Gator News Plum Point Middle

September is always a busy time and exciting time of the year. Activities and events increase, and the days get shorter. This week Plum Point Middle School invites you to see the school, tour classrooms and meet the staff. Open House is a great opportunity to connect with your children. As a parent I always enjoyed the excitement of Open House, to take a peek into the world my children. Also, it was my time to meet new parents and connect with familiar faces.

Yes, it’s a great time to learn about grading, discipline and curriculum. However, it’s also a time to learn some details about school and school culture to ask your child/children. Additionally, you can connect your experiences from middle school to their experiences.

Instead of,” How was your day?” Try these conversation starters throughout the year:

1. When I was in school, we had to wear uniforms PE and change in the locker rooms. Do you?

2. How do you see the guidance counselor?

3. I noticed a lot of stairwells in Plum Point. What happens if you have math class, then must go to band class?

4. Have you been assigned a locker yet? How will you use the locker?

5. On Friday’s we always had pizza for lunch in the cafeteria. What does your cafeteria have on Friday’s? Who do you sit with at lunch?

6. My favorite class was __________________, because ___________________. What’s your favorite class?

7. How is the bus ride to school? Which door do you go in when you get off the bus? Did anything positive happen on the bus? Who can you go to at school if something happens to you or someone else on the bus?

8. When I took math class we weren’t allowed to use calculators. Are you allowed to use calculators? Show me one math question you really struggled with today? Are you allowed to work with a partner in math class?

9. I remember reading Treasure Island and Farewell to Manzanar when I was in school. What novels will you read this year?

10. Tell me what happens in advisory class?

11. What’s one thing I can help you this year? (academics and/or with friends)

Hello PPMS families! Welcome back to another amazing school year! If your student needs emergency medications in the health room, please get those administration forms filled out and bring in the medications. We are into week 3 and I am missing a lot of medications. I have attached the administration forms.

Thank you for all you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy. Keep screening your kids for any signs or symptoms of illness. Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns you may have. Here's some tips to help build a healthy immune system 🙂

Quick facts about vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc; and why they are important when thinking about our immune system! And right now, we all need strong immune systems. All 3 are not meant to treat or prevent COVID - 19 but they may have a positive effect on how our immune system works to fight off infections, as well as inflammation and swelling.

So how do we get it and how much do we need daily?

Vitamin C - best obtain by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables - oranges( 1 cup =96mg), kiwis (167mg), mangos (60mg), strawberries (98mg), bell peppers (152mg), guavas (377mg), broccoli (81mg), and kale (23mg). To name a few! The daily amount recommended is 65 - 90 mg a day with an upper limit of 2,000 mg daily. Too much vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful but may cause uncomfortable side effects - abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, headache.

Vitamin D - best obtained by consuming low-fat milk, fortified milk alternatives, seafood (such as salmon, rainbow trout, tuna), and mushrooms. You can also get a dose of Vitamin D from the sun through your skin, so get outside and get some fresh air and sunlight! You can get too much Vitamin D if taking too many supplements but just through food and sunlight it is unlikely to consume too much.

ZINC - is best obtained through foods such as lean meats, seafood, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

First Meeting- 9-12-24 at 7:00 am

Room 316, Mrs. Kelly’s room

Student government helps develop public speaking and leadership skills which will help your student throughout life. Students get to practice these leadership skills at county and statewide general assemblies and conferences. SGA also plans and executes many schoolwide events.

· End Hunger Food Drive

· School Announcements

· School Dances and Socials

· Teacher Appreciation Activities

· School Spirt Weeks

· Pink Day- Breast Cancer Research Donation

· Love All Pets Month- Calvert Animal Welfare League Donation

Past and current PPMS SGA leaders have served on the Calvert Association of Student Councils, Maryland Association of Student Councils, and Calvert County Board of Education!

We are very happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2024-2025 school year. We will begin meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 7:00 am in Mrs. Kelly’s room, room 316.

We hope to see many returning students and students new to SGA at this meeting. Feel free to attend and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. All the paperwork needed for joining SGA will be distributed at this meeting. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Kelly. kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Soccer clinics begin Tuesday September 3, 2024.

Volleyball clinics begin Wednesday September 4, 2024.

Note the grade level participating on the calendar.

Students must have all paperwork turned in to stay after school and participate.

Student pick up is 5:00pm.

September

9 - Fundraiser Kickoff

10 - Back to School Night, 6-7:30 PM

11 - 2-hour Early Dismissal

26 - Fall Picture Day

27 - School Closed

30 - 2-hour Late Arrival

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services 443.550.8000
• Director of Human Resources 443.550.8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

************************************************

Anti-sexual, Anti-racial and Anti-disability Harassment Statement

Discrimination can manifest itself in behaviors such as bullying, harassment, or intimidation of individuals.

Calvert County Public Schools does not tolerate any form of harassment including, but not limited to, sexual, racial, or disability. Any individual (student, employee, or community member) who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of harassment is encouraged to report the allegation of harassment. Students, parents, and community members may report allegations of harassment to: Ms. Cecelia Lewis, Director of Student Services, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Employees may report allegations of harassment to: Mr. Zachary Seawell, Director of Human Resources, Calvert County Public Schools, 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to conducting a prompt investigation for any allegation of harassment. If harassment has occurred, the individual will be disciplined promptly. Disciplinary actions for students found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or expulsion. Disciplinary actions for employees found to have engaged in any form of harassment may result in suspension or termination.

Calvert County Public Schools encourages all students, parents, employees, and community members to work together to prevent any form of harassment.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.

Calvert County Public Schools Antiracism Statement

Calvert County Public Schools explicitly denounces racism, bullying, discrimination, white supremacy, hate, and racial inequity in any form within our school community. Furthermore, CCPS will not tolerate the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism.

Each member of the district, individually and collectively, is responsible for creating and nurturing a safe, antiracist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner is a respected and valued member of the CCPS community.