The Seahawks Call
Week of March 8, 2021 Volume 24
Update regarding number of students returning for the different Phases at Somers
- Students receiving special education services;
- English Learners (EL) students;
- Students who have a 504 plan;
- Students who do not have internet access at home;
- Students who are homeless or displaced/living in foster care;
- Students who are children of CCPS employees; and
- High school juniors and seniors enrolled in the following Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.
Phase 3 students: *eligible 6th graders
Phase 4 students: *eligible 7th and 8th graders
The number of *eligible students in each phase for Somers are:
- Phase 2 - 121 students (6th gr. - 38 students; 7th gr. - 35 students; 8th gr. - 48 students)
- Phase 3 - 68 students
- Phase 4 - 158 students
When does each phase start and what will learning look like with some students reporting to school while others remain in the virtual learning setting?
Phase 2 – March 22, 2021
- Phase 2 students return for in-person learning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Wednesday is an asynchronous day for all students (in-person and virtual).
- Phase 2 only includes students who have parental consent with CCPS to return.
- Any student eligible for Phase 2 who is not returning to in-person learning remains on the virtual learning schedule for the rest of the 2020-21 school year.
Phase 3 and 4 – April 19, 2021
- Phase 3 & 4 students return for in-person learning on a rotating schedule of two days per week.
- Last name begins with A-K: attend school Monday and Tuesday, virtual from home Thursday and Friday. (Total # of students - 121)
- Last name begins with L-Z: attend school Thursday and Friday, virtual from home Monday and Tuesday. (Total # of students - 105)
- This applies only to students who have parental consent with CCPS to return.
- Phase 2 students continue to attend in person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Wednesday is an asynchronous day for all students (in-person and virtual).
- Any student eligible for Phase 3/4 (all students in prekindergarten through Grade 12) but is not returning to in-person learning remains on the virtual learning schedule for the rest of the 2020-21 school year.
To accommodate the increased number of students returning for Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4, many procedures like the bell schedule, lunch times, and transportation (to name a few) will be revised to ensure a smooth transition into our hybrid setting for staff and students. Please know I will communicate any new or revised procedure(s) as soon as I am able.
I thank you in advance for your continued patience and cooperation.
Principal Taylor
Introducing Milton Somers 2020-2021 Spelling Bee Team!
Avery Holness - 6th Grader
Alexander Knapp- 6th Grader
Matthew Pham - 6th Grader
Don't forget - Board Recognitions on 3-9 at 4:30 pm
Let's show our support!
Exemplary Employee
Monica Strobel - 8th grade ELA Teacher
Outstanding Student in the area of Academic Achievement
Last chance to take your 20-21 School Picture and be included in our Yearbook
Attention Seahawks,
We really want to have a picture of every single student in our Yearbook this year. We want to make sure you are all included, so if you have not yet submitted a portrait photo, we have extended the deadline to Friday, March 12, 2021. Please review the “How to Take a Selfie Portrait” attachment for detailed instructions to ensure a quality photo as well as directions on how to submit your photo taken at home to the yearbook portal.
Additionally, we would love to see what you have been doing. Send us some candid shots of you playing in the snow, hanging out with your pets, playing games (video, board, or card), you in your distance learning space, celebrations, playing sports, or maybe a new hobby you have picked up over the past few months.
Lastly, this year is definitely one you’ll remember—make sure to order your 2020-2021 yearbook today. Prices will go up and personalization will no longer be an option after March 31st, 2021.
If you have any questions about submitting photos to the yearbook or ordering one, please email Ms. Strobel at mstrobel@ccboe.com or Ms. Villela at avillela-villela@ccboe.com.
Somers Celebrates Black History Month
During the month of February, Somers staff members will be sharing poetry and book excerpts centered around this year's Black History Month theme of The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. Gather your family around our YouTube channel to listen. And be sure to check back weekly for new videos.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqrBKZUpwoGGr1U815k2FooLDS40RlYc6
SCHOOL SUPPORTS
Marlon Walker - 6th Grade VP - mwalker@ccboe.com
Cynthia Panizzi - 7th Grade VP - cpanizzi@ccboe.com
Wualanda Thenstead - 8th Grade VP - wthenstead@ccboe.com
Sonia Matthew - Administrative Asst. - smatthew@ccboe.com
COUNSELING SUPPORTS
Kenneth Tojek - 6th Grade Counselor - ktojek@ccboe.com
Nancy Franklin - 7th Grade Counselor - nfranklin@ccboe.com
Brittany Williams - 8th Grade Counselor - bwilliams@ccboe.com
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
Andrea Johnson - Reading Resource Teacher (Reading) - afjohnson@ccboe.com
Jennifer Branham - Instructional Resource Teacher (Math) - jbranham@ccboe.com
Suzanne Johnson - Learning Resource Teacher (Gifted Education and Testing Coordinator) - srjohnson@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