The PAW Print

We sincerely hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying family and friends. Although we are sad to see the summer end, we are excited to see our students and get the new school year started. As we all start preparing for a new school year, we want to provide some important information for our families. Please take some time to review the information below that is sure to make the beginning of the year less stressful. Please note that during the school year, I send a weekly information email called the Paw Print every Sunday afternoon. Please refer to these emails for information and reminders. Copies of each weekly Paw Print will also be added to the MBMS webpage for quick reference. I know this is not a short read, but please take the time to read all of the information below. The hope is that many of your questions will be answered. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see our students soon.

Ms. Edwards

Principal

Ms. Kirby- Receptionist

Ms. Garrison- Secretary to the Principal

Ms. Hutchins & Ms. Gloriod-School Nurses

Ms. Wells- 6th grade

Ms. Hildenberger-7th grade

Ms. Ripple-8th grade

Ms. Roach-Records Secretary

• The 2023-2024 Back to School Resources site - https://www.smcps.org/bts - includes the Open House Schedule, School Supply Lists, Registration and Vaccinations, Buses and Transportation, School Lunch Menus, Student Handbook, and other important information. Please share.

Mark Your Calendar for Monday, August 21

We will be mailing 6th-grade schedules on Tuesday, August 15, along with a map of the building to further assist our newest students and their families. All students will be able to see their schedules on HAC on August 18 after 5:00 PM. Please be patient. HAC will be open at the same time for all 18,000 SMPS students causing the system to run slow.

For students who may need a schedule printed, we most certainly can assist in printing one at the counselors' table in the cafeteria on the day of Open House. School maps will also be available at various locations throughout the building.

Students and their families should enter the Open House through the cafeteria doors which will be marked and are located to the right of the main entrance. At the Open House, there will be tables set up in the cafeteria during all grade levels for parents who need (1) HAC passwords, (2) bus locator services, (3) online meal benefit services, and (4)PTSO registration and information.

Physical Education Information: Uniforms will be sold in the gymnasium for all grade levels. For all 6th and 7th-grade parents/guardians: The instructional materials used for the Health and Family Life unit at Margaret Brent will be available for viewing in the gymnasium during Open House on Monday, August 21.

Sixth-grade students will receive their locker number and combination at the Open House. Sixth-grade students may want to bring supplies to leave in their lockers to make the first day less hectic. The 7th and 8th-grade students will receive their locker information on the first day of school during homeroom.

Please understand that Open House is a time for students to walk their schedules, find their classrooms/lockers, and introduce themselves to their teachers. If you have the need for an in-depth discussion with staff, please contact the counselors to set up a parent-teacher conference. Thank you for your understanding

Open House Times

7th Grade

9:00-10:00 AM

8th Grade

10:30-11:30 AM

6th Grade (Please note that the 6th-grade Open House is an evening event. Each session of the Open House will begin with a brief welcome and general information in the school cafeteria.)

Last names: A-I

6:00-7:00 PM

6th Grade

Last names: J-Z

7:00-8:00 PM

High Roads Students

9:00 AM

COMPASS Students

6th Grade 6:00 PM (report to the cafeteria to begin Open House)

7th Grade 9:00 AM (report to the Compass classroom)

8th Grade 10:30 AM (report to the Compass classroom)

SAIL

All students 10:00 AM-11:00 AM (Stop by anytime throughout the hour to meet staff)

School Meal Benefit Forms: Meal Benefit forms for the SY 2023-2024 are now available online! Easily fill out your new meal benefit form by clicking on the link below.

• Meal Benefit Applications

The School Volunteer Portal can be used to register to be a volunteer. The application process will begin on August 14, and end on May 1 of each school year.

The PE department will be selling uniforms in the gym during Open House. Pricing is as follows:

Shirts $10

Shorts $10

Hoodies $20

Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS assigned resources: print and technology. This document outlines all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices.

Additional Information on Student Resource Accountability

My School Bucks and the Media Center: Please see the following files for more information about how My School Bucks

Student/Family Information

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

All students are required to have an acceptable use policy agreement (AUP) on file. This is to be completed by the PARENT or GUARDIAN of the student. Forms submitted with an email address ending in "@k12.smcps.org" indicate a student account completed the form. This will automatically invalidate the form. The entire Acceptable Use Agreement is linked here.

