New to our school or still needing some training in schoology. Please visit this site for more information.
School / Office Hours and Access: STMS will be open from 8:00am – 3:30pm each day this fall. Access is limited and by appointment only, under Health Guidelines.
You need to be in Clever. Clever
Then please make sure you are using 
A Day-9/14,9/16, 9/18,9/22,9/24,9/28,9/30
B Day-9/11, 9/15,9/17,9/21,9/23,9/25,9/29
Small Group Meetings Start Next Week: Students will begin to receive invitations to meet with their teachers in small groups beginning next week. The teachers and students will establish a meeting time, and each student should expect to meet with their core content teachers at least once a week (typically, one per day). In order to participate in these meetings, parents must complete this Virtual Learning Permission Form that was sent out early last week. About 90% of parents have responded. If you have not, please get this completed for us in the next couple of days, so that we may include your student (only takes 60 seconds): Click here to access.
Gradebooks: QACPS is working on getting the Schoology Gradebook glitches worked out. For now at STMS, the grade in Powerschool will be the one that is the most accurate. The Schoology one will catch up once the district works out the glitches… we will keep you posted.
Diagnostic Testing: Watch for information over the next few school days regarding an assessment that all students will take in order to gauge their current levels of academic performance, and identify any gaps that may have occurred from the school closing in the spring.
Schoology Training for Students and Parents: Please see the headlines to the left of the website. There will also be video training the first days of school.
Wireless Hotspots: As outlined in the QACPS Recovery and Reopening Plan, QACPS is minimizing the option for paper packets. With that being said, internet access is important. If you need to get a mobile “hotspot” because of unreliable internet access, please let us know! QACPS has purchased several hundred to support families. (And please don’t be embarrassed… quality internet access on the Eastern Shore is not a guarantee for everyone. The Kenna household doesn’t get fast internet either, so I understand!) To request a mobile hotspot: email michele.milligan@qacps.org or call us @ 410-643-3194. We will get you on the list with QACPS to get one!
The STMS school day will be from 8:00 – 3:30. Students and families have many questions on this. Here are some answers:
What does the schedule look like? At the middle school level, the morning is reserved for small group and individual support from teachers. This is where you would expect to see your teacher in a Google Meet with one or two other students, or individually. They may check in with you to provide feedback on your work or offer extra help in a video chat. They may also communicate with you in digital discussion/messaging platforms within Schoology, similar to a live chat or text messaging. Teachers will invite you to these online interactions, and you may also request an appointment if you need it.
After lunch (11:15-11:45), your classroom instruction begins. Students will probably already be in Schoology, and will attend each of their classes (Periods 1-5). This includes Unified Arts. Your teacher will be in your Schoology classroom, delivering instruction and monitoring your progress on assignments. You will see them (live, video and/or digitally), and they will be able to look in on your work within Schoology while you are working! (Ha! – Weird, right?) Every class will be a little bit different, but your schedule will remain consistent. Click here to see the Middle School Virtual Schedule .
Why is Wednesday different? On Wednesday, teachers have meetings and other activities, so office hours and online presence will be modified based on those schedules. STUDENTS STILL COME TO CLASS ON WEDNESDAYS!
Am I done at 3:30? Ha! Probably not… A lot of the work that you have to complete can be done in class if you focus and stay on task, but some classes may require you to do some “homework”… (Strange word now, since everything is at home, huh?) You could also work on things in the morning hours if you are not scheduled to meet with teachers.
Will I still get grades? Yep! The Middle School Grading Policy is back in full effect. There will be grades posted through Schoology (that your parent/guardian can see live). There will be report cards, honor roll, and National Junior Honor Society for those who qualify, just like a regular school year. More details on National Junior Honor Society come out in the fall.
Will teachers take attendance? Yep! The state of Maryland requires that we take attendance for each class, each day. So do your best to be in class on time each day. (Student Tip: teachers can see if you leave early too… just saying…)
What if I can’t be in class at that time, or I have internet issues? The best instruction happens during that class period because that is when the teacher is there, but we also realize that some students may not be able to log on at that time every day, or they might have internet issues sometimes. It is ok… we understand. If you cannot be online at the time of the class, the materials will still be available in Schoology. The Schoology platform is set up to recognize that you came to class at a later time, and the teacher will be able to see that the following morning. You may still complete your work. If internet goes out or something prevents you from going to class entirely one day, you or your parent/guardian should email the teacher (from a cell phone if possible) or just call the school. We will work with you!
When is the first day? 6th Graders start on Monday, August 31st. 7th and 8th Graders begin on Tuesday, September 1st.
Please see link for further expectations. Expectations
