Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Partial Solar Eclipse - Monday, 4/8
In Calvert County, the eclipse will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and end just after 4:30 p.m., with maximum coverage at 3:20 p.m. During the eclipse, there will be 86 - 88% coverage during which it will get darker outside, but there will not be total darkness.
Teachers are handing out special viewing glasses that are certified ISO. Students will be reminded to never look directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse. It is dangerous to look directly at the sun and can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
Advisory Corner
Curricular Focus: Anti-Bullying
Skills Practiced This Week: Types of Bullying, Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying, Empathy & Acceptance, and Terms & Phrases that are not okay
(repeat) Dress Code Reminders
It is officially spring! This is a good time to go over a few dress code reminders for our families and students. Our expectations regarding clothing and behavior are still in effect! Please take time to review these expectations with your child(ren).
In line with our discipline policy, students will be redirected the first time these dress code expectations are not met. After that, progressive discipline measures may be imposed.
- Clothing "must be worn in a way such that the chest, navel, pelvic/groin area and buttocks are covered with material that is not transparent."
- Hats, hoods, or headwear, as long as the student's face and ears are visible and are not obscured and the student's identity is not concealed.
Testing Update
MSDE Survey for ALL Grades
When CCPS returns from Spring Break, students will be taking the annual MSDE School Climate Survey. The survey consists of 53 questions and takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes to complete. This opportunity provides valuable feedback towards the operations of the school as well as being a part of the schools annual rating from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Students will take the survey through their science class on the following dates.
- Grade 8 - Wednesday, April 3rd
- Grade 6 - Friday, April 5th
- Grade 7 - Tuesday, April 9th
If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Tyler.
(repeat) Exciting Opportunity!
The Maryland Leadership Workshops registration for Summer 2024 is open for middle and high school students.
Program dates are:
- Middle School Experience in Leadership (MSEL): July 21 to 27 for students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2024.
- Senior High Workshop (SHW): July 29 to August 3 for students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2024.
- Advanced Leadership Seminar (ALS): July 21 to 27 for students who have completed grades 9- 12 as of July 1, 2024.
April
8 - 2-hour Delay
9 - Grade 7 Student Survey
11- Agriculture professional (farming and animals)
12 - Report Cards in HAC by 3 PM
15-18 - MCAP State Testing for ELA all grades
19-20 - PPMS Musical Performance Weekend!
May
1 - Rising Grade 6 Open House, 6-7 PM
2 - Band Concert, PPMS, 6-7 PM
3 - First Friday, Wear School Shirt
6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week
7 & 8 - MCAP Social Studies 8 Testing
7 - Chorus Concert, HHS, 6-8 PM
8th Grade End of Year Activities
5/1 - Panoramic Picture PPMS Gym
5/9 - Performing Arts Trip
5/17 - Engineering Day Field Trip (ALL Day)
5/31 - Dance (6-8 PM)
6/6 - Picnic: Food provided (11:20-12:50)
6/7 - Recognition @PPMS (9 AM)
Clubs (recurring)
- Chess Club, Mondays, 7 AM, Rm. 114 (no chess club Monday, 3/18)
- Garden Club, Mondays, 3-5 PM, Rm. 114
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Tuesdays, 7 AM, Gym
- Student Government Association (SGA), Thursdays, 7 AM, Rm. 316
PTSA Update
Next PTO Meeting
Wednesday April 10th, 6:30pm. Virtual on teams.
We will have a guest speaker from 4-H!
Meeting link: https://bit.ly/PTOMeetings-23-24
Friday helpers
If you have time to help at the school Friday mornings , please sign up here: https://bit.ly/Friday-helpers-2324
Plum Point Middle School PTSA
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Please see the practice schedule below for our newly formed spring sports teams.
Student Government Association
SGA Meetings
The SGA is happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2023-2024 school year. SGA will meet in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316, on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Students are still welcome to join SGA. Feel free to attend a meeting and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! Please reach out to Mrs. Kelly at kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
Plum Point Middle Destination Imagination Pop-Up Popcorn Fundraiser
Career Corner
RIASEC and Events
I have met with every sixth and seventh grader to talked about RIASEC. Most of the eighth graders have heard about the tool too. My plan is to wrap up with those final students by the end of April. If you would like to know more information about RIASEC, let me know. This is being shared with all high school and middle school students throughout the county.
