SHADY GROVE MATTERS WEEKLY UPDATE
December 31, 2023
THE ADMINISTRATOR'S CORNER
Greetings Shady Grove Families, Happy New Year! We hope everyone is having a relaxing and rejuvenating winter break! There is no school this week on Monday and Tuesday for the new year holiday. See you back on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
~Dr. Murray
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024
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
Monday, January 15th - Holiday (School System Closed)
Tuesday, January 16th - MLK Week of Service
Friday, January 26th - End of Quarter 2
Saturday, January 27th - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Monday, January 29th - Grading & Planning Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, January 30th & 31st - 7th Grade Finance Park Field Trip
February Upcoming Events:
Black History Month
Friday, February 5th - Quarter 2 Grades Available in ParentVue & Report Card Distribution
Friday, February 9th - Valentine's Day Dance (3:00 pm - 4:15 pm)
Friday, February 16th - Pep Rally
Monday, February 19th - Holiday (School System Closed)
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Greetings Parents and Caregivers,
In alignment with the Well-Being and Family Engagement and professional and Operational Excellence pillars of MCPS Strategic Plan and MCPS Regulation JEA-RA Student Attendance, each classroom teacher is responsible for recording accurate attendance for all students. The period attendance calculations and guidance in will fully go into effect beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the first day of the second semester. The guidance is as following:
If a student is:
Present at the time the bell rings- The Attendance will be recorded as PRESENT.
Late for up to 50% of the scheduled class period- The attendance will be recorded as TARDY, either Tardy Excused (TE) or Tardy Unexcused (TU).
Absent for 50% or more of the scheduled class- The attendance will be recorded as ABSENT.
Classroom teachers have been instructed they can begin using this guidance right away. This means that if a student misses more than 50% of a class because they are out of the building or in a different location such as in the main office or counseling office, and return to class late, the default will be to mark them absent from the entire period. Administration will work with teachers and parents/caregivers on any potential exceptions, case by case. Thank you for your support.
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.
Greetings 8th Grade Families,
Magruder High School will be hosting the Rising 9th grade Parent/Caregiver Articulation Meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 6:30pm. Yes, it is already time to start thinking about next year! Please attend to meet the staff and hear information about classes, the registration process, and more about what to expect in high school.
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
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.
EXCITING CONTESTS!
Electric Vehicle Wrap Design Contest:
All MCPS students and staff are invited to participate in the Division of Sustainability and Compliance's (DSC) 2024 EV Wrap Design Art Contest! The focus of this contest is to increase awareness and demonstrate our school district's commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable actions. All entries must be received by Friday, February 2, 2024. For more information, visit: EV wrap contest | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
2024 Sustainability Poster Contest:
All MCPS students and staff are invited to participate in the Division of Sustainability and Compliance's Sustainability Poster Contest. The focus of this annual contest is to increase awareness and demonstrate your school's commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable actions related to energy conservation, waste reduction, and responsible recycling. Posters must be submitted to DSC by Friday, April 5, 2024. For more information, visit: poster contest | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)
Green Inventors Challenge:
The Green Inventors Challenge is a contest for high school students from Montgomery County, Maryland. Teams of 2 to 4 students are invited to create an invention, product, or service that addresses a problem related to climate change, water pollution, or food waste. Students may enter the Challenge between Dec. 9 and Jan. 10. For more information visit, https://bit.ly/49VjfmA
MCPS COMMUNICATION
Dear MCPS Families,
Here are things to know. Get information about the superintendent's FY 25 Recommended Operating Budget, get ready for winter break with some reminders and news about MCPS this week.
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