Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
October 10 - October 14
Dear Silver Creek Families
We look forward to another great week of school. As a reminder, we have Open House on Monday, October 10. You may read the message that was sent to families HERE. Also, this week, students will take the MAP assessment on Tuesday, October 11 & Wednesday, October 12. Please see message about the MAP assessment below in the newsletter.
Interims were posted on Friday, October 7. You may access your child's interim by going to ParentVue and selecting Gradebook & MP1Interims. We commend all of our students for their hard work and we continue to encourage their ongoing efforts.
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!
*Latest MCPS Message: Things to Know
*Silver Creek News (SCN)!
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, October 7, 2022 to hear upcoming news & events.
*Mental Health Awareness Week: October 10-October 15
For details and announcements about daily topics, speakers, resources and how to join us, please visit www.MCPSmentalhealth.org.
*Media Moment: Library Media Center News & Notes
SPOOKY SENTENCES: October is the month for readers to scare themselves silly with a great horror or thriller title (or dive into a mystery, if scary isn't your thing!). Encourage your students to participate in our Spooky Sentences reading challenge. They'll read a book, and choose the "spookiest sentence." Then, they'll design and post their sentence strip in the Library Media Center by 10/26. All students can vote on the spookiest sentence, and we'll announce the winners of our creepy cupcake prizes on Oct. 31.
EXTREME WEATHER INQUIRY: All 8th graders will be visiting the LMC this week to research an extreme weather event of their choice, either in Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Oregon, or China. We'll focus on consulting mainstream news sources and to explore connections between these events, climate change, and human impact. Most importantly, students will be proposing evidence-based solutions for addressing extreme weather and climate change, based on their new knowledge about weather disaster preparedness and community resilience.
*Tutoring Available for Students: Beginning this week!
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 will begin after school this week, on Tuesday Oct. 11. 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.
Student Service Learning (SSL) Information & Opportunity for our Huskies!
MAP testing: This Week, October 11 & October 12
- MAP math will be on October 11
- MAP Reading will be on October 12
Please make sure your child brings their school-issued chromebook to take the test and that it is charged the night before. You may find the bell schedule for testing located below:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/testing_1?authuser=0
If you have any questions about testing, please contact Mr. David O'Shell, assistant principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
High School Regional/Countywide Application- Information Session- This week, 10/13
The application season for the High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs will open this week, Friday, October 7, 2022. To learn more about which high school regional/countywide application programs your child is eligible, please review the personalized program eligibility report available (October 7) in both the StudentVUE and ParentVUE – in DOCUMENTS (located on the left navigation bar of Synergy). This report includes programs for which your child is eligible along with program descriptions and directions to access the application. The deadline to apply is November 4, 2022. You may also visit the High School Programs At-A-Glance at MCPS website for additional information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/
Please join us on October 13th at 7:00 on zoom to learn about all of the MCPS high school programs. This is a great opportunity to learn about other opportunities outside of B-CC. We will go over both the application and the lottery programs. There will also be time to ask specific questions.
Zoom Link:https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/4232082710?pwd=cmg4Mm84WlhKYVJoa0ZsRHQwVkdLdz09
Meeting ID: 423 208 2710
Passcode: MsLevine
Counseling Lessons
Counselors will be going through PE to do the PBSL lessons the week of October 19 - 28. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:
- Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
- Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
- Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
- Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.
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 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. The topic for October 21 will be: Understanding School Emergency preparedness, drills and communication.
This will be an in-person meeting with the option to zoom. Teh zoom link will come out soon.
Counselor News & Updates
Check out our Counseling Newsletter for the Month of October!
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
*Kennedy HS Info. Meeting for Families. Representatives will visit 8th grade lunch- Monday, 10/10.
Also- representatives will be visiting to Silver Creek Middle School on Monday, October 10 during 8th grade lunch to speak with our 8th grade students.
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/
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
October 10- Open House
October 10- October 14- MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week
October 11 & 12- MAP Testing
October 13- High School Program Information session- Via Zoom, 7PM
October 24- No school for students; professional day for teachers
November 4- End of Marking Period 1
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