Gator Gazette Weekly News
Mid-Week Update: 10/4
- First Friday, October 6th - Wear Green or Gold and get a treat at lunch (we are still waiting for our PBIS shirts)
- Check out our Zombie Run flier below and click on it to make a purchase
- Check out our Trunk or Treat flier below and click on it to sign up
- ADDITION: Volleyball will practice on Thursday, 10/5, until 5 PM
Principal's Update
Remember, NO School on Friday, September 29th.
Homework is utilized at PPMS to extend the learning experience and/or pre-teach concepts. I have heard from a few families that their child is spending a tremendous amount of time completing homework each evening. Students should not be spending more than about 20 minutes per content area each day. If this is not the case, please contact the teacher (email, note) to work out a plan.
Advisory Corner
For the week of October 2nd
Curricular Focus: Building Academic Readiness
Skills Practiced This Week: Evaluating, Perseverance, & Responsibility
School Events
October
3 - 7th Grade Suicide Prevention Lesson, Science Class
9 - 2-hour Late Arrival for Students
11 - PTSA Meeting, 6 PM, PPMS Library
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 - Fall Pep Assembly (afternoon)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
So many students ready to help spread kindness throughout PPMS. All are welcome at our Kindness Club!
These pictures represent so many GREAT things that our staff and students have participated in throughout the last couple of weeks!
Our Advisory Chess Club is very excited for a fun, informal tournament!
Our Advisory Lego Club enjoys a group challenge each day they meet!
Our FCA hosted a very well attended "See You at the Pole!"
Some of our 7th graders got to learn history from Joan of Arc (aka Ms. Hamphire)!
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>.
Gator Athletics
Please email our athletic director, Mr. Pellock, with any questions: pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us
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!
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.
Nurse Notes
Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands can decrease your chances of becoming sick! So, wash them frequently with soap and water. One study estimates that if everyone washed their hands regularly, we could save a million lives each year!
If you don't wash your hands watch out, these things could happen:
*You can pass germs to others
-Handshakes can make your family and friends sick.
-Door knobs can make strangers sick.
-Make sure you lather up after using the restroom - a single gram of human feces can contain a trillion germs.
*You can get sick too!
-Your hands carry germs into your eyes and your mouth from places you don't even want to think about!
*Kids miss a lot of school.
-Studies have shown that handwashing education in schools can lower absences from GI problems by up to 57%.
*You miss a lot of work.
-Each year the flu cost Americans about 17 million missed workdays, 7 billion dollars a year in sick days and undone work.
*You lose money.
-Americans spend 4.6 million dollars each year fighting the flu.
*Your bowels will give you trouble.
-Diarrhea is the 2nd leading cause of death among children under 5.
*Your eyes and other's eyes could be affected.
-Pinkeye is picked up by 6 million Americans each year.
*You get skin infections.
-Staphylococcus bacteria (staph) are germs found on your skin and in your nostrils. If they get in an open wound, they can cause skin infections.
So, wash those hands! Water, Lather, Scrub for 20 seconds, Rinse, Dry!
Always wash before, during and after preparing food. Before you eat. After you use the bathroom. When you sneeze. Anywhere anytime germs may gather! A hand sanitizer of 60% alcohol is okay BUT soap is better!
PTSA Update
Membership Drive!
Become a member of Plum Point Middle's PTSA here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ppms-ptsa-23-24
Our $10 Membership is annual so if you were a member last year, please renew for this school year. 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!
October PTSA Meeting
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 11th from 6 - 7pm in the Media Center. Join us to discuss upcoming events like Family Tech Talk and Trunk or Treat! Your suggestions, questions and ideas are welcome!
Trunk or Treat, Friday Oct 27th
Planning for this annual event is underway and we are looking for 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!)
We appreciate all the help we can get and are excited for another great event! If you are able to help in any way, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/2023Trunk-or-Treat
About the event: On Oct 27th from 6 - 8, we hope you'll join us in costume to trick or treat and enjoy a movie 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.
Family Tech Talk Night, Webinar, 8 PM, 10/25
Join us for a virtual Family Tech Talk on October 25th at 8pm on Zoom!
From Roblox to TikTok, technology is changing fast, and many of us are struggling to stay one step ahead of our kids. Please join us on October 25th, at 8pm for an expert Zoom presentation and Q&A about how to help your children stay safe online. This engaging presentation will cover:
- What kids are doing online, from popular apps to online gaming
- Tips for managing screen time
- Best practices to help kids be safe, savvy, and kind online
- Ways to manage a child’s devices, including app settings for age-appropriate content, and more
- Plus, ask your own questions during a live Q&A chat!
Join other parents for this free Zoom event at: https://bit.ly/Family-Tech-Talk-Oct25
(P.S. Be sure to sign in when prompted, because you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card from Trend Micro! Rules: https://bit.ly/3rUpUvE)
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.