Silver Creek MS Weekly Newsletter
March 13-March 17
Dear Silver Creek Families
Happy daylight savings time. Our clocks spring forward! Although we lose an hour, we gain more sunlight. Spring is on its way. Looking forward to another great week of school for our Huskies! As a reminder, students have an early release on Wednesday, March 15.
As a reminder, I would like to take a moment to remind families of the school's traffic patterns. When driving to and from school, please adhere to the traffic and parking signs. Please come to a full stop at stop signs and drive on the right side of the road as you enter the Silver Creek driveway. We want to ensure our community is safe, including our Silver Creek students, families, staff, and neighbors. Thank you for your cooperation.
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!
*Silver Creek News (SCN)
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Thursday, March 9 to hear the latest news & events: https://youtube.com/live/84AgaHZL4S0?feature=share. There was no SCN on Friday, March 10.
*Latest MCPS Message: Things to Know from 3/9/23
Here are five things to know for Thursday March 9. Get information about the Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year, the extended deadline to sign up for a free SAT prep course, the next fentanyl family forum, the teacher awarded this year’s Rising Star award, and how to nominate someone for the board of education led Distinguished Service to Public Education awards.
*No Place for Hate School
Silver Creek Middle school is a No Place for Hate School. Our goal with NPFH is to actively challenge and interrupt hateful and discriminatory language, attitudes, and behaviors that discriminate against personal characteristics that include, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, and language. We integrate NPFH lessons through P.A.W.S (advisory) to engage students in being upstanders against hate. By interrupting hate and bias, we create a safer environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.
You may review the most recent town hall slides we shared with students from March 3 here: Town Hall Google Slides.
I am honored to serve as the principal of Silver Creek and my priority is and will always be the psychological and physical safety of all children at Silver Creek. By working together, schools and families can create a united front against hate and bias behaviors and promote a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion. We appreciate our families supporting the school's efforts by reinforcing these expectations at home and actively engaging in discussions about the harm caused by hate and bias.
*Spring Testing: MISA for 8th grade begins this week.
Testing season is here. The table below highlights the dates of our spring testing. Please Click here for more information on the MCAP assessment.
Information about the Science assessment for 8th grade students has been communicated out to 8th grade families. If you have any questions about testing, please contact Mr. David O'Shell, assistant principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*Media Moment: Library Media Center News and Notes
MARCH BOOK MADNESS IS ON!: Head over the Library Media Center website HERE and encourage your students to predict the winners. Our battles will begin this Tuesday, and we can't stand the suspense. Our students have selected some great contenders, and voting for our favorites won't be easy, but it will be FUN! If students haven't yet read the battling books, they can vote based on book previews.
THIS WEEK IN THE LMC: Science 7 students have been working hard in the LMC this week researching genetic diseases and learning about website credibility, source citation, and paraphrasing. Our Digital Literacy students are also practicing these skills as they research current issues such as school reform, deforestation, teens and screens, and more. To communicate their new knowledge, students are creating infographics, debating, and delivering original speeches.
*Reminder- 6th Grade Outdoor Education Permission Forms.
Have you returned your Outdoor Education permission slip? Outdoor Education is approaching quickly: April 12 - 14 and April 17 - 19!
Outdoor Education is an important part of the 6th grade curriculum for all 6th grade students in MCPS. Please return your permission slip to your child's English teacher as soon as possible. Information about the trip is contained in the parent information packet, but please feel free to contact Ms. Cornell (sandra_cornell@mcpsmd.org) or Ms. Miller (Kelly_M_Miller@mcpsmd.org) if you have any questions or concerns.
Financial assistance is available as needed - please contact Ms. Cornell or counseling at Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org. We look forward to having all 6th grade students participate in this exciting learning experience!
*8th Grade Digital & Studio Art Field Trip
Students in Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Hoover’s 8th grade classes will have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour by museum docents. Students will use visual literacy skills to interpret American art, participate in an artwork “scavenger hunt," and have lunch in the museum's Kogod Courtyard before returning to school.
Signs of Suicide Prevention Program (SOS)- Continue this week.
The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) remains committed to sharing information and resources about mental health topics that could potentially impact students. All students in Grade 6 through 12 will participate in the Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program.
At Silver Creek Middle School, the SOS lessons will go through your child’s English/ESOL class between March 6-March 16. Here is the schedule. Parents may see the presentation that was shared at our Parenting Toolbox Session last week. Please also check out our latest newsletter https://www.smore.com/38wxk.
You may find the parent letter here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/170by_UudaewhEg1tIYJwES5wHhSimY-U/view?usp=sharing
Celebrate Women's History Month: March 1-March 31.
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized March as National Women’s History Month. It has been annually observed in the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia. March is selected as the month for observing Women’s History Month to correspond with International Women’s Day on March 8, and Canada observes it in October in correspondence with Persons Day on October 18. Check out this great resource for more information.
PARENT RESOURCES
*Principal Coffee
We are excited to have monthly principal coffees once a month. Our next virtual principal coffee is scheduled for Friday, March 17, 2023 at 8:30 AM. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well-being. The topic for this month is: Understanding MCAP testing, scores and using data to support student growth.
The zoom link for the principal coffee can be found below:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84046378168?pwd=bHlUZ3ptY1FSSTdNeXpsUEYyQ25kZz09
Meeting ID: 840 4637 8168; Passcode: 589616; Mobile +13017158592
In an effort to make this valuable for parents, we would like to hear from you on any particular questions you may have. You may complete the google form located here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6iIBCtLycW6uEwxQt9VUzZbMqV9Bo36bXC0ZFxGEcnwNsiQ/viewform
You may find the recordings of the principal coffees located here in the parent handbook: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/meetings-and-presentations
Counselor News & Updates
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abrom@mcpsmd.org
For Mental Health Supports, check out this link below:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/mental-health-supports
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
*Message from PTSA: Screenagers Next Chapter at SCMS
On Thursday, March 23rd, from 7-9:00, the SCMS PTSA is hosting a screening of Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience. The documentary explores how we can help our kids thrive in a screen and stress-filled world. Following the documentary, there will be a moderated discussion.
Students (5th grade and up) are encouraged to join the screening and discussion with their parent(s) or caregiver (the children featured in this film are in middle school and high school). If you aren't familiar with Screenagers, please check out the Trailer on YouTube.
Seating is limited, so please sign up. We hope you’ll be able to attend!
*Bullying, Harassment & Intimidation
Our goal at Silver Creek Middle School is to foster a school climate that promotes empathy, embraces diversity, and ensures all students feel a sense of belonging. In addition to giving consequences for bullying, harassment & intimidation behaviors aligned with the Student Code of Conduct, we also engage in restorative conversations in an effort to sustain anti-bullying behaviors. Consequences alone may not always address the root causes of bullying or help to repair the harm caused by these behaviors. By repairing harm and building relationships, restorative conversations can help prevent future incidents where all students can thrive.
If your child experiences any form of Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation, please inform Dr. Awkard, principal; your child's administrator, or counselor. You may also report Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation by using the following form below:
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
Upcoming Dates to Remember
March 15- Early Release
March 17- Principals Coffee, (Via Zoom, 8:30 AM)
March 22 - 6th Grade Outdoor Education Chaperone Training. 6:00 p.m. in the media center.
March 31- End of Quarter 3; No School for Students
April 3- April 10- Spring Break
April 11- Quarter 4 Begins.
Early dismissal reminder
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