Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter

We look forward to another great week of school. We commend all of our students for their hard work the first half of the quarter and we continue to encourage our students' ongoing efforts throughout the quarter. As a reminder, Quarter 1 ends November 1.

Monday marks the anniversary of the October 7th attack and the ongoing conflict. Here, you may read my community message and find additional resources.

In the newsletter, the section with an * has been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership.

Let's make it an awesome week, Huskies!

Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, October 4, 2024 to hear upcoming news & events Click Link.

You can see all of the news links located here.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more. To learn more, please click here.

During this month, students will participate in an MYP activity to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by:

• Acquiring knowledge about ways to respectfully celebrate Hispanic Heritage & Culture

• Identifying elements of our No Place for Hate Pledge that demonstrates an appreciation for Hispanic Heritage & Culture

National Walk and Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 9, 2024. This day is dedicated to creating sustainable and healthy habits among our youngest transportation users and their families, building more environmentally conscious communities for a healthy planet.

We encourage students, families, and staff to walk and/or bike to school to commemorate this very healthy and safe alternative to traveling to school. More information is available at the following website: https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/.

The Library Media Program wishes everyone happy fall reading! Check out our new October MEDIA MONTHLY: NEWS & NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, here. Highlights include instructional updates, a spooky reading challenge, ebooks and audiobooks, and more.

We are excited to have our 6th grade students participate in Outdoor Education as part of their middle school experience. The outdoor education experience is one of the most exciting and memorable times in their middle school career. MCPS Outdoor Environmental Education Program (OEEP) is committed to ensuring that Grade 6 students experience Outdoor Ed as part of their science curriculum. This year’s program for Silver Creek Middle School sixth graders includes three days and two nights of instructional activities at Camp Letts, 4003 Camp Letts Rd, Edgewater, MD. Our dates at Camp Letts are

• November 11-November 13: ODE Session 1 ( Bibeault Science)
• November 13-November 15: ODE Session 2 (Mallory/Gregal Science)

• Outdoor Education Information meeting - we will have an information meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th @11:30am and 3:30 pm via zoom. The zoom information will be sent soon. During this meeting, we will share important information about the three-day, two-night Outdoor Education program next month. We will share information about permission forms, special medical situations, menus and special dietary needs, learning activities, chaperone opportunities and answer all your questions. Please join us for this important session.

• Permission Form: Please be sure your child sends in their parent/guardian permission slip to their science teacher. The due date is October 18th. Please see the outdoor education packet and permission form HERE. This information also went home with students on Friday September 27th.
• Chaperones: We are seeking several parent/caregiver chaperones for each ODE session. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the Chaperone Interest Google form and then Mr. Bibeault will follow up with you. Please read Chaperone Requirements

Sixth grade families please continue to check the SCMS remind app for important information and forms from Mr. Bibeault. Reminder that all medication must be given to the health room with MCPS Form #525-13. Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Ryan Bibeault at Ryan_P_Bibeault@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Justine Pfeiffer at Justine_Pfeiffer@mcpsmd.org

The October newsletter is out for counseling! You can check it out here or go to our website to check it out. https://secure.smore.com/n/8kuzr

Also, please check out the mental health support tab on our website for some workshops for grieving families put on by Caring Matters. All workshops are on zoom.

• If your family needs help with school supplies, food for the weekend, winter coats or other needs, we would like to help! Please fill out the following form: Sign up for Husky Help 24-25 (google.com)
  
• The HUSKY PANTRY is open. Please make sure to fill out the FORM above to ensure your child has access to these resources.

If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Ms. Susan Levine, resource counselor at Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org

The grand opening of the Husky Paws MarketPlace was last week on Friday, October 4 during lunch periods. It was a success! It was exciting to see our students use their Husky Bucks to redeem items from the school store. The frequency of the store being open will be determined by inventory. We are scheduling for the school store to open again at the end of this month. Information will be shared with students on the date.

Again, thank you to our PTSA and families for their support and contributions to our school store.

We have a range of after-school activities to choose from. Please click the link below to view our After School Activities Brochure which includes a description of each activity, the staff member who is sponsoring, the location, and the day of the week the activity begins. Please note that some clubs will begin later in the school year.

We ask that students register for their activity so that sponsors are aware of the number of students attending. The registration link is below. Buses will depart Silver Creek at approximately 4:20 p.m. to take students home. Each bus will take students to their regular bus stop or to a stop nearby. You may also choose to pick your child up from their activity. Please pick your child up at the front of the school at 4:20 p.m.

We look forward to seeing your child at one of our great clubs!
Afterschool Activities Brochure

Registration

Our school’s diversity is what makes us so special. In an effort to recognize the many cultures and backgrounds that make up our community, the PTSA Diversity Council will be hosting special recognitions/activities during lunch to celebrate this uniqueness. These events will give students the chance to learn more about and appreciate the diversity that enriches our school.

Thank you to our PTSA diversity council, Ms. Waranch and Ms. Foglia for coordinating our first lunch event that recognized Rosh Hashanah Thursday, Oct. 3. Students were provided with apples and honey. On this holiday, apples and honey are eaten to represent hope for a sweet & fruitful year.

This was a great experience for our students and provide our students and staff with valuable opportunities to broaden their perspectives and to deepen their understanding of the various backgrounds of our students within our school.

Please join B-CC Cheer and Poms for a youth clinic on Thursday Oct 17! This clinic is open to all K-8 students. Clinic participants will learn dances and cheers from the B-CC teams on Thurs from 5-7pm in the B-CC gym and then perform at halftime of the home football game on Fri Oct 18.

There will be different choreography and skills for K-4 and 5-8 participants. Participants will also receive a shirt and bow. This event is $10 per child and proceeds benefit B-CC Athletics. Register via this link.

Please reach out to Coaches Madison Petro (madison_e_petro@mcpsmd.org) or Jennifer Lloyd (jennifer_m_lloyd@mcpsmd.org) with any questions.

This school year, SCMS will be moving to a cell phone-free school. This means that phones are prohibited the entire school day (8:05 - 3:00 PM) The policy will take effect the first day of school, Monday, August 26. Please make sure you and your child review our new cell phone policy to ensure a smooth transition to the school year.

The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals.

• Apply here
• Learn more about the program

October 18- No school for students (Professional day for staff)

October 21- October 26- Mental Health Awareness Week

October 25- Principal Coffee (Zoom)

November 1- End of Quarter 1

November 4 - No School for students (Professional day for staff)

November 5- No School for students and staff (General Election)

November 11- November 15- 6th Grade Outdoor Education

November 25 & 26 - Early release days for students

November 27- Systemwide Closure—Schools and offices closed

November 28 & 29- Thanksgiving—Schools and offices closed

Link to MCPS Calendar

If a student is going to be absent, the parent/guardian is asked to call the attendance line at 240-740-2201 the morning of the absence. In your message, please include the information listed below:

1. Parent/Guardian name

2. Full name of your student (First & Last); student ID#

3. Date(s)of absence

4. Reason for absence

If you have any questions regarding attendance procedures, parents may email a note to Ms. Pamela Carroll-Sykes, attendance secretary, at Pamela_M_Carroll-Sykes@mcpsmd.org

Please find our school directory located on our School's Website with important contact information: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/

Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly P. Heidler

Assistant Principal: Ms. Justine Pfeiffer

School Hours: 7:30 am- 4:00 pm

Main Office: 240-740-2200

Registration & Counseling: 240-740-2211
Attendance Line: 240-740-2201

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/
Location: 3701 Saul Road, Kensington, MD, USA
Phone: 240 740 2200
X: @SCMSDrAwkard