Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
November 22- November 26
Dear Silver Creek Families
Monday, 11/22 & Tuesday, 11/23 are early release days. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm each day. There is No School on Wednesday, November 24- Friday, November 26 in recognition of the Thanksgiving Holiday. School will resume back on Monday, November 29, 2021. We hope you all have a restful and relaxing holiday.
Thank you to the SGA & PTSA for all of their work with the food drive last week. There was a significant amount of food that was donated to our families in need. Thank you to our SCMS community for your generosity and kindness.
On behalf of the Silver Creek staff, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Silver Creek Community and thank each of you for partnering with us to expand our children's education. We are thankful for your commitment and wish you and your families the joys of thanksgiving.
The sections marked with an * have 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 for this Week
There will be no Husky Connect this week. Please see Husky Connect Calendar & Information
*SCMS Staff Thank you
Please click HERE to access the form
*Silver Creek News- Morning Announcements!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SxDH6XJBkgSNlL15iSbDyvHI7RD_Gloy/view?usp=sharing
*Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences: November 22, 2021
As a reminder, we are hosting Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences this Monday, November 22, 2021 from 1:00 PM - 7:30 PM. For additional reminders and detailed directions on accessing conferences via Zoom, please click on the links below that take you directly to our Parent Teacher Conference website. To access the specific conference Zoom links for each teacher, please click on Parent Teacher Conference Zoom Links below. Teachers are listed alphabetically by department.
English link: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silvercreekmiddle/zoom-links-for-conference
Spanish link: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-middle/home
- Parent Teacher Conference Zoom links
Reminders
- If you are participating in a Group Conference, you will receive a reminder email from your child's counselor that includes the time of your conference & the Zoom link.
- The Sign-Up Genius for scheduling individual conferences has closed.
If you have any questions regarding Parent Teacher Conferences or how to sign-up for an individual conference feel free to reach out to your child's counselor or email Mrs. Heidler at Kimberly_P_Heidler@mcpsmd.org.
*SGA Food Drive- Thank you!
*Student Book Club: Overbooked
Sign up on the counseling tab of the SCMS website. Go to Counseling and then to Overbooked.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
Yearbook Sales
You can use Yearbook Snap (https://snap.yearbookforever.com/snap/index.html#/upload/1-3AQWI9) to upload and submit your own photos for the yearbook. Be sure to follow the instructions before uploading any pictures.
Please email sean_p_brennan@mcpsmd.org with any questions!
Winter Athletics: Basketball
All students must be registered before December 7th. Winter registration will begin on November 12, 2021, through ParentVue. You may find important Middle School Winter Athletics Online Registration letter below: (PLEASE READ)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15NZT4LJ0860LAaWzSMvZ4ltEYdVvo4y5/view.
The first basketball game will be held on January 11, 2022.
For any questions, please reach out to the following coaches:
Boys Basketball coach- Sean Brennan (Sean_P_Brennan@mcpsmd.org)
Girls Basketball coach- Anthony Edmonds (Anthony_D_Edmonds@mcps.org)
After School Activities
After school activities have started and will run from September 14 through May 16 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays only. The activities will meet on one of the three days from 3:15-4:30 pm. A list of activities can be found in our After School Brochure which is linked below. The link will also take you to a google registration form to be used to sign up for an after school activity.
Registering for an activity will be on-going. After school buses are available and will depart by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students must be given a bus pass from their after school sponsor to ride the bus. After school Activity Brochure & Registration Form: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/after-school-activities
Good news! We have a sponsor for No Place for Hate and The Yearbook Club. If interested in participating, please see information below:
No Place for Hate (NPFH). If interested in NPFH, please contact Dr. Matthew Okun at Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org.
Yearbook Club. If interested in yearbook, please contact Mr. Brennan at Sean_P_Brennan@mcpsmd.org or see Mr. Brennan during PE class.
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Dr. Matthew Okun@Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org
Intramural Sports
Mr. Bingaman is the intramural coordinator and will provide more information during PE classes, on the intramural bulletin board, on the morning announcements, and on the school website. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc. Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Bingaman at Ryan_H_Bingaman@mcpsmd.org.
