Hello Knight Families!
What an incredible week of teaching and learning we’ve had! I’m thrilled to see our students embracing their routines and tackling classroom challenges with enthusiasm and determination.
Be sure to keep checking your child’s agenda/planner each night—it makes a big difference in staying organized and on top of their assignments.
DRILLS
Next week, we will be conducting mandatory drills as required by Maryland law. While some drills will proceed with minimal disruption, others may temporarily interrupt the learning environment. On Thursday, students will participate in both a severe weather drill and a lockdown drill at the end of the day.
During the severe weather drill, students will evacuate the top floor and move to the main level, away from windows and doors. For the lockdown drill, students will remain silent while teachers secure the hallways, lock classroom doors, lower shades, and turn off lights.
Please note that all drills, including fire drills, are meticulously planned and communicated to staff in advance. There are no surprise drills. Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff.
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Our fundraiser is off to a fantastic start! As an extra incentive, any student who raises $200 in donations will receive a free yearbook. Plus, if we reach our school goal, I will kiss a pig (assuming my farmer friend keeps his promise)! I’ll be sending out a few reminders throughout the week to keep the momentum going.
This year, I aim to direct our funds towards enriching our clubs and extracurricular activities. I am committed to being transparent about how the funds are allocated. Your participation in this year’s fundraiser is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your continued support!
HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
All 8th grade students and any student new to WHMS this year will be screened for hearing and vision the first week in October. There is more information about this attached to this newsletter. Questions should be directed to our nurse, Ms. Tillini.
WHMS SPIRITWEAR
Our PTSO spiritwear store is NOW OPEN. It will be open through Monday. Check out this link for some fun, new WHMS spiritwear! https://wearyourspiritwarehouse.com/WHMS22/shop/home
ATTENDANCE
Attendance updates are handled by Mrs. Madison, WHMS Guidance Secretary. Notes should be delivered to the Guidance Office or sent to madisonw@calvertnet.k12.md.us
When your student arrives late or leaves early due to a Health-Related Appointment (Doctor/Dentist/Therapist/etc.): A note is required to code as Legal. Please send a note in with your child when they return to school or email a note to Mrs. Madison.
Please refer to Student Code of Conduct Policy #3005 for Lawful Causes of Absences as defined by COMAR 13A.08.01.03. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide school authorities with verification of the reason for each student absence. Any absence not certified by the parent, guardian, physician, court or other appropriate person/agency will be considered unlawful. Students returning from absences without notes with appropriate signatures certifying lawful absences will be given three school days to provide such certification. Absences not certified at the end of three days will be considered unlawful.
Tardies - in the next few weeks we will begin enforcing our tardy policy. For students illegally tardy:
3 tardies = 1 day lunch detention
4 tardies = 3 days lunch detention
5 tardies = after school detention
6 tardies = Saturday School
PTSO DANCE OCTOBER 11TH
Friday, October 11th is our first dance. Admission is $5 unless your student is a PTSO member and they are then admitted free. We will have the membership list at the door to check this. Volunteers will be needed for the dance. The sign up for volunteers can be found here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-51563216-fall#/
PICTURE DAY
Picture day is Thursday, October 3rd. Students will all be photographed for our yearbook. Paper form will come home next week for picture day. The link to order is vando.imagequix.com/J9FRB96 and the Online Code is 24windyhillms25
CLUBS
NJHS meets after school Monday. Students should be picked up at 4:15pm. Our chess club is starting in October and permission slips are in the main office for students to sign up for chess as well as attached below. Cooking club will be held in January-February this year. Please be on the lookout in December for instructions on how to have your name in the cooking club lottery. Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, began on September 17th. This is a morning club, so no permission slip is needed. Students are dropped off at 7am. We also have a boys basketball clinic for three sessions in Oct/Nov for any boy interested in some court time. See attached flyer for details. All that's needed to stay for this is the permission slip returned. MESA will begin in October. Watch soon for more information about MESA.
LAPTOPS
Students need to bring their laptop to school daily. If they forget, they can use the phone in the main office to contact their parent to bring their laptop. Our loaners will be held for students whose laptops are out for repair and we do not have enough to loan them out for forgotten laptops.
LOST AND FOUND
Our lost and found is kept on the stage on the cafeteria and donated or discarded every other Friday. Your child is always welcome to check the cafeteria before school or during lunch for missing items.
CAFETERIA
Please make sure you child has money on their lunch account if they are buying lunch. More information about the Child Nutrition Department and link to set up an account can be found here. School Meal Information - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)Our cafeteria manager has also given us our WHMS menu for the first week of school which is attached below for your reference.
VOLUNTEERS
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. You will need to apply for the 2024-2025 school year. 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
Thank you
Mark Whidden
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
