Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
October 25- October 29
Dear Silver Creek Families
We look forward to another great week of school. We had grade-level town hall meetings this week to reinforce school expectations and behaviors. We are very proud of our students and appreciate their participation in our town hall meetings. Students were very attentive and respectful.
We have less than two weeks remaining in the first marking period. The end of the quarter is November 4, 2021. Please encourage your child to take advantage of their Husky Connect/advisory time on Monday & Tuesdays to work with their teacher on any missing assignment(s) and/or to receive extra support.
We are excited to have Spirit Week this week. Be sure to check out each day below. Let's all get in the spirit & have some fun!
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!
Bell Schedule for this Week
Please see Husky Connect Calendar & Information
*Silver Creek Spirit Week (October 25-October 29)
Monday: PJ Day - roll out of bed and wear your pajamas!
Tuesday: Team Day - represent your favorite team!
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday - might we suggest getting dressed in the dark?
Thursday: Husky Day - wear blue, grey, white, or SCMS gear!
Friday: Costume Day* - have fun and get dressed up!
*No masks or costumes that restrict movement or vision, prevent sitting at desks, obstruct movement in hallways, or prevent participation in PE. No weapons, violence, costume masks, revealing clothing, drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any kind. Students should not wear costumes that make fun of others and their cultures, or make others feel uncomfortable. Costumes may not be offensive or inappropriate in any way.
Appropriate school conduct and attire is expected throughout Spirit Week. We hope you have fun, and we look forward to seeing your school spirit!
*Silver Creek News- Morning Announcements!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LnB2Iopwk1p2p7-WQVArGde09MEBBzXM/view?usp=sharing
*High School Regional/Countywide Application for 8th grade students ONLY
The application season for the High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs has open. To learn more about which high school regional/countywide application programs your child is eligible, please review the personalized program eligibility report available in both the StudentVUE and ParentVUE – in DOCUMENTS (located on the left navigation bar of Synergy). This report includes programs for which your child is eligible along with program descriptions and directions to access the application. The deadline to apply is November 5, 2021. You may also visit the High School Programs At-A-Glance at this website for additional information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high
Silver Creek Middle School held an Informational meeting on Thursday, October 14 from 6-7 pm. If you were not able to attend, you may access the recording, presentation/slide deck and Q&A document in the Parent Handbook.
If you need any assistance navigating the application process or completing the application, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's counselor, Ms. Kristin Kehr, at kristin_n_kehr@mcpsmd.org. If you need assistance activating your ParentVue account, please reach out to David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org
*COVID Pool Testing
One significant mitigation tactic Montgomery County Public Schools will use this fall is random COVID-19 screening tests for students. A random sample of students grades 6-8 who have a parent consent form on file will be selected to be tested.
Silver Creek is scheduled for COVID screen testing every Tuesday for those students who have consent forms ONLY. We tested students this past Tuesday. We are attempting to ensure students who have not tested yet are selected to test. The vendor will communicate results to schools within 24-48 hours. We have NOT received results as of yet and will contact families if there is a positive result.
Please read the process outlined from MCPS below:
Book Club Opportunity for Students
*UPDATE: Due to testing, the first meeting of OVERBOOKED has moved to NOVEMBER 9th. That is great news . You can read New Kid and join us for the group. Don't forget to sign up on the OVERBOOKED tab on the counseling website.
You may also find the link to join here: https://forms.gle/FVWpeQKsfZaVJ7mv7.
Any questions, please contact Ms. Diskin at Trayce_R_Diskin@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Levine at Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org
Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities
Any questions about SSL, please contact Ms. Renee Hill at Renee_S_Hill@mcpsmd.org
*Lost and Found
*After School Activities (Updated club information)
After school activities have started and will run from September 14 through May 16 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 can be found in our After School Brochure which is linked below. The link will also take you to a google registration form to be used to sign up for an after school activity.
