Weekly News
August 20th
Principal's Update
IMPORTANT:
Student schedules will be visible in Home Access Center (HAC) on 8/21. We will continue to make adjustments leading up to the first day of school on 8/28. Please check HAC prior to the first day of classes for the most accurate schedule.
Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
PPMS implements PBIS to explicitly teach, model, and reinforce school-wide and classroom expectations. Last year, we rolled out The Gator Way and our PBIS team worked this summer on defining expectations throughout our school. These expectations will be introduced to students during the first three weeks of school during Advisory and reinforced throughout the school year in monthly assemblies and within each class.
PBIS Shirt Order (repeat)
We are looking forward to a great year and a new way to show your Gator pride! This year, all students will receive a t-shirt and are encouraged to wear it on the first Friday of each month beginning in October.
Complete the form for each of your PPMS students to request the desired shirt style and size: https://forms.office.com/r/BEf0Druxgy
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If you are able, click on the link to the Online School Payments (OSP) to our online school payment portal to help offset the costs associated with this by making a donation to Plum Point Middle School:
We can't wait to share our Gator Greatness!
Online Forms & Donations are being accepted now through September 1.
School Events
August
21 - Pre-service week for all staff begins25 - 6th Grade & New 7th/8th Grade Student Orientation, 8:10-11:10 AM
25 - 6th Grade & New 7th/8th Grade Gator Treat & Activity Information Night, 5:30-6:30 PM
28 - First Day of School
September
1 - First Friday, Wear Green & Gold to School
1 - PBIS Online Shirt Orders Due
4 - No School, Labor Day
5 - Sports Clinics Begin (September Calendar will be posted the week of 8/27)
Gator Athletics
- Prior to the start of each season, a sports clinic will run with an opportunity for students to practice at least 5 times before tryouts. Before a student can participate in a clinic or tryout, all paperwork must be turned in.
- Needed paperwork: sports physical (good for 14 months), insurance waiver (one per year), and clinic fee (one time per year). All of these forms and additional information can be found on the CCPS Middle School Athletics page: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics\
- NEW: All soccer players should bring proper attire and footwear for indoor practice on days that volleyball is off in case of inclement weather.
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Nurse Notes
(Repeat) Hello PPMS families and students! It's almost time for a new school year! If your student requires medication during school hours, please review the following.
Medication forms for next school year can be found on the Calvert County Public Schools website under Parents / School Health Program / School Health Forms. Medication orders need to be renewed each school year and must be signed and dated by a health care provider after July 1st.
If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 443-550-9174 .
Just a quick reminder about the requirements for medications at school
Requirements for Medication at School – a Safeguard for Children
- In order for students to receive medication at school, including over-the-counter (OTC) medication, the School Medication Administration Authorization Form must be completed by the student’s physician and the parent. The completed form will be kept on file in the school.
- Medications that need to be given to a student at school must be brought to school in the original pharmacy / OTC container. It may be necessary to ask your pharmacist to fill an extra bottle or container for use at school.
- All medications that are to be given at school are to be brought to school by the parent or responsible adult. The student will not transport medications to school.
- Medications are to be given to the school nurse.
I have attached the medication forms below for your convenience.
Take care 🙂
PTSA Update
New Families GATOR TREAT:
We are excited to host a Gator Treat for our new students and families on Friday, 8/25, from 5:30-6:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for new families to learn about and join the PTSA and have an ice cream bar or popsicle. Various clubs & activities will have information tables set up to allow students/families to learn what PPMS has to offer. Lastly, your child can give you a quick tour of their new school and classrooms.
PTSA Meeting:
Please join us for our first meeting of the year on September 14th at 6 PM. This meeting will be virtual. A link will be shared in the Gator Gazette at the end of August.
We're Looking for Book Fair Chairperson for '23-'24 Year
We want to thank Terri McClain and Mrs. Remington for the great job they did coordinating and running the book fairs last school year! We're in search of a new Chairperson for this year. If you'd like to help with this task, or if you have any questions about what is involved, please contact us at ppmsfamilies@gmail.com
How to contact the PTSA:
Join Our Private Facebook Group: PPMS Families
Email Us: ppmsfamilies@gmail.com
Visit our Website: tinyurl.com/ppmsptsa
Repeated Information
School Supplies (repeat)
- Notebook Paper
- Pencils
- Pens
- Highlighters
- Colored Pencils
- Notecards
- Corded Headphones
- Lock
- Clothes/shoes for PE (no crocs)
Happy August! (repeat)
- The first day of school for all students is Monday, August 28th. Student schedules should be available in the Home Access Center (HAC) on or around Monday, August 21st. Please review the car loop diagram below and/or bus regulations & rules before the first day.
