Barrington Middle School
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 11.26.2018 The BMS Learning Community is Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed! Upcoming Events: (Note: Please review the dates as dates are subjected to change due to a number of factors from one newsletter to the next).
Note from Dr. Anderson: On Monday, December 3, 2018, following our PTO meeting, we will be having Katie Hamel and the East Bay Tobacco Youth Council provide our families with a presentation on Vaping. Although not prevalent here at BMS, it is important that we continue the family and student education on this incredibly harmful new trend amongst middle school and high school students across the country. Later on, in December, our students will also attend a student vaping presentation presented by Barrington High School’s HOPE group. BMS Spotlight on Learning: This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mrs. Gail Robinson, Mrs. Maise Morey, and our BMS Snack Cart Students for organizing and working the BMS Snack Cart! The Snack Cart provides our students with personal interactions and functional skills, and our learning community with delicious snacks and bright smiles!. On behalf of our BMS Learning Community, we would like to thank you for your service. Well done BMS Snack Cart! BMS News you can Use: BMS Building Update: The new building construction is well underway. To help with communication, each week I have been releasing the BMS Building Project Blog. You can access the blog by visiting the BMS Building Project Homepage or the direct link to the BMS Building Project Blog. In addition, each Tuesday morning we will have a student volunteer give updates to our student body during morning announcements. 7th Grade Medical Documentation: To date there is a large percentage of 7th graders that have not yet submitted documentation of a recent physical exam and updated immunizations, both required for 7th grade. This is a State Health Department mandate for every entering 7th grader, and they will be collecting data on the missing records in the upcoming weeks. The acceptable dates for the physical exam are from Sept 2017 to present. The immunizations required for entry into 7th grade are the Tdap booster, Meningitis vaccine and one dose of the HPV vaccine. If you do not intend to vaccinate your child against HPV, please print up and complete this exemption form. If you have not yet submitted this information, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the school nurse, Janet Johnson at (401) 247-3160 or [email protected]. BMS School Improvement Plan Working Draft: Over the past few months, our BMS Leadership Council and School Improvement Team have been hard at work crafting our 2018 - 2018 School Improvement Plan. Last week we had an opportunity to share our plan during our grade level meetings to our teachers as well as held after school drop-in sessions for our teachers/staff. During our next PTO meeting, I will be giving parents a School Improvement Plan update. In the meantime, I encourage you to periodically review the below link of our BMS Working School Improvement Plan. (note: Student Success Goals have been finalized and presented to our School Committee). BMS SMART Template 2018 - 2019 (Working Draft) BMS in the News: This past week was an exciting week for BMS as we were featured in two national publications. In particular, one article featured our very own Mr. Mark Davis and Mrs. Rebecca Henderson on their collaboration and deeper learning experiences they are providing their students, and the other article featured Mrs. Rebecca Henderson as one of T74’s 9 educators they were thankful for meeting this past year! https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/11/developing-the-whole-child-one-collaboration-at-a-time/ https://www.the74million.org/article/the-schools-we-remember-most-9-educators-were-thankful-we-met-this-year/?utm_source=The+74+Million+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2671b3a68e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_11_21_03_56&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_077b986842-2671b3a68e-176108333 Trimester 2: Trimester 2 will begin on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. We will be publishing grades on Friday, December 14, 2018. Report cards are available online through your Aspen account. If you have questions about how to access