Good afternoon Students and Families,

As we progress through winter and Term 3, we want to inform you about the upcoming Maryland State Testing windows. First on the schedule is the Maryland Integrated Science Assessments (MISA), which will be administered to eighth grade students only. This testing will take place on the mornings of Tuesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 5th.

To ensure the best performance, it is important that students get a good night's sleep, arrive at school well-rested and on time, and avoid scheduling appointments during these dates.

Below are the additional state testing dates which will occur later this spring:

• English Language Arts (Grades 6, 7, 8): April 22, 23, 24, 25
• Social Studies/Government (Grade 8 only): May 6 and May 7
• Mathematics (Grades 6, 7, 8): May 14 and May 15

Students will need to bring charged Chromebooks and corded headphones for use during the assessments. If you have any questions or concerns about the testing process, please don't hesitate to contact Mr. Hinson at joseph.hinson@fcps.org.

Thank you for your attention to these important dates, and for supporting your child’s success throughout the testing season.

Mr. Kibler

Principal

Urbana Middle School

Feb. 14th: 6th and 7th graders Course Registration is due
Feb. 14th: Remote Virtual Program Applications are Due

Feb 17th: President's Day - FCPS Closed
Feb 19th: Rising 6th Grade Family Information Night
Feb 21st: Mid-Term - 2 Hour Early Dismissal

Feb 26th: UMS Science Fair
Mar 3rd: SGA Fundraiser @ Chipotle 4pm-8pm
Apr 22-25: ELA MISA Testing
May 6th-7th: Social Studies MISA (8th grade only)
May 14th-15th: Math MISA

During the month of Ramadan, UMS will have a no food area and a place to pray during each lunch shift in the library for students who wish to use it. If your family needs additional support during this time, please reach out to your child's grade level counselor.

6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Kreiner - samantha.kreiner@fcps.org

• Lunch 11:22 to 11:52 AM Monday; 11:10 to 11:40 AM Tuesday-Friday

7th Grade Counselor: Ms. Williams - dawn.williams@fcps.org

• Lunch 12:09 to 12:39 PM Monday; 12:00 to 12:30 PM Tuesday-Friday

8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Farrell - jillian.farrell@fcps.org

• Lunch 12:56 to 1:26 PM Monday; 12:50 to 1:20 PM Tuesday-Friday

On Monday, March 3rd at the Urbana Chipotle on Bennett Creek Ave from 4-8 PM Chipotle will be hosting a Urbana Middle School SGA Fundraiser! I hope you will attend and mention you are supporting UMS SGA at the checkout or use code JX6FE92 if you are using the app! This fundraiser will be a key opportunity for the UMS SGA to raise funds to attend school leadership trips, host 8th Grade formal, and help us redo our outdoor classroom which has fallen into disrepair.

Thank you for your support in helping to keep our SGA running and improving our Urbana Middle School!

The UMS Science Department is proud to announce the UMS Science Fair on Wednesday, February 26th!

We need volunteers to judge projects and interview students from 10:00-1:00 that day. If you are interested in becoming a science fair judge, please fill out the form at tinyurl.com/umsjudge. You’ll get an email from Ashley Oland that will provide more information.

Students will be getting application information in their science classes this week, but will be due February 13, 2025. Please direct any questions to Ashley Oland, ashley.oland@fcps.org.

Looking for a previous version of a Tales From the Nest Newsletter, check out our website under the News tab. You can visit the link directly here.