Weekly Jaguar Newsletter
Week of October 5th
About Us
Email: Karen_Y_Bryant@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ssims/
Location: 313 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-2750
Twitter: @SSIMSPrincipal
"Internationally Speaking" with Principal Karen Bryant
We had outstanding community engagement with last week's inaugural Jaguar Newsletter! Thank you for the positive feedback on this enhanced form of communication. It is our desire to provide timely, relevant information to the Silver Spring International community in a clear and inviting format. Are we meeting this goal? Let us know! Please take a few minutes to "Provide Feedback in 3 Short Questions."
We have a busy October shaping up ... check out the important SSIMS happenings below.
It is always a great day to be a SSIMS Jaguar! While we're at it, let's have a great week too. 😉
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, October 7
MAP-R Testing
Table of Contents
Last Week's JAG News!
From Ms. Jenning's Virtual Art Studio
This Week's Virtual Learning Schedule
MAP-R Testing on October 7th
Health Class Virtual Information Meeting
Hispanic Heritage Month - Real Talk
Save the Date: SSIMS Canvas Workshop and PTSA Meeting
Interim Distribution This Week
Technology Support for Students and Parents
Feedback Survey
Link to Past Newsletters
Last Week's JAG News
FROM MS. JENNING'S VIRTUAL STUDIO
In the past few weeks, Ms. Jennings' Studio Art 3 student artists have been learning about "Chiaroscuro"- the effect of light on an object, creating value/shades of tone that gives the illusion of 3 dimensionality on a 2 - D surface . Our artists used their knowledge of Chiaroscuro to show the effects of light on objects like eggs, fruits, or vegetables.
This Week's Virtual Learning Schedule
MAP-R TESTING ON OCTOBER 7TH
Students will take the MAP-R (reading) Assessment this Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Please use this link to have your student run the diagnostic test to ensure the settings are compliant with the test. Additionally, remind your child(ren) to check their MCPS e-mail communicating the date, time, and the link to their testing group. Students should receive their email by Tuesday morning at 9:00am in preparation for the test the next day. If you have questions, please contact your child’s period 4 teacher.
HEALTH CLASS VIRTUAL INFORMATION MEETING - THIS WEDNESDAY
This school year, all 6th, 7th, and 8th students are schedule to receive instruction in Family Life and Human Sexuality (FLHS) and Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) units of study. Parent permission is required for students to receive this instruction. Students may be excused from the FLHS and/or DPC units of study upon written request from their parent/guardian. For students excused, teachers shall provide alternative learning activities in health education.
For more information and revision of study materials, parents and/or guardians are invited to a Virtual Information Meeting next Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Your child’s health teacher will have the permission/opt out form in a Google Survey available during the meeting and it will also be posted to the Health home page of MyMCPS. Teachers will also send a message out to their students in Synergy informing about the information meeting next Wednesday.
Students who are not scheduled to have Health class this quarter, will receive the form in the quarter when they began Health class, however, all parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. Below you will find the webinar information for the meeting and the Parent Opt Out Form.
- Webinar link (Webinar ID: 973 7918 4798, Passcode: 891282)
- Parent Opt Out Form
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer Casciotta (Jennifer_L_Casciotta@mcpsmd.org) or Mr. Carlo Bianchini (Carlo_Bianchini@mcpsmd.org).
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH - REAL TALK
Our SSIMS Social Justice Committee is launching a "Real Talk" program for students designed to learn about and celebrate the rich cultural diversity that comprises our community! During the Real Talk Sessions, students will be able to have great conversations with their peers and staff members, meet people with common interests, create visual and performing art, learn about people's cultures, and enjoy a meal with friends.
Students who are interested, can join the google classroom using the code: c4xuher. Contact Ms. Gizaw (Sarah_Gizaw@mcpsmd.org) for more information.
SAVE THE DATE! SSIMS PARENT CANVAS WORKSHOP AND PTSA MEETING!
Here is the schedule for October 13th:
- 6:30pm Navigating Canvas
- 7:00pm Mental Health for Families
Here is the zoom webinar meeting for the 6:30pm Parent Workshop and 7:00pm PTSA Meeting:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/97379184798?pwd=WHRCMTNrY1lqeTA2aTJCaVVSTFF0dz09
Passcode: 891282
Dial in: 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 973 7918 4798
INTERIM DISTRIBUTION THIS WEEK
Beginning Wednesday, October 7th, you can go into the ParentVUE portal to access your child's Marking Period 1 Interim. If you do not have an active account in synergy, your student's interim will be US mailed home. Here is a link to the comment codes key.
If you have questions about the interim or would like to discuss your student's progress further, please contact your student's teacher or counselor.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY RESOURCES
- Here is a flyer of MCPL resources designed for students heading back to school, including ways to checkout ebooks and audiobooks.
- Here is a flyer MCPL’s Holds to Go program. This program allows customers to place holds on physical materials and make appointments to pick them up in a safe, socially distanced environment once they've received notification that their holds are ready. They hope it will prove useful to your students.
- Families who do not already have a working public library card may apply for a digital library card here. Right now customers may use the Holds to Go system to pick up physical materials with digital library cards as well.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Student Support
If students are having trouble navigating Canvas/MCPS Classroom, need Zoom support, or you have a question, please feel free to drop into the morning Zoom support session linked in this message. Staff members are available daily to assist you from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Meeting ID: 948 3800 5895
Passcode: help
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Parent Support
Need Help?
Complete this MCPS form if you are experiencing the following:
-You are missing children on your ParentVue dashboard
-You can log into ParentVue but not Canvas
-Only one parent received an activation key
Please allow MCPS several days to resolve this issue once completing this form.
ParentVue
Getting Started with ParentVue
ParentVue Introduction Video
ParentVue Introduction Video (Spanish)
ParentVue Support Line: Call: 240-740-7020
Or email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org