sports will be done March 5th and March 6th. See
your respective coaches for time slots.
 Spring sports team pictures are scheduled for March 10th and 11th.
Community Tidbits
New Opportunities for Teens at White Oak Library
Teen Writers' Club meets every Wednesday through the end of May from 6:15 to
7:45 pm. Teens can meet others who share their interest in writing. They will learn
how to improve their writing, try new approaches, and experiment with creative
writing exercises that spark imagination. Most importantly, they will learn how to
give and receive constructive feedback on written pieces and advice on how to
overcome obstacles. Open to teen writers of fiction, nonfiction and
poetry. Registration not required.
Homework Helpers is a volunteer opportunity to earn SSL hours for good students
in grades 9-12 who are patient and mature and enjoy helping others. The Helpers
work with elementary school students to help them with homework problems when
they are "stuck." Helpers are needed every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 6:00
pm. Contact librarian Tina Rawhouser at 240-773-9555.
White Oak Library is located at 11701 New Hampshire Ave. 240-773-9650
Contact: Tina Rawhouser, Head, Adult and Teen Services:
[email protected]
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College and Career Readiness … Don’t Leave High School Without It!
Workshop on Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00–8:30 pm at Springbrook
It’s not too soon to talk with your child about college and careers. Rigorous and
relevant career programs of study are available at high schools in Montgomery
County Public Schools. Learn about high school programs that provide
opportunities for early college credit, industry certification, and internships. Your
child can prepare for college and their career while meeting all high school
graduation requirements. Join us to learn how career programs of study can
enhance your student’s high school experience.
To register for Parent Academy Workshops, go to:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/register.aspx
News from the Brook - Upcoming Publication Schedule
Publication Date
Deadline for Submission
Friday, March 7
Monday, March 3
Friday, March 21
Monday, March 17
Friday, April 4
Monday, March 31
Friday, May 2
Monday, April 28
Friday, May 16
Monday, May 12
Friday, May 30
Tuesday, May 27
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News from the Brook, point of contact: [email protected]
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