Plum Point Middle Gator News

Dear Students, Families, and Guardians,

We are excited to begin the 2026-2027 school year and look forward to partnering with you to support the success of every student.

This year, we will continue fostering a positive school culture through PBIS, mentoring, enrichment opportunities, social-emotional learning, and high-quality instruction. Our focus remains on creating an environment where all students feel supported, connected, and challenged to grow.

Our theme for the year is:

Consistency Creates Trust. Ownership Drives Success.

By working together and maintaining high expectations, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, achieve, and thrive.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are looking forward to an outstanding year at Plum Point Middle School!

We are excited to introduce new staff:

• Ms. Shyra Jones– 6th Grade ELA Teacher
• Mr. Jack Thon – 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
• Ms. Kelsey Henson – 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
• Ms. Andi Curtis– 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
• Ms. Jill Rossler – 8th Grade ELA Teacher
• Ms. Stacey Johnson – 8th Grade ELA Teacher
• Ms. Caitlin Tarleton- Special Education Teacher
• Ms. Candy Reynolds- Special Education Teacher
• Ms. Sarah Brann- Instructional Assistant
• Ms. Charmain Harrod- Instructional Assistant
• Ms. Maddie Kelly- Instructional Assistant
• Ms. Summer Spencer- Instructional Assistant
• Ms. Levone Wiseman- Financial Secretary
• Dep. Logan Armbruster - School Resource Officer

Together, we will achieve excellence for every student. Let’s make this year one to remember!

Warmly,
Chandra Fleet
Principal

August

24- Orientation Day for 6th graders and New 7th and 8th graders (8:10-11:10)

25- First Day of School

September

1- Fall Sports Clinics Begin

2- Student Code of Conduct Assemblies (during school day)

7- Schools and Offices Closed

8- Back to School Night

10- SGA Spirit Night (MOD Pizza, Prince Frederick)

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.

• CCPS Welcome Back Video
• 2026 Welcome Back Video

• Orientation Day
• Orientation Day for incoming 6th graders and new 7th and 8th grade students will be Monday, August 24th. Orientation is a half day opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with PPMS. Students should arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. to be in place for the opening session at 8:10 a.m. Dismissal will begin at 11:10 a.m. Transportation will be provided on Orientation Day, please review the letter from CCPS' Transportation Department >>> Click Here
• Car Riders will be able to enter the building beginning at 7:50 a.m. Please see the car rider flow chart to know how to enter and exit.
• The expectation is that parents have students outside of the home and at their assigned bus stop ten to fifteen (10-15) minutes before the established pick-up time for the first week of school.
• All students will receive a printed copy of their schedules during orientation.

• First Day of School
• The first day of school is Tuesday, August 25th. All 7th and 8th grade students will report to the cafeteria upon arrival to receive their schedules and go to first period.
• All 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders can go directly to their first period classes as they should have their schedules from Monday, August 24th.
• Should your student lose their schedule and need another copy, please have them report to Gator Services for another copy.

• Back to School Night
• Please mark your calendars for September 8, 6-7:30 p.m. for our Back to School Night. This will be an opportunity for families to meet our amazing teachers and explore our classrooms. We will also have community partners onsite to share resources with families.
• There will be a Destination Imagination (DI) Informational session for all PPMS students from 5:30-6 p.m. If your student is interested in DI, please be sure to attend this session.

• Academics Page
• Have you ever had questions about the curriculum and what students are learning? If so, we are excited to share that CCPS has created an Academics Page on its website for families to get a glimpse of curricular structures for elementary, middle, and high school. Use the link to explore>> Academics Page

• Grading Procedures
• Please use the link to access the most recent grading procedures update: Middle School Grading Procedures Guide for Families.pdf

• Supplies
• Many families have asked about supplies for the upcoming school year. As a school, we would recommend buying everyday supplies to get the year started, i.e. notebooks, pens, pencils, and folders. However, please note that there may be additional supplies requested by teachers, which will be given at the start of the year.

• Athletics
• Fall Athletic clinics will begin on September 1st. If your child plans on participating in the Volleyball or Soccer clinic, they need to be registered in HAC by August 28th, and the $35 clinic fee must be paid. If you are having trouble registering your child, contact our Athletic Director John Pellock: Pellockj@calvertnet.k12.md.us

• Gator Cafeteria

• We kindly request students who are not purchasing a lunch come to school prepared with their meals. This prevents frequent phone calls home and dropping off student lunches. Should such an occasion occur, we ask that meals be dropped off before lunch shifts begin (around 10:20am).
• Our school cafeteria prepares wonderful meals. More information can be found https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child-nutrition/school-meal-information

• 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.

