From the Helm

Progress reports go live tomorrow. Please take time to talk with your student about their grades. Grades can be accessed through the family portal.

The State Police will conduct some sight mapping at our school on Monday around 10, which could mean a low flyover by a helicopter. This event will not interrupt instruction, but I wanted you to be aware in case you see or hear the flyover.

You should have received a message from the county that at sporting events, we will be using a weapons detection device system prior to sporting events. Keep in mind that if you bring a purse or small bag (no backpacks allowed) into the game, that item will be searched. Please expect delays in entering games as we implement this new system and process. We will be testing the system on the 19th at the girls' basketball game.

Let's have a great week on the Clipper Ship as we finish December.

On behalf of the staff here at JMB and myself, we hope you have a wonderful break! We will see you in 2025 and look forward to a positive finish for term 2.

Principal Savage

The Wicomico County Board of Education and Wicomico County Public Schools are committed to advancing the safety and security of events at our schools. In support of that goal, Wicomico Schools (WCPS) is pleased to introduce a significant security enhancement that will be implemented for the remainder of the 2024 – 2025 school year.

Beginning the week of December 9th, we will be implementing weapon detection units at various WCPS sporting events, after-school activities, and randomly at various schools to detect weapons and other prohibited items. These items include but are not limited to firearms, knives, and other objects that could pose a threat to others. Any person who refuses to be screened via the detection process will not be permitted to enter the WCPS venue or property.

This technology involves a walk-through detection system designed to identify and prevent unauthorized or potentially harmful items from being brought onto our campuses. This new security process, includes checking bags, and will take place alongside other existing security measures including School Resource Officers and School Patrol. The new weapon detection systems will provide an extra layer of protection for everyone in our school community.

As we roll out this new process, we understand this may cause some delays entering extracurricular events and during school and ask for your patience as we navigate the changes. We are confident that with your support and cooperation, our students and staff will quickly adapt to the new procedures, allowing us to maintain an efficient and secure entry process.

Additional information is provided in the letter attached to the email version of this message. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create the safest possible learning environment for students, staff, families and other visitors.

New Weapons Detection Units Letter

Please make sure to review the talking points communication you received about MCAP testing from our school testing coordinator. This information should also be in your child’s Algebra I, Biology, Government and/or English 10 BVP Google Classroom. Remember MCAP testing is a state and federal requirement for graduation, so it is very important for your child to get this completed.

If you have moved please fill out the change of address forms. We are getting a lot of returned mail.

Use this link to access documents including the In County Change of address form.

https://jmb.wicomicoschools.org/o/jamesbennett/documents/forms/693053

Candy Grams @ Lunch

Faculty Meeting (CLGA) 3-4pm

Unified S&C (Home) Scrimmage, 4pm

JV Boys Basketball vs. @Middletown (Away) 4pm, Dismissal 1pm

V Boys Basketball vs. @Middletown (Away) 5:30pm, Dismissal 1pm

JV Girls Basketball vs. @Snow Hill (Away) 4:30pm

V Girls Basketball vs. @Snow Hill (Away) 6pm

Candy Grams @ Lunch

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

GSA for Hope (A122) 3-4pm

JV Boys Basketball vs. Snow Hill (Home) 4:30pm

V Boys Basketball vs. Snow Hill (Home) 6pm

Choir Concert (AUD) 7pm

Candy Grams @ Lunch

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

Indoor Track Meet (Away) [Worcester County Rec Center] 2pm, Dismissal 12:15pm

Wrestling vs. @Kent Island (Away) [Saint Michaels HS] 4pm, Dismissal 1:15pm

Field Trip – J. Figgs, Bowling Alley: 9am – 1:30pm

Field Trip – S. Burton (Orchestra), Commonwealth Senior Center: 9am – 1pm

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

D&D Club (F106) 3-4:45pm

Ace Mentoring (A141) 3-5pm

V Girls Basketball vs. Washington (Home) 5pm

JV/V Football Banquet (CLGA) 6:30pm

Holiday Band Concert (AUD) 3rd Period

JV Boys Basketball vs. @Washington (Away) 4:30pm

V Boys Basketball vs. @Washington (Away) 6pm

Field Trip – A. Langan: Arlington National Cemetery

V Boys Wrestling @Delmar HS (Invitational) 8am

JV Boys Basketball vs. @Laurel (Away) 12pm

V Boys Basketball vs. Laurel (Away) 1:30pm

12/26 – V Girls Basketball vs. Indian River 3:15pm [@UMES]

12/26 – V Boys Basketball vs. Laurel 8:30pm [@Wicomico Civic Center]

12/28 – V Boys Basketball vs. Sussex Central 8:30pm [@Wicomico Civic Center]

12/30 – V Girls Basketball vs. Woodbridge 8:30pm [@UMES]

1/3/25 – 1/4/25 @Stephen Decatur HS

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

GSA for Hope (A122) 3-4pm

JMB Book Club (E223) 3-4pm

ILT Leader Meeting 3-5pm

JV Boys Basketball vs. Crisfield (Home) 4:30pm

V Boys Basketball vs. Crisfield (Home) 6pm

JV Girls Basketball vs. @Crisfield (Away) 4:30pm

V Girls Basketball vs. @Crisfield (Away) 6pm

LEO general Meeting (Media Center) 6:50-7:35am

Food Pantry (E-Wing Doors) 12-1pm

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

Unified S&C (Home) Scrimmage 4pm

Indoor Track Meet (Away) [Worcester County Rec Center] 2pm, Dismissal 12:15pm

Wrestling vs. @Mardela (Away) 5pm

**MCAP Testing: See below for modified schedule**

*Step Up* 2:45-4:45pm. see below for details

D&D Club (F106) 3-4:45pm

Ace Mentoring (A141) 3-5pm

V Girls Basketball vs. Pocomoke (Home) 5pm

JV Boys Basketball vs. @Pocomoke (Away) 4:30pm

V Boys Basketball vs. @Pocomoke (Away) 6pm

**MCAP Testing: See below for modified schedule**

Wrestling Tournament “News Year Brawl” [Easton HS] 4pm

Wrestling Tournament “News Year Brawl” [Easton HS] 9am

1/8/25: Food Pantry (E-Wing Doors) 12-1pm

1/9/25 – 1/14/25: MCAP Testing

1/16/25 - 1/17/25: Field Trip: Y Thompson (SU)

1/16/25 - 1/17/25: Field Trip: Y Thompson (SU)

1/18/25 – Field Trip: J. Eakin (UMBC) Science Olympiad

1/20/25 – School Closed for MLK Jr. Day

1/21/25 – Field Trip: R. Hopkins (PHS Planetarium)

1/22/25 – Financial Aid Assistance for College Meeting (Media Center) 5-7pm

Parking Pass From - located in google classroom. Read the Form and make sure you have all copies and $15 when you turn them into Ms. Chandler in the Office. You must

have one to park in the Student Parking Lot! Students who continue to park without a parking pass will receive a warning and then a sticker (that is hard to remove) will be place on the windshield of the car. Some students started getting tickets this week. Get your parking pass ASAP!

Reminder to seniors that cap and gown prices will increase after December 15th.

Use this link to order the Cap and Gown (includes tassel) online

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1066577/JAMES-M-BENNETT-HIGH-SCHOOL/Cap-and-Gown/2470463208/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/Cap-and-Gown-Unit/2470463230

Email: jmb@mywcps.org
Website: jmb.wicomicoschools.org

Location: 300 East College Avenue, Salisbury, MD, USA
Phone: 410-677-5141
Facebook: