The Seahawks Call
September 11 - 24, 2023
A message from Principal Taylor.........................
OPEN HOUSE PROCEDURES
Open House for all students will be held on Wednesday, September 13th from 6-8 pm. This is a time for you to learn about school policies and procedures, county curriculum, classroom schedules and teacher expectations.
It is important that you are able to access your child's schedule, which can be accessed on ParentVUE. If you are unable to access ParentVUE, please write down your student's schedule. Student schedules will not be printed at Open House!
A map of the school has been provided to help you navigate throughout our building.
GRADE-LEVEL ASSEMBLIES
Bus Pass Procedures
Ø Bus passes will only be accepted by sending in a written note or email. NO PHONE CALLS!
Ø A note from the parent/guardian of the student who is being dropped off at a different location will need to have the following information:
· The date(s) the bus pass will be needed
· Your Child’s name
· Your Child’s original bus #
· The name of the student your child will be riding home with
· The bus # of the student your child will be riding home with
· The location that both students will be dropped off
(Bus Pass Example: On Sept. 7th, Michael Jordan who normally rides bus 23, will need a bus pass to ride with Lebron James who rides bus 6. Both of the students should get dropped off at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Cleveland Lane.)
Ø A letter from parent/guardian who is receiving the other student must be provided just acknowledging the bus change and giving permission.
(Example: I, Gloria James, parent of Lebron James acknowledge and consent to Michael Jordan riding bus 6 home with my son on Sept. 7th.)
Ø All notes/emails must be received no later than 12pm on the day the request is being made. If it is a 2-hour early dismissal day, the notes/emails must be received no later than 10am on the day the request is being made.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Mr. Vaughn Evans
Bus Coordinator
Important Dates to Remember!
(Monday) - September 11th
- ELA iReady testing window begins
- Music Fundraiser begins
- Waldorf Baseball from 2-5 pm
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Tuesday) - September 12th
- ELA iReady testing
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Wednesday) - September 13th
- ELA iReady testing
- Open House from 6-8
- Waldorf Baseball from 2-5 pm
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Thursday) - September 14th
- ELA iReady testing ends
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Friday) - September 15th
- FAIR DAY/Schools closed for Students
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Saturday) - September 16th
- LPBK football fields from 7 am - 7 pm
(Monday) - September 18th
- iReady Make Ups begin
- Waldorf Baseball from 2-5 pm
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Tuesday) - September 19th
- Happy Birthday Principal Taylor!
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Wednesday) - September 20th
- Waldorf Baseball from 2-5 pm
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Thursday) - September 21st
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Friday) - September 22nd
- LPBK football fields from 5-8 pm
- LPYSA from 5-8 pm
(Saturday) - September 23rd
- LPBK football fields from 7am - 7pm
Update on Search for SY 23-24 PTSO Officers
I am pleased to share that I received a number of emails indicating their interest to be a PTSO Officer. In the next issue of the Seahawks Call, I will share information on each person and their desired position. Soon after, the voting will take place.
Thanks again to all who expressed an interest with wanting to be a driving force for the Somers' Community as a potential PTSO Officer!
Requests for an Excused Absence for an Educational Trip or Unique Life Experience (Limited to 5 school days per school year)
A unique life experience may include an educational field trip, athletic competitions not sponsored by the school, unique family circumstances (i.e., deployed parent visit), and/or career or alternate work experience.
An educational trip is one in which either the student is actively receiving instruction through a structured program directly tied to the curriculum, or the student is actively visiting another school, program, or college in preparation for potential future enrollment. Siblings may also be excused.
A “vacation” is not an educational trip or unique life experience.
To request an upcoming absence to be excused for these reasons, you must complete the "Parent Request for CODE 13 Excused Absence" form below at least two weeks in advance and submit it to Garcia Dixon, Supervising PPW, at gadixon@ccboe.com for Central Office approval. This form is also available on our school's website.
Mental Health First Aid for Parents
CCPS is bringing Mental Health First Aid classes to parents and caregivers of children between the ages of 12 to 18. The classes will cover common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges often found in the age group including anxiety, depression, disordered eating and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Learn about signs and symptoms of substance use and how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
Each class will be held over two sessions Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the CCPS Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building at 5980 Radio Station Road in La Plata. The first class is set for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 18 and 21. For a full schedule of class dates, visit ccboe.com. While the class subject matter is geared toward helping children in the age range of 12 to 18, the classes are open to all CCPS parents. Interpreting assistance may be available if arranged in advance. To learn more about interpreting services, email jbivens@ccboe.com or smackey@ccboe.com.
From the Library Circulation Desk.................................
Library News: Students will begin their library visits starting the week of 9/18 with a library orientation. Looking forward to welcoming them back to the space! In the meantime, students have access to our eBooks and audiobooks through their Destiny Library accounts.
Tech Notes: By the time you read this, most students will have received their school laptops and charger. Please label the charger with your student’s name. Students are responsible for taking care of both laptop and charger. Some important things to keep them running well:
1. These laptops are for school use only. Students should not download anything on them.
2. Turn them completely off at least weekly.
3. Report any problems immediately.
SCHOOL SUPPORTS
Sandra Taylor - School Principal - staylor@ccboe.com
Chris McAllister- 6th Grade Administrator - cmcallister@ccboe.com
Shaneha Harvard-Lamb - 7th Grade AP - sharvard-lamb@ccboe.com
Marlon Walker - 8th Grade AP - mwalker@ccboe.com
COUNSELING SUPPORTS
John Craddock- 6th Grade with last names A-L and 7th Grade Counselor - jcraddock@ccboe.com
Megan Chappelle - 6th Grade with last names M-A and 8th Grade Counselor - mchappelle@ccboe.com
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jody Bell - Reading Resource Teacher (Reading) - jbell@ccboe.com
Jennifer Branham - Instructional Resource Teacher (Math) - jbranham@ccboe.com
Jasmine Proctor - Learning Resource Teacher (Gifted Education and Testing Coordinator) - jnproctor@ccboe.com
Email: somersms@ccboe.com
Website: https://www.ccboe.com/schools/somers/
Location: 300 Willow Lane, La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: 301-934-4663
Twitter: @miltonsomersms