Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
September 18- September 22
Dear Silver Creek Families
We look forward to another great week of school. This week we invite all families to join our back to school night, Thursday, September 21, 2023.
Believe it or not, we are nearly halfway through the quarter. Q1 interims are scheduled for September 28. Please continue to check ParentVue for your child's academic progress and reach out with any questions you may have. Also, encourage your child to seek help from their teacher and/or make up any missing assignments so they can maintain good standing in their classes. They can use their advisory period during academic support time to complete their homework/assignments. We are here to help support students' efforts and to make sure they are successful.
In the newsletter, the section with an * has 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
*National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year. This is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
During this month, students will have opportunities to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by acquiring knowledge about ways to respectfully celebrate and appreciate Hispanic Heritage & Culture. Additional information about National Hispanic Heritage Month can be found at US Department of Education:
https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/
*MAP TESTING: September 26 & September 27
Students will take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment on Tuesday September 26 (Reading) and Wednesday September 27 (Mathematics) in the morning through their homeroom classes. *Please Note: Homeroom classes are different from Husky PAWS (Connect Time) and are listed as Homeroom in their schedules.
Students with testing accommodations may have a separate testing location. These students will receive passes to their testing locations. Students may bring a bottle of water and a pencil to testing. We do encourage that your child attend school on this day so that they do not miss this important test. Students who are absent will be invited to a makeup session on September 29 and October 2 during their first period class.
- Please click here to view the MAP Testing Schedule.
- Please click here for more information on the Measure of Academic Progress test.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Rachel Mannheimer, English Content Specialist, at rachel_j_mannheimer@mcpsmd.org or Mr. David O'Shell, Assistant Principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org.
*Intramurals: Attention all 6th-8th grade students
Intramural sports are designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, no paper work and students don’t need much experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Activity buses are available after every intramural session. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc.
Intramurals will begin this week, the week of September 18. Currently, we have available 5 on 5 Basketball on Tuesdays for 7th & 8th graders & Wednesdays for 6th graders.
As new classes come available, your child's PE and Health teacher will make announcements to their classes. It will also be posted on our school’s website and the intramural bulletin board in the PE hallway.
*Library Media Center Update
Please encourage your students to participate in our Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month Open Mic on October 6. More details are on our website and in the Media Monthly above.
Thanks to all our families who have been supporting our makerspace this week! In the LMC, we know that making is learning, and we would love to keep up the momentum of this popular LMC program. WE are grateful for any donations of these items. Thank you in advance!
Back to School Night is Thursday, September 21
At 6:00 pm, we will have a special meet & greet session for parents/caregivers whose child receives Special Education services in Room 301 and for parents/caregivers whose child is receiving services in the English Language Development (ELD) program in Room 226.
Back to School Night is an opportunity for parents to meet their child's teachers, hear about class expectations, learn more about the curriculum, and to foster a partnership for communication throughout the school year. Please see flyer below for additional details. We look forward to seeing our families on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
Back to School Night Flyer-English
Folleto de la noche de regreso a clases-español
Family Life Parent/Caregiver Meeting
If you are not able to attend, the meeting will be recorded and posted in the parent handbook by Monday, October 2. Also, if you would like to review the materials, please call the school at 240-740-2200 to arrange a time to do so.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85320437222?pwd=dGJxMld5ZFZIem5rQjFadnkzWVRJZz09
Meeting ID: 853 2043 7222
Passcode: HUSKY
You may access the parent/caregiver letters below:
FLHS 6th English
FLHS 6th Spanish
FLHS 7th English
FLHS 7th Spanish
FLHS 8th English
FLHS 8th Spanish
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Lansing, PE/Health Content Specialist, at Michael_T_Lansing@mcpsmd.org
Chromebooks
All students will have access to a chromebook at school. Chromebooks will be used in each class and returned after each class. If students do not have access to a chromebook, laptop, or computer at home, they may request a chromebook for home use. Please click here to request one.
