Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
March 15th
WHMS Staff recognized for their years of service
SGA members in Annapolis at the Courthouse
Congratulations to our History Fair Winners
Knight Nation,
We only have 8 more school days until the end of the 3rd quarter, and 5 more school days until Spring Break. If your child does not have the grade they want, encourage them to advocate for themselves by having conversations with their teachers.
Congratulations to the following students for their winning History Fair Projects:
Research Paper, MD History Day Advancer, Ayaan Ahmad
Individual Exhibit, Honorable Mention, Luke Gladfelter
Individual Documentary, Honorable Mention, Thomas Pullin
Individual Documentary, MD History Day Advancer, Lewis Myrtue
Individual Website, Honorable Mention, John Mangum
Individual Website, MD History Day Advancer, Camden Floyd
Group Website, MD History Day Advancer, Jackie Arroya and Yadira Hallman
Calvert County Sons of hte American Legion Award for Military History, Thomas Pullin
Award for Excellence in Law Related Studies, Bailey Wilkenson
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. If you are a Giant Food shopper, you can use 200 rewards points to get a free case of water! 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. There are only two slots left at this time!
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.
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
SPRING BOOK FAIR/WRITING NIGHT
The WHMS Spring Book Fair is coming up April 9 - 12 with family night on Tuesday April 9th from 5-7 PM. Reading Night is also the same night! If you are able to volunteer 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 March 18th. 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. In conjunction with the book fair we will be hosting Writing Night April 9th at 5pm as well. Come see your student's writing on display while you shop at the book fair.
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
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! 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
Baseball will meet Tue-Thur until 5pm.
Softball will be Mon-Thur Pick up is 5pm prompt.
Track Clinics will be only Tue/Thur only this week and the roster will be emailed Friday afternoon. Stay tuned for dates.
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
Our March PTSO meeting will be held March 19th at 4pm. All are welcome to join us in the WHMS library for the meeting.
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.