Hello Knight Families!
We had a fantastic week full of teaching and learning! I’m excited to share that, because we met our fundraiser goal, I did indeed kiss a pig! A special thank you to our wonderful staff member, Crystal Said, for bringing one of her pigs to the fundraiser party. It was a memorable event for everyone!
Looking ahead, October 31st marks the end of the 1st quarter. Report card grades will be posted in HAC on November 8th. This week is the final opportunity for students to advocate for themselves if they want to improve their grades.
RED RIBBON WEEK
Next week is Red Ribbon Week at WHMS, and we have an exciting lineup of activities planned! This week is dedicated to promoting healthy choices and being drug-free, with plenty of fun activities to engage our students. Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 as a tribute to a DEA agent who lost his life in the fight against drug trafficking. It has since become a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and the importance of making healthy choices.
This year, students will receive giveaway items, have chances to win prizes, and can be photographed in a Red Ribbon Week frame. Our local health department will also be on hand during lunch one day to share valuable information with our students. Additionally, we have spirit days planned for each day of the week—details are in the attached flyer!
Red Ribbon Week is also a great opportunity to talk with your child about what to do if they find themselves in a situation where a peer has drugs, and no adults are around. Open conversations can help them feel prepared and confident to make the right choices.
Halloween:
As Halloween falls on Thursday, we want to remind everyone that costumes, face painting, and props (including fake weapons) are prohibited at WHMS. Our primary focus will remain on teaching and learning. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
No School:
Reminder that November 5th schools are closed for Election Day. November 11th schools are closed for Veterans Day. Which brings us to one of the attachments below.
WHMS is proud of our Veterans!
Help us honor the Veterans closest to your heart.
Please complete the PowerPoint slide so we may honor & thank our Veterans. You must complete & turn in this slide no later than November 4, 2024. Please email the completed slide to Ms. C. Reid at reidca@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
You may submit multiple slides.
We will be sharing the presentation with students and staff.
Make-up Picture Day
Make up picture day is November 14th. Students will all have the opportunity to have a re-take done. Classic Photography asks that you return the original pictures on picture day but anyone who wants can be photographed on make up picture day.
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
END HUNGER FOOD DRIVE
Our SGA is sponsoring our annual End Hunger Food Drive next week. 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/
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.
LAPTOP CHARGERS
If your child loses their charger, they need to purchase a replacement through the school. The cost is $39 and your student can bring in a check payable to WHMS, exact cash, or you can pay online at this link Windy Hill Middle School (osmsinc.com). We understand that there is less expensive charger available through Amazon; however using these chargers will void the warranty on the laptop.
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 ***** Update effective 10/18/2024 *****
Attendance updates are handled by Mrs. Madison, WHMS Guidance Secretary. Notes should be delivered to the Guidance Office or sent to WHMSAttendance@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 WHMSAttendance@calvertnet.k12.md.us
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.
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
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
SAVE THE DATE
The incoming Freshmen Registration Night for NHS will be Thursday, February 6th at 6:00pm. More information to come.
Thank you
Mark Whidden
Principal, Windy Hill Middle School
