Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
September 6- September 10
Dear Silver Creek Families
We had a great first week! Our students did a nice job returning back to school. We are very proud of our students and we ended the week with an awesome pep rally! Our Huskies have a lot of school spirit. As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday, September 6 & Tuesday, September 7. Happy Rosh Hashanah to our families who celebrate. I look forward to seeing all of our students back at school on Wednesday, September 8.
In this week's newsletter, the section with an * has been updated with new information OR it is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. Enjoy your long weekend. Let's make it a great week Huskies!
*Bell Schedule
A few reminders:
School hours- 8:15 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Students can enter the building beginning at 7:55 a.m and will report to their grade-level designated areas. The 6th grade students in the cafeteria, 7th grade students on the tennis courts, and 8th grade students on the basketball courts. If there is inclement weather, 7th & 8th grade students will be in the main gym.
Parent Drop Off: Parents please drop off at the main entrance of the building and not the bus loop. School staff will monitor student drop off and dismissal areas. Parents, thank you for following the instructions of school staff to keep the flow of traffic moving.
Parent Pick up: Parents may begin to pick up their child at 3:00 pm. Please follow the driveway up to the main entrance and follow the directions of the staff.
*NEW- To minimize the number of students waiting at once for their bus, we will have a staggered dismissal for all bus riders beginning Wednesday, September 8.
Lunch/Cafeteria Expectations for SY22
To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure, we have planned for additional safety measures. To reduce the number of students in the cafe, the capacity of the lunchroom will be no more than half of the grade-level. The other half (or more) of the grade-level will eat outside. Staff will solicit students' interest in eating outside daily. During inclement weather, half of the students will eat in the cafeteria, and the other half will eat in assigned indoor locations.
Husky Connect Support Period
This school year, we have re-examined our bell schedule to accommodate a support/advisory period. The purpose of the support period is to create a learning space that responds to the needs of our students' academic, social, and emotional needs. During this time, students will have opportunities for outside wellness, academic support and will participate in SEL lessons anchored in Restorative Justice, No Place for Hate (NPFH) Initiative, and Middle Years Programme (MYP). The support period will begin the week of September 13, 2021
Please see Bell Schedule & Information about Husky Connect Support period
MCPS Reopening Guide
The health and safety of students and staff is the district’s top priority as MCPS carries out its commitment to provide in-person instruction, five days a week, for all students. MCPS has developed a plan to ensure a safe return to school and will continue to be proactive in the face of rapidly changing circumstances. Pleasae read the most updated information from MCPS: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2021-2022/community-update-interim-superintendent/9-03-2021.html
COVID Pool Testing: 6th Grade Families ONLY
One significant mitigation tactic Montgomery County Public Schools will use this fall is random COVID-19 screening tests for students in grades PreK through 6. MCPS, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, is offering COVID screening tests to students in these grades, at no cost. Please read the process outlined from MCPS below:
*Quarantine for Unvaccinated students
As we return to school, we continue to rely on our families and each individual to screen themselves daily for symptoms. To help us avoid quarantine, we are asking that you please continue to screen your children at home and if they have even one symptom of COVID-19, or are awaiting COVID test results, please do not send them to school.
This is particularly important if your child has any of the following single symptoms below. If so, they will be sent home and not be able to return to school until they have a negative test, alternate diagnosis, or complete a full 10-day quarantine. During that period of time, all other students who have been in their close contact will have to be in a temporary quarantine while the other families wait on the outcome of that testing for your child.
The single symptoms that the health room staff screen for and will result in quarantine are cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fever ≥100.4°, sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea or vomiting. Please do not send your children to school with any of these symptoms. This is essential for us to continue to remain in school without quarantine.
If a student needs to quarantine/isolate for 10 days due to a COVID 19 direct exposure or positive test, Silver Creek Middle School will have a plan for the virtual continuity of learning. If your child is identified to quarantine, additional details on the live virtual continuity of learning will be shared with you.
Immunization Records
As a reminder, students entering Grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 must provide documentation that they have received one dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) and one dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination.
- If your child has the required immunizations but you have not submitted documentation, please make sure to submit the required documentation.
- You may access and print official copies of your child’s vaccination record online at no cost on the Maryland Department of Health’s web portal.
- If you have not had your child’s vaccinations updated, please make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or click on the link below to view a list of locations offering free immunizations. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xonMFkRlHjfESq0-H4ijutEWJDOpgfO7W133Adi9uUE/edit?usp=sharing
Students have until September 21 to produce vaccination records. If we do not have updated vaccination records for your child by Tuesday, September 21, they will be excluded from school until such documentation is produced.
If you have any questions regarding how to submit updated immunization records, please contact Ms. Lambert-Williamson, registrar, at 240-740-2211 or via email at Michelle_C_Lamber-williamson@mcpsmd.org.
*Save the Date: Virtual Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Information pertaining to the schedule and zoom links will be communicated to families soon. The information will also be posted on our website the week of September 13, 2021.
