Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Beautiful Tomorrow Assembly
This past week, students and staff enjoyed an uplifting assembly focused on many of the SEL Competencies we've been practicing during Advisory. Please see some of the highlight pictures below.
Red Ribbon Week
Standing Up Against Drugs
Participate daily in our Red Ribbon Week Activities to pledge to say NO to drugs!
Health Curriculum Reminder
Students in 7th and 8th grade will participate in the family life and human sexuality component of the health curriculum. Typically, this takes place during the 2 nd or 3rd marking periods. Parents will receive an optout letter outlining what is taught in Family Life and Human Sexuality. Teachers will email this letter through Home Access Center (HAC). Any parents who would like to excuse their child from family life and human sexuality topics, should return the letter to the teacher. We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the Departmental Information letter below.
Advisory Corner
For the week of October 15th
Curricular Focus: Artful Communication Pt. 1
Skills Practiced This Week: Active Listening, Building Positive Relationships, Speaking Essentials
Upcoming Standardized Tests - CogAT for 7th Graders
This week our 7th grade students will be taking the Cognative Abilities Test or CogAT. The test fulfills an MSDE requirement that all students be tested twice prior to high school in this area. Students first took the test in elementary school. The test consists of three sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal reasoning) each taking approximately 30 minutes. All students will test during a specific period over the course of three days (see the schedule in the attached picture). Additional information regarding the test was sent home in a letter through advisory with students this week. A copy of the letter can be accessed below.
**Please ensure ALL 7th graders bring a charged computer and headphones (with a cord) to school this week so they can actively participate in the test.
School Events
October
23-27 - Red Ribbon Week
- 23-Wear Red
- 24-Wake Up Drug Free "Pajama Day"
- 25-Voting for My Future to be Drug Free "Red, White, & Blue Day"
- 26-Pink Day in conjunction with SGA
- 27-Drugs are Scary "Zombie Run Shirt or Orange & Black"
25 - Family Tech Talk, Webinar, 8 PM (see PTSA section)
27 - Zombie Run (afternoon)
27 - Trunk or Treat, 6-8 PM
November
1 - Last Day of Quarter 1
3 - First Friday
3 - 2-hour Early Dismissal
7 - Picture Retakes
9 - PTSA Meeting Virtual, 6 PM
10 - No School for Students
13 - Report Cards in HAC
15 - PPMS Writer's Night + Book Fair Shopping, 6-7:30 PM
17 - Fundraiser: staff/student Volleyball Game, 6 PM, PPMS Gym (more info coming)
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
FCA is sponsoring a countywide Fields of Faith this year!! Fields of Faith will take place at the Huntingtown High School stadium field on Sunday, October 22 at 6:30 PM. Students and parents are welcome to join in an evening of worship, testimony, and prayer!
From the Office
(repeat) Attendance Notes
Confirming/Verifying Absences It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide school authorities with verification of the reason for each student absence. Any absence not certified by the parent, guardian, physician, court or other appropriate person/agency will be considered unlawful.
Students returning from absences without notes with appropriate signatures certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful.
(repeat) Student Pick-Up
Please keep in mind this is for the safety of all students. If you have someone other than yourself picking up your student early from school, please be sure to send a note to the "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com> email account, or in writing with your student. The emergency contacts you have listed are there in the event of an emergency and we cannot reach YOU. They do not automatically have permission to pick up your child early from school.
Reminder, you can send notes for absences, attendance questions, late arrivals, or early release needs to this emails address "PPMS Secretaries <PPMSSecretaries@ccps365.onmicrosoft.com>.
Volunteers needed for the Book Fair
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
The big event will take place from November 13-17th in the PPMS Media Center. Students will preview and be able to shop during their ELA classes on Nov. 13th and 14th. We can't do it without some help. We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
Please use the signup link to volunteer. https://bit.ly/FallBookFairHelpers
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Games this week - HOME GAMES
23 - vs. CMS; Volleyball @PPMS Gym, Soccer @HPP #12
Sign up for winter sports are posted outside of the gym. All forms are due by November 9th. The 1st day of Winter clinics is November 13th. This year, cheer and poms clinics will be held on alternating days so students can try out for both (but they can only be selected for one team).
