Hello Knight Families!
What an amazing short week we’ve had! Monday’s professional development was exceptional, our sports teams earned impressive victories, and we celebrated our All County Performing Arts selections.
We have some exciting events lined up for next week! Our sports teams will face off against our arch-rival Northern Middle, and I’ll be kissing a pig at the fundraiser party. On Thursday evening, our Performing Arts department will hold a Halloween concert complete with costumes, promising a fun and festive night. Of course, we’ll continue with our commitment to outstanding teaching and learning.
Thank you for your ongoing support in making WHMS a fantastic place for our students to thrive.
As we approach the end of the first quarter on October 31st, I want to address an important matter regarding assignments and grading. It is natural for students to request extensions for turning in assignments past the due date. While our teachers are committed to understanding each student’s mastery of the material, they must also adhere to the county grading policy.
This week, I will be reviewing the county grading policy with each grade level. Calvert County Public Schools Procedures for Policy 3415 Middle School Grading Procedures (finalsite.net)
Additionally, I will emphasize the importance of respectfully requesting to submit late or missing assignments, honoring the teacher’s response, and taking responsibility to ensure this does not become a recurring issue.
It is my expectation that teachers will have students write their homework in their agenda books. If there is no homework, students should write what they learned that day. Teachers will then stamp the agenda, every period, every day. I encourage you to regularly review your child’s agenda book and engage in conversations about their studies. This is an excellent communication tool that can help us support your child’s academic growth.
Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a productive and respectful learning environment at WHMS
Congratulations to the following students who made All County Orchestra:
Tobias Dorn 8th Bass
Isabella Collins 8th Violin
Sayo Green 8th Violin
Annora Jensen 8th Violin
Anna Ringhausen 8th Violin
Rowen Rivera 8th Violin
Kenzie King 7th Viola
Arielle Lee 6th Violin
Lily Rhodes 6th Violin
Congratulations to the following students who made All County Chorus
Madilynn Allen
Michael Ball
Evelyn Burns
Amirah DeToto
Lilah Flores
Charlotte Frere
Aliyah Gordon
Toby Kuntz
Caleb Laska
Gracyn Lyons
Aisling Martin
Shedrick Merritt
Madison Musser
Raxyz Ava Ordonez
Isabella Sansbury
Kaitlyn Schneider
Madelyn Schulze
Eleanor Sinclair
Hailey Vance
Shanova Whittington
Congratulations to the following students for making All County Band
Martha Acquah
Alex Balogh
Lilly Heisler
Sydney Kline
Elizabeth Leas
Damian Lebow
Sophia MacRoberts
Fernando Melendez
Sami Nealon
Sophie Okubo
Travyon Sommerville
Kassidy Wiles
PTSO DANCE
Thank you to the many parents who volunteered with the dance last Friday night. It was a huge success. The kids bought up every last piece of pizza and enjoyed themselves.
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH
Our wonderful PTSO is providing a Taco Bar luncheon for our staff on October 23rd. If you are able to contribute with either food or monetary donation please click on this link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-45635367-november#/
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
CLUBS
Chess club begin the 22nd and Book club meets the 25th. If your student wants to join either club, they still can. Permission slips are in the main office.
END HUNGER FOOD DRIVE
Our SGA is sponsoring our annual End Hunger Food Drive the last week of October. The advisory from each grade level that brings the most donations will earn a free advisory with popsicles! All non-perishable food donations are appreciated. Thank you
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/
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Our PBIS/Wellness team is looking for another parent to help with our 7th grade Treat Trolley on Mondays once/month from 1:40-2:55. If this might be something that you’d be interested in, please email merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
RED RIBBON WEEK
The last week of October we recognize Red Ribbon Week throughout the county. We focus on healthy choices, being drug free and tie in some fun activities for the week. This year students will be receiving some giveaway items, have chances to win some prizes, be photographed in a RRW frame and our local health department will be on hand during lunch one day to share information with our students. As part of the activities this week we have spirit days each day. Attached is the flyer with details for the week!
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.
LAPTOP CHARGERS
If your child loses their charger, they need to purchase a replacement through the school. The cost is $39 and your student can bring in a check payable to WHMS, exact cash, or you can pay online at this link Windy Hill Middle School (osmsinc.com). We understand that there is less expensive charger available through Amazon; however using these chargers will void the warranty on the laptop.
Bus Dismissal
Please remind your child not to leave Advisory early for bus dismissal. Our teachers have a list of bus riders and car riders, but with about 500 students departing at once, it’s crucial that everyone waits until their bus is called. Around 20 students have been leaving early, which poses a safety concern. It’s important for us to know where all students are at all times.
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!
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 ***** Update effective 10/18/2024 *****
Attendance updates are handled by Mrs. Madison, WHMS Guidance Secretary. Notes should be delivered to the Guidance Office or sent to WHMSAttendance@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 WHMSAttendance@calvertnet.k12.md.us
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
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
