Summer Newsletter
Fri, 08/28/2020 - 8:22amUPCOMING EVENTS:
9/2 Student Supplies Pick-up, 12-3 (more info coming soon)
9/3 Student Supplies Pick-up, 8-11 (more info coming soon)
9/3 New Student and Family Orientation/Open House (Virtual) 1:00 PM
9/7 Schools and offices closed - Labor Day
9/8 First day of school for students
9/16 PTA general assembly meeting (outside) 5:30 PM
9/17 Back to School kNight (Virtual) 6:00 PM
9/28: Schools and offices closed - Yom Kippur
Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available for viewing in Synergy on Tuesday, September 1. All parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect to view teachers and schedules beginning Saturday, September 5.
*Reminder that the first day of school is Tuesday, September 8.
New Student and Family Orientation
We can’t wait to meet our newest Knights!
We invite our students and their families to join us for our virtual New Student Orientation on Thursday, September 3rd at 1:00pm!
6th Grade
All 6th grade students and their parents/guardians will begin in a large Google Meet session with their school counselor: Ms. Lee (Last Names A-L) or Ms. Kempthorn (Last Names M-Z) for a welcome and introduction to our school community from 1:00-2:00pm. The administration, the PTA, and other staff will be attending both large group sessions to welcome all students and families to Patapsco Middle. The Google Meet codes for these two large group orientations are shared below and we will share again as the date comes closer.
Session Code for last names (A-L)
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1-513-816-1067
PIN: 436 719 117# 4
Session Code for last names (M-Z)
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 443-402-5470
PIN: 376 799 102#
From 2:00-2:30, students will begin in their homeroom/SEL based on last name to watch the HCPSS Canvas Orientation video, download a template schedule, and have a time for Q&A. Students will need to log in to the homeroom/SEL breakout session using their HCPSS credentials. This is a practice for our students to log in to a Google Meet before the first day of school.
NEW to Patapsco 7th & 8th Grades
All NEW to Patapsco 7th and 8th grade students and their parents/guardians will begin in a large Google Meet session from 1:00 - 2:00 with their school counselor: Ms. Lee (Last Names A-L) or Ms. Kempthorn (Last Names M-Z) for a welcome and introduction to our school community. The administration, the PTA, and other staff will be attending both large group sessions to welcome all students and families. The Google Meet codes for these two large group orientations will be shared on our website and newsletter closer to September 3.
Session Code for last names (A-L)
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 661-543-0060
PIN: 654 232 288
Session Code for last names (M-Z)
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 720-770-0069
At 2:00, they will transition and attend a session with 7th and 8th grade teachers by using this code:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 573-930-0021
PIN: 235 142 742#
In these sessions, students will:
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Gain a better understanding of the 4x4 schedule
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Understand how to navigate in Canvas
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Practice logging in to a Google Meet
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Meet some of their teachers
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Learn tips for having a successful transition to middle school
Unable to join us for orientation? You will be able to view the presentations on our school website following our orientation, on the school website after the event. Feel free to reach out to your counselor or administrator if you have any questions.
Homeroom/SEL period assignments on Website
Every student will participate in a SEL (social-emotional learning) period as homeroom this year as dedicated time with the new 4x4 schedule. This period will be every Monday at 10:50 AM. Students are assigned by last name and grade. You can see the assignments and google meet code on our website. They will start this the second week of school because we start school on Tuesday, September 8.
Downloadable Template for the schedule for the fall semester
Are you looking for an easy way to write down google meet IDs and schedule for the fall. Please utilize this downloadable template to assist you organize your day.
School Meals
The food services program during the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year will consist of Grab-and-Go breakfasts and lunches served Monday through Friday from 8–9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., beginning Tuesday, September 8. Meals will be available at Patapsco Middle.
Parents of students who qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) must submit a new application every school year. View program details and learn how to apply.
Technology Request (Chromebooks and/or Internet)
HCPSS will provide a Chromebook to every student in middle school within the first quarter. While devices are being procured, parents/guardians of middle school students currently in need of a device may request one. To request a device for your child/children please click here and follow the direction.
FARMs Application (Free and Reduced Meals)
The coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of hardship for many of our friends and neighbors. Many HCPSS families have been impacted financially by the pandemic, and may be eligible now to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including testing fees, tuition, internet and more. Click here for more information and to apply on-line.
