Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Please join us for our virtual PTSA meeting, Monday, 2/12, at 6:30 PM. We will be reviewing the new bylaws.
Meeting link: https://bit.ly/PTOMeetings-23-24
Exciting Opportunity!
The Maryland Leadership Workshops registration for Summer 2024 is open for middle and high school students.
Program dates are:
- Middle School Experience in Leadership (MSEL): July 21 to 27 for students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2024.
- Senior High Workshop (SHW): July 29 to August 3 for students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2024.
- Advanced Leadership Seminar (ALS): July 21 to 27 for students who have completed grades 9- 12 as of July 1, 2024.
Tuesday/Thursday Tutoring Oppportunities
We have a limited number of tutoring slots available for students who need extra support in core classes. Please email our Lead Teacher, Ms. Tedtsen, at tedtsens@calvertnet.k12.md.us if interested.
February
12 - 15 - Registration Forms for 2024-2025 SY (see information below)
12 - PTSA Meeting (Virtual) - Vote on bylaws
15- Guest Speaker Christopher Breedlove Firefighter and EMT (3rd period- see sign up below)
21- SGA Spirit Night at Salsa Rita's and Sweet Frog (4pm- 9pm)
21- CASC General Assembly at HHS
Clubs (recurring)
- Chess Club, Mondays, 7 AM, Rm. 114
- Garden Club, Mondays, 3-5 PM, Rm. 114
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Tuesdays, 7 AM, Gym
- Student Government Association (SGA), Thursdays, 7 AM, Rm. 316
Counselor Corner
Important dates to remember:
Monday, Feb. 12th: Registration day: Be on the lookout for 7th, 8th and 9th grade registration form to be completed by classroom teachers and come home for you to sign and return to 1st period teachers.
Thursday, Feb 15th: Registration forms DUE back to 3rd period teachers
If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's School Counselor:
Alissa Douglas (students with the last name A-K)
443-550-9177
Heidi Jarman (students with the last name L-Z)
443-550-9176
PTSA Update
Parent Help Days
Do you have time on Friday mornings to help out at the school? The office and teachers can use YOUR help for tasks like filling folders and making copies, beginning in January. If you have time to give, please consider signing up here:
https://bit.ly/Friday-helpers-2324
Our next PTSA Meeting will be February 12th on Microsoft TEAMS. We will be reviewing and voting on the new PTO bylaws. We hope to see you there!
Meeting link: https://bit.ly/PTOMeetings-23-24
It’s not too late to join the PPMS PTSA! You can join here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Contact the PTSA:
Visit our new LinkTree for all the ways to find us!
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Playoff Basketball Games -
The semi-final games for both boys and girls will be at PPMS on Thursday, February 15th. The girls game will start at 4:00 PM and the boys will play at approximately 5:30 PM. Good luck to all teams as they begin the playoffs!
Adult - $2; Student - $1; Under 6 - FREE; CCPS Badge: FREE +1 guest
Student Government Association
SGA Meetings
The SGA is happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2023-2024 school year. SGA will meet in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316, on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Students are still welcome to join SGA. Feel free to attend a meeting and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! Please reach out to Mrs. Kelly at kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
Love All Pets Month- Sponsored by the PPMS SGA
The SGA is sponsoring Love All Pets Month through February 29th to benefit the pets at the Calvert Animal Welfare League. Please bring all pet donations to Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316, in the morning when you arrive at school. SGA members will be on hand to tally the items collected by each advisory classroom. The advisory class with the most donations will win a donut party, sponsored by the SGA! Please help us show some love for the pets at the Calvert Animal Welfare League! Please see the flyer below for donation ideas and additional details.
PPMS SGA Spirit Night
The student government association will be having a Spirit Night on February 21st at Salsa Rita's and Sweet Frog from 4:00 - 9:00 pm. Enjoy a delicious dinner and tasty treat on 2-21-24! Please consider coming out to Salsa Rita's and Sweet Frog to support the PPMS SGA.
Career Corner
Ms. Phillips rm 251 (across from the cafeteria)
Do you know what the RIASEC model is? No? Come see me! I would love to tell you more about it and how it can be helpful in career exploration and planning your future.
Guest Speakers
During 3rd period on Feb 8 Professional Chef and Owner of No Thyme to Cook in Solomons Island will come talk to students about the path to her career and answer questions about what it means to own a business and be a professional chef.
🚩🚩If you signed up for this, please keep an eye on your email. I will send out emails on Monday, Feb 5 in order to be permitted to the event you need to respond to the email. The first 20 people to respond will be included in the event.
There are still about five spaces left for the Firefighter/EMT guest speaker event on Feb 15.
Career in Public Safety
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CABAE2FABFFC25-47163990-guest
I am working on setting up a Physical Therapist and another medical professional for March. If you have another profession in mind for a guest speaker event let me know. You may also want to consider joining the Advisory Team for your grade and help me plan for these kinds of event.
Lunch time Career Advisory Groups
These began Jan 31. This set will run for 4 Wednesdays in a row, then different student will begin a new group in March. Signs up for the second session will be available during lunch soon.
Want to Chat?
All students are invited to come chat with me about any and everything related to identifying a plan for success. If you would like to set up a meeting, please send me an email (phillipsn@calvernet.k12.md.us) or see me during lunch for a pass.
PPMS Theatre
Descendants Rehearsals
Descendants rehearsals continue for Cast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Crew ONLY on Thursdays through the end of February. Shows are April 19th and 20th at 7pm and April 20th at 2pm. Contact ppmstheatre@gmail.com with any questions.
We are looking for some prop items as well. Please check those basements and attics and see if you would like to donate anything.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA9AF2BA0FCCE9-47545655-descendants
PPMS Yearbook
Yearbook Committee
Yearbook Committee will meet on the following days during 3rd Period:
2/20 (rescheduled from the 14th), 2/28, 3/18, 4/4, 5/16
Email any photos for yearbook consideration to eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
Yearbook Sales
Please fill out the attached form and return with payment. Books are $30.
Visit https://bit.ly/PPMSYearbookInfo for everything you need to know about this year’s yearbook: links to pay online and how to submit photos (candid activity pics needed!).
Order yours today!!!
Nurse Notes
We are making our way through the winter season. Remember to keep washing your hands, getting enough sleep, eating foods with Vitamin C, D and zinc, and drink plenty of water to keep that immune system strong! Get outside and enjoy the sunshine too! Here's some symptoms to look out for when it's not just a common cold. A lot of the symptoms are similar, so testing is always the best option to get the treatment you need.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever*/feeling feverish or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
11th Annual Science and Engineering EXPO - On February 24, 2024, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) will host the 11th Annual Science and Engineering EXPO at Calvert High School from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This family event is free and open to the public. The EXPO will showcase CCPS STEM programs and STEM organizations from the local community. Exhibits will be engaging for both children and adults, designed to spark interest in STEM classes and careers. The hands on activities will include science and engineering demonstrations, Career Technology Academy exhibits, computer coding, biomedical experiments, robots, math games, catapults, and much more for the entire family to explore.
Science and Engineering EXPO Apparel For more information, contact Dr. Yovonda Kolo at 443-550-8026 or koloy@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2023-2024 will remain the same:
Breakfast: $1.65; Secondary Lunch $2.80; Student Milk $0.55.
Contact PPMS Secretaries
If you have a question regarding school events/activities, would like to report an absence, or need to contact the school about car/bus rider status, please email the PPMS Secretaries:
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources, 443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
************************************************
Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.