Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
October 30- November 3
Dear Silver Creek Families
We look forward to a great week of school. October is coming to a close and November is fast approaching. As a reminder, Tuesday, October 31st is the last day of Quarter 1. There is no school on Wednesday, November 1 for students. Please encourage your child to submit any outstanding assignments they may have to finish the marking period strong!
In the newsletter, the section with an * has been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership.
Let's make it a great week Huskies!
Bell Schedule
*Silver Creek News (SCN) News
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, October 27, 2023 to hear upcoming news & events https://youtube.com/live/raZGzwBARnw?feature=share
You may also access the following document for the daily links to the Silver Creek News Show (SCN).
*MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week (MHA): October 30-November 3
- Monday- Kick Start Monday
- Tuesday- Treat yourself Tuesday
- Wednesday- No School
- Thursday- Think of Others Thursday
- Friday- Fitness Friday
Please see Graphic for more information.
*Admin Class Visits- 6th Grade
- Review school-wide expectations and,
- Hear from our new Huskies about how we can continue to help support their transition to middle school.
Be sure to ask your child about their experiences.
*Finance Park- 7th Grade Field Trip coming up this week- October 30 & October 31st
- On Monday, 10/30, Mr. Harrell’s period 3, Mr. Hill’s periods 3, 4 and 7, and Mr. Myers's period 6 will be attending.
- On Tuesday, 10/31, Mr. Harrell’s periods 2, 4, 6 and 7 will be attending.
A few reminders on these days:
- Students please remember to bring a lunch in a disposable bag. Students also had the option to order a school lunch.
- Students will go to school at their normal time and remain in period 1 until called down to the cafeteria.
- Students will return to Silver Creek around 2pm and remain in the cafeteria until dismissal. Students will be dismissed at normal dismissal time, 3PM to go home.
If you have any questions please email the World Studies Content Specialist, Mr. Matthew Myers at Matthew_P_Myers@Mcpsmd.org or the 7th Grade Team Leader, Ms. Leah Taylor at Leah_R_Taylor@Mcpsmd.org.”
*Virtual Parent/caregiver town hall meetings
Parent town hall meetings will take place on November 6, 7, & 8 (please see grade level schedule below). The parent town hall meetings are informal meetings to provide grade specific updates to parents and to answer any questions about activities and/or programs specific to each grade level. The team leader, grade level counselor, and administrator will be present and will facilitate these opportunities for families.
This will be a virtual opportunity. The zoom link is below.
All meetings will be from 8:30-9:10 am
Grade 6-Monday, November 6
Grade 7-Tuesday, November 7
Grade 8- Wednesday, November 8
Zoom Link:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83271486451?pwd=c1U4ZHdVMDIxUklzQnZqU2g0UGpDQT09
Meeting ID: 832 7148 6451
Passcode: Husky
One tap mobile
13017158592
*SCMS Open House- November 10 (Veterans Day)
We are excited to announce that on Friday, November 10, 2023, we will have an Open House for our Silver Creek Families. The Open House provides the opportunity for you to visit your child’s classes and to observe their daily learning experiences.
Silver Creek will schedule two sessions:
- Morning Session (8:30-10:45)
- Afternoon Session (1:30-3:00)
Open House Procedures. In an effort to plan adequately for the number of families who will attend, please complete this pre-registration form. We ask that you please complete the registration form no later than Monday, November 6 by 12 PM. To ensure the safety of all students and families, classes will have a maximum of 5 chairs per classroom. If a class is full, there will be chairs outside each classroom for you to wait until the next class begins.
- When you enter the building, you will be greeted by our wonderful main office staff. Please have your ID available to expedite the check in process and for us to provide you with a badge.
- We will also have counselors available in the main lobby to provide you with your child’s schedule, if needed.
- This is a time to observe your child’s classes. If you need to speak with a teacher, please email them to set up a conference time.
- Please do not record classroom instruction. If possible, please refrain from using electronic devices while in the classroom.
- Please park in the upper parking lot and not in the bus loop. If you have to park in the community, please be mindful of the accessibility of our neighbors driveways.
- If there are any teachers who have a planned leave for November 10, we will inform you the evening before.
We look forward to seeing you and appreciate your cooperation with the above listed guidelines.
*Counseling Department News & Updates
Therapy Dogs: Therapy dogs came to Silver Creek last week, October 23, 2023. Ms. MacHarrie, our social worker, has arranged for therapy dogs to visit SCMS once a month. Check out the pictures HERE. Students loved the experience. We look forward to having them back next Month.
The October newsletter is available here: https://www.smore.com/ukb6p. You may also check out resources about middle school children on the Counseling Website. If your family needs help with school supplies, food for the weekend, winter coats or other needs, we would like to help! Please fill out the following form below: https://forms.gle/gdTDMCSSgmU5pVQp9
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abrom@mcpsmd.org
*Husky Drama Ticket Sales
Performances for the fall play Still Life with Iris will be held on the following nights:
- 7th & 8th grade will perform on December 1st at 7 PM & December 2nd at 6 PM.
