Shady Grove Matters
SHADY GROVE
MIDDLE SCHOOL
8100 Midcounty Highway
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
"We must always go the
second mile. When we go
the first mile, we simply
do what is required of us.
It is when we go the second mile that excellence
is achieved and minor
miracles happen."
V O L U M E
5 ,
I S S U E
6-12 - Final Exams
12 - Eighth Grade Promotion
Ceremony
(Magruder HS)
13 - Early Release Day
(Last Day of School for
Students)
Call SGMS
Main Office
301-548-7540
Mr. Edward Owusu
Principal
Ms. Sweta Zaks
Principal Intern
Mr. Clark Montgomery
Assistant School
Administrator
Content Specialist
Mr. Nick Chupka
English
Mr. Rob Ferrante
Social Studies
Ms. Donnie GamblePoole
Resource Counselor
Ms. Tama Hobbs
Science
Ms. Cristina Maynard
RTSE ED Cluster Services
Ms. Jennifer Miehle
RTSE LAD
Ms. Laura Schrader
Math
Ginny Singhaus
PE/Arts/Technology
Ms. Rebekah Young
Literacy Coach
J U N E
9 ,
2 0 1 4
~ A Message from the Principal ~
departing SGMS: Mr. Ryan Anthony; Mr. Aaron Barnett; Ms. Mary
Battista; Mr. Jonathan Chung; Mr.
Donnie Poole; Ms. Nancy Kerr; Mr.
Charles Lyles; Ms. Kimberly Magro;
Mr. Milt Thomas; Ms. Erin Wilson;
and Ms. Sweta Zaks.
-Deborah McGriff
June
9
We welcome to SGMS: Ms. Shella
Cherry; Ms. Teresa Daly; Ms.
Elaine Fors-MacKellar; Ms. Lara
Dear Shady Grove Families!
Frashure; Ms. Marla Goldberg; Mr.
Jack Hopkins; Ms. Anne Kozma;
It’s a season of change. For 15
years Shady Grove Middle School Mr. Jorge Martinez; Ms. Toni Melito;
Ms. Nicole Puleo; and Mr. Tim Roshas been a neighborhood school
you can be proud of. At the “Grove” sini.
you can always find talented and
kind students, dedicated and hard- In this season of change its comforting to know that the work and
working staff, and a supportive and
effort past SGMS family members
informed community. I am proud to
have established will continue on in
have spent what is now 5 years as
our newest colleagues and friends.
part of this school. The work we
have done has always been rooted Our 6th grade students have grown
in the best interest of our children. tremendously! They continue to
This year we say farewell to the
following staff members that will be
give back to others, experience all
there is to offer in the arts and hu-
manities, engage in the plethora of
technology, and thrive in a rigorous
academic environment. I am very
proud of the work they have done.
To our 7th and departing 8th grade
students, continue to work hard,
enjoy your learning, and remain
good, caring individuals. I am also
very proud of each and everyone
one of you. I smile everyday knowing what great people you are.
I welcome the incoming 6th grade
students to SGMS. Your experience
at SGMS will be positive and unlike
any other you will enjoy. Get
Ready!!!
Don’t forget about summer reading
and math information that can be
found our website .
Have a SAFE and OUTSTANDING
SUMMER.
~Edward Owusu
our journey at SGMS together and for that you have earned
a distinct place in my heart and mind. I am very proud of
Dear Shady Grove Families:
your growth and accomplishments. You truly are a fabulous
group of students and I will truly miss you! Thank you for an
It is truly hard to believe the awesome 3 years!
end to another school year has
arrived! This is it! Thank you To 7th grade students: You have shown and proven to be
for a wonderful year at Shady true leaders. I’m very proud of the growth I’ve witnessed in
Grove. As this year comes to a each of you. You are ready and to be our “Seniors” next
close, I want to offer my grati- year. Have a wonderful relaxing summer because you’re
tude, share some reflections, going to work very hard next year! Don’t forget to complete
and say the appropriate fare- your summer Reading and Math packets!
wells.
To the incoming 6th graders: Welcome to the SGMS Family.
To my eighth grade students moving on to high school, I Please make sure you read and complete your math work as
wish you much success. YOU ARE PREPARED. Never well. You are going to love it here.
doubt that. Believe in yourself. We certainly believe in you.
