Argyle Weekly Newsletter
THE WEEK OF March 28
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Boys Soccer - Argyle M.S. vs Mario Loiederman M.S. - Thursday, March 31st @ 3:30 PM Location: Mario Loiederman M.S.
- Girls Soccer - Argyle M.S. vs Mario Loiederman M.S. - Thursday, March 31st @ 3:30 PM Location: Argyle M.S.
- Last Day of Marking Period 3 - Thursday, March 31, 2022
Early Release Day | Students Dismissed at 12:30 - Friday, April 1, 2022
Rapid Test Distribution During 8th Period - Monday, April 4, 2022
Report Cards Available in Synergy - Friday, April 8, 2022
THE END OF MARKING PERIOD 3
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony & End of the Year Cruise
8th Grade Families,
Here are some important information for you. Argyle Promotion Ceremony will take place on June 16th starting at 9:30 am at Kennedy High School. After the ceremony, students will eat a quick lunch and load buses for Baltimore. In Baltimore, students will enjoy an End of the Year Cruise to celebrate becoming high schoolers. After the cruise, students will return to Argyle at 6:30 and will need a way to get home. Permission slips were sent home this week during students’ science classes. The cost of the trip is $60 and permission slips are due no later than May 1st, but the sooner they are turned in the better. Students should turn these into Mr. Randall-Jones in the morning in the Gym. If students need another permission slip, please have them see Mr. RJ or Mrs. Pineda.
More information will be coming soon about Promotion. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Randall-Jones, Mr. RJ - Sean_M_Randall-jones@mcpsmd.org.
Thank you!
Rapid Test Distribution on Monday, April 4th
Additional Recommendations for when rapid tests should be used:
STUDENTS
- Close Contact: When a student has been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID–19, use a home rapid test 5 Days after exposure.
- In Quarantine: When an unvaccinated student is in quarantine, use a rapid test on Day 5 to return to school on Day 6.
- Symptoms: When a student has developed COVID–19 symptoms, use a rapid test at the onset of symptoms.
- Travel and/or Gathering: When returning from travel or large gatherings, use a rapid test before returning to school.
STAFF
- COVID–19 Positive: When a staff member has tested positive, use a rapid test on Day 5 to determine if isolation can end prior to Day 6.
- Symptoms: When a staff member has developed COVID–19 symptoms, use a rapid test at the onset of symptoms.
- Quarantine: When a staff member is in quarantine due to close contact, use rapid test on Day 5 to determine if quarantine can end prior to Day 6
- Travel and/or Gathering: When returning from travel or large gathering, use a rapid test before returning to school.
Parents are asked to help students administer these tests at home and to submit whether their child has tested positive or negative by Monday, April 18th and report results on the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. It is important for parents to report all results, both positive and negative when using the rapid test kits distributed in schools.
Please review Argyle Rapid Test Distribution Slides for more information!
Upcoming Soccer Games
- Argyle M.S. vs Mario Loiederman M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, March 31st @ 3:30 PM | Location: Mario Loiederman M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Parkland M.S. | Date & Time: Wednesday, April 6th @ 3:30 PM | Location: Argyle M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Rosa Parks M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, April 21st @ 3:30 PM | Location: Argyle M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs William H. Farquhar M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, April 28th @ 3:30 PM | Location: William H. Farquhar M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Forest Oak M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, May 5th @ 3:30 PM | Location: Argyle M.S.
Girls Soccer Games:
- Argyle M.S. vs Mario Loiederman M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, March 31st @ 3:30 PM | Location: Argyle M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Parkland M.S. | Date & Time: Wednesday, April 6th @ 3:30 PM | Location: Parkland M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Rosa Parks M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, April 21st @ 3:30 PM | Location: Rosa Parks M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs William H. Farquhar M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, April 28th @ 3:30 PM | Location: Argyle M.S.
- Argyle M.S. vs Forest Oak M.S. | Date & Time: Thursday, May 5th @ 3:30 PM | Location: Forest Oak M.S.
Score Reports
This message is to let you know that your child’s Individual Score Report(s) for the 2021 Early Fall Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments administered in September/October have been delivered to the Post Office. These may include English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy, Mathematics, and the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) for Grades 5 and 8. In addition to the school reports, you will receive a guide to assist you in understanding your student’s score on the assessments. Please allow at least one week for delivery from receipt of this message. If you have any questions about your student’s MCAP scores, please contact Hannah Turner (Hannah_D_Turner@mcpsmd.org)
HOW DO I JOIN?
COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION HERE.
FAMILY RESOURCES
BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL IN MCPS
During its March 8 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all MCPS schools and facilities. This new guidance goes into effect immediately.
This action follows the state of Maryland’s decision to end its statewide mask mandate in schools and aligns with revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that no longer recommend universal mask-wearing in schools.
To maintain the safety of our staff and students, other COVID-19 mitigation strategies will continue, including in-school rapid and random testing, distribution of take-home test kits, improved HVAC systems, and vaccination availability. Mask-wearing in MCPS will become optional indoors, outside, and on school buses. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so, and your child may request a mask from their school if they want one.
For more information please click here
UPDATE: KN-95 Mask Distribution
Masks will be available in the cafeteria once a week for any student who would like one. Students may also choose to wear a mask from home, and additional surgical masks will continue to be available in the main office for emergency use.
Signs of Suicide (SOS)
Greetings Argyle Family,
All students in Grades 6 through 12 will participate in a class lesson, including video clips and discussion, during Social Studies periods. After the lesson, students will fill out a form to let the school’s student well-being team know if they would like to talk to someone to get help for themselves or a friend. SOS will be implemented between 3/16/22 and 3/31/22. Students also will receive handouts that include a student newsletter and a list of school, local, and national resources that are available to support mental health needs. A copy of the resource list is attached.
For more information please see the Signs of Suicide Community Letter linked below: English | Spanish
MCPS Antiracist Audit - Family Survey
Hello Families,
Antiracist Audit: Family Surveys
Please complete this survey no later than March 31, 2022. Please click on the links below if you have questions about this survey and the Antiracist System Audit. Otherwise click "Go forward".
- Read the Superintendent’s message about the Audit
- Find answers to your questions
- Learn about the methodology of this survey
Social Media Posts
Several parents have brought to our attention Instagram (IG) posts where stories are being shared about Argyle. These posts show up in forms of confessions of incidents that involve other students and sometimes staff. In general these stories do not share names but they have created some concerns within our community. We have reached out to central office about these posts but unfortunately, like all social media sites, they have no jurisdiction over the content and they are unable to identify who the people are behind the creation or unable to get it removed. As you can imagine since we do not have names it is very difficult to address these concerns but here is how you can support.
Remind students that if there is a concern they should come to administration or a trusted adult to report it. Sharing on social media is not an appropriate way to report an incident
When you come across a confessions handle or social media post that is offensive or inappropriate, please report it through that social media outlet (Twitter, Instagram, TikTok…) as offensive, harmful or inappropriate content
Free Tax Preparation
Oak Chapel United Ministries Consolidated Services Hub
Oak Chapel United Ministries Consolidated Centro de Servicio
Tutoring with External Tutoring Providers
MCPS has contracted with two external tutoring companies to provide direct tutoring services to students. This will ensure a robust tutoring program in all schools so that every student in need of support is able to receive it through various modalities and resources.
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. It is a collective responsibility that we exercise extreme caution and be conservative in our approach.
Please do not send your children to school with any of COVID-like symptoms. This is essential for us to continue to remain in school without quarantine.
Quarantine Instructional Support
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:
Whatsapp Responsibilities
Your responsibilities by joining the Whatsapp group:
- Messaging rights may be limited if we encounter additional issues.
- Although Whatsapp is very user family-friendly, we cannot prevent anyone from joining. We can remove a person, however, we cannot remove messages or content.
- People will be removed (or block) who post inappropriate messages or content and we will not allow that individual(s) from joining.
- If this happens again, please remove the content from your view by selecting the content and select the trash icon.
PTSA What's App Discussion Board
Join PTSA What's App Discussion Boards by clicking below ...
English (ArgylePTSA.en) - What's App Link - New 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. Turner: Hannah_D_Turner@mcpsmd.org
Magnet Coordinator /6th Grade Administrator - Ms. Chao: Cortney_E_Chao@mcpsmd.org
Main Office (240) 740-6370
Attendance Secretary - Ms. Hernandez: Patricia_V_Hernandez@mcpsmd.org
Front Office Secretary - Ms. Chavarria: Johana_M_Chavarria@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
Continue to Report Positive Cases
Parents, please help us maintain a safe environment for our students by reporting positive results for COVID-19. If your child does test positive for COVID-19, please report that to MCPS. The way to do that is by using this electronic form.
If your student is experiencing COVID symptoms, please be sure to keep them at home and contact Argyle's main office to inform us of the student's absence.