Winter Sports:
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Poms
Student Government Association
October Food Drive
Sponsored by the PPMS SGA
The SGA is sponsoring the PPMS End Hunger Now Food Drive through November 3rd. Please bring all nonperishable 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 special treat, sponsored by the SGA! Please help us End Hunger in Calvert County!
Pink Day
Sponsored by the PPMS SGA
Pink Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 26th. Please wear pink to support our PPMS families and friends in their fight against Breast Cancer. The SGA will be selling pink items beginning on October 23rd in the morning in Mrs. Kelly's room, 316, and during lunches. Pink donuts will be sold on Pink Day during all lunches. All items are $2.00 each. Please see the flyers below for more details. All profits made from Pink Day sales will be donated to the Sheldon Goldberg Breast Center in Prince Frederick. Please help us support this worthy cause!
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.
PPMS Yearbook
Yearbook Sales
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!!!
***YEARBOOK COVER ART CONTEST***
Students should submit an 8.5x11 sheet. There should be at least a 1-inch border that should be the same color as the background but with no images or words around all sides. Plum Point Middle School and 2023-4 need to be on it somewhere. You may also want to include our Gator mascot. A front and back cover can be designed together. No color restrictions. Turn in a hard copy to the main office or a high-resolution digital image to eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us
by Friday November 17th.
Prizes will be awarded, and First Place will be on the cover!!!
Nurse Notes
PTSA Update
Volunteers needed for the Book Fair
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
The big event will take place from November 13-17th in the PPMS Media Center. Students will preview and be able to shop during their ELA classes on Nov. 13th and 14th. We can't do it without some help. We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
Please use the signup link to volunteer. https://bit.ly/FallBookFairHelpers
Trunk or Treat, Friday Oct 27th
We're looking forward to this year's Trunk or Treat and still in need of some helpers to make it a success! You can help by decorating a vehicle in the parking lot and handing out candy, volunteering your time at the event, or even donate a bag of candy to the event! (Those who set up a vehicle get 2 free food vouchers and their child(ren) get in free! Please provide your own candy, and we will provide candy if you run out!) Link to sign up for a vehicle or help out in another way here: link: https://bit.ly/2023Trunk-or-Treat
The event will be Friday, October 27th from 6 - 8pm. Bring your kiddos to trick or treat in the parking lot, buy a hot dog and a drink, and then settle in on the lawn (bring a blanket to sit on!) to enjoy the movie Coco under the stars! All are welcome, but this is not a drop-off event. All children must be under direct supervision of an adult. Also, please leave your furry family members at home, as pets are not allowed on CCPS school grounds. We hope to see you there!
Spirit Wear Sales
If you'd like to purchase some Plum Point Middle gear, you can shop online all year long! Orders ship directly to your home, and PPMS earns 10% of all sales. Shop here: https://1stplace.sale/44362
Membership Drive - Join for a chance to win!
Become a member of Plum Point Middle's PTSA here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Those who join by November 15th will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards! Dues help to fund events and activities for our students and families! Becoming a member does not mean you have to volunteer your time, but if you'd like to help out by volunteering or donating funds, there are lots of opportunities through the year!
November PTSA Meeting
Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 9th from 6:30 - 7:30pm, virtual on TEAMS.
How to contact the PTSA:
Visit our new LinkTree for all the ways to find us!
Repeated Information
Volunteering at PPMS
From CCPS
The CCPS Strategic Planning survey is now open. Your input is vital as we develop a 5-year Strategic Plan for CCPS. Please complete the survey by November 5 and share your thoughts on the profile of a graduate, strengths, focus areas, and future outlook for the district. The survey is being conducted by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, a third-party firm, to ensure that responses are kept anonymous. The online survey can be access at: https://hyasurvey.com/SPcalvert. To change the language of the survey, use the drop-down menu within the survey. Thank you for your support!
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.