Issue 08 | October 10, 2025

Issue 08. October 10, 2025   A Message from Admin   What a Week at FCCS! It was wonderful to have a full week of school—and what a busy and productive week it was! We want to thank all the families who participated in our monthly Board of Trustees meeting on Monday. We hope you will join us in October for our in-person membership meeting. A big thank-you as well to everyone who joined us for our annual STEAM Night. It was a tremendous success! Special thanks go to Mrs. Weber for organizing such an engaging and educational event. Conferences are next week! Please note the following schedule adjustments: October 13 and 14: Four-hour late arrivals October 15: 3.5-hour early dismissal Please make arrangements to drop off and pick up your scholars on time. We look forward to seeing many of you in the building during conferences. Have a wonderful weekend!   School Bulletin Board Parent Education Event Oct 16, 2025 6:00-7:00 PM Frederick Classical Charter School Join us for an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Frederick Classical Charter School’s mission and operations. This engaging session will cover key aspects of our school—including finance, education, governance, advocacy, history, and future planning—offering families insight into how FCCS, Inc. functions and how we can all support its continued success. Parent Education Night will flow directly into our Fall Membership Meeting, making it a valuable evening to both learn and participate in shaping our community. Fall Membership Meeting Oct 16, 2025 7:30-9:00 PM Frederick Classical Charter School The Membership Meeting of Frederick Classical Charter School, Inc. will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the FCCS cafeteria. The meeting will follow that Parent Education Night, which is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Sign in for the Membership Meeting beginning at 7:10 p.m.  Please look for more information in an upcoming Griffin Gazette and announcement. Thank you for your continued support! AGENDA Chick-fil-A Spirit Night Oct 27, 2025 5-8:00 PM 2401 Monocacy Blvd. Frederick, MD 21701 Join us for food and fun. Come support Frederick Classical Charter School and a portion of tonight's sales will be donated accordingly. Excludes mobile orders, Catering, and gift card purchases.  Say Cheese! Picture Day is October 30 October 30, 2025 Get ready for Picture Day at Frederick Classical Charter School! This is a wonderful opportunity to capture your scholar’s smile and create lasting memories. Individual photos will be taken for yearbook use and family purchase.  To order, visit www.classic-photo.com Click Schools, then Pre-Order Now Online Code: 25fredclass26 ORDER FCCS's Annual Toy Drive Now - December 3, 2025 The Keziah Addoquaye Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society has begun another year  of scholarly leadership of our school!  NJHS Scholars have kicked off our annual Toys for Tots drive, taking place now through December 4th. Please consider donating a new unwrapped toy and help make this drive the most successful yet! Toys may be dropped off in the collection box located in the hallway outside the front office. ATTN FCCS Community Members We are planning another Veteran's Day Observance at FCCS. We want to make the observance this year the best ever. If any community members are interested in serving on the planning committee or just have ideas on how to honor our Veterans, please contact H. Brooke Duke, 4th grade ELA/History at brooke.duke@fcps.org.  Complete the Media & Photo Release Form To help us celebrate and share the wonderful moments happening at Frederick Classical Charter School, we ask all parents to complete our Media & Photo Release Form. Please provide your scholar’s full name, grade level, and a current photo, then review and sign the consent section regarding the use of your child’s photo or video for school-related purposes. Completing this form ensures we have accurate records and clear permissions, so we can highlight student achievements, events, and activities while keeping families informed and connected. Thank you for supporting our school community! FILL OUT FORM   Upcoming Dates View the FCCS Calendar Please mark your calendars to stay up to date with FCCS community dates and events. Oct. 13-15: Parent Teacher Conferences Oct 13: 4-hour delay Oct 14: 4-hour delay Oct 15: 3.5-hour early dismissal; Proxy forms due by noon Oct 16: Parent Education Event & Fall Membership Meeting Oct 17: School Closed  Oct 20: Red Ribbon Week Oct 24: Trunk or Treat Oct 24: Middle School Costume Dance Oct 27: Spirit Night Chick Fil A Restaurant Night-5.00pm-8.00pm Oct 28: School Closed Oct 30: Fall Picture Day Oct 31: FCCS 2-hour early dismissal   A Message from the BOT Fall Membership Meeting 7:30-9 p.m., in-person at FCCS The Membership Meeting of Frederick Classical Charter School, Inc. will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the FCCS cafeteria. The meeting will follow that Parent Education Night, which is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Sign-in for the Membership Meeting will begin at 7:10 p.m.  