Milo is a Miniature Golden Doodle, and he is hyperallergic. He is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and is also recognized through the American Kennel Club as a therapy dog. He and his owner, Joanne Gay, School Social Worker, completed 2 classes together. Then they passed the necessary test and observations to be certified. There is quite a bit of research on the benefits of therapy dogs.
Research has shown therapy dogs:
~ As an antidote to depression
~ To decrease both blood pressure and stress levels during therapy dog visit
~ Can break the daily routine, increase overall emotional well-being, and stimulate the mind in dramatic ways
~ Are used in facilities to comfort people and give affection
~ To reduce anxiety, increase endorphins and oxytocin
Research also supports that children and adolescents who spend time with therapy dogs increase their social skills and self-esteem. Therapy dogs are trained animals that provide emotional support which can positively impact reading skills, emotional functioning and communication skills. Therapy dogs may also assist children and adolescents in decreasing anxiety in school. Therapy dogs provide students with another health avenue when dealing with trauma. Research supports that affection from dogs truly is medicinal.
There is a difference between a therapy dog and a service dog. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospice, disaster areas, retirement homes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and more. A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities, such as visual impairments, mental illnesses, seizure disorders, diabetes, etc. A therapy dog is to offer comfort to support others. A service dog is for the support of the owner of the dog.
Calvert County Public Schools has a policy and procedure for therapy dogs in the schools. For students to be able to interact with Milo during school hours, a signed consent from the students’ parent or guardian needs to be on file. Without this, they are not allowed to interact with Milo. Mrs. Gay and very excited to be at Plum Point Middle School! We know this opportunity will have a positive impact on all of those who take advantage of it.
PPMS is excited to offer a parent support night on Tuesday, October 15th, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Parents will be able to receive training and support in up to two areas to help better support their student(s). Please see the session options below and select the two you are most interested in attending.
Session Information
HIstory Fair & History Fair Lite All 6th and 7th grade parents are encouraged to attend a History Fair Session. History Fair is required for all 6th & 7th grade students. History Fair is optional for 8th grade students.
Schoology & HAC This session will highlight student and parent features and how the programs interact. If you have logins, please test your logins prior to attendance. If you do not have one, please call the school to set up your HAC and Schoology logins prior to attendance.
Agile Mind Agile Mind is part of the math curriculum used by CCPS. During this session, teachers will go over the format, how to access additional practice problems, and what your student is expected to complete. Must bring student laptop in order to log in- each student has a login.
Session Sign Up - https://forms.gle/ift4TETm2Ngaedye7
Pumpkins are the unofficial mascot of fall 🎃 Enjoy these fun and unusual facts about pumpkins!
- Pumpkins are technically a fruit! - They contain seeds and are a type of winter squash, closely related to cucumbers and melons.
- Pumpkins are packed with nutrition! - They are a nutrient-dense and naturally low-calorie food. They contain 49% of your daily needs for vitamin K, along with vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate, and niacin. So, pull out those pumpkin recipes 🙂
- Pumpkin offers plenty of health benefits! - They contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Which has shown in studies to help fight off infections, prevent age-related vision problems and may help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
- Each pumpkin produces about 500 seeds! - These seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack - packed with antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, and fatty acids! https://gethealthyu.com/recipe/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/
- Canned pumpkin isn't always actual pumpkin. - Turns out that "pumpkin" puree sold in a can is usually made of Dickinson squash, a relative of butternut and acorn squash. https://myhomebasedlife.com/how-to-make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/
- Pumpkins grow everywhere except Antartica. - The top producers of pumpkins include China, India, Mexico, and Ukraine
- The U.S. produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins every year! - Every state grows some pumpkins, but most of our supply is grown in 5 states - California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- Cinderella popularized pumpkins! - The story of Cinderella wouldn't be the same without that pumpkin carriage! Pumpkins were first named by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584. He called them "gros melons," which translated to "pompions" in English. Pompions eventually evolved into pumpkins and the first known use of the word in literature was in the story of Cinderella!
- Pumpkins weren't always popular on Halloween! - The tradition of carving pumpkins on Halloween started from a scary Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
- That's a great pumpkin Charlie Brown! - Mathias Wellemijins holds the title of Heaviest Pumpkin. The Belgian man grew a pumpkin that weighed in at 2,624.6 pounds. That's big!
Happy Fall! Enjoy a fun pumpkin patch with your family. Fresh air and sunshine can boost the immune system 🙂
🎃Nurse Smith
VISION THE PPMS COMMUNITY:
• PROMOTES HIGH STANDARDS
• PROVIDES POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
• MAKES A DIFFERENCE
• STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE
Mission: At PPMS, we believe that all students can reach their potential to become well-rounded, life-long learners who are contributing community members. Our academic focus is on critical thinking, self-direction, and proficiency with technology. We strive for an inclusive climate and culture that is safe, caring, and accepting.
At PPMS We Believe in the Gator Way:
• We embrace our differences.
• We do not give up on each other.
• We respect each other.
• We all have a voice.
• We value our wellness both body and mind.
• We rise to the challenge and opportunities for excellence.
• We are in this together.