- Our new students will have an opportunity to attend an orientation on Friday, August 25th, from 8:10-11:10 AM. If you have a 6th and/or new 7th or 8th grade student, please read the information below about transportation. In addition to orientation for students, we are welcoming our new students and families back in the evening (5:30-6:30 PM) for a meet & greet with administrators, the PTSA board, each other, and to learn about some of the clubs & activities PPMS offers.
- Our theme for the year revolves around sharing our Gator Greatness. To promote this theme, we are purchasing a PBIS spirit shirt for every student and staff member and encouraging them to wear them the first Friday of each month. For those who are able, please consider donating to help offset the cost of these shirts.
- School supply lists will be given to most of our students the first day of class. To help with the transition, the sixth grade team has compiled a list of needed supplies for students. All students should be prepared with general supplies (paper, pencils, pens, corded headphones, etc.).
- Fall sports clinics begin the week of September 5th. Please see below for needed information.
- Update: If your child is planning to buy breakfast, lunch, snacks, or drinks please make sure they have money on their account which can be added through our new LINQ Connect account. This will replace "My School Bucks" for the 23-24 SY. Any money leftover in students' My School Bucks account will be transferred to the LINQ account, which should go live around 8/21. https://LinqConnect.com
- We have compiled a list of exciting Gator events for this upcoming school year and provided it below. These may change throughout the year and some events are still being planned, but this is a good overview of what we have planned at this time.
- If your child needs to take medication at school, please read the nurse's section above.
Transportation To and From School
Orientation Day Transportation Information - 8/25/23
School Bus Rules & Regulations 23-24 School Year (repeat)
Notes from the Cafeteria (repeat)
Welcome Back to the School Cafeteria!
We would like to share information about what to expect in our cafeterias for school year 2023-2024.
The Free and Reduced Meal Program continues to be available, however, to all families who qualify. A new application must be submitted each school year. To see if your household qualifies, please complete, and submit one meal benefit application per household. Applications will be sent home with students in the beginning of the school year folders but may also be completed online at https://LinqConnect.com.
Applications are available in many languages on the LinqConnect site but are also available on the USDA’s website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications.
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.
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
SECAC is an advisory committee open to all. See the website and attachments below for additional information.
Family Life Committee (repeat)
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing a joint Family Life Committee of educators who work in CCPS and community representatives who reside in Calvert County for the purpose of reviewing and commenting on, and where appropriate, recommending instructional materials. Members will serve a one-year term.
The Family Life Committee will meet the 2nd Monday of each month, January through May at 6PM. At the initial meeting, the purpose, expectations, and full health curriculum will be reviewed. Following full group sessions, the committee will divide into an elementary and a secondary committee where specific family life curricula will be reviewed and discussed.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on this committee. Eight community members and parents representing elementary and secondary schools will be randomly selected. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15.
If you are interested in serving on the Family Life Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Yu5z4EAwJu by August 28.
Library Reconsideration Committees (repeat)
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) is establishing Library Reconsideration Committees for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Members will serve a one-year term.
CCPS is asking for any community member or parent residing in Calvert County to consider serving on these committees. Each committee will consist of administrators, teachers, librarians, students, community members and parents. These committees will meet based on need.
One (1) community member and two (2) parents will be randomly selected to serve on each committee. An official notification will be sent to those who are selected by September 15. If additional committees are needed, members will be selected at random from the original list.
If you are interested in serving on a Library Reconsideration Committee, please complete the survey on this form: https://forms.office.com/r/jZX1u49Lmu by August 28.
Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) (repeat)
The Board of Education is seeking applicants for the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 2023-2024 school year.
The CAC will be composed of a cross-section of the population of Calvert County. The Board will consider a variety of criteria when appointing members. These criteria will include, but will not be limited to, the high school district in which the prospective member resides, achieving geographic, demographic, ethnic, and racial diversity, the order in which applications were received, and the attendance record of individuals who previously served on the committee.
Members must be legal residents of Calvert County during the period of his/her term. The term of service for CAC members is one (1) year. No more than twenty-five (25) applicants will be selected.
If you are interested in serving on CAC, please complete the survey on this form by September 5, 2023: https://forms.office.com/r/Lm8r0YeQ1m
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.