Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
April 8 - April 12
Dear Silver Creek Families
We are excited to begin another week of school. Students have settled back to their routines nicely after spring break. As a reminder, the last day of Quarter 3 is Tuesday, April 9. There is NO school for students on Wednesday, April 10. This is a professional day for staff. Please encourage your child to complete any missing work/assignments and/or assessments and to check with their teachers for any outstanding tasks. We want all students to end the quarter strong!
As a reminder, on Monday, April 8 we will experience a solar eclipse. School will operate on a regular bell schedule. Please see the community letter I sent out last Friday, April 5.
The sections marked with an * have been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership.
Let's make it a great week back, Huskies!
BELL SCHEDULE
*Silver Creek News (SCN)
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, April 5, 2024 to hear upcoming news & events: https://youtube.com/live/F4oqB2FS85w?feature=share
You may also access the following document for the daily links to the Silver Creek News Show (SCN).
April 22- Asynchronous Learning Day for students
Monday, April 22 is an asynchronous learning day and will be used as a make-up instructional day for students. Students will be engaged in a learning opportunity to complete their assignments asynchronously. Asynchronous learning describes educational activities and assignments that engage students in learning without live instruction. Attendance for this day will be based on the submission of the asynchronous work, aligning with the attendance requirements set by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
In the coming days, we will share more detailed information from individual departments and teachers regarding the specific activities and assignments for the asynchronous learning day. This will ensure that students are well-prepared and know what to expect on April 22nd.
Please note: Students will have a 10-day window to submit their asynchronous work from the virtual day.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting one's ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes. First held in the year 1972 by the Autism Society, Autism Acceptance Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us.
You may find information on the Autism Speaks website at:https://www.autismspeaks.org/
SPRING TESTING DATES
*Library Media Center
Happy April from the Library Media Program! Click HERE to read our APRIL MEDIA MONTHLY: NEWS & NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER.
Hear about new research lessons, National Poetry Month celebrations, the latest to hit our shelves, and more.
*Counseling Department Updates
The April Newsletter is available now. The newsletter is about Signs of Suicide (SOS). Counselors will be going through English classes beginning April 12-April 19 to speak with classes about SOS. You may read the MCPS letter about SOS lessons located HERE
Also, check out the counseling website for:
- Some mental health opportunities for students . If you go to the tab reading Middle School Books Articles and More there are youth mental health workshops and Divas and Donuts (a group for girls).
- Information about "Empowering Your Wellbeing: Tools for Young Minds" for middle school students put on by the girl scouts! The flyer can be found on the counseling website.
There are also additional resources. If your family needs help with school supplies, food for the weekend, winter coats or other needs, we would like to help! Please fill out the following form below: https://forms.gle/gdTDMCSSgmU5pVQp9
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abrom@mcpsmd.org
Please note: Transcript requests: Please request transcripts from the main page of the SCMS's website. You can find it under QUICKLINKS on the left hand side. This is the most efficient way to ensure Ms. Abrom, registrar, receives your transcript request. Questions? Call the counseling office at 240-740-2211
*Spirit Week: April 15-April 19
Our SGA will be hosting a spirit week the week of April 15-19. This will provide an opportunity for our community to participate in a spring spirit week. Below is the schedule for our planned events.
- Monday, April 15- Wear school colors (6th- White; 7th- Blue; 8th- Gray)
- Tuesday, April 16- Crazy Hair Day
- Wednesday, April 17- Sibling Day
- Thursday, April 18- Celebrity Day
- Friday, April 19- PJ Day
We look forward to seeing our Husky Spirit!
*Save the Date: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony: Friday, June 7
The Silver Creek Middle School (SCMS) Promotion Ceremony will take place on Friday June 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at SCMS outside on the bus loop. We are excited to celebrate and promote all 8th grade students during this special ceremony. Space is limited; therefore, each student will receive two (2) promotion tickets for their family. This also includes siblings (ex: one family with two children in 8th grade will get a total of 4 tickets.).
Request Tickets
- You may request up to two (2) additional tickets for your child, if available. Please complete this form to let us know whether you need additional tickets. If there are any additional tickets, these will be given to families through a lottery process. Please complete this form by Friday May 10 so we can plan accordingly. Click HERE to open the form.
Distribution of tickets and yard signs
- We will distribute tickets and yard signs on Wednesday, May 15 3:15-5:15 PM & Thursday, May 16 5-6:30 PM at the front of the school at Silver Creek. We can only distribute tickets to parents of students; parents cannot pick up tickets for other families.
