Knightly Newsletter

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 2:17pm

UPCOMING EVENTS:

11/3: Schools and offices closed - Election Day (State-mandated holiday)

11/6: Schools close 3 hours early -  Professional Workday. End of 1st marking period

11/16: Report Cards Posted

11/16 through 11/20: American Education Week

11/17: Music Boosters Meeting, 7 PM

11/18: PTA Meeting, 7 PM

11/23 - 11/24: Schools close 3 hours early - Parent/Teacher Conferences

11/25: School closed - Parent/Teacher Conferences

11/26: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

11/26 - 11/27: School closed - Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Dear Patapsco Families:

I hope this email finds you well. We have one week left in the first quarter and it is a perfect time to review grades and progress in Canvas. I encourage each and every student to attend the Additional Synchronous Support Periods each day. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions, get extra help, or make-up any assignments. Also, I want to send this reminder that we have Homeroom/SEL each Monday at 10:50 AM. Each student has a homeroom and attendance is taken at each homeroom. Please remind your child about the support sessions and homeroom.

Also, we had a nice time this morning at our first Coffee and Conversation and we will host more of these opportunities in the future. Thank you to the families who were able to attend this morning. We miss seeing our students and our families and we want to keep lifting up our theme for this year: Connections. 

Please review the contents in this newsletter below...there are some exciting opportunities for students to get involved in our upcoming intramurals/co-curriculars.

I hope you and your family have a relaxing and safe weekend.

Mike Babe

Principal

 

Memory Books 19-20

Did you miss out on last year's memory book? We still have some available for purchase and distribution. If you are interested in purchasing one, please click here Online School Payment.

 

Three-Hour Early Dismissal

There is a three-hour early dismissal next Friday, November 6 due to the end of the quarter. Please see the schedule below for this day. 

Period         Time

1                   8:30 - 9:15

2                   9:30 - 10:15

3                  10:30 - 11: 15

4                  11:30 - 12:15

 

Wanted: Student Member of the Board Delegates

Have you ever wanted to share ideas on how to make our school a better place? Have you ever wanted to use your leadership skills and voice to make a difference? Patapsco Middle School is looking for you! Every year, the Board of Education holds an election for the Student Member of the Board. The Student Member of the Board sits in on education meetings to act as the student voice. In order for the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) to be elected, students need to vote on who they want to represent them. That’s where you come in! We are looking for Patapsco representation to serve as a Student Member of the Board Delegate. This is a meaningful opportunity for you to lead and serve both your peers and community in a challenging and rewarding capacity. Accepting the position of delegate and making the required time and energy commitments affect all other participants in the Student Member Convention process.

A successful delegate will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Student Member.

  • Demonstrate respect for the ideas of others.

  • Work well with other students.

  • Evaluate the Student Member applicants before convention.

  • Complete a training program for delegates.

  • Give and receive constructive feedback.

  • Serve as a representative leader.

  • Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity.

  • Promote the position of Student Member of the Board.

Interested? Complete our application for an interview by November 30th.  Please contact Mr. Michael Babe and Ms. Samantha Glass at michael_babe@hcpss.org and samantha_glass@hcpss.org with any questions. 

Additional information on SMOB can be found here. 

Delegate Application: https://forms.gle/yDSNHMrQc5BoGSnn8

 

Stakeholder Input on Spring Semester Instructional Model

Model: Parents/guardians, students, staff and other stakeholders may provide input and feedback to the Board of Education regarding the spring semester instructional model by emailing spring-input@hcpss.org. The Board will review all emails; however, due to the anticipated volume, individual responses should not be expected.

 

Parent/Teacher Conferences 

Please look out for information in a future Knightly News about parent-teacher conferences and sign-up instructions. You will be able to sign-up for conferences through Synergy beginning November 13. Conferences will take place Nov. 23-25 for a duration of 15 minutes each. We encourage parents/guardians to start to think about conferences. For Related Arts courses, which are one quarter, will have conferences for the second quarter only.

Questions about parent-teacher conferences, please contact Lindsey_miles@hcpss.org 

 

Answers to Grading Questions regarding the 4x4 Schedule

Semester Long Classes

Semester-long classes will continue after the end of Quarter 1 until the end of Quarter 2 on January 28. Grades for these classes are calculated based on the letter grade for Quarter 1 and the letter grade for Quarter 2.

Quarter Long Classes

Quarter long classes end on November 6. Students in Quarter long classes (PE, health, art, music, family and consumer sciences, tech ed, among others) will see a new class on their Canvas Calendar for the new quarter. Quarter two courses can also be seen in Synergy.

