Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter

We had a great first week of school. All of our students did a nice job the first week of school. We are very proud of our Huskies! We ended the week with a grade-level pep rally, where we reviewed school expectations and participated in student and staff activities! Our Huskies have a lot of school spirit.

As a reminder, there is no school for students tomorrow, Monday, September 2 in honor of Labor Day. I look forward to seeing all of our students back to school on Tuesday, September 3.

In this week's newsletter, the section with an* has been updated with new information OR it is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. Enjoy your long weekend.

Let's make it an awesome week, Huskies!

A few reminders:

• School hours- First period begins at 8:15 a.m. School ends at 3:00 p.m. Students can enter the building beginning at 7:50 am and will report to their grade-level designated areas. The 6th grade students report to the cafeteria, 7th grade students report to the tennis courts, and 8th grade students report to the basketball courts.

• Students who ride the bus: Typically bus arrival to school is between 7:40-7:55 AM. Once students arrive, they go to their grade level reporting areas above.

• Parent Drop Off: Parents please drop off at the main entrance of the building and not the bus loop in the back of the school. School staff will monitor student drop off and dismissal areas. Parents, thank you for your cooperation with following directions of school staff to keep the flow of traffic moving.

• Parent Pick up: Parents may begin to pick up their child at 3:00 pm. Please follow the driveway up to the front/main entrance and follow the directions of the staff.

Advisory is a 30-minute support period three times per week called Husky P.A.W.S (Providing Academic and Wellness Supports). The purpose of the support period is to create a learning space that responds to the needs of our students' academic, social, and emotional needs. During this time, students will have opportunities for academic support, social/emotional and well-being activities.

Students will also participate in advisory lessons dedicated to academic support, restorative approaches (including lessons on conflict resolution & developing empathy), wellness, ATL skills, and D.E.A.R . All of these lessons support our School Improvement Plan goals (Literacy, Math, Well-Being, and Culture and Climate). The lessons cultivate a sense of belonging and unity, fostering a school environment where every student feels valued and heard.

All students received a Silver Creek Agenda Book last week. Please encourage your child to use their agenda book as a way to help them organize their assignments/projects in each of their classes.

The Library Media Program welcomes our families to a great new school year! Check out our September MEDIA MONTHLY: NEWS & NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER. Highlights include personalized book recommendations, new online resources, instructional updates, and more!

We are currently accepting donations to our makerspace program. Support our designers, tinkerers, and crafters by contributing HERE, and a many thanks in advance!

After school Activities will begin September 10. We have a range of after school activities. The After School Activities Brochure which includes a description of each activity, the staff member who is sponsoring, the location, and the day of the week the activity will be sent out to families and students this week.

Please note that some clubs will begin later in the school year. We do ask that students register for their activity so that sponsors are aware of the number of students attending. Buses will depart Silver Creek at approximately 4:20 p.m. to take students home. Each bus will take students to their regular bus stop or to a stop nearby. You may also choose to pick your child up from their activity. Please pick your child up at the front of the school at 4:20 p.m.

We look forward to seeing your child at one of our great clubs!

Our Silver Creek Spirit Wear Store is now open! This is a great place to get some new Silver Creek gear (t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, etc.) and show your Husky pride!

The store will be open from Tuesday, August 27th to Monday, September 16th. The orders should arrive the week of October 2nd and an email will be sent with instructions on how to pick up your new gear that week. To purchase any Silver Creek Husky gear, go to the following link and browse the products: https://shop.whatsuppromotions.com/silver_creek_middle/shop/home

We invite all families to Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024 beginning at 6:30 PM. Administration will have a welcome session from 6:30 pm- 6:55 pm in the cafeteria. Families will then follow their child's schedule from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Please see flyer for additional details. We look forward to seeing our families on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Additional communication will be forthcoming.

The Family Life & Human Sexuality Parent/Caregiver meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024 prior to Back to School Night at 5:30 PM located in the media center. The session is an opportunity for parents/guardians of 7th & 8th graders to learn more about the Family Life & Human Sexuality Unit within the Health Education Curriculum. The objective of the meeting is to gain knowledge of the content in order to make an informed decision about your child's participation in the unit.

