Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
Week of January 18-January 22
Dear SCMS Parents/Guardians
Dear Silver Creek Families,
As a reminder, there is NO school tomorrow, Monday, January 18, 2021 in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (MLK). MLK day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to help our communities. Please check out the service projects from MCPS listed below. I am grateful to our students, staff and families for their continued service to others.
On Wednesday, January 20th is the United States Presidential Inauguration. In World Studies classes, students will have the opportunity to learn about the electoral process and the inauguration prior to Wednesday, January 20th. To provide the opportunity for students to see the inauguration, Wednesday will be an altered schedule. Please review the schedule below.
We have two weeks left in the marking period. Parents, please continue to check ParentVue for any missing assignments and/or opportunities for students to re-take assessments. In addition, please encourage your child to attend the Focused Student Intervention (FSI) this week on Thursday for the classes they need additional support. We will not have a Wednesday check-in this week due to the altered scheduled. We appreciate your support and partnership to help ensure our students' success.
Let's make it a great week Huskies!
Weekly Assignments at a Glance
Adjusted Schedule this week: January 18-January 22
On Wednesday, January 20th, the United States Presidential Inauguration will be held mid-day. Typically on weeks with holidays, the virtual Wednesday is adjusted to an A/B schedule in an effort to allow for four full instructional days. Given that this Wednesday is a historic day and an opportunity for students to learn and witness the democratic process in real time, the Wednesday schedule will be adjusted as follows ( see below).
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lnu2Jcq13mxHYcLyJT1LyCStWt1H3HIGM-3JnJmX5d8/edit
MLK Week of Service
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
Please visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website to learn about some of the 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 8th Grade Dates/Information Here. Below are some highlights.
The document linked below provides all of the information needed to support you as you work with your child to select and register for their 9th grade courses.
- SCMS 8th Grade/B-CC HS Rising 9th Grade Articulation
- SPANISH_SCMS 8th Grade/B-CC HS Rising 9th Grade Articulation
Updates & Reminders:
- Update: B-CC HS has extended the registration window through February 12th.
- Reminder: Optional Q & A session with B-CC HS Administration and Resource Teachers regarding course options and the registration process is this Thursday, January 19th from 7:00 - 8:30.
- Please view the presentations linked HERE before attending the Q & A session.
- The session is designed so you can visit the specific departments in which you may have questions. All of the Zoom links are below.
- Zoom Links
SCMS counselors will continue to offer Registration Help Sessions for our 8th graders throughout the course registration window. The additional dates & times are listed below:
- January 19, 8:30 - 9:30 AM
- January 21, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- January 25, 8:00 -9:00 AM
- January 28, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- January 29, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Zoom Information
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83650736465?pwd=eVpaaXZEK2V5ZnN5dDlWVkIrRDZ0QT09
Meeting ID: 836 5073 6465
Passcode: 614460
If you have any questions, please contact: 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
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.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Alex M., Althea W., Amanuel E., Beckett H., Chase D., Constantine K., Elio B., Ezana G., Jack D., Kiran B., Sohan K., & Zev G.. And, to our wonderful math teacher, Ms. Miller! Way to go!
Virtual Library Media Center
Start the new year off with some great new books. The Library Media Center is holding a contactless book pick up on Friday, January 22nd. Students may place holds on up to five books in our Destiny catalog and pick up books from 9 am to 3 pm on Friday, or any other day the following week. All instructions and information is on the Library Media Center website.
Husky Huddle Lessons
This week we will have a No Place for Hate lesson on Tuesday, (1/19) where students will explore Culture and how learning about other cultures can help build a more inclusive school community. The lesson can be found here.
On Friday, (1/22) students will complete the Culture of Respect Module.
Husky News from January 15, 2021!
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 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 the next Thursday Tea with Dr. Awkard
The next Thursday Tea will be Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 8:30-9:00 am. Stay tuned for additional information.
Here is the link to the presentation and Q&A from last week's Thursday Tea.
Counselor Corner
Counselors will be available on Wednesday, 1/20 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to provide space for students to process and engage in reflective discussion. The zoom link is provided below:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84066126830?pwd=NVljcEEzQ0l3cktWV2ZtWEIxSXE4dz09
Meeting ID: 840 6612 6830
Passcode: 790702
Take a look at the January Newsletter. Our next parent session will be on Wednesday, January 27 from 3-4 pm. Please see Flyer for more information.
As always, you may 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
Parent Vue Activation
We will be offering another help session for you to activate your Parent Vue account! If you have not yet activated your account, you will receive an email with an activation letter. Once you receive your activation letter simply visit www.MCPSParentVUE.org to activate your account.
If you need help with activating your account, please join us for a help session on Friday, January 22, at 8:15 -9:00 am. The zoom information is below:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87467073181?pwd=cnlpYlRrQWtEekJldFpSVnZsYlEwdz09
Meeting ID: 874 6707 3181
Passcode: Husky
One tap mobile
+13017158592
Scoop of STEAM/Career Cafe: Friday, January 22 from 12-12:30 PM
Join us for our next Virtual Scoop of STEAM/ Career Cafe this Friday, January 22, 2021 from 12-12:30 PM. During this month’s Career Café you will hear from Ms. Beatrice Spadacini (Bea) who is a social justice advocate, a writer and a podcast producer who has worked in the field of international development and humanitarian relief for two decades! She will share with students all about how STEM has impacted the world of Social Justice and International Humanitarian Aid.
Sign Up: Students can sign up for this event here: https://forms.gle/qrg3eaF4TWn7ySUQ6 . A link will be shared the morning of the event to all participants.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Laura Figueroa Amster and/or Ms. Carlotta Amaduzzi at this email address: HuskiesNewsFromHome@gmail.com
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 18- MLK Holiday- NO school for students and staff
January 22- Career Cafe - 12:00-12:30 pm
January 29- End of MP 2. No School for students. Deadline to complete 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).
February 12- No school for students. Deadline for completing 8th grade course registration (This is a new extended date).
February 15-Presidents' Day- Schools and offices closed.
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