Agenda The draft membership meeting agenda is now available online; however, members can expect the opportunity to participate in discussions or hear updates on the following business items: Appointment of Mr. Balch, parliamentarian, as Presiding Officer Nominating Committee: Call for Parent Members Advocacy Committee: Call for Chair and members Uniform Policy– Addition of Skorts (Discussion & vote) Consent Agenda (Discussion & Vote) Governance Committee (Discussion & Vote) Owner's Rep (BOT vote) FCCS’ Future Facility (Discussion) Message to the community Members FCCS, Inc.’s bylaws require 20% of members to attend in order for any business to be conducted. Members of FCCS, Inc. are current parents/guardians of record and current staff employed at FCCS. The date of record will be set and communicated by the BOT during its upcoming meeting on 10/6. Member participation is valuable and necessary. Please plan to attend or participate by submitting your proxy. In the event that a quorum is not met at the meeting on Oct. 16, 2025, the procedure authorized by Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass’ns §5-206 might be invoked. Under that statute, if a majority of the members present in person or proxy at the Oct. 16, 2025 meeting, call for an additional meeting and certain requirements for published notice 15 days prior to the additional meeting are followed, those present in person or proxy at the additional meeting will be able to take any action that could have been taken at the original meeting, if a sufficient number of members had been present. Voting by Proxy If you are unable to attend the meeting, please submit the Member Proxy Form to the front office or by email. Proxy forms were sent home with scholars and are posted online. The deadline for submitting proxy forms is noon on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Completed forms can be submitted to Ms. Tucker in the front office or by email to proxy@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org. Each parent or guardian of record counts as an individual member. If only one member per household can attend, the attending member can proxy for the other member. Per the bylaws, each member who attends the meeting can hold no more than three (3) proxies, which means each member who attends the meeting can have up to four (4) votes. If members do not execute the duty to participate either in person or by proxy and a quorum is not met, official business cannot take place. The membership meeting will be postponed. Please look for more information in an upcoming Griffin Gazette and announcement. Thank you for your continued support!   Call for Nominating Committee members! Each year, in accordance with the FCCS, Inc. by-laws (ARTICLE A-V. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS), “The Nominating Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board of Trustees at the first board meeting held in the new fiscal year. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) parent members who are not Trustees or applying to become Trustees, two (2) teachers, and a current Trustee who shall serve as Chair in a non-voting capacity.” The Nominating Committee performs the essential functions of recruiting, interviewing and recommending candidates for Board of Trustee elections. Members of the community can express interest in joining the Nominating Committee by emailing a letter of interest to BOT@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org. Join the Committee Board Committee Opportunities Frederick Classical Charter School is seeking dedicated volunteers to help shape the future of our community. We currently have vacancies for the School Improvement Committee Chair and the Communications Committee Chair. These roles are vital to advancing our mission and ensuring strong engagement across our school. If you are interested in serving, please submit a Letter of Interest to BOT@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org. Your leadership and perspective can make a meaningful difference! Express Interest   School Improvement Process Team Corner Join Our School Improvement Process Team SY25-26  We are excited to invite parents and grandparents from our community to participate in this year's School Improvement Process Team (S.I.P.). This team plays an integral role in strengthening our school's instructional program, ensuring that our curriculum remains rooted in classical pedagogy while also meeting state educational standards. What We're Looking For We are seeking five community members (parents and grandparents) to serve on the team for the 2025-2026 school year. Meeting Schedule All meetings will be held from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM on the following dates: October 20th November 10th January 12th February 9th March 9th April 20th May 11th How to Participate If you are interested in serving on the S.I.P. team, or if you know someone from our community who would be a strong addition, please contact the BOT president at president@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org by the end of the day, October 10th. We aim to finalize our team roster by October 16th to ensure we can begin our important work together this month. Your insight and support will help us continue to build a strong educational foundation for our students. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our school community. For questions or to express your interest, please contact president@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org Uniform Update: Skort Samples Now Available Griffin families, great news!  Samples of the proposed skort addition to our uniform policy are now on display at the front office. You can review the samples, vendor options, and pricing details at your convenience. We encourage you to stop by, take a look, and share your questions or feedback ahead of the Membership Meeting vote on October 16.  Your input is valued and appreciated!   PTC Corner Library Committee News Dear Parents and Families, The FCCS Library is now fully operational. Each elementary student has received bags to store their library books. The following is the Library schedule if you would like to volunteer in the Library: Monday (bi-weekly) - 3rd Grade (both homerooms) 9am - 10am Tuesday - 1st grade (Ms. Geisler) 9am  Wednesday - 1st grade (Ms. Ball) 9am Thursday (bi-weekly) - 4th grade (both homerooms) 10am-11am Thursday (bi-weekly) - 2nd grade 2.15pm Friday - Kindergarten (both) 9am-10.00am To Volunteer please use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44A9AD28ABFF2-51170580-daily Please remind your scholars of the following rules below.  