Hello Knight Families!
What an exciting week we’ve had at WHMS! Our students tackled the challenges of middle school with enthusiasm, and we had a fantastic Picture Day. Our 8th graders and new students also completed their hearing and vision screenings smoothly. Thanks to the clear routines and norms set by our dedicated staff, our students stayed focused and productive throughout the week.
Looking ahead, we have an inspiring event next week: “The Beautiful Tomorrow” assembly. This amazing organization delivers a powerful message that truly resonates with our students. They visited us four years ago, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back! The Beautiful Tomorrow Assembly Promotional (youtube.com)
And to top it all off, we’ll be ending the week with a fun-filled Dance on Friday night! Let’s keep the positive energy going!
Federal Impact Aid Survey
The 2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid survey is now open! We kindly ask all families to complete this survey for each student by October 31, 2024. This survey is crucial for gathering information and securing funding for our district. You can access the survey through HAC and the CCPS webpage. Your support in completing this survey for each student is greatly appreciated
Spring 2024 MCAP Reports
Students received their score reports from their MCAP assessments in ELA & Math in their first period classes. Please take a look at the insights found in these reports and talk to your student about setting a goal for their Spring 2025 MCAP assessments. Goalsetting throughout the school year is a great way to grow and learn together!
WHMS FACEBOOK PAGE
CCPS has set up Facebook accounts for schools and ours is up and running. The link for our page is https://www.facebook.com/WindyHillMiddleSchoolCCPS/
PTSO DANCE OCTOBER 11TH
Friday, October 11th is our first dance. Admission is $5 unless your student is a PTSO member and they are then admitted free. This is a drop off event from 5:30-7:30. Students MUST have a ride at 7:30. Pizza, candy, drinks, chips are sold at the dance. See flyer below. We will have the membership list at the door to check this. Volunteers will be needed for the dance. The sign up for volunteers can be found here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-51563216-fall#/
LIBRARY
Did you know that your child can get a card for the public library? It's super easy - just click on this link to set it up. Flier_CrabCard (libguides.com)
INTERIMS
Interim grades were available on HAC starting October 2nd. If your child’s grades are not satisfactory, please encourage them to advocate for themselves by discussing their concerns with their teacher(s). The first quarter ends on October 31st.
PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK
If you are at a WHMS event, game, field trip etc. and get some pictures, we'd love for you to upload them to this link so we can use them for our yearbook, school posters, etc. Thanks!
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Wear Green Thursday, October 10th to support World Mental Health Day
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL
When students are dropped off late or returning after an appointment, they can come in without an adult and sign themselves in. The parent/guardian does need to come in with them when signing the student out. The latest a student can be picked up for early dismissal is 2:45. Thank you
ATTENDANCE
Attendance updates are handled by Mrs. Madison, WHMS Guidance Secretary. Notes should be delivered to the Guidance Office or sent to madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us
When your student arrives late or leaves early due to a Health-Related Appointment (Doctor/Dentist/Therapist/etc.): A note is required to code as Legal. Please send a note in with your child when they return to school or email a note to Mrs. Madison.
Please refer to Student Code of Conduct Policy #3005 for Lawful Causes of Absences as defined by COMAR 13A.08.01.03. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide school authorities with verification of the reason for each student absence. Any absence not certified by the parent, guardian, physician, court or other appropriate person/agency will be considered unlawful. Students returning from absences without notes with appropriate signatures certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful.
Tardies - in the next few weeks we will begin enforcing our tardy policy. For students illegally tardy:
3 tardies = 1 day lunch detention
4 tardies = 3 days lunch detention
5 tardies = after school detention
6 tardies = Saturday School
CLUBS
Many clubs are underway and getting underway at this time. Lego Robotics and MESA are both taking permission slips at this time. See attachments or have your child stop by the main office to pick up a permission slip. Book club next meets on Friday, October 11th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm and Friday, October 25th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.
LAPTOPS
Students need to bring their laptop to school daily. If they forget, they can use the phone in the main office to contact their parent to bring their laptop. Our loaners will be held for students whose laptops are out for repair and we do not have enough to loan them out for forgotten laptops.
LOST AND FOUND
Our lost and found is kept on the stage on the cafeteria and donated or discarded every other Friday. Your child is always welcome to check the cafeteria before school or during lunch for missing items.
CAFETERIA
Please make sure you child has money on their lunch account if they are buying lunch. More information about the Child Nutrition Department and link to set up an account can be found here. School Meal Information - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us) Our cafeteria manager has also given us our WHMS menu for the first week of school which is attached below for your reference.
VOLUNTEERS
Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. You will need to apply for the 2024-2025 school year. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.
CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer
Thank you
Mark Whidden
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
