SSIMS Weekly Newsletter
Week of March 28 - April 1
About Us
Email: Stephen_Reck@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ssims/
Location: 313 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-2750
Table of Contents
Message from Acting Principal Reck
Calendar for Jag & Odd/Even Days
Anti-Racist Audit
Heath & Safety Corner
Donations for the Staff Snack Cart
Community Project Showcase
Early Fall MCAP scores
Upcoming Testing Information
K-12 Student Poster Art Contest to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022
Save the Dates, Summer 2022!
Outdoor Education Parent Meeting #3
Jag Calendar for March
ParentVue
Past Newsletter Links
Acting Principal's Message
This week, we had the opportunity to engage our students in another Community Day. It was a great experience for our staff and students. On Thursday, students participated in lessons focusing on increasing our social-emotional skills and improving the climate of SSIMS.
Specifically:
- We talked about the power of our words and actions and their impact on others.
- We helped students identify and interrupt slurs and biased language/actions by developing their own courageous comebacks.
- We examined our school's processes and our individual actions through an ABAR lens.
- We provided tools for students to use when facing conflict.
- We collected feedback on our school through student voice.
Most importantly, we continued our efforts to make SSIMS the very best it can be for ALL students and families.
Thank you for your support!
-stephen
Odd & Even & Jag Calendar for 3/28 - 4/1
Anti-Racist Audit
Families, we need your help to better understand how our schools and the school district are doing in ongoing work to address racial and systemic barriers in MCPS. We encourage you to fill out this survey before March 31. You can use your mobile device or computer. Learn more about the MCPS Antiracist Audit here. The survey is anonymous and available in seven languages.
Family letter in all languages
English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Health & Safety Corner: 3/25/22
iHealth COVID–19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits
The third round of iHealth COVID–19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits will be delivered to schools and offices the week of March 21, 2022. Test Kits will be distributed to all Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students and staff from Monday, March 28, 2022, through Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
To ensure our school community remains safe, students and staff should test on Monday, April 18, 2022, and use the MCPS COVID–19 Self-Reporting Form to record any positive COVID–19 cases.
Additional Recommendations for when rapid tests should be used:
STUDENTS:
• Close Contact: When a student has been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID–19, use a home rapid test 5 Days after exposure.
• In Quarantine: When an unvaccinated student is in quarantine, use a rapid test on Day 5 to return to school on Day 6.
• Symptoms: When a student has developed COVID–19 symptoms, use a rapid test at the onset of symptoms.
• Travel and/or Gathering: When returning from travel or large gatherings, use a rapid test before returning to school.
STAFF:
• COVID–19 Positive: When a staff member has tested positive, use a rapid test on Day 5 to determine if isolation can end prior to Day 6.
• Symptoms: When a staff member has developed COVID–19 symptoms, use a rapid test at the onset of symptoms.
• Quarantine: When a staff member is in quarantine due to close contact, use rapid test on Day 5 to determine if quarantine can end prior to Day 6
• Travel and/or Gathering: When returning from travel or large gathering, use a rapid test before returning to school.
Links/Additional Information:
MCPS Test Kit Information Flyer
Donations for the Staff Snack Cart
Each week, your PTSA stocks a cart in the Staff Lounge with drinks and snacks (and fresh fruit). If you would like to contribute items, there’s a well-marked bin in the main office. Drinks should be individual cans/bottles and snacks should be individually contained. Questions or to contribute financially, contact Staff Appreciation Gal, Heidi Anderson - aka “The Other Heidi” - at heidi.anderson97@gmail.com.
Community Project Showcase
Attention 8th grade students and families! The Community Project Showcase is May 18! Students will present the action they took to make positive change in their community to our 6th and 7th graders during an extended Homeroom and in the evening to friends and family (schedule for which will be released in April).
Students, make sure you are working on your ACTION outside of school! Your meetings with your coach are just check-ins! In order to earn the 15 SSL hours you must work on your Community Project outside of school.
If you have any questions, all session material and resources are available in your Canvas Classroom. Please reach out to your coach if you have not met in the last three weeks so you can set up a meeting to check-in.
Thank you for all your hard work serving our community!
Early Fall MCAP Scores
Your child’s Individual Score Report(s) for the 2021 Early Fall Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments administered in September/October have been delivered to the Post Office. These may include English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy, Mathematics, the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA for Grades 5 and 8. In addition to the school reports you will receive a guide to assist you in understanding your student’s score on the assessments. Please allow at least one week for delivery from receipt of this message.
