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. Hildenberger-6th grade

Dr. Isom- 7th grade

Ms. Ripple-8th grade

Ms. Roach-Records Secretary

The School Volunteer Portal is now open for applications. Beginning this year all school volunteers must apply annually for approval. The application process will begin on August 1 and end on May 1 of each school year.

Mark Your Calendar for Monday, August 22

We will be mailing 6th-grade schedules home in the next week 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 19 after 5:00PM. For students who may need a schedule printed, we most certainly can assist in printing one at the counselors' table in the cafeteria. School maps will also be available at various locations throughout the building.

Please be patient. HAC will be open at the same time for all 18,000 SMPS students. At the Open House, there will be tables set up in the cafeteria during 7th and 8th-grade Open House for parents who need (1) HAC passwords, (2) bus locator services, (3) on-line meal benefit services, and (4)PTSO registration and information. During 6th-grade Open House, these tables will be located in the media center for your convenience. Additionally, PE uniforms will be sold in the gymnasium for all grade levels. Sixth grade students will recieve their locker number and combination at the Open House. Sixth grade students may want to bring supplies to leave in their locker 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 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

5:00-6:15 PM

6th Grade

Last names: J-Z

6:30-7:45 PM

High Roads Students

9:00 AM

COMPASS Students

6th Grade 5:00 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)

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

Shirts $10

Shorts $10

Hoodies $20

School Meal Benefit Forms: School Year Meal Benefit forms for SY 2022-2023 are now available online! Easily fill out your new meal benefit form by visiting https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application on the www.smcps.org website. Families can request more information by contacting SMCPS' Food and Nutrition Services Office at 301.475.4256, Option 5, or via email at foodservice@smcps.org.

@nokidhungrymd #schoollunch #mealbenefits #freemeals #freebreakfast

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: Families can now start completing the Acceptable Use Policy for SY 22-23. Links are below.

Secondary Link: https://bit.ly/2022-2023_Secondary_AUPForm

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. 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 only permitted to have clear, plastic water bottles throughout 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. Please note that school meals will no longer be proveded to students free of charge. 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.

• 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.
• 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. 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 7:45 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.
• A $5.00 yearly student activity fee will be collected from each student beginning September 6, during homeroom.
• 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. No one under the age of 18 will be permitted to check out MBMS students. 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 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 students' 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.

***COMPASS and SAIL students will be dropped off in the parking lot behind the school beginning at 7:25 and picked up beginning at 2:30.

The app is currently not available. The company hopes to have the app up and running prior to the start of school. 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.

As the PTSO begins the 2022-2023 school year we need your support!

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.

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 - Jamie Berman

Vice President - Tiffany Wilson

Treasurer - Heather Young

Secretary - Nicole Hunter

PTSO Meetings (3pm in the Media Room):

- 9/14

- 11/9

- 2/1

- 5/17

PTSO Upcoming Events:

- Open House on 8/22 - there will be food trucks and raffle for all those who become members.

- Bruster's in Hollywood on 9/26 from 6-8pm

- Chipotle in Lexington Park on 10/11 from 4-8pm

-Joe Corbis 8/29 to 9/16

Things to look forward to this year:

- Spririt Nights

- Homeroom Door Decorating for Halloween

- Dodgeball Tournament

- School Dance for each grade with DJ