*Upcoming Testing
All students will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing & Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) beginning in September. Please see dates below:
- To learn more about the MAP assessment, please click on the link: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/.
- To learn more about MCAP, please click on the link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/mcap/
Questions about Testing, please contact Mr. David O'Shell, assistant principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*Want to be part of the Student Government Association (SGA)?
Contact Mrs. Lacy (ashley.e.lacy@mcpsmd.net) or Mr. Kavanaugh (william.h.kavanaugh@mcpsmd.net) with any questions!
*Silver Creek News is Coming Soon! Interested in joining TV Studio?
*After School Activities Start September 14
After school activities will start Tuesday, September 14. After school activities will run from September 14 through May 16 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 can be found in our After School Brochure which is linked below. The link will also take you to a google registration form to be used to sign up for an after school activity.
Registering for an activity will be on-going. Students will be contacted to confirm their registration and details about the activity’s start date/time. 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 after school sponsor to ride the bus.
After school Activity Brochure & Registration Form: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/after-school-activities
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Mr. David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*Library Media Center (LMC): News & Notes
Calling all Book Warriors! Our Books Wars club will begin meeting in the LMC every other Thursday, on September 23. Books Wars is both a book discussion club and trivia team. Members read 15 books a year, and meet regularly to discuss, collaborate, and celebrate reading, as we prepare for the MCPS spring Book Wars competition. While we look forward to crushing our worthy competitors at Pyle, Westland, and Silver Spring International, we do emphasize teamwork, creativity, and sharing our insights about great reads! Please share this book list, reading schedule, and information sheet with any interested students. We look forward to seeing all interested students on Thursday, September 23.
SOAR with SORA: While we are all excited about the hundreds of new print books now circulating in our library, all students still have full access to SORA, our ebook and audiobook platform. Please encourage your students to download the app on any device or visit www.soraapp.com on their Chromebooks. All users can now add the Montgomery Public Library collection to their account without a library card, too. Directions for using SORA are here.
*Silver Creek Athletics
We are excited to bring back in-person fall athletics to our students. If your child is interested in trying out for cross county or softball, please have them pick up paperwork in their PE classes starting on Tuesday August 31st. If you missed the optional parent meeting for 7th and 8th grade students last week, you may find the link to the recording below.
Meeting Recording (from 9/2) https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/rec/share/oSSYzJw1Uult-H1Ecmo9AOTLl4kfxXivToQ77S4TamH7m5t_X9Q0-kFAt0VUuOEl.ZXpQTFfgQPuvtcvE
Passcode: DQvV+9h^
Any questions, please contact Ms. Tara_A_Whitney@mcpsmd.org
Silver Creek Spirit Wear
Hurry while supplies last! The Silver Creek Middle School Spirit Wear online store is now open until September 12th.
All orders will be distributed through PE/Health classes the week of October 4th. The online store will be open again in the Spring, so make sure to get your Winter gear now! Be sure to check out the new moisture wicking Performance PE T-shirt. Link to online store: https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/silver_creek_middle/shop/home
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to bring monthly principal coffees this school year. Principal Coffees will begin on October 21. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being.
Counselor News & Updates
Welcome parents! Please read SCMS counselors' introduction below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qONsWz3fdSrCbJmuvqA5hY56RkVFtEqlqNybofSw9I0/edit
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
Free and Reduced Meals
Free breakfast, lunch and dinner meals will be provided to all students in schools and at designated food distribution sites.
While school meals are free, families are still encouraged to apply for Free and Reduced Meal status so they are eligible for community resources and services. Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
*Message from the PTSA
The Silver Creek's PTSA is looking to fill four important roles on its Diversity Council.
- NAACP Representative
- AASAAG Representative
- LGBT Representative
- Special Education Representative
If you're interested in learning more, please contact Julie Inlow Muñoz at ptsainlowmunoz@gmail.com.
Important Dates to Remember
September 6- Labor Day Holiday- Schools and Offices Closed
September 7- Rosh Hashanah- No School for students and teachers
September 8, 9, 10- MAP-M Testing
September 14- Start of After School Activities
September 16- Yom Kippur- No school for students and teachers
September 20, 21, 22- MAP-R Testing
September 21- Virtual Back to School Night- 6:30 PM
September 27-September 29- MCAP testing, 6th graders
September 28- Virtual Parent Information Meeting: Family Life & Human Sexuality Unit for Health Education, 6PM. (Zoom link sent soon).
October 5 -October 7- MCAP Testing, 7th & 8th graders
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence or Quarantine
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. Victoria Hill, attendance secretary, at Victoria_R_Hil@mcpsmd.org.
Please note: If a student needs to quarantine/isolate for 10 days due to a COVID 19 direct exposure or positive test, Silver Creek Middle School has established a plan for the virtual continuity of learning. We will communicate the plan to families soon.
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
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