The Seahawks Call - Phase 2 Edition
Week of March 29, 2021 Volume 27
A message from Principal Taylor.........................
Like Tony the Tiger, First week of school for in-person learning was...GR -R-REAT!
I must admit, this first week with having students back in our buildings was the best feeling in the world. All the planning and preparation we did as a school staff paid off. Besides a few minor glitches, the entire week went smoother than anyone could have ever expected.
I am confident that teachers will get better with knowing how to juggle hybrid instruction. The time it takes for arrival, dismissal, and transitions between classes will get shorter. Students will continue to adjust to our "new normal", but take advantage of the opportunities to still bond, connect, and make relationships as well as continue to hone in and increase their technology skills.
We are looking forward to our Phase 4 students returning in-person on April 19, 2021.
Student Code of Conduct REMINDERS
Internet Contract for Middle School Students
• searching for information on school-related projects using approved search engines;
• accessing reference, newspaper or periodical services made available to students by subscription to Charles County Public Schools;
• downloading information related to schoolwork;
• communicating via email for school-related purposes.
• accessing the internet only for school-related activities;
• remaining responsible for their behavior on the internet just as they are for their behavior in a classroom or on school property;
• using language acceptable to the workplace and school on the internet;
• following the same code of conduct as required by CCPS Code of Student Conduct;
• reporting any harassment encountered on the internet to a teacher; and
• respecting the privacy of others.
Students may not:
• access social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.;
• bully or harass any other individual using electronic communications, either directly or indirectly, on or off school grounds;
• install their personal service provider’s software on school equipment and may not log in to their personal service provider using school equipment;
• reveal their home phone numbers, addresses or other personal information;
• use someone else’s password or account number;
• copy or download materials in violation of copyright laws;
• attempt to degrade or disrupt system performance or attempt to enter and/or destroy computer systems and files;
• repost personal communications without the author’s prior consent;
• make personal purchases or unauthorized orders using the school system’s name; and
Dress Code Policy
2. Shorts and skirts are permitted as long as they reach the middle of the thigh, defined as shoulders relaxed and arms straight down alongside the body where fingertips touch the thigh. Slits in the skirt may not rise more than two inches above fingertips.
3. Clothing must cover the chest area, cleavage, torso, and undergarments. Tops may not be lower than mid-back
4. Spaghetti straps and garments that are both strapless and sleeveless are not permitted during the school day.
5. Undergarments must not be visible at any time.
6. Pants must be secured no lower than mid-hip.
7. Ripped pants are permitted as long as rips fall below the shorts length criteria, are limited to the front side of the leg, and do not exceed three inches in diameter above the knee. Skin exposed by all other rips must be covered by opaque clothing that is not underwear.
8. Leggings, biker-type/spandex shorts, or joggers must be opaque and worn with a top that meets the length expectations of shorts and skirts (see #2).
9. Backless and open-toed shoes with a hard sole are permitted as long as the shoes do not pose a safety hazard. Foam and similar soft-soled shoes, such as flip-flops or beach footwear, are prohibited.
10. Headwear is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, hats, skull caps, visors, bandannas, sweat bands, shower caps, and hoods. Scarves may be worn as a headband only. (Exceptions may be granted based on religious and medical reasons with proper verification.) Sunglasses are not permitted except during outdoor activities.
11. Sleepwear and sleepwear-type clothing are only permitted for certain activities, such as overnight field trips and spirit days.
12. Clothing that displays or symbolizes any language or material that is inappropriate for school or offensive to any group is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, material relating to drugs, alcohol, profanity, obscenity, racism, gang activity and violence.
13. The dress code is in effect for participating students at all school-sponsored events on and off campus.
Eighth Grade Proofs
All 8th grade students are required to submit two current proofs of domicile to update their student record for high school. Please see the attached parent letter for details. Parents may upload the proofs through ParentVue or email the proofs directly to our guidance secretary, Ms. Matos, at rmatos@ccboe.com. The deadline to submit these proofs is April 12, 2021.