Your hard work over the last three years has enabled you to To the SGMS Staff…You are “Simply the Best.” Thank you
do things you may not have thought possible. Continue for a wonderful school year and an awesome four years. You
along the path you started here. Reinvent yourself constantly are focused on student success, committed to professional
and look to expand your horizons. Remember, you are part growth. You have given the students the richness of an
of the Timberwolf family. As alumnus you have joined an education that will last for the rest of their lives. You have
elite group of past Shady Grove students. Continue to make touched the future. Thank you!
us proud! Make the most of every moment as you begin your
high school career. Before you know it, you will be high
school graduates, starting your college career. We began
Continued on pg. 2
A Message from Ms. Zaks
A Message from Mr. Montgomery, Assistant School Administrator
It is really hard to believe how quickly the 2013-2014 school year has almost come to
an end. As we approach one of the most exciting times of the year, summer! I ask,
"What are your plans for the summer?" For me, summer is a time to relax, to rejuvenate, and to visit family. It is the one of the times of year that I enjoy, for I get an opportunity to see my relatives at my annual family reunion in South Carolina. I read a
couple books; I also travel for a much needed vacation as well as work to prepare for
the 2014-2015 school year. I want to encourage you to do your summer reading and
to complete the summer packets that are required for 8th grade. As your grade level
administrator, I have truly enjoyed getting to know each of you as seventh graders.
We have had an exciting school year. As you come to the end of your seventh grade
year, it is extremely important that you enjoy your summer and end the school year
strong with good grades, stay involved positively with a summer task that keeps you
focused educationally, and spend time with your family.
I want to congratulate the seventh graders on an outstanding school year of academic excellence, athletics, scholarship, and leadership. During the school year, many of you were engaged in a variety of academic and extracurricular endeavors in the school community. The seventh graders had many students taking Algebra I, as well as Spanish I and/ or French I, high school courses. You're well on your way into the pipeline of academic advancement and
meeting the rigorous expectations of secondary education as you continue your academic studies in: Spanish II,
French II, or Geometry next year, as eighth graders. For those students who will be taking a high school credit
course for the first time next year, as eighth graders, I encourage you continue to work diligently, as well. I am also
proud of those students made the Straight "A" and Honor Roll throughout the school year. As the large grade level,
we had the highest of students earn their rightful place on the two list for two of the three quarters. Additionally,
many of you earned awards at the end of the year banquet and did a really nice job this year as student athletes;
while others participated in band and orchestra who did outstanding job at local and other state festivals.
Thank you to the entire seventh grade team of teachers, staff, and parents who worked to support our seventh
graders. You rocked this year. I look forward to having a great 2014-2015 school year.
Enjoy your summer and congratulations on completing another school year. Be safe, and we hope to see you in
August for the 2014-2015 school year.
Yours in education,
~Clark Montgomery
Mrs. Zaks’ message Continued...
Parents, thank you for the trust you have placed in me to create an academic environment that is conducive for your child to learn. Thank you for
sending your child(ren) to me ready to learn. Thank you for the overall support you have provided me in holding your child accountable for their academic and behavioral performance. Thank you.
It has been truly a wonderful 4 years. It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully share that I will be departing from Shady Grove at the end of this
school year. I will be going to Cabin John Middle School. I want to take this time to say thank you for giving me the honor to working with your child
(ren) and your family. I wish the children much success in their endeavors. While I won’t be here next year, I’m only an email away. I will miss you
tremendously! Have a safe and restful summer break!
Staff Spotlight:
Mrs. Susan Olsen, Advanced Reading Teacher
For this final edition of Staff Spotlight we bring to you Mrs. Susan Olsen, one of our reading and English teachers. Mrs. Olsen
is certainly a lifelong learner! She received her first bachelor of
arts honors degree in communication, culture, and society from
Queens University. Following that, she received a second bachelor of arts degree in English from University of Maryland University College. Finally, she received her master of arts degree in
teaching from Mount Saint Mary’s. Although this is her first
year teaching, she operates as a veteran and has done a truly
amazing job! We are very fortunate to have her. On the personal side, Mrs. Olsen is married and has two children, Anders who
is 13 and Amelia who is 11. When not watching her son play
hockey, Mrs. Olsen can be found reading mysteries or investigating by asking questions. One of her favorite quotes is “You can
tell an intelligent person by his answers. You can tell a wise
person by his questions.”
New school immunization requirements for the 2014-15 school year
There are new school immunization requirements for the 2014-15 school year affecting students entering the 7th grade this fall. Your child will
not be allowed in school without these vaccinations next fall. All children entering the 7th grade must have received a vaccination known as Tdap
as well as a meningococcal meningitis vaccine. Call your health care provider to discuss if your child has had these vaccines or schedule an
appointment for your child to receive a Tdap and meningococcal vaccination. Provide a copy of your child's updated immunization record to the
Health Room at your child's school as soon as possible, those students who do not provide proof of Tdap and Meningococcal vaccinations will
be excluded from attending 7th grade. Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will offer FREE Tdap and Meningococcal
vaccinations for 7th graders who have not been vaccinated. On June 13, 2014 from 1:00pm through 4:00pm, there will be three vaccination clinics:
Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School
11800 Monticello Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Julius West Middle School
651 Great Falls Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Rocky Hill Middle School
22401 Brick Haven Way
Clarksburg, MD 20871
A parent or guardian must be present at the time of vaccination. The student’s immunization record should be brought to the vaccination appointment. The vaccination clinics are by appointment only.
» Make Your Online Appointment :-http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Resident/vaccination.html