Argyle Weekly Newsletter
THE WEEK OF September 20
IMPORTANT DATES:
MAP Testing - Monday, September 20, 2021 & Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Wellness Wednesday (Special Schedule) - Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Outdoor Education (6th Grade Only) - September 23, 27, 28 & 29
Picture Days for Student & Staff - Monday, October 4, 2021 & Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Early Release Day for Students - Friday, October 8, 2021
MAP M & MAP-R TESTING
Families remember that on Monday and Tuesday we will be administering the MAP assessments as a diagnostic tool for planning for teaching and student learning this year. Please be sure to help your student prepare to do their best by:
- Getting them to sleep on time and talking to them about doing their best during the test.
- Remind them to bring their headphones if they have them (Bluetooth earphones are not allowed).
- Be sure their devices are FULLY charged.
- Remind students to bring their iPad or Chromebooks.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our students' success!
6th Grade Outdoor Education at Argyle
Greetings 6th-grade families!
This year, students in 6th grade will attend Outdoor Education at the Smith Center for an extended day. The Outdoor Education experience is connected to our 6th-grade science curriculum and provides an immersive opportunity for students to learn about their world. Students will also earn 10 SSL hours for their participation!
The extended day program begins at Argyle, and students will return from the Smith Center at 8:00pm on their scheduled day. This year, our students will attend on either September 23, 27, 28, or 29.
Student permission slips were sent home on Wednesday, September 8. Your child's scheduled day will be included on the permission slip.
Tik Tok Challenges and It's impact at Argyle
There are a couple of trends on Tik Tok called "Devious Lick" and the "Hottest Chip" challenges that are affecting our Argyle community. We wanted to bring awareness to these challenges so you can learn about them and communicate with your kids about the importance of keeping our community safe. Students in middle school are at an age that is easily influenced by social media, and as parents/guardians and educators, we can work together to support our students in making choices that align with the values of our community.
The "Devious Lick" challenge involves destroying or stealing school property. The bathroom soap dispensers in the boy's bathrooms have been pulled out by students attempting to emulate this challenge . These acts of vandalism affect the entire Argyle community, especially since we are still in a pandemic.
The "Hottest Chip" challenge involves eating a chip called "Paqui" which is labeled as the world's hottest chip. People react differently when trying this chip and some people have reacted with health concerns.
When having these conversations with your children, here are some points to focus on
- Be an ally and advocate for the school and their personal safety.
- Share information with adults. if your kid sees or knows something is going on, informing a trusting adult can help us keep everyone safe.
- Take care of school/teacher property. The entire Argyle staff has worked hard to make Argyle a welcoming and safe place for everyone.
- Identify and avoid social media challenges that are dangerous.
We will be discussing this further at our next parent meeting.
IMMUNIZATION DEADLINE APPROACHING
This is just a reminder that 7th & 8th grade Immunizations are due as soon as possible. Please find the dates of immunization sites this week. Please be sure to submit your documentation of immunization and ensure your child is able to continue attending after the deadline.
Quarantine Instructional Support
COVID - 19 Procedures for Students & Families
As we return to school, we continue to rely on our families and each individual to screen themselves daily for symptoms. To help us avoid quarantine, we are asking that you please continue to screen your children at home and if they have even one symptom of COVID-19, or are awaiting COVID test results, please do not send them to school.
This is particularly important if your child has any of the following single symptoms they will be sent home and not be able to return to school until they have a negative test, alternate diagnosis, or complete a full 10-day quarantine. During that period of time, all other students who have been in close contact will have to be in a temporary quarantine while the other families wait on the outcome of that testing for your child. This could be potentially disruptive to your children and families moving in and out of quarantine and to avoid it takes all of us working together. It is a collective responsibility that we exercise extreme caution and be conservative in our approach.
The single symptoms that the health room staff screen for and will result in quarantine are cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fever ≥100.4°, sore throat, severe Headache, diarrhea or vomiting. Please do not send your children to school with any of these symptoms. This is essential for us to continue to remain in school without quarantine.
STUDENT ENRICHMENT
Student Government Association (SGA) Meeting
The Student Government Association will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, October 6th after school in room 201. We invite ALL 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to attend and are accepting applications for elected SGA positions that need to be filled.
Students, if you believe you have what it takes to lead and be a voice for your peers, we look forward to seeing you on October 6th!!!! Contact Ms. Blackman for more details at Delicia_Blackman@mcpsmd.org .