This form needs to be completed for each student you have in the school system. At the end of the form, you have the option to submit another response for your additional students.

The form is found at this link: Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Cell phones have become a part of everyday life for everyone including our students. We understand and respect parents' desire to provide cell phones for their children for safety purposes while they are away from their parents and/or homes. However, we have found that middle school children struggle with the responsibility and correct use of cell phones. Students become quickly engrossed in their phones and are distracted all day due to the various apps they are accessing, games, listening to music/movies, social media, and communications from friends and family. Obviously, these activities disrupt the learning environment and cause children to get behind in their classes. The SMCPS cell phone policy states phones must be turned off and out of sight from the beginning of the day 7:25-2:30. There is NO time during the day when students are permitted to use their phones. Students should not go to the restroom to text or call their parents. We respectfylly ask parents to assist us by reinforcing this process with their children. Parents should call the main office if emergency messages need to be relayed to their children. Grade-level administrators will work with students to contact parents when necessary.

As we are preparing for the 2022-2023 school year, it is necessary for everyone to take a few minutes to review our expectations and procedures. Our goal is to provide a safe environment that focuses on learning. The constant support we have received from our parent community has been and will continue to be essential in achieving these goals. Again, the focus this year will be on supporting our students in achieving academic growth. We know the year will come with its challenges but we are ready to get back into the classroom and start working with our students. As always, I appreciate your support.

I have included some basic expectations that were put into place several years ago that have proven very effective in reducing distractions and keeping students focused on their learning. We will continue to implement these expectations.

• Students are encouraged to use clear, plastic water bottles throughout the school day. Solid or metal water bottles should be saved for usage outside of the school day. A water filling station is located in the cafeteria and is available for students during all lunches. Students will not be permitted to carry containers of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, energy drinks, soda etc.
• Fast food lunches should not be brought in for students. For families who may qualify for free or reduced meals, please complete the on-line application or the paper application coming home the first week of school. Meal Benefit Applications

• Phones are to be turned off during the school day. Phones will not be needed for instructional purposes especially since all students will have a laptop. Please discuss with your child the proper use of their cell phone. Visual or auditory recording as well as taking pictures of students and staff are prohibited. If there is an emergency, please contact the office and we will make sure the message is delivered.
• Earbuds are not to be worn in school. Please ensure your child keeps these items at home.
  
• Although the SMCPS dress code was changed to allow hats to be worn in school (including hoodies) we ask that students do not use these garments to hide earbuds/earphones. Again, we need parents to assist us in making sure students come to school ready to learn. Additionally, students will only be permitted to wear one hat at a time. We need students engaged and focused in class.
• Students arriving after the school day begins without a doctor's note will be marked "unexcused tardy".
• Students who are "car riders" will not be permitted inside the building until 7:15. Staff is not on duty until that time. Students will enter the cafeteria and wait until the bell rings for homeroom.
• Students being dropped off by a parent/guardian anytime after 7:38 MUST have a parent/guardian sign them into the building. The parent/guardian should accompany the student into the office lobby.
• Students who need to call home will be permitted at the discretion of the grade-level AP.
• Bus passes will only be permitted in cases of emergency. Bus passes will not be approved for birthday parties, sleepovers etc. Bus passes requested after 1:30 may not be honored due to time constraints and available bus occupancy.

• Students who are to be picked up daily for parent pick up will need to have parent/guardians complete the form below and return the first day of school.
  Students will be dismissed at the end of the day to the cafeteria where a staff member will check them out to their parent/guardian. Identification is required. Parents/guardians must contact the office via phone or email to grant permission for an emergency contact to pick up their child/children. Those parents who occasionally need to pick up their child should contact the office prior to 1:30 so we can inform the student and their teacher they are to go to parent pick up.
• For spacing purposes, book bags and string packs will not be permitted to be carried from class to class. All backpacks must be kept in the student's lockers. Please note that many of our classrooms and hallways are simply not large enough to accommodate students, furniture and backpacks. Thank you in advance for understanding our spacing concerns when it comes to backpacks. That being said, students may choose to use a small laptop bag to protect their computers. Some samples are below.

