Paw Print #27

March 4: Rising Freshmen Orientation Night at CHS

March 7: Two hour early dismissal (see message below)

The Board of Education approved an amendement to the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar to provide a make-up day for the use of inclement weather days. Schools will be in session on March 7, 2025, with a 2-hour early dismissal. To view the full school year calendar, visit www.smcps.org/calendar.

SMCPS 2024-2025 Amended Calendar.

Training and emergency exercises are fundamental components of a comprehensive school safety preparedness program. MBMS is planning a lockdown drill on March 13 at approximately 9:15 AM. This type of drill allows us to practice the securing of our facilities in the event of an emergency. At the beginning of the drill, an announcement will be made so students are aware that a drill is being conducted and the steps they are to follow during the drill. The drill will last only a few minutes. Upon the completion of the drill, staff will debrief with students and answer any questions. Additionally, a survey will be sent to staff, students, and parents following the drill. Information collected from surveys after the lockdown drill occurs will be used to better understand the effectiveness and impact of lockdown drills on students, parents, and school staff.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

The Rising Freshmen Orientation Sessions are coming up! If you have an 8th grader who will be attending high school in St. Mary's County Public Schools next year, please plan to attend one of these informative evenings. Information will be provided regarding graduation requirements, Academy Programs, Academic Pathways, and Electives. Students, staff, and administration will be present to welcome rising 9th graders. The same information will be provided at each of the sessions. Please note the changes in the date for the event for LHS.

• March 4, 2025 at Chopticon High School
• March 6, 2025 at Great Mills High School
• March 10, 2025 at Leonardtown High School

The evenings will begin at 6:00 pm and conclude by 7:30pm. For more information, visit www.smcps.org/rfon

Rising Freshmen Scheduling

Dates the school counselor will meet with 8th grade students:

March 3 - April 4Boyd & McKinley's classes

April 7 - May 2Starkey & Williams' classes

May 5 - May 9: Counselor continues to meet with students for changes, as needed.

8th grade Info:

* AirForce Jr. Reserve Officer Training Corps. visit
Due to the snow day, this visit has been rescheduled for March 19 & 20.

Summer Resource:

Create a passion project. Work with top mentors.

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Their mentors are scholars from top research universities.

The program is rigorous and fully virtual. They offer need based financial aid for students who qualify.

You can find the application in the brochure. To learn more, reach out to their Head of Partnerships, Maya Novak-Herzog, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to their website.

Summer applications due Mar 9 - May 11.

Parent Resource:

When our children witness or experience overwhelming events, it sometimes seems that they “can’t get over it.” Here is a website to help parents help their children recover from trauma: https://parents.cmionline.com/

Camp D.A.R.E.

The 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.

Upcoming Events:

PTSO General Meetings

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

- Wednesday, May 14

Dances

- 8th Grade (May 16)

Spirit Nights

- Wednesday, 3/12/25 - Mod Pizza, California, MD - All Day

- Wednesday, 4/16/25 - Chipotle, Charlotte Hall, MD - 5-9pm

Ongoing Fundraisers

- Croc Charms/key chains

- MBMS Magnets

Dodgeball Tournament

- Thursday, March 13 at Chopticon High School

- PERMISSION SLIPS attached - DUE BY FRIDAY, 3/7

Only accepting the first 16 teams - must have completed forms and payment

- Sign-up to volunteer at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADA928A5FEC07-55454359-dodgeball