Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
February 14-February 19
Dear Silver Creek Families
Happy Super Bowl Sunday & Happy Valentine's Day! We look forward to another great week of school. We have a 5 day week this week. There is no school for students and staff next Monday, February 21st for Presidents' day.
We are seeing an uptick in the number of students who are not bringing their chromebook to school or their chromebook is not charged. It is important that students bring their charged chromebook to school daily. Parents/guardians, thank you for your cooperation and reminding your child of this expectation.
COVID-19 Reporting/Information: Please use this reporting FORM, if your child does test positive for COVID-19. Check out the most recent MCPS Community Update (2/10). You may review Silver Creek Middle School's reported COVID-19 cases here.
The sections marked with an * have been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership.
Let's make it a great week Huskies!
*COVID-19 Home Kits: Second Distribution
Community Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caJFEZ6uABcybwJB_jnaIJT7Ptjys10xHLFKhDIiGro/edit
Contact Tracing Process
At Silver Creek, the safety of our students is most important. When a student tests positive for COVID-19, we want to make sure all students who may have been in contact with the student are informed. Once we are aware of the names of the students, we send out a letter immediately informing parents that their child was a close contact with information on CDC guidelines.
Please understand that you may receive more than one communication from us if your child is a close contact. Based on MCPS guidance, regardless of your child's vaccination status, we will inform families of their child's potential exposure to COVID-19. When families inform us of their child's vaccination status, we are working to keep a repository of this information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding through these unprecedented times.
February is Black History Month
Black History Month's Poetry Celebration: Earn SSL Hours
Join us to read your poem at our lunch celebration on February 25th. Earn two SSL hours for your participation. All information is on the LMC website here, including our list of poetry prompts, and these video directions.
Bell Schedule for this Week
*Silver Creek News- Morning Announcements!
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, February 11, 2022 to hear upcoming news & events.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lNr0S-3Vmn-dX8ufAKwAL6TI5cfFlykN/view?usp=sharing
ExtraCurricular Activities
Good news! Spectator limitations are now at 50% of facility capacity for all indoor extracurricular events. You may also refer to the Return to RAISE Athletics newsletter.
We have re-started our afterschool, in-person extracurricular and co-curricular activity programs. As a reminder, in order to ensure that all participants are healthy and to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, all participants are required to complete the rapid test provided by the school and submit the results using the form below.
Students & families should self-report test results to MCPS using the form below:
MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form (English)
MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form (Spanish)
You may view the following slides that provide information on the process of testing and reporting.
Please click here to view the SCMS After School Activities and Brochure.
You may read the most recent MCPS communication here.
After School Activities & Intramural Sports
After school activities will run through May 16 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays only. The activities will meet on one of the three days from 3:15-4:30 pm. A list of activities can be found in our After School Brochure which is linked below. The link will also take you to a google registration form to be used to sign up for an after school activity. Registering for an activity will be on-going. After school buses are available and will depart by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students must be given a bus pass from their after school sponsor to ride the bus. After school Activity Brochure & Registration Form: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/after-school-activities
Any questions related to after school activities, please contact Dr. Matthew Okun@Matthew_Okun@mcpsmd.org
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, and students do not need experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Students are required to turn in a signed “Covid” packet to participate. Students can get this packet from their PE/Health teacher, or from this link.
Mr. Bingaman is the intramural coordinator. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc. Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Bingaman at Ryan_H_Bingaman@mcpsmd.org.
Middle School Athletics Program: Spring Season
All physicals must include the COVID-19 supplemental information, attached to the pre-participation physical (MCPS Form SR-8). In addition, students must complete their second shot or submit an approved exemption no later than February 22, 2022, before a student-athlete can participate. Proof of vaccination must be ready for online submission via the ParentVue Portal, prior to tryouts/practices. Spring sports tryouts/practices begin March 8, 2022.
Any questions, please contact Ms. Tara Whitney, Athletic Coordinator, at Tara_A_Whitney@mcpsmd.org.
COVID Pool Testing
One significant mitigation tactic Montgomery County Public Schools will use this fall is random COVID-19 screening tests for students. A random sample of students grades 6-8 who have a parent consent form on file will be selected to be tested.
Silver Creek is scheduled for COVID screen testing every Tuesday for those students who have consented to test. The vendor will communicate results to schools within 24-48 hours. Families will be contacted if there is a positive result.
Please read the process outlined from MCPS below:
Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunities
Any questions about SSL, please contact Ms. Renee Hill at Renee_S_Hill@mcpsmd.org
Academic Supports for Students
SCMS Mathematics Tutoring
Does your child need help in math? Do they want to work with a current BCC high school student?
If so, you may sign up for tutoring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:20-4:20 pm every week. After school activity buses will be available on each of the three days.
If interested, please fill out the Tutoring Interest form to express your interest. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Okun at matthew_okun@mcpsmd.org
New Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12
Tutoring - Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
MCPS: George B Thomas Saturday School
The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. is pleased to offer academic support and/or acceleration on the 6th day of learning (Saturday mornings). Certified teachers are available to support your child with mitigating learning disruption.
Class sessions begin at 8:30 am each Saturday with a motivational session. To register, please see flyer here:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/mainstory/published/2018/2018-08/Program%20Flyer%20English%2018-19%20Final.pdf
The cost for Saturday School is $85. The cost for students who receive free and reduced meals is $40. This cost covers the entire school year through May and registration is open all year.
