SCMS Weekly Newsletter (Website)
Week of October 19- October 23
Dear SCMS parents/guardians
This is Dr. Awkard with your weekly update. It was another great week of teaching and learning at Silver Creek. October is moving fast and soon the end of the marking period will be here. As I shared last week, we continue to reflect on our practices and what is working well and areas we need to improve upon. We will soon be soliciting feedback from our parent/guardians as we prepare for second quarter. Let's make it another great week, Huskies!
Weekly Assignments At a Glance
Regular Schedule for the Week of October 19-October 23
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lnu2Jcq13mxHYcLyJT1LyCStWt1H3HIGM-3JnJmX5d8/edit
MCPS Instructional Calendar Updates
MCPS has modified the Instructional Calendar. The Board of Education voted to add a professional day for teachers on November 4 and to shift early release days from Nov. 11 & Nov. 12 to Nov. 23 & Nov. 24.
Some recent MCPS updates to the schedule:
- Monday, Nov. 2 is a virtual check-in day for students.
- Wednesday, Nov. 25 is a virtual check-in day for students
We have adjusted our schedule, accordingly. Please see adjusted schedules.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lnu2Jcq13mxHYcLyJT1LyCStWt1H3HIGM-3JnJmX5d8/edit
Virtual Library Media Center
Yearbook Sales
We are excited to announce that we will be selling the Silver Creek Middle School Yearbook this school year. Although school is a little different this year, let’s capture these middle school moments by purchasing a yearbook! Yearbook sales will begin October 18th. To take advantage of the low price, go to yearbookforever.com to purchase the yearbook today! Prices will go up December 1, 2020.
We will be using YOUR photos for the yearbook. Check out how to submit your photos for the 2020-2021 yearbook.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qkA9olGJNKHLGFgJ8DKywMDYIlrnSCChDgmP3jRb5QI/edit
Questions about the yearbook, please contact Ms. Jordan at: Cassandra-lee_E_Jordan@mcpsmd.org
Career Cafe
Our upcoming Career Cafe is scheduled for Friday, October 30th from 12:00 pm-12:30 pm. This is a monthly event organized to allow our IB Learners to discover how Science- Technology-Engineering-Art-Mathematics (STEAM) impacts our daily lives. Our first parent speaker, Mr. Marc Fioravanti, will speak about Renewable Energy . Students who are interested in attending the career cafe can do so by filling out the google form here: https://forms.gle/fMbFDnYjxtsUvwFQA
More details to follow.
Grade Link in myMCPS Classroom
Students can view teacher feedback on their assignments two ways: (1) By looking at the "Recent Feedback" column on the right in their dashboard on the Homepage of their classroom or (2) Students can also open the assignment for which they received feedback and view it on the right hand side.
High School Regional/Countywide Application for 8th grade students ONLY
As a reminder, the application season for MCPS' High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs for next year is open. Please review the personalized program eligibility report available in both the StudentVUE and ParentVUE. This report includes programs for which your child is eligible along with program descriptions and directions to access the application. The deadline to apply is November 6, 2020.
Please visit the High School Programs At-A-Glance at this website for additional information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/
If you need any assistance navigating the application process or completing the application, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's counselor:
Ms. Jessica Gottlieb (A-J) at Jessica_M_Gottlieb@mcpsmd.org or
Ms. Susan Levine (K-Z) at Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org
Any questions, please email Mrs. Heidler, 8th grade administrator at Kimberly_P_Heidler@mcpsmd.org.
Husky Huddle Lessons
- On Tuesday, 10/20- Students will define traits that make up personal identities and reflect on the role of identity in bias, racism and prejudice.
- On Friday, 10/23- Students will make connections and apply what they know about identity to explore ways to promote equity and inclusion within their sphere of influence.
You may check out our lessons here.
Middle School Interscholastic Athletics Program
The MS Interscholastic Athletics Program is available for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade and consists of three virtual sport seasons, including fall (cross country and softball), winter (basketball), and spring (soccer).
The winter virtual season is scheduled to occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays for boys and Tuesdays and Wednesdays for girls beginning on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 and concluding November 19, 2020. Registration is now open through Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
Registration forms can be found here: English: https://forms.gle/Xbh477tTxngzd4Yu8 . Spanish: https://forms.gle/6wX7kH8MDSWrDqe68)
If you have questions, please contact the Athletic Coordinator, Mr. Bingaman at ryan_h_bingaman@mcpsmd.org.
PARENT RESOURCES
Workshop for Spanish Speaking Families
This workshop is designed to provide information for our Spanish speaking families on understanding the MAP and Parent Vue. Information related to extracurricular activities will be also be shared.
Link para el Zoom de esta reunion:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87467073181?pwd=cnlpYlRrQWtEekJldFpSVnZsYlEwdz09
Meeting ID: 874 6707 3181
Passcode: Husky
One tap mobile
+13017158592
Counseling Resources
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
Parent Grade-Level Town Halls
Save the Dates (All meetings will be from 8:15 am-9:00 am)
Grade 6-Monday, October 26, 2020
Grade 7-Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Grade 8-Thursday, October 29, 2020
Zoom links will be forthcoming
Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County
The Holiday Giving Project (HGP) of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving meals and December holiday assistance to low‐income households for over 30 years. Please read the information here.
To be referred for assistance, you must fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/T4HGiXQFSh6zf6Fr7 By Friday October 30 for Thanksgiving and December. If you need assistance for December ONLY please fill out by November 18.
Food Distribution Site
In addition to Silver Creek, MCPS has now added a bus site for food distribution at Rosemary Hills ES from 11:30-12:30 pm for our students. This additional site has been added to ensure students who walk, do not cross East-West highway for a meal. Please see the list of food distribution sites below.
Free and Reduced Meals Application Process
Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs).
The online application is now open for parents/guardians to complete and submit the 2020-2021 application for Free and Reduced Meals. https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/news-index/farms/
Wear Silver Creek School Colors on Fridays
Important Dates to Remember & Coming Attractions
October 27- 7th grade parent town hall- 8:15-9:00 am
October 29- 8th grade parent town hall- 8:15-9:00 am
October 30-Career Cafe for students from 12:00-12:30 pm
November 3- Holiday. Schools and Offices Closed
November 4- No School for students
November 9- End of Marking Period 1
November 23&24- Early release days for students
November 25- Early release day
November 26&27- Holiday. Schools and Offices Closed
November 30-December 4- Virtual Outdoor Education for 6th grade students. Information will be coming soon.
Student Absence
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.
Also, please use this form to document excused absences from live virtual lessons. The form must be completed for each day of absence from a live virtual lesson.
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