Hello Knight Families!
What a fantastic week of teaching and learning we’ve had! We wrapped it up with an outstanding assembly from the “Beautiful Tomorrow Group” (check out the pictures above). There was music, dancing, rapping, and storytelling – and let me tell you, it was loud for this old man! 😊 Your child might have already mentioned it.
The Beautiful Tomorrow Group shared an inspiring message about handling peer pressure and maintaining individuality while chasing dreams and goals. This could be a great opportunity to discuss these important topics with your child
School Dance
Tonight is our first school dance. The PTSO sponsors this dance and it runs from 5:30-7:30. It is a drop off event, however if parents want to chaperone we are always happy to have your help! The admission is $5.00 and pizza, chips, candy and drinks are sold. We are looking forward to a fun Friday evening for the students.
Calendar Reminders:
Monday, October 14th 2 hour late arrival
Friday, October 18th No School (Staff PD)
Congratulations to our 1st students of the month for the school year:
6th Grade
Dez Gross
Auryelle Tomlinson
Lillian Beasley
7th Grade
Robilyn Clay
Michael Benton
Marlee Abner
8th Grade
Ella Perez
Madilynn Allen
Khanh Tran
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH
Our wonderful PTSO is providing a Taco Bar luncheon for our staff on October 23rd. If you are able to contribute with either food or monetary donation please click on this link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A5AA23A6FEC34-45635367-november#/
UNITY DAY
Wednesday is Unity Day. Wear orange and encourage Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion. See flyer attached.
Federal Impact Aid Survey
The 2024-2025 Federal Impact Aid survey is now open! We kindly ask all families to complete this survey for each student by October 31, 2024. This survey is crucial for gathering information and securing funding for our district. You can access the survey through HAC and the CCPS webpage. Your support in completing this survey for each student is greatly appreciated
PTSO Fundraiser
This coming Thursday, October 17th is WHMS Night at MOD Pizza in Dunkirk. The flyer is below and WHMS will get 20% kickback from your online or in-store purchase using the code or showing them the flyer attached here. Thanks for your support.
END HUNGER FOOD DRIVE
Our SGA is sponsoring our annual End Hunger Food Drive the last week of October. The advisory from each grade level that brings the most donations will earn a free advisory with popsicles! All non-perishable food donations are appreciated. Thank you
WHMS FACEBOOK PAGE
CCPS has set up Facebook accounts for schools and ours is up and running. The link for our page is https://www.facebook.com/WindyHillMiddleSchoolCCPS/
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Our PBIS/Wellness team is looking for three more parents to help with our treat trolley once a month. Students earn shields for positive behavior, which they can use to buy treats from the trolley. We need:
- One parent for the 6th grade trolley on Tuesdays.
- Two parents for the 7th grade trolley on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoons.
The 8th grade trolley is covered for Fridays. Volunteers should arrive at 1:35 PM to set up and be ready to go from class to class from 2:25 to 2:55 PM. The day of the week is flexible, and we can adjust the schedule to fit our volunteers. We also ask that you come in once before your first day to get an overview of the process
If this might be something that you’d be interested in, please email merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
RED RIBBON WEEK
The last week of October we recognize Red Ribbon Week throughout the county. We focus on healthy choices, being drug free and tie in some fun activities for the week. This year students will be receiving some giveaway items, have chances to win some prizes, be photographed in a RRW frame and our local health department will be on hand during lunch one day to share information with our students. As part of the activities this week we have spirit days each day. Attached is the flyer with details for the week!
Bus Dismissal
Please remind your child not to leave Advisory early for bus dismissal. Our teachers have a list of bus riders and car riders, but with about 500 students departing at once, it’s crucial that everyone waits until their bus is called. Around 20 students have been leaving early, which poses a safety concern. It’s important for us to know where all students are at all times.
LIBRARY
Did you know that your child can get a card for the public library? It's super easy - just click on this link to set it up. Flier_CrabCard (libguides.com)
PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK
If you are at a WHMS event, game, field trip etc. and get some pictures, we'd love for you to upload them to this link so we can use them for our yearbook, school posters, etc. Thanks!
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL
When students are dropped off late or returning after an appointment, they can come in without an adult and sign themselves in. The parent/guardian does need to come in with them when signing the student out. The latest a student can be picked up for early dismissal is 2:45. Thank you
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
CLUBS
Many clubs are underway and getting underway at this time. Lego Robotics, Math Counts and MESA are both taking permission slips at this time. See attachments or have your child stop by the main office to pick up a permission slip. Book club next meets on Friday, October 11th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm and Friday, October 25th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.
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