Just a reminder that the Fall MCAP assessments were given as a baseline measure following 18 months of interrupted learning due to the global pandemic. They were taken prior to any academic intervention or any signification in-person instruction implementation. The scores are used to inform future instruction. Students will take the same MCAP assessments again this spring where we hope to see our students' and teachers' hard work result in improved scores.
Upcoming Testing Information
K-12 Student Poster Art Contest to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022
The month of May is designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the history, challenges, and contributions of AAPls in the United States. All K-12 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students are invited to submit original artwork reflecting significant people, places, or moments in Asian American and Pacific Islander history and/or culture to the 3rd annual AAPI Heritage Month poster art contest.
First place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) winners will receive gift certificates and will be selected in each of the following categories: lower elementary school (K-2), upper elementary school (3-5), middle school and high school.
See attached flyer for rules and details.
Online Application Link: https://bit.ly/APASAAG_postercontest2022
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/apasaag/home/May2022 and last year's contest
Deadline: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Sponsor: The Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group (APASAAG) is an advisory body, whose members engage in regular dialogue with MCPS to provide feedback on issues affecting the Asian Pacific American (APA) community and advocate on behalf of APA students.
Co-sponsors: Chinese American Parents Association of Montgomery County (CAPA-MC), Chinese Cultural and Community Service (CCACC), Calvin Li Memorial Foundation, Lead For Future Academy, Association of Vietnamese Americans (AVA), and the Montgomery County Progressive Asian American Network (MoCoPAAN).
Questions: Email apasaagmcps@gmail.com | Website
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Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group (APASAAG)
APASAAG is an advisory body whose members engage in regular dialogue with MCPS to provide feedback on issues affecting the Asian Pacific American (APA) community and advocate on behalf of APA students.
Email: apasaagmcps@gmail.com | Website
Save the Dates, Summer 2022!
SSIMS is planning a summer program for our students in summer 2022 during the month of July. Our program will take place in the morning and lunch will be provided. The goal of the summer programs is to mitigate learning disruption and continue to engage students in academic, specials and electives, and social-emotional support, while also narrowing focus to students with the greatest need to accelerate their learning to meet grade level standards. There will be no cost for students, with transportation and meals will be provided. We are still finalizing the details of our program and we will send out more information once we determine our final program offerings.
Outdoor Education Parent Meeting #3
Our last Parent Information meeting will be on Tuesday, March 29th. The meeting will be on Zoom, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. We apologize for the technical difficulties we have been having. We have fixed the issue so we will be able to meet next Tuesday.
This year, our Outdoor Education program for 6th graders runs from April 25th through 29th. Ms. Gretchen Winch, the Outdoor Ed coordinator, will present important information regarding session dates, student forms, what to bring, and an overview of the instructional program at Outdoor Ed. We hope to see you there!
Zoom information is:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85997493203?pwd=U0oxaytOZ3FoelduZzdVU25hTjhIUT09
Meeting ID: 859 9749 3203
Passcode: 690027
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85997493203# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,85997493203# US (New York)
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Marquen sus calendarios padres y acudientes del grado 6!
El próximo martes, 29 de marzoes la Reunión Informativa para Padres sobre el programa de Educación al Aire Libre. La reunión será por Zoom de 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Este año, nuestro programa de Educación al Aire Libre será del 25 al 29 de abril. La Sra. Gretchen Winch, coordinadora del Programa de Educación al Aire Libre, presentará información importante sobre las fechas del viaje, los formularios que deben llenar para los estudiantes, que artículos deben llevar, y un resumen del programa educativo del viaje de Educación al Aire Libre. Esperamos verlos!
Zoom information is:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85997493203?pwd=U0oxaytOZ3FoelduZzdVU25hTjhIUT09
Meeting ID: 859 9749 3203
Passcode: 690027
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85997493203# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,85997493203# US (New York)
Updated: Jag Structure Calendar - March
ParentVue
Past Newsletter Links
Week of October 11 - October 15
Week of October 18 - October 22
Week of October 25 - October 29
Week of November 1 - November 5
Week of November 8 - November 12
Week of November 15 - November 19
Week of November 22 - November 26
Week of November 29 - December 3
Week of December 13 - December 17
Week of January 10 - January 14
Week of January 17 - January 21
Week of January 24 - January 28
Week of January 31 - February 4
Week of February 7 - February 11
Week of February 14 - February 18