Good evening RAMFAM! This is your proud Parkside principal, Brian Briggs.
I want to take a moment to thank the many students who come to school each day ready to learn, who follow expectations, and who choose to do the right thing without causing disruption. Your efforts create a positive and safe environment where everyone can thrive, and that makes a real difference for our entire school community. Too often the spotlight can fall on challenges, but it is important to recognize that the majority of our students are consistently making good choices and contributing to the success of Parkside CTE. To those students—and to the families who support them at home—please know that your commitment and partnership are deeply appreciated. Together, you embody what it means to be part of the RAMFAM.
We had another great week here at Parkside CTE and here are just a few highlights:
· Wow! What an incredible Parkside 2025 Homecoming Week! Our staff and students did an incredible job. Special shout out to Mrs. Daniel and Mrs. Hazzard, our SGA advisors, and SGA for putting on an incredible week. From the spirit days to the Pep Rally, to the football game, and finally culminating in the HOCO Dance last evening, a great time was had by all. It was great seeing over 600 RAMFAM last night dancing the night away and having a blast. Our hallways and gymnasium were transformed into a gorgeous golden 50th HOCO celebration thanks to SGA, along with an assist by our RAMbassadors. Thanks again to everyone for a phenomenal Parkside Homecoming Week!
· Parkside students and staff continue to help make this a better community and world by helping others. Our French National Honor Society volunteered at HALO handing out meals. As a community school we had a baked goods distribution on Friday morning (and will have another one this coming Friday, October 3rd).
· Our sports teams continued to have strong seasons with the highlights of this week being our Varsity Boys Soccer and JV Football remaining undefeated on the season while our Varsity Golf Team won their 1st match of the season and knocking off previously undefeated Stephen Decatur.
Important dates upcoming:
October 1st – Midterm progress reports posted
October 2nd – School Picture Day
October 3rd – Food Distribution (9 AM on Schumaker Drive Bus Ramp)
October 8th – FAFSA Help Session
October 17th – MSEA Convention – Schools Closed (school office open)
October 22nd - PSAT
October 27th – Parent/Teacher Visitations
October 30th – End of 1st marking term
October 31st – PD day for staff, schools closed for students
Updates/Reminders:
· This is just a reminder that the following are not permitted based on the Wicomico County Public Schools Dress Code: head coverings (including hats, hoods, do-rags, skull caps, visors, beanie/knit-caps, and bandanas), and tops that do not cover the stomach/midriff area. This will be addressed by administration/staff and students must comply with the dress code.
· School picture day will be October 2nd. See this flyer for more information:
Information from our College Counselor:
October College Visits:
Christopher Newport University, 10/13 @ 8:30 am
University of MD College Park, 10/13 @ 9:30 am
Lycoming College, 10/13 @ 10:35 am
Goucher College, 10/20 @10:35 am
Towson University, 10/23 @ 10:35 am
University of MD Baltimore, 10/28 @ 9:10 am
Washington College, 10/28 @10:35 am
FAFSA Info Session and Completion Events:
Seniors planning to attend college should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which opens October 1.
Parkside is partnering with Wor-Wic and Salisbury University’s Financial Aid Departments to host two FAFSA help sessions for students and families:
October 8, 4–6 PM – Learn how to complete the FAFSA, ask questions, or finish your application on-site! That’s right, get it done that night!
February 12, 4–6 PM – Last chance for assistance before the March 1 deadline.
Tip: The earlier you complete the FAFSA, the better.
Maryland’s Post-Secondary Success Campaign at Parkside!
Parkside is proud to participate in Maryland’s Post-Secondary Success Campaign dedicated to helping students prepare for life after high school.
