Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
January 26th
Valentine's Hangout Feb 9th
Girls Club with support from our community mentors
February Spirit Days!
Knight Nation,
It was a great full first week of the 3rd Marking Period. I informed students that the 3rd Marking Period is the most difficult. I described it by using an analogy of running a mile on the track (4 laps). When milers start the 3rd lap, they begin to question themselves. "Can I keep up this pace?" Or "I'm so far behind, will I even finish?" The most successful milers push themselves on the 3rd lap. So, our motto for the 3rd quarter is Work Hard! And I reminded students, "work hard to find a way, do not work hard to find an excuse."
Our FCA club is collecting socks for the homeless of Calvert County through February 9th. Donations should be given to student's Monday/Friday advisory teacher. The class with the most socks will earn a FREE advisory period! A flyer is attached with more information.
Thank you to our PTSO and community for the wonderful luncheon last week. Our staff appreciates it greatly.
For your calendar, last Friday's snow day will be made up on March 1, 2024.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR 8TH GRADE FAMILIES
Attached is information about HHS and NHS information nights for incoming freshmen.
PTSO is sponsoring a Valentine's Day Hangout February 9th from 5:30-7:30. See the attached flyer for more information. Adults are needed to help with the dance. Please click here if you are able to help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-47448410-ptso#/
To address our students illegally late, there is a new policy for Students Tardy to School starting 3rd Marking Period:
3 tardies= one day lunch detention
4 tardies = three days lunch detention
5 tardies = after school detention
6 tardies = Saturday School
STUDENT PICK UP AND DISMISSAL
When your child arrives late to school the parent/guardian does not need to come in with the student. They will come in, sign in at the office independently, and head to class. If they are unsure how to sign in, we'll help them. For dismissal prior to the end of the day, the person picking up MUST have their driver's license with them. If it is someone other than the parent/guardian picking up the student early, the parent/guardian must send a note with the student giving that person permission to pick up the student. Thank you
WHMS YEARBOOK
Our yearbook is available for purchase. The cost is $35 at this time and will go up to $40 March 1st. All orders are placed online and the flyer is attached. The link to order is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/windyhillmiddle
Attached is a flyer with information about a STEM event held February 10th at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Our basketball games continue next week both Tuesday and Thursday. Students are allowed to be dropped off at 4:30 with pick up at 5:45 to attend the games.
Call for Nominations: The Calvert County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory committee invites parents and guardians to nominate CCPS staff member or team who has made a difference in the life of your child with an IEP, IFSP or 504. Please see the attached flyer for more information!
Great Opportunity! Please consider joining Dr. Kendy Anderson as well as other families, staff and teachers from CCPS in a book study. The group will be reading Lost at School, by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D. The book examines school discipline and how we can improve and reduce how it is implemented in our schools. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.
You’re Invited!
CCPS students are invited to attend our upcoming New Generation Student Forum on January 31 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Administrative Services Building located at 1305 Dares beach Road, Prince Frederick. See the flyer
A panel of experts will be available to share information and answer your questions about Pillar 3 of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which focuses on College and Career Readiness.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about CCPS’ college and career-ready programs, opportunities, and supports.
Register today at: https://forms.office.com/r/WZZCdP3LuN?origin=lprLink. Pizza dinner will be provided!
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
New Generation Student Forum - January 31st
Laptop Reminder
Parents, we are receiving an increasing number of damaged laptops from students. Damages range from accidental, to negligence, to intentional. Please be aware that insurance only covers accidental damage. If a laptop has damages that are determined to be from negligence or done intentionally, the student may be responsible for the repair cost. Below is our policy which was communicated in the beginning of the school year.
Students are being reminded regularly to take care of their laptops and be especially careful with their backpacks when their laptop is in it. Thank you for encouraging your child to care for their laptop.
If you have any questions about your child’s laptop, please email Anne Jones at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Health - Family Life and Human Sexuality Opt - Out Process
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 letter here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694008493/calvertnetk12mdus/gqowzbcfkpluqtcf8abp/MS-Opt-Out-Letter.pdf
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found collection is already growing on our stage. We will be discarding or donating any items left there the end of next week. The items will be discarded every other Friday for sanitary reasons. Students are encouraged to look for anything they're missing during lunch. If you wish to come in and look yourself, please come check in at the main office and you may take a look on our stage!
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
Girls and Boys Basketball-M/W practice until 5pm. Tuesday boys @ SMS girls home v. SMS 4:00,
Thursday Boys home v. MCMC and girls @ MCMS
Cheer Tuesday - game day and Thursday until 4:30
Poms Mon/Wed/Fri until 5pm
We have home basketball games both Tuesday and Thursday this week. Students can be dropped off, the cost is $1/school age students and $2/adult. Concessions are sold at the games as well. Please plan to pick up promptly at 5:45.
Spring sports begin in late February. If your child is interested in clinics for baseball, softball or track, paperwork is due February 15th. Please have them stop by the main office to pick up a packet or one can be found on the website. Middle School Athletics - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us). If you have questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Mrs. Merewitz at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
Baseball Clinics will run Tu-Thu starting February 27th through March 7th from 3pm until 5pm.
ATTENDANCE
When your child arrives late or leaves early due to a doctor's appointment, a doctor's note is required for the absence to be coded a lawful absence/doctors appointment. Your child will bring this note to the guidance office upon their return to school. If you do not have a doctors note, a note from the parent/guardian will then allow for the absence to be coded as a lawful absence.
Students returning from a full day(s) absence must submit a note to the guidance office within three days of returning to school to update the absences. The email to submit absence notes is madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If a note is sent via email please be sure you include the students name, date of absence, the reason for the absence, the parent/guardian name and phone number.
KEY DATES
- Monday, January 22nd - Two Hour Late Arrival for Students
- Tuesday, January 23rd - Home boys basketball game 4:30 v PPMS - Girls at PPMS
- Friday, January 26th - Report Cards Available in HAC
- Thursday, February 1st - Home girls basketball game 4:30 v. SMS - Boys at SMS
CELL PHONES
Windy Hill Middle School PTSO Updates
Thank you to the parents who donated to our PTSO luncheon last week. We could not do it without your support.
You can email the PTSO officers at any time at mailto:windyhillptso@gmail.com.
Join the WHMS PTSO Facebook Page to keep up with information - Windy Hill Middle School Parents Teachers Students is the group name.
Support WHMS PTSO when you shop at Harris Teeter. Takes only a minute to link your card to WHMS. https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Or tell your cashier to link your VIC card to WHMS with our school code 6324. Funds are earned from 8/1/23 through 12/31/23. You have to relink your card each school year.
We encourage you to join PTSO. Joining PTSO does not obligate you to volunteering, but we certainly welcome your support with any events you are interested in helping with.
https://checkout.square.site/buy/PWK2E77ZYGDGEBG5FMT5KHKK.
Your PTSO officers this year are Mary Rooney, Michelle Dyro, Andrea Hoover, Cheri Kline and Karen Merewitz.
DRESS CODE
Become a Volunteer
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.
Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.