Aspen, please visit this link. Spiritwear: BMS Spiritwear (ie sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc with the BMS logo on them) was distributed last week. If you have any questions about your order, please contact Deb Isdale at [email protected]. BMS Brick Fundraiser: Barrington Middle School is having a fundraiser where you can purchase a brick to be used on the walkway at the new Barrington Middle School. Each brick costs $50 and can be printed with your family name (up to three lines). Click here for more information. Picture Retake Day: Lifetouch Studios will be at Barrington Middle School on Thursday, November 29, 2018, for retakes and for those that missed original picture day. If you wish to have your child's picture retaken, please send the original package with your child on retake day. To place an order, order envelopes are available in the school office. To order at mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID PC038036Q1. If there is a problem with the package from original picture day or wish to request a refund, please call Lifetouch at 401-828-5220. Please do not return the package to the school. Pre-Engineering/Science Enrichment Opportunity (Grades 3 - 7): The Barrington High School Science Olympiad and Robotics Competitive Academic Teams will be holding a joint Enrichment Program fundraiser on Monday, December 10, 2018 (professional development day). As last year, each team will be hosting, at BHS, three 2-hour enrichment sessions during which participants will get to cycle through various science and pre-engineering stations partaking in an array of hands-on activities. The cost is $20 per session. For more information, please visit https://goo.gl/bHDPTa. BMS Trusted Adult Program: At Barrington Middle School we have embraced the Trusted Adult program. In essence, we have asked every student to identify an adult in the building that they trust that they go to if they, or someone they know, is being unsafe, not supported, or cared for. The other week, we had the students complete a brief google form to identify their BMS Trusted Adult. We had nearly 600 responses. This week the teachers were given a list of names of the students who identified them as their Trusted Adult. In the meantime, our school counselors will be reaching out to those students who have not identified someone to ensure they have an adult they trust as well at BMS. Please speak to your child to see who they have identified as their Trusted Adult. BMS Yearbook: The BMS Yearbook is now available for ordering! There are several packages available (starting at $40) and all orders will be online at Ybpay.lifetouch.com. ID Code: 1540719. 8th graders don’t forget to upload your baby picture at https://goo.gl/KNGao7! Debate Club: BMS will be starting a Debate Club. This is a fun way to learn critical thinking, communication skills, public speaking to have fun. The club will be meeting on Tuesdays in Room 3 with Mrs. Texiera from 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm. Free club. Sign ups in BMS office. Enrichment - Stop Motion Animation: Stop Motion Animation is a technique used in animation to bring static objects to life on screen. This is done by moving the object in increments while filming a frame per increment. When all the frames are played in sequence it shows movement. Clay figures, puppets and miniatures are often used in stop motion animation as they can be handled and repositioned easily.(ref: Techopedia). Enrichment will start on December 4 and run on Tuesdays at 2:15 pm in the BMS Library until April vacation. Free class. Please sign up in the BMS office. BMS Teachable Moment: Dismissing students from school:
Lost and Found Items: We have many, many water bottles, lunch boxes and clothing items in the BMS Lost and Found. As the volume of items is getting larger and larger, we are finding it hard to find space for them. Please have your student check the cubbies in the cafeteria as well as the two large boxes outside of the office for any items they may be missing.
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Barrington Middle School BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 11.19.2018 The BMS Learning Community is Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed! Upcoming Events: (Note: Please review the dates as dates are subjected to change due to a number of factors from one newsletter to the next).
