Plum Point Middle Gator News

October

26- Volleyball/Soccer vs. CMS

27- FCA (before school), Math Counts (after school), DI Team Practice (after school)

28- PPMS Improv Players (after school), Lego/Robotics Club (after school), DI Team Practice (after school), All-County Orchestra Concert (CHS @ 7pm)

29- SGA (before school), MP 1 ends

30- 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Trunk or Treat (6-8 pm)

VISION THE PPMS COMMUNITY:

• PROMOTES HIGH STANDARDS

• PROVIDES POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

• MAKES A DIFFERENCE

• STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE

Mission: At PPMS, we believe that all students can reach their potential to become well-rounded, life-long learners who are contributing community members. Our academic focus is on critical thinking, self-direction, and proficiency with technology. We strive for an inclusive climate and culture that is safe, caring, and accepting.

At PPMS We Believe in the Gator Way:

• We embrace our differences.

• We do not give up on each other.

• We respect each other.

• We all have a voice.

• We value our wellness both body and mind.

• We rise to the challenge and opportunities for excellence.

• We are in this together.

• Athletic Games
• Monday's Games vs. CMS
• Volleyball will be at CMS.
• Soccer will be at HPP #12.
• Playoffs for the fall season will begin on Wednesday, Oct 28th. As of today, it looks like the Soccer team will play at HPP#12 at 4PM and Volleyball will have a 1st round bye and then host the Semi-final on Nov 2nd. The remaining practices will be adjusted based on the results of the games.

• The deadline to register for Winter Athletic clinics is Nov 13th; clinics will begin the week of Nov 16th. A schedule will be included in next week's newsletter.
  

  
  

• Red Ribbon Week
• Red Ribbon Week is this week and we want to see as many students participate as possible as we say "no to drugs." Please note that students should refrain from bringing glitter and/or face paint to school. Additionally, there should be no costumes of any kind worn during this week.

• Marking Period One
• Marking Period One is coming to a close on October 29, 2026. Please be sure to check HAC with students to see what is missing and can be submitted. Let's finish the marking period strong.

• Trunk or Treat
  
• Trunk or Treat is this Friday. If you are interested in sponsoring a trunk, please be sure to register using the flyer under the PTO Corner. All funds raised will support our PTO for them to continue to do amazing things for students and staff.
  

• Yearbook Photos
• Please help us make our yearbook special by sending in pictures so we can fill the yearbook with as many moments from students as possible. When sharing, please be sure to include first and last name, grade level, and event. To add pictures, visit: Memento Yearbook. Once you click "Candid Photos" you will be prompted to enter a password, please use: PlumPointMS27!

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes

• Please join the remind app https://www.remind.com/join/fcappm

• TShirt Sales are live! https://mockabeedesigns.com/collections/plum-point-middle-fca

• Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Arter with any questions.

• Lost and Found
• PPMS has collected a great deal of items in lost and found. We are asking parents to remind students to check lost and found cart outside of the cafeteria for missing water bottles, hoodies, hats, and lunch boxes. If your student is missing a pair of shoes, they should see Ms. Fleet. Any items not claimed at the end of the month will be donated.

• Arrival/Departure
• We are asking parents/families of car riders to be mindful of turning around on private roads. There are times when students on those roads are accessing transportation, and we want all students to remain safe. Therefore, we are asking for cooperation of families to please adhere to any signage for private roads.

• Academics
• Please use the link to access the most recent grading procedures update: Middle School Grading Procedures Guide for Families.pdf
• For curricular overviews, visit the district's Academics Page >>> MS Academics

• Volunteering for SY26-27

• Calvert County Public Schools uses Raptor for visitors and volunteers to sign in and sign out. All volunteers will need to review the volunteer handbook and watch the volunteer training video before completing an Online Volunteer Application. Volunteers must be approved before they may begin service as a volunteer in any school buildings. Please note, the procedures for policy 8123 states that all volunteers must be at least twenty-one years of age unless he/she is the parent of a child in school.

• Only complete this application if you intend to volunteer with Calvert County Public Schools. The volunteer application is not used for visitors.

• Read the volunteer handbook.
• Complete the Online Volunteer Application. CCPS Volunteer Application
• The application may be completed on a computer or a mobile device.
• You are required to watch the CCPS Volunteer Training Video (approximately 14 minutes) before you can proceed with your application.

Pumpkins are the unofficial mascot of fall 🎃 Enjoy these fun and unusual facts about pumpkins!

1. Pumpkins are technically fruit! - They contain seeds and are a type of winter squash, closely related to cucumbers and melons.
2. Pumpkins are packed with nutrition! - They are a nutrient-dense and naturally low-calorie food. They contain 49% of your daily needs for vitamin K, along with vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate, and niacin. So, pull out those pumpkin recipes 🙂
3. Pumpkin offers plenty of health benefits! - They contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Which has shown in studies to help fight off infections, prevent age-related vision problems, and may help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

4. Each pumpkin produces about 500 seeds! - These seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack - packed with antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, and fatty acids! https://therecipecritic.com/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/

5. Canned pumpkin isn't always an actual pumpkin. - Turns out that "pumpkin" puree sold in a can is usually made of Dickinson squash, a relative of butternut and acorn squash. https://myhomebasedlife.com/how-to-make-your-own-pumpkin-puree/
6. Pumpkins grow everywhere except Antarctica. - The top producers of pumpkins include China, India, Mexico, and Ukraine
7. The U.S. produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins every year! - Every state grows some pumpkins, but most of our supply is grown in 5 states - California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
8. Cinderella popularized pumpkins! - The story of Cinderella wouldn't be the same without that pumpkin carriage! Pumpkins were first named by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584. He called them "gros melons," which translated to "pompions" in English. Pompions eventually evolved into pumpkins, and the first known use of the word in literature was in the story of Cinderella!
9. Pumpkins weren't always popular on Halloween! - The tradition of carving pumpkins on Halloween started from a scary Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
10. That's a great pumpkin, Charlie Brown! - Mathias Wellemijins holds the title of Heaviest Pumpkin. The Belgian man grew a pumpkin that weighed in at 2,624.6 pounds. That's big!

