Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
Week of January 11-January 15
Dear SCMS Parents/Guardians
Dear Silver Creek Families,
We are getting closer to the end of Semester I. Can you believe we are half way through the school year? As such, I know many of you have questions about the possible re-opening of schools for partial in-person learning. I would encourage families to watch the Board meeting on Tuesday, January 12 beginning at 11:00 am to determine if metrics can be met by February 1 for students to return. I will also hold a Thursday Tea on January 14 from 8:30-9:00 am to answer any questions you may have about next steps.
I would like to take this time to thank our students and staff for engaging in courageous reflections on the events that took place last week. Through these difficult times, I am proud of the compassion that is demonstrated within our school community. Our shared values of Empathy, Equity and Care were definitely reflected in our interactions last week. As we approach the MLK holiday, we are reminded of the words of Dr. King who said, “ Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal“. This sentiment embodies our values as a No Place for Hate school as we continue to demonstrate respect for one another while contributing to a learning environment where all students and staff feel safe.
Weekly Assignments at a Glance
Regular Schedule this week: January 11-January 15
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lnu2Jcq13mxHYcLyJT1LyCStWt1H3HIGM-3JnJmX5d8/edit
MLK Week of Service in MCPS
Message from MCPS:
Learn about how you can participate in the annual tradition of service in honor of Dr. King.
JOIN US IN CELEBRATION OF SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM
The wait is over! Please visit our website to learn about some of our MLK Week of Service volunteer opportunities and click here to sign up for those that interest you. More opportunities will be added throughout the week. Each opportunity's details and requirements are different! Please read each one carefully to learn about when it's occurring and what you’ll need to do.
Please note that some of our opportunities have volunteer participation limits (like the fleece blankets, for example). So be sure to sign up early to guarantee your spot.
We’d like to thank all of our MLK Week of Service volunteer and funding partners for their support and hard work to allow us to continue the tradition of service in honor of Dr. King.
Student Service Learning (SSL)
Most activities (with the exception of donations) are approved for SSL hours. In addition, special projects were created with MCPS students in mind to learn about the life and lessons of Dr. King. Everyone is welcome to participate! Please refer to individual opportunities for SSL requirements.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions, contact us at servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov.
8th Grade Student Course Registration and Articulation for the SY 21-22
Please find the List of Important Dates/Information Here. Below are some highlights.
- B-CC counselors visited 8th grade science classes last week to share information about High School graduation requirements, 9th grade course offerings, and the registration process and timeline.
- Students should be able to start entering their course requests in StudentVue beginning tomorrow, Monday, January 11, 2021. The deadline for submitting all course requests is Friday, January 29th.
- 8th Grade Parent Information Session- A pre-recorded presentation from B-CC High School administrators, counselors, and Resource Teachers on 9th grade course offerings will be available to parents this week. We will send this information out this week.
- On Tuesday, January 19, there will be an optional Question & Answer session for parents hosted by B-CC HS from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The zoom link will be sent to all 8th grade families this week.
Need Course Registration help? Silver Creek will provide help sessions on Wednesday, January 13th from 11:00- 1:00 and 3:00- 4:00 PM. You can find the zoom information to the sessions linked here. We will also offer additional Registration Help Sessions throughout the registration window. We will provide that information to families this week.
All information related to articulation will be posted on the Silver Creek MS website (https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/) beginning this week.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Heidler, at Kimberly_P_Heidler@mcpsmd.org or your child’s 8th grade counselor: Jessica_M_Gottlieb@mcpsmd.org (A-J) or Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org (K-Z).
6th & 7th Grade Student Course Registration and Articulation for the SY 21-22
Believe it or not it is time to think about next school year. Below is a timeline of dates as we start the articulation process for our students.
Current 6th and 7th Grade Students
- February 1st & 2nd--SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to share course offerings and explain the course registration process and timeline.
- February 8th--Deadline for completing and submitting Google Course Registration Form. Information on how to complete this registration form will be shared with students when counselors visit their science classes.
- Detailed information regarding course offerings and the course registration process and timeline will be shared with parents at the end of January. It will also be posted on the SCMS website upon our return from winter break.
Virtual Library Media Center
Husky Huddle Lessons
This week we will have a No Place for Hate lesson on Tuesday, (1/12) where students will have the opportunity to connect what they are learning from NPFH to the events that occurred last week at the Capitol.
There will also be a lesson on Friday, (1/15) in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. A copy of both lessons will be shared with families this week.
Husky News from January 8, 2021!
Husky News! Winners from our Ugly Book Sweater contest are announced!
Completion of the Culture of Respect Module & SSL Hours
Montgomery County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the information needed to be able to recognize signs of bullying/cyber bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias incidents, hazing, intimidation, and student gender norms. An online student training lesson, entitled “Culture of Respect,” has been developed for students in grades 6 through 12.