• CCPS Communications Update
• Stay Connected with CCPS!
• Don’t miss important school and district updates! Families are encouraged to make sure their contact information and communication preferences are current in the CCPS Notification System.
• Need help checking or updating your information? Follow the step-by-step directions.
• Guardians (non-CCPS employees): Guardians - Calvert County Public School District

• Everything You Need for Back to School – All in One Place! Visit the CCPS Welcome Back to School Hub for important information, resources, dates, and reminders to help your family get ready for the new school year. Welcome Back to School! - Calvert County Public School District

Dress Code Reminders

• Students must wear:
• Shirt or top (all shirts and tops must at least cover the student’s navel).
• Bottom (for example, pants, sweatpants, shorts, skirt, dress, and leggings).
• Shoes (curricular or activity-specific shoes may be required).
• Certain body parts must be covered for each student. Clothes must be worn in a way such that the chest, navel, pelvic/groin area and buttocks are covered with material that is not transparent.

• Students are permitted to wear:
• Hats or headwear, as long as the student’s face and ears are visible and are not obscured, and the student’s identity is not concealed.
• Tank tops (including ones with spaghetti straps), halter tops, and strapless tops.
• Ripped jeans that do not expose undergarments.
• Athletic attire.

• Students are not permitted to wear:
• Attire that depicts profanity, hate speech, obscenity, or violence, including by the use of weapons.
• Attire that promotes use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or other illegal or harmful products.
• Attire that promotes, implies, or contains sexually suggestive messages.
• Visible underwear or bathing suits.
• Headwear that obscures the face, except as a religious obligation, observation of a religious holiday, or for a school-related activity.
• Attire that depicts gang affiliation.
• Attire that causes or is likely to cause a material disruption, a substantial disorder to school activities or the orderly operation of the school, or an invasion of the rights of others.
• Attire that contains language or symbols that demean an identifiable person or group or otherwise infringes on the rights of others.
• Attire that may be used as a weapon (e.g., chains, dog collars, hats with spikes) or that may cause damage to school property.
• Sunglasses may not be worn inside of the school building unless prescribed by a physician. If sunglasses are prescribed, a medical form must be completed and submitted to the main office.
• Wearable technology (i.e., earbuds, headphones) when it interferes with instruction or student safety.

Welcome back to school! It's going to be a great year! I wanted to quickly review the requirements for medications at school.

1. A doctor’s order is required for all medications, including over-the-counter. In addition, parent/guardian signature is required on the Medication Administration Authorization form (attached).

2. A new Medication Administration Authorization form is needed at the beginning of each school year with the medication. I have attached the Asthma Medication Order form and Epinephrine Order form.

3. No child should have medication with them unless they have a Medication Administration Authorization form with self-carry indicated by the doctor and signed off by the school nurse.

4. Please bring in the required forms and medications to the health room, student's should not bring in the forms and medication. A parent must drop off all forms and medications.

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

At PPMS, we are committed to providing all students with balanced and equitable learning experiences. To support this goal, we are unable to accommodate requests for specific teachers when creating student schedules. However, if you review your child's schedule and believe there is an error based on their course selections, please contact their school counselor for assistance.

Please review a special message from our School Social Worker, Mrs. Gay.

Student government helps develop public speaking and leadership skills which will help your student throughout life. Students get to practice these leadership skills at county and statewide general assemblies and conferences. SGA also plans and executes many schoolwide events.

• End Hunger Food Drive
• School Dances and Socials
• School Beautification Days
• Teacher Appreciation Activities
• Pink Day- Breast Cancer Research
• Love All Pets Month- Calvert Animal Welfare League
• School Spirit Weeks

Past and current PPMS SGA leaders have served on the Calvert Association of Student Councils, Maryland Association of Student Councils, and Calvert County Board of Education!

PPMS SGA helps develop our future leaders!

We are very happy to announce the schedule for SGA meetings for the 2026-2027 school year. We will begin meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00 am in Mrs. Kelly’s room, 316.

We hope to see many returning students and students new to SGA at this meeting. Feel free to attend and learn more about the Student Government Association at Plum Point Middle School. All needed paperwork will be distributed at this meeting. We always welcome enthusiastic student leaders! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Kelly.

kellyd@calvertnet.k12.md.us

GATOR FAMILIES — IT’S TIME TO JOIN THE PLUM POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO!

We are kicking off the 2026–2027 school year with purpose, energy, and a commitment to our theme:

✨ Consistency, Accountability & Creating Memories ✨

Joining the PTO is one of the easiest ways to support our students, teachers, staff, and school community. Your membership helps fund student activities, teacher appreciation, family events, honor roll celebrations, dances, morale activities, hygiene support, and so much more.

And remember — joining does NOT mean you are required to volunteer.

Your membership alone makes a difference!

💚 Membership Cost:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families: $20

🍎 Teachers/Staff: $10

Whether you can give time, ideas, donations, support, or simply your membership — there is a place for you in the PTO.

✅ Register and pay today: https://forms.gle/Xrd6ASdB7ie5z2CB8

Let’s show up strong for our Gators and make this a year full of support, spirit, and memories!

Join. Support. Partner. Make a Difference.

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.