Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
June 7-June 11
Dear SCMS Parents/Guardians
We have a little over a week left of the 2020-2021 school year. What a year it has been! This year would not have been possible without the collective commitment from staff, students, and families. Thank you for your outstanding partnership during this pandemic. Although we experienced some unusual and difficult times, I am proud to say that our students at Silver Creek experienced essential learning in way that was as authentic as possible given the circumstances. Whether in person or virtual, we maintained high expectations and excellence for our students while supporting their well-being- students did amazing. I am so grateful to our teachers & staff who successfully made hybrid learning work- this was certainly no easy task- but they made it happen for our kids & deserve the highest praise.
Next week will be the last Silver Creek Newsletter of the school year. However, communication will continue to occur throughout the summer via email to families.
We look forward to seeing our Cohort B students this week. This will be a 5 day week. We will have Wednesday check-ins this week & FSI, except on Friday, June 11 (we will have our scheduled June fire drill for our Cohort B students). Also, on Monday, 6/7 during the FSI time, 6th graders will practice lockers & will not have FSI. They will report to their homeroom for this practice.
As the Quarter comes to an end, please encourage your child to take advantage of the morning FSI & Wednesday check-in support this week so students can finish out the school year strong. We are always here to support their efforts and are very proud of their continued hard work.
Let’s make it a great week Huskies!
This will be the last Weekly Assignments at a Glance.
Hybrid Bell Schedule
This is a B week. Please find the Adjusted Hybrid Schedule here for the remainder of the school year. Please review the schedule in great detail.
**Please note: Students who attend in-person learning this week will come to the building Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. Wednesday is a virtual day.
In-Person Learning Updates/Reminders
We look forward to seeing our B cohort students this week.
COVID-19 Dashboard
The MCPS COVID-19 dashboard helps the community keep track of key health metrics and positive cases in our school communities. All school notification letters are posted on this webpage: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/dashboard/. The dashboard will be updated to display the cumulative number of positive cases reported for students and staff.
COVID Pool Testing at Silver Creek
Silver Creek Middle School began COVID Pool Testing on Friday, May 7, 2021. The last testing will occur this Friday, June 11.
CONSENT: You must sign the following consent form to give permission for your child to participate. You can send in the consent form by doing one of the following:
- You can print the form, sign and have your child return to school.
- You can print the form, sign and take a picture of the consent form and email a copy to the attendance secretary at Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org.
- You may use the following link https://kami.app/P26-gvU-28p to automatically make a copy and sign using Kami. You can save the document and then email the consent form to Ms. Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org.
If you do not complete the consent form, your child will not be able to participate in testing.
Returning Novels for English Class
Silver Creek Middle School has held two distributions of novels this year.
- English teachers have been collecting these two books from students attending in person.
- For all students who have been attending virtually, we are collecting English novels on Wednesday, June 9 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Please place a sticky note on each novel with your child's first and last name clearly printed so we know who returned them. You may also write their name on a piece of paper and slip it inside the book.
- The books for each grade level are listed below:
Grade 6: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Grade 7: The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and The Giver by Lois Lowry
Grade 8: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas and Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai.
- If you have lost a book or if the book is damaged, your child's English teacher will issue an obligation and let you know how to pay for the book or replace it. You are also welcome to purchase a replacement copy of the book and return it on June 9 if you prefer.
- When you arrive at SCMS on June 9th, please pull up to the front of the school where a staff member will greet you and collect your book(s).
Chromebook Obligations
Students do not need to turn in their Chromebook at the end of the school year. Any 8th grade student transferring to an MCPS school will also be able to keep their chromebook as well. If a student is NOT attending an MCPS school next school year, he/she will need to return their Chromebook at the end of the school year. Communication will be sent out to families on times/dates for drop off.
During Husky Huddle on Friday, June 11 teachers will inventory cohort B students' chromebooks to determine any damage. If there is any repair needed, students will be issued a replacement Chromebook. If there is a cost associated with the damage, an email will be sent to families from central office with the obligation. Please see additional information on Chromebook Obligations and costs HERE.
Yearbook Distribution
The yearbooks have arrived! If your child ordered a yearbook for the 2020-2021 school year, distribution dates and times are listed below:
- June 7th & June 8th—Yearbooks will be distributed during lunch for Cohort B students
- June 9th—For students who have remained virtual, yearbook distribution will occur at the same time as novel drop off (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.).
- When you arrive at SCMS, an adult will greet you. Give them your child's name and they will check our Yearbook roster and then provide you with the yearbook.
SPIRIT FRIDAYS
This Friday, June 11 will be our last Spirit Friday. It is Silver Creek Spirit Color Day. Whether you are in-person or virtual wear your colors.
