Gator News Plum Point Middle

CCPS is installing Halo Smart Sensors in student bathrooms at every middle school. HALO Smart Sensors enables staff to respond rapidly to vaping, environmental and safety events via real-time site-specific notifications. HALO Smart Sensors protects the privacy of individuals as it does not use cameras, record audio, or capture any personally identifiable information making it the perfect solution for privacy areas such as restrooms. Although there are sensors located in the bathroom, these sensors DO NOT have a camera feature. When an individual vapes, smokes, or participates in a loud disturbance, the sensors will activate our current hallway cameras. The hallway camera will then capture who was coming in and out of the bathroom for a specified amount of time.

Our goal is to work with our families and community to provide a safe and engaging setting for all students. Please see the attached document below regarding the features of the Halo Smart Sensor. https://halodetect.com/product-info/halo-3c/

Announcing the winners of the Yearbook Cover Art Contest...

3rd Place: 6th grader Cassie Gardiner

2nd Place: 7th grader Rileigh King

1st Place with a front and back cover design: 8th grader Emmy Ridgely

Make sure to reserve your copy of the book today!!!

Thank you to everyone who submitted, keep up with your amazing artwork!

Wednesday, December 4, 5:00-8:00pm
Wednesday, December 11, 5-8pm
Wednesday, December 18, 5-8pm (Visit with Santa too)
Tuesday, December 31, 5-8pm (golf cart tours available this evening)

Join us on these evenings to celebrate our local heroes:
--1st Responders (police, fire, EMS, hospital staff)
--Active Duty Military
--Veterans
--Public School employees

Reservations for local heroes are not required, just come! Please wear your ID badge to enjoy free admission.

All other guests must reserve their ticket(s) in advance HERE

Quarters In! Paddles Up! - See the attachment below for information about the public Quarter Auction to support Destination Imagination teams of CCPS. Join us for a fun, fast-paced afternoon of prizes while supporting a great cause. Not sure how to play? No problem! Join us and we’ll show you how! Paddles are $3 each, 2 for $5, or 3 for $7. Concession available. Doors open at noon.

Auction starts at 1pm.

“NOW HIRING! Enjoy working with children and food? Looking to work a few hours while the kids are in school? The Child Nutrition Program at CCPS has just this type of opportunity available! We are currently hiring for cafeteria substitute positions (per diem) throughout the county. No weekends, holidays or evenings required! Positions are posted on the CCPS Employment Page. Why wait? Apply now! For questions, please call 443.550.8680.”

The Carson Scholarship is back. Carson Scholarships are recognized by their schools. Research has shown that 94% of our students feel that being named a Carson Scholar has helped them become role models in school. Carson Scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship invested towards a four-year college or university.

This year's essay topic is (450 minimum, 500 word maximum)

1. Imagine you have the opportunity to create a new club or organization in your school or community. What would it focus on, and how would it benefit others?

2. Think of someone who inspries you to reach for the stars. How has that person influence you to achieve more?

If you are interested in participating, please submit you essay to your ELA teacher by December 9, 2024.

This year PPMS will be collecting donations of Gift cards to help our students in our community this holiday season. We are looking for gift cards from Walmart, Safeway, Giant, 5 Below, etc. We are making a special request to not donate Amazon gift cards. All donations are due 12-13 to either Ms. Jarman or Ms. Hughes.

Thank you for making this holiday special.

We cannot accept food deliveries from local restaurants or door dash. You are welcome to bring your student lunch and drop it off in the front office, but please refrain from having outside companies deliver food to your student. Any dropped off lunches must be in the main office BEFORE lunch begins. We are unable to call individual students from the lunchroom. Thank you for your help!

Check out the Plum Point Middle School Library Site. https://calvertnet.libguides.com/ppmslibrary

There is a tab for History Fair which includes the 2025 video introduction of this year's theme.

Here is a listing of the databases that are included on the library page.

Gale Student Resources

http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/hunt93449?db=MSIC

Password: hunt_log

Encyclopedia Brittanica

school.eb.com

Username: calvertcty

Password: access

SIRS

Username: MD1214h

Password: 20678

Sailor and Calvert County Public Library

https://cosmos.somd.lib.md.us/online-resources/

Every student has a virtual public library card called the CRAB card.

