Silver Creek MS Weekly Newsletter
January 30-February 3
Dear Silver Creek Families
Welcome to Semester 2. We are halfway through the school year. Quarter 3 begins tomorrow, Monday, January 30, 2023. I am proud of what our students have been able to accomplish and for their hard work and commitment throughout the first half of the school year. I am confident that this semester will bring new opportunities for growth and learning, and I am excited to see the continued achievements of our students. Please know that our staff is committed to supporting our students every step of the way. Here's to a successful Semester 2!
Quarter 3 report card grades will be available on ParentVue on Friday, February 3, 2023. Report cards will be mailed home on Monday, February 6.
Students currently in PE or Health or who are enrolled in semester courses will need to check their Quarter 3 schedule for tomorrow, Monday, 1/30. We have provided a resource on how to do this in the newsletter below.
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 Huskies!
*Silver Creek News (SCN). Town Hall Slides from Thursday, 1/26
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Wednesday, January 25, 2023 to hear the latest news & events https://youtu.be/PsL9vFMxZuQ
- No announcements on Thursday, January 26. We had student town hall meetings on antisemitism. You may view the town hall slides that were shared with students here: Town Hall Slides.
- No announcements on Friday, January 27. No school for students.
*Latest MCPS Message: Things to Know from 1/26/23
Here are five things to know from Thursday Jan. 26. Get information about this weekend's Fentanyl Awareness event, the Summer Rise 2023 Program, how some celebrated the Lunar New Year and news about our students this week! 5 Things to Know - January 26, 2022 (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
*Semester 2 Courses
Please carefully read the information by clicking on the link below on how to find your child's schedule in Student Vue to verify any changes for Monday, January 30, 2023. Class Changes for Quarter 3/Semester 2_Jan. 30, 2023 - Google Docs
*Media Moment: Library Media Center News and Notes
SORA All Year: Our readers checked out a record number of ebooks and audiobooks this winter break. But the digital reading doesn't have to stop. Please encourage your student to head over to our website HERE and login to SORA for thousands of new and engaging titles.
*Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Candidate Visit
*Candy Gram Sales
Want to give a sweet treat to a friend? The SGA will be selling candy grams during all lunches on Monday, February 6th- Wednesday, February 8th.
Students and teachers can write candy grams for anyone they like. Candy grams will be $1 each (cash only) and will include a note and a lollipop that will be delivered on Valentine's Day. Thanks for supporting the SCMS SGA!
*SCMS Soccer Registration
For any questions, you may reach out to Mrs. Sivic at tara_a_whitney@mcpsmd.org. Soccer tryouts will take place after school on March 7, 8 and 9 and will last until 4:30. There will be activity buses available for students.
6th Grade Parent Outdoor Education Virtual Information Meeting- February 2
All parents and caregivers of 6th grade students are invited to our Outdoor Education Information Meeting on Thursday February 2, from 6 - 8 pm. This will be a virtual meeting. Our 6th grade students will be attending Outdoor Education for three days and two nights between April 12 - 19 at Camp Letts, in Edgewater Maryland. This is a great learning opportunity in so many ways.
At the Outdoor Education Information Meeting we will share important information about the Outdoor Education program, permission forms, packing list, special medical situations, menus and special dietary needs, learning activities, and chaperone opportunities.
Chaperones are needed. If you are interested in being part of Outdoor Education as a parent chaperone, please indicate your interest by completing this Chaperone Signup form. We hope you will join us for this important information session. Interpretation in Spanish will be provided.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/96796806372?pwd=UjhWeVY5dmNxN3NJTmRleGRmNGFJZz09
Meeting ID: 967 9680 6372
Passcode: 333716
13017158592
Please contact Ms. Sandra Cornell, 6th Grade Team Leader at sandra_cornell@mcpsmd.org or Kelly Miller, 6th Grade Teacher at kelly_m_miller@mcpsmd.org
Student Course Registration and Articulation for SY 23-24
Below is a timeline of dates as we finalize the articulation process for our students.
Current 6th and 7th Grade Students
SCMS staff will make course recommendations. These will be shared with students and sent home at the end of January.
- January 30th & January 31st--SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to share course offerings and explain the course registration process and timeline.
- February 6th--Deadline for completing and submitting Google Course Registration Form. Information on how to complete this registration form will be shared with students when counselors visit their science classes.
- Detailed information regarding course offerings and the course registration process and timeline will be shared with parents at the end of January. It will also be posted on the SCMS website upon our return from winter break.
