Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
February 9th
Valentine's Hangout Feb 9th
Science and Engineering Expo Feb 24
WHMS Prism Club
Knight Nation,
We had another wonderful week of learning at WHMS! Students are off next Friday, February 16th for Staff Professional Development.
Wednesday, February 14th is Valentines Day. There are no ballons, flowers, teddy bears, chocolates, etc. permitted. Our focus will remain on learning.
Students receive Common Sense Media lessons in the library on media balance, cyberbullying, artificial intelligence and other topics. Recently, Officer Parks delivered a lesson to 7th and 8th graders covering several of these topics. Common Sense Media also has family resources to encourage a partnership with the schools in addressing these topics with students. Attached are some family resources (English and Spanish) for your information. For additional resources, visit the Family Engagement Toolkit at Resources for Engaging Parents and Families | Common Sense Education.
Please email Anne Jones, WHMS Librarian, at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
Congratulations to our Math Counts Team on their accomplishments at the Math Competition last Saturday. Four Knights individually qualified for the state competition:
Alex Balough
Madelyn Burkholder
Pixley Diamond
Eleanor Sinclair
Congratulations to our Solo Ensemble Performers on their accomplishments last Saturday.
For your calendar, last Friday's snow day will be made up on March 1, 2024.
To address our students illegally late, there is a new policy for Students Tardy to School which started with the 3rd Marking Period:
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. Thank you
WHMS YEARBOOK
Our yearbook is available for purchase. The cost is $35 at this time and will go up to $40 March 1st. All orders are placed online and the flyer is attached. The link to order is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/windyhillmiddle
Attached is a flyer with information about a STEM event held February 10th at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
Basketball Playoffs:
The girls will play home on Tuesday, February 13th and the boys will play away. Game time is 4:30 and admission is still $2.00/adults and $1.00/school age students.
Spring sports begin in late February. If your child is interested in clinics for baseball, softball or track, paperwork is due February 15th. The lists of those signed up are posted outside the cafeteria and names highlighted are complete. Students know to come ask in the office if their name is not highlighted as all parts of the paperwork are due by the 15th. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO COMPLETE THE PHYSICAL, INSURANCE WAIVER AND PAYMENT. This link has all of the necessary information. Middle School Athletics - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us). 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.
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
- Friday, February 16th - School Closed for Students
- Monday, February 19th - Presidents' Day - School Closed
- Friday, February 23rd - Third MP Interims in HAC
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.
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.