The PAW Print

April 21: Virtual Learning Day for all Students (more information to come)

** Looking Ahead- MD State Testing (MCAP) begins soon. Tentative dates are provided below for reference when scheduling student appointments. All testing will take place during the morning. More exact dates and times will be provided once they are confirmed.

• ELA Testing -Week of April 17
• Social Studies (8th -grade) - Week of May 1
• Math Testing Week of May 15

April is designated Month of the Military Child (MoMC)! In 1986, then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, established MoMC to recognize the more than 1.8 million U.S. military children who have one or both parents serving in the armed forces. We recognize the sacrifices and thank all of our military servicemen and women and their families for their service!

Applications for middle school STEM and high school Academic Academies are now open! Any current 6th or 7th grader interested in STEM or current 8th grader interested in joining AVPA, GIS, or the STEM academy should submit an online application prior to the May 5th deadline. Information about all Academic Academy programs and the online application can be found on the Academies page of the SMCPS website.

There will be an upcoming Vaccine Clinic at MBMS. The clinic is a free offering of the 7th-grade entry, required, Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.

You can click the link to register and get more information.

LINK~~~MBMS Vaccine Clinic Registration

Please also see the attachment.

Please contact the nurses at MBMS if you have any questions.

Please consider opting in to receive School Messenger text messages.

In order to receive texts, you must have your cell phone number correctly designated in our eSchool recordation system and then you must opt-in by texting the word "YES" to 67587 from your wireless device. You have the option of declining or stopping notifications at any time.

For more information, click on this flyer. There is also a FAQ with additional information.

Parents and guardians should be mindful of all debt that their students accrue throughout the 2022-2023 School Year. Student debt could take any one of the following forms:

• Lost/Damaged Computer Devices

• Lost/Damaged Textbooks

• Lunch Debt

Parents/Guardians play a key role in monitoring not only their student's actions but also their fiscal responsibilities regarding lost/damaged issued devices (such as computers and textbooks) and/or food purchases made by your child in our school cafeteria. Payment can be made in the form of cash or check and should include your child's five-digit Student ID# (e.g., #12345). For further convenience, families may also pay by credit card online at http://www.myschoolbucks.com/. All questions and concerns should be directed to the school bank or the principal's secretary.

As the parent or guardian of a child receiving special education services in Maryland, you should have received a copy of the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey in the mail. By completing the survey, you can tell us how your child’s school partners with you. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system.

We want to hear from you.
OPTION 1: Complete the hard copy survey that was recently sent to you and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 19, 2023, or
OPTION 2: Complete the survey online at www.mdparentsurvey.com.

Questions? Please contact Kenneth Hudock, MSDE, at 410-767-7770 or Kenneth.Hudock@maryland.gov.

Ms. Ripple, the 8th counselor, will meet with each student in 8th grade to make their schedule for 9th grade. The schedule below has been created and shared with parents to keep everyone informed as we assist our students in transitioning to high school.

April 12 - 19 Starkey's classes

April 20 - 27 William's classes

April 28 - May 13 Counselor will continue to meet with students with any changes, etc.

Virtual Academy information for rising 9th graders can be found at the link below.

Virtual Academy Open House Info

The Virtual Academy will host an open house. Anyone interested in attending the Virtual Academy next year should attend.

If students are having technical issues with their laptops, they must put in a help desk ticket using this link. In the description box, students should provide as much detail as possible. If the student's computer is inoperable, they should come to the main office and use the help desk computer kiosk to register the problem.

Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS assigned resources: print and technology. This document outlines all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices.

Additional Information on Student Resource Accountability

My School Bucks and the Media Center: Please see the following files for more information about how My School Bucks

• Student/Family Information

2023-2024 PTSO Board Election

- Are you interested in being on the PTSO board? If so, please email us your name and the position you are interested in (President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) and we will put your name on the voting ballot. You must be a PTSO member. If you are not a current member, it only costs $10. The voting will be held at our PTSO meeting on 5/17.

MTSS Store Donations

- We are looking for donations to keep the MTSS store stocked with goodies for the students The students purchase these items with their "Paw Prints" they receive from teachers and staff as rewards for good behavior and going over and beyond what is expected of them. If you have any donations, please send them to Cindy Garrison in the Front Office.

Pizza Hotline Gift Cards

- Do you order your pizza from Pizza Hotline? If so, you can support the PTSO by purchasing a $10 gift card. Order form is attached. If you email us your child's name and homeroom teacher we can send a form home also.

Croc Charms Fundraiser

- First come, First serve – limited quantity available. Orders will be delivered to students during homeroom as orders are placed. May also be purchased during lunches the first Wednesday of every month. Order form is attached.

Gift Card Fundraiser

- Need a last minute gift or just want an easy way to support the PTSO? Look no further. Purchase your gift cards through us. Parents will purchase the gift cards to use themselves when they shop. Go to this link and enter the enrollment code JJCJE4A6X9H9.

Business Connections?

- Do you have any connections to local businesses or have a small business yourself? We are looking for volunteers who would like to ask local businesses for donations to raffle during our events. If you are interested, please let us know.

Exciting things we are working on:

- Media Specialist Day April 4

- "Paw Print" Shopping April 12

- Volunteer and Paraeducator Week April 16-22

- Secretaries Day April 26

- Cafeteria Workers Day May 6

- Blue Crabs Fundraiser May 6

- Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12

- School Nurse Day May 10

- PTSO Meeting May 17

- 8th Grade Dance May 19

- Blue Crabs Fundraiser August 18

2022-2023 Yearbook

Yearbooks are going quickly! Do not miss out on your chance to get a copy. This year's theme is Adventure Awaits. You can get your copy now by going to the link below.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1066787/Margaret-Brent-Middle-School/

2022-2023 Yearbook Ad (Student Recognition Ad)

Student Recognition Ads are available to purchase and are a great surprise to students when they receive their yearbook. A Student Recognition Ad comes with a picture of your child and a message from you! A $10 Silver Ad donation includes a picture and a message of up to 20 words. A $20 Gold Ad donation includes a picture and a message of up to 40 words. Once an ad is purchased, you will receive an email from Mrs. Kamp asking you for your message and picture.

Ads can be purchased online or with cash/check. Checks should be made payable to Margaret Brent Middle School. Cash/check should have Attention: Mrs. Kamp on them. See the link below for yearbook ad purchasing.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1066787/Margaret-Brent-Middle-School/

Student Recognition Ads should be purchased by February 17, 2023.

Adventure Awaits Themed Yearbook

Our yearbook theme focuses on adventure and features the many adventures one can have in St. Mary's County. Our cover will showcase St. Mary's City and the beauty our county offers. The yearbook adviser, Mrs. Kamp, is looking for pictures of your child/family adventuring in St. Mary's County. She is looking for pictures that showcase the many wonderful events and fun being had locally. Pictures should include the students name and grade level. Pictures can also be landscapes of places in St. Mary's County. Please email your pictures to jmkamp@smcps.org