Excel Beyond the Bell - Starting September 27th - December 16th
Space is limited, register today!
Argyle Athletics Registration
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the Argyle Fall Athletic Seasons! The fall season is scheduled to occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays after-school at 3:30,​ beginning on Tuesday, September 14, and finishing on Thursday, November 4, 2021. The middle school interscholastic athletics program is available for students in seventh, and eighth grade and consists of the following activities:
- Co-Ed Cross Country
- Boys' Softball
- Girls' Softball
Students must submit a Pre-participation Physical Examination certifying that they are physically fit to participate in the Argyle Middle School athletics program.
*An Activity Bus will be provided for student departure.
Registration is done electronically through the Argyle Athletics Registration, which is also posted on the school’s website. Students and parents/guardians who have difficulty with registration should contact Eric Franklin at Eric_S_Franklin@mcpsmd.org. We are excited to return to play and provide your student with the greatest education-based athletics.
We Can, We Will, We R.A.I.S.E.
Picture Day for Student & Staff
Argyle's Spiritwear Shop 2021 Round 3 is now open!
Find items that we've picked out specifically for our school.
There is also spirit wear available for your family and friends.
Check out the shop details below.
OUR SHOP DETAILS:
- Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/MjJ0MF7wt0
- Store Open From September 7 - September 21, 2021
Thank you!
FAMILY RESOURCES
Montgomery County Cares Clinics
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Food Supplement Program (FSP) or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits. Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year.
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available)
Click here for English video tutorial. Click here for Spanish video tutorial.
Federal eligibility guidelines change each school year; therefore a new application must be submitted each school year. All students in the family should be listed on one household application. A notice will be mailed home for each student if you are approved for meal benefits or do not qualify for meal benefits. Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year. Families may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 301-284-4900.
Please click here to apply online.
Lunch Safety Protocol Update
As a result, of additional support provided through the hiring of an monitor, we are able to provide additional support during lunch in the form of limited seating (40 students) outside. This increased safety protocol along with other measures below will continue to reduce the number of students eating and unmasked at the same time
Four lunches will continue to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria
Additional spaces for lunch provided in the bus loop, media center and as well as 40 seats outside
Staggered release of students to lunch lines
Recess options after eating
low-cost internet access
Please visit Montgomery County - Low-Cost Internet for more information!
Parent Teacher Student Association
PTSA WELCOME LETTER
Please take a moment to review the welcome letter from Argyle's PTSA President below:
Participate in Argyle's PTSA!
We want to make sure you know about all the great things going on at Argyle!
To join, please complete the forms linked below:
PTSA What's App Discussion Board
Join PTSA What's App Discussion Boards by clicking below ...
English (ArgylePTSA.en) - What's App Link
Spanish (ArgylePTSA.sp) - What's App Link
Vietnamese (ArgylePTSA.vi) - What's App Link
Portuguese (ArgylePTSA.pt) - What's App Link
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:
Administration (240) 740-6370
School Principal - Mr. Allrich: James_K_Allrich@mcpsmd.org
8th Grade Administrator - Ms. Sandall: elizabeth_a_sandall@mcpsmd.org
7th Grade Administrator - Ms. Shorts: lisa_n_shorts@mcpsmd.org
Magnet Coordinator /6th Grade Administrator - Ms. Chao: Cortney_E_Chao@mcpsmd.org
Main Office (240) 740-6370
Attendance Secretary - Ms. Chavarria: Johana_M_Chavarria@mcpsmd.org
Front Office Secretary - Ms. Jones: Ashanti_Jones@mcpsmd.org
School Financial Specialist - Mr. Magruder: Timothy_W_Magruder@mcpsmd.org
Administrative Secretary - Ms. Majano: Jennifer_L_Majano@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office (240) 740-6380
Counseling Secretary/Registrar - Ms. Pineda: Marlene_C_Pineda@mcpsmd.org
6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Tran | Email: Lisa_L_Tran@mcpsmd.org
7th Grade Counselor: Mr. Rowan | Email: Matthew_J_Lilja@mcpsmd.org
8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Green | Email: Chelsea_R_Green@mcpsmd.org
Resource Counselor/ SSL Coordinator: Mr. Lilja | Email: Matthew_J_Lilja@mcpsmd.org
Argyle Magnet Middle School
Website: www.argylems.org
Location: 2400 Bel Pre Road, Aspen Hill, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-6370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Argyle-Magnet-Middle-School-102726228178724/
Twitter: @ArgyleMagnetMS