Take Care of Books – Turn pages gently, keep books clean and dry, and return them the way you found them. Use the library bag to store books. If the bag gets misplaced, it is $2.00 for a new bag. Parents are financially responsible for any damaged or missing books. Checkouts – Students may borrow 1-2 books at a time. Books are due back in 2 weeks (renewals are available if they need more time). Return on Time – Please help your child remember their due dates so everyone can enjoy the books. Overdue notices will be issued as needed. Library Manners – Use quiet voices, walk, and be respectful of others. A few tips for home: Choose a safe spot to keep library books. Read together daily, even for a few minutes. Talk about stories — ask your child their favorite part or character. Thank you for helping us build a joyful reading community! If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help. Let’s make this a wonderful year of stories and discovery.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at library@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org Social Committee News The Social Committee is looking forward to the upcoming events: PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE We are asking for donations of dessert, drinks, or supplies to help make this possible. If you’d like to contribute, please sign up using the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44A9AD28ABFF2-58692818-conference TRUNK OR TREAT - 10/24 We have reached our limit of trunk hosts.  If you would like to be put on a waiting list, please email me at social@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org We are asking for donations of pencils, pens, notepads, stamps, bookmarks, and monster fingers. The sign-up genius for items:  MIDDLE SCHOOL COSTUME DANCE - 10/24 To be a part of the planning process, please email me at social@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org If you would like to assist with this event, please use the sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44A9AD28ABFF2-57525583-middle  Student Permission Slip Return with exact payment. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bINIBVLcpbsiP4PCitNON7zGOP3MMCSr9EReUkqbP_4/edit?usp=sharing HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD  I need a team to plan this event. This event will only take place if someone can take charge of this event. Please contact social@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org if you have any questions or if you would like to lead an event. Volunteer Corner THANK YOU to all the VOLUNTEERS who came out and made STEAM Night absolutely spectacular!!  Popcorn Party Update Scholars, parents and grandparents are all asking for an updated and……… we are still waiting. Thank you to ALL the families and friends who have completed the annual registration and training to be FCPS volunteers for our school!!!! The team here at FCCS is working hard to get the results! We will share the winning grades from K-4 and 5-8 ASAP!!!! We have such an awesome community here at FCCS. Go Griffins!!!! **REMEMBER** Please record your family's volunteer hours (FCCS goal is 15 Hours per family) to be submitted for special recognition with your scholar(s) later this year! Volunteer Opportunities Library - Help is needed for class visits on Thursdays 9:45am-11:15am. Click here for questions about volunteering or training or to sign-up for a shift click here! Training options for volunteers are signing-up when another volunteer is there, or email to ask for a training session with Mrs. Khaleeli Myers at 2:30pm M-F. Cafeteria - Help is needed every day, and the more the merrier!  But most help is needed right now on Wednesdays, if you can come for part or the full lunch time, come on down!  K-1st: 11:04am-11:34am 2-4: 11:45am-12:16pm 7-8: 12:38pm-1:08pm 5-6: 12:53pm-1:23pm For a Cafeteria Volunteer Guideline Sheet, questions, or if you want in-person training, e-mail the Volunteer Committee See you at lunch!!! Coming soon... Fall Field Trips - Volunteers will be selected by lottery. Volunteers must have completed FCPS Registration and Training before the trip! Register to be a FCPS Volunteer. Complete FCPS Volunteer Training (24 minutes) Oct 13 - Staff Meal provided during Parent/Teacher Conferences: Help and Donations! Red Ribbon Week:  Photographers needed throughout the week! Please email pictures to social@frederickclassicalcharterschool.org Oct 24 - Trunk and Treat Volunteers and donations due 10/20 (other donations, 44 items for a whole grade, **PLEASE LABEL WITH GRADE OR “ANY/ALL”** your scholar can give to their teacher or you may drop off anytime in the Front Office!) THANK YOU!!! Oct 24 - Middle School Fall Dance Volunteers and Items to Bring    Advocacy Corner #MDChartersCount Social Media Toolkit On October 28, we need to raise our voices to show that we are here to fight for our children and their schools.  Post on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn) using the hashtag #MDChartersCount, and remember to like, comment, and tag school board members.  WHAT TO DO Create your own post or use sample language from this toolkit. Begin posting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 28 and use the hashtag #MDChartersCount. Check back during the day, following the hashtag. Like, post, and comment on others’ posts. Get at least one other person to create a social post.  