Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
February 28-March 4
Dear Silver Creek Families
We are almost approaching March. What is that old saying? March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. For a great many people, the month of March offers hope for the end of winter knowing spring is just around the corner. Among the many observances recognized in the month of March, is National Optimism Month. As we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel during this pandemic, let's continue to partner as a school community and remain optimistic about the future.
The school year is moving fairly quickly. We are already half-way through marking period 3. Interims will be posted this Monday, February 28.
COVID-19 Reporting/Information: Please use this reporting FORM, if your child does test positive for COVID-19. You may review Silver Creek Middle School's reported COVID-19 cases here.
Here is the most recent MCPS Community Update (2/25). This highlights important information related to the mask mandate, change in the quarantine guidelines, COVID-19 test kits, inclement weather make-up days, and the Anti-Racist Audit Survey. It is important to note that Friday, April 1 (originally scheduled as a no school day for students) is now an early release day. Additionally, the school year is extended two more days. The last day of school for students is Friday, June 17, 2022. Please make sure to read the communication above for additional details on make-up days.
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!
*Celebrate Women's History Month: March 1-March 31
*Culture of Respect Student Training Module
An online student training lesson, entitled “Culture of Respect 2.0,” has been developed for students in grades 6 through 12. This online training lesson builds on last year’s student module and provides critical information that will help students better recognize the signs of inappropriate behaviors, including the various ways to report alleged/concerning incidents. The training includes a student survey that will provide school leaders with valuable data to assess the current culture and climate of respect at our school and determine potential next steps to plan for improvements. Students will earn two SSL hours to complete the training
Students at Silver Creek will begin this Module on Wednesday, March 9 through Husky Connect. Please read the Parent Letter for more information about the Culture of Respect Student Training Module.
*Spring Testing: Mark your Calendars
Testing season is fast approaching. The table below highlights the dates of our spring testing. You may Click here for more information on the MCAP assessment.
All information and logistics about each assessment will be communicated out to families as the testing dates near. If you have any questions about testing, please contact Mr. David O'Shell, assistant principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*Silver Creek Library Media Center News
Please see our LMC Website HERE for all details, including our brackets, book preview trailers, and voting form. Do you have to read ALL the books to play along? Absolutely not! We have short previews available for every book, so everyone can join in. This week we're also accepting bracket predictions. Predict the winner and you could win a cupcake book party for you and two friends!
*Congratulations to our students: Black History Month Poetry Celebration
We also want to thank our Library Media Specialist Ms. Trayce Diskin, and our Library Media assistant, Mr. Jason Mabee for all of their work with organizing and coordinating a very special and exciting experience for our students.
Contact Tracing Process
At Silver Creek, the safety of our students is most important. When a student tests positive for COVID-19, we want to make sure all students who may have been in contact with the student are informed. Once we are aware of the names of the students, we send out a letter immediately informing parents that their child was a close contact with information on CDC guidelines.
Please understand that you may receive more than one communication from us if your child is a close contact. Based on MCPS guidance, regardless of your child's vaccination status, we will inform families of their child's potential exposure to COVID-19. When families inform us of their child's vaccination status, we are working to keep a repository of this information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding through these unprecedented times.
*Silver Creek News- Morning Announcements!
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, February 25, 2022 to hear upcoming news & events.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJL8KPiQmuYO8wrSrSIVa9OpQCqLnZZ9/view?usp=sharing
*Bell Schedule for this Week
Students will participate in Student-Led Town Hall meetings during their Husky Connect period this week to reiterate school policy, expectations and to answer student questions. Student town-hall meetings will occur on the following dates:
- March 2 (7th grade)
- March 3 (8th grade)
- March 4 (6th grade)
In addition to the Husky connect time on Mondays and Tuesdays to work on assignments, students will have an additional day of the week (Wednesday- Friday) for a study hall period during their Husky Connect Homeroom. This is an opportunity for students to work on any assignments and/or work with their assigned homeroom teacher for any support. Students will still have outside time one of the days ( Wednesday-Friday) and will participate in either an MYP lesson or No Place for Hate lesson the other day.
ExtraCurricular Activities
Good news! Spectator limitations are now at 50% of facility capacity for all indoor extracurricular events. You may also refer to the Return to RAISE Athletics newsletter.
We have re-started our afterschool, in-person extracurricular and co-curricular activity programs. As a reminder, in order to ensure that all participants are healthy and to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, all participants are required to complete the rapid test provided by the school and submit the results using the form below.
Students & families should self-report test results to MCPS using the form below:
MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form (English)
MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form (Spanish)
You may view the following slides that provide information on the process of testing and reporting.
Please click here to view the SCMS After School Activities and Brochure.
You may read the most recent MCPS communication here.
After School Activities & Intramural Sports
After school activities will run 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
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Dr. Matthew Okun@Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, and students do not need experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Students are required to turn in a signed “Covid” packet to participate. Students can get this packet from their PE/Health teacher, or from this link.
Mr. Bingaman is the intramural coordinator. 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.
Middle School Athletics Program: Spring Season
All physicals must include the COVID-19 supplemental information, attached to the pre-participation physical (MCPS Form SR-8). In addition, students must complete their second shot or submit an approved exemption no later than February 22, 2022, before a student-athlete can participate. Proof of vaccination must be ready for online submission via the ParentVue Portal, prior to tryouts/practices. Spring sports tryouts/practices begin March 8, 2022.
Any questions, please contact Ms. Tara Whitney, Athletic Coordinator, at Tara_A_Whitney@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 consented to test. The vendor will communicate results to schools within 24-48 hours. Families will be contacted 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
New Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12
Tutoring - Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
MCPS: George B Thomas Saturday School
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, please see flyer here:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/mainstory/published/2018/2018-08/Program%20Flyer%20English%2018-19%20Final.pdf
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's Coffee
We are excited about our 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. Principal Coffee's will move back to a hybrid model beginning in March, 2022. This means we will provide an in-person option and virtual option.
Our next principal coffee is scheduled for Thursday, March 31 from 8:30-9:15 am. If you missed the February principal coffee, you can find the recording located in the parent handbook.
As always, if you are interested in attending, please use the GOOGLE FORM to ask any questions you would like addressed at the coffee.
Counselor News & Updates
The FEBRUARY SCMS Counseling Newsletter is ready to be read by you! Check it out at the link below: https://www.smore.com/7crba
Check out what's new on the Counseling Website.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
Updated resources for food on the counseling website https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/resources-food-shelter-and-more
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
*Yearbook Sales: Hurry, sales End Soon!
Yearbook sales are ending soon! Go to https://yearbookforever.com/schools/silver_creek_middle_school_buy_yearbook_363047/pXKC6AW3mqyz55m7Lkx7RTml to order your yearbook now. Prices are now $35, and there a limited number of copies left. Be sure to order one ASAP before they run out!
You can use 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. Access code- huskies
Please email sean_p_brennan@mcpsmd.org with any questions!
Requesting a student transcript and/or records
Parents, if you are interesting in requesting a transcript and/or records for your child, please use the google form link. Please note that this google form is also necessary for students applying to private schools. Also, please do not email individual staff members to request a transcript and/or school records. Individual teachers should only be emailed for a recommendation.
If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Mrs. Michelle Lambert-Williamson at michelle_c_lambert-williamson@mcpsmd.org
MCPS Management Plan for Inclement Weather or Other Emergencies
Face Coverings/Masks
If students are asked repeatedly to wear their masks appropriately and/or behave in a manner that is contradictory to CDC guidelines, their parent/guardian will be notified and they will receive a consequence according to MCPS Code of Conduct.
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
*Important Dates to Remember
February 28- Q3 Interims
March 11- Early Release for students
March 15 & March 16- MISA (Science MCAAP) testing for 8th grade ONLY
March 24- Early Release for students
March 31- End of Quarter 3
*April 1- Early Release for students
April 11-April 18-Spring Break- No School for students and staff; Offices Closed.
*Recently updated
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