Happy Halloween! I hope you all have a safe and fun week. Don't forget to take advantage of the CCHD Shot Clinics - one last clinic Wednesday 10/28 at PHS 4 to 7pm.

🎃Nurse Smith

It is that time of year where CCPS is asking families to be sure that they complete the Impact Aid Program Survey. Completing this survey allows CCPS to receive federal grant funds to operate and maintain schools and enrich school programs. The survey is available online in HAC. Once logged in, navigate to Registration/Update Enrollment, and select Start to the right of the Impact Aid Program Survey. Should you want a physical form instead, please contact Ms. Brown in the Main Office at browns@calvertnet.k12.md.us.

It is that time of year when we ask families to complete the Annual Student Update Form. This form helps ensure that PPMS has accurate and up-to-date contact information for parents/guardians and emergency contacts. For families who have not yet completed the form, a paper copy has been mailed home. Families may also complete the form online through HAC. If you have not already done so, please complete and submit the form to help PPMS reach 100% participation. Thank you for your support and partnership.

Attendance updates are handled by Mrs. Mongello, PMMS Guidance Secretary. Notes should be delivered to the Guidance Office (Gator Services) or sent to PPMSAttendance@calvertnet.k12.md.us

When your student arrives late or leaves early due to a Health-Related Appointment (Doctor/Dentist/Therapist, etc.): A note is required to code as Legal. Please send a note in with your child when they return to school or email a note to PPMSAttendance@calvertnet.k12.md.us

🐊 Gator Vision: A Look Into the Future

Plum Point Middle School is excited to introduce Gator Vision: A Look Into the Future, a new Career Advisor initiative connecting our students with professionals from a wide variety of career fields.

Throughout the school year, guest speakers will visit PPMS on scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays to share their personal career journeys, provide insight into the world of work, and answer questions from our students. Students will be selected based off their identified strengths, interests, and goals.

From healthcare and technology to skilled trades, business, public service, agriculture, media, and beyond, Gator Vision will expose students to the many different pathways available after middle school.

Real People. Real Careers. Real Possibilities.

We are also looking for community members and professionals who would be willing to share their career experiences with our Gators. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a guest speaker, please contact me (information below).

Thank you for your time and support!

Terry Pentecost

Career Advisor

Plum Point Middle School

Room 241

Email: pentecostt@calvertnet.k12.md.us

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 29th at 7:00 am in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Kelly. kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

END HUNGER NOW- FOOD DRIVE

October 1st- November 2nd

The Plum Point Middle School’s SGA will be sponsoring the End Hunger Now Food Drive through the entire month of October. End Hunger Now benefits hungry families in Calvert County. All donations will be collected before school in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316.

We will award the mentoring class with the most donations a donut party, courtesy of the SGA. Please keep in mind that only non-perishable food items can be collected. Your help with donating items for this worthy cause is greatly appreciated!

PINK DAY- OCTOBER 27th

PINK GATOR NATION T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED!

PPMS will celebrate Pink Day on Tuesday, October 27th. Pink Day Shirts are currently being sold online using the link below. If you order online, your shirt will be delivered during your mentoring period. You can wear this shirt all year as PPMS spirit wear! You can also wear it for PPMS Pink Day on October 24th. Don’t wait and order your “Pink Gator Nation” shirt today!

Sizing is very limited- so order early! Please note we only have Adult Sizes. 100% of the profits will be donated to the Sheldon Goldberg Breast Center. See the attached flyer for additional information and a picture of the shirt.

Pink Day Shirt Purchase

Small Pink Day items will also be sold during lunches starting on October 23rd. These items will include pink bead necklaces, pop its, rubber bracelets, and pink scrunchies.

“FIELD OF FLAGS” DISPLAY- VETERANS DAY

PPMS SGA will be organizing a “Field of Flags” to support and honor our veterans. This event will help bring our school and community together while creating a moving tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our military. Please consider donating a flag for this important event. Student leaders will help set up this inspiring display of service and patriotism before Veterans Day in front of Plum Point Middle School.

You can donate any amount to this event online using the link below and selecting SGA Donations. Please enter Field of Flags in the “Description Area”. The SGA will then forward all donations to this project by November 2nd. Thank you for your help in honoring our veterans!

SGA Donations

📣 WE NEED MORE GATOR FAMILIES ON THE TEAM!

Our school has hundreds of families, but we currently have only 30 PTO registrations. Every membership helps us support students, show appreciation to our teachers and staff, host memorable events and strengthen our school community.

You do not have to attend every meeting or volunteer at every event to make a difference. Every membership, donation, shared post and helping hand matters!

💙 Family Membership: $20

💚 Teacher Membership: $10

Register here:

https://forms.gle/FJMRFuagZXFrCGF69

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national original, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services

• Director of Human Resources
  443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.