Recover Forgotten Username or Password
It is a great time to practice logging-in on a device in preparation for the first day of school. Students who have forgotten their Username or Password can get help by visiting the hcpss.me page and selecting the button “Forgot Password or Username”.
If you forgot your username, you will be prompted to enter your personal email address. If you have a username associated with your email address, your username will be sent to the email address you provided.
Note: For students that do not have personal email addresses on record enter a parent/guardian email address.
If you forgot your password, you will be prompted to enter your username and recovery email. Your password will be sent to the email address you provided.
https://account.hcpss.org/self-service
https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
UPDATE YOUR FAMILY FILE
Regardless of virtual or in-person learning, parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child. Parents/guardians can complete Family File by logging in to HCPSS Connect.
As we are close to beginning the 2020-2021 school year, it is important that we have accurate addresses on file for all of our students. If you have moved, and have not provided us with your updated information, we ask that you email the following documents to our Student Services Secretary, Mrs Miles (Lindsey_miles@hcpss.org).
Please include the following items in your email:
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A completed change of address form-
FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf -
A copy of your new lease or deed
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A copy of a current utility bill with your new address
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to me or to Mrs. Miles.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS – 7TH GRADE STUDENTS
Reminder to parents of incoming 7th grade students: All children must have the required State of Maryland immunizations in order to attend school, including in districts utilizing virtual instruction. The following are required by the state of Maryland for all students entering Grade 7:
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1 dose of Tdap vaccine
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1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine
Although we are not starting the year in the school building, these immunizations are required within 20 calendar days of the first day of school. Click here for more information about this requirement.
Many students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record. Please contact your child’s doctor and send/fax us an updated copy of your child’s immunizations to the Health Room. Our fax # is 410-313-2852 or you may email a copy to megan_blouse@hcpss.org.
VaccineClinicsFlier.8.20 (1).pdf
Back to School Supplies
Here is an updated list to reflect the first semester being virtual
PTA News
Become a PTA member today!
Purchase this year’s PTA memberships in our new online store -- https://patapscomiddle.new.memberhub.store/store
We’ve added new PTA membership levels and family memberships this year to give you more flexibility as well as additional donation options. Your donation helps us reduce fundraisers and increases the quality of our events throughout the year! Remember, PTA memberships are ANNUAL – so you do need to sign up every year! As always, your donation directly benefits our teachers, staff, and students. Please follow us on Facebook to view and all the ways your donation will support our school.
Being a PTA member means that you are part of an association that focuses on programs and initiatives that strengthen your child's education and the family-school partnership. Your dollars directly support your child, your teachers and the PTA builds a stronger, more diverse, and inclusive school community. There's no wrong way to PTA. We invite every family to participate.
Patapsco Middle School PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 23-7077082). All donations are 100% tax-deductible. Your store receipt will be your donation receipt and membership card if you select a PTA membership.
Thank you to all families you have already signed up for a membership and/or made an additional donation. Our PMS community rocks!
Join us at our first meeting in the school parking lot on Wednesday, September 16th at 5:30pm!
Spirit Wear
The Patapsco Spirit Wear Store is now open! You can order now through September 15th. All orders will be shipped to school for curbside pickup in October!
https://patapscomiddleschoolknights.itemorder.com/sale
Beth Schaeffer
Patapsco Middle School PTA President 2019-2021
SJLES Student Materials Collection & Distribution - 9/2/2020
St. John's Lane is holding their Student Materials Collection and Distribution Day on Wednesday, 9/2/2020. On this date, SJLES will distribute items including class pictures, any remaining yearbooks, and students’ personal items that were left behind last school year. Additionally, 9/2 will provide an opportunity to return borrowed items such as SJLES media books and teacher classroom library books.
We understand that not all family schedules will match with their designated windows, but please try to arrive during your designated time frame to assist with traffic overflow onto St. John’s Lane. Families can choose to stop by during the additional window of 2:30-3:15 to pick up materials or simply arrive at a time that works best, if needed. The schedule is below and additional details, similar to our pickup in June, will follow.
- 9:00 - 9:45 - Last names that begin with A - C
- 9:45- 10:30 - Last names that begin with D - F
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10:30 - 11:15 - Last names that begin with G - J
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11:15 - 12:00 - Last names that begin with K - M
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1:00 - 1:45 - Last names that begin with N - Q
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1:45 - 2:30 - Last names that begin with R - Z
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2:30 - 3:15 - Additional pickup window for all families A-Z
Rain Date is 9/3/2020