If you are not able to attend in person, you may also access the zoom link below (this is a hybrid meeting). The meeting will also be recorded and posted in the parent handbook by Monday, September 23. Also, if you would like to review the materials, please call the school at 240-740-2200 to arrange a time to do so.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89873009161?pwd=qK0ar9CGVg46slDFag5itK1wgeHHpM.1

Meeting ID: 898 7300 9161 Passcode: Husky Mobile: 13017158592

You may access the parent/caregiver letters below:

• FLHS 6th English
• FLHS 6th Spanish
• FLHS 7th English
• FLHS 7th Spanish
• FLHS 8th English
• FLHS 8th Spanish

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Lansing, PE/Health Content Specialist, at Michael_T_Lansing@mcpsmd.org

This school year, SCMS will be moving to a cell phone-free school. This means that phones are prohibited the entire school day (8:05 - 3:00 PM) The policy will take effect the first day of school, Monday, August 26. Please make sure you and your child review our new cell phone policy to ensure a smooth transition to the school year.

All students will have access to chromebooks in each of their classrooms again this year.

• If you would like to request a chromebook to keep and use at home, please click here to request one. You will be contacted once the chromebook is ready to be picked up.
  
• Students are expected to use their chromebook appropriately as outlined in our Chromebook Policy document.

As a reminder, all entering 7th grade students must provide documentation that they have received one dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) and one dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccination.

• If your child has already received the required immunizations but you have not submitted documentation, parents/guardians may contact their healthcare provider for a copy of their children’s vaccination records to verify which vaccinations have been received to date.
• Parents/guardians can also access their child’s vaccination record online at no cost on the Maryland Department of Health’s web portal (https://myirmobile.com/). Users can view and print official copies of vaccination records without a request to their health care provider.
• If you have not already had your child’s vaccinations updated and submitted documentation to Silver Creek, please make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician.

If you have any questions regarding how to submit updated immunization records, please contact

our health room staff at Desiree_G_Speicher@mcpsmd.org (school nurse) or Tigest_Teshome@mcpsmd.org (health tech).

Please check out our September newsletter.

• You may find the counseling website located here. Throughout the year, we will provide resources, tools and workshops to support our families with navigating through the middle school years.
• 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: Sign up for Husky Help 24-25 (google.com)
  
• The HUSKY PANTRY will begin on September 13. Please make sure to fill out the FORM above to ensure your child has access to these resources.

If you have questions related to registration/enrollment or transcripts, please contact Ms. Susan Levine, resource counselor at Susan_A_Levine@mcpsmd.org

School Picture Day is Friday, September 20, 2024 . Pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: Silver Creek Middle School 2024-25 Picture Day (imagequix.com)

For questions about ordering please email underclass@vosphoto.com

Interested in Husky Drama? There will be a Husky Drama interest meeting for actors and stage crew on Tuesday, September 10th.

This year, our Fall play is titled: "Through the Looking Glass" Adapted by Lindsay Price from Lewis Carroll. Auditions are scheduled for September 11 and September 12 in the cafeteria from 3:00-4:20 pm. Click on the form on the website to sign up for the interest meeting, auditions, and stage crew.

Any questions about Husky Drama, please email Ms. Alison Gee, Drama Director, at Alison_C_Gee@mcpsmd.org

Middle School Athletics for the 2024-2025 school year is open to all 7th & 8th grade students. All athletes MUST be registered on ParentVue. Physicals (form SR-8) must be filled out by a medical professional prior to any type of participation. Physicals are valid for up to two years. Copies of the SR-8 form can be found HERE.

• Practices/Games occur every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday after school from 3:10-4:30 or later on game days.

• Registration for the upcoming middle school athletics Fall season (boys’ and girls’ softball and cross country) will be submitted through the ParentVue Portal, which opened on August 12, 2024.

• Tryouts will be held on September 10th, 11th, and 12th. Complete the Middle School Spring Athletics Online Registration located on ParentVue. Click here for helpful tips on accessing the registration form.

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Sean Brennan, Athletic Coordinator, at sean_p_brennan@mcpsmd.org

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.

• Apply here
• Learn more about the program

September 2- Labor Day Holiday- Schools and Offices Closed

September 10- After School Activity Buses start

September 19- Back to School Night- 6:30 PM; FLHS Meeting- 5:30 PM

September 27- Early Release day for students; Q1 Interims

October 3- No school for students

Link to MCPS Calendar

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

Please find our school directory located on our School's Website with important contact information: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/silvercreekms/staff/directory/

Principal: Dr. Tiffany N. Awkard

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Kimberly P. Heidler

Assistant Principal: Ms. Justine Pfeiffer

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
X: @SCMSDrAwkard