Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
October 3-October 7
Dear Silver Creek Families
Welcome to October! This is one of my favorite seasons of the year. I love the weather and the change in leaves- the red, orange, and yellow foliage reminds us that change can be a beautiful thing. It is the perfect time to embrace what lies ahead of us as we transition into Fall.
This week is a 4-day week. There is no school on Wednesday, October 5 for students and teachers. As a reminder, Q1 interims are this week October 7. Please continue to check ParentVue for your child's academic progress and reach out with any questions you may have. Also, encourage your child to seek help from their teacher and/or make up any missing assignments so they can maintain good standing in their classes. We are here to help support students' efforts and to make sure they are successful.
In the newsletter, the section with an * has been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership. Let's make it a great week Huskies!
*Latest MCPS Message: Things to Know
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
*Silver Creek News (SCN)!
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, September 30, 2022 to hear upcoming news & events.
*Student Service Learning (SSL) Information & Opportunity for our Huskies!
Huskies, there are still a few slots left if you would like to earn SSL hours by connecting with our senior neighbors at Kensington Park Senior Living Community. Click here if you would like to be part of Students Helping And Reaching our Elders (SHARE) or click here if you would like to be part of the Intergenerational Choir. Please know that only students with an mcps account can access the form. October 6th is an after-school mandatory orientation for how to interact with our senior neighbors. This session will be facilitated by Mrs. Rachel Lanman, Program Coordinator for the Jewish Council for the Aging.
*Media Moment: Library Media Center News & Notes
Processing with Paraphasing: This week, all 7th graders will be visiting the LMC to research the process and benefits of hydroponics, in preparation for growing their own hydroponic plants in their science class labs. We'll be focusing on the MYP Approaches to Learning skill of "paraphrasing to process new learning." Ask your Husky science researchers how they can apply our micro-paraphrasing strategy to their note-taking process.
Adopt a Library Display: This year, we are turning our displays over to the experts, our Husky Readers! Students can sign up to create a book display based on any theme, author, genre, or idea that reflects their interests and passions. Encourage your students to stop in and sign up with Ms. Diskin or Mr. Mabee, and check out our amazing current student displays on Alan Gratz's war and historical fiction, Harry Potter, and Magical Realism.
MAP testing- October 11 & October 12
- MAP math will be on October 11
- MAP Reading will be on October 12
Please make sure your child brings their school-issued chromebook to take the test and that it is charged the night before. You may find the bell schedule for testing located below:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/testing_1?authuser=0
If you have any questions about testing, please contact Mr. David O'Shell, assistant principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*High School Regional/Countywide Application for 8th grade students ONLY
The application season for the High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs will open this week, Friday, October 7, 2022. To learn more about which high school regional/countywide application programs your child is eligible, please review the personalized program eligibility report available (October 7) in both the StudentVUE and ParentVUE – in DOCUMENTS (located on the left navigation bar of Synergy). This report includes programs for which your child is eligible along with program descriptions and directions to access the application. The deadline to apply is November 4, 2022. You may also visit the High School Programs At-A-Glance at MCPS website for additional information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/
Please join us on October 13th at 7:00 on zoom to learn about all of the MCPS high school programs. This is a great opportunity to learn about other opportunities outside of B-CC. We will go over both the application and the lottery programs. There will also be time to ask specific questions.
Zoom Link:https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/4232082710?pwd=cmg4Mm84WlhKYVJoa0ZsRHQwVkdLdz09
Meeting ID: 423 208 2710
Passcode: MsLevine
*Counseling Lessons
Counselors will be going through PE to do the PBSL lessons the week of October 19 - 28. 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.
After School Activities
After school activities have started! After school activities will run from Tuesday, September 13 through Thursday, May 25 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays only. The activities will meet on one of the three days from 3:15-4:30 pm. A list of activities is posted here in the Extracurricular Activities Brochure.
The date and times are listed under each activity. There is no need to register & students can register throughout the school year. Students may stay after school and meet in the location noted under the activity. After school buses are available and will depart by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students must be given a bus pass from their sponsor to ride the bus.
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Ms. Carman at Claudia_Carman@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have monthly principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am. Principal Coffees will begin Friday, October 21. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being. More information will come out soon.
*Counselor News & Updates
Check out our Counseling Newsletter for the Month of October!
Parents - Our wonderful PTSA has created a pantry for students to take food home over the weekend. If you would like your child to be a part of this program, you need to fill out the Husky Help form. If you did not see the Husky Help form last week, please send your student to counseling to get a form.
There are other programs you may also sign up for on that form including a winter coat, book fair coupon and winter holiday help. Please contact your student's counselor if you have additional questions.
You may find the counseling website located below: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
Parent Handbook
Please locate the parent handbook on our website. All the information you need is located here for your convenience.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/home
*John F. Kennedy- Informational Meeting - 8th Grade students ONLY
Recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month- September 15- October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
During this month, students will participate in an MYP activity to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by:
Acquiring knowledge about ways to respectfully celebrate Hispanic Heritage & Culture
Identifying elements of our No Place for Hate Pledge that demonstrates an appreciation for Hispanic Heritage & Culture
Additional information can be found at US Department of Education:
https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/
Free and Reduced Meals
The application is open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals.
Important Dates to Remember
October 5- No school for students and teachers
October 10- October 14- MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week
October 11 & 12- MAP Testing
October 13- High School Program Information session- Via Zoom, 7PM
October 24- No school for students; professional day for teachers
November 4- End of Marking Period 1
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 the morning of the absence. In your message, please include the information listed below:
1. Parent/Guardian name
2. Full name of your student (First & Last); student ID#
3. Date(s)of absence
4. Reason for absence
If you have any questions regarding attendance procedures, parents may email a note to Ms. Pamela Carroll-Sykes, attendance secretary, at Pamela_M_Carroll-Sykes@mcpsmd.org
Important Contacts
Silver Creek Middle School
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 7:30 am- 3:30 pm
Main Office: 240-740-2200
Registration & Counseling: 240-740-2211
Attendance Line: 240-740-2201
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/
Location: 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD, USA
Phone: 240 740 2200
Twitter: @SCMSDrAwkard