Good evening RAMFAM! This is your proud Parkside principal, Brian Briggs.
We had another great week here at Parkside CTE and here are just a few highlights:
· Our RAMFAM scholars have been busy with so many great things this week. This week included a trip to a pumpkin patch for Zanette/White/Weiss classes, LEO Club and Student Service-Learning Clubs volunteering at the Pinehurst Trunk or Treat, and students working diligently in all our classrooms including a trench warfare activity in Mr. Grande’s classes, Galileo Lens lab in Mrs. Dudas Astronomy classes, work continuing on sheds being built by Mr. Ritchey’s Carpentry 1 class, a fun escape room based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Mrs. Pruitt’s 12th grade English classes, and plenty of other amazing things being done at Parkside CTE. Our teachers do an excellent job of creating interesting lessons and our students do a fantastic job of working admirably in the classrooms.
· Our Parkside Marching RAMS continued practicing and perfecting their competition performance show. They will keep working hard this week as they prepare for the Delmarvacade of Bands this coming Saturday at County Stadium, followed by the MMBA State Championship the following Saturday at Towson University. Keep up the magnificent work Parkside Marching RAMS!
· Our PHS College and Career Department held a great first week of the MD Post-Secondary Success Campaign. This week included an NCAA session, FAFSA session, and a college application help session. Please be on the lookout for more activities for this week!
· PHS Athletics highlights included: Senior Nights for soccer and field hockey, Varsity Volleyball continued their excellent run and remain in 1st place in the Bayside South, both JV and Varsity Football defeating North Caroline, and Logan Newton and Alex Swift having high finishes (3rd and 2nd respectively) in the Bayside South Cross-Country Championships. This week is an important week for our teams as soccer and field hockey begin their playoffs, golf goes to regional qualifying for states, and cross country has their Senior Night, as well as the Bayside Championship.
Important dates upcoming:
October 22nd – PSAT
October 24th – Happy Hollow Halls
October 25th – Delmarvacade of Bands
October 27th – Parent/Teacher Visitations
October 27th – PHS Halloween Movie Night
October 28th – Scream for Life Blood Drive
October 30th – End of 1st marking term
October 31st – PD day for staff, schools closed for students
November 1st – State Marching Band Competition
November 4th – Senior Portraits (Lifetouch)
November 8th – Green and White Bingo Night (Supporting PHS Athletics and PHS Class of 2026)
November 13th – Parkside Band Quarter Auction
Updates/Reminders:
· There are only 9 days left in the 1st marking period. Please make sure that you remind your scholar to finish the marking period strong with perfect attendance, outstanding grades, and great behaviors. A successful 1st marking period helps set up a student for a successful school year!
· We have set up a 2nd opportunity for seniors to have senior portraits done by Lifetouch. The next session will be on November 4th and see the flyer below for more information.
Upcoming events:
· Happy Hollow Halls
· Halloween Movie Night
· Green and White Bingo
· Parkside Band Quarter Auction
Information from our College Counselor:
October College Visits:
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
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!
Testing Updates:
PSAT Information: On Wednesday, October 22nd, we will be administering the PSAT to all 10th graders and any 9th or 11th grade students who signed up and paid to take the PSAT. All other 9th, 11th and 12th grade students remain home that day and will complete asynchronous work at home through their Google Classrooms. This asynchronous work will be utilized for attendance purposes for any student not taking the PSAT. Students taking the PSAT test that day will be exempt from asynchronous assignments. If your student has difficulty accessing the internet, please have them request a paper copy of the assignment from their teacher. The school day will begin at the regular time of 7:45 for test takers and bus transportation will run on its normal schedule in the morning for these students. Please make sure all testers bring your school issued laptop, fully charged, and charger. If you have a personal graphing calculator, bring that as well. Students may also bring a snack and drink to have during the break. All test takers will be able to get lunch once testing is completed. Car riders and walkers will be dismissed after selecting their lunch; bus riders will wait in the cafeteria until approximately 11:45 for bus dismissal with a second bus run at the end of the normal school day.
Results for the PSAT will be available in each student’s College Board account on November 6, 2025.
Community Events:
Starlight School Night on Thursday, October 23 at the Junior Achievement Center
Save the Date!
Families of Wicomico County Public Schools—join us for an evening of learning, connection, and fun!
We hope you will join us for the Starlight School Night event that will be held on
Thursday, October 23, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Junior Achievement Center (301 Tilghman Road, Salisbury, MD 21804).
Discover exciting things students are learning in our schools, explore extended learning opportunities in high school, and find helpful resources to support learning at home. Enjoy student presentations and take part in interactive activities. There is something for families with students of all ages. Boxed dinners will be served (while supplies last).
Don’t miss this special night to celebrate student success and explore exciting learning opportunities across Wicomico County Public Schools!
College Information Night on Monday, November 10th in the Wi Hi Auditorium
Are you thinking about being a student athlete in college?
Families with students in grades 8–12 are invited to the College Athlete Information Night on Monday, November 10th from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Wicomico High School (Glen Avenue; Salisbury, MD 21804). Please register by Monday, November 3rd. Click here to Register
Learn what it takes to get noticed and stay eligible, including:
NCAA eligibility requirements and academic guidelines;
Tips for creating highlight film for college coaches;
What to do in high school to stay on track for college athletics;
The recruiting timeline for your sport.
Don’t miss this chance to get helpful information to help you prepare for the next level!
Thank you again RAMFAM for all you do! I am so proud to work with so many great students, families, and staff.
Thanks,
Brian