Good evening RAMFAM! This is your proud Parkside principal, Brian Briggs. I’m looking forward to 2 more weeks of great instruction and fun with the RAMFAM leading into the Winter Holiday Break. We had another great week here at Parkside and here are just a few highlights:
· We are thrilled to announce that the following PHS students have been selected for the 2025 All State Chorus!!! This is the LARGEST number of students from Parkside to date!!!!
All State Junior Mixed Chorus:
Rickelle Simpson-Henry – Alto
All State Senior Mixed Chorus:
Audrey Gawel - Alto 2
Banyu Arilaha - Tenor 1
Sophia Bailey - Tenor 1
Pascal Louis-Jacques - Tenor 1
Joshua Strickland - Bass 1
We are so proud of you all!
· On Friday morning, we recognized a large group of students with a RAMdom Pride Award that was written by one of their teachers for displaying true RAMFAM characteristics. They each received a certificate and a coupon for a free snack in the cafeteria. In addition, a drawing will be held at the end of the month for a gift card for anyone who received a RAMdom Pride award during the month of December. We love to recognize the RAMFAM who always go above and beyond to make this the great school that it is.
· This week, 36 of our Parkside CTE teachers found out from Rammy that they were nominated for our Parkside CTE Teacher of the Year Award! We have so many amazing teachers here at Parkside CTE and we have plenty who weren't nominated who are certainly worthy. We are proud of each of these teachers and can't wait to see who our Parkside CTE Teacher of the Year will be. Thank you to all the RAMFAM families and students who nominated one of our teachers!
· We celebrated Navon “Von” Vanriper, Class of 2028, for his artwork being selected by Superintendent Dr. Stauffer as the 2024 Wicomico County Public Schools Holiday Card that will go out to all staff members. Von created his snowy winter scene while as an 8th grader last year at Bennett Middle School. Von’s artwork is gorgeous and was the perfect choice for the WCPS Holiday Card!
· Our Parkside Marching RAMS were practicing daily for the 2024 Jaycees Salisbury Christmas Parade and sounded amazing going up and down the front parking lot and getting us all into the Holiday spirit. We can’t wait to hear them play in the parade that starts at 1 PM on Sunday, December 8th. They will be next to last in the parade and will be right in front of Santa!
· Our Parkside Boys Soccer team and Logan Newton were both recognized for their accomplishments this past fall season by the Wicomico County Council. The soccer team was recognized for being a state finalist in 2A and Logan for being the first back-to-back 2 time Bayside Cross Country champion for Parkside High School. Congratulations again to both of you!
I am a big believer in communication and making sure that everyone knows what is happening here at Parkside, home of the RAMS. See below for important updates/reminders and dates over the next few months.
Important dates upcoming:
· December 10th - Apprenticeship Interest Meeting – 5 till 7 PM in PHS Auditorium
· December 11th – FAFSA Workshop with Wor-Wic Community College from 4 till 6 PM in the PHS Media Center
· December 16th-20th – Parkside CTE Holiday Spirit Week
· December 16th – Midterm progress reports posted
· December 18th – Winter Holiday Concert
· December 23rd – January 3rd – Schools closed for students for Winter Break (Parkside CTE offices will be open 12/23, 12/26-27, 12/30, and 1/2-3)
I would like to take the time to send some special shout outs to the following, last week we did inadvertently leave one person off 2 of the lists so these are the corrected versions:
· RAMFAM scholars who had straight As for the 1st marking term
· RAMFAM scholars who made the honor roll for the first marking term
· RAMFAM scholars who had perfect attendance for the 1st marking term (excused or unexcused)
Updates/Reminders:
· This past week MSDE released ESSA star ratings for schools in Maryland. Parkside received a 3 star rating which is the same that we received in 2023. Parkside is committed to being the best school possible and will be working diligently to improve upon this star rating over the next couple of years. Here is a document that contains additional information pertaining to ESSA start ratings.
ESSA PDF
· The following message was sent out to all Wicomico County Public School families the other evening. I wanted to let everyone know that we will be doing this for the first time this coming Monday, December 9th for the 5 PM basketball game. Thanks in advance for your assistance as we prioritize safety here in Wicomico County Public Schools.
The Wicomico County Board of Education and Wicomico County Public Schools are committed to advancing the safety and security of events at our schools. In support of that goal, Wicomico Schools (WCPS) is pleased to introduce a significant security enhancement that will be implemented for the remainder of the 2024 – 2025 school year.
Beginning the week of December 9th, we will be utilizing weapon detection units at various WCPS sporting events, after-school activities, and randomly at various schools to detect weapons and other prohibited items. These items include but are not limited to firearms, knives, and other objects that could pose a threat to others. Any person who refuses to be screened via the detection process will not be permitted to enter the WCPS venue or property.
This technology involves a walk-through detection system designed to identify and prevent unauthorized or potentially harmful items from being brought onto our campuses. This new security process includes checking bags and will take place alongside other existing security measures including School Resource Officers and campus security personnel. The new weapon detection units will provide an extra layer of protection for everyone in our school community.
As we roll out this new process, we understand this may cause some delays entering extracurricular events and during school and ask for your patience as we navigate the changes. We are confident that with the community's support and cooperation, our students and staff will quickly adapt to the new procedures, allowing us to maintain an efficient and secure entry process.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create the safest possible learning environments for students, staff, families and other visitors.
· Some families may have recently received a form for the student's physical examination to be completed. The reason is that the nurses are doing a file check. No form was found and/or signed by a physician, which it is a requirement of the state. Please complete those and return to the Parkside front office. Thanks in advance!
Thank you again RAMFAM for all you do! I am so proud to work with so many great students, families, and staff.
Thanks,
Brian