Diamondback Dispatch
February 4, 2024
Thank a MCMS Staff Member
We know our community has great things to say about our staff! Please take a moment to send a quick thank you to any of our staff members. Just hit the big orange button below and complete a forms answer. The responses will be shared with all staff each week.
Upcoming Dates
Important dates
Monday, February 5 :
1. MAP testing all week
2. Boys and girls basketball practice
3. Cheer Practice
Tuesday, February 6:
1. Boys and Girls basketball practice.
2. Cheer practice
3. Poms practice
4. After School Tutoring
5. Chess club
6. GT after School
Wednesday, February 7:
1. Boys and girls basketball practice
2. Cheer Practice
3. Drama Cast only
4. After School tutoring
Thursday, February 8 :
1. Boys and Girls Basketball Games at 4:00 PHS Boys and Girls games
2. Drama Crew only
Friday, February 9:
Scheduling Information
8th grade scheduling information
Attention parents/guardians of current 8th grade students:
The scheduling process for next year has begun. Students will be receiving lessons in their classes from January 29th- 31st on the scheduling process. Students received a power point with important information in their e-mail as well as they should be bringing home a neon green “High School Planning Guide,” a flyer about the upcoming PHS information night, and a practice “Course Registration” paper.
Important upcoming dates to note are as follows:
-February 5th: All students receive their pink “Course Registration” form to schedule their classes for next year. Please take the time to review this document with your child and sign the bottom.
-February 8th: “Course Registration” forms are due.
-February 6th: Patuxent High School Information Night. All parents are encouraged to attend. 6:30pm start time. AP US History information session begins at 5:40.
If you have any questions about the scheduling process, feel free to reach out to your child’s school counselor. Tricia Korsan (last names A-K), Kelly Shatzer (L-Z).
Student Celebrations
Celebrations of our students
Our Poms girls participated in a fundraiser, students working hard to get ready for history fair on a Saturday, cheer team practicing for competition, and our 8th graders learning about high school scheduling. We had a busy week here at MCMS.
Poms Coach and some team mates
Positive Referral recipients from Ms. Gallihugh 1st period
Kids working on History fair
Our cheer team working hard for competition
Cheer team
Our 8th graders learning about high school schedules
College and career information
College and Career Highlights
As part of the Maryland blueprint, all middle schools have secured a college and career coordinator at our buildings their goal is to work with students to begin sharing opportunities they can have after graduation in the area of college and career readiness. We held our first event for out 8th graders on Friday where they explored the different pathways at PHS. Students from PHS shared information and their personal experience in these programs with our students.
This week we will spotlight the career and technical education pathways of Computer Science and Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) offered at Patuxent high school. If you would like any additional information on these please let me know.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
The Computer Science program of study will prepare students for further study and careers in the field of Computer Science. Students complete a sequence of four courses, starting with an overview of the Computing and Information Technology field and progressing through a more in-depth study of computer science.
Throughout the program, students will learn all aspects of Computer Science including: programming, hardware design, networks, graphics, databases and information retrieval, cyber security, software design, programming languages, logic, programming paradigms, translation between levels of abstraction, artificial intelligence, the limits of computations, applications in information technology and information systems, and social issues (Internet security, privacy, and intellectual property).
The program of study consists of these four courses:
Foundations of Computer Science 3505: An introductory computer science course that takes a wide lens on computer science by topics.
AP Computer Science Principles 3506: AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. More than a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable curriculum that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world we live in.
APP Development 3511: This second course is designed to enhance students' computing concepts and knowledge further, focusing on programming in the modern world. In the year's first half, students will master creating apps with physical computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Students will use sensors and microcontrollers to create endless possibilities for “Internet of Things” applications. In the second semester, students will learn the basics of Java programming.
