Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Last Day of 1st Quarter
The last day of the first marking period is Wednesday, November 1st. Please check in with your child(ren) about any missing work they may owe.
Fall Fun at PPMS
This week we enjoyed some fun fall activities. Thank you to Ms. Bowen & Ms. Newcomer for organizing our Annual Zombie Run! A big thanks to our PTSA for organizing our Trunk or Treat!
A subgroup of our SGA Advisory Club planned and kicked off a series of fall pep assemblies to celebrate our fall athletes. This week, we held the 6th grade pep assembly. Our 7th & 8th grade pep assemblies are scheduled for next week.
6th Grade Pep Rally
Gator Zombie Run
Trunk or Treat
PPMS Book Fair
Volunteers needed for the Book Fair
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
The big event will take place from November 13-17th in the PPMS Media Center. Students will preview and be able to shop during their ELA classes on Nov. 13th and 14th. We can't do it without some help. We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
Please use the signup link to volunteer. https://bit.ly/FallBookFairHelpers
PBIS - Open Gym Fundraiser Nov. 3rd
On Friday, Nov. 3rd the PBIS team will be hosting our first "Open Gym" fundraiser. For a $5 donation, students may come to school early (7:00 AM to 7:50 AM) to play games in the gym. Multiple options will be provided for students and ALL proceeds will go towards promoting & rewarding positive behavior here at Plum Point Middle School.
Prior to attending, students will need to register AND pay using the link below.
- Sign-up for the Event (Spots are limited + First come first serve).
- Pay for the event ($5) using the link at the top of the sign-up.
Health Curriculum Reminder
Students in 7th and 8th grade will participate in the family life and human sexuality component of the health curriculum. Typically, this takes place during the 2 nd or 3rd marking periods. Parents will receive an optout letter outlining what is taught in Family Life and Human Sexuality. Teachers will email this letter through Home Access Center (HAC). Any parents who would like to excuse their child from family life and human sexuality topics, should return the letter to the teacher. 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 Departmental Information letter below.
Advisory Corner
Curricular Focus: Artful Communication (continuation)
Skills Practiced This Week: Active Listening, Building Positive Relationships, Speaking Essentials
Advisory Clubs: Our 2nd Quarter Advisory Clubs will begin the week of November 6th. Each grade level has identified students who require a more academic focused club and will place those students accordingly. Each grade level will be providing and placing all other students into an Advisory club on. B days. Please remember, these clubs are an extension of our A Day Advisory lessons. This is a time for students to apply the skills they are learning about related to self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, & responsible decision making.
November
1 - Last Day of Quarter 1
3 - First Friday
3 - 2-hour Early Dismissal
7 - Picture Retakes
9 - PTSA Meeting Virtual, 6 PM
10 - No School for Students
13 - Report Cards in HAC
14 - PPMS Parent Visitation, 8:15 - 8:45 AM or 9:15 - 9:45 AM (more information to follow)
15 - PPMS Writer's Night + Book Fair Shopping, 6-7:30 PM
17 - Fundraiser: staff/student Volleyball Game, 6 PM, PPMS Gym (more info coming)
Clubs (recurring)
- Chess Club, Mondays, 7 AM, Rm. 114
- Garden Club, Mondays, 3-5 PM, Rm. 114
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Tuesdays, 7 AM, Gym
- Student Government Association (SGA), Thursdays, 7 AM, Rm. 316
From the Office
(repeat) Attendance Notes
Confirming/Verifying Absences It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide school authorities with verification of the reason for each student absence. Any absence not certified by the parent, guardian, physician, court or other appropriate person/agency will be considered unlawful.
Students returning from absences without notes with appropriate signatures certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful.
(repeat) Student Pick-Up
Please keep in mind this is for the safety of all students. If you have someone other than yourself picking up your student early from school, please be sure to send a note to the "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com> email account, or in writing with your student. The emergency contacts you have listed are there in the event of an emergency and we cannot reach YOU. They do not automatically have permission to pick up your child early from school.
Reminder, you can send notes for absences, attendance questions, late arrivals, or early release needs to this emails address "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com>.
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Games this week - HOME GAMES
30 - Playoff Round 1 vs SMS; Soccer @HPP #12, Volleyball @PPMS Gym; 4 PM
Sign up for winter sports are posted outside of the gym. All forms are due by November 9th. The 1st day of Winter clinics is November 13th. This year, cheer and poms clinics will be held on alternating days so students can try out for both (but they can only be selected for one team).
Winter Sports:
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Poms
Student Government Association
October Food Drive
Sponsored by the PPMS SGA
The SGA is sponsoring the PPMS End Hunger Now Food Drive through November 3rd. This is our last week collecting food donations. Please bring all nonperishable donations to Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316, in the morning when you arrive at school. SGA members will be on hand to tally the items collected by each advisory classroom. The advisory class with the most donations will win a special treat, sponsored by the SGA! Please help us End Hunger in Calvert County!