Consider creating a short video telling your personal story, and include it with your post. WHY THIS MATTERS Charter schools are under attack. Our schools might close. When we post together, our message is stronger and louder. Our leaders need to hear from us in order to take it seriously. There is an important meeting on Oct. 30 and we want to influence the discussion. We can’t stay silent. On October 28, join parents, educators, and advocates across the state in speaking out. Post using #MDChartersCount to demand fair funding and accountability. Together, we can protect Maryland’s charter schools and ensure every child has access to the education they deserve. #MDChartersCount Sample Language for Social Posts on Oct. 28 OPTION ONE: As a parent, I chose a Maryland charter school because I wanted my child to have the best chance at success in a special kind of public school—smaller class sizes, dedicated teachers, and an environment where they could thrive. But now that the future is at risk. I am calling on INSERT TAGS to make this right. Support ALL public school kids. #MDChartersCount OPTION TWO: My child’s public school is being starved of the funding we are legally owed. Districts that control both the money and the authorization process are withholding resources, forcing charter schools like EXCEL Academy to close and putting others in jeopardy. This isn’t fair to families, to teachers, or most importantly—to our kids. INSERT TAG, please stand up for our children. #MDChartersCount OPTION THREE: I’m speaking out because my child, and every child, deserves access to strong public schools that are properly funded. We cannot let misused laws and conflicts of interest take away opportunities from our children. Charter schools are public schools, and they deserve fair treatment. AT TAG, I am a taxpayer, and my kid’s public school, a charter school, deserves fair funding.#MDChartersCount OPTION FOUR: As a community member, I’ve seen how Maryland charter schools bring hope, opportunity, and innovation to our neighborhoods. But now these public schools are being starved of the funding they are legally owed, forcing great schools like EXCEL Academy to close. This isn’t about politics—it’s about our kids and our future. I’m speaking out because #MDChartersCount. Let’s raise our voices together for fair funding. DOWNLOAD IMAGES TO USE WITH POSTS     NJHS News Officer elections for this academic year were recently held and we are proud to announce our new cabinet:   President: Jareczy Argueta Vice President: Violet Inskeep Secretary: Shepherd Nnameka Treasurer: Jacob Tepper Historians: Mikaela Unda, Aaron Huang Parliamentarians: Alexandra Cabrera, Giya Lynch Membership in The Keziah Addoquaye Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society is open to scholars in grades 7 and 8 who maintain at least a 3.5 G.P.A. and demonstrate exceptional leadership and virtuous character. Invitations and application materials for this academic year will be sent to qualifying scholars later this semester.     Counselor's Corner Join my Counselor’s Corner group on Schoology for all updates from the counseling department.  Use the following steps: Login to Schoology. On the homepage, click on Groups at the top of the page. Click on My Groups to the right of the page. Click on the blue Join Group button on the right of the page. Enter the following access code when prompted: KJVJ-5M6F-6SX2V 8th grade scholars and families:  Please remember to join my 8th Grade Grad Schoology group using the Counselor’s Corner steps about, but use this access code instead:  W9F5-3NDR-KTSN5 Help for the Holidays Please complete this FORM if you qualify for Free or Reduced lunch and need help for the holidays. We will have Thanksgiving baskets for families as well as a Giving Tree to help with gifts. These are on a first- come- first-served basis, so please make sure to turn in your forms to Mrs. Caldwell by November 6, 2025. The Academy of the Fine Arts The Academy for the Fine Arts will be holding its Open House on Thursday, October 23rd, from 6:30-8:00 pm. This is the same evening as the CTC Open House, so hopefully, students who are interested in both can see both programs on the same evening.  A few upcoming events to be aware of that are open to Middle School Students. Thurs Oct 16th: AFA Music Recital-Come out to hear our AFA music focus students present a recital of solos and small ensembles. Begins at 7:00 pm in the TJ Auditorium. Tickets are $5. FCPS Staff, Senior Citizens, and children 5 and under are free. Thurs Oct 23rd: AFA Open House-This is a great way for parents AND students to see the AFA up close, meet the staff and students, and get any questions answered. The Open House begins at 6:30 and lasts until 8:00 pm. Please register ahead of time using this link: https://forms.gle/E8HrFYMXmABHBWab9. AFA MS Recruiting Show, Cabaret Preview Nov 18th: We have had an overwhelming response for this event, with over 800 students registered. At this point, registration is closed. I will be confirming reservations with schools that signed up so that you can get buses reserved. There are some schools on there twice, so I want to confirm a relative headcount. If needed, buses can be covered by Dr. Hirschmann through the VPA office. Please make sure to indicate that on your bus reservation. Coverage should be arranged in-house if possible. If you run into any issues getting coverage, please let me know.    Our Contact Information *{{Organization Name}}* *{{Organization Address}}* *{{Organization Phone}}* *{{Organization Website}}* You are being sent this email because you are a subscriber. If you wish to update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe, click *{{Unsubscribe}}*