Windy Hill Middle School Newsletter

Knight Nation,

Happy New Year to everyone. We hope everyone enjoyed the winter break. The 2nd quarter is almost over, January 19th, 2024. If you child doesn't have the grade they want, encourage them to self-advocate and talk with their teachers.

CHANGE IN ADVISORY SCHEDULE

In an effort to provide more time for teachers to work with students, we are changing the Advisory schedule as follows:

• Monday - Normal Advisory
• Tuesday - Period 1 or Period 4
• Wednesday - Period 2 or Period 5
• Thursday - Period 3 or Period 6
• Friday - Normal Advisory

Teachers will have the option to extend their lesson, engage in community building activities, or execute a normal advisory. A schedule is attached below.

WHMS YEARBOOK
Our yearbook is available for purchase. The cost is $35 at this time and will go up March 1st. All orders are placed online and the flyer is attached. The link to order is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/windyhillmiddle

Yoga club begins January 22nd. Please see the attached permission slip and they are available in the main office as well.

Attached is a flyer with information about a STEM event held February 10th at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.

The WHMS Girls Club will be starting Wednesday, January 10 and run for 8 weeks! Girls will learn about and discuss role models, relationships and boundaries, yoga and self care, self defense and safety, plus this year we will have a panel of young adults who will share their careers and paths they took to get there. Note: If your daughter is involved in Drama Crew, this club meets on Wednesdays and Drama Crew does not. Attached is the permission form with more information on the sessions and meeting dates. Girls can also pick up a permission form in the library or front office. Please email Anne Jones at jonesan@calvertnet.k12.md.us if you have any questions!

Please see the attached flyer about a contest to create artwork for some new wall murals at WHMS.

Our basketball season starts in January and students are allowed to be dropped off at 4:30 with pick up at 5:45 to attend the games. We need some parents to help sell concessions during these games. If you can sign up to help one game, please click here to sign up. Thank you
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-basketball1#/

Mark Whidden,

Principal, Windy Hill Middle School

We encourage parents to speak with the teacher to further understand what is being taught and to determine if there are specific elements in which you would want your child to participate. Students who are excused from family life learning objectives will receive appropriate alternative learning in health education outside of the health classroom. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please contact your child’s teacher. You can find the letter here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694008493/calvertnetk12mdus/gqowzbcfkpluqtcf8abp/MS-Opt-Out-Letter.pdf

The lost and found collection is already growing on our stage. We will be discarding or donating any items left there the end of next week. The items will be discarded every other Friday for sanitary reasons. Students are encouraged to look for anything they're missing during lunch. If you wish to come in and look yourself, please come check in at the main office and you may take a look on our stage!

Girls and Boys Basketball Monday-Thursday until 5

Cheer Tuesday only this week until 4:30

Poms Mon/Wed until 5 and Friday until 4:30

Our first basketball game is January 23rd at 4:30. Students can be dropped off, the cost is $1/school age students and $2/adult. Please plan to pick up promptly at 5:45.

Spring sports begin in late February. If your child is interested in clinics for baseball, softball or track, paperwork is due February 15th. Please have them stop by the main office to pick up a packet or one can be found on the website. Middle School Athletics - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us). If you have questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Mrs. Merewitz at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

When your child arrives late or leaves early due to a doctor's appointment, a doctor's note is required for the absence to be coded a lawful absence/doctors appointment. Your child will bring this note to the guidance office upon their return to school. If you do not have a doctors note, a note from the parent/guardian will then allow for the absence to be coded as a lawful absence.

Students returning from a full day(s) absence must submit a note to the guidance office within three days of returning to school to update the absences. The email to submit absence notes is madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us. If a note is sent via email please be sure you include the students name, date of absence, the reason for the absence, the parent/guardian name and phone number.

A few important dates coming up:

• Monday, January 15th - School Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Friday, January 19th - End of Second Marking Period
• Monday, January 22nd - Two Hour Late Arrival for Students
• Tuesday, January 23rd - First home basketball game 4:30
• Friday, January 26th - Report Cards Available in HAC
• Thursday, February 1st - Home basketball game 4:30

Cell phones at WHMS are used for instructional purposes only. I encourage you to talk with your child about responsible use of electronics and social media. Don’t assume a child will know how to use these devices responsibly. Students have the world at their fingertips and in that world exists danger and inappropriate content. Parent monitoring to promote responsible use of electronics is the best way to keep a child safe while allowing them to enjoy the many appropriate features associated with the digital age.

https://twitter.com/WHMSCCPS

PTSO will not meet in December, but please mark your calendar for our next meeting on January 18th and the Valentine's Dance/Hangout sponsored by PTSO is February 9th! Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season from the WHMS PTSO.

You can email the PTSO officers at any time at mailto:windyhillptso@gmail.com.

Join the WHMS PTSO Facebook Page to keep up with information - Windy Hill Middle School Parents Teachers Students is the group name.

Thank you to the many parents who helped make our fall dance a HUGE success. We had a great turnout, kids had a wonderful time, and the chaperones helped make it a fun, safe event for everyone. Our website address is: https://whms.calvertnet.k12.md.us/about-us/our-parents/ptso.

Support WHMS PTSO when you shop at Harris Teeter. Takes only a minute to link your card to WHMS. https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Or tell your cashier to link your VIC card to WHMS with our school code 6324. Funds are earned from 8/1/23 through 12/31/23. You have to relink your card each school year.

We encourage you to join PTSO. Joining PTSO does not obligate you to volunteering, but we certainly welcome your support with any events you are interested in helping with.

https://checkout.square.site/buy/PWK2E77ZYGDGEBG5FMT5KHKK.

Your PTSO officers this year are Mary Rooney, Michelle Dyro, Andrea Hoover, Cheri Kline and Karen Merewitz.

Please take the time to review the CCPS dress code and ensure your child’s attire is compliant. The code of conduct and students’ rights document, which is a valuable resource for students and parents includes the dress code set forth by the board of education. This document can be accessed electronically by going to the following link: Code of Conduct Students Rights & Responsibilities Document https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/student-services/code-of-conduct

Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. Volunteers must apply annually to be an approved volunteer. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing and Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings.

CCPS Online Volunteer Application & Process: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/human-resources/become-a-volunteer

Schoology accounts for parents are view only accounts. They were created for parents who have an email address in Home Access Center (HAC). For more information about how to access your Schoology parent account click: https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/instruction/programs/digital-learning/schoology-for-parents

If students have questions about their device (laptop/computer), they can get help from a member of the CCPS IT team at helpdesk@calvertnet.k12.md.us or call 443-550-8146. Students needing assistance can also drop off their laptop in the main office and fill out a paper Help Desk ticket.

Supports are also available on the CCPS website using the Technology Support button (pictured below) on the main page. This resource provides links to submit help desk tickets, frequently asked questions, and other resources students can use to solve issues.