Students who turn in acceptable proofs of domicile will be entered into a weekly raffle. The earlier your proofs are submitted, the more chances to win! Prizes will vary.
Families should contact Pam Jenkins, PPW at pkjenkins@ccboe.com if they need assistance with proofs or have questions.
Have you ordered your Yearbook yet?
Attention Seahawks,
In order to finish our yearbook, we are looking for some photos from our Seahawks. Photos should be submitted to www.HJeShare.com Our school code is Somers. Each usable photo submitted between Friday, March 19th and Wednesday, March 31st will earn 1 RISE point. If you have not submitted your portrait yet, you will earn 5 RISE points for submitting your school photo. (All portraits already submitted/taken will earn RISE points as well.) Below is a list of photos that the yearbook staff is looking for:
- Photos from your 1st day of School (virtual, Phase 2, etc.)
- Photos of you and your pet (we are looking for pets other than cats and dogs)
- Style photos—what do you think is on trend? What have you been wearing the most? PJ bottoms every day? Crocs all the time? Snap a photo and show us!
- Sports photos—you playing on a team, practice, etc.
- Trips and Vacations—where were you able to travel to while doing distance learning? Show us where you’ve been this year.
- Camping—did you camp in your backyard? Go on a scout trip?
- Virtual Learning—what does your virtual learning space look like? (Make sure you’re in the photo with it)
- Gaming—video or board games.
- Band/Choir/Orchestra—photos of you practicing/playing.
- Any other hobbies or exciting things you want to share? We want to see what you’ve been up to at home.
If you can, take a moment and help add to our book by answering a few survey questions. The form will accept submissions through Saturday 3/26.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=fts6jik6w0CD3e0PwztGw1F6mgZ3xcRMjBs-D10dKdZUQ1o1UjdGT1FITE0wVzBSMDc3UDJCVDU4WS4u
Once you’ve submitted your awesome photos, make sure you order your yearbook! Prices will go up and personalization will no longer be an option after March 31st, 2021.
If you have any questions about submitting photos to the yearbook or ordering one, please email Ms. Strobel at mstrobel@ccboe.com or Ms. Villela at avillela-villela@ccboe.com.
PBIS Raffle Winners for March 26th
Library News from Mrs. H-J!
Somers Reads!
Our March 30 for 30 challenge is coming to an end, but don’t stop reading! Somers students have read 12% more minutes than they did in February! And it’s not even the end of the month! Keep it up Seahawks!
Looking for a new book?
Take a look at the Black-Eyed Susan Books on our Destiny library site. There are books for every kind of reader in this year’s contestants. You will find them at the top of the Destiny Home page for your reading pleasure. They are also available for curbside reading.
Library Reminders
Our library books are looking to reunite with their missing companions. Have a Somers library book still checked out? Please return it during school hours and make the other books happy.
SCHOOL SUPPORTS
Marlon Walker - 6th Grade VP - mwalker@ccboe.com
Cynthia Panizzi - 7th Grade VP - cpanizzi@ccboe.com
Wualanda Thenstead - 8th Grade VP - wthenstead@ccboe.com
Sonia Matthew - Administrative Asst. - smatthew@ccboe.com
COUNSELING SUPPORTS
Kenneth Tojek - 6th Grade Counselor - ktojek@ccboe.com
Nancy Franklin - 7th Grade Counselor - nfranklin@ccboe.com
Brittany Williams - 8th Grade Counselor - bwilliams@ccboe.com
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Andrea Johnson - Reading Resource Teacher (Reading) - afjohnson@ccboe.com
Jennifer Branham - Instructional Resource Teacher (Math) - jbranham@ccboe.com
Suzanne Johnson - Learning Resource Teacher (Gifted Education and Testing Coordinator) - srjohnson@ccboe.com
Email: somersms@ccboe.com
Website: https://www.ccboe.com/schools/somers/
Location: 300 Willow Lane, La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: 301-934-4663
Twitter: @miltonsomersms