Dear SMMHS Families,

Take a look at the important information below in this edition of the Saints Scoop.

Important Dates

September

7 - Labor Day Schools Closed
15- Picture Day
15- Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herran Assembly (8th-12th Grade)
18- Early Dismissal (11:30 Student Dismissal Time)
29- Q1 Interim Ends

October

2- Early Dismissal (Secondary Conferences)
16- Homecoming Games
17- Homecoming Dance

🚗 Car Rider Line Reminder

Morning Drop off

Please pull over along the sidewalk for Middle School drop-off at the front entrance and at the gym steps for High School.
Please do not drop students off in the middle lane. To keep traffic flowing, drop students off promptly and continue moving forward so the line does not back up.

Afternoon Pick Up

Please do not pick up students before reaching the designated pickup zone.

Please do not stop in the middle lane to pick up students. The middle lane is a pull-through lane and must remain clear to keep traffic moving.

📸 Picture Day

Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, September 15. Please make sure students are ready to have their pictures taken.

💜 Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herren Assembly (8th-12th Grade)

On September 15th, we will be hosting a student assembly by Chris Herren. He is a former NBA player, recovery advocate, and founder of the nonprofit Herren Project and Herren Wellness. Through Herren Talks, he delivers inspiring presentations that empower audiences to rethink the disease of addiction and make positive life choices. His story has been chronicled in the bestselling memoir Basketball Junkie and the Emmy-nominated ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Unguarded. We are very excited for our students to hear Mr. Herren's message, and we are truly thankful to Talbot Goes Purple for providing our students with this opportunity!

Early Dismissal Sept 18th

Friday, September 18

Dismissal routines will remain the same, but students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. Please plan accordingly for transportation and pickup.

Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser

Dear Parents, Guardians, and School Community,

We are excited to kick off our Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser to honor and support our amazing teachers and staff at St. Michaels Middle High School!

You can support our efforts to celebrate our staff while decorating your home for the holidays—or sending fresh, beautiful greenery as gifts to friends and family across the country.

How to Support:

Visit GiftItForward.com.
Enter our fundraising code: STMICHMD001

A portion of every purchase goes directly toward funding our Teacher Appreciation initiatives and showing our educators how much they mean to our community. Thank you for helping us give back to our teachers! Orders are taken until mid December.

🔻 Previous Saints Scoop Reminders 🔻

📋 Out-of-Area Student Reminder

Families of Out-of-Area students should have received reminder letters. Please review the letter carefully, sign, and return it to acknowledge your understanding of the requirements associated with your student’s Out-of-Area status.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

🚗 Driver’s Education Classes

SMMHS will be offering Driver’s Education classes throughout the school year! The first class will be offered in October.

A flyer with class dates and details is attached. Students and families should use the link on the flyer to register for the class date they are interested in.

Please note: The grant that has supported Driver’s Education in the past is not currently available. Classes will therefore be self-pay unless otherwise noted. If funding becomes available, we will share updated information with families.

Please reach out to the school with any questions.

Driver's Ed

Driver's Ed (Spanish)

CELL Phone UPDATE & Changes

NO CELL BELL TO BELL

TCPS has implemented a “no cell, bell to bell” regulation for 2026-2027. Students in all grade levels will not be permitted to use cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, or other personal communication devices during the school day.

This change is in response to the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which was passed during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. Across the country, schools where phone-free policies have been implemented have noted many improved outcomes, including less distraction, less cyberbullying, fewer fights, increased engagement, improved attendance, and healthier school environments overall.

Please note that exceptions may be made, including for documented medical needs or approved accommodations. As is the case at Easton Middle and St. Michaels Middle schools, consequences for non-compliance without approved exceptions are as follows:

First Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the student can pick it up at the end of the day.
Second Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the parent has to pick it up.
Third Offense- Office referral, and the parent has to pick the phone up.
Fourth Offense- Office referral. Students are required to turn in their phones to the office daily for the remainder of the quarter.

This is aligned with the TCPS Student Code of Conduct. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss digital device expectations and review the TCPS Student Code of Conduct with students before the start of the 2026-2027 school year. We appreciate your support and partnership with these new expectations.

Attendance Updates

STUDENT ATTENDANCE REGULATION REVISIONS

We are implementing revisions to our Student Attendance Administrative Regulation 10.2 to comply with Maryland Law.

