Gator News Plum Point Middle

Mikayla Monroe – Title IX (Ms. Hamphsire) Calvert Commission for Women Annette J. Funn Award for Women’s History, and Research Paper Junior Division MD History Day Advancer

Nicolette Peters - Bread and Roses: Fighting for Economic and Social Rights (Ms. Mullins) Individual Exhibit, Junior Division, MD History Day Advancer

James Thielker - FDR’s Four Freedoms Define Human Rights (Ms. Hampshire) Individual Exhibit, Junior Division, MD History Day Advancer

Rosalyn Ulmer - Miranda vs. Arizona: Protecting Citizens’ Rights in their Most Vulnerable Moments (Ms. Mullins) Individual Website, Junior Division, HONORABLE MENTION

Harlan Christensen - Japanese Internment: Balancing Civil Rights and Wartime Responsibilities (Ms. Mullins) Individual Website, Junior Division, MD History Day Advancer, Senator Miller Award for Most Outstanding Junior Division Project

Yearbook- "Final day is March 21st!!! for Yearbook Orders and 8th Grade Shout Outs. Make sure to send the Shout Out picture and message to Cindy Eversole at eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us before March 21st. Order on-line or send in the attached form with your payment ASAP!"

Our upcoming production of Oliver Jr. could use some help with props. If you have any of these items and are willing to donate or lend them to us, please drop off at PPMS before Friday, March 28th. Email eversolec@calvertnet.k12.md.us with any questions. Thank you for your support!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA9AF2BA0FCCE9-55408016-oliver

CCPS Math Department and Special Education Family Support Services will be hosting the 1st Annual Math Learning Festival. This family event is free and open to the public. The Math Festival will showcase activities and displays that support connecting math as being all around us. Stations are designed to spark excitement for mathematics through recipes, reading, arts, and music for families with students of all ages.

Math Learning Festival

Calvert Public Library, Prince Frederick Branch

March 19, 2025

5:30-7:30

All 8th Grade students will be taking the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA 8) on Tuesday, March 11th and Wednesday, March 12th during 2nd and 3rd period. The test consists for four sections each taking 40 minutes. Both multiple choice and constructed response questions will assess students content knowledge and skills from students' Middle School Science curriculum. Students will complete two sections each day. Any student missing one or both days of the exam will need to complete a retake. Students will need a charged Chromebook for testing along with a pair of corded/plug-in headphones.

The MISA 8 is a mandated exam by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). As such, MSDE requires strict security measures be taken to ensure all scores are valid. Students will NOT be allowed to have any cell phones or electronic devices in their possession (ex. pockets, under their desk, pouch of their hoodie, smart watch on their wrist, etc.) unless they have an approved accommodation for a health monitoring device. CCPS policy is that all electronic devices need to be off and away during the Middle School Day. Failure to follow this policy may result in individual scores being invalidated or disciplinary consequences according to the CCPS Code of Conduct.

If you have any questions about the state testing, please contact Mr. Tyler. He is the School Testing Coordinator and Assistant Principal.

Registration for Summer 2025 Maryland Leadership Workshops is now open. Please share with your students and parents. They are inviting middle and high school students to join them this summer at Washington College for a transformative weeklong experience.

Program dates:

· Middle School Experience in Leadership (MSEL): July 13-18 for students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2025

· Senior High Workshop (SHW): July 20-25 for students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2025

· Advanced Leadership Seminar (ALS): July 13-18 for students who have completed grades 9-12 as of July 1, 2025 and have previous leadership experience

Learn more about MLW and our summer programs at mlw.org.

PPMS Student Government Association News

SGA meets on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am, in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 am in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316. We will not have a meeting on March 13th due to the MASC Convention. Please contact Mrs. Kelly with any questions.

kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Butter Braid Sales-

March 3rd- March 24th!

The PPMS SGA will be selling delicious Butter Braids beginning March 3rd. All Butter Braids will be delivered to PPMS the week before Spring Break, during the week of April 7th. The exact delivery date will be finalized in early April.

Butter Braids can be ordered in our online store, using the online link below or by using the order form attached below. If using the order form, please give your order form to Mrs. Kelly and make your check payable to Plum Point Middle School.

The PPMS SGA appreciates your support!

Butter Braid Online Store Link-

https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/SelectProducts/3ce358a4-b339-44e8-9a2d-9b180b867eea/3917921

PPMS Flashback Neon Dance &

After School Social-

Friday, April 4th – Save the Date!

The PPMS SGA and PTO will be hosting an after-school dance/social on Friday, April 4th. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

Tickets will cost $5.00 and be available beginning March 17th online. Tickets will also be sold during all lunches beginning March 31st. If a ticket is purchased online, a hard copy will be delivered to the student during FLEX. Online sales will stop on the evening of April 3rd.

There will be a staggered pick up for this event to help with traffic flow. Pick up times are listed on the attached flyer. We hope to see you at our Flashback Neon Dance/Social!

Online Ticket Link- Beginning March 17th

https://osp.osmsinc.com/CalvertMD/

Chaperone and Donation Link- Open Now!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094DAAA82EA4F49-55503722-after

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094DAAA82EA4F9-55503722-after

March is National Sleep Month! Let's get some ZZZZZ's 🙂

Did you know that 1 in 3 adults don't get enough sleep? So how much sleep do we need? Most adults need 7-9 hours per night. Kids and teens need even more to function their best. School age kids need 9-12 hours and teenagers need 8-10 hours per night. However, most students only get 6.5 hours of sleep per school night and about 20% only get 5 hours or less. Sleep deprivation can impact a teenager's mood, health, school and athletic performance. The same is true for adults.

Lack of sleep can put you and your health at higher risk for:

*High blood pressure/cardiovascular disease

*High blood sugar/diabetes

*High cholesterol

*Infections

*Obesity

*Depression

Poor sleep can cause:

*Accidents

*Breathing problems

*Memory and cognitive issues

*Increased appetite and unhealthy eating habits

*Inflammation

*Hormone imbalances

The benefits of a good night's sleep are many!! Let's get some ZZZZ's

Benefits of Good Sleep!

*Healing and repair of cells, tissues and blood vessels

*Stronger immune system

*More creativity and productivity

*Improved mood and energy

*Better brain function including alertness, decision-making, focus, learning, memory, reasoning, and problem solving

*Healthy growth and development for kids and teens

*Better ability to build muscles, quicker reflexes, which leads to overall better athletic performance.

*Less risk of chronic diseases

Please read the article below for more information on sleep and the impact it has on you and your student's health!

How Much Sleep Should A Teenager Get? | Sleep Foundation

March is Women's History Month! Mrs. Montgomery's classes had a library lesson on the women's suffrage movement. They used several databases to research several of the women who were vital in getting women the right to vote.

Don't forget to set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds! Set one up here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/plumpointmiddleschool

Spring sports(baseball and softball) will begin on March 3rd and forms are due by this Friday. We will start track on March 17th.

No FCA Huddle on March 18th.

March

17 - 21 BOOK FAIR

19 - Two-hour Late Arrival

28 - Two-hour Early Dismissal

31- (makeup for January 6th): This will be an A Day for middle school.

April

1 - the end of MP3.

4 - After School Neon Dance

14-21 - Schools Closed for Spring Recess

18 - Offices Closed

May

8 - 4th Quarter Interims

26 - Schools and Offices Closed: Memorial Day

June

12 - (makeup for January 7th): This will be a B Day for middle school.

13 - (makeup for January 8th): This will be an A Day for middle schools.

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.

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, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• 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.

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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 they have 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 (CCPS) 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.