Quarter 1 report cards will be posted and available to view by families on November 16th. The information below is the step by step guide to view report cards:

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy

2. Select “Academic Information” from the left panel

3. Select “Student’s Report Cards” in the middle of your screen

4. Select “2020-2021 Q1 Report Card”

 

Free Tutoring Opportunity for Middle School Students 

Do you need a tutor? Do you need a tutor-.pdf

AST (Achieve Success Together) Brochure 2020-21 AST Brochure 2020-21.pdf

 

2020-2021 Intramural/Co-Curricular Programs  

Intramurals/Co-Curricular are incredible extracurricular opportunities to extend knowledge, exercise the mind and body, and develop social skills. Please browse the following intramural offerings and know there may be more coming especially in the second semester.  

* As part of our Three R's, we encourage interested students to take the Responsibility and contact the program sponsor themselves.* 

Please email Paul_Eyes@hcpss.org with any questions.

See below the exciting Intramurals/Co-Curriculars Patapsco will be offering this school year.

Leadership Intramural

Welcome to Leadership! This intramural is designed to provide students an opportunity to explore what leadership is and develop individual student leadership skills. 

Each and every day is an opportunity for new ideas and those ideas are developed and driven by individuals who see a need and then lead the way to change. During this intramural, students will explore the importance of communication, research, teamwork, and vision as they develop their own leadership projects. We hope you can join us, 

Permission slip due 11/9

Samantha_glass@hcpss.org 

https://forms.gle/nTgyHJQftdJBgKz19

NFL Football Intramural

Do you like watching NFL football? Do you have an interest in learning about the very popular game of Fantasy Football OR already like playing Fantasy Football?

Meeting time: 3:30-4:30

Meeting dates: Thursday 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14/, 1/21

Meetings location: Virtual, on a Google Meet (code will be delivered before the first day)

Group Max: 12 students

Permission slip due: 11/9

patrick_spliedt@hcpss.org 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuFD8yjJ9h2VKx6j2Hn4L2vk3ORnyOFwbEkfH0GeFcg3K1LQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Dance Intramural

The Mount Hebron Dance Department is offering FREE dance intramurals for all middle school students at Patapsco Middle School, grades 6-8. Come to virtual dance class and learn technique and combinations in the areas of jazz, contemporary, and hip hop.

We will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 pm, starting on November 11, 2020. Our last session will be January 20th, 2021.

Meetings will be virtual.  Google Meet code will be provided prior to the first meeting.

Permission slip will be accepted until November 9th, 2020.

https://forms.gle/g8PFfmrpsyc59EX28

Origami Intramural    

Origami enhances the ability to focus and be aware of what is happening in the moment. Spend the afternoon turning a piece of paper into a 3 dimensional sculpture! By practicing origami, we can bring a sense of stillness to our minds and calmness to our bodies. In our group, we will use origami to enhance our perspective, patience, and persistence. Whether you’re new to origami or an experienced folder, let’s come together to see what we can create!

Supplies: all you need is a sheet of paper, but supplies will be provided for those that want materials

Meeting Dates: Tuesdays,

November 10 - January 19 (Nov. 24 optional)

Meeting Time:  3:15pm - 4:15pm

Meetings will be virtual.  Google Meet code will be provided prior to the first meeting.

**Permission slip will be accepted until November 9th, 2020

morgan_kempthorn@hcpss.org 

https://forms.gle/r7DEwgpW9CXNiEHT7

Best Buddies

Join us for Best Buddies!! Best Buddies is a world-wide organization that aims at promoting friendships between all students. Our vision in Best Buddies, as an intramural, is to promote acceptance, understanding, and friendship.

The Best Buddies intramural will be held, Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm from November through the end of January in a virtual format.  Enjoy fun activities and time to make some friends.

Those interested in joining, please fill out the linked intramural permission form.  Permission forms will be accepted through Friday, November 6.  Details with dates and meeting times is listed on the permission form.  Space is limited but a Spring session may be held based on interest.

Best Buddies Intramural Permission Form

Email Ms. Stubleski or Ms. Whelan with any questions you may have.

Kathryn_stubleski@hcpss.org

Michelle_Castillo@hcpss.org

 

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends in 2020 at 2 am on Sunday, November 1, making the time when clocks "fall back" and we gain an extra hour of sleep.

 

Community Notices:

Please visit the Community News and Programs page at http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.