Note from Dr. Anderson: For many, this week is a special time where we take the time to show our appreciation, gratitude and give thanks. In particular, this week, I would like to show my appreciation and give my thanks to the entire BMS Learning Community. Each day I feel so fortunate and blessed to work alongside some of the most amazing and talented educators around. In addition, each day I get to work with and interact with equally amazing students who come to school each day ready to learn and give their best. And finally, each day I get to partner with amazing families to create a learning environment centered on student academic/social/emotional growth. Thank you to all for making our learning community such an amazing place to grow and work! BMS Spotlight on Learning: This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on the members of our BMS Leadership Council. At Barrington Middle School we believe in a concept called distributed leadership. In essence, distributed leadership means our teachers have a voice at the decision-making table. This past Tuesday was a great example of distributed leadership where each member of our leadership council provided feedback and direction with regards to our school’s goals and action steps. In particular, this week we would like to spotlight Mrs. Terri Couto, Mr. Brett Kearns, Mrs. Connie Oswald, Mrs. Diana Ouellette, Ms. Alison Pomeranz, Mrs. Meg Snyder, Ms. Julie Texeira, and Mrs. Abigail Williams. BMS News you can Use: BMS Building Update: The new building construction is well underway. To help with communication, each week I have been releasing the BMS Building Project Blog. You can access the blog by visiting the BMS Building Project Homepage or the direct link to the BMS Building Project Blog. In addition, each Tuesday morning we will have a student volunteer give updates to our student body during morning announcements. BMS Brick Fundraiser: Barrington Middle School is having a fundraiser where you can purchase a brick to be used on the walkway at the new Barrington Middle School. Each brick costs $50 and can be printed with your family name (up to three lines). Click here for more information. Picture Retake Day: Lifetouch Studios will be at Barrington Middle School on Thursday, November 29, 2018, for retakes and for those that missed original picture day. If you wish to have your child's picture retaken, please send the original package with your child on retake day. To place an order, order envelopes are available in the school office. To order at mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID PC038036Q1. If there is a problem with the package from original picture day or wish to request a refund, please call Lifetouch at 401-828-5220. Please do not return the package to the school. BMS Trusted Adult Program: At Barrington Middle School we have embraced the Trusted Adult program. In essence, we have asked every student to identify an adult in the building that they trust that they go to if they, or someone they know, is being unsafe, not supported, or cared for. The other week, we had the students complete a brief google form to identify their BMS Trusted Adult. We had nearly 600 responses. This week the teachers were given a list of names of the students who identified them as their Trusted Adult. In the meantime, our school counselors will be reaching out to those students who have not identified someone to ensure they have an adult they trust as well at BMS. Please speak to your child to see who they have identified as their Trusted Adult. Teachable Moment:
Lost and Found Items: We have many, many water bottles, lunch boxes and clothing items in the BMS Lost and Found. As the volume of items is getting larger and larger, we are finding it hard to find space for them. Please have your student check the cubbies in the cafeteria as well as the two large boxes outside of the office for any items they may be missing. Barrington Middle School BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 11.13.2018 The BMS Learning Community is Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed! Upcoming Events: (Note: Please review the dates as dates are subjected to change due to a number of factors from one newsletter to the next).
Note from Dr. Anderson: Once a month I host either a Principal’s Coffee Hour or a Principal’s Luncheon. The goal of these events is for me to connect with families, discuss BMS related topics, and to answer any questions families may have. Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with one parent and she said that although she would love to attend, her work schedule did not allow her the opportunity to leave work. With that said, for this Principal's Luncheon I have included a gotomeeting link. Perhaps you are unable to physically come to BMS, but you may be able to join us virtually. Please feel free to join us virtually from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2018, by accessing the below link: Principal's Luncheon 11/14/2018 Wed, Nov 14, 2018 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/454542669 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 454-542-669 First GoToMeeting? Let's do a quick system check: https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check BMS Spotlight on Learning: This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mr. Peter McFarland for facilitating and leading our school's Grit campaign. Once a month Mr. McFarland and members of our BMS Learning Community meet to discuss how each cluster/department and school can promote grit with our students Thank you, Peter, for leading this important work. BMS News you can Use: BMS Building Update: The new building construction is well underway. To help with communication, each week I have been releasing the BMS Building Project Blog. You can access the blog by visiting the BMS Building Project Homepage