SHADY GROVE MATTERS WEEKLY UPDATE
October 29, 2023
The Administrator's Corner
Greetings SGMS families! October 30-November 3 is Mental Health Awareness Week. Wise health care professionals often say, “If you don’t schedule a break, your body will take one for you.” During this week, it is especially important to remember to take a moment to rest your mind, body, and soul. November is also Native American and Alaska Native Month. Students will learn about the Piscataway People during the Homeroom lesson on Thursday. Tuesday October 31st is the last day of the 1st Quarter so please encourage your student to turn in all assignments by this date. Tuesday is also our Fall Festival Day. Students are encouraged to have fun with it and wear costumes but canNOT wear facemasks or bring any toy weapons to school. Wednesday November 1 is a Professional Day and there is no school for students. Thursday November 2 is the first day of the 2nd Quarter. It is a time to learn what worked well in the 1st Quarter and reflect on what can be improved in the new quarter. Wishing everyone a warm week.
~Ms. Cooper
October - November 2023
October Upcoming Events:
Filipino American Heritage Month
Tuesday, October 31st - End of Quarter 1
November Upcoming Events:
Native American/Alaska Native Month
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)
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SPIRIT WEEK!! OCT 30 - NOV 3
Monday 10/30 – Pajama Day: Get comfortable talking about mental health.
Tuesday 10/31 – Costume/Dress up Day: Don’t forget to unmask your feelings and seek support from a trusted friend or adult.
Wednesday 11/1 – No School (Prof Day): Kick back and relax. You deserve a break.
Thursday 11/2 – Inside Out Day: It might be difficult to know how a person is feeling on the inside. Be kind to all and be there for your friends and family.
Friday – 11/3 – SGMS Day: We’re a community that sticks together. Show your SGMS pride that
Mental Health matters by wearing blue, black and white.
MCPS invites all students and families to attend the “Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health”conference at Richard Montgomery High School on Wed 11/1 at 6 pm – 8 pm with Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Jay Barnett former NFL Player turned mental health expert and advocate. If you cannot attend in person you can access the live-stream on MCPSTV. Students can earn up to 9.5 SSL hours for viewing videos, attending virtual workshops, and participating in follow-up advocacy action during the 2023 MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week (October 31-November 4, 2023). Click here to learn more: Live: Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health Conference at RMHS on Wed. 11/1 at 6 pm and ways to earn up to 9.5 SSL hours
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
National Junior Society applications were emailed to eligible 7th & 8th grade candidates through StudentVue on Friday, October 20th. To be eligible for an NJHS application, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a minimum of 20 SSL hours for 7th graders and 40 SSL hours for 8th graders. Candidates should carefully review the application process and see Ms. Kozma if they have questions.
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 earlier this month. 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 were provided with an information presentation. A reminder that applications are due next week. 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
SCHAEFFER'S PIANO SALE PROGRAM
The month of November is Remembrance and Reconciliation Month in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation designated November as Remembrance and Reconciliation Month in 2019 to commemorate the lynching that took place in Montgomery County during the late 1800s. MCPS has provided learning about landmarks significantly tied to African American history. During the month of November, Kindergarten–Grade 12 students will learn about Historic African American Landmarks and Locations around Montgomery County.
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know. Get information about safety tips, upcoming application due dates, mental health awareness week, upcoming events, and good news highlighting students, staff, and events.
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