Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter
January 15-January 19
Dear Silver Creek Families
We are looking forward to another great week of school. I would like to commend our students and staff for their flexibility, patience and understanding with the unforeseen schedule changes last week. As you may be aware, we had an unexpected early release last Tuesday due to inclement weather, followed by a power outage on Wednesday that further interrupted our regular routine. Despite the changes in schedule, our students did a great job navigating these challenges to the school day.
As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (MLK). MLK day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all to volunteer to help our communities. Please check out the service projects in the newsletter below.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a civil rights leader & activist serves as an inspiration. As we commemorate his life on Monday, it is important to recognize the important role we all play in building a more just and equitable society, how we actively eliminate racism and hatred, and how we work every day to help others. We can reflect on his vision and keep his dream alive by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.
As a reminder, the end of the marking period is Friday, January 26. Please encourage your child to take advantage of after school tutoring and/or seek help from their teachers to complete any missing assignments or to receive extra support prior to the end of quarter.
The sections marked with an * have 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 a great week, Huskies!
Bell Schedule
*Silver Creek News (SCN) News
Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, January 12, 2024 to hear upcoming news & events: https://youtube.com/live/u4CcOZHwTzk?feature=share
You may also access the following document for the daily links to the Silver Creek News Show (SCN).
MLK Week of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday is Monday, January 15. One of his most famous quotes is, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’ ” Honor the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by serving our community on MLK Day—and throughout the week surrounding the holiday.
You can honor Dr. Martin Luther King by promoting the spirit of service this weekend. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is hosting multiple opportunities for service activities that can include the whole family and provide some SSL hours for students. Go to the SCMS website and click on the link to find out more information on how to sign up & earn SSL hours for your service. Each specific event has more details, potential projects include making Valentines for Veterans, assembling hygiene kits for homeless shelters, and making cards/bracelets for kids with cancer. Choose your favorite; there are many ways to make a difference!
MLK Day - For Volunteers - Montgomery County Volunteer Center
MLK Week of Service (January 15-20, 2024) - Montgomery County Public Schools is working collaboratively with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) to promote service opportunities and acts of kindness for others during the MLK Week of Service.
- The MCVC website, www.montgomeryserves.org, lists multiple opportunities for individuals to serve on the MLK holiday away from school.
- January 15, 2024, volunteers will have several service options provided to them, including projects to complete at home and in-person.
- Special events will be held in multiple locations, and individuals who wish to serve at one of these locations must sign up in advance on the MCVC websitehttps://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/volunteers/MLK.html
SCMS Outdoor Education Parent/Caregiver Meeting- January 16 (6th grade ONLY)
Save the date for January 16th at 7:00 PM for a virtual Outdoor Education meeting for 6th Grade Parents/Caregivers.
Please join Mr. Bibeault, our 6th Grade Team Leader, to learn about the upcoming Outdoor Ed experience for our 6th grade students. Silver Creek 6th graders will attend Outdoor Education during the week of March 18th. There will be two sessions with half of our 6th graders attending during each session.
- Session 1: Departs the morning of Monday, March 18th and returns the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20th.
- Session 2: Departs the morning of Wednesday, March 20th and returns the afternoon of Friday, March 22nd.
The parent/caregiver information session will include general information regarding the experience, logistics of the trip, what students need to bring, and how to become a parent volunteer during one of our sessions. A reminder message including the Zoom link for the meeting will be sent out later this week.
If you have any questions, you may contact Mr. Ryan Bibeault @ Ryan_P_Bibeault@mcpsmd.org
Winter MAP Assessment- January 17 & January 18
All sixth grade students and seventh and eighth graders in a reading or mathematics intervention will take the Fall Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment on Wednesday January 17 (Mathematics) and Thursday January 18 (Reading) through their homeroom classes. Homeroom classes are different from Husky PAWS (Connect Time) and are listed as Homeroom in their schedules.
*Please note: Students with testing accommodations may have a separate testing location. These students will receive passes to their testing locations. Students may bring a bottle of water and a pencil to testing. We do encourage that your child attend school on this day so that they do not miss this important test. Students who are absent will be invited to a makeup session on January 19 and January 22 during their first period class.
- Please click here to view the MAP Testing Schedule.