PARENT RESOURCES
Virtual Principal's Coffee
We are excited to bring monthly principal coffees this school year. This is a great time to hear about school-wide happenings and events related to students' academic and social well being. Principal Coffee's will move to a virtual format ONLY until further notice.
Our next principal coffee is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 8:15-9:00 am. Topic: School-wide Updates & Q&A. If you are interested in attending, please use the GOOGLE FORM to ask any questions you would like addressed at the coffee.
Counselor News & Updates
The FEBRUARY SCMS Counseling Newsletter is ready to be read by you! Check it out at the link below: https://www.smore.com/7crba
Check out what's new on the Counseling Website.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/school-counseling-team
Updated resources for food on the counseling website https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/resources-food-shelter-and-more
Parent Handbook
Did you miss the parent grade-level town hall meetings? You may access meeting recordings in the parent handbook. Please locate the parent handbook on our website. All the information you need is located here for your convenience.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/home
MCPS 14th Annual Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) College Fair: February 18, 2022
This free virtual event provides students in Grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. Representatives share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and much more. The event also features a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information and more. This event is co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
This year, our keynote speaker will be Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, President, Bowie State University.
For additional information & registration, please see WEBSITE & FLYER.
A message from Jonah Waranch: Give Blood and Save Lives: February 20
Jonah Waranch, 7th grade student at Silver Creek Middle School, has collaborated with Inova Blood Donor Services to host a blood drive to help others give the gift of life and donate blood. If you are eligible to give blood, you may do so on Sunday, February 20, 2022. The Blood Drive will take place outside at the back of Silver Creek Middle School. You may read Jonah’s message HERE.
You may sign up for a time to give blood on Sunday, Feb. 20 with Inova Blood Donor Services at the following link:
Yearbook Sales: Hurry Sales go through March ONLY- Prices have changed!
Yearbook sales have begun! Go to https://yearbookforever.com/schools/silver_creek_middle_school_buy_yearbook_363047/pXKC6AW3mqyz55m7Lkx7RTml to order your yearbook now. Prices are now $30 and will increase starting 3/1/22, so take advantage of the lower price while you can!
You can use https://snap.yearbookforever.com/snap/index.html#/upload/1-3AQWI9 to upload and submit your own photos for the yearbook. Be sure to follow the instructions before uploading any pictures. Access code- huskies
Please email sean_p_brennan@mcpsmd.org with any questions!
Requesting a student transcript and/or records
Parents, if you are interesting in requesting a transcript and/or records for your child, please use the google form link. Please note that this google form is also necessary for students applying to private schools. Also, please do not email individual staff members to request a transcript and/or school records. Individual teachers should only be emailed for a recommendation.
If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Mrs. Michelle Lambert-Williamson at michelle_c_lambert-williamson@mcpsmd.org
MCPS Management Plan for Inclement Weather or Other Emergencies
Face Coverings/Masks
If students are asked repeatedly to wear their masks appropriately and/or behave in a manner that is contradictory to CDC guidelines, their parent/guardian will be notified and they will receive a consequence according to MCPS Code of Conduct.
Cell Phone Policy
The use of cell phones in the school has become a large distraction for our students. We will continue to reinforce our cell phone expectations that it must be out of sight during instructional time. Beginning Quarter 2, aligned with MCPS regulations, all personal mobile devices must be turned off and away at the start of school. Students may use their cell phones before school, at lunch, and after school ONLY. They should not have their cell phones out during transition times.
The absence of mobile devices will allow teachers to continue to create a conducive learning environment with fewer distractions for our students as well as lessen behavioral infractions related to cell phone use during hallway transitions and other learning spaces. If students are not able to follow the cell phone policy, consequences will be given based on the Student Code of Conduct.
Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
Ways to Report: English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1areawDK08nMCq-2z3wW0PctPntog0eVX/view?usp=sharingSpanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZVC11h8vBYrzL1yyJgMYLRyE-SLmbDFg/view?usp=sharing
*Important Dates to Remember
February 21- Presidents' Day- Schools and Offices Closed
February 24- Virtual Principal's Coffee- 8:15 am
February 28- Q3 Interims
March 11- Early Release for students
March 24- Early Release for students
Student Absence or Quarantine
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 the morning of the absence. In your message, please include the information listed below:
1. Parent/Guardian name
2. Full name of your student (First & Last); student ID#
3. Date(s)of absence
4. Reason for absence
If you have any questions regarding attendance procedures, parents may email a note to Ms. Pamela Carroll-Sykes, attendance secretary, at Pamela_M_Carroll-sykes@mcpsmd.org.
Please note: If a student needs to quarantine/isolate for 10 days due to a COVID 19 direct exposure or positive test, Silver Creek Middle School has established a plan for the virtual continuity of learning. A letter with the student's virtual continuity of learning plan will be communicated to families whose child has been identified to quarantine.
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
Silver Creek Middle School
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 7:30 am- 4:00 pm
Main Office: 240-740-2200
Registration & Counseling: 240-740-2211
Attendance Line: 240-740-2201
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/
Location: 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD, USA
Phone: 240 740 2200
Twitter: @SCMSDrAwkard