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EMS Weekly Update

October 9, 2023

EMS WeeklyUpdateOctober 9, 2023
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September Staff Member of the Month

Congratulations to Ms. Eichel, our September Staff Member of the Month! Ms. Eichel is our 7th grade ELA Special Education Teacher. In one of her nominations, a student said, "Because I feel like she's helping students out, and she's completing her job well also, she keeps a smile on her face."

Important Information

Monday, October 9th, will be a B DAY and an asynchronous virtual day. Teachers have shared what students should work on during this asynchronous virtual day. Pre-scheduled parent-teacher conferences will be taking place on Monday, October 9th. If at any time you would like to schedule a parent-teacher conference, please reach out to your child's grade-level Guidance Counselor.


EMS Spiritwear orders through the PTO are on the way! The company had a printer issue, so there was a slight delay, but it's resolved. Items will be given to students early next week. Thank you for your patience.

Impact Aid Informaiton

Our schools are heavily impacted by federally connected students – those parents/guardians who work on federal property in Maryland, live on federal property in Maryland, and/or are active duty military personnel. Because of this impact, we receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain our schools and enrich school programs. To receive these funds, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires us to survey each student to determine eligibility.


SMCPS is encouraging all parents/guardians to please take the time to access and complete the Impact Aid Survey Form online, located in the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. Once the form has been started, the form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner. The deadline for the online submission of Impact Aid Program Survey forms is November 14, 2023.

Online Emergency Information

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial for emergencies and our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is November 14, 2023. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. Please contact Charissa Shultz at crshultz@smcps.org with any questions.
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Picture Day is Coming!

Our Fall Picture Day will take place on Wednesday, October 25th. Flyers will be coming home with students on Tuesday, October 10th. You can skip the order form and Click Here to Pre-order. The online code is esperanza23.

After-school Activities

Monday - None

Tuesday - Field Hockey Intramural, Tennis Intramural, and 8th Grade Musical Auditions

Wednesday - Symphonic Band, Math Counts, Wiffle Ball Intramural, Running Club, Yearbook, and 7th Grade Musical Auditions

Thursday - Civil Air Patrol, Tennis Intramural, Jazz Band, and 6th Grade Musical Auditions

Friday - None

National Hispanic Heritage Month

The Equity and Diversity Committee will highlight our EMS Hispanic staff, students, and families on our EMS Hispanic Heritage bulletin board during October. Any student of Hispanic descent can share 1-2 photos of self, family & friends to add to the celebratory display. Students can give pictures to Dr. Johnson in the media center from October 2-13. Please label each picture with your student's name, grade level, and homeroom teacher for safekeeping and proper return at the end of the school display. Thank you for your support.


El Comité de Equidad y Diversidad destacará a nuestro personal, estudiantes y familias hispanas de EMS en nuestro tablero de anuncios de Herencia Hispana de EMS durante el mes de octubre. Cualquier estudiante de ascendencia hispana puede compartir 1 o 2 fotografías suyas, familiares y de amigos para agregarlas a la exhibición de celebración. Los estudiantes pueden regalar fotografías al Dr. Johnson en el centro de medios del 2 al 13 de octubre. Etiquete cada imagen con el nombre de su estudiante, el nivel de grado y el maestro de salón para su custodia y devolución adecuada al final de la exhibición escolar. Gracias por tu apoyo.

Don't forget to your order your EMS Yearbook!

Upcoming Events

Support the EMS MTSS Team!

What better way to support the EMS MTSS Team than by having dinner at MOD Pizza on Monday, October 9th? Esperanza Middle School's MTSS Team will receive 20% of fundraiser sales during this fundraiser. Order online using the code MODGIVES20 or by visiting MOD Pizza and showing the fundraiser flyer below or mentioning the fundraiser at checkout. Thank you!
Please see the documents below for EMS Theater Audition Information (including Crew).

Upcoming Dances

Event Information

8th Grade Dance

This dance will take place right after school for 8th-grade students ONLY; students must be picked up at 4:00 p.m. Parents will not need to come inside to pick up students. Students will be released to the parking lot at 4:00 p.m. to go home. The permission slip to attend the dance will be in the October 30th SMORE and available in the cafeteria starting Monday, October 30th. The cost to attend the dance is $5.00. Students must have their $5.00 and signed permission slip during homeroom on Friday, November 3rd, to get their dance wristband. No dance wristbands will be sold after homeroom, and no students can call home to get permission to attend the dance.

When?

Friday, Nov 3, 2023, 02:00 PM

Where?

Esperanza Middle School, Maple Road, Lexington Park, MD, USA

Save the Date: This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!

EMS Staff Member of the Month Nomination Form

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Link your Harris Teeter VIC Card!

If you shop at Harris Teeter, please link your VIC card online or tell your cashier during your checkout that you want to link to the Esperanza Middle School account. The account number is 4621. Once the account number is linked, every time you shop 5% of your Harris Teeter brand purchases will be contributed by Harris Teeter to the Esperanza account. It is that easy!

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SMCPS Student Mental Health & Wellness

Use this link to visit the SMCPS Student Mental Health & Wellness resource page.
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Student Lunch Accounts

Use this link to put money on your child's lunch account.
EMS Fundraisers SY24
As stated in our back-to-school letter, fundraisers throughout the school year will always be publicized in the SMORE before they occur. Please click the link above for the most up-to-date EMS Fundraiser information.
My School Bucks and the EMS Library in SMCPS
New for 2022, families have the option to pay for lost or damaged resources in My School Bucks. Resources include library books, laptops, chargers, textbooks, consumables, etc.