Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Picture Day is Tuesday
Plum Point Middle School
9/26/2023
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Skip the Order Form!
Online Code: plumpt23
Questions?/Preguntas?
(800)869-9515 x112
Advisory Corner
For the week of September 25th
Curricular Focus: Relationship Skills
Skills Practiced This Week: Building community, Empathy, Problem-solving, Self-confidence, & Self-reflection
September/October Gator Character Challenge: "Recognizing Gator Greatness" - complete 4 recognition forms for students and/or staff members; turn in the form to Ms. Swann by 10/26 to earn Gator Bucks.
PBIS Update
The Plum Point Middle staff continues to promote and recognize positive behavior around the school. Within the last two weeks, staff have recognized students by writing 77 positive referrals.
Additionally, our school store is open many Fridays. The PTSA will be sharing a sign up for those parents/guardians who are able to help staff the school store during lunches on Fridays. Students use their earned "Gator Bucks" to purchase supplies, snacks, and prizes. The goal is to reinforce positive behavior to build a more supportive school climate. The store is a reward for students who demonstrated positive behavior here at PPMS.
If you would like to donate to the PBIS team, please see the flyer below. All funds will go directly towards creating rewards and incentives to continue supporting our work acknowledging all of the amazing things our students do every day.
Congratulations to our NJHS Inductees!
School Events
September
26 - Picture Day (During PE or Fine/Performing Arts Class)
26 - GATE Student Meeting (3rd period Advisory)
28 - Interims in HAC & 2-hour Early Dismissal
29 - No School
Armchair Fundraiser - 9/14-9/28
Help us raise funds to supplement school shirt orders, school decor, & advisory club resources/supplies.
Clubs (recurring)
- Chess Club, Mondays, 7 AM, Rm. 114
- Garden Club, Mondays, 3-5 PM, Rm. 114
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), 7 AM, Gym
- Student Government Association (SGA), 7 AM, Rm. 316
Come out and support three of our PPMS Gators as they compete in the marching band competition!
From the Office
(repeat) Attendance Notes
Confirming/Verifying Absences It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide school authorities with verification of the reason for each student absence. Any absence not certified by the parent, guardian, physician, court or other appropriate person/agency will be considered unlawful.
Students returning from absences without notes with appropriate signatures certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful.
(repeat) Student Pick-Up
Please keep in mind this is for the safety of all students. If you have someone other than yourself picking up your student early from school, please be sure to send a note to the "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com> email account, or in writing with your student. The emergency contacts you have listed are there in the event of an emergency and we cannot reach YOU. They do not automatically have permission to pick up your child early from school.
Reminder, you can send notes for absences, attendance questions, late arrivals, or early release needs to this emails address "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com>.
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Academic Eligibility for Athletic Programs has been updated: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1692121536/calvertnetk12mdus/lyiw01xuk5k8rgwhgcon/16301.pdf
Student Government Association
Student government helps develop public speaking and leadership skills which help students throughout life. Students get to practice these leadership skills at county and statewide general assemblies and conferences. SGA also plans and executes many schoolwide events.
We are very happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2023-2024 school year. SGA will meet in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316, on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Students are still welcome to join SGA. Feel free to attend a meeting and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! Please reach out to Mrs. Kelly at kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
Nurse Notes
(repeat) Signs if could be more than a cold 🤒
- Symptoms develop fast - Cold symptoms like nasal congestion or sneezing start slowly and gradually get worse. Flu symptoms hit you all of a sudden and feel stronger.
- Chills - Shivering because your body temperature changes. They aren't typically a sign of a cold. Chills could be an early sign of an infection or high fever. More common with the flu or pneumonia.
- Increase in body temperature - a sign your body is trying to fight an infection/illness. Fevers are rarely caused by a cold, much more common with the flu, bronchitis and pneumonia. A body temperature over 100.4 is considered a fever - 100.0 for school children.
- Body aches - slight aches possible with a cold, but stronger aches are usually a sign of the flu.
- Wheezing - breathing sounds like a whistle. This is a sign of a more serious infection like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Cough with mucus - mild annoying cough common with a cold but if you cough up mucus (slimy stuff from deep in your chest) can be a sign of pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Fatigue - no energy, no appetite, a typical symptom of the flu. Less often caused by a cold.
- Sore throat - mild with a cold and sometimes with the flu. Very painful and comes on quickly may be a sign of strep throat.
- Headache - many causes but a cold usually isn't one of them. Common flu symptom and possible sinus infection.
- Chest tightness or Pain - sign of a more serious respiratory infection like bronchitis. Sharp pain that worsens when you cough could be a sign of pneumonia.
- Shortness of breath - a cold can cause a stuffy nose which makes breathing harder, but real shortness of breath is a sign of something more serious.
- Ear, face or eye pressure - could be a sign of sinus infection or ear infection.
- Symptoms that don't go away - flu symptoms may be bad, but they usually get better within a few days. Colds can last up to 10 days. Pneumonia symptoms can last for a month or longer. Bronchitis symptoms can last several months.
​*Always call your primary care physician for new or worsening symptoms so you can get an accurate diagnosis and get the right treatment.
*Please keep student's home if they are sick to help keep our PPMS community safe, happy and healthy! Happy September 🙂
PTSA Update
Membership Drive!
Become a member of Plum Point Middle's PTSA here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Our $10 Membership is annual so if you were a member last year, please renew for this school year. Dues help to fund events and activities for our students and families! Becoming a member does not mean you have to volunteer your time, but if you'd like to help out by volunteering or donating funds, there are lots of opportunities through the year!
PTSA Meeting:
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 11th at 6pm in the Media Center.
Save the Date for Trunk or Treat!
Trunk or Treat is October 27th, from 6 - 8pm. Planning has begun for this fun annual event. If you'd like to help, please email us at ppmsfamilies@gmail.com.
How to contact the PTSA:
Visit our new LinkTree for all the ways to find us!
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2023-2024 will remain the same:
Breakfast: $1.65; Secondary Lunch $2.80; Student Milk $0.55.
Contact PPMS Secretaries
If you have a question regarding school events/activities, would like to report an absence, or need to contact the school about car/bus rider status, please email the PPMS Secretaries:
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources, 443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.