- Please click here for more information on the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test.
You may view the following video on how to help prepare your child to take the MAP at the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIBrjg4Tp7g
Please email Ms. Rachel Mannheimer, English Content Specialist, at rachel_j_mannheimer@mcpsmd.org or
Mr. David O'Shell, Assistant Principal, at David_O'Shell@mcpsmd.org if you have any questions.
Library Media Center
Happy New Year from the Library Media Program! Click HERE for our JANUARY MEDIA MONTHLY. We have plenty of news and updates about learning, inquiring, and reading together as we kick off 2024.
Silver Creek is proud to announce an exciting event for our entire community, WE ARE the JOURNEY: An Oratorical Contest Celebrating Culture and Community, on Thursday, February 22, at 6:30 pm. All students are invited to perform an original speech, poem, or other creative work, or recite the work of a published author. Please visit our ORATORICAL CONTEST WEBSITE for more information, including prompts, resources, and this commitment form. We look forward to celebrating Black History Month, our inclusive community, and our amazing student participants with all of you! For more information, please contact your child's English teacher, Ms. Hill-Gilliard, or Ms. Diskin.
Student Course Registration and Articulation for SY24-25
Believe it or not, it is already time to begin thinking about next school year. Below is a timeline of dates as we start the articulation process for our students.
Current 6th and 7th Grade Students
SCMS staff will be working to make course recommendations. These will be shared with students and sent home at the end of January.
- January 30th & January 31st--SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to share course offerings and explain the course registration process and timeline.
- February 5th--Deadline for completing and submitting Google Course Registration Form. Information on how to complete this registration form will be shared with students when counselors visit their science classes.
- Detailed information regarding course offerings and the course registration process and timeline will be shared with parents at the end of January. It will also be posted on the SCMS website upon our return from winter break.
Current 8th Grade Students (Rising 9th Grade Students)
- January 8th --B-CC counselors visited 8th grade science classes to share information about High School graduation requirements, 9th grade course offerings, and the registration process and timeline. We will continue to update you with further course registration and articulation information as it becomes available.
- January 15th—Online course registration window opens via StudentVue (Dependent on MCPS and access to Synergy).
- January 24th—Course Selection Information Night at B-CC HS at 7:00 PM (Please see flyer attached)
- January 31st—Deadline for completing course registration in StudentVue
Counseling Department News & Updates
Check out the January Newsletter here: https://www.smore.com/rhu3f
In this edition you will find:
- Registration season
- New Year's resolutions
- Information about vaping and edibles
- Other parent resources
You may also check out resources about middle school children on the Counseling Website. 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 below: https://forms.gle/gdTDMCSSgmU5pVQp9
If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Latonya Abrom at Latonya_N_Abrom@mcpsmd.org
Please note: Transcript requests: Please request transcripts from the main page of the SCMS's website. You can find it under QUICKLINKS on the left hand side. This is the most efficient way to ensure Ms. Abrom, registrar, receives your transcript request. Questions? Call the counseling office at 240-740-2211
*Husky Drama Spring Musical
The Spring Musical, SpongeBob the Musical will be on Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th. You may go to the Husky Drama Website for more information.
Auditions took place last week afterschool on January 9th and January 10th in the cafeteria. There was also a parent zoom meeting last Monday, January 8th to answer questions and review Husky Drama Expectations.
Any questions, please email Mrs. Gee at alison_c_gee@mcpsmd.org. For additional information, you may also look on the Husky Drama Website. Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Stage Crew will meet on Thursdays starting this week, January 18th.
Homework Help
Homework Help is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:10-4:20 in Room 403. The purpose of Homework Help is to provide a quiet space for students to study and complete homework.
*Please note that this is not a tutoring program and therefore there is limited assistance available for students who need assistance with work or attaining concepts. Please contact Mr. Ed Eibel, Homewrok Help sponsor, at edward_e_eibel@mcpsmd.org for more information.
Intramurals: Attention all 6th-8th grade students
Intramural sports are designed to promote participation in sports to all eligible middle school students of all grade levels. There are no try-outs, no paper work and students don’t need much experience to participate. Intramurals take place after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 3:05-4:30. Activity buses are available after every intramural session. Sample sports can include: basketball, football, soccer, badminton, tennis, volleyball, cross country, dance, weight training, track and field, kickball, capture the flag, etc.