Current 8th Grade Students (Rising 9th Grade Students)
- January 31st—Deadline for completing course registration in StudentVue
Huskies on the M.O.V.E. with IB- MYP Moment
As we say farewell to 2022, it's important to acknowledge the way our students have been on the M.O.V.E. with IB. From our Student of the Month celebrations (click link for video) to our IB Day of Care & Service. This year's theme for our IB Day of Care & Service was Planting Seeds of Empathy & Equity. Many of our teachers facilitated lessons on Thursday, December 22, 2022 that encouraged students to explore the way communities interact with each other and their impact on the sustainability of environmental, social & human resources. Students were inspired to demonstrate an act of kindness or advocacy within their community. For example, students in our Language & Literature classes for Advanced English created motivational bookmarks about equity for local libraries. Also, students in our Visual Art classes, created collages with sustainability messages on brown bags for Safeway in Kensington, Md.
Other activities involved our Performing Art students caroling at the Kensington Park Senior Living Community and providing them with a mini-concert performed by our musicians. In addition to planting seeds of empathy & equity, our 6th grade science classes literally planted seeds for our SCMS Community Garden which was spearheaded by our after-school Green Team & sponsor, Mrs. Cornell! An integral part of the IB mission is to develop caring, inquiring & knowledgeable young people who are moved to action with making the world a better place. Students at SCMS are truly making a difference in their community.
Here is a link to the lessons from our IB Day of Care & Service which includes activities that can be earned for Student Service Learning Hours (SSL hours) per the outlined expectations.
Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities
If you have any questions, you may contact Mrs. Renee Hill-Gilliard at Renee_S_Hill@mcpsmd.org
Upload pictures for the SCMS Yearbook.
Uploading pictures for the SCMS yearbook is fast, easy & FREE. Download the "Yearbook Snap" app on your phone and simply type in our school name: Silver Creek Middle School & enter code: "huskies". You may submit up to five photos at a time. Can't wait to see our Huskies on the Move.
How to Order a yearbook.
- Go to yearbookforever.com and order your yearbook now. You can also use Yearbook Snap to upload and submit your own photos for the yearbook.
- Access to Yearbook Snap can be found at the top of the order page.
- See the flyers below for cost information and easy access to order with the provided QR code:
Questions? Please email our yearbook sponsors at Jennifer_K_Boyle@mcpsmd.org and Roxana_RiveraDiaz@mcpsmd.org.
Tutoring Available for Students
MCPS is offering expanded tutoring opportunities to every school as part of our learning recovery efforts. Tutoring and intervention opportunities will enhance strong first instruction and other supports already underway in classrooms to support learning for every student. You may review their website for all tutoring opportunities.
We are excited to offer local tutoring at Silver Creek Middle School. Tutoring has begun. Several staff will be available in Room 407 every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15- 4:15 to support with all subject areas. Please complete the following INTEREST FORM if you are interested in your child receiving tutoring. After school buses are available for students.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Okun at: Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org.
After School Activities
After school activities have started! After school activities will run from Tuesday, September 13 through Thursday, May 25 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays only. The activities will meet on one of the three days from 3:15-4:30 pm. A list of activities is posted here in the Extracurricular Activities Brochure.
The date and times are listed under each activity. There is no need to register & students can register throughout the school year. Students may stay after school and meet in the location noted under the activity. After school buses are available and will depart by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students must be given a bus pass from their sponsor to ride the bus.
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Ms. Carman at Claudia_Carman@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have monthly principal coffees once a month. Our next principal coffee is scheduled for Friday, February 24, 2023. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well-being. The topic is TBD.
You may find the recordings of the principal coffees located here in the parent handbook: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/meetings-and-presentations
Counselor News & Updates
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abroms@mcpsmd.org
Check out our January newsletter at our counseling website below: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/newsletters
For Mental Health Supports, check out this link below:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/mental-health-supports
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
*Upcoming Dates to Remember
January 30 & 31- SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to explain the course registration process and timeline.
January 31- Deadline for completing course registration in StudentVue (8th grade students)
February. 2- Outdoor Education Meeting (6th Grade families), 6:00-7:30 p.m (Zoom).
February 3- Marking Period 2 Report Cards available on Synergy
February 6- Course Registration deadline for current 6th & 7th grade students
February 20- President's Day Holiday- Schools and Offices Closed
February 24- Principal Coffee- 8:30 AM (Via Zoom)
Early dismissal reminder
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
Silver Creek Middle School
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
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/
Location: 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD, USA
Phone: 240 740 2200
Twitter: @SCMSDrAwkard