Silver Creek Weekly Newsletter

We are looking forward to another great week of school. Quarter 2 interims were due Friday, December 13. You should be able to view your child's interim reports on ParentVue this week. Thank you to our families for coming out to our winter concerts and to our STEAM night last week. Shout out to Ms. Saund, Instrumental Music director & Ms. Leanza, Choral director, and our amazing students. They did a great job! Also, to our STEAM committee staff and parents/caregivers for their support of this event.

This is the last week prior to our winter break. There is no school for staff and students December 23- January 1. Students will return to school on Thursday, January 2, 2025. The SCMS Newsletter will resume on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

As we conclude 2024, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Silver Creek community for your continued partnership and support. Our collective efforts to support our school’s success is filled with passion, commitment and empathy. As always, thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift- your children.

On behalf of Silver Creek, I would like to wish our families great joy, much love and tremendous success in the coming year. As we enjoy the upcoming holidays, it is my wish that each of you receives the seasonal bounty of blessings and good tidings that make these days truly special. It is during this time that I am reminded of my own good fortune to serve as the proud principal of Silver Creek Middle School. Happy Holidays!

In the newsletter, the section with an * has been updated with new information OR is a new section in the newsletter. Please make sure to review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership.

Let's make it an awesome week, Huskies!

Did you miss the latest Husky news. You may access the link below from Friday, December 13, 2024.

to hear upcoming news & events Click Link. You can see all of the news links located here.

All students will take the winter administration of MAP-R and MAP-M in order to measure progress in reading and mathematics.

• MAP-M - Monday, December 16
• MAP-R- Tuesday, December 17

All students with accommodations will receive their appropriate testing accommodations. Students will take the test with their homeroom teacher at the start of each school day. Please ensure a good night sleep and breakfast!

To learn more about the MAP assessment, please click on the link: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/

Questions about testing, please contact Justine Pfeiffer, assistant principal, at Justine_Pfeiffer@mcpsmd.org

On Friday, December 20 all students will participate in our Annual Day of Care & Service throughout their classes. This is an opportunity for our students to participate in various activities to foster one of our MYP Learner Profile Traits of being IB Caring. As an MYP school, we are committed to showing compassion, respect, and empathy towards others. We are also committed to service and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Happy Winter Reading! Catch up with our DECEMBER MEDIA MONTHLY: NEWS & NOTES from the LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAM. Highlights include digital reference resources, instructional updates, end of year book lists, and more!

This week, we are in need of "wintry" craft items for our Ugly Book Sweaters book review project in our makerspace. We could use foam and flat stickers, washi tape, ribbons, wrapping paper, sequins, beads, and any other snowy, celebrative craft items. We are so grateful to the families who have donated to our library makerspace. Click HERE for our wish lists, and thanks in advance to all!

Are you looking for a fun club for your child to come to after school? Our Minds Matter (OMM) is a fun club where students participate in mental health activities with their peers. This month, OMM meets on Thursday, December 19th in the media center. Please encourage your child to join us.

Our December newsletter is out. Check it out here: https://secure.smore.com/n/gtjck5

The counselors are offering parent/caregiver toolbox sessions to provide pertinent and helpful information to our families to navigate parenting a middle school child.

• Save the dates: Our parent toolbox meetings are coming.
• Meetings will be from 7:00 - 8:00 via zoom. The dates are January 30, March 20 and May 15, 2025.
• All links will be sent in January.

• Check out the mental health support tab on our website for some workshops for grieving families put on by Caring Matters. All workshops are on zoom.
• 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 is open. 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

There will be a spirit week this week: December 16- Friday, December 20.

• Monday, December 16- Pajama Day
• Tuesday, December 17 - Twin Day
• Wednesday, December 18- Student/staff swap day
• Thursday, December 19- Sweaters/Socks Day
• Friday, December 20- Class Colors Day- 6th Graders will wear White, 7th graders will wear Gray and 8th Graders will wear Blue.

We look forward to seeing your school spirit!