or the direct link to the BMS Building Project Blog. In addition, each Tuesday morning we will have a student volunteer give updates to our student body during morning announcements. BMS Brick Fundraiser: Barrington Middle School is having a fundraiser where you can purchase a brick to be used on the walkway at the new Barrington Middle School. Each brick costs $50 and can be printed with your family name (up to three lines). Click here for more information. Picture Retake Day: Lifetouch Studios will be at Barrington Middle School on Thursday, November 29, 2018, for retakes and for those that missed original picture day. If you wish to have your child's picture retaken, please send the original package with your child on retake day. To place an order, order envelopes are available in the school office. To order at mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID PC038036Q1. If there is a problem with the package from original picture day or wish to request a refund, please call Lifetouch at 401-828-5220. Please do not return the package to the school. Computer Science for Rhode Island Summit: We are looking for students who would like to present at the Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) Summit, sponsored by Governor Gina Raimondo. Students will demonstrate how they are using technology in project-based learning at Barrington Middle School. The event is held at the University of Rhode Island on December 13th. Students in all grades and levels of expertise are welcome to apply. To get started, students can look for the application form sent to your child’s email account from Dr. Anderson. Applications are due on Monday, November 19th. To learn more about the event, go to www.cs4ri.org or contact Mr. Davis in computer technology room 201. Eagle Fit: Eagle Fit is a unique and exciting enrichment opportunity for students and their parents (or students may come without a parent) to engage in morning workout sessions twice a week with Ms. Gower and Ms. Scanlon from 6:30 am - 7:20 am. Ms. Gower and Ms. Scanlon will lead students and their parents through dynamic and energetic workout routines geared to get the blood pumping and the juices flowing. Eagle Fit is a unique exercise concept where students and parents will be working out together, exploring functional fitness exercises. The Eagle Fit program will include, but is not limited to dynamic warm-up, muscular strength, and muscular endurance exercises. This includes functional fitness movements incorporating TRX, BOSU, medicine balls, dumbbells, resistance bands, and much more. When and Where: During the months of November and December, eight 50 minute sessions Wednesday mornings (except for 2 Friday mornings) from 6:30 am - 7:20 am in the small gym Dates: November 14, 21, 28th, December 5, (Friday) 7,12, 14 (Friday), 19th How: Parents may sign up their child for Eagle Fit via myschoolbucks. Limited to 15 students (parents are encouraged and welcome to participate) Chromebook Insurance: We are happy to announce that there will be an additional enrollment period for the district Chromebook insurance program. Enrollment is optional and open to those who wish to take advantage of the opportunity. The addition to Barrington’s group insurance policy will be retroactive to August 27th. This means that even though the policy is being purchased now, coverage will be through August 27th of the year of expiration. For our policies, this is 8/27/2019, 8/27/2020 and 8/27/2021 depending on the number of years purchased. When: The enrollment period will be November 13th & 14th. In School: Lunch block or after school until 2:45 at the Middle School or High School STAT office. After School: November 13th from 5:00-7:00. Office lobby at BMS.
1 Year Term - $19.00 2 Year Term - $37.00 3 Year Term - $55.00 If you have any questions, please contact Dave Burrows, Director of Technology at [email protected] Teachable Moment:
Tips for Encouraging Grit and Growth Mindset: Talk about it: Talk with your child about his or her day, but guide the conversation with questions like -Did you make a mistake today? What did you learn? -What did you do that was difficult today Encourage failure (WHAT?): Your child needs to know that failure can happen and it is okay. Remind him/her that each time she/he fails and tries again, his/her brain is growing stronger. This is how they learn to preserve in the face of challenges. Be there for them when they do struggle or fail: Provide support, help them evaluate why things weren't successful, and guide them in determining how to replan and try again. The brain can grow: Remind your child that intelligence is not fixed. Remind him/her that when things are difficult the brain grows if he/she persists through the challenge. Each time he/she learns something new, his/her brain is making new connections. Your child needs to know this is possible. Praise the process: Instead of saying you’re smart, praise effort, goal setting, persisting through challenges or being creative. You can say “Wow you must have worked really hard on this. Help them change their dialogue: Your child’s self-talk has a big impact on their mindset. If he/ she says “This is too hard!” help them change it to “I can’t do this YET, but I will keep trying. What am I missing?” Give him/her the words to say when he/she is feeling defeated by modeling it yourself. Regularly encourage children to try new things: You may also want to try something new with your child, like roller-skating or a new arcade or video game. No one is perfect at anything when they start, and this is a great way to show your child that falling down or not winning isn’t the end of the world. Share some instances when you’ve needed perseverance and grit to accomplish a difficult task: We don’t often talk about our earlier failures, so children sometimes think that adult successes all come with ease. |