Ms. Phillips rm 251 (across from the cafeteria)
Do you know what the RIASEC model is? No? Come see me! I would love to tell you more about it and how it can be helpful in career exploration and planning your future.
Guest Speakers
In March we had two guest speakers, a nurse and a physical therapist. The students seem to really enjoy the events.
During 3rd period on April 11, our guest speaker will be a representative from the agriculture field and she will talk to students about her career path. This connects to the CASE program at the CTA.
Reach out for more information.
If you would like to attend, please see the sign up on my door. To attend you cannot be missing any major assignments and you must stay for the entire presentation.
I am working on someone from the military, specifically with ROTC experience. If you know someone who can help, please let me know.
On March 13, 2024 Ms. Phillips, Career Coordinator and Advisor shared information about her role and the Maryland Blueprint. She introduced a tool all middle and high schools in the county use to help students learn about themselves and how to choose a pathway forward to be college and career ready (CCR).
Links to short videos for each RIASEC theme are below, please reach out to Ms. Phillips for more information.
Realistic: 1. Realistic - YouTube
Investigative: 2. Investigative (youtube.com)
Artistic: 3. Artistic (youtube.com)
Social: 4. Social (youtube.com)
Enterprising: 5. Enterprising (youtube.com)
Conventional: 6. Conventional (youtube.com)
As always, I am here to help students learn about themselves, opportunities, and pathways in and after high school. My door is, literally, always open. Let me know how I can help.
Parents, please feel free to reach out as well, I am always happy to chat about what we are doing here at PPMS to get your student to be CCR. :)
PPMS Theatre
Descendants Show
Disney's Descendants: The Musical show is almost here!?!? Tech weeks start Monday April 8th, rehearsals will run until 6pm on 4/8-4/12 and 4/15-4/18. Shows are Friday April 19th and Saturday April 20th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are on sale now! https://ppms.booktix.net
PPMS Yearbook
Yearbook Committee
Yearbook Committee will meet on the following days during 3rd Period:
5/16
Nurse Notes
Hello PPMS Families! The Calvert County Health Department is having a back-to-school vaccination clinic here at PPMS on 4/25 starting at 9am. All 6th graders going into 7th grade are required by Maryland State law to have MCV4 (Meningococcal) and Tdap vaccinations prior to the first day of school 2024-2025. This is a great opportunity to get these vaccinations completed prior to the next school year. Please see the attached letter from Dr. Polsky from CCHD. There is also a copy of the consent form for you to fill out. Online registration is also available - read the letter for details. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Take care!
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
2024 Photo Competition Sponsored by the Calvert County Heritage Committee
The Calvert County Heritage Committee is sponsoring a photo competition to support awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of Calvert County.
The following rules will govern the competition.
- Each photo must be the original work of the person who submits the photo and must have as its subject something of significance to Calvert County heritage.
- Each photo must be accompanied by the registration form above, including a brief statement explaining the significance of the photo being submitted (please scan and send the form with the photo).
- Photos must be submitted in a jpeg or png format with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
- Photos will be judged in separate elementary (grades 4 and 5), middle school, and high school divisions.
- Three prizes will be awarded in each division: $75 for first place, $50 for second place, $25 for third place.
- Black and white or color photos are acceptable.
- Photos should be submitted digitally as an attachment and emailed to mccombs@calvertnet.k12.md.us. The registration form must be saved and submitted as follows: Last Name.First Name.Grade.Form (ex. Smith.James.Grade 6.Form) The photo must be saved and submitted as follows: Last Name.First Name.Grade.Photo (ex. Smith.James.Grade 6.Photo)
- Contestants agree that the Heritage Committee may use the photos publicly, including placing them in public displays and posting photographs on the Calvert County Government and Calvert County Public Schools websites (with attribution to the photographer), and they may submit them to local newspapers.
- Photos will be judged by the Heritage Committee.
- Photos are due to Scott McComb at mccombs@calvertnet.k12.md.us no later than May 17, 2024. Photo entries should have the subject line: Attention Photo Competition.
- Winners will be notified in early June.
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2023-2024 will remain the same:
Breakfast: $1.65; Secondary Lunch $2.80; Student Milk $0.55.
Contact PPMS Secretaries
If you have a question regarding school events/activities, would like to report an absence, or need to contact the school about car/bus rider status, please email the PPMS Secretaries:
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources, 443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.