Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
January 2-January 6
Dear Silver Creek Families
Happy New Year & Welcome Back Huskies! I would like to extend my best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year. I hope each of you had a wonderful winter break with time to rest and renew with family and friends. As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, Monday, January 2.
As we ring in the new year, we remain energized in our efforts to ensure we provide the best educational experiences for our students. A new year brings new hope, new determination, and new possibilities. Our students, staff and families make our school such a thriving community, and I feel fortunate to continue our work together.
Happy New Year and best wishes for a prosperous 2023. I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
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, December 22, 2022 to hear the latest news & events https://youtu.be/GsTgaqfz2dk
*Winter MAP Assessment for 6th Grade ONLY- January 18 & January 20
We will administer the Winter MAP Growth assessment for 6th grade students ONLY on Wednesday, January 18 (MAP Math Assessment) & Friday, January 20 ( MAP Reading Assessment). As a reminder, the MAP growth is a diagnostic assessment designed to determine the present performance levels of students on math and literacy standards. Our 6th grade students will take the assessment in the morning on 1/18 & 1/20 beginning at 8:15 am.
Please make sure 6th grade students are present on both days and arrive to school on time. Also, please help to ensure your child brings their charged chromebook to school for the MAP test. See schedule here.
If you have any questions about MAP-testing, please contact Mr. O’Shell, assistant principal at David_O’Shell@mcpsmd.org
*Winter MAP Schedule (6th Grade ONLY)
*Student Course Registration and Articulation for SY 23-24
Believe it or not, it is already time to begin thinking about next school year. Below is a timeline of dates as we start the articulation process for our students.
Current 6th and 7th Grade Students
Upon our return from winter break, SCMS staff will be working to make course recommendations. These will be shared with students and sent home at the end of January.
- January 30th & January 31st--SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to share course offerings and explain the course registration process and timeline.
- February 6th--Deadline for completing and submitting Google Course Registration Form. Information on how to complete this registration form will be shared with students when counselors visit their science classes.
- Detailed information regarding course offerings and the course registration process and timeline will be shared with parents at the end of January. It will also be posted on the SCMS website upon our return from winter break.
Current 8th Grade Students (Rising 9th Grade Students)
- January 9th --B-CC counselors will visit 8th grade science classes to share information about High School graduation requirements, 9th grade course offerings, and the registration process and timeline. We will continue to update you with further course registration and articulation information as it becomes available.
- January 19th—Course Selection Information Night at B-CC HS at 7:00 PM (more details coming soon).
- January 19th—Online course registration window opens via StudentVue
- January 31st—Deadline for completing course registration in StudentVue
*Huskies on the M.O.V.E. with IB- MYP Moment
As we say farewell to 2022, it's important to acknowledge the way our students have been on the M.O.V.E. with IB. From our Student of the Month celebrations (click link for video) to our IB Day of Care & Service. This year's theme for our IB Day of Care & Service was Planting Seeds of Empathy & Equity. Many of our teachers facilitated lessons on Thursday, December 22, 2022 that encouraged students to explore the way communities interact with each other and their impact on the sustainability of environmental, social & human resources. Students were inspired to demonstrate an act of kindness or advocacy within their community. For example, students in our Language & Literature classes for Advanced English created motivational bookmarks about equity for local libraries. Also, students in our Visual Art classes, created collages with sustainability messages on brown bags for Safeway in Kensington, Md.
Other activities involved our Performing Art students caroling at the Kensington Park Senior Living Community and providing them with a mini-concert performed by our musicians. In addition to planting seeds of empathy & equity, our 6th grade science classes literally planted seeds for our SCMS Community Garden which was spearheaded by our after-school Green Team & sponsor, Mrs. Cornell! An integral part of the IB mission is to develop caring, inquiring & knowledgeable young people who are moved to action with making the world a better place. Students at SCMS are truly making a difference in their community.
Here is a link to the lessons from our IB Day of Care & Service which includes activities that can be earned for Student Service Learning Hours (SSL hours) per the outlined expectations.
*Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities
If you have any questions, you may contact Mrs. Renee Hill-Gilliard at Renee_S_Hill@mcpsmd.org
*Upload pictures for the SCMS Yearbook.
Uploading pictures for the SCMS yearbook is fast, easy & FREE. Download the "Yearbook Snap" app on your phone and simply type in our school name: Silver Creek Middle School & enter code: "huskies". You may submit up to five photos at a time. Can't wait to see our Huskies on the Move.
