Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
February 1-February 5
Dear SCMS Parents/Guardians
Welcome to Semester 2. With the new semester, Grade 6-8 students currently in PE or Grade 6 students participating in semester courses need to check their Quarter 3 schedule to see where they should report on Monday as we begin Quarter 3. Students were shown last week on how to check their schedule, but we have provided a "cheat sheet" on how to do this in the newsletter below.
February is Black History Month which is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans. This is a time to recognize their central role in U.S. History and their struggles for freedom and equality. In recognition of this month, we will draw upon connections with our Middle Years Programme and No Place for Hate lessons with an emphasis on inclusivity, respect, and the appreciation of differences and perspectives. We will also integrate activities throughout this month including a reading challenge for our students. We encourage families to check out the MCPS Equity Matters Newsletter for information and resources in celebration of Black History Month.
This week is National School Counseling Week (February 1-5). This week recognizes the unique contributions of school counselors and the tremendous impact they have on our students’ success. In such challenging and unprecedented times, this is more important than ever. Please join me in thanking Ms. Levine, Ms. Gottlieb, Ms. Robinson, & Ms. Kehr for their unwavering commitment & dedication to our school and students.
As always, thank you parents/guardians for partnering with us to ensure our students are successful. Let's make it a great week Huskies!
Weekly Assignments at a Glance for the week of February 1-February 5
Regular Schedule this week: February 1-February 5
Please find the Adjusted Schedules based on half days, professional days, & holidays for 2nd semester linked below. We will be sure to communicate any changes to schedules, as needed.
Important: Course Changes for Quarter 3/Semester 2
Parent/Guardian Grade-Level Town Hall Meetings
Save the Dates (All meetings will be from 8:15 am-9:00 am)
Grade 6-Monday, February 1, 2021
Grade 7-Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Grade 8-Thursday, February 4, 2021
Zoom Information
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89640138139?pwd=dUg4dk1sZGJNK3JKU3YybVVmSEt0dz09
Meeting ID: 896 4013 8139
Passcode: 418564
One tap mobile
+13017158592
Current 8th Grade Student Course Registration and Articulation Updates
If your child has not completed their 9th grade course registration for B-CC HS next year, please have them attend one of the Registration Help Sessions below to complete it. Ms. Levine and Ms. Gottlieb, our wonderful 8th grade counselors will be available to answer questions and assist students with registering online.
The registration Deadline is Friday, February 12th.
- Tuesday, February 2 from 8:00 -9:00 AM
- Thursday, February 4 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Friday, February 5 from 8:00 -9:00 AM
Zoom Link: 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).
Current 6th & 7th Grade Student Course Registration and Articulation Updates
- Counselors will be visiting Grade 6 & 7 Science classes on Monday and Tuesday this week to share information related to the articulation process, courses for next year, and course registration.
- Detailed information regarding articulation and course registration will be sent home to all families of current 6th and 7th grade students by the afternoon of Tuesday, February 2nd. The information provided will include links to the articulation presentation, grade specific course description booklet and Google Registration form. It will also include the courses in which your child will automatically be enrolled and which courses they will need to select using the Google Registration Form.
The deadline for completing & submitting the Google Course Registration form is Monday, February 8th. All articulation and course registration information can also be found on the SCMS website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/news-index/2021-2022-course-registration/
If you have any questions or need any assistance with course registration, please feel free to contact Mrs. Heidler at Kimberly_P_Heidler@mcpsmd.org or your child's counselor, Ms. Lauren Robinson (Grade 6) at Lauren_E_Robinson@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Kristin Kehr (Grade 7) at Kristin_N_Kehr@mcpsmd.org.
Online Homework Help
MCPS has announced a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service that will begin with the second semester on February 1. Tutorme.com is a secure, online resource that will be easily accessible through MCPS student Canvas and StudentVUE accounts and will offer on-demand assistance on any subject from grade 3 through grade 12. More information is available here.
SSL Information at Silver Creek
Virtual Library Media Center
If you have books to return, PLEASE return them to the bin. The more books we have returned, the more we can continue to lend to our fabulous student readers! Thanks to all our Huskies who continue to read, return, and read some more! Our next book pickup will be late February. Stay tuned for more information! You can also find information at the Library Media Center website.
Husky Huddle Lessons
This week we will have Husky Huddle on Tuesday, 2/2 & Friday, 2/5. Students will participate in an activity to discuss their goals for Q3 and participate in a Fab Friday lesson. During the lesson on Friday, students will participate in an activity in recognition of Black History Month and will view a video message from administrators as we begin Semester 2.
Here is the lesson for Tuesday, 2/2.
Take a look at last week's lesson from Tuesday & Wednesday.
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 Tea Time 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 January's Thursday Tea.
Counselor Corner
In honor of National School Counseling Week, please take a look at the following MCPS video that highlights the work of school counselors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxqIjIhkzVs&feature=youtu.be\
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/Guardian 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
Councilmember for the Day Challenge: Opportunity for Students
Students in grades 8-12 who are interested in politics and want to know what it is like to serve as a Montgomery County Councilmember are invited to submit entries for Councilmember Craig Rice’s “Councilmember for a Day Challenge.” The student flyer can be found here. Student registration ends on Feb. 8, 2021. Please visit the CM4aD page on the MCPS website and Councilmember Rice’s website for more details and the link to register.
STEM Class: Robotics/Coding
MCPS/NAACP Presents: 13th Annual HBCU Fair February 12-13.
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair will be held virtually on Friday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13.
Although focused on high school juniors, seniors and their parents/guardians, this event is an opportunity for students in Grades 8-12 and their parents/guardians to meet with representatives from more than 50 historically black colleges and universities. The event will include workshops and panel discussions on financial aid, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, scholarship opportunities and college life. Qualified seniors will also be able to receive on-the-spot admission decisions and scholarship offers during the event.
More information and registration are available here.
Message from the PTSA: Virtual Magic Show
It's almost here. The virtual magic show with Jay Mattioli will be this Friday, February 5 at 6:30-8:00pm. 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. We hope to see you all there.
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
February 1 & 2- Counselors to visit 6th & 7th grade students' science classes about courses for next school year
February 1- 6th grade town hall meeting for parents
February 2- 7th grade town hall meeting for parents
February 4- 8th grade town hall meeting for parents
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
February 15-Presidents' Day- Schools and offices closed.
February 24- Family BINGO Night- More information to come
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