- 6th grade will perform on December 2nd at 12PM
Ticket Sales:
- Friday, December 1 at 7 pm https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/47602/354/False/True
- Saturday, December 2 at 12pm https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/47606/354/False/True
- Saturday, December 2 at 6pm https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/47605/354/False/True
T' Shirt Purchase: Would you like to support Husky Drama's Fall Play Still Life with Iris and purchase a shirt to wear on our opening night Friday December 1st? Great news! Husky Drama T'shirts are now on sale until October 31st. You may order at the link below:
Husky Drama Fall Play T-shirt order
More information: Please see Husky Drama Website
*Student Government Association (SGA)- SGA Elections coming up November 7
We are excited to announce that we have a teacher sponsor for SGA. As such we are inviting students to become a member of SGA and be a student leader within the school. The SGA is a student-led group representing the interest of all students in the decision-making process. Students help develop Silver Creek Middle School’s individuality through fundraisers, dances, spirit week events, and more! The group meets every Wednesday & Thursday from 3:15 - 4:20 in room 315.
The SGA Elections will be held November 7th. The deadline for students to apply is November 3rd. Requirements to be eligible to run for office are:
- To attend at least one interest meeting on Wednesday or Thursday on Nov. 1st or 2nd
- Must be in good academic standing
- Complete two teacher referrals and record a candidate speech by the deadline.
High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs- Deadline this week, November 3
The deadline to apply for any one of the High School Regional/Countywide Programs is November 3, 2023. You may also visit the High School Programs At-A-Glance at MCPS website for additional information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/
If you do choose to apply to one of the programs, you will be notified of the results the first week of February 2024. The deadline to accept a program invitation is February 16, 2024.
If you missed the information session offered by Silver Creek last week, you may view the Slide Presentation below:
Winter Athletics Registration: Basketball
Winter registration opened on October 30, 2023, at 12:00 noon. The ParentVUE online registration portal, available in English and Spanish, incorporates all required paper forms and documents into an internet-based platform that can be accessed using a secure ParentVUE Portal login. Parents/guardians are also able to scan and upload their child's physical, as part of the registration process. All students must be registered on ParentVue and have a valid SR-8.
You may find important Middle School Winter Athletics Information here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/athletics/programs/default/564092/
The first basketball game will be held on January 9, 2024. Information related to tryouts will come out soon. Please email Sean Brennan at Sean_P_Brennan@mcpsmd.org if you have any questions.
Library Media Center Update
Intramurals: Attention all 6th-8th grade students
Intramural sports are designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, no paper work and students don’t need much experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Activity buses are available after every intramural session. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc.
Intramurals began last week, September 18. Currently, we have available 5 on 5 Basketball on Tuesdays for 7th & 8th graders & Wednesdays for 6th graders.
As new classes come available, your child's PE and Health teacher will make announcements to their classes. It will also be posted on our school’s website and the intramural bulletin board in the PE hallway.
After School Activities
After school Activities have started. We have a range of after school activities. Please click the link below to view our After School Activities Brochure which includes a description of each activity, the staff member who is sponsoring, the location, and the day of the week the activity begins.
Please note that some clubs will begin later in the school year. We do ask that students register for their activity so that sponsors are aware of the number of students attending. Scroll down further in the link to view the After School Activities Bus Schedule. Buses will depart Silver Creek at approximately 4:20 p.m. to take students home. Each bus will take students to their regular bus stop or to a stop nearby. You may also choose to pick your child up from their activity. Please pick your child up at the front of the school by 4:20 p.m.
We look forward to seeing your child at one of our great clubs!
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am. The next principal coffee is scheduled for Friday, December 1 over zoom. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being.
Thank you to those who joined us last Friday, 10/20 for the principal coffee. Here, you may find a copy of the Slide deck and Recording.
Parent Handbook
Please locate the parent handbook on our website. All the information you need is located here for your convenience.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/home
*Latest MCPS Updates from Thursday, October 26
Here are things to know from Thursday, Oct. 26. Get information about safety tips, upcoming application due dates, mental health awareness week, upcoming events, and good news highlighting students, staff, and events.
*Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA)- Deadline to apply is Friday, November 3
New this school year, students in Grades 2-12 can apply to the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) during two admission periods in alignment with the MCPS Regional/Countywide School Application Programs.
- The first round will run from Tuesday, October 10 through Friday, November 3, 2023 and is for entry into the 2024–2025 school year, as well as the waitlist for Semester 2 of the current 2023–2024 school year.
- The second round, which will run from Friday, January 5 to February 9, 2024, is for the waitlist for the 2024–2025 school year.
The MVA is a full-time online learning environment that uses a blended instructional model that uses both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (independent) instruction
For more information, visit the MVA webpage.Free and Reduced Meals
The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
October 30 & October 31- Finance Park- 7th Grade Field Trip
October 30- November 4- MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week
October 31- End of Marking Period 1
November 1- No school for students
November 6, 7,8- Virtual Parent grade-level town halls (11/6- 6th; 11/7-7th; 11/8-8th).
November 20- Early Release; Parent/Teacher Conferences- More information will come out this week.
November 21- Early Release
November 22- November 24- Schools and Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 the morning of the absence. In your message, please include the information listed below:
1. Parent/Guardian name
2. Full name of your student (First & Last); student ID#
3. Date(s)of absence
4. Reason for absence
If you have any questions regarding attendance procedures, parents may email a note to Ms. Pamela Carroll-Sykes, attendance secretary, at Pamela_M_Carroll-Sykes@mcpsmd.org
Important Contacts
Silver Creek Middle School
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 7:30 am- 4:00 pm
Main Office: 240-740-2200
Registration & Counseling: 240-740-2211
Attendance Line: 240-740-2201
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/
Location: 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD, USA
Phone: 240 740 2200
Twitter: @SCMSDrAwkard