Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter
November 3rd
Cupcake Wars in Ms. Capps FACS Class!
November Spirit Days!
WHMS Staff rocking the pink!
Knight Nation,
Welcome to November and the start of the 2nd Marking Period. The 1st Marking Period always has many challenges. Students have to learn the routines of the building and work to meet the expectations set by teachers. Staff must learn about the students and work to meet their individual needs. I'm very proud of everyone's commitment to establishing a positive learning community. The next 9 weeks will bring its own challenges, but we are off to a great start.
1st Marking Period Report Cards will be posted in Home Access Center (HAC) on November 15th. There are no paper report cards mailed home.
November 13th - 17th is American Education Week. WHMS is opening our door to parents on Wednesday, November 15th from 8:00am - 11:00am. Come watch the magic of teaching and learning!
With November upon us our wonderful PTSO is providing a luncheon for our staff to say THANK YOU for all they do. Please click on this link if you are interested in participating in the luncheon. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-45635367-november#/
Congratulations to the soccer and volleyball teams for great seasons. Big thank you to our coaches Cooksey and Zayas for supporting the athletes. Both teams will have a team party Wednesday, November 8th after school. Pick up will be 4:30. Thank you.
Our chess club will get started November 28th. Permission slips are due November 21st and are in the main office and one is attached to this email. Robotics begins November 7th. Those permission slips are attached and also in the main office.
Mark Whidden,
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
From WHMS Guidance Office
Carson Scholarship nominations
Only one nominee per school may be selected
The purpose of the Carson Scholars Program is to recognize and reward outstanding students in the United States who
exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. The goal of the Carson Scholars Program goes beyond instilling
an interest in college early on and assisting with the costs of college.
Students must first apply to be the nominee for Windy Hill Middle School before they can apply to the actual Carson Scholar Award. Students must go to the attached link and read all information thoroughly prior to beginning their application. All applications to be the school's nominee are due Dec 1st, 2023. https://forms.office.com/r/yiAC7Mgx57
Any questions about the scholarship program can be addressed to their grade level counselor or to Mrs. Dean who is overseeing the nomination process.
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
Health - Family Life and Human Sexuality Opt - Out Process
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 letter here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694008493/calvertnetk12mdus/gqowzbcfkpluqtcf8abp/MS-Opt-Out-Letter.pdf
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found collection is already growing on our stage. We will be discarding or donating any items left there the end of next week. The items will be discarded every other Friday for sanitary reasons. Students are encouraged to look for anything they're missing during lunch. If you wish to come in and look yourself, please come check in at the main office and you may take a look on our stage!
Windy Hill Middle School Athletics
WINTER SPORTS - Basketball, Poms and Cheer paperwork is all due by November 6th. This includes the sports physical and insurance waiver. The one time clinic fee of $35 is also due. Sign up lists are posted outside the cafeteria. Students should put their name on that list if they are planning to try out. If you son or daughter tried out for a fall sport all they need to do for winter sports is put their name on the list. Students who have completed all necessary steps will find their name highlighted on the lists outside the cafe. If their nams is not highlighted they should see Mrs. Merewitz to find out what they are missing.
Since Cheer tryouts are in November, girls may try out for cheer and if they don't make it, try out for poms as well. Girls interested in doing this should be sure to put their name on the poms list as well.
The link with more information is https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics
CLINIC/TRYOUT SCHEDULES: These run from 3pm-5pm
CHEER AND BOYS BASKETBALL NOVEMBER 13-17
GIRLS BASKETBALL NOVEMBER 27-DEC 1
POMS DEC 4-8
Make your sports physical appointments now. For questions, contact Mrs. Merewitz, Athletic Director, at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
ATTENDANCE
When your child arrives late or leaves early due to a doctor's appointment, a doctor's note is required for the absence to be coded a lawful absence/doctors appointment. Your child will bring this note to the guidance office upon their return to school. If you do not have a doctors note, a note from the parent/guardian will then allow for the absence to be coded as a lawful absence.
Students returning from a full day(s) absence must submit a note to the guidance office within three days of returning to school to update the absences. The email to submit absence notes is madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If a note is sent via email please be sure you include the students name, date of absence, the reason for the absence, the parent/guardian name and phone number.
SAVE THE DATE
- Friday, November 10th - School closed for students
- Monday, November 13th - 1st quarter report cards in HAC
- Wednesday, November 15th - 8am-11:00am American Education Week visitation
- Thursday, November 16th - Make-up picture day
CELL PHONES
Windy Hill Middle School PTSO Updates
Please help us show our wonderful WHMS staff how THANKFUL we are for everything they do! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. All donated items should be dropped off by 8:30 am on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Please send all cash/check donations to the school office in an envelope labeled WHMS PTSO Staff Appreciation at your earliest convenience. Thank you for helping us show the staff our appreciation for all they do!
You can email the PTSO officers at any time at mailto:windyhillptso@gmail.com.
Join the WHMS PTSO Facebook Page to keep up with information - Windy Hill Middle School Parents Teachers Students is the group name.
Thank you to the many parents who helped make our fall dance a HUGE success. We had a great turnout, kids had a wonderful time, and the chaperones helped make it a fun, safe event for everyone. Our website address is: https://whms.calvertnet.k12.md.us/about-us/our-parents/ptso.
Support WHMS PTSO when you shop at Harris Teeter. Takes only a minute to link your card to WHMS. https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Or tell your cashier to link your VIC card to WHMS with our school code 6324. Funds are earned from 8/1/23 through 12/31/23. You have to relink your card each school year.
We encourage you to join PTSO. Joining PTSO does not obligate you to volunteering, but we certainly welcome your support with any events you are interested in helping with.
https://checkout.square.site/buy/PWK2E77ZYGDGEBG5FMT5KHKK.
Your PTSO officers this year are Mary Rooney, Michelle Dyro, Andrea Hoover, Cheri Kline and Karen Merewitz.
DRESS CODE
Become a Volunteer
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer
PARENT ACCOUNTS IN SCHOOLOGY
Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents
Technology Support
If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.
Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.