Upcoming Events:

5/19   MAP Reading Testing, 8-10:45AM

5/19   PTA Virtual Meeting, 6:30 PM (socially distanced in the parking lot)

5/26   MAP Math Testing, 8-10:45AM

5/31   No School - Memorial Day

6/10   3-Hour Early Dismissal Day

6/11   3-Hour Early Dismissal Day   8th grade celebration at 1:30 PM

6/14   3-Hour Early Dismissal Day

6/15   3-Hour Early Dismissal: Last Day of School

8/30   First day of School for 21-22

 

Students of the Month for April

Congratulations to the following Knights who have been nominated by our staff to be the April Students of the Month. They have exhibited being Resilient, Responsible, and/or Respectful!

 

Attention All 8th grade Families!

8th Grade Celebration 

The staff have been diligently working with administration and the PTA for our 8th grade celebration and we are excited to announce some of the details! All students will view the virtual video and annual slideshow on June 11th during their morning classes (this video will also be shared for all families to view). This video includes pictures of our 8th grade students, messages from staff, the annual speech from Mr. Babe, and more!

Then...

On June 11th at 1:30 PM, we will have a live drive-through parade and celebration at Patapsco Middle! Families and students can drive in their car (we encourage families to decorate their cars!) to Patapsco where they will participate in an all-staff celebration and traditional clap-out. Students will receive their certificate, a gift from staff, and a photo opportunity with a surprise backdrop (bring your camera/phone), and more. We look forward to this momentous occasion!  

We would like all of our 8th grade students to wear their Patapsco 8th grade tee shirt, provided by the PTA (You may come to school Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 2:30 to pick up your students shirt if you have not already picked up a shirt). Let’s celebrate our 8th grade students and wish them well as they go on to high school. We will miss them so much!

More specific details will be shared as the day gets closer, but we wanted our 8th grade families to save-the-date for this end-of-year celebration!

Photos for the 8th Grade Celebration video

This is a reminder to submit pictures of 8th graders for the photo bank we will use to create the 8th grade celebration video.

Here is the link to the "assignment": https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/34486/assignments/5699798

**The link will only work using student credentials in Canvas

Or you may email them to Ms. Salsman directly: Kalina_salsman@hcpss.org

 

From our Counselors: 8th Grade Families

Your students have two more opportunities to attend our High School 101 Sessions. Hear from Ms. Lee and Ms. Kempthorn as well as current high school students, as your students prepare to enter 9th grade. See flier for more information

High School 101 Flyer.pdf

We look forward to seeing them May 19th or May 26th at 11:30am.

 

Student Withdraws from HCPSS

If you have a current 6th or 7th grade student who will not be returning to Patapsco Middle School next year, please email Lindsey_Miles@hcpss.org  to arrange your child’s withdraw from Patapsco. If your student is not attending an HCPSS school next year, you will also need to return their HCPSS issued Chromebook to Patapsco upon their withdraw.

 

Chromebook Summer Drop Off

If you would like your child’s HCPSS issued Chromebook to be stored at Patapsco over the summer, you may return the Chromebook to the school or a Technology Support Center. If you plan on returning your child’s HCPSS issued Chromebook, please email Suzanne_Mcnabb@hcpss.org. 

Families who choose to keep the Chromebook over the summer should review the Chromebook Care guidelines with their child to ensure that the device is kept safe over the summer.

 

Thank you to our Intramural Sponsors! 

Thank you so much to the staff for running intramurals for students this year. Our students loved the virtual options that were offered!

Coordinator: Mr. Eyes

Love to Read: Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Mahoney

Scratch Code: Mr. Dymek

Delta Scholars: Ms. Lee

Leadership: Ms. Glass

Fantasy Football: Mr. Spliedt

Dance: Ms Dipietro

Origami: Ms. Kempthorn

Best Buddies: Ms. Stubleski and Ms. Whelan

MESA: Ms. Stephenson

 

MAP Testing

On Wednesday 19th and 26th, students in grades 6-8 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure your student’s academic progress. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly.  To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/ 

Testing dates & times:   

Reading Test – May 19 from 8:30AM – 10:45AM                                                                                           

Math Test –       May 26 from 8:30AM – 10:45AM

If your child is unable to attend, makeup testing will be offered during asynchronous learning times on June 2 at 9:00AM – 11:00AM and 12:15PM – 2:15PM. Teachers will share Google Meet information and your student’s testing group as we get closer to the May dates.

Please note the following exceptions for middle school testing:

• Students in 8th grade GT-ELA do not take the Reading Test

• Students taking HS level math classes (Alg1 or 2, Geometry or Statistics) do not take the Math Test.

Feel free to contact Mrs. Harmon at Andrea_Harmon@hcpss.org if you have any questions.

 

PTA General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 @ 6:30 pm EDT 

Last general membership meeting of the year! Come join us as we must vote on elected positions and the budget for next year! We'll try to do this one in person in the Patapsco parking lot weather permitting.

Access event details here: http://patapscomiddle.memberhub.com/HE53052I344415

 

Tardy Student Protocol

If your student arrives late to school, they will need to go to Student Services to obtain a late pass. If your student is late due to an appointment or illness, please send them in with a parent or doctor note or email pmsabsence@hcpss.org.

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

During the month of May, Patapsco Middle School joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Starting the week of May 24th, we will share with student's information about mental health: why it is important to take care of your mental health (just as you would your physical health), provide strategies that everyone can use to improve their mental health, along with additional resources students can access over the summer. 

“The experience I have had is that once you start talking about [experiencing a mental health struggle], you realize that actually you’re part of quite a big club.” — Prince Harry

 As a reminder, you are not alone, your Counselors are here for you!

* Ms. Kendra Lee-- (A-L) 

* Ms. Morgan Kempthorn (M-Z)

 

 Patapsco Middle School Library Media Center – Closing June 1st.  

The Patapsco school library will close for this school year on June 1st.  All books must be returned to the Patapsco library by June 1st.   

In a few weeks, a note will be sent to 6th and 7th grade students with directions for checking out books to borrow and keep at home over the summer.  This opportunity will be available to rising 6th and 7th graders only.  Students who want to participate in summer book checkout must have returned all Patapsco books borrowed during the 2020-2021 school year by June 1st. 

If you have questions regarding the library, please email Suzanne McNabb, LMS at mmcnabb@hcpss.org

 

 

From the Health Room 

Dental Hygiene Clinic at Howard Community College - please click here for more information. Dental.pdf

If you believe your child has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or your child is a close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms, including anyone who lives in your home, please keep your child home from school and contact your Megan Blouse, School Nurse immediately. Megan_Blouse@hcpss.org 

For more information on HCPSS Emergency Preparedness, please visit the HCPSS website.

 

Health Room Updates

Parents/guardians, please remember to perform a symptom check daily before your child departs from home. Please reference the Health Room Updates Google doc for details.

 

Food Distribution

• Free Food Distribution every Saturday in May - English - Spanish

• The Salvation Army - Food Distribution - May 19th & June 16th - information in English & Spanish

 

 

Spring Dance Concert from Mount Hebron High

Mount Hebron Dance Department is virtually presenting their spring concert, titled "What Moves Us" tonight on hebrondance.com, and viewing is free! The concert will be available to view all weekend long.

 

 

2021-2022 Academic Calendar: Click Here to DOWNLOAD in monthly format.

 

Knightly Newsletters

All previous newsletters are posted under News at http://pms.hcpss.org/ 

 

 

Community Notices:

In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.”

Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.