Registering for an activity will be on-going. 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 after school sponsor to ride the bus. After school Activity Brochure & Registration Form: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/after-school-activities
Good news! We have a sponsor for No Place for Hate and The Yearbook Club. If interested in participating, please see information below:
No Place for Hate (NPFH). If interested in NPFH, there will be a meeting on Wednesday, October 27 after school in room 301.
Yearbook Club. If interested in yearbook, please contact Mr. Brennan at Sean_P_Brennan@mcpsmd.org or see Mr. Brennan during PE class.
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Dr. Matthew Okun@Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org
Intramural Sports
Mr. Bingaman is the intramural coordinator and will provide more information during PE classes, on the intramural bulletin board, on the morning announcements, and on the school website. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc. Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Bingaman at Ryan_H_Bingaman@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
*Principal Coffee
We are excited to bring monthly principal coffees this school year. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being.
If you missed the latest principal coffee from Thursday, 10/21, you may access the recording below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kf84ew1GtCbXMm_8YGhaFE_uOAMrslpf/view?usp=sharing
Our next principal coffee is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021.
*Counselor News & Updates
Please see the SCMS Counseling Newsletter for OCTOBER.
LAST CALL FOR PARENTS/MEMBERS OF THE SCMS COMMUNITY. The counseling department is looking for members for its Counseling Advisory Committee to ensure our department is meeting the needs of our community. This committee aligns with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This committee will meet 2 times this year (November 11 and May 12 from 3:15 – 4:15.) We will meet on zoom, but students can stay after school with their counselors to participate. Please consider this opportunity.
Students can earn SSL hours for participation. Parents will hear about what counselors do each day, our programming and other pertinent information. There will be opportunities for feedback at each meeting. RSVP to Susan_a_levine@mcpsmd.org
Interested parents and students can RSVP to susan_a_levine@mcpsmd.org.
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
Recognitions in the Month of October
Filipino Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
Italian-American Heritage Month
Parent/Community Forum to support LGBTQ+ youth
This webinar is for parents, caregivers, family members, friends, and allies of LGBTQ youth. We hope you’ll attend. Zoom information will be shared closer to the date.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Diskin at Trayce_R_Diskin@mcpsmd.org
Holiday Gift Project
If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form to provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. Some families have been emailed because they self referred at the beginning of the year.
Please fill out this form if you have not received information in your email and would like to be referred. https://forms.gle/apssvyCV6d6tFpW49
*Cell Phone Policy
The use of cell phones in the school has become a large distraction for our students. We will continue to reinforce our cell phone expectations that it must be out of sight during instructional time. Beginning Quarter 2, aligned with MCPS regulations, all personal mobile devices must be turned off and away at the start of school. Students may use their cell phones before school, at lunch, and after school ONLY. They should not have their cell phones out during transition times.
The absence of mobile devices will allow teachers to continue to create a conducive learning environment with fewer distractions for our students as well as lessen behavioral infractions related to cell phone use during hallway transitions and other learning spaces. If students are not able to follow the cell phone policy, consequences will be given based on the Student Code of Conduct.
Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
Ways to Report: English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1areawDK08nMCq-2z3wW0PctPntog0eVX/view?usp=sharingSpanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZVC11h8vBYrzL1yyJgMYLRyE-SLmbDFg/view?usp=sharing
Community Food & Clothing Resources
Free and Reduced Meals
Free breakfast, lunch and dinner meals will be provided to all students in schools and at designated food distribution sites.
While school meals are free, families are still encouraged to apply for Free and Reduced Meal status so they are eligible for community resources and services. Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Important Dates to Remember
October 21- Principal Coffee- In person & zoom. 8:30-9:15 am
November 4- End of Quarter 1. No school for students.
November 5- School Make-up Portraits
November 22, 23, 24- Early release days for students (Communication about Parent Teacher Conferences will come out soon and will be on one or more of these days).
Link to MCPS Calendar
Student Absence or Quarantine
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.
Please note: If a student needs to quarantine/isolate for 10 days due to a COVID 19 direct exposure or positive test, Silver Creek Middle School has established a plan for the virtual continuity of learning. A letter with the student's virtual continuity of learning plan will be communicated to families whose child has been identified to quarantine.
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
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