Argyle Weekly Newsletter
wEEK OF October 5th
VIRTUAL STUDENT LEARNING SCHEDULE WEEK OF October 5th - October 9th
Advisory is REQUIRED
This is a reminder to students and families that Advisory is a required course. Advisory takes place during the last period of each day from 2:50 pm to 3:15 pm. Attendance is taken in advisory. It is of utmost importance that students attend in order to nourish their socio-emotional wellness, create consistency & community with an advisor and classmates. Attending ensures students receive important school-wide information and life-skill training. If you have further questions please reach out to your grade level counselor.
MAP-M Testing Wednesday
This is a reminder that this Wednesday, October 7, is another special schedule. All students are expected to log into their advisory class by 9:00 am for MAP-M (Math) assessments. As we have discussed, this is important because the school will collect information that will help us learn more about what students already know and what they need to know. Thank you for communicating the importance of MAP-R where we saw attendance and completion rates that were comparable to what we experience when we are testing in the building.
There are supports provided about MAP on the Argyle MS course in myMCPS Classroom under 'Whole-School Lessons' I am including the link to the slides from the parent meeting held about MAP testing in case you need it! Please share with your student and encourage them to try their best on this diagnostic.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Lessons this week (10/5 & 10/6)
In compliance with the Maryland State Department of Education Guidance for Phase II fall reopening, MCPS is coordinating concrete steps to address the physical, social, and psychological needs of our students, families, and staff. The goals of the MCPS Be Well 365 Recovery plan are to:
Communicate to students, staff members, families, and the community that “MCPS Cares”
Reassure students, staff members, families, and the community that each and every person is valued and heard
Recognize that many of us have experienced trauma during the COVID-19 school closures; however, within that trauma, we may have experienced it at different levels and to different degrees
Support students, staff members, and families in a culturally responsive manner that focuses on equity and anti-racism.
Final Material Pick up for students who have belongings in their locker from last year
Students who have not retrieved their personal belongings from their lockers from the previous school year will have the last opportunity to do so on Thursday, October 8, 11AM-1PM.
This will be the last opportunity to retrieve personal items from the previous school year.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
The Board of Education has proclaimed Tuesday, September 15 to Thursday, October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month, MCPS schools will be celebrating the unique culture and traditions of students, teachers, staff, and community members who trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in MCPS, with 32 percent of the student population, representing 21 Spanish-speaking countries. We want all MCPS students, parents/guardians, and staff to celebrate with us! Share a picture that represents your Hispanic heritage and MCPS may feature it in a virtual gallery. E-mail pictures to pio@mcpsmd.org. Watch this video for more information.
Parent Academy Launches To-Go Virtual Webinars
Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO. Parent Academy TO GO is a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home.
September and October webinars are listed on the Parent Academy website.
Book Wars!
Our first information meeting about Book Wars will be Wednesday, October 7 at 12 noon at this Zoom link. If you like to read and you like to compete, Book Wars is for you! Students in middle schools across Montgomery County all read the same books, then are quizzed on their knowledge of the books in the Spring. Students compete in teams of five students per team. There is more information including a video, checklist of the books, and information/application form on the Virtual Media Center page in the Argyle MS course. Click here to go to the Virtual Media Center. If you can't make the meeting, but you would like more information or want to participate, contact our media specialist, Mrs. Suzich, at jacqueline.h.suzich@mcpsmd.net, join one of the other Zoom lunches, or submit the application from the Virtual Media Center page.
Zoom lunches in the Virtual Media Center
- Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 are open lunches for all grades from 11:30 - 12 noon.
- Wednesday, October 7 from 12-12:30 will be the first BOOK WARS INFORMATION MEETING for all grades. See the Book Wars information in the chart below for more information.
- Thursday, October 8 is 6th grade lunch bunch from 11:30 - 12
- Friday, October 9 is open for all grades from 11:30 - 12
Zoom link for all Zoom lunches:
Meeting ID: 946 0269 9139
Passcode: ams
During the lunches, we can play Kahoots! any time if participants want, just ask! If you want to have a breakout room to chat with friends or in a different language, just ask! This is your virtual space!
Montgomery County Public Libaries
Please click this link to make an appointment to pick up your prize if you participated in the summer reading program.
How to linked here
You can borrow print books through MCPL's Holds To Go Program. You can get a free library card online if you don't already have one.
Online Services for Students linked here
Sora The Reading App
Last week, most Argyle students were assigned books for their English classes through Sora. They can access those books and thousands of others through the Sora app on their ipad or other device, or at https://soraapp.com. Students log in with their ID@mcpsmd.ORG (not .NET) and their MCPS password (not Google). There are videos and written instructions on how to use Sora on the Virtual Media Center page.
