PAW Print #10

Friday, October 25: Picture Make Up Day (see info below)

Friday, October 25: MTSS Track or Treat Event 5-7PM

October 28-November 1: Book Fair (during school day)

October 30: Book Fair Parent Night (5:30-7:30PM)

These are the items that are currently in our lost and found. Please claim if you recognize something that belongs to your child. All items that are not claimed will be donated. As a reminder, please put your child's name on their belongings.

Parents choosing to transport their child to school should enter the property at the north entrance closest to the sport fields and circle around by the tennis courts and form a line in front of the cafeteria doors indicated on the map with a smiley face. At 7:15 staff will dismiss students from cars that are along the entire sidewalk in front of the cafeteria. All students should exit their cars on the school side for safety purposes. Once students are safely out of the cars, parents will then proceed around the parking to exit.

Students arriving as parent drop off will not be permitted inside the building until 7:15 Staff is not on duty until that time. Students being dropped off will be directed to the cafeteria and dismissed to their lockers at 7:30. Students arriving after 7:35 will need to report to the main office to check in. Students not in their homeroom by 7:38 will be marked tardy.

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.

UPDATED DEADLINE - THURSDAY 10/24 - If you have difficulties uploading your video to the audition form, please email Ms. Meador the video (remeador@smcps.org). Thank you!

The school counselor's will be delivering the SOS lessons this month. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's counselor. The link below will take you to the parent/guardian resources. Once there, click on Preparation Resources

https://sossignsofsuicide.org/program/sos-middle-school-program/prepare/

Make-up Picture Day will be on Friday, October 25th, 2024. The only students who will be permitted to participate on this day are:

• Students who were absent on September 17th (the original picture day).
• At this point in time, if your student was absent, their name is on the schedule for October 25th to be photographed, so you do not need to reach out to anyone at the school. Hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.
• Students who ordered pictures and would like to retake them.
• The Google Form to request picture retakes is closed as of Friday, October 4th. (Reminders were sent out in previous SMORES and by ELA teachers.)
• Parents/guardians that requested a retake received an email with directions about next steps. Please remember that hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.

Please note:

• You can still order photos of your student by visiting legacystudios.com and entering your online code. If you need help finding your code, please click here.
• If this step doesn't work, you can also visit legacystudios.com and click the virtual assistant in the bottom right-hand corner (speech bubble in a blue box). You will then type the following message (you will need to adjust the message with the required information): "My son/daughter had their pictures taken at Margaret Brent Middle School. Their student ID is __________ and their last name is __________. I am requesting their online code to view their gallery." The virtual assistant will then generate an online code that is specific to your student's gallery pictures.

Our original point of contact, Mrs. James, is out on maternity leave. If you have questions, please reach out to either Ms. Shelko (jlshelko@smcps.org) or Ms. Holcomb (sdholcomb@smcps.org).

Here's How It Works

• On Friday, the next week's word will be previewed without a definition. Students are invited to submit sentences that use the word properly. Use the Google Form to do this.
• Monday-Thursday, the week's word will be read on the morning announcement. The part of speech and definition will be given. Each day of the week a different student sentence will be read as an example of the word in context.
• Administrators will give PAWS tickets to students whose sentences are used on the morning announcements.
• Staff members will give PAWS tickets to students who use the word correctly throughout the course of the week.

This week's word is convey.

It’s Scholastic Book Fair Time!

Book Fair Homepage

Volunteers are needed!!!

General Information:

Dates: October 24 through November 1.

Times: 8:00 - 2:30 Monday - Friday

Place: MBMS Media Center

Parent Night:

Wednesday, October 30, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Come to the Fair and Choose Books You Love!

Shop with Book Fair eWallet for cash-free purchases.

Get a Sneak Peek! s-bf.com/ms1

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will host FREE drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for children ages six months to 18 years. No appointments are necessary.

Clinics have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:

SMCHD Main Office in Leonardtown

• Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

“Annual flu vaccinations are the most effective tool we have for preventing infection and serious illness from seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We hope parents will take advantage of these convenient drive-thru clinics to get their children vaccinated and help us prevent influenza complications in our community. Local pharmacies and medical practices are also offering flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.”

For more information about seasonal flu, please visit smchd.org/flu.

For questions about vaccinations, please call SMCHD at 301-475-4330.

Buy Your Yearbook Here

Have a question? Email: tldollen@smcps.org or ammckinley@smcps.org

PTSO members are parents, teachers and students who are dedicated to promoting the education and welfare of our children. We highly encourage everyone to join our PTSO to show their support. As a member you are welcome to attend all meetings & functions; however, your membership does not require you to participate in these functions. The membership fee is $10. If interested in joining, you may email us at mbmspanthersptso@gmail.com!

Make sure you follow us on Facebook (Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO) to stay up to date on fundraisers and other events.

Events to look forward to this school year:

PTSO General Meetings (all meetings are at 2:45pm in the Media Center)

- Wednesday, November 20

- Wednesday, February 19

- Wednesday, May 14

Dances

- 6th Grade (November 15)

- 7th Grade (January 10)

- 8th Grade (May 16 - date subject to change)

Dodgeball Tournament

- Thursday, March 13 at Chopticon High School

Spirit Nights

- Thursday, 10/24 - Texas Roadhouse - 4-8pm

- Saturday, 2/8/2025- Calvert Kettle Corn - All Day

Ongoing Fundraisers:

- Croc Charms & Magnets

- First come, First serve – limited quantity available. Orders will be delivered to students during homeroom as orders are placed. Order Forms attached.