1 - Since family vacations have always been unexcused absences, TCPS will no longer have an internal code or approval process for family vacations. In accordance with Maryland Law (COMAR 13A.08.01.03-.04), these absences can only be coded as unexcused.

2 - The state has instituted a new absence code for students participating in civic engagement. These absences will be excused with prior authorization by school administration.

3 - TCPS will no longer count six tardies as one unexcused absence.

4 - The state does not recognize tardies as excused or unexcused, so we will not code those as such. They will simply be coded as a tardy.

5 - If a student has a chronic illness, absences will no longer be classified as CHIPS (Chronic Health Impairment for Students). Families will need to talk to their school counselor and complete the Home/Hospital process for intermittent services. This will ensure that students suffering from chronic health issues continue to receive educational services.

Please carefully review the updated Student Attendance Administrative Regulation linked here: Policy Code 10.2 AR

Grading Changes & Updates

TCPS Grading Policy Updates 2026-2027

Over the past year, TCPS has conducted a comprehensive review of its grading practices in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families. Informed by district data, research, community feedback, and grading simulations, TCPS will implement the following new grading practices for the 2026-2027 school year.

Key Shifts in Grades 6-12

Grading Weight

Formative weight: previously 30% of the reported grade, now 40% of the reported grade.
Summative weight: previously 70% of the reported grade, now 60% of the reported grade.

Grading Scale (6-12)

Grades 6-12 use a hybrid model: traditional letter grades (A+ through F, including I and M for incomplete or missing), paired with a 4-point quality scale, with no artificial floor on individual assignment scores (minimum “50% as the floor grading” is eliminated).

For more information on the grading scale, please visit this additional resource.

Other Key Changes

Every unit must include formative assessment(s) before the related summative, covering all the same learning outcomes, with adequate time for feedback and reteaching first.

Why: Ensures students have practiced and received feedback on a skill before being formally evaluated on a summative assessment.

Teachers must keep gradebooks current, entering grades within 5 school days of submission (up to 8 school days for lengthy summatives like major projects, labs, or essays, if communicated in advance).

Why: Keeps grade information current so students and families can respond quickly, and sets a consistent, predictable timeline for feedback across all teachers and schools.

Grades cannot be disproportionately entered near the end of a marking period in a way that significantly changes a student's grade, without prior documentation and communication with the family.

Why: Avoids last-minute grade surprises and keeps families informed early enough to provide support.

Missing or incomplete formative work can be submitted for full credit if completed before the related summative. Students present on a summative's due date must complete it that day or within 5 school days, unless the teacher approves an exception. However, tests must be completed on the day of administration if the student is present.

Why: Encourages students to complete practice while still holding a firm, fair line on summative timeliness so grades reflect actual mastery.

Reteaching/reassessment applies to formative work only: mandatory for a D+ or below, available upon request for a C- or above. It must happen before the related summative, within the same marking period. Summative assessments and final exams are not eligible for reassessment, except for verified extenuating circumstances or principal approval.

Why: Gives every student a path to mastery while a skill is still being built, without opening the door to endless retakes on final assessments — preserving the integrity of summative grades.

Dress Code Reminder

Be Dressed for learning

Wear clothes that cover your stomach, chest, and undergarments. No pajamas, slippers, or see-through tights without something over them. Avoid clothes with holes too high up or that are too tight/revealing. Skip unsafe accessories (spikes, chains, etc.). No graphics or items promoting drugs, violence, hate, or harassment.

Finish Outside Food and Drink Before Entering

Remember, all outside food and drinks must be finished before entering the school building.

High School Athletics Updates

New Athletics Website

We are also excited to introduce our new home for all things Saints Athletics! The new website, smsaints.com, will provide information for students, families, and the community, including schedules, announcements, registration information, and other athletic updates.

Athletics Ticketing Update

As high school athletics continues to move toward a more consistent statewide approach, St. Michaels Middle High School will transition to a cashless ticketing system for athletic events this year. We will continue using GoFan for all ticket sales.

All regular season ticket revenue directly benefits our students and athletic programming by supporting opportunities, resources, and experiences for our athletes.

