SHADY GROVE MATTERS WEEKLY UPDATE
December 3, 2023
The Administrator's Corner
Welcome to December Shady Grove Middle School community! Although the days are shorter and the air is colder, winter is a time of celebration. Next week at Shady Grove Middle School, we will be holding Winter Sports tryouts, the NJHS Induction Ceremony and Picture Make-Up Day. Our PTSA will be holding a meeting on December 12 and will be coordinating a cookie exchange for our staff. More information to come on those initiatives! In this month of December, I want to highlight our musical program. We will be holding Winter Concerts throughout the month of December. Our musical program is ably led by Ms. Vanessa Varela. I look forward to seeing you at the Winter Concerts and hearing about the talent of our Shady Grove Middle School students. Our musicians will make your heart warm in this season of giving.
As I close I just wanted to leave you with a short poem by Robert Frost, one our nations' most esteemed poets:
A Dust of Snow
~By Robert Frost
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
Welcome to Winter,
~Dr. Murray
DECEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024
December Upcoming Events:
Thursday, December 7th - Picture Makeup Day
Tuesday, December 12th - Orchestra Winter Concert (7:00 pm)
Wednesday, December 13th - Band Winter Concert (7:00 pm)
Monday, December 18th - Quarter 2 Interims in ParentVue
Friday, December 22nd - Pep Rally
Monday, December 25 - Holiday (School System Closed)
Tuesday, December 26-Friday, December 29 - Winter Break (No School for Students and Teachers)
January Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 1st - Holiday (School System Closed)
Tuesday, January 2nd - Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students and Teachers)
Monday, January 8th-Friday, January 12th - 6th Grade Outdoor Education
Tuesday, January 16th - MLK Week of Service
Friday, January 26th - End of Quarter 2
Saturday, January 27th - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Tuesday, January 30th & 31st - 7th Grade Finance
Join the Student Climate Action Council, students from across Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Division of Sustainability and Compliance in a virtual symposium to learn how the trash that is generated within the county including our schools is turned into electricity that powers homes in our neighborhoods. Hear from guest speakers from Covanta and learn how our local actions are reducing waste and making our county more sustainable and environmentally friendly!
· Flyer: Fall Sustainability Symposium
· RSVP: https://bit.ly/FallSustainability2023RSVP
· Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. on Zoom!
· This is a 1.5 SSL hour opportunity!
8th Grade Field Trip
TopGolf is coming. 8th grade students will be going to TopGolf on Thursday, December 21. We will be leaving during 2nd period and returning during 6th period. The cost of the trip is $25. This includes game play, lunch, and the bus ride. Please make payments online using the QR code below. Here is a copy of the permission form in English and Spanish. Please make sure you fill out both pages of the form. If you have any questions, please email Courtney_e_Jones@mcpsmd.org.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
As the chilly season is upon us and we all have a natural need to be cozy and warm. Please remind your students to follow these guidelines for dressing for school. Dress in layers as it can be warm and cold in various parts of the building. Layers should not include blankets. No blankets are allowed in school as outerwear. Also, all footwear should be appropriate for the outdoors, for example getting to and from school, as well as appropriate for public spaces which includes the school building. Students should not wear slippers or house shoes to school as they do not have the appropriate tread or foot protection, especially in the busy hallways during class exchange. When students get dressed in the morning, please remind them to dress comfortably, but also to dress appropriately and for success. Thank you.
To All 6th Grade Families:
Please return your permission slips and volunteer forms for Outdoor Education by December 15th! Please contact Emily Matusek, Outdoor Education Coordinator at Shady Grove, if you have any questions.
~Ms. Matusek
Monday, November 20th the SGA will be collecting nonperishable foods in cans or boxes. All items turned in will go to a local food pantry called "So What Else." Help us support our community and give to those less fortunate. To make things even better each item turned in will be 1 point towards your grade level at the Pep Rally in December. Turn in to win. ☺️
~Ms. Wolfe
Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program Lesson
Between December 11-15th, the counseling department will be visiting all PE classes in grades 6 through 8 to deliver a Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program lesson. The format will include a class lesson, including video clips and discussion. 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. We invite you to attend a virtual parent drop in Google Meets if you have any questions on Thurs 12/7 at 12:30 pm. For further information, please read the information letter or reach out to Christina_R_Kiedrow@mcpsmd.org, Counseling Department Chair.
PTSA Message:
Join us on Tuesday, Dec 12th @6:30 pm for your PTSA meeting. All are welcome!! Admin will be discussing "Culture of Respect" and you will have the opportunity to learn more about your PTSA budget, volunteering, and cluster happenings.
Únanse a nosotros el martes 12 de Diciembre a las 6:30 pm para su reunión de PTSA. ¡¡Todos son bienvenidos!! El administrador discutirá la "Cultura del Respeto" y usted tendrá la oportunidad de aprender más sobre el presupuesto de la PTSA, el voluntariado y los acontecimientos del grupo.
The Shady Grove PTSA is hosting a cookie exchange for our hard working SGMS staff on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2023. Please sign up here to donate cookies or a dessert item. Cookies and treats can be store bought or homemade. Drop off your item at Shady Grove on December 22nd by 9am or contact the PTSA at sgmsptapresident@gmail.com or raquel.b.tucker@mcpsmd.net to arrange for drop off on Tuesday evening. Students can earn 2ssl hours per batch of baked item.
Shady Grove PTSA organizará un intercambio de galletas para nuestro trabajador personal de SGMS el miércoles 22 de Diciembre de 2023. Regístrese aquí para donar galletas o un postre. Las galletas y golosinas se pueden comprar en la tienda o hacer en casa. Deje su artículo en Shady Grove el 22 de Diciembre a las 9:00 a. m. o comuníquense con la PTSA en sgmsptapresident@gmail.com o raquel.b.tucker@mcpsmd.net para programar la entrega el martes por la noche. Los estudiantes pueden ganar 2ssl horas por lote de artículo horneado.
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know. Be sure to save the date and tune in for the live presentation of the superintendent's recommended operating budget, get information about inclement weather, winter sports spectator safety and security, how to become a Summer RISE 2024 host, and good news about our students and staff this week!
GOOD INFORMATION TO KNOW
7:50 am - Building Opens to Students
7:50 - 8:10 am - Breakfast Available
8:15 am - Class Starts
3:00 pm - Dismissal
Shady Grove Middle School
Principal: Dr. Alana Murray
Asst. Principal: Ms. Jennifer Cooper
Asst. Principal: Ms. Elizabeth Merino
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/shadygrovems/
Location: 8100 Midcounty Highway Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: 240-740-1440