Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
September 19-September 23
Dear Silver Creek Families
We look forward to another great week of school. Thank you to our families who joined us for our Back to School Night last week. We had a great turnout and it was wonderful to see so many of our families in person!
Believe it or not, there is only a few weeks until Q1 interims (October 7). 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. 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!
*Recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month- September 15- October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
During this month, students will participate in an MYP activity to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by:
Acquiring knowledge about ways to respectfully celebrate Hispanic Heritage & Culture
Identifying elements of our No Place for Hate Pledge that demonstrates an appreciation for Hispanic Heritage & Culture
Additional information can be found at US Department of Education:
https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/
*Silver Creek News!
Silver Creek Middle school has a morning news show. You may access the link below to view morning announcements from September 12- September 22.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9a3_K_PWOZf7ohkgJldLd3TbrnROW3K8GKMncD029w/edit
Interested in joining Silver Creek News? There will be an interest meeting afterschool in room 311 on Tuesday September 20th. We look forward to seeing you there!
In the future, the link to the Friday morning announcements from students will be in the newsletter so students and families will be able to see the latest Husky news. Stay tuned!
*Media Moment
Making Is Learning!: Our Library Makerspace is a popular place to be during students' lunch and morning free time. We also work with many of your students in their content classes, where they have hands-on opportunities to plan, design, and reflect on new learning. Please consider donating any of these items you may have. We are always inspired and impressed by what our students can create, repurpose, and problem-solve.
Empathy is Everything Book Discussions: This week starts our summer reading book chats. All students are invited to these student-led lunch book discussions, and can sign up on the LMC website HERE. Each week, we'll feature a different summer reading book. If you've read El Deafo, we'd love to see you this Friday, September 23 and hear your insights!
Please check out the link here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13N9vVNquuDPGMlXBv15CLASN1L1VQhh1/view?usp=sharing
*Message from the Husky Cafe
We will begin selling snacks beginning this Tuesday, Sept. 20th. Cookies and Ice cream will be the first snacks sold with additional options added later. Students will need to have money in their lunch accounts in order to purchase snacks.
- Cash or checks (made out to SCMS) are accepted in the cafeteria. Students should bring this money to the cafeteria manager, Ms. Shawn'Tesa Foreman, first thing in the morning so it can be added to their account prior to lunch.
- Any credit card payments must be made online.
- Snacks will be sold to 8th grade on Tuesdays, 7th grade on Wednesdays and 6th grade on Thursdays. The days that snacks are available will increase once everyone is familiar with the new process.
If you have any questions feel free to email Ms. Foreman at Shawntesa_G_Forwman@mcpsmd.org.
Family Life Parent Meeting
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Lansing, PE/Health Content Specialist, at Michael_T_Lansing@mcpsmd.org
Reminder to Families about Traffic Flow
As a reminder, we are asking our Silver Creek Families to please be mindful of the traffic pattern as you exit the school during drop off and pick up times. There is no left turn when exiting the school property onto Saul road during the hours of 7AM-4PM.
We ask that drivers please respect the signage for the safety of our students and other pedestrians. The no left turn was established by MCPS and the County Department of Transportation to establish a safer traffic pattern for students; turning left from the school driveway endangers students walking and riding bikes along the roadways and crossing the street at the nearby crosswalk. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
After School Activities
After school activities will start Tuesday, September 13. 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. Unless otherwise noted, the start date for all after school activities is this week, Tuesday, September 13. There is no need to register. 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 Mr. David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
Kensington 8k Race is coming up- Saturday, September 24th.
Come join us at the 29th Annual Kensington 8K, 2 Mile, & 1K on September 24, 2022. It's a wonderful race/community event that takes place in historic Kensington with four local schools- Kensington Parkwood ES, North Bethesda MS, Silver Creek MS, and Walter Johnson HS.
You may find more information located on the www.kensington8k.org
School Picture Day- This week on Friday, September 23
School Picture Day is coming Friday, September 23, 2022 . Pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000941082
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
Husky Drama- Stage Crew will meet this week.
Husky Drama Stage Crew will meet on September 22 afterschool in the cafeteria. Any questions about Husky Drama, please email Ms. Alison Gee, Drama Director, at Alison_C_Gee@mcpsmd.org
Silver Creek Athletics- Tryouts this week, September 20.
Middle School Athletics for the 2022-2023 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 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, opening on August 15, 2022.
- Tryouts will be held on September 13, 15, and 20. 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 Ms. Tara Whitney, Athletic Coordinator, at Tara_A_Whitney@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have monthly principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am. Principal Coffees will begin Friday, October 21. 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.
Counselor News & Updates
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
A message from the PTSA
- NAACP Parent Rep
- AAPI Parent Rep
Affirming our LGBTQ+ Students, families, & Community
Our Prism GSA is a student-run, staff-sponsored club focused on providing peer support, a sense of community, and opportunities for advocacy. We meet on Thursdays in the Library Media Center after school, and welcome all LGBTQ+ identifying students and their allies.
Free and Reduced Meals
The application is 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 23- School Pictures for all grades
September 26- No school for students and teachers
September 27- Parent Information Meeting: Family Life & Human Sexuality Unit for Health Education, 6:00 PM
September 30- Early release day 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- 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