We are excited to announce that SCMS Yearbooks are on Sale NOW. Ms. Jordan is our Yearbook sponsor this school year. Ms. Jordan and the SCMS Yearbook club have been meeting after school to start designing the 2024-2025 yearbook.

How to Order

• Reserve your copy now for $30.00 until February 1, 2025. To order online, scan the QR code or go to yearbookforever.com.

Questions? Please email our yearbook sponsor at Cassandra-lee_E_Jordan@mcpsmd.org

We have a range of after-school activities to choose from. Please click the link below to view our 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 begins. Please note that some clubs will begin later in the school year.

We ask that students register for their activity so that sponsors are aware of the number of students attending. The registration link is below. 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!
Afterschool Activities Brochure

Registration

Donate to the Husky Fund by Paypal or Venmo!

Thanks to all who have contributed to the PTSA Husky Fund so far. The PTSA has made it over halfway to our $36,000 goal, and now we can accept Venmo and Paypal!

In this holiday season, please help our PTSA support SCMS staff and students by making a donation before the end of 2024. You can even personalize your donation in tribute to a Silver Creek faculty or staff member, student, or parent. You can honor birthdays, work anniversaries, special thank you’s, and more with your donation. The PTSA will send a note of appreciation to all teachers, administrators, and others recognized with a tribute gift so they are aware of your generous donation in their honor.

Donating is easy:

• Click here to donate via Paypal or Venmo, choose the amount you’d like to donate (in $10 increments), and enter your payment information
• OR, to make a tribute gift, log in to pay4schoolstuff.com, select “The Husky Fund: A Tribute Gift," and include the honoree’s name and the reason for your tribute in the donation form

(Note: At this time, we can only accept Tribute Gifts via www.pay4schoolstuff.)

Thank you!

Update Your Info in the Online School Directory

Huskies, it's time to make sure your information is correct in the school directory! Please go to https://scmsptsa.membershiptoolkit.com, click register or login, and once you're registered, you can add or confirm your student's information and access the directory. If you have any questions, please let the PTSA know!

We are excited to announce our first Middle School Career Fair on Friday, February 28, 2025. This event aims to expose our students to a variety of career paths and inspire their future aspirations.

• We invite parents and guardians to volunteer and share insights about your profession or career. Whether you’re in education, healthcare, technology, arts, trades, or any other field, we’d love to hear from you!
• Your participation will provide valuable knowledge and inspiration to our students as they explore their future possibilities.
• For more information and to sign up, please visit this link.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping make this event a success. Questions, please email Ms. Ashley Rivera at Ashley_C_Rivera@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Meredith Lange at Meredith_A_Lange@mcpsmd.org.

Our school’s diversity is what makes us so special. In an effort to recognize the many cultures and backgrounds that make up our community, the PTSA Diversity Council will be hosting special recognitions/activities during lunch to celebrate this uniqueness.

On Friday, November 1 we celebrated Día de los Muertos. In some Latin American countries, it is a celebration of the life and legacy of the deceased. Students had Mexican chocolate and sweet bread. Mexican hot chocolate was a popular drink once only served to the wealthy during special holidays like Día de los Muertos. Students really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more and partake in this experience.

See the slides that were shown to students during lunch for the last two recognitions.

As we begin to enter the colder months, we would like to share with you our Severe Weather to Virtual Learning Plan. MCPS requires each school to have a Severe Weather plan and to communicate it to staff, students and families and then post on the school’s website.

Please see Plan and Schedule linked below:

Severe Weather Plan

Severe Weather Bell Schedule

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.

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

December 23- December 31- Winter Break (No School for students and teachers)

December 24 & 25 - Schools and Offices closed
December 30 & 31 - Systemwide Closure, All Schools & Offices Closed

January 1- New Year's Day—Schools and offices closed

January 7- B-CC Counselors visit 8th Grade Science classes to share Articulation and Course Registration Information

January 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -Schools and offices closed

January 29 - Grading and Planning/End of Quater 2; no school for students

January 30 & 31- Counselors to visit 6th &7th grade science classes to discuss course registration for next school year.

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