Gator Gazette Weekly News
Principal's Update
Plum Point Middle School is excited to announce that we will begin a therapy dog program at our school this year. Plum Point Middle School will have a certified therapy dog team visit the school once per week to provide additional social/emotional/behavioral support to our students. While a therapy dog will periodically be in our school, only those students with signed consent and identified through the school's counselor(s)/social worker will interact with them. This program is facilitated by CCPS school social worker Joanne Gay. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Gay at gayj@calvertnet.k12.md.us or Ms. Swann at swannd@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
We are very excited to introduce the newest member of Gator Nation, Corporal Holt! He is our new School Resource Officer (SRO) and we are happy to have him aboard.
Advisory Corner
For the week of October 15th
Curricular Focus: Self & Social Awareness
Skills Practiced This Week: Being Kind to Self and Others
This week we are excited to bring the Beautiful Tomorrow Assembly to our students on Thursday, 10/19. Our Advisory focus will be a continuation of these important messages.
- 1st & 2nd Periods: All 6th Grade, Half 7th Grade
- 3rd & 4th Periods: All 8th Grade, Half 7th Grade
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program Reports - Math & ELA
Students were given MCAP reports from the spring 2023 administration during Advisory on Friday, October 13th. Students are tested every year in both Math and ELA to measure their proficiency on the statewide exam. Plum Point Middle has a lot to celebrate this year as our student scores demonstrated the following...
- Increasing ELA scores from 2022 to 2023 across all three grade levels.
- Increasing Math scores from 2022 to 2023 on three of the four course exams.
- PPMS outperformed the state and CCPS average on all exams.
- PPMS more than doubled the state proficiency average on several exams.
As a school, we still have areas of growth to ensure ALL students are reaching their academic potential. However, our staff, families, and especially students have a lot to be proud of from the most recent exams.
School Events
October
18 - Unity Day - Wear Orange
19 - School-wide PBIS Assembly (Beautiful Tomorrow)
20 - No School for Students
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
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
Wear Orange October 18th
Stand up to Bullying and Promote Kindness and acceptance!
*A Place for Kindness Club will be selling "a pop of Kindness" this Unity/orange day the week of October 16th during all lunches , Tuesday, 17th and Wednesday, 18th.*
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) Impact Aid
Dear parent(s)/guardian(s):
It is time to participate in our annual Federal Impact Aid Survey! Federal Impact Aid supports funding for local school districts with concentrations of children who have parents/guardians in the uniformed services or parents/guardians employed on eligible Federal Properties. Last year, your cooperation with completing and returning this form supported Calvert County Public Schools with receiving Federal Impact Aid funds.
Please follow the directions below to complete your form online. The direct link to access Home Access Center (HAC) to complete your form is Login (calvertnet.k12.md.us).
If you have technical difficulty, you can complete and return a paper survey with your child. A blank form is posted on our website at Impact Aid Program Survey - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us). This link is found by navigating to the parent tab/forms & applications.
Kindly submit your completed form(s) no later than October 31, 2023. It is important that all CCPS parents/guardians complete and sign this form for each child; even if you are not active military or a civilian working on federal property on September 30, 2023.
All information collected is confidential and used only for the stated purpose. The Impact Aid grant application provides only collective information on the numbers and locations of our federally connected students.
Thank you for your continued support of the Calvert County School District!
How do I get started?
Log in to your HAC account using this link: https://ccpses4hac.calvertnet.k12.md.us/
Open the document below for directions on what to do once you are logged into HAC.
(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>.
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Games this week - HOME GAMES
16 - Volleyball @PPMS, Soccer @HPP (vs. NMS)
18 - Volleyball @PPMS, Soccer @Solomons Town Park (vs. MCMS)
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
Pumpkins are the unofficial mascot of fall 🎃 Enjoy these fun and unusual facts about pumpkins!
- Pumpkins are technically fruit! - They contain seeds and are a type of winter squash, closely related to cucumbers and melons.
- Pumpkins are packed with nutrition! - They are a nutrient-dense and naturally low-calorie food. They contain 49% of your daily needs for vitamin K, along with vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate, and niacin. So, pull out those pumpkin recipes 🙂
- Pumpkin offers plenty of health benefits! - They contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Which has been shown in studies to help fight off infections, prevent age-related vision problems and may help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
- Each pumpkin produces about 500 seeds! - These seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack - packed with antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, and fatty acids! https://gethealthyu.com/recipe/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/
- Canned pumpkin isn't always an actual pumpkin. - Turns out that "pumpkin" puree sold in a can is usually made of Dickinson squash, a relative of butternut and acorn squash. https://myhomebasedlife.com/how-to-make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/
- Pumpkins grow everywhere except Antartica. - The top producers of pumpkins include China, India, Mexico, and Ukraine
- The U.S. produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins every year! - Every state grows some pumpkins, but most of our supply is grown in 4 states - California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- Cinderella popularized pumpkins! - The story of Cinderella wouldn't be the same without that pumpkin carriage! Pumpkins were first named by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584. He called them "gros melons," which translated to "pompions" in English. Pompions eventually evolved into pumpkins and the first known use of the word in literature was in the story of Cinderella!
- Pumpkins weren't always popular on Halloween! - The tradition of carving pumpkins on Halloween started from a scary Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
- That's a great pumpkin Charlie Brown! - Mathias Wellemijins holds the title of Heaviest Pumpkin. The Belgian man grew a pumpkin that weighed in at 2,624.6 pounds. That's big!
Happy Fall! I hope you all have a safe and fun fall.
PTSA Update
Volunteers needed for Hearing & Vision screenings! If you have time to help on Monday 10/16, Wednesday 10/18 and Thursday, 10/19 please consider lending a hand! https://bit.ly/2023screening-helpers
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
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.