Plum Point Middle Gator News
October 11, 2026
This Week's Events
October
12- 2 Hour Early Dismissal (Parent Teacher Conferences)
13- FCA (before school), Math Counts (after school), DI Team Practice (after school), PTO Meeting (virtual)
14- PPMS Improv Players (after school), Lego/Robotics (after school), DI Team Practices (after school)
15- SGA (Secretary and Treasurer Elections), Art Club (after school), Volleyball and Soccer vs. WHMS (makeup game)
16- Schools Closed for Students
PPMS Vision, Mission, Gator Way
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.
PPMS Updates
- Athletic Games
- This week we will makeup our volleyball and soccer games from 10/5. Please note that there is a fee for volleyball games: Adults $2, Students $1, Under 6 free, and CCPS ID free.
- Soccer will at Hallowing Point Park and Volleyball will be at PPMS. All games start at 4 p.m.
- During athletic events, students MUST be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age for the duration of the event. Any student seen not accompanied by adult, may lose the opportunity to attend future events.
- MS Volleyball Tournament
- There will be a middle school volleyball tournament on Saturday, October 17 at Northern High School. The cost to attend is $5 for adults, $2 for students, Children Under 7: Free. This will be a cashless event, and all tickets must be purchased online. We are waiting for the ticket link from Athletics and will be sure to provide it as soon as it is received.
- Plum Point will play at 9 am vs. CMS, 11 am vs. MCMS
- All County Orchestra
- Please help us congratulate the following students for making All-County Orchestra! They will be participating in a daytime rehearsal at CHS on October 27 and performing a concert on October 28 at CHS. We would love to see you there!
Frankie Blorstad - viola - 8th grade
Paige McWilliams - violin - 7th grade
Maren Beane - violin - 7th grade
Adeleine Sutter - violin - 8th grade
Grace Ulmer - violin - 7th grade
Abigail Phelan - violin - 7th grade
- 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.
- No Place for Hate Club
- PPMS has had several students express interest in joining the No Place for Hate Club; however, we have not yet received any permission slips for participation. If your student is interested in joining the club, please have them see Mrs. Gay or Mrs. Douglas to obtain a permission slip. We encourage interested students to submit their forms as soon as possible so they can begin participating in club activities.
- Panorama Screener.
- Within CCPS, students will participate in the Panorama Screener. The screener will take place between October 5-15. Please click the link to read the letter, which includes a preview to the screener. >>>Panorama Parent Letter
- Wasp Update
- On Friday, our county maintenance team was on site and removed all wasp nests at PPMS. Further, they were able to seal gaps around an AC unit pipe, which was allowing wasps to get in and build nests. While it is our hope this has solved things, we will continue to monitor and collaborate with our county team as needed.
- Food Containers
- We have seen an increase in students bringing glass containers to school. Although CCPS does not have a formal policy regarding glass containers, PPMS strongly encourages students not to bring them to campus due to safety concerns. Thank you for your support in helping us keep our school safe.
- 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 for missing water bottles, hoodies, hats, and lunch boxes. 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.
- Grading Procedures
- Please use the link to access the most recent grading procedures update: Middle School Grading Procedures Guide for Families.pdf
- 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.
Nurse's Corner
Signs it could be more than a cold 🤒
- Symptoms develop fast - Cold symptoms like nasal congestion or sneezing start slowly and gradually get worse. Flu symptoms hit you all of a sudden and feel stronger.
- Chills - Shivering because your body temperature changes. They aren't typically a sign of a cold. Chills could be an early sign of an infection or high fever. More common with the flu or pneumonia.
- Increase in body temperature - a sign your body is trying to fight an infection/illness. Fevers are rarely caused by a cold, much more common with the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia. A body temperature over 100.4 is considered a fever - 100.0 for schoolchildren.
- Body aches - slight aches possible with a cold, but stronger aches are usually a sign of the flu.
- Wheezing - breathing sounds like a whistle. This is a sign of a more serious infection like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Cough with mucus - mild annoying cough common with a cold but if you cough up mucus (slimy stuff from deep in your chest) can be a sign of pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Fatigue - no energy, no appetite, a typical symptom of the flu. Less often caused by a cold.
- Sore throat - mild with a cold and sometimes with the flu. Very painful and comes on quickly may be a sign of strep throat.
- Headache - many causes but a cold usually isn't one of them. Common flu symptom and possible sinus infection.
- Chest tightness or Pain - sign of a more serious respiratory infection like bronchitis. Sharp pain that worsens when you cough could be a sign of pneumonia.
- Shortness of breath - a cold can cause a stuffy nose which makes breathing harder, but real shortness of breath is a sign of something more serious.
- Ear, face or eye pressure - could be a sign of sinus infection or ear infection.
Symptoms that don't go away - flu symptoms may be bad, but they usually get better within a few days. Colds can last up to 10 days. Pneumonia symptoms can last for a month or longer. Bronchitis symptoms can last several months.
*Always call your primary care physician for new or worsening symptoms so you can get an accurate diagnosis and get the right treatment.
*Please keep student's home if they are sick to help keep our PPMS community safe, happy and healthy! Happy October🙂
*See attached Flu Clinic Flyer! The CCHD will be administering Flu Shots throughout the month at the local high schools.
Gator Services
Annual Student Update
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 by October 19 to help PPMS reach 100% participation. Thank you for your support and partnership.
Attendance
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
Career Advisor's Corner
🐊 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
Athletics Corner
PBIS Corner
NJHS Corner
SGA Corner
Student Government Association
If a student is brand new and wants to join SGA and has never attended a meeting, the next meeting they can attend will be on Thursday, October 29th.
October 15th - Secretary and Treasurer Elections
October 22nd - Grade Level Vice President Elections
October 29th - Full Meeting- Open to New Members
*Note- Students cannot attend a meeting until October 29th if they have not attended a meeting this year, since elections are only open to established members.
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 24th
PINK GATOR NATION T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED!
PPMS will celebrate Pink Day on Tuesday, October 24th. 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.
“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!
Clubs
📣 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:
Community Opportunities/Information
Calvert County Public Schools Non-Discriminatory Statement
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.