January 28, 2022

Dear MVMS Families,

In an effort to continue expanding our authorized set of digital tools for instruction, HCPSS has curated a new set of supplemental digital tools that are available only through Google’s menu of additional services. HCPSS is committed to leveraging technology in ways that ensure all students have access and opportunity to communicate, collaborate, create, and innovate safely and responsibly anywhere, anytime in support of learning. These supplemental digital tools are approved by HCPSS and comply with federal, state, and Howard County Board of Education student data privacy policies. Due to Google’s settings, students must access this set of tools by utilizing Google’s menu of additional services, which requires consent from a parent or guardian.

To provide consent:

• Log in to HCPSS Connect.
• Select More Options from the left panel.
• Select HCPSS Google Menu from the middle of the page.
• Click the check box to provide consent. Changes are saved automatically.

A parent or guardian must provide consent for each student by selecting the student’s name at the top of the page. 

The digital tools currently included are:

• YouTube for grades 6-12- This additional service or authorized Supplementary Digital Tool, may show non-targeted ads to your child and may use collected information to provide, maintain, and develop new Additional Services. To view the terms of service for these Additional Services, please visit this page. To read Google’s answers to frequently asked questions about student data privacy and security, please visit this page. 
  • Note: If consent is not provided, students will still be able to watch embedded YouTube videos embedded in teacher resources on Canvas. Your consent is only for direct access to YouTube’s website.

After a parent/guardian provides consent:

• There may be a delay of up to three days before the apps appear in the Google menu and some tools may automatically appear on the Chromebook once consent is provided by a parent or guardian without the need to install them.
  • If your child has not been issued a Chromebook, please make the request following the information found online.

Please note:

• HCPSS cannot guarantee that apps are available on devices other than HCPSS Chromebooks.
• Teachers may or may not choose to use any or all of these apps during instruction. Students will be notified when a particular app will be used for instruction.
• If you do not provide consent for your student’s access to these digital tools, your student’s teacher will provide alternative enrichment activities.
• In addition to these Google tools, HCPSS has approved a robust set of supplemental digital tools. Your child’s teacher will notify you of the particular supplemental digital tools being used in each class via email or on their Canvas course page.

For more please contact Deborah Finley, Deborah_Finley@hcpss.org

Thanks for Your Support, 
Lynnette N. Moore, Principal 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our 46 students who were honored Wednesday evening at The Council of Elders Celebration of Academic Achievement. We are proud of your commitment, dedication, and impressive academic achievements! Continue to SOAR Falcons! 

Lost and Found Items

We have a lot of WATER BOTTLES, LUNCH BOXES, and CLOTHING ITEMS in the lost and found bins. Please have your Falcon look for and grab any items they are missing. We will use the stage in the cafeteria on Thursday, February 3  to display any missing items as a "last call" before we donate clothing items on Friday, February 4.

MVMS World Language Orientation

If your student is currently in 6th or 7th grade, this night is designed for you!
Is your student considering starting Chinese, French, or Spanish next year?
If the answer is yes to studying a world language, come to our virtual information night!  Yes, if your child is currently in 7th grade, he or she can start a World Language next year in 8th grade!  
There will be a short presentation and the world language teachers will be available to answer questions.  We hope to see you there! 
When: Thursday, February 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
Google Meet Code: MVMSWLinfo
Who: Parents of students entering the 7th and 8th grade who are not currently enrolled in a world language.

Mid-Year Library Media Center News - January 2022

MVMS Falcons Read

As of January 25, MVMS readers checked out 5025 books!  That is incredible.  
Check out the following tools If you would like to encourage your child to read more:

• See what your own MVMS library media specialist is reading at the MVMS Book Blog.  
• You can enter your child’s favorite author to see names of similar authors at the Tourist Map of Literature  
• Find Book Recommendation Tools from the Howard County Public Library: Select Book Recommendations
• Students have access to HCPL tools using the HCPL credentials located on their school homepage.

2022 Award Winners to view the critics’ choices

• Good Reads Choice Awards Middle Grade         
• Good Reads Choice Awards Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Good Reads Choice Awards Young Adult Fiction

Community News and Events

Please visit the Community News and Programs page for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.

MCSS Opportunity for Teens

Maryland Center for School Safety has released its application for students interested in joining its Student Focus Group starting in July 2022. The deadline to apply is February 28. MCSS is very much interested in welcoming diverse student voices from across the State of Maryland to the Student Focus Group in 2022. Whether a student is already a student leader or wants to become one, this is a great opportunity for a student to learn more about school safety and amplify his or her voice. To learn more, please click here (Links to an external site.). For questions, please contact Craig Meister, Communication and Engagement Manager, at craig.meister@maryland.gov.

Upcoming Dates

January 31    Report Cards issued
January 31    School-Wide Spelling Bee