The training should take approximately 30 minutes to complete and is accessible to all students via their myMCPS Classroom homepage. Students are asked to complete the training by January 29, 2021. If students have not completed the module, students will be provided an opportunity to complete this training during Husky Huddle on a re-scheduled date of: Friday, January 22, 2021.
Students will automatically receive SSL hours for completion of the Module. Students do not need to fill out SSL forms; the hours will automatically upload for the completion of the course at the end of the school year by MCPS. Students will be able to see these hours reflected on their final report card.
Please read the memo to parents/guardians here
Yearbook Opt Out Form
If you wish to include your child's image or projects in the yearbook, you do not need to do anything.
Yearbook Sales
Order your yearbook today at yearbookforever.com.
Please see the two videos below on how to upload pictures and purchase a yearbook.
Call for pictures: How to upload pictures
How to navigate yearbookforever.com: How to purchase & upload pictures on yearbookforever.com
Questions about the yearbook, please contact Ms. Jordan at: Cassandra-lee_E_Jordan@mcpsmd.org
PARENT RESOURCES
Save the date for Thursday Tea Time with Dr. Awkard: January 14 at 8:30-9:00 AM
During this time, we will answer any questions you may have related to the Re-opening Plan for the possible transition to in-person learning based on metrics.
Zoom information:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83171130266?pwd=Z2ZDaE9sVVU3c25pYmI0QVJvWU56Zz09
Meeting ID: 831 7113 0266
Passcode: Tea
One tap mobile
+13017158592
Counselor Corner
Please check out the Counseling Website periodically for upcoming parent drop in sessions that focus on providing academic, social and emotional support strategies/practices for parents during virtual learning.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/scmsmcpscounseling/parent-resources
Parent Resource 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
Message from the PTSA: Virtual Magic Show
Please save the date for Friday, February 5 at 6:30-8:00pm for the virtual magic show with Jay Mattioli. The event will take place on zoom and admission is free- thank you to the SCMS PTSA for paying for this event. There is room for 300 households per show.
To reserve your tickets today, please click here. Please see flyer for additional information.
Jay Mattioli's "THE VIRTUAL MAGIC SHOW" is a full-scale magic and illusion show that is performed LIVE, broadcasted from Jay's studio, in real time, for viewers to INTERACT with. Jay's magic has been seen on "America's Got Talent" and SHOWTIME at the APOLLO, and in this broadcasted show, Jay can hear and respond to you, in real-time...and so can you! This is a unique experience to see Jay perform the same magic he has performed for TV, for major vacation resorts, for half-time shows, and casino showrooms...But in this show, viewers can also come right up to their screens and participate!
Social Media
We know that many students use social media applications such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. It is imperative that students use these social media applications appropriately. Technology should be not be misused for the purpose of bullying, harassment, or intimidation. I will address any acts of misuse accordingly. The MCPS Policy can be found here.
Thank you for being vigilant and monitoring your child's social media use. Here is a resource for parents on social media.
Important Dates to Remember & Coming Attractions
January 13- 8th grade course registration help for parents- 11-1 pm or 3 -4 pm
January 14- Thursday Tea Time for parents/guardians- 8:30-9:00 am
January 18- MLK Holiday- NO school for students and staff
January 22- Career Cafe - 12:00-12:30 pm
January 29- End of Quarter 2; Deadline for completing 8th grade Course Requests; Completion of Culture of Respect Module
February 1 & 2- Counselors to visit 6th & 7th grade students' science classes about courses for next school year.
February 5- Community Magic Show- 6:30-8:00 pm.
February 8- Due date for 6th & 7th grade students to Complete and Submit google course registration form (this information will be shared during science classes on 2/1& 2/2).
Student Absence & Class Recordings
If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 in 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
You can also email Ms. Rachel Distelhorst, attendance secretary, at Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org.
Students are expected to attend the live meetings for all classes listed on their schedules. If students are not able to attend one or more live class meetings on a given day, they should access the recording of the class that is posted in myMCPS Classroom. These recordings will only be available for 72 hours after the live class meeting. After watching the recording, please complete the Live Virtual Lesson Absence Form found here. After the form has been submitted and processed, the absence will be removed from the student’s record. (Please note that it may take several days to process the form after it has been submitted.) If a student is absent from a live class meeting and not able to access the recording within 72 hours due to an extenuating circumstance (e.g., hospitalization, death in the family, etc.) or has questions regarding attendance procedures, a parent or guardian may email a note to Ms. Rachel Distelhorst, attendance secretary, at Rachel_Distelhorst@mcpsmd.org
Important Contacts
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/
Silver Creek Middle School
Acting Principal: Dr. Tiffany Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Acting Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
School Hours: 8:15 am-3:45 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