You will be contacted once the chromebook is ready to be picked up. Please allow at least one week before the chromebook is ready. Only parents/caregivers are permitted to pick up their child's chromebook.
If you have any questions, please contact David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
After School Activities
After school Activities started last week, September 12. We have a range of after school activities beginning September 12. Please click the link below to view our After School Activities Brochure which includes a description of each activity, the staff member who is sponsoring, the location, and the day of the week the activity begins.
Please note that some clubs will begin later in the school year. We do ask that students register for their activity so that sponsors are aware of the number of students attending. Scroll down further in the link to view the After School Activities Bus Schedule. Buses will depart Silver Creek at approximately 4:20 p.m. to take students home. Each bus will take students to their regular bus stop or to a stop nearby. You may also choose to pick your child up from their activity. Please pick your child up at the front of the school at 4:20 p.m.
We look forward to seeing your child at one of our great clubs!
Silver Creek Spirit Wear
Our Silver Creek Spirit Wear Store is open! This is a great place to get some new Silver Creek gear and show your Husky pride! The store will be open from Monday, August 28th to Monday, September 18th. The orders should arrive the week of October 2nd. An email will be sent out with instructions on how to pick up your new gear that week. To purchase any Silver Creek Husky gear, go to: https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/silver_creek_middle/shop/home
Also, be sure to check out the new additions to our Spirit Wear Store as well as some classics:
Counseling Department News & Updates
The September Counseling Newsletter is available now: Check it out here : https://www.smore.com/jcp0w.
You may also check out resources about middle school children on the Counseling Website. If your family needs help with school supplies, food for the weekend, winter coats or other needs, we would like to help! Please fill out the following form below: https://forms.gle/gdTDMCSSgmU5pVQp9
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abrom@mcpsmd.org
Silver Creek Athletics- Fall season tryouts are this week!
Middle School Athletics for the 2023-2024 school year is open to all 7th & 8th grade students. All athletes MUST be registered on ParentVue. Physicals (form SR-8) must be filled out by a medical professional prior to any type of participation. Physicals are valid for up to two years. Copies of the SR-8 form can be found HERE.
Practices/Games occur every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday after school from 3:10-4:30 or later on game days.
Registration for the upcoming middle school athletics Fall season (boys’ and girls’ softball and cross country) will be submitted through the ParentVue Portal, which opened on August 14, 2023.
Tryouts will be held on September 12th, 13th, and 14th. Complete the Middle School Spring Athletics Online Registration located on ParentVue. Click here for helpful tips on accessing the registration form.
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Sean Brennan, Athletic Coordinator, at sean_p_brennan@mcpsmd.org
Husky Drama
This year, our Fall play is (pending rights) a fantasy adventure: Still Life With Iris by Stephen Dietz. Auditions for the play will be held on September 19th and 20th in the cafeteria from 3:00-4:30pm. Call Backs will be held on Thursday September 21th 3:00-4:30pm. Click on the form on the website to sign up for the interest meetings and the audition days.
Any questions about Husky Drama, please email Ms. Alison Gee, Drama Director, at Alison_C_Gee@mcpsmd.org
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am. Principal Coffees will begin Friday, October 20 and will all take place over zoom.
This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being.
More information will come out soon.
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
*Latest MCPS Updates
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know from Thursday Sept. 14. Get information about a new guide to ensure student success, district Covid 19 measures, how you can share your feedback on the 2023-2024 school calendar, upcoming Girls' Summit, and a chance to comment on proposed amendments to three policies.
Kensington 8k Race: Saturday, September 23, 2023.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Free and Reduced Meals
The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals.
Important Dates to Remember
September 21- Back to School Night- 6:30 PM
September 22- Early Release day for students
September 25- Non-Instructional Day—No school for students
September 28- Quarter 1 Interims
September 28- Parent Information Meeting: Family Life & Human Sexuality Unit for Health Education, 6:00 PM (Via Zoom)
October 9- No school for students
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence
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
Important Contacts
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