Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will begin Phase 2 on Monday, Nov. 9. In order for teachers to prepare for hybrid learning, instructional changes were made for the week starting Nov. 2. Outlined below are the changes and what they mean for CCPS students who remain in virtual setting:

• Monday, Nov. 2: No live instruction for students. Students will have an asynchronous day, meaning teachers will provide assignments for students to complete at home.

• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Primary Election Day - Schools are closed for students and teachers. This is not a school day for students. Students do not have assigned work or virtual instruction. Students may choose to complete school work.

• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Regular asynchronous day. Students will complete assigned work at home.

• Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6: Students will participate in live virtual instruction through StudentVue and Zoom. Teachers will utilize new technology to prepare for hybrid learning.

• Monday, Nov. 9: Phase 2 begins, which means this is the first day that schools will have students reporting to the school building for instruction. Specifically, Somers will have 110 students reporting to school from 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Therefore, we need time to explain the new processes and procedures to ensure a smooth transition, which means there will be a delay for any student learning in the virtual setting. Students learning in the virtual setting will not join their first period class from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Students learning in the virtual setting will join their third period class, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

Starting Nov. 9th, students and staff will no longer be able to join Zoom meetings through their internet web browser. If you or your child have not yet downloaded the Zoom application, please do it as soon as possible. The application can be downloaded at zoom.us. Click on the word Resources from the blue menu bar at the top right-hand side of the screen and select Download Zoom Client for Meetings. Students and staff who attempt to join a class on Nov. 9th or after through an internet browser will be prompted to download the application. The Zoom application provides more virtual classroom features like: breakout rooms, direct messaging to the class teacher and a better virtual connection.

Sixth Graders - Any 6th grader scheduled to report for IN-PERSON instruction on Nov. 9th who has not submitted their proofs of domicile WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO CLASS!

Seventh Graders - Any 7th grader scheduled to report for IN-PERSON instruction on Nov. 9th who has not submitted their immunizations (Shot record) WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO CLASS!

A ‘handful’ of treats was given to our SPOOKTAKULAR teachers to extend our appreciation for everything they are doing for our children. Everyone is working hard and we see it every day. Thank you Milton Somers Middle School!

PTSO Executive Board Members

President: Dawn Shafer

Vice-President: Melissa Morris

Secretary: Sherri Williams

Treasurer: Brenda Washington

Contact us at miltonsomersmsptso@gmail.com

Facebook: Milton Somers Middle School PTSO

Twitter: @SomersPTSO

Instagram: SomersPTSO

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Nikial M. Majors, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646. 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.