Sora has thousands of books to read and listen to, including some Argyle favorites like The Selection series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man, Big Nate, New Kid, The Baby-Sitters Club series, Avatar series, Series of Unfortunate Events, Mamba Mentality, Cinder series, One of Us is Lying, The Hate U GIve, My Hero Academia and other manga series, and so much more! If you don't see what you want, or if there is a long hold time, please let Mrs. Suzich know what you'd like, or what we need more of. You can email her at jacqueline.h.suzich@mcpsmd.net, or fill out the Google form or put it on the Padlet request wall which are located on the Virtual Media Center page.
Teen Book Cloud
More free ebooks - including graphic novels, audiobooks, and videos for students! Thanks to a grant from the MCPS Foundation, we now have access to another collection of books. No login information is required, just click this link.
Argyle Is a Food Distribution Site!
MCPS is increasing to a triple meal service on Fridays to help address food insecurity for MCPS students over the weekend. The district will also continue to partner with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, County Government agencies, and others to provide food and other critical resources to the community. More information is available at
PTSA What's App Discussion Boards
Join by clicking below ...
English (ArgylePTSA.en) - https://chat.whatsapp.com/GKxLzQJTsRlDFcQJucjHRR
Spanish (ArgylePTSA.sp) - https://chat.whatsapp.com/L09ZMqTqU7QB40yvOauSBl
Vietnamese (ArgylePTSA.vi) - https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrhAwrYGRx81FOVnS0uno7
Portuguese (ArgylePTSA.pt) - https://chat.whatsapp.com/DELA314K2hC0e5wFOSIQrr
Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form
Parents or guardians should use the live virtual lesson absence form to document excused absences from live virtual lessons. The form must be completed for each day of absence from a live virtual lesson. Please check your email to access the form.
If you have any questions or need to send the school a doctor's note please email Argyle's attendance secretary at Marisol_Ferreras@mcpsmd.org
COUNSELOR VIRTUAL OFFICE HOUR
Counselors are available to meet with students during their virtual office hours. Just click on the zoom during office hours and they'll be there to chat. If you can't make it to their office hour, but need help you can always email them.
All Counselors are available:
Monday: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Thursday: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Friday: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Hardy
Email: Nichole_Hardy@mcpsmd.org
Virtual Link: Zoom Link Meeting ID: 98859484418 Password: ams (case sensitive)
7th Grade Counselor: Mr. Lilja
Email: Matthew_J_Lilja@mcpsmd.org
Virtual Link: Zoom Link Meeting ID: 3109498714 Password: ams (case sensitive)
8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Tran
Email: Lisa_L_Tran@mcpsmd.org
Virtual Link: Zoom Link Meeting ID: 94470598938 Password: ams (case sensitive)
ELL/ESOL Counselor: Ms. Judd
Email: Nicole_R_Judd@mcpsmd.org
Virtual Link: Zoom Link Meeting ID: 93054529038 Password: ams (case sensitive)
Important Dates
- Wednesday, October 7 - MAP Test (MAP-R & MAP-M) - 9:00 am
- Monday, October 12 - Crash the Class
- Tuesday, October 27- Magnet Open House - 6:30 -
- Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day - Schools and Offices Closed
- Monday, November 9 - Professional Day for Teachers; No School for Student.
- Monday, November 9 - End of Quarter
WE ARE STILL HERE TO HELP YOU!
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:
Administration (301) 460-2400
School Principal - Mr. Allrich: James_K_Allrich@mcpsmd.org
6th Grade Administrator - Mr. Hwang: jae_hwang@mcpsmd.org
7th Grade Administrator - Ms. Sandall: elizabeth_a_sandall@mcpsmd.org
8th Grade Administrator - Ms. Shorts: lisa_n_shorts@mcpsmd.org
Main Office (301) 460-2400
Attendance Secretary - Ms. Ferreras: Marisol_Ferreras@mcpsmd.org
Front Office Secretary - Ms. Jones: Ashanti_Jones@mcpsmd.org
School Financial Specialist - Mr. Magruder: Timothy_W_Magruder@mcpsmd.org
Administrative Secretary - Ms. Majano: Jennifer_L_Majano@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office (301) 460-2410
Counseling Secretary/Registrar - Ms. Pineda: Marlene_C_Pineda@mcpsmd.org
For academic support please check the link below:
Argyle Previous Newsletters
Argyle Magnet Middle School
Website: www.argylems.org
Location: 2400 Bel Pre Road, Aspen Hill, MD, USA
Phone: 301-460-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Argyle-Magnet-Middle-School-102726228178724/
Twitter: @ArgyleMagnetMS