Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
March 1st
Knight Nation,
Congratulations to one of Windy Hill Middle School's many outstanding teachers, Ms. Surratt for being recognized as a SMECO Teacher of the Year. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) and the Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's county school systems sponsored a SMECO Outstanding Teachers of the Year Awards contest that was open to all elementary, middle, and high school mathematics and science teachers as well as teachers who integrate STEM in their classroom. Teachers from each county have been selected to receive the awards based on curriculum integration, application, use of technology, NCTM Standards, and MSPP.
We are looking for donations of cases of water for an upcoming event at school. If you are able to donate, feel free to drop off a case of water at any time. Thank you
The next PTSO event is our annual Dodgeball Tournament coming April 5th. The registration form for the event is attached. The first 16 teams with their form and $30 turned in will be allowed to participate.
The Maryland School Survey will be administered in ELA classes between Tuesday 2/27-Friday 4/5. All students will take the survey. Please see the attached parent letter for more information.
Our Book Club is starting up again in March. See the attached permission slip. Students can still join if interested.
To address our students illegally late, there is a new policy for Students Tardy to School which started with the 3rd Marking Period. If your child is late due to an appointment etc., you need to send a note in with them within 3 days or email Ms. Madison at madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us and attendance will be updated.
3 tardies= one day lunch detention
4 tardies = three days lunch detention
5 tardies = after school detention
6 tardies = Saturday School
STUDENT PICK UP AND DISMISSAL
When your child arrives late to school the parent/guardian does not need to come in with the student. They will come in, sign in at the office independently, and head to class. If they are unsure how to sign in, we'll help them. For dismissal prior to the end of the day, the person picking up MUST have their driver's license with them. If it is someone other than the parent/guardian picking up the student early, the parent/guardian must send a note with the student giving that person permission to pick up the student. Be sure to send in a note either from the doctor or yourself for any absence, early dismissal or late arrival in order for attendance to be updated.
Thank you
WHMS YEARBOOK
Our yearbook is available for purchase. The cost is now $40 and orders are only accepted until April 12th. All orders are placed online and the flyer is attached. The link to order is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/windyhillmiddle
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
Clubs
NJHS is meeting Monday, March 4th. Please add that to
WHMS SPIRIT DAYS
We have spirit, yes we do. We have spirit, how about you? It’s time to show everyone how spirited you are! First up is Friday, March 8th is Windy Hill Middle School Spirit Day. Be sure to wear red, white, black and/or WHMS Knights gear! Next, we have Luck of the Irish Day on Monday, March 18th. Wear green, orange, white or St. Patrick’s Day gear. Lastly, on Friday, March 22nd, we are Cruisin’ into Spring Break! Everyone loves a good tacky tourist, so let’s see those cruise/tourist attire!
In March, the WHMS Wellness Committee is hosting a few contests to make these spirit days a little sweeter, the. For our first two spirit days: School Spirit and Luck of the Irish, each student who participates will receive a special wellness shield. These shields are to be used to enter the drawing during lunch the same day. One lucky winner from each lunch will receive an a la carte dessert from the cafeteria. Additionally, while we are Cruisin’ into Spring Break, the wellness committee will be on the lookout for the Most Spirited first period class. The class showing the most spirit in each grade level will earn a tasty reward when we return from Spring Break.
Let’s see how much spirit you have Windy Hill!
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
Spring sports began February 27th. If you have questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Mrs. Merewitz at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
Baseball Clinics will run Tu-Thu starting February 27th through March 7th from 3pm until 5pm.
Softball Clinics will begin February 27th and run Tu-Thur, then Mon-Thur the following week March 4-7. Pick up is 5pm prompt.
Track Clinics will begin March 5th and run March 5th-7th until 5pm and the following week Tuesday-Thursday until 5pm. The team will be announced March 18th.
In the event of rain, on Tu/Thu baseball with have the gym and Mon/Wed softball will have the gym. NO CLEATS are allowed in the gym, so please have proper shoes for indoor or outside. Thank you
Laptop Reminder
Parents, we are receiving an increasing number of damaged laptops from students. Damages range from accidental, to negligence, to intentional. Please be aware that insurance only covers accidental damage. If a laptop has damages that are determined to be from negligence or done intentionally, the student may be responsible for the repair cost. Below is our policy which was communicated in the beginning of the school year.
Students are being reminded regularly to take care of their laptops and be especially careful with their backpacks when their laptop is in it. Thank you for encouraging your child to care for their laptop.
If you have any questions about your child’s laptop, please email Anne Jones at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us
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 each week. The items will be discarded every 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!
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.
KEY DATES
- March 25 - April 2 - School closed for students for Spring Break
CELL PHONES
Windy Hill Middle School PTSO Updates
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.
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.