Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
February 22-February 26
Dear SCMS Parents/Guardians
This week is a regular week for students. As a reminder, with the completion of Semester 1, we would like to solicit your feedback on our distance learning plan/structure. If you have not done so already, please take a moment to answer this quick SURVEY . The survey closes Tuesday, February 23. Thank you for your time.
Let's make it a great week Huskies!
Weekly Assignments at a Glance
Regular Schedule for this week: February 22-February 26
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.
Reopening of Schools for Partial In-Person Learning & Community Meeting
A letter specific to Silver Creek's model and schedule will be sent out via email to all grade level parents/guardians on Tuesday, February 23 after the board meeting. This letter will also be notification of your preference; families will not be able to change their original request after February 26, 2021. We will communicate student specific schedules to families of 6th grade students who have requested in-person the week of March 8.
We will have a community meeting to review the plan and to answer any questions you may have about reopening. The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 25 from 5- 6pm. You may submit questions prior to the meeting HERE. The zoom webinar link is located here:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/86093533281?pwd=VnZKODI4dW5OR243RXNXemtMbDVndz09
Phone: 13017158592
Webinar ID: 860 9353 3281
Passcode: 788870
Distribution of Quarter 3 Materials
Due to the inclement weather last week, we needed to reschedule the distribution of materials for Semester 2. If you were not able to pick up materials for English, math, and art classes, we will offer an additional distribution date soon. Look for communication on a make-up date this week.
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program
The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) remains committed to sharing information and resources about mental health topics that could potentially impact students.
All students in Grade 6 through 12 will participate in the Signs of Suicide® (SOS®) Prevention Program. The program will be implemented between March 1 and March 26. The SOS lessons will go through your child’s English class beginning March 1. Here is the schedule.
Students will also receive handouts that include the Act to Save a Life student newsletter and a list of school, local, and national resources that are available on mental health needs. Please find the parent letter located HERE:
Resources can be found here:
Silver Creek News from Friday, February 19, 2021
Virtual Library Media Center: Next Contactless Holds Book Pick Up
Pick up a stack of great new books! Our next pickup is this Friday February 26th, from 9 am - 3 pm. Students can place up to five holds in Destiny from Thursday, February 18th - Tuesday, February 23rd. Pick up is outside the school 2/26, or any day this week, between 9 am - 3 pm. If you have any library books you are finished reading, PLEASE RETURN THEM any school day from 9 am - 3 pm, to the return bin inside our main doors.
SORA HOLDS: If you have placed holds for ebooks or audiobooks in SORA, please check your SORA shelf regularly to see if your holds were released. You will not receive an email reminder from SORA. If your holds are taking longer than two weeks, feel free to email Ms. Diskin and she will try to expedite your request. We have thousands of great digital books, and all SORA instructions are on our website.
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Check out a book on SORA from our Black History Month Destiny Collection and then respond on our Padlet. All information is on our website HERE. Winners will be announced this Monday, February 22nd. And...don't forget to join us for BOOK BITES every Wednesday at 12 pm HERE. We have new books and authors, games, socializing, and general book fun.
No Place for Hate
Many thanks to advisory board parent Mrs. Carline Noailles for compiling and sharing this event list.
- Lecture: Separate but Unequal – Virtual - History of School Segregation in Montgomery County https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4843980
- Peace by Peace Series – Virtual - Learning to Talk and Be Heard in Conflict – for MS & HS https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4766636
- No Pressure! Social Justice Discussion Group – Virtual - Black History Month https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4840276
Husky Huddle Lessons & Attendance
This week we will have Husky Huddle on Tuesday, 2/23 & Friday, 2/26. Students will participate in a MYP connected lesson on Tuesday. On Friday during Husky Huddle, students will have time to work on their assignments, organize their work, and email their teachers, if needed.
Attendance Reminder: Students are expected to attend all 8 of their classes. Attendance is taken in all classes including Husky Huddle (8th period/Homeroom).
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
Online Homework Help
MCPS has announced a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service. 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
PARENT RESOURCES
Save the date for the next Tea Time with Dr. Awkard
The next Thursday Tea is scheduled for Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 8:30-9:00 am. Topic: TBA
You may find the google slides for each month's "Thursday Tea" on our website.
Counselor News & Updates
Please see the February Newsletter HERE.
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
STEM Class: Robotics/Coding
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 24- PTSA Sponsored Family BINGO Night- 7PM
February 25- Parent Information/ Q&A meeting about Reopening- 5PM
February 26- Last day for families to change original preference
March 8- No School for Students; Professional Day for Staff
March 9- Student asynchronous Learning; teacher planning
March 10- Student asynchronous Learning; teacher planning
March 11- Thursday Tea- 8:30 AM
March 12- MP 3 Interims
March 29-April 2- Spring Break
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