- 8th graders wear Blue
- 7th graders wear Grey/Silver
- 6th graders wear White.
Library Media Center Summer Holds-to-go and Return Deadline
If you've lost a book, please let Ms. Diskin know as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding that returning your books keeps our library collection abundant. We will have two summer Holds-to-Go pickup dates, on June 29 and July 27. For recommendations for summer reading, including fantastic book lists and personalized recommendations, please vist our website HERE.
Celebrating our 8th grade students! June 10- Promotion Slide Show & June 11- Distribution of Certificates!
We are so excited to celebrate our 8th grade students' promotion to high school this week. Please click on the link below for all the detailed information.
Promotion Yard Signs: If you ordered a yard sign, and were not able to pick it up last Friday, you may pick your yard sign up this Wednesday, June 9 from 9-12 pm & 1-3 pm. We look forward to a nice recognition and farewell to our 8th grade class!
Silver Creek News Crew (SCN)
Husky Huddle
During Husky Huddle on Tuesday, June 8, students will engage in the last NPFH lesson. Please see google slides for what students will participate in during this time. On Friday, June 11, Cohort B students will have a chance to inventory their chromebooks & receive a new chromebook if they have a damage one. Please see google slides for Friday's chromebook inventory.
Attendance Reminder: Students are expected to attend all 8 of their classes. Attendance is taken in all classes including Husky Huddle (8th period/Homeroom).
PARENT RESOURCES
Thursday Tea with Dr. Awkard
If you missed last week's Tea, please find the google slides here. More detailed information on summer and fall calendar events will be forthcoming throughout the summer.
You may find the google slides for each month's "Thursday Tea" on our website.
Counselor News & Updates
Take a look at our May/June Newsletter. Also please check out our Counseling Website periodically for upcoming parent drop in sessions https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/parent-resources
Parent/Guardian Resource 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
Interested in serving on the PTSA? SCMS PTSA positions are available for the 2021-2022 school year!
Our families all play an essential role in making Silver Creek the wonderful community that it is. The staff at Silver Creek are committed to working with you to support your children and provide the most enriching learning environment possible. The PTSA is a vital part of making that happen.
There are still a number of positions available on the PTSA Executive Committee and the Board for the 2021-2022 school year, particularly related to Diversity/Inclusion and Communications. Please consider volunteering and please contact any of the Nominating Committee members if you are interested in serving and/or have a recommendation: Susan Hage (susan.hage@redcross.org), Juliana Horowitz (julianahorowitz@gmail.com), or Dana Peterson (danapeterson94@gmail.com).
Thank you!
Recognitions in the The Month of June
Online Homework Help
MCPS has announced a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service. Tutorme.com is a secure, online resource that will be easily accessible through MCPS student Canvas and StudentVUE accounts and will offer on-demand assistance on any subject from grade 3 through grade 12. More information is available here.
Social Media
We know that many students use social media applications such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. It is imperative that students use these social media applications appropriately. Technology should be not be misused for the purpose of bullying, harassment, or intimidation. I will address any acts of misuse accordingly. The MCPS Policy can be found here.
Thank you for being vigilant and monitoring your child's social media use. Here is a resource for parents on social media.
Important Dates to Remember & Coming Attractions
June 7 & 8- Yearbook distribution for Cohort B during lunch
June 9- Novel Drop Off & Yearbook Distribution (for virtual students) at Silver Creek; Yard Sign pick up for 8th grade parents, if ordered.
June 10- 6PM- 8th Grade promotion/slideshow (Link will be sent to families by 5:45 PM)
June 11- 4PM- 8th Grade Distribution of Certificates/gifts at Silver Creek Middle School
June 16- Last day of School (Early release)
Student Absence & Class Recordings
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 in 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
You can also email Ms. Rachel Distelhorst, attendance secretary, at Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org.
Students are expected to attend the live meetings for all classes listed on their schedules. If students are not able to attend one or more live class meetings on a given day, they should access the recording of the class that is posted in myMCPS Classroom. These recordings will only be available for 72 hours after the live class meeting. After watching the recording, please complete the Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form found here. After the form has been submitted and processed, the absence will be removed from the student’s record. (Please note that it may take several days to process the form after it has been submitted.) If a student is absent from a live class meeting and not able to access the recording within 72 hours due to an extenuating circumstance (e.g., hospitalization, death in the family, etc.) or has questions regarding attendance procedures, a parent or guardian may email a note to Ms. Rachel Distelhorst, attendance secretary, at Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
Silver Creek Middle School
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Acting Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 7:55 am- 3:25 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