COVID Pool Testing
One significant mitigation tactic Montgomery County Public Schools will use this fall is random COVID-19 screening tests for students. A random sample of students grades 6-8 who have a parent consent form on file will be selected to be tested.
Silver Creek is scheduled for COVID screen testing every Tuesday for those students who have consent forms ONLY. We tested students this past Tuesday. We are attempting to ensure students who have not tested yet are selected to test. The vendor will communicate results to schools within 24-48 hours. We have NOT received any results and, if so, will contact families if there is a positive result.
Please read the process outlined from MCPS below:
Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities
Any questions about SSL, please contact Ms. Renee Hill at Renee_S_Hill@mcpsmd.org
Academic Supports for Students
SCMS Mathematics Tutoring
Does your child need help in math? Do they want to work with a current BCC high school student?
If so, you may sign up for tutoring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:20-4:20 pm every week. After school activity buses will be available on each of the three days.
If interested, please fill out the Tutoring Interest form to express your interest. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Okun at matthew_okun@mcpsmd.org
SCMS Spanish Tutoring
Spanish 3 students who need support, please make sure to check with your teacher.
MCPS: George B Thomas Saturday School
As we begin the second quarter of the 2021-2022 school year, The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. is pleased to offer academic support and/or acceleration on the 6th day of learning (Saturday mornings). Certified teachers are available to support your child with mitigating learning disruption.
Class sessions begin at 8:30 am each Saturday with a motivational session. To register, parents should visit https://saturdayschooltownhallnov18.eventbrite.com.
The cost for Saturday School is $85. The cost for students who receive free and reduced meals is $40. This cost covers the entire school year through May and registration is open all year.
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to bring monthly principal coffees this school year. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being.
If you missed the latest principal coffee from Thursday, 10/21, you may access the recording below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kf84ew1GtCbXMm_8YGhaFE_uOAMrslpf/view?usp=sharing
Our next principal coffee is scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2021
*Counselor News & Updates
The SCMS Counseling Newsletter is updated and ready to be read by you! Check out all the great resources for parenting middle school children. https://www.smore.com/2w6xdk
Check out what's new on the Counseling Website.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
Parent Handbook
Did you miss the parent grade-level town hall meetings? You may access meeting recordings in the 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
Holiday Gift Project
If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form to provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. Some families have been emailed because they self referred at the beginning of the year.
Please fill out this form if you have not received information in your email and would like to be referred. https://forms.gle/apssvyCV6d6tFpW49
Cell Phone Policy
The use of cell phones in the school has become a large distraction for our students. We will continue to reinforce our cell phone expectations that it must be out of sight during instructional time. Beginning Quarter 2, aligned with MCPS regulations, all personal mobile devices must be turned off and away at the start of school. Students may use their cell phones before school, at lunch, and after school ONLY. They should not have their cell phones out during transition times.
The absence of mobile devices will allow teachers to continue to create a conducive learning environment with fewer distractions for our students as well as lessen behavioral infractions related to cell phone use during hallway transitions and other learning spaces. If students are not able to follow the cell phone policy, consequences will be given based on the Student Code of Conduct.
Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
Ways to Report: English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1areawDK08nMCq-2z3wW0PctPntog0eVX/view?usp=sharingSpanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZVC11h8vBYrzL1yyJgMYLRyE-SLmbDFg/view?usp=sharing
Community Food & Clothing Resources
Free and Reduced Meals
Free breakfast, lunch and dinner meals will be provided to all students in schools and at designated food distribution sites.
While school meals are free, families are still encouraged to apply for Free and Reduced Meal status so they are eligible for community resources and services. Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
*Important Dates to Remember
November 22- Parent/Teacher Conferences (See information above)
November 22 & 23- Early release days for students
November 24, 25 & 26- Schools closed- No school for students and staff
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence or Quarantine
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.
Please note: If a student needs to quarantine/isolate for 10 days due to a COVID 19 direct exposure or positive test, Silver Creek Middle School has established a plan for the virtual continuity of learning. A letter with the student's virtual continuity of learning plan will be communicated to families whose child has been identified to quarantine.
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
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