PARENT AM DROP OFF AND PM PICK UP

The map below indicates the parent drop-off/pick-up route. Please enter from Rt. 5 and turn right traveling through the parking lot past the tennis court/basketball court. The line will then follow along the sidewalk next to the brick Park and Rec building and turn in front of the school in front of the cafeteria. Once directed by a staff member, students will exit their cars on the sidewalk side of the vehicle. They should then proceed into the cafeteria and sit on one of the designated spots until dismissed to classes. Students should not leave their vehicle until indicated to do so by a MBMS staff member. Morning drop-off will begin at 7:15 AM.

Additionally, this process will be followed in the afternoon but in reverse. Students will be called to the cafeteria prior to the release of students riding the buses. Parents will remain in their cars in the pick-up line. Once a staff member has verified the parent's ID, the student will be called from the cafeteria to their car. Please do not park and text your child to come out to meet you. Again, students will not be released from the cafeteria until prompted by staff. The process is put in place to keep the students safe.

An attached form is for parents to complete. This will indicate to us who needs to be dismissed from class for the afternoon parent pickup on a daily basis Please complete and return to Ms. Kirby.

Please be patient. This process can take a few extra minutes until everyone understands and becomes familiar with the process.

Please Note: Siblings under 18 cannot check out students without their parent permission.

If the app is not working properly, please check back.

Per the SMCPS Board of Education policy, a full listing of fundraisers scheduled for MBMS this school year will be provided in the next few weeks.

The PTSO is looking forward to an amazing 2023-2024 school year!

PTSO members are parents, teachers and students who are dedicated to promoting the education and welfare of our children. We highly encourage everyone to join our PTSO to show their support. As a member you are welcome to attend all meetings & functions; however, your membership does not require you to participate in these functions. The membership fee is $10. A membership form is attached, we will take membership forms and payment during open houses on Monday, August 21, 2023. Make sure you follow us on Facebook (Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO) to stay up to date on fundraisers and other events. You can always reach us via email at mbmspanthersptso@gmail.com

MBMS PTSO 2022-2023 Board Members
President - Tiffany Wilson
Vice President - Samantha Tuck
Treasurer - Heather Young
Secretary - Jamie Berman

SAVE the DATES:
PTSO Meetings (3pm in the Media Room):
- 9/20
- 11/29
- 2/11
- 5/15

PTSO Upcoming Events:
- Open House on 8/21 - The will be a food truck and a raffle for all those who become members)
- Blue Crabs Spirit Night on 8/18
- Joe Corbi's 9/11 to 9/25

Things to look forward to this year:
- Spirit Nights
- Quarter Auction
- Talent Show (tentatively February 2024)
- Dodgeball Tournament (March 2024)
- School Dance for each grade (6th - 11/17, 7th - 1/12, 8th - 5/17)

Ongoing Fundraisers:

Pizza Hotline Gift Cards

- Do you order your pizza from Pizza Hotline? If so, you can support the PTSO by purchasing a $10 gift card. The order form is attached. If you email us your child's name and homeroom teacher we can send a form home also.

Croc Charms Fundraiser

- First come, First serve – limited quantity available. Orders will be delivered to students during homeroom as orders are placed. May also be purchased during the MTSS Store at lunch once a month. Order form is attached.

Gift Card Fundraiser

- Need a last minute gift or just want an easy way to support the PTSO? Look no further. Purchase your gift cards through us. Parents will purchase the gift cards to use themselves when they shop. Go to this link and enter the enrollment code JJCJE4A6X9H9.

NOTE: Paw Print Shopping - Will resume the First Wednesday of each month starting October 4

Looking to help in other ways aside from volunteering?

We could use the following:

MTSS Store Donations

- We are looking for donations to keep the MTSS store stocked with goodies for the students The students purchase these items with their "Paw Prints" they receive from teachers and staff as rewards for good behavior and going over and beyond what is expected of them. Donations can be sent to Cindy Garrison in the Front Office.

Business Connections

- Do you have any connections to local businesses or have a small business yourself? We are looking for volunteers who would like to ask local businesses for donations to raffle during our events. If you are interested, please let us know.

Thank you,

Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO

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