The PAW Print

August 30: School reopens for the 2021-2022 School Year

September 6: Labor Day (schools and offices are closed)

September 23: Two-hour early dismissal

September 24: Professional Day (no school for students)

As Dr. Smith stated in his letter to the community following the August 11, BOE meeting, "we will continue to incorporate the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD). We regularly communicate with SMCHD and review the St. Mary’s County community health metrics". The letter is linked below and provides information as to how the decisions for the wearing of masks will be determined. If you haven't had an opportunity to read the letter, I encourage you to do so.

LTR_FAMILIES_BacktoSchool_08.11.21.pdf

LTR_FAMILIES_BacktoSchool_08.11.21_Espanol.pdf

PARENT AM DROP OFF AND PM PICK UP

The map below indicates the parent drop-off/pick-up route. Please enter from Rt. 5 and turn right traveling through the parking lot past the tennis court/basketball court. The line will then follow along the sidewalk next to the brick Park and Rec building and turn in front of the school in front of the cafeteria. Once directed by a staff member, students will exit their cars on the sidewalk side of the vehicle. They should then proceed into the cafeteria and sit on one of the designated spots until dismissed to classes. Students should not leave their vehicle until indicated to do so by a MBMS staff member. Morning drop-off will begin at 7:35 AM.

Additionally, this process will be followed in the afternoon but in reverse. Students will be called to the cafeteria at 2:40. Parents will remain in their cars in the pick-up line. Once a staff member has verified the parent's ID, the student will be called from the cafeteria to their car. Please do not park and text your child to come out to meet you. Again, students will not be released from the cafeteria until prompted by staff. The process is put in place to keep the students safe.

An attached form is for parents to complete. This will indicate to us who needs to be dismissed from class for the afternoon parent pickup on a daily basis Please complete and return to Ms. Kirby rgkirby@smcps.org

Please be patient. This process can take a few extra minutes until everyone understands and becomes familiar with the process.

Please Note: siblings/individuals under 18 cannot check out students.

***COMPASS and SAIL students will be dropped off in the parking lot behind the school beginning at 7:30 and picked up beginning at 2:35.

Students still needing a school-issued laptop will receive one in homeroom Monday morning.

As we prepare for the new school year, I would like to ask students to take a few minutes and log into their school-issued laptops prior to Monday. This will allow the computer to run any updates that may be needed. The updates can sometimes take quite a while to complete. If students can do this prior to school on Monday, it would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

SMCPS Laptops

POWER THEM ON and LOG IN PRIOR to the First Day of School

Prior to the first day of class, please do the following with your SMCPS issued device.

1. Find your device and the charger. Plug it in. Login to your device. If you forgot your password, you must use this link to reset it.
2. Your device will need to run updates. This file has directions on how to install software and run updates. In Step 4, choose Dell Command Updates. You can also use page 3 of this file to run a device configuration update.
3. When powering off, use CTRL+ALT+DEL. If there are updates, please choose "Run Updates and Shut Down".
4. Do you have anything that needs a REPAIR? If so, please complete a HELPDESK ticket.

• Link to the Helpdesk: HERE
  
• Directions: HERE

All students will receive free meals. All students will be offered breakfast, lunch, and take-home dinner/supper bags throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

As we are preparing for the 2021-2022 school year, it is necessary for everyone to take a few minutes to review our expectations and procedures. As a school community, we realize that we have not been in the building together for close to 18 months. Our goal is to provide a safe environment that focuses on learning. The constant support we have received from our parent community has been and will continue to be essential in achieving these goals. Again, the focus this year will be on supporting our students in achieving academic growth. We know the year will come with its challenges but we are ready to get back into the classroom and start working with our students. As always, I appreciate your support.

I have included some basic expectations that were put into place several years ago that have proven very effective in reducing distractions and keeping students focused on their learning. We will continue to implement these expectations.

• Students are only permitted to have clear water bottles throughout the school day. A water filling station is located in the cafeteria and is available for students during all lunches. Students will not be permitted to carry containers of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, energy drinks, soda etc.
• Fast food lunches should not be brought in for students. Lunches are free for students this year and will be provided to students who have forgotten their lunch.

• Phones are to be turned off during the school day. Phones will not be needed for instructional purposes especially since all students will have a laptop. Please discuss with your child the proper use of their cell phone. Visual or auditory recording as well as taking pictures of students and staff are prohibited. If there is an emergency, please contact the office and we will make sure the message is delivered.
• Earbuds are not to be worn in school.
• Although the SMCPS dress code was changed to allow hats to be worn in school (including hoodies) we ask that students do not use these garments to hide earbuds/earphones. We need students engaged and focused in class.
• Students arriving after the school day begins without a doctor's note will be marked "unexcused tardy".
• Students who are "car riders" will not be permitted inside the building until the 7:35. Staff is not on duty until that time. Students will enter the cafeteria and wait until the bell rings for homeroom.
• Students being dropped off by a parent/guardian anytime after 8:00 MUST have the parent/guardian sign them into the building. The parent/guardian should accompany the student into the office.
• Students who need to call home will be permitted at the discretion of the grade-level AP.
• Bus passes will only be permitted in cases of emergency. Bus passes will not be approved for birthday parties, sleepovers etc.
• For safety purposes, book bags and string packs will not be permitted. All backpacks must be kept in the students' lockers. Any bag large enough to hold a marbled composition notebook is prohibited in the classroom.
• A $5.00 yearly locker will be collected from each student beginning September 7, during homeroom. This fee will cover both the general hallway locker and the PE locker.
• Students who are to be picked up daily for parent pick up will need to have parent/guardians complete the form below and return the first day of school.
  Students will be dismissed at the end of the day (2:40 to the cafeteria where a staff member will check them out to their parent/guardian). Identification is required. No one under the age of 18 will be permitted to check out MBMS students. Those parents who occasionally need to pick up their child should contact the office prior to 2:00 so we can inform the student they are to go to parent pick up.

A special thank you to everyone who ordered a yearbook last year and who have been waiting patiently for the books to arrive. The yearbook company has indicated to us that the books will be delivered in mid-September. For those students who are current MBMS students, we will give the students their books to bring home. Families of students who are now at CHS will be notified concerning the distribution/pick-up options. Again, I appreciate the understanding and patience of everyone during this process.

The PTA is now MBMS PTSO! We need YOU!!! Please consider joining the PTSO. Your membership dues allow us to provide opportunities for our students. Membership dues are $10 per person or $15 per family.

This year's meetings will be held in the media center at 3:00 PM. The meeting dates are as follows:

Sept. 15

Nov. 17

Feb. 9

May 18

PTSO 2021-2022 Fundraisers

Joe Corbi (August 30-Sept 17)

Spirit Nights (Throughout the school year)

Kona Ice (During Open House- August 26)

Quarterly Student Dances (10/19, 12/10, 4/29, from 3-5 PM)

Winter Formal (February 25)