With the transition to cashless ticketing, admission will be charged for the following sports:

Fall Sports

Soccer
Field Hockey
Volleyball

Winter Sports

Basketball
Wrestling

Spring Sports

Baseball
Softball

**Cash will continue to be accepted only at the concession stands.**

Middle School Sports through the YMCA

Middle school sports programming is offered through the YMCA and is not operated by St. Michaels Middle High School. Families interested in middle school sports opportunities should contact the YMCA directly for information about available programs, schedules, and registration. Only High school scholastic sports are granted attendance excusals for games. This does not apply to Middle School Sport as it operated through the YMCA.

High School & Middle School Girls Club Soccer

Practices: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Mount Pleasant Practice Field

12 Magnolia Avenue, Easton

Students are welcome to drop in at the next practice.

For more information, contact Brodie Steen at the Perkins YMCA

410-745-5963; bsteen@ymcachesapeake.org

Student Parking

Student parking is $25. To get a parking pass, complete the office form and submit copies of your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

FARMs Online Form

Please take a moment and complete the FARMs form. This helps our school tremendously with funding!

Saints Scoop

September 11th

Important Dates

September

October

🚗 Car Rider Line Reminder

📸 Picture Day

💜 Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herren Assembly (8th-12th Grade)

Early Dismissal Sept 18th

Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser

🔻 Previous Saints Scoop Reminders 🔻

📋 Out-of-Area Student Reminder

🚗 Driver’s Education Classes

Driver's Ed

Driver's Ed (Spanish)

CELL Phone UPDATE & Changes

NO CELL BELL TO BELL

Attendance Updates

STUDENT ATTENDANCE REGULATION REVISIONS

Grading Changes & Updates

TCPS Grading Policy Updates 2026-2027

Dress Code Reminder

Be Dressed for learning

Finish Outside Food and Drink Before Entering

High School Athletics Updates

New Athletics Website

Athletics Ticketing Update

Middle School Sports through the YMCA

Student Parking

FARMs Online Form

MySchoolApps - Select District

Community Flyers

Junior Naturalist Club

Junior Naturalist Club (Spanish)

Destination Imagination

DI (Spanish)

TCPS Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week

TCPS Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week (Spanish)

Important Dates Important Dates

September

October

🚗 Car Rider Line Reminder 🚗 Car Rider Line Reminder

📸 Picture Day 📸 Picture Day

💜 Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herren Assembly (8th-12th Grade) 💜 Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herren Assembly (8th-12th Grade)

Early Dismissal Sept 18th Early Dismissal Sept 18th

Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser

🔻 Previous Saints Scoop Reminders 🔻 🔻 Previous Saints Scoop Reminders 🔻

📋 Out-of-Area Student Reminder 📋 Out-of-Area Student Reminder

🚗 Driver’s Education Classes 🚗 Driver’s Education Classes

Driver's Ed

Driver's Ed (Spanish)

CELL Phone UPDATE & Changes CELL Phone UPDATE & Changes

NO CELL BELL TO BELL

Attendance Updates Attendance Updates

STUDENT ATTENDANCE REGULATION REVISIONS

Grading Changes & Updates Grading Changes & Updates

TCPS Grading Policy Updates 2026-2027

Dress Code Reminder Dress Code Reminder

Be Dressed for learning

Finish Outside Food and Drink Before Entering Finish Outside Food and Drink Before Entering

High School Athletics Updates High School Athletics Updates

New Athletics Website

Athletics Ticketing Update

Middle School Sports through the YMCA

Student Parking Student Parking

FARMs Online Form FARMs Online Form

Community Flyers Community Flyers

Junior Naturalist Club

Junior Naturalist Club (Spanish)

Destination Imagination

DI (Spanish)

TCPS Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week

TCPS Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week (Spanish)

Important Dates

🚗 Car Rider Line Reminder

📸 Picture Day

💜 Talbot Goes Purple Chris Herren Assembly (8th-12th Grade)

Early Dismissal Sept 18th

Teacher Appreciation Wreath Fundraiser

🔻 Previous Saints Scoop Reminders 🔻

📋 Out-of-Area Student Reminder

🚗 Driver’s Education Classes

CELL Phone UPDATE & Changes

Attendance Updates

Grading Changes & Updates

Dress Code Reminder

Finish Outside Food and Drink Before Entering

High School Athletics Updates

Student Parking

FARMs Online Form

Community Flyers