Intramurals began last week, September 18. Currently, we have available 5 on 5 Basketball on Tuesdays for 7th & 8th graders & Wednesdays for 6th graders.
As new classes come available, your child's PE and Health teacher will make announcements to their classes. It will also be posted on our school’s website and the intramural bulletin board in the PE hallway.
Yearbook Sales
We are excited to announce that SCMS Yearbooks are on Sale NOW. Mrs. Boyle, our Yearbook sponsor, and our Yearbook Club have been meeting after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to start designing the 2023-2024 yearbook. Yearbooks are $30 until January 31, 2024. See the flyers below for more details on how to order your Silver Creek Yearbook.
Questions? Please email our yearbook sponsor at Jennifer_K_Boyle@mcpsmd.org
PARENT RESOURCES
Principal Coffee
We are excited to have principal coffees once a month on Fridays from 8:30-9:10 am.
This month's principal coffee is scheduled for Friday, January 26. The topic will be Understanding Our School's MD Report Card. The zoom link will be sent out soon.
Parent Handbook
Please locate the parent handbook on our website. All the information you need is located here for your convenience.
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/silver-creek-parent-handbook/home
*Latest MCPS Updates from Thursday, January 11
Here are things to know from Thursday Jan. 11. Get information about upcoming opportunities for students to get in front of college representatives, recent health update from the medical office, a new talk show on MCPS TV to help you understand district programs and initiatives, addition to the MCPS team and more.
*Parenting/Caregiver Toolbox
Refresh your toolbox. In our rapidly changing world, where the landscape of education is evolving, it becomes crucial to equip our children with the skills to navigate and thrive in an ever-shifting environment. One such essential skill is resilience—the ability to adapt, bounce back from setbacks, and face challenges with strength and determination. In an effort to collaborate with our families, counselors will share research-based strategies on ways to build resilience in middle schoolers.
The session will be on January 25 from 7- 8:30 via zoom. The session, "Parenting for Resilience and Independence" will provide tips on how to best help your middle schooler bounce back from disappointment. Join the counselors for some expert advice as you build up your parenting/caregiver toolbox.
Zoom link coming soon.
Restorative Justice at Silver Creek
At Silver Creek, we continue to instill the values of being a restorative justice school. Restorative Justice is a mindset and philosophy toward school climate and relationship building. Important components are: Proactively and intentionally developing relationships and building community; and restoring, repairing, or healing the school community when harm has occurred.
The focus is on education, learning from mistakes, identifying and working on the root of the behavior, making deep-level change, repairing relationships, and restoring students and staff to the environment.
The Key Values of Restorative Justice include:
- Nurturing healthy relationships built on trust
- Fostering mutual respect between individuals
- Feeling a sense of responsibility for your community
- Repairing harm and transforming conflict
- Reintegrating back to your community if harm has been caused
To learn more about RJ at Silver Creek, please see the flyer here.
MD Report Card
The 2023 Maryland Report was released the week of December 13, 2023. Please read the letter that provides a link to our school's report, some background about the MD Report Card, including resources to better understand the report card. LETTER.
Free and Reduced Meals
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.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
January 15–MLK Holiday, Schools and Offices closed
January 16- Virtual Outdoor Education Meeting 7PM ( 6th grade families ONLY)
January 26- Principal Coffee- 8:30 AM (Zoom)
January 26- End of Marking Period 2
January 29–No School for students; Professional Day for staff to complete quarter/semester grades
January 30 & 31- SCMS counselors will visit 6th and 7th grade science classes to explain the course registration process and timeline.
January 31- Deadline for completing course registration on StudentVue (8th grade ONLY)
Link to MCPS Calendar
*Early Dismissal Reminder
If you need to pick up your child for an early dismissal, please send your child in to school with a note to give to the main office. This will help to facilitate your child being ready in a timely manner and will minimize any potential disruption to instruction. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
Student Absence
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
Important Contacts
Silver Creek Middle School
Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly Heidler
Assistant Principal: Mr. David O'Shell
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
Twitter: @SCMSDrAwkard