The Seahawks Call
Week of November 2, 2020 Volume 8
Message from Principal Taylor
Preparation for Phase 2
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.
Ms. Rhoades- Virtual Learning taking place during Science Ms. Rhoades is rolling right along with her class, just like they were together! Students are “raising their (virtual) hands” and answering questions she is asking, and answers are correct, thanks to solid teaching! | Nearpod Lesson on Pythagorean Theorem - Mrs. Gilliom Mrs. Gilliom's Nearpod lesson was so engaging and interactive for students. Students shared their screens and utilized the "Draw It" feature to show classmates how they solved the problem. | Administrative Team working hard preparing for Phase 2 8th grade VP, Mrs. Thenstead, leads the charge with presenting to staff regarding the Gradebook. |
Ms. Rhoades- Virtual Learning taking place during Science
Nearpod Lesson on Pythagorean Theorem - Mrs. Gilliom
Technology Update - Joining classes with internet browser will not be available after Nov. 6 (DOWNLOAD ZOOM)
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.
Transition Proofs of Domicile and Immunizations
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!
PTSO NEWS
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

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