Pink Day
Thank you to all who supported out Pink Day efforts! The PPMS SGA was able to earn more than $600 to donate to the Sheldon Goldberg Breast Center. Thank you for helping us support this important cause.
SGA Meetings
The SGA is happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2023-2024 school year. SGA will meet in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316, on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Students are still welcome to join SGA. Feel free to attend a meeting and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! Please reach out to Mrs. Kelly at kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
PPMS Yearbook
Yearbook Sales
Please fill out the attached form and return with payment. Books are $30.
Visit https://bit.ly/PPMSYearbookInfo for everything you need to know about this year’s yearbook: links to pay online and how to submit photos (candid activity pics needed!).
Order yours today!!!
***YEARBOOK COVER ART CONTEST***
Students should submit an 8.5x11 sheet. There should be at least a 1-inch border that should be the same color as the background but with no images or words around all sides. Plum Point Middle School and 2023-4 need to be on it somewhere. You may also want to include our Gator mascot. A front and back cover can be designed together. No color restrictions. Turn in a hard copy to the main office or a high-resolution digital image to eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us
by Friday November 17th.
Prizes will be awarded, and First Place will be on the cover!!!
Nurse Notes
Pumpkins are the unofficial mascot of fall 🎃 Enjoy these fun and unusual facts about pumpkins!
- Pumpkins are technically fruit! - They contain seeds and are a type of winter squash, closely related to cucumbers and melons.
- Pumpkins are packed with nutrition! - They are a nutrient-dense and naturally low-calorie food. They contain 49% of your daily needs for vitamin K, along with vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate, and niacin. So, pull out those pumpkin recipes 🙂
- Pumpkin offers plenty of health benefits! - They contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Which has been shown in studies to help fight off infections, prevent age-related vision problems and may help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
- Each pumpkin produces about 500 seeds! - These seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack - packed with antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, and fatty acids! https://gethealthyu.com/recipe/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/
- Canned pumpkin isn't always an actual pumpkin. - Turns out that "pumpkin" puree sold in a can is usually made of Dickinson squash, a relative of butternut and acorn squash. https://myhomebasedlife.com/how-to-make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/
- Pumpkins grow everywhere except Antartica. - The top producers of pumpkins include China, India, Mexico, and Ukraine
- The U.S. produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins every year! - Every state grows some pumpkins, but most of our supply is grown in 4 states - California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- Cinderella popularized pumpkins! - The story of Cinderella wouldn't be the same without that pumpkin carriage! Pumpkins were first named by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584. He called them "gros melons," which translated to "pompions" in English. Pompions eventually evolved into pumpkins and the first known use of the word in literature was in the story of Cinderella!
- Pumpkins weren't always popular on Halloween! - The tradition of carving pumpkins on Halloween started from a scary Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
- That's a great pumpkin Charlie Brown! - Mathias Wellemijins holds the title of Heaviest Pumpkin. The Belgian man grew a pumpkin that weighed in at 2,624.6 pounds. That's big!
Happy Fall! I hope you all have a safe and fun fall.
PTSA Update
Volunteers needed for the Book Fair
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
The big event will take place from November 13-17th in the PPMS Media Center. Students will preview and be able to shop during their ELA classes on Nov. 13th and 14th. We can't do it without some help. We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
Please use the signup link to volunteer. https://bit.ly/FallBookFairHelpers
Spirit Wear Sales
If you'd like to purchase some Plum Point Middle gear, you can shop online all year long! Orders ship directly to your home, and PPMS earns 10% of all sales. Shop here: https://1stplace.sale/44362
Membership Drive - Join for a chance to win!
Become a member of Plum Point Middle's PTSA here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Those who join by November 15th will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards! Dues help to fund events and activities for our students and families! Becoming a member does not mean you have to volunteer your time, but if you'd like to help out by volunteering or donating funds, there are lots of opportunities through the year!
November PTSA Meeting
Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 9th from 6:30 - 7:30pm, virtual on TEAMS.
How to contact the PTSA:
Visit our new LinkTree for all the ways to find us!
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
The CCPS Strategic Planning survey is now open. Your input is vital as we develop a 5-year Strategic Plan for CCPS. Please complete the survey by November 5 and share your thoughts on the profile of a graduate, strengths, focus areas, and future outlook for the district. The survey is being conducted by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, a third-party firm, to ensure that responses are kept anonymous. The online survey can be access at: https://hyasurvey.com/SPcalvert. To change the language of the survey, use the drop-down menu within the survey. Thank you for your support!
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2023-2024 will remain the same:
Breakfast: $1.65; Secondary Lunch $2.80; Student Milk $0.55.
Contact PPMS Secretaries
If you have a question regarding school events/activities, would like to report an absence, or need to contact the school about car/bus rider status, please email the PPMS Secretaries:
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources, 443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.