They can access all of the public library databases as well as use the CRAB card to check out books from the public library.

Virtual Library Card #- calv<student id #>

Password is student birthdate <mmddyyyy>

Library of Congress

Home Library of Congress (loc.gov)

NoodleTools

Log in using Office 365

Personal Id : School email address

Password: student's personal password

1. Symptoms develop fast - Cold symptoms like nasal congestion or sneezing start slowly and gradually get worse. Flu symptoms hit you all of a sudden and feel stronger.
2. Chills - Shivering because your body temperature changes. They aren't typically a sign of a cold. Chills could be an early sign of an infection or high fever. More common with the flu or pneumonia.
3. Increase in body temperature - a sign your body is trying to fight an infection/illness. Fevers are rarely caused by a cold, much more common with the flu, bronchitis and pneumonia. A body temperature over 100.4 is considered a fever - 100.0 for school children.
4. Body aches - slight aches possible with a cold, but stronger aches are usually a sign of the flu.
5. Wheezing - breathing sounds like a whistle. This is a sign of a more serious infection like pneumonia or bronchitis.
6. Cough with mucus - mild annoying cough common with a cold but if you cough up mucus (slimy stuff from deep in your chest) can be a sign of pneumonia or bronchitis.
7. Fatigue - no energy, no appetite, a typical symptom of the flu. Less often caused by a cold.
8. Sore throat - mild with a cold and sometimes with the flu. Very painful and comes on quickly may be a sign of strep throat.
9. Headache - many causes but a cold usually isn't one of them. Common flu symptom and possible sinus infection.
10. Chest tightness or Pain - sign of a more serious respiratory infection like bronchitis. Sharp pain that worsens when you cough could be a sign of pneumonia.
11. Shortness of breath - a cold can cause a stuffy nose which makes breathing harder, but real shortness of breath is a sign of something more serious.
12. Ear, face or eye pressure - could be a sign of sinus infection or ear infection.
13. Symptoms that don't go away - flu symptoms may be bad, but they usually get better within a few days. Colds can last up to 10 days. Pneumonia symptoms can last for a month or longer. Bronchitis symptoms can last several months.

​*Always call your primary care physician for new or worsening symptoms so you can get an accurate diagnosis and get the right treatment.

*Please keep student's home if they are sick to help keep our PPMS community safe, happy and healthy! Happy December 🙂

coldvsflu-600px-update.jpg (600×600) (cdc.gov)

PPMS Student Government Association News

SGA meets on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am, in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316. We do not meet on the first Thursday of every month. Please contact Mrs. Kelly with any questions.

kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

PPMS Winter After School- Dance/Social- December 13th

The PPMS SGA and PTO will be hosting an after-school dance/social on December 13th. Please see the attached flyer for more details. A Sign-Up Genius link is posted below for chaperone volunteers and donation sign-ups for this event.

Tickets will cost $5.00 and are available online and during lunches all week. 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 December 12th. Concessions will be available to purchase. Students must be in good behavioral standing to attend this event.

There will be a staggered pick up for this event beginning at 4:45, to help with traffic flow and to help our chorus students arrive at their concert with plenty of time. Pick up times are listed on the flyer. We hope to see you at this Winter After School Dance/Social!

You can use the links below to sign up to chaperone, bring in donations, and purchase tickets.

· Ticket Sales- https://osp.osmsinc.com/CALVERTMD/

· Chaperone and Donation Link- http://bit.ly/3ZgRvph

PPMS Winter Spirit Week

PPMS will be hosting a Winter Spirit Week beginning Monday, December 16th through Friday, December 20th. Spirit Day themes are listed on the included flyer. Please consider dressing up for the daily theme to show your school spirit!

https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/athletics/middle-school-athletics

December

9 - Orchestra Concert 6pm, Band Concert 7pm at Huntingtown High School

11 - Two Hour Late Arrival (No AM PreK): Professional Learning

13 - PPMS Winter Social - See flyer ABOVE **chorus students will be dismissed first!

13 - Choral Concert 6:30pm, Northern High School Mary Harrison Center. Students report at 5:45pm.

16 - 20 Spirit Week

23 - Schools Closed for Students and 10- and 11-month Employees

23-31 - Schools and Office Closed

January

2 - Two Hour Late Arrival

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.