Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
January 12th
8th graders learning about programs at the High School
7th grader library lunch!
8th Grade Chess masters at lunchtime
Knight Nation,
The end of the 2nd quarter is next Friday, January 19th. Please remind your child that they just have one week left to complete work for the 2nd quarter.
Our wonderful PTSO is going to provide a luncheon for our staff on January 25th. If you are able to contribute, please click the link below. Thank you in advance!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-47032897-january#/
Green Team and Prism will meet this Tuesday the 16th rescheduled from last week due to the early dismissal.
WHMS YEARBOOK
Our yearbook is available for purchase. The cost is $35 at this time and will go up to $40 March 1st. All orders are placed online and the flyer is attached. The link to order is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/windyhillmiddle
Yoga club begins January 22nd. Please see the attached permission slip and they are available in the main office as well.
Attached is a flyer with information about a STEM event held February 10th at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Please see the attached flyer about a contest to create artwork for some new wall murals at WHMS.
Our basketball season starts in January and students are allowed to be dropped off at 4:30 with pick up at 5:45 to attend the games. We need some parents to help sell concessions during these games. If you can sign up to help one game, please click here to sign up. Thank you
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-basketball1#/
Call for Nominations: The Calvert County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory committee invites parents and guardians to nominate CCPS staff member or team who has made a difference in the life of your child with an IEP, IFSP or 504. Please see the attached flyer for more information!
Great Opportunity! Please consider joining Dr. Kendy Anderson as well as other families, staff and teachers from CCPS in a book study. The group will be reading Lost at School, by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. The book examines school discipline and how we can improve and reduce how it is implemented in our schools. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
Laptop Reminder
Parents, we are receiving an increasing number of damaged laptops from students. Damages range from accidental, to negligence, to intentional. Please be aware that insurance only covers accidental damage. If a laptop has damages that are determined to be from negligence or done intentionally, the student may be responsible for the repair cost. Below is our policy which was communicated in the beginning of the school year.
Students are being reminded regularly to take care of their laptops and be especially careful with their backpacks when their laptop is in it. Thank you for encouraging your child to care for their laptop.
If you have any questions about your child’s laptop, please email Anne Jones at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Health - Family Life and Human Sexuality Opt - Out Process
We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the letter here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694008493/calvertnetk12mdus/gqowzbcfkpluqtcf8abp/MS-Opt-Out-Letter.pdf
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found collection is already growing on our stage. We will be discarding or donating any items left there the end of next week. The items will be discarded every other Friday for sanitary reasons. Students are encouraged to look for anything they're missing during lunch. If you wish to come in and look yourself, please come check in at the main office and you may take a look on our stage!
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
Girls and Boys Basketball Monday-Thursday until 5
Cheer Tuesday and Thursday until 4:30
Poms Mon/Wed until 5 and Friday until 4:30
Our first basketball game is January 23rd at 4:30. Students can be dropped off, the cost is $1/school age students and $2/adult. Please plan to pick up promptly at 5:45.
Spring sports begin in late February. If your child is interested in clinics for baseball, softball or track, paperwork is due February 15th. Please have them stop by the main office to pick up a packet or one can be found on the website. Middle School Athletics - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us). If you have questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Mrs. Merewitz at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
ATTENDANCE
When your child arrives late or leaves early due to a doctor's appointment, a doctor's note is required for the absence to be coded a lawful absence/doctors appointment. Your child will bring this note to the guidance office upon their return to school. If you do not have a doctors note, a note from the parent/guardian will then allow for the absence to be coded as a lawful absence.
Students returning from a full day(s) absence must submit a note to the guidance office within three days of returning to school to update the absences. The email to submit absence notes is madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If a note is sent via email please be sure you include the students name, date of absence, the reason for the absence, the parent/guardian name and phone number.
KEY DATES
- Monday, January 15th - School Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Friday, January 19th - End of Second Marking Period
- Monday, January 22nd - Two Hour Late Arrival for Students
- Tuesday, January 23rd - First home basketball game 4:30
- Friday, January 26th - Report Cards Available in HAC
- Thursday, February 1st - Home basketball game 4:30
CELL PHONES
Windy Hill Middle School PTSO Updates
PTSO will not meet in December, but please mark your calendar for our next meeting on January 18th and the Valentine's Dance/Hangout sponsored by PTSO is February 9th! Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season from the WHMS PTSO.
You can email the PTSO officers at any time at mailto:windyhillptso@gmail.com.
Join the WHMS PTSO Facebook Page to keep up with information - Windy Hill Middle School Parents Teachers Students is the group name.
Thank you to the many parents who helped make our fall dance a HUGE success. We had a great turnout, kids had a wonderful time, and the chaperones helped make it a fun, safe event for everyone. Our website address is: https://whms.calvertnet.k12.md.us/about-us/our-parents/ptso.
Support WHMS PTSO when you shop at Harris Teeter. Takes only a minute to link your card to WHMS. https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Or tell your cashier to link your VIC card to WHMS with our school code 6324. Funds are earned from 8/1/23 through 12/31/23. You have to relink your card each school year.
We encourage you to join PTSO. Joining PTSO does not obligate you to volunteering, but we certainly welcome your support with any events you are interested in helping with.
https://checkout.square.site/buy/PWK2E77ZYGDGEBG5FMT5KHKK.
Your PTSO officers this year are Mary Rooney, Michelle Dyro, Andrea Hoover, Cheri Kline and Karen Merewitz.
DRESS CODE
Become a Volunteer
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.
Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.