PAW Print #7

Friday, October 11: 8th Grade Dance (2:45-4:30)

Monday, October 14: 2 hour early dismissal (conference day)

Friday, October 18: 2 hour early dismissal (Professional Day for Teachers)

Saturday: October 19: NJHS Hogwart's Fund Raiser (see below)

Friday, October 25: Picture Make Up Day (see info below)

Friday, October 25: MTSS Track or Treat Event 5-7PM

October 28-November 1: Book Fair (during school day)

October 30: Book Fair Parent Night (5:30-7:30PM)

This past week in homeroom, your student received their MCAP scores from SY 23-24. To assist you with reviewing this data, please use these score interpretation guides (click here). Please also note that the following grade-levels should bring home these scores:

• Current MBMS 6th Grade Students: 5th grade MCAP scores for Science, Math, and ELA
• Current MBMS 7th Grade Students: 6th grade MCAP scores for Math and ELA
• Current MBMS 8th Grade Students: 7th grade MCAP scores for Math and ELA

Here's How It Works

• On Friday, the next week's word will be previewed without a definition. Students are invited to submit sentences that use the word properly. Use the Google Form to do this.
• Monday-Thursday, the week's word will be read on the morning announcement. The part of speech and definition will be given. Each day of the week a different student sentence will be read as an example of the word in context.
• Administrators will give PAWS tickets to students whose sentences are used on the morning announcements.
• Staff members will give PAWS tickets to students who use the word correctly throughout the course of the week.

This week's word is IMPEDIMENT

The following items are in our lost and found. If you own any of these items, please have your child pick it up at school on Monday.

Make-up Picture Day will be on Friday, October 25th, 2024. The only students who will be permitted to participate on this day are:

• Students who were absent on September 17th (the original picture day).
• At this point in time, if your student was absent, their name is on the schedule for October 25th to be photographed, so you do not need to reach out to anyone at the school. Hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.
• Students who ordered pictures and would like to retake them.
• If your student ordered photos and would like to retake them, please complete this Google Form (click here) by Friday, October 4th. Hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.

Please note:

• You can still order photos of your student. Visit legacystudios.com and click the virtual assistant in the bottom right-hand corner (speech bubble in a blue box). You will then type the following message (you will need to adjust the message with the required information): "My son/daughter had their pictures taken at Margaret Brent Middle School. Their student ID is __________ and their last name is __________. I am requesting their online code to view their gallery." The virtual assistant will then generate an online code that is specific to your student's gallery pictures.
• If you have already pre-paid for the pictures, the online code you would enter is on the top of your invoice.
  

If you have questions, please reach out to our school's point of contact, Mrs. James (vdjames@smcps.org).

It’s Scholastic Book Fair Time!

Book Fair Homepage

Volunteers are needed!!!

General Information:

Dates: October 24 through November 1.

Times: 8:00 - 2:30 Monday - Friday

Place: MBMS Media Center

Parent Night:

Wednesday, October 30, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Come to the Fair and Choose Books You Love!

Shop with Book Fair eWallet for cash-free purchases.

Get a Sneak Peek! s-bf.com/ms1

Interested in a fall sport? Join intramurals.

The intramural program was explained to students during PE. Students were instructed to pick up a form next to the gym doors or from their PE teacher if they were interested in one of the after school activities. The activities being offered are kickball/dodgeball, basketball, running/walking club, floor hockey, and volleyball. There will be only 25 students allowed per activity. First come first serve basis. All activities will end at 4:15. Pick up will be by the gymnasium doors. The form is attached below for anyone still interested.

Running/Walking Club on Monday/Wednesday with Mrs. Aley, Room 216

Kickball/Dodgeball on Monday/Wednesday with Mr. Guthrie, Room 422

Floor Hockey on on Monday/Wednesday with Mrs. Starkey, Room 418

Basketball on Tuesday with Mr. Mojo, Gym

Volleyball on Thursday with Mr. Mojo, Gym (Currently filled but will be offered again in the Winter)

*Please turn in your form to the teacher that you are signing up with and you will report to the teacher's room at dismissal when it starts on October 7th.

**All forms must be turned in by Friday, September 27th.

Fall Permission Form Intramurals 2024 Revised Take 2.docx

On October 10, 2024, Frank Kros will present, ‘A New View of ADHD for Parents: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why’ from 6 pm- 8 pm at the Forrest Career & Technology Center, Dohrman A. The workshop is free but registration is required via email to partnersforsucess@smcps.org

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will host FREE drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for children ages six months to 18 years. No appointments are necessary.

Clinics have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:

Great Mills High School

• Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

St. Mary’s County Health Hub

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SMCHD Main Office in Leonardtown

• Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

“Annual flu vaccinations are the most effective tool we have for preventing infection and serious illness from seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We hope parents will take advantage of these convenient drive-thru clinics to get their children vaccinated and help us prevent influenza complications in our community. Local pharmacies and medical practices are also offering flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.”

For more information about seasonal flu, please visit smchd.org/flu.

For questions about vaccinations, please call SMCHD at 301-475-4330.

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.

Panther Players (MBMS Theatre) is putting on a musical again this spring. (The musical will be announced later in the year!) If any parent/guardians, staff, or community members would like to preview the script and provide feedback, please visit the office at Margaret Brent from 1:45-2:20 on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, during the weeks of 9/23 and 9/30. If those times/dates do not work for you and you would still like to preview the script, please email the director, Rachael Meador (remeador@smcps.org) to set up an appointment. You will be given a chance to peruse the script and complete a feedback form. We appreciate your time and feedback!

Do you have a talent you'd like to share with MBMS? Sign up for the talent show. Friday, November 1st, using this form. See the flyer below for details! The last day to submit an audition is Thursday, October 10th. All questions can be directed to Ms. Meador at remeador@smcps.org

Buy Your Yearbook Here

Have a question? Email: tldollen@smcps.org or ammckinley@smcps.org

The cell phone policy for all SMCPS middle schools requires students' phones to be turned off and put away throughout the school day. This policy has been in effect at MBMS for many years and is not new to our students. Please note that students should not be texting or calling parents from the restroom to picked up when they are feeling ill. Students should report to the nurse, administration, or counselor to call home. We will not deny a student requesting to call a parent/guardian. We want to thank our community for continuing to support our efforts in minimizing distractions for our students.

Superintendent's Message

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. If interested in joining, you may email us at mbmspanthersptso@gmail.com!

Make sure you follow us on Facebook (Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO) to stay up to date on fundraisers and other events.

Events to look forward to this school year:

PTSO General Meetings (all meetings are at 2:45pm in the Media Center)

- Wednesday, September 18

- Wednesday, November 20

- Wednesday, February 19

- Wednesday, May 14

Dances

- 6th Grade (November 15)

- 7th Grade (January 10)

- 8th Grade (May 16 - date subject to change)

Dodgeball Tournament

- Thursday, March 13 at Chopticon High School

Fundraisers

- Joe Corbi's -September 9-27

Spirit Nights

- Saturday, 9/28 - Drift Inn Crabhouse - 4-8pm

- Thursday, 10/24 - Texas Roadhouse - 4-8pm

- Saturday, 2/8/2025- Calvert Kettle Corn - All Day

Ongoing Fundraisers:

- Croc Charms & Magnets

- First come, First serve – limited quantity available. Orders will be delivered to students during homeroom as orders are placed. Order Forms attached.

Thank you,

Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO

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