AP Computer Science (A) Coding 3519: AP Computer Science A is a rigorous curriculum that introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE)
The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) is a program within the Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. Upon completion of the foundation course, Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, students will complete a Principles of Agricultural Science course focused on either Plant or Animal Systems. Students then progress to a specialty course in either Plant and Animal Biotechnology or Food Science and Safety. The CASE program culminates with a capstone course in Agricultural Business, Research, and Development. All courses have direct connections to FFA activities and SAE applications.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR): This course is intended to serve as the foundation course within the CASE™ program sequence. The course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the fields of agricultural science.
Principles of Agricultural Science -- Animal (ASA): This course is the second of four courses within the CASE™ program sequence. The course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in animal science.
Animal and Plant Biotechnology: This is the third of four courses within the CASE program sequence, is a specialization course in the CASE Program of Study and provides students with experiences in industry appropriate applications of biotechnology related to plant and animal agriculture. Students will maintain a research level Laboratory Notebook throughout the course documenting their experiences in the laboratory.
Agriculture Business, Research, and Development: The fourth course in the CASE program will serve as the capstone course available to students completing the program. Students will be travelling off-site regularly in order to complete their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. The students will need to provide their own transportation.
Yearbook Information
YEARBOOK INFORMATION
link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/millcreekmiddle
Yearbook Market - School Memories Live Here
Store Opens January 2nd
Closes April 24th
Yearbook Cost $27.00 plus Tax and Conv. Fee
Additional Options Offered
Personalization $4.99
Love Lines $14.99
From Nurse White
From Nurse White's office
Medication at School
If your student requires medication during school hours, please review the following:
Medication forms for this school year can be found on the Calvert County Public Schools website under Parents/School Health/School Health Forms. Medication orders needed to be renewed each school year and must be signed and dated by a health care provider after July 1st.
Requirements for medications at school
- For students to receive medication at school, including over the counter (OTC) medication, the School Medication Administration Authorization Form must be completed by the student’s physician and the parent. The completed form will be kept on file at the school.
- Medications that need to be given to a student at school must be brought to school in the original pharmacy/OTC container. It may be necessary to ask your pharmacist to fill an extra bottle or container for use at school.
- All medications that are to be given at school are to be brought to school by the parent or responsible adult (18y or older). Students will not transport medication to school. Students carrying medication at school can receive disciplinary actions.
- Medications are to be given to the school nurse.
Contact Nurse White at (443) 550-9202 with any questions.
Cough drops:
Cough drops may be kept in the nurse’s office if they are provided to the nurse in their original package and with written permission from the parent/guardian. This is only for students experiencing minor cough/cold symptoms and will not exceed 3 days past the date of parental permission.
Opportunities for families
Spread the Love Classroom Refresh!
Calvert County School Foundation's Spread the Love Classroom Refresh fundraiser is underway! Show your support at https://bit.ly/CCSF2024SpreadtheLove. On Feb. 14 three teachers will each win $750 for a classroom refresh! Thank you Calvert County School Foundation and Educational Systems Federal Credit Union!
Connections with PHS
Employment opportunities
Parents interested in substitute teaching
We are looking for parents and/or guardians that would like to be involved here at Mill Creek by substituting for our teachers and staff.
If you are interested in substituting even if just here at MCMS. Please contact Ms. Amstutz at mailto:amstutzr@calvertnet.k12.md.us and I can walk you through how to apply.
Family Information
Family information
For information about family events and youth activities taking place in our community, visit www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/flyers. Please note: These events and activities are not sponsored by the Calvert County Board of Education or Calvert County Public Schools. We provide equal opportunities to outside agencies to distribute materials that offer opportunities to students and/or their parents, but that permission should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the school district.
Civics Bee
Nondiscrimination Statement
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:
Ø Director of Student Services
Ø 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: Mr. James Kurtz, 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.
Mill Creek Middle School
Email: amstutzr@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Website: https://mcms.calvertnet.k12.md.us/
Location: 12200 Southern Connector Boulevard, Lusby, MD, USA
Phone: 4435509190
Facebook: facebook.com/MillCreekMiddleSchoolPTO
Twitter: @MillCreekMSCCPS