SHADY GROVE MATTERS WEEKLY UPDATE
December 17, 2023
THE ADMINISTRATOR'S CORNER
Dear SGMS community,
As we near Winter Break, Shady Grove Middle School remains a busy place! The 8th Grade will be attending the Top Golf Field trip this week, we have a Spirit Week led ably by the SGA and our SGA advisor, Ms. Wolfe and we end the week with one of our special traditions, the Shady Grove Pep rally. We will be showing our SGMS Pride this week.
The days for Spirit Week are as follows:
Monday, December 18- I woke up like this (PJs ) NO Blankets or Stuffed Animals
Tuesday, December 19- Support your nationality, shirts/jerseys. Scarves, and/or colors of your nationality flag
Wednesday, December 20- Winter Wear (holiday, snow, winter, snowman, etc)
Thursday, December 21- Ugly Sweater Day
Friday, December 22- Color Out with your Grade Levels Colors!
Just a reminder, winter break will occur from December 23, 2023 to January 2, 2024. Students will return back to school on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
As we head to the winter break, I wanted to express my appreciation and gratitude for allowing me to have the gift of leading the SGMS community for seven years. This is a wonderful multicultural community and working together inspires me daily! As we close out 2023, the academic and socio-emotional gains that students are making is impressive.
On behalf of the Shady Grove Middle School staff, thank you for being part of the “BEST” community in Montgomery County Public Schools.
~Dr. Murray
DECEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024
December Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 18th - Quarter 2 Interims in ParentVue
Friday, December 22nd - Pep Rally
Monday, December 25 - Holiday (School System Closed)
Tuesday, December 26-Friday, December 29 - Winter Break (No School for Students and Teachers)
January Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 1st - Holiday (School System Closed)
Tuesday, January 2nd - Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students and Teachers)
Monday, January 8th-Friday, January 12th - 6th Grade Outdoor Education
Tuesday, January 16th - MLK Week of Service
Friday, January 26th - End of Quarter 2
Saturday, January 27th - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Tuesday, January 30th & 31st - 7th Grade Finance
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - 7TH GRADE FIELD TRIP
Dear families of a 7th grade student at Shady Grove Middle School:
Our 7th graders will attend Finance Park at Edison High School in Silver Spring, MD on January 31, 2024. We are in need of at least 18 volunteers to join us on this field trip. If you choose to volunteer, you will go to Edison High School at 8am to attend a training in order to help run the simulation for our school that day. Students will arrive at 9am and then take a tour of Edison and then they will join you in the Junior Achievement Finance Park wing of Edison High School. The simulation is to prepare students by teaching financial literacy, you know, paying bills, buying a car and groceries. We would love to have you help us "run" a storefront and help teach our students about the importance of financial literacy and responsibility. This is a great opportunity to interact with our school community, meet your child's friends, and help teach an important message to our students. If you are interested, please complete the instructions located in the Google Drive document here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TMtNN8dRZO5oFwHNbmcF88THYSrcBkmB/view
Email Vassiliki_A_Key@mcpsmd.org for more questions or information.
TRIP TO LONDON, SPRING 2025 (EF TOURS)
Dear Families,
We’re going to London in Spring 2025, and you’re invited!
We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Tours, our educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for this info session to be considered for this opportunity:
https://bit.ly/417vyZ5
When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.
In this info session, we’ll talk about:
· How this opportunity will benefit your student
· What we’ll see and do on our trip
· Everything that’s included in this experience
· How your child can earn academic credit
· How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
· How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period
There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The informational Parent Meeting is Thursday, January 4, 2024 in Room E108 at 7pm.
This is not an MCPS sponsored event.
Thanks,
Jo Belyea-Doerman
MESSAGE FROM THE PTSA PRESIDENT
The Shady Grove PTSA is hosting a cookie exchange for our hard working SGMS staff on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2023. Please sign up here to donate cookies or a dessert item. Cookies and treats can be store bought or homemade. Drop off your item at Shady Grove on December 22nd by 9am or contact the PTSA at sgmsptapresident@gmail.com or raquel.b.tucker@mcpsmd.net to arrange for drop off on Tuesday evening. Students can earn 2ssl hours per batch of baked item.
Shady Grove PTSA organizará un intercambio de galletas para nuestro trabajador personal de SGMS el miércoles 22 de Diciembre de 2023. Regístrese aquí para donar galletas o un postre. Las galletas y golosinas se pueden comprar en la tienda o hacer en casa. Deje su artículo en Shady Grove el 22 de Diciembre a las 9:00 a. m. o comuníquense con la PTSA en sgmsptapresident@gmail.com o raquel.b.tucker@mcpsmd.net para programar la entrega el martes por la noche. Los estudiantes pueden ganar 2ssl horas por lote de artículo horneado.
SGMS SPRING MUSICAL IS BACK!
This year's performances of High School Musical Jr. are scheduled for May 17th and 18th. Students interested in auditioning for a role should complete an audition packet and submit to Mrs. Rahmati no later than January 15th. Students can pick up an audition packet in the cafeteria during lunch or in Mrs. Rahmati's classroom (D-229). The first audition workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23rd. More detailed information about the full audition, casting and rehearsal process is noted in the audition packet. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Rahmati at julie_a_rahmati@mcpsmd.org.
2024–2025 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Dear Parents/Guardians:
During the December 5, 2023, Board of Education (Board) business meeting, the Board adopted the 2024–2025 School Year calendar. The calendar is responsive to community input, offers limited instructional disruptions, and maintains 182 days of instruction. Mark your calendar for the first day of school next year. Please use the links provided to access the 2024–2025 School Year calendars.
MCPS COMMUNICATION
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know. Get information about how your student can earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy, how to become a Summer RISE 2024 host, maintenance and operations job fair, bright spots this week and more!
GOOD INFORMATION TO KNOW
7:50 am - Building Opens to Students
7:50 - 8:10 am - Breakfast Available
8:15 am - Class Starts
3:00 pm - Dismissal
Shady Grove Middle School
Principal: Dr. Alana Murray
Asst. Principal: Ms. Jennifer Cooper
Asst. Principal: Ms. Elizabeth Merino
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/shadygrovems/
Location: 8100 Midcounty Highway Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: 240-740-1440