Throughout the month of October, our school counselors will guide students through:
Navigating SchooLinks
Completing college applications
Exploring and navigating the Common App
Understanding and getting started with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Writing resumes tailored to both college and career opportunities
Searching and applying for scholarships
Preparing for job interviews and learning how to find job opportunities
In addition, students will have the chance to connect with college representatives, learn about military branches and enlistment options. There will be a special Spirit Week, along with refreshments, prizes, and more! October will be jam-packed with opportunities to take the first steps toward your future. Our goal is to provide every student with the tools, resources, and support to begin working toward their post-secondary goals, in the most stress-free environment possible. Stay tuned for more details!
Upcoming countywide events:
Family Success Night at SMS on Tuesday, September 30
Wicomico County Public Schools is hosting a Family Success Night on Tuesday, September 30th, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Salisbury Middle School (607 Morris Street; Salisbury, MD 21801). Childcare for ages 4-12 and interpreters for Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese will be available. A light dinner will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will focus on creating healthy and safe environments for families. Topics include:
1. Parenting Teens & Preteens;
2. Managing screen time and keeping your student safe online;
3. Bullying prevention and reporting;
4. Helping your student deal with trauma;
5. Tips for a peaceful home and managing student's feelings;
6. Strengthening Parent - Student Relationships;
7. Helping Your Students with Big Feelings: Calm Down Tools for Parents.
Workshops will be held during the following times: Session 1: 5:30 - 6:05 p.m.; Session 2: 6:10 - 6:45 p.m.; Session 3: 6:50 - 7:25 p.m.
To sign up to attend the second Family Success Night, click on one of these links:
Click here for the English Registration
Haga clic aquí para el Registro en Español
Klike la a pou Enskripsyon an Kreyòl Ayisyen
For more information about this Family Success Night, please see the attached documents.
We believe that parents/caregivers will find information at this event that will be beneficial to you. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Beth Sheller at msheller@mywcps.org . We hope to see you there.
Testing Updates:
PSAT Information for 9th and 11th grade families:
The Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will be administered in person at Parkside High School on Wednesday, October 22nd for any 9th grade student who wishes to experience taking a College Board test or for any 11th grade student who wishes to try to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. Those 9th and 11th grade students who wish to take the test will need to pay the $18 fee through the new payment program LiNQ no later than Friday, October 3rd. All 10th graders are automatically signed up to take the test, additional information will be coming to 10th grade families in the weeks ahead.
For more information on the PSAT/NMSQT you can visit the College Board website. If you have questions, please email Marla Schmidt, Parkside High School’s test coordinator at mschmidt@mywcps.org.
LiNQ Connect Flyer
MCAP Test Results:
Your child may have participated in the MCAP assessments this past Spring. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has now released data for the following subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. If your child participated in testing last spring, they will receive their individual score report(s) from one of their teachers.
Additional information:
If your student is interested in entering the 46th Annual University of Maryland High School Mathematics Competition. Please contact Mrs. Amey by Friday, October 10th to be registered.
Part I will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 1-3 pm which is PSAT day so students will have to come into school in the afternoon.
Part I of the Competition is open to all students enrolled in high schools in Maryland or the District of Columbia. It will be a multiple-choice test with 25 questions designed for computer grading. Part II will be open only to invited participants who performed well on Part I. About 2-3 weeks after the first test, the results from Part I, including a list of participants qualifying for Part II, will be sent to each school.
For more information on the contest, and for copies of past exams, please visit website:
http://mathcomp.math.umd.edu/
The top three overall scorers will be offered a scholarship for full tuition and expenses if and when they enroll at the University of Maryland (for non-seniors, this might be a few years from now). They will also receive $1000, $750, and $500, respectively. Furthermore, among those completing both parts of the Competition, the highest scorer in each county of Maryland, in the city of Baltimore, and in the District of Columbia will be awarded a prize of $100. The highest scorer who chooses to enroll at the University of Maryland in Fall 2026 and has not earned a full scholarship will receive the Krahn prize (currently at $800.)
Thank you again RAMFAM for all you do! I am so proud to work with so many great students, families, and staff.
Thanks,
Brian