How to Order a yearbook.
- Go to yearbookforever.com and order your yearbook now. You can also use Yearbook Snap to upload and submit your own photos for the yearbook.
- Access to Yearbook Snap can be found at the top of the order page.
- See the flyers below for cost information and easy access to order with the provided QR code:
Questions? Please email our yearbook sponsors at Jennifer_K_Boyle@mcpsmd.org and Roxana_RiveraDiaz@mcpsmd.org.
Media Moment: Library Media Center News & Notes
MYP SKILL SPOTLIGHT: Energy bars...Efficient nutrition, marketing genius, or both?! This week, our 7th grade science students will build their communication skills by drafting presentations to market their self-created energy bars. They've done the research and the learning on nutrients, nutrition, and the impact on the digestive system, but can they convince a school board to purchase the bars for student consumption? Our IB "Approaches to Learning Skill" will be "communicate effectively to a variety of audiences," and we'll work on skills such as writing notecards, and drafting hooks to engage an audience.
LEARNING TOGETHER: Did you know all SCMS families have access to our online resources, such as reference materials and article databases? Check out our ONLINE RESOURCE page HERE, and be sure to have your student share our password document if you are prompted during at-home use!
Outdoor Education Parent Information Meeting
At the meeting we will share important information about the three day, two night Outdoor Education program coming up for all 6th graders in April. We will share information about permission forms, special medical situations, menus and special dietary needs, learning activities, chaperone opportunities and answer all your questions. Please join us for this important session. Interpretation in Spanish and Amharic will be provided.
Tutoring Available for Students
MCPS is offering expanded tutoring opportunities to every school as part of our learning recovery efforts. Tutoring and intervention opportunities will enhance strong first instruction and other supports already underway in classrooms to support learning for every student. You may review their website for all tutoring opportunities.
We are excited to offer local tutoring at Silver Creek Middle School. Tutoring has begun. Several staff will be available in Room 407 every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15- 4:15 to support with all subject areas. Please complete the following INTEREST FORM if you are interested in your child receiving tutoring. After school buses are available for students.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Okun at: Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org.
After School Activities
After school activities have started! After school activities will run from Tuesday, September 13 through Thursday, May 25 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 is posted here in the Extracurricular Activities Brochure.
The date and times are listed under each activity. There is no need to register & students can register throughout the school year. Students may stay after school and meet in the location noted under the activity. 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 sponsor to ride the bus.
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Ms. Carman at Claudia_Carman@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
*Principal Coffee
We are excited to have monthly principal coffees once a month. Our next principal coffee is now scheduled for Thursday, January 26 from 8:30-9:10 am. (This is an updated date). This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being. The topic for January is TBD and will be shared soon.
This will be a virtual meeting (Zoom) ONLY.
You may find the latest (Dec. 7) recording of the Principal Coffee located here in the parent handbook: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/meetings-and-presentations
Counselor News & Updates
Check out our December newsletter -all about having a Growth Mindset and how to recover when you don't have the grades you want. https://www.smore.com/73cxf
For Mental Health Supports, check out this link below:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/mental-health-supports
Parents - Our wonderful PTSA has created a pantry for students to take food home over the weekend. If you would like your child to be a part of this program, you need to fill out the Husky Help form. If you did not see the Husky Help form last week, please send your student to counseling to get a form.
There are other programs you may also sign up for on that form including a winter coat, book fair coupon and winter holiday help. Please contact your student's counselor if you have additional questions.
You may find the counseling website located below: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
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
*Upcoming Dates to Remember
Jan. 9–B-CC Counselors visit 8th Grade Science classes to share Articulation and Course Registration Information
Jan. 16–MLK Holiday, Schools and Offices closed
January 18 & January 20- MAP testing (6th grade students ONLY)
January 19- Course Selection Information Night at B-CC HS at 7:00 PM (8th grade families).
January 19- Online course registration window opens via StudentVue (8th grade families)
Jan. 19- Outdoor Education Meeting, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 & 20–7th grade Field Trip to Finance Park
Jan. 26- Principal Coffee, 8:30 am ( Zoom only)
Jan. 27–No School for students; Professional Day for staff to complete quarter/semester grades
January 30 & 31- SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to explain the course registration process and timeline.
January 31- Deadline for completing course registration in StudentVue (8th grade 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- 3:30 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