SHADY GROVE MATTERS WEEKLY UPDATE
October 15, 2023
The Administrator's Corner
Greetings SGMS families! As the weather finally cools down to a cool fall breeze, we hope everyone is taking the time to take care of themselves and each other. “Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. Growth requires release- it’s what the trees do.”- ka’ala. Beginning this week, all students will be practicing math skills differentiated for them on the IXL program application every Monday in homeroom. The math practices each student will be able to do in the IXL application is individualized based on the results of their MAP-M assessment, and math teachers can also assign specific problems to students based on formative assessments in class. This is why it is important for students to do their best on standardized and class assessments, so the practice they are assigned can be matched to their individual needs. Please encourage your student(s) to use this time effectively to improve their math skills, and then will be able to do their best when the MAP assessment is taken again in the spring. Also, all students will continue to complete grade checks this week in Homeroom and 8th grade students will learn about special high school programs they can apply to and attend. Finally, our counseling department will also begin visiting Health and PE classes this week to present the countywide Personal Body and Safety Lessons. Wishing everyone a well-balanced week.
~Ms. Cooper
October - November 2023
October Upcoming Events:
Filipino American Heritage Month
Monday, October 9th - Professional Development Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, October 10th - PTSA Meeting (7:00 pm)
Thursday, October 26th - Family Dinner Night (6:00 pm-8:00 pm)
Tuesday, October 31st - End of Quarter 1
November Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, November 1st - Grading & Planning Day (No School for Students)
Thursday, November 9th - Report Cards Distributed
Monday, November 20th - Early Release Day
Tuesday, November 21st - Early Release Day
Wednesday, November 22nd - Schools and Offices Closed
Thursday, November 23rd - Schools and Office Closed (Holiday)
Friday, November 24th - Schools and Offices Closed (Holiday)
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Montgomery County Public Schools is taking an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education.
During the week of October 17 - 20, our school counselors, PE and Health Education teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:
Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.
If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact me, your child’s PE or Health Education teacher, or your child’s school counselor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alana D. Murry
Principal
Save the date! Thursday Oct 26th , join us for a fun night of family dinner, bingo, and the scholastic book fair. More info to come.
It's time for the SGMS Scholastic Book Fair! We need lots of help to make this a success. Even if you can only sign up for ONE time slot, anything is a HUGE HELP!!! And, we are still looking for a chair for this event and can promise you the time commitment is minimal since the media center specialists will also be helping out.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA4A8292-44860754-sgms#/
Magruder Cluster: MCPS High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs
Thank you to all the 8th grade students and families that came out to Advanced HS Night to learn more about HS program opportunities. Below you will find links to the presentation and the list of all the programs that Magruder cluster students can apply to. Also, during a Homeroom in October, all 8th graders will be provided with an information presentation. Good luck!
Important Dates
Early Oct 2023 - Application opens in ParentVUE
Sept 27 - Oct 30 (various dates) - open houses for each program- visit high school’s website for details
Nov 3, 2023 - Applications due date!
Late January/February - students will be notified of results
Application Process
Students can only apply through ParentVUE. If you need assistance, please reach out to the counseling department.
Ms. Christina Kiedrow- Counseling Dept Chair Christina_R_Kiedrow@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Jorinna Tran- 8th Grade Counselor Jorinna_Z_Tran@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Lidia Maia- Registrar Lidia_F_Maia@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Jennifer Cooper- Assistant Principal Jennifer_K_Cooper@mcpsmd.org
Magruder Cluster Advanced High School Night Presentation
Outdoor Education Parent Meeting - 10/26/23
6th grade families:
Outdoor Education will be January 8-12th at the Smith Center. We will be hosting an information meeting at our Family Dinner Night on Thursday, October 26th. We will share student experiences, the curriculum for Outdoor Education, permission forms, volunteer requirements and answer questions. We will also share details about our open house in November at the Smith Center so you can tour the facility and meet Outdoor Education staff. We look forward to seeing you there!
Familias de 6to grado:
La educación al aire libre se llevará a cabo del 8 al 12 de enero en el Smith Center. Organizaremos una reunión informativa en nuestra cena familiar el jueves 26 de octubre. Compartiremos las experiencias de los estudiantes, el plan de estudios para la educación al aire libre, formularios de permiso, requisitos de voluntariado y responderemos preguntas. También compartiremos detalles sobre nuestra jornada de puertas abiertas en noviembre en el Smith Center para que pueda recorrer las instalaciones y conocer al personal de Outdoor Education. Esperamos verlos allí!
Calmer Schools
Hello from your friends at Calmer Schools!
We are offering a parent/caregiver workshop, "Understanding the Adolescent Brain," on 10/17/23. There will be English and Spanish versions of the workshop via ZOOM from 7:00 - 8:15pm. Exciting news--We will be giving away $300 in gift cards at each workshop!
For more information and to access the Zoom, please click the links below.
Link for the Parent Workshop Flier English
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know for Thursday Oct. 12. Get information about how you can learn more about the upcoming FY 2024-2025 Operating Budget, applications for the Montgomery Virtual Academy, upcoming district events, vaccinations, national bus safety week and a pilot for a possible new sport at MCPS.
GOOD INFORMATION TO KNOW
7:50 am - Building Opens to Students
7:50 - 8:10 am - Breakfast Available
8:15 am - Class Starts
3:00 pm - Dismissal
Shady Grove Middle School
Principal: Dr. Alana Murray
Asst. Principal: Ms. Jennifer Cooper
Asst. Principal: Ms. Elizabeth Merino
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/shadygrovems/
Location: 8100 Midcounty Highway Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: 240-740-1440