SSIMS Weekly Newsletter

Week of December 19 - December 23, 2022

About Us

Email: Karen_Y_Bryant@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/ssims/
Location: 313 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-2750
Twitter: @SSIMSPrincipal

zoom_out_map

Internationally Speaking, with Principal Bryant

Dear Silver Spring International Families,

'Twas the week before the week before winter break and the jaguars are energized!

I want to thank our parents for their ongoing partnership with the school, teachers, and staff. Together, we can continue to provide our children with a safe, stimulating learning environment.

Winter Music Concerts Are Here!

Please plan to join us for our SSIMS Band Concert on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 7 pm and the SSIMS Orchestra & Chorus Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 7 pm. Both concerts take place at the Northwood HS Auditorium. We hope you'll join us for some holiday cheer!

With gratitude! 🐾

CHROMEBOOK INVENTORY & OBLIGATIONS

Caregivers, we need your help!

As the school year progresses, we are seeing large numbers of students who have lost, misplaced, or damaged their assigned Chromebooks (and chargers). In January, we will begin to issue obligations to students who fit into this category. Obligations will cover technology from the 2022-2023 school year.

We are asking parents and caregivers to search your homes for any technology (Chromebooks & charges) that have been lost, misplaced, or damaged throughout the year, and bring them to the main office so they can be accounted for before obligations are issued.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's grade level administrator who is happy to support.

Schedule for Week of December 19 - December 23

Health Corner

While it feels like things have gotten back to 'normal', we are still reminded every day that we are in the midst of a pandemic. We will be distributing Covid-19 home test kits to students before December 22 for use during the Winter Break.

Testing is strongly encouraged but not mandatory for returning staff and students.
Tests can also be used for staff and students with symptoms or a possible exposure to COVID-19

Report positive results using this online tool.
If you are positive or have a close contact with COVID-19 (e.g., a household member), follow CDC Guidelines for isolation or exposure to prevent further transmission
Don’t forget to check the expiration date! iHealth kits are good for 6 months after the printed expiration date.
If you have symptoms, test immediately. If you are negative from a rapid test, a PCR test to confirm the negative result. You may also repeat the rapid test in 48 hours.
If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19
Consider testing before returning to school after the holiday break, especially if you may have been exposed to COVID (e.g., after holiday travel or large indoor events)

SSL December Newsletter

The Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest is now open! Students may earn 5 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link.
The Choose Respect Video Contest is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website.
Additional December 2022 SSL Opportunities
SSL Hours Documentation
- Any SSL forms for service completed after June 1, 2022, and submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator by September 23, 2022, will be reviewed and processed by the end of the first quarter.
- Students who wish to submit SSL forms from previous school years must write an appeal to the school’s principal outlining the circumstances for why the SSL form(s) were not turned in by the systemwide deadline. The school’s principal will consider the information presented and make a final decision about the appeal.
To view SSL forms and important due dates for the 2021-2022 school year, please click here.
Please note that all SSL forms for service completed during the summer of 2022 or the 2022-2023 school year should be submitted to the school’s SSL coordinator on a rolling basis by the recommended due date of January 6, 2023, but no later than the required deadline of June 2, 2023.
Any middle school student who has submitted documentation to show the completion of the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement (for the first time in middle school) by March 30, 2023, will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award.
The required deadline for all documentation that qualifies middle school students for the Superintendent’s SSL Award is March 30, 2023.

All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification form - https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) should be submitted to Ms. Mannix, SSL coordinator by March 30, 2023, to be considered for this award.

Outdoor Ed Open House

Jag Calendar - December

SSIMS Wayne Ave Parking Lot Closure (Field House)

The parking lot beside the field house will be closed for construction starting December 23, 2022. The closure will likely last two years while construction continues on Wayne Ave. This move was anticipated and we've been told that our full allotment of parking in the parking lots is available to us. There will not be access to that lot when we start the new year, 2023. See pic below for the affected area.

ParentVue

Are you having trouble accessing ParentVue on Synergy? Check out this website that provides information and resources for accessing ParentVue. If you still need help, please contact the counseling department for extra assistance.