Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Yearbook Orders
ORDERS ARE DUE FRIDAY MARCH 22ND for books and 8th grade Shout Outs!!!
Please fill out the attached form and return with payment. Books are $30.
Visit https://bit.ly/PPMSYearbookInfo for everything you need to know about this year’s yearbook: links to pay online and how to submit photos (candid activity pics needed!).
Order yours today!!!
School Social Worker Week
Please help us by celebrating School Social Worker Week March 3-9. If you have a moment, please give a huge thank you to Ms. Joanne Gay for all she does for PPMS!!
The Best Week Ever!
It's time to get ready for the Spring Book Fair coming March 18th-21st. It will be the best week ever! Students will be able to shop in the morning, at lunch or when they visit with their ELA classes. Please consider supporting the library by allowing your child to make purchases at the book fair. Thank you and happy reading!
Here is the link to see the bookfair flyer and/or to set up an ewallet. Book Fair Homepage (scholastic.com)
Testing Update
MISA Testing - All 8th Students
Our 8th grade students will be completing the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) next week on Tuesday, March 12th and Wednesday, March 13th. The test will measure their science knowledge and skills aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted by the state.
Students will be testing during their 2nd and 3rd period classes both days. Please help ensure our students can perform their best by doing the following...
- Bring a charged and working Chromebook to school.
- Get a good nights rest prior to testing.
- Eat a healthy breakfast at home or school.
- Attend all testing sessions as planned and on time.
Any student who misses a testing session will need to complete makeups on Thursday, March 14th and Friday, March 15th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Tyler for additional details.
PBIS Fundraiser - Student vs. Staff Basketball Game
Please join us on Friday, March 15th as we host our spring Students vs. Staff Basketball Game. Members of the staff will compete against our 8th grade basketball players along with students selected through our school based PBIS program. Admission will be $5 to attend.
Hope to see you there.
(repeat) Exciting Opportunity!
The Maryland Leadership Workshops registration for Summer 2024 is open for middle and high school students.
Program dates are:
- Middle School Experience in Leadership (MSEL): July 21 to 27 for students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2024.
- Senior High Workshop (SHW): July 29 to August 3 for students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2024.
- Advanced Leadership Seminar (ALS): July 21 to 27 for students who have completed grades 9- 12 as of July 1, 2024.
March
5 - Chorus Adjudication @PHS
6 - Band Adjudication @PHS
6 - 6th Grade Field Trip
7 - Orchestra Adjudication @PHS
12-13 - MISA Assessment
15 - Staff/Student Basketball Game, @PPMS 5-7 PM
18 - 21 - Book Fair
Clubs (recurring)
- Chess Club, Mondays, 7 AM, Rm. 114
- Garden Club, Mondays, 3-5 PM, Rm. 114
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Tuesdays, 7 AM, Gym
- Student Government Association (SGA), Thursdays, 7 AM, Rm. 316
PTSA Update
Parent Help Days
Do you have time on Friday mornings to help out at the school? The office and teachers can use YOUR help for tasks like filling folders and making copies. If you have time to give, please consider signing up here:
https://bit.ly/Friday-helpers-2324
Our next PTSA Meeting will be March 13th at 6:30pm in the PPMS Media Center. We're excited to have our career advisor, Ms. Philips, sharing information about secondary & post-secondary opportunities, and will have some flyers available for community camps and activities during Summer break. If you haven't joined us for a meeting yet, this will be a great one to attend!
8th Grade Dance
Look out for upcoming information on a kickoff meeting to plan the 8th grade dance on May 31st. If you'd like to help out with this fun way to send off our 8th graders, keep an eye out in the newsletter and facebook for news on the planning meetings, and email ppmsfamilies@gmail.com if you'd like to get involved!
It’s not too late to join the PPMS PTSA! You can join here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Contact the PTSA:
Visit our new LinkTree for all the ways to find us!
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Spring Sports: clinics for softball & baseball are underway. Track clinics begin March 11th.
Student Government Association
SGA Meetings
The SGA is happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2023-2024 school year. SGA will meet in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316, on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Students are still welcome to join SGA. Feel free to attend a meeting and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! Please reach out to Mrs. Kelly at kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions.
Love All Pets Month- Sponsored by the PPMS SGA
The SGA is sponsoring Love All Pets Month through February 29th to benefit the pets at the Calvert Animal Welfare League. Please bring all pet donations to Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316, in the morning when you arrive at school. SGA members will be on hand to tally the items collected by each advisory classroom. The advisory class with the most donations will win a donut party, sponsored by the SGA! Please help us show some love for the pets at the Calvert Animal Welfare League! Please see the flyer below for donation ideas and additional details.
Career Corner
Ms. Phillips rm 251 (across from the cafeteria)
Do you know what the RIASEC model is? No? Come see me! I would love to tell you more about it and how it can be helpful in career exploration and planning your future.
Guest Speakers
At the top of this section are some photos from our February guest speakers!
During 3rd period on March 7 a Registered Nurse who works at Calvert Health will come talk to students about her career path to her career and answer questions about what it means to work in the medical field.
During 3rd period on March 21, a Physical Therapist will come talk to students about her career path. Both of these opportunities connect directly to CTE and CTA programs available in high school. Reach out for more information.
If you would like to sign up to attend, you must not be missing any major assignments and you must stay for the entire presentation.
I will have sign up sheet at lunch, but you can also email me to be added to the list.
**If you would like me to invite a specific guest speaker or someone from a job I have not included yet, please let me know.**
Lunch time Career Advisory Groups
The new groups will begin on March 6, 2024. This set will run for 4 Wednesdays in a row during your lunch. Signs up for the second session will be available during lunch next week.
Want to Chat?
All students are invited to come chat with me about any and everything related to identifying a plan for success. If you would like to set up a meeting, please send me an email (phillipsn@calvernet.k12.md.us) or see me during lunch for a pass.
PTA
On March 13, I will present information about RIASEC to all in attendance. This is a CCR tool that will be a part of every middle school and high school's pathway. Get to know what it is and how to apply it to conversations with your students and children. Hope to see you there!
Performing Arts Field Trip
Band, Chorus and Orchestra students in 7th and 8th grades and all students involved in the Theater Production of Descendants are invited to attend a special showing of the HHS musical Cry-baby on Wednesday March 13th. See attached permission slip for more details, hard copies were distributed to students. They should be returned with payment by Monday March 4th.
PPMS Theatre
Descendants Rehearsals
Starting on March 5th, ALL cast and show crew should report Tues, Wed AND Thurs for rehearsals. Shows are April 19th and 20th at 7pm and April 20th at 2pm. Contact ppmstheatre@gmail.com with any questions.
More prop items have been added to the list. Please check to see if you would like to donate anything.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA9AF2BA0FCCE9-47545655-descendants
PPMS Yearbook
Yearbook Committee
Yearbook Committee will meet on the following days during 3rd Period:
2/28, 3/18, 4/4, 5/16
Email any photos for yearbook consideration to eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
Yearbook Sales
ORDERS ARE DUE FRIDAY MARCH 22ND for books and 8th grade Shout Outs!!!
Please fill out the attached form and return with payment. Books are $30.
Visit https://bit.ly/PPMSYearbookInfo for everything you need to know about this year’s yearbook: links to pay online and how to submit photos (candid activity pics needed!).
Order yours today!!!
Nurse Notes
We are making our way through the winter season. Remember to keep washing your hands, getting enough sleep, eating foods with Vitamin C, D and zinc, and drink plenty of water to keep that immune system strong! Get outside and enjoy the sunshine too! Here's some symptoms to look out for when it's not just a common cold. A lot of the symptoms are similar, so testing is always the best option to get the treatment you need.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever*/feeling feverish or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch meals are offered daily. School Meal Prices for SY 2023-2024 will remain the same:
Breakfast: $1.65; Secondary Lunch $2.80; Student Milk $0.55.
Contact PPMS Secretaries
If you have a question regarding school events/activities, would like to report an absence, or need to contact the school about car/bus rider status, please email the PPMS Secretaries:
Nondiscrimination Statement
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Director of Student Services
- Director of Human Resources, 443-550-8000
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
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Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement
Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.
Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.
Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.
Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement
Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.
Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.