Barrington Middle School
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 9.16.2019
The BMS Learning Community is Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed!
Upcoming Events:
(Note: Please review the dates as dates are subject to change due to a number of factors from one newsletter to the next).
Wednesday, September 25, 2019: BMS Open House from 6:30 pm - 8:12 pm.
Monday, September 30, 2019: No School Rosh Hashanah
Monday, October 7, 2019: BMS Picture Day
Monday, October 7, 2019: Volunteer Orientation from 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm, BMS
Monday, October 7, 2019: BMS PTO Meeting from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in the BMS Student Union
Wednesday, October 9, 2019: No School Yom Kippur
Monday, October 14, 2019: No School Columbus Day
Wednesday, October 16, 2019: Family Book Night from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm (more information below)
Friday, October 17, 2019: Torry Maldonado Author Visit to BMS
Friday, October 25, 2019: Sport’s Night from 7:00pm - 9:00pm (for BMS Students Only)
Please visit our website to see all upcoming calendar events: https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/middle-school
Please see the link for our daily announcements:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jwaOwOZT5EgdBudGLs0_p0jomJmd6-ee1ifxFR2ySKo/edit?usp=sharing
BMS Spotlight on Learning:
This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mr. Peter Blasi. This past week, Mr. Blasi has been leading his students on a philosophical discussion on the difference between being a Shark or a