Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
November 10th
Knight Nation,
It was a short but busy school week. The majority of our clubs are up and running. Students are making new connections and engaging in enriching experiences.
Wednesday, November 15th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm is the Mega Fundraiser Party for those students who earned it. Thank you to everyone for your contribution, monies will be used to enhance the learning environment.
1st Marking Period Report Cards will be posted in Home Access Center (HAC) on November 13th. There are no paper report cards mailed home.
November 13th - 17th is American Education Week. WHMS is opening our doors to parents on Wednesday, November 15th from 8:00am - 11:00am. Come watch the magic of teaching and learning!
November 15th we are looking for a few volunteers to help us sort Turkey Grams by staff member! If you are available between 1pm-3pm Wednesday afternoon please let Mrs. Merewitz know at mailto:merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us
November 16th is make up picture day. If your child was not photographed in October, they will have their picture taken next week. If you want your child to have their picture retaken, have them bring the original pictures with them to retakes on Thursday. Retakes will be between 8-10am. See the information below for details.
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
CONGRATULATIONS
November student's of the Month
6th grade - Nova Dyro, Hudson Spolarich, Harrison Vitolo
7th grade - Madilynn Allen, Avery Cain, Liam Horn
8th grade - Makayla Collazo, Lucas Wickwire
MAKE UP PICTURE DAY
November 16, 2023
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If your students missed the original picture day,
please make sure they dress for retake picture day.
If you would like your student to be photographed a second time,
you must return the original package to the photographer.
You cannot pre-order for retakes, however if you do not place
an order, you will receive a proof with ordering instructions.
(800)869-9515 x112
Upcoming Book Fair
The WHMS Holiday Book Fair is coming up the week of December 4th with family night on Tuesday December 5th from 5-7 PM. If you are able to volunteer during the school day, please click here to view available times. To view our WHMS Book Fair Website including signing up for eWallet and previewing books from the fair, please click here. eWallet can be set up starting November 13th. Thank you for supporting reading and materials in the WHMS library! If you have any questions, please email WHMS Librarian Anne Jones at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us
From WHMS Guidance Office
Carson Scholarship nominations
Only one nominee per school may be selected
The purpose of the Carson Scholars Program is to recognize and reward outstanding students in the United States who
exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. The goal of the Carson Scholars Program goes beyond instilling
an interest in college early on and assisting with the costs of college.
Students must first apply to be the nominee for Windy Hill Middle School before they can apply to the actual Carson Scholar Award. Students must go to the attached link and read all information thoroughly prior to beginning their application. All applications to be the school's nominee are due Dec 1st, 2023. https://forms.office.com/r/yiAC7Mgx57
Any questions about the scholarship program can be addressed to their grade level counselor or to Mrs. Dean who is overseeing the nomination process.
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
Health - Family Life and Human Sexuality Opt - Out Process
We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the letter here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694008493/calvertnetk12mdus/gqowzbcfkpluqtcf8abp/MS-Opt-Out-Letter.pdf
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found collection is already growing on our stage. We will be discarding or donating any items left there the end of next week. The items will be discarded every other Friday for sanitary reasons. Students are encouraged to look for anything they're missing during lunch. If you wish to come in and look yourself, please come check in at the main office and you may take a look on our stage!
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
CLINIC/TRYOUT SCHEDULES: These run from 3pm-5pm
CHEER AND BOYS BASKETBALL NOVEMBER 13-17
GIRLS BASKETBALL NOVEMBER 27-DEC 1
POMS DEC 4-8
Be sure your child has a refillable water bottle, the proper clothes and a ride at 5pm each day!
Make your sports physical appointments now. For questions, contact Mrs. Merewitz, Athletic Director, at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
ATTENDANCE
When your child arrives late or leaves early due to a doctor's appointment, a doctor's note is required for the absence to be coded a lawful absence/doctors appointment. Your child will bring this note to the guidance office upon their return to school. If you do not have a doctors note, a note from the parent/guardian will then allow for the absence to be coded as a lawful absence.
Students returning from a full day(s) absence must submit a note to the guidance office within three days of returning to school to update the absences. The email to submit absence notes is madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If a note is sent via email please be sure you include the students name, date of absence, the reason for the absence, the parent/guardian name and phone number.
SAVE THE DATE
- Friday, November 10th - School closed for students
- Monday, November 13th - 1st quarter report cards in HAC
- Wednesday, November 15th - 8am-11:00am American Education Week visitation
- Thursday, November 16th - Make-up picture day
CELL PHONES
Windy Hill Middle School PTSO Updates
Please help us show our wonderful WHMS staff how THANKFUL we are for everything they do! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. All donated items should be dropped off by 8:30 am on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Please send all cash/check donations to the school office in an envelope labeled WHMS PTSO Staff Appreciation at your earliest convenience. Thank you for helping us show the staff our appreciation for all they do!
You can email the PTSO officers at any time at mailto:windyhillptso@gmail.com.
Join the WHMS PTSO Facebook Page to keep up with information - Windy Hill Middle School Parents Teachers Students is the group name.
Thank you to the many parents who helped make our fall dance a HUGE success. We had a great turnout, kids had a wonderful time, and the chaperones helped make it a fun, safe event for everyone. Our website address is: https://whms.calvertnet.k12.md.us/about-us/our-parents/ptso.
Support WHMS PTSO when you shop at Harris Teeter. Takes only a minute to link your card to WHMS. https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Or tell your cashier to link your VIC card to WHMS with our school code 6324. Funds are earned from 8/1/23 through 12/31/23. You have to relink your card each school year.
We encourage you to join PTSO. Joining PTSO does not obligate you to volunteering, but we certainly welcome your support with any events you are interested in helping with.
https://checkout.square.site/buy/PWK2E77ZYGDGEBG5FMT5KHKK.
Your PTSO officers this year are Mary Rooney, Michelle Dyro, Andrea Hoover, Cheri Kline and Karen Merewitz.
DRESS CODE
Become a Volunteer
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.
Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.