Hello Knight Families!
We had another fantastic week at WHMS! The Book Fair was a huge success, and many of our 8th graders enjoyed an enriching field trip to the African American History Museum. Our performing arts students are in the final rehearsals for their Winter concerts, and there's been plenty of great teaching and learning happening all around.
Don't miss our band students performing at the Holiday Parade this Saturday in North Beach. Also, come support our Chorus students on Tuesday night at the Mary Harrison Center (NHS).
2-hour Late Arrival
Wednesday, December 11th is a 2-hour late arrival for professional development.
Spring Track Coaches Needed
We need track coaches for our spring season. There are two separate teams, however the boys and girls coaches can choose to coach together if they prefer. Practice days and times are set by the coaches. If we do not find coaches, we will not have a track team this spring. If you are interested, please reach out to Mrs. Merewitz, Athletic Director, at merewitzk@calvertnet.k12.md.us
WHMS SPIRITWEAR
The basketball team is opening up a team store for three weeks for anyone to purchase WHMS gear. If you are interested, please see the link here WINDY HILL KNIGHTS. The store will close on December 5th.
CLUBS
- Book Club meets next on December 13th.
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Culinary Club recipes will be accepted until December 13th. Names will be drawn on December 16th, and permission slips must be returned before the winter break. The Culinary Club will meet on Wednesdays, starting January 8th, for 8 weeks.
To apply, submit a recipe with your child's name on it to the office.
GIVING TREE
WHMS will be collecting gift cards for our families in need this holiday season. There is a flyer attached with more information. Gift cards should be dropped off by December 13th. Thank you
Carson Scholarship nominations
The purpose of the Carson Scholars Program is to recognize and reward outstanding students in the United States who exemplify academic excellence and humanitarian qualities. The goal of the Carson Scholars Program goes beyond instilling an interest in college early on and assisting with the costs of college.
Students must first apply to be the nominee for Windy Hill Middle School before they can apply to the actual Carson Scholar Award. Only one nominee per school may be selected. Students must go to the attached link and read all information thoroughly prior to beginning their application. All applications to be the school's nominee are due Dec 4th, 2024. https://forms.office.com/r/kW6mnTrw8p
Any questions about the scholarship program can be addressed to their grade level counselor or to Mrs. Dean at deana@calvertnet.k12.md.us who is overseeing the nomination process.
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. When the 8th grade students turn in their laptops at the end of the school year, the original CCPS issued charger must be returned with 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