- SCMS Yard Signs to recognize your child’s 8th grade PROMOTION are now available for purchase through Sunday, May 12th: https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/silver_creek_class_of_2024/shop/home
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Cassandra Jordan, 8th Grade team leader at Cassandra-lee_e_@mcpsmd.org OR Mr. David O'Shell. Assistant Principal at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org.
Homework Help
Homework Help is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:10-4:20 in Room 403. The purpose of Homework Help is to provide a quiet space for students to study and complete homework.
*Please note that this is not a tutoring program and therefore there is limited assistance available for students who need assistance with work or attaining concepts. Please contact Mr. Ed Eibel, Homewrok Help sponsor, at edward_e_eibel@mcpsmd.org for more information.
Intramurals Sports
Intramural sports are designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, no paper work and students don’t need much experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Activity buses are available after every intramural session. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc.
As new classes come available, your child's PE and Health teacher will make announcements to their classes. It will also be posted on our school’s website and the intramural bulletin board in the PE hallway.
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am. The next principal coffee is scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2024. Please use the following feedback form to request topics to be addressed.
If you missed the last principal's coffee from Friday, February 23, you may view it below:
Parent Handbook
Please locate the parent handbook on our website. All the information you need is located here for your convenience.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/home
*Latest MCPS Updates from Thursday, April 4
Here are things to know for Thursday, April 4. Read about Safety and Discipline, BOE public comment on two policies, upcoming events and good news.
*Virtual Parent/Guardian Workshop: April 11
Our next virtual parent/guardian workshop will be on the topic "Dealing with Digital Drama" -scheduled for April 11, 2024. 7:00 - 8:00. This workshop will help parents and caregivers :
- Encourage kids to take a break—and a breath—before responding to online drama.
- Help kids avoid making drama worse by practicing what they would say to someone's face—not just from behind a keyboard.
- Assist kids in making a plan to have an in-person conversation, even though it's hard.
- Use settings and in-app tools to try to stop online drama in its tracks. Susan Levine is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/4232082710?pwd=cmg4Mm84WlhKYVJoa0ZsRHQwVkdLdz09
Meeting ID: 423 208 2710
Passcode: MsLevine
MCPS Game Changer Conference April 20, 2024
Attention parents of male students in Grades 4-12! You are invited to attend the 2024 Spring Game Changer Conference for Young Males hosted by Unity Christian Fellowship (UCF), Inc. This event will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Universities at Shady Grove. Transportation may be available through MCPS from your area.
You may find additional information about the conference and registration information located below on the MCPS website:
Montgomery County Recreation Summer Camps
Montgomery County Recreation offers a wide variety of exciting summer programs throughout the County with an emphasis on safety, convenience, affordability, and most of all fun. There are a ton of summer programs designed to appeal to a variety of campers.
Please find additional information on how to register located on the website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/camps/
Free and Reduced Meals
The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals.
*Dates to Remember
April 10- No School for students- End of the Marking Period 3.
April 22- Virtual asynchronous day for students
April 25- STEAM Night and Art Show- 6PM
May 3- The SpongeBob the Musical -7pm
May 4: The SpongeBob the Musical -12PM & 6PM
May 7 & 8- MCAP Testing English/Language Arts
May 9 & 10- MCAP Testing Math
May 14- Election Day- Schools and Offices Closed
May 15- Distribution of promotion tickets and yard signs- 3:15-5:15 PM
May 16- Distribution of promotion tickets & yard signs- 5 -6:30 PM
May 27- Memorial Day Holiday- NO School
June 7- 8th Grade Promotion 6PM
Link to MCPS Calendar
Early Dismissal Reminder
If you need to pick up your child for an early dismissal, please send your child in to school with a note to give to the main office. This will help to facilitate your child being ready in a timely manner and will minimize any potential disruption to instruction. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
Student Absence
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 the morning of the absence. In your message, please include the information listed below:
1. Parent/Guardian name
2. Full name of your student (First & Last); student ID#
3. Date(s)of absence
4. Reason for absence
If you have any questions regarding attendance procedures, parents may email a note to Ms. Pamela Carroll-Sykes, attendance secretary, at Pamela_M_Carroll-Sykes@mcpsmd.org
Important Contacts
School directory is located on our School's Website with important contact information:
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 7:30 am- 4:00 pm
Main Office: 240-740-2200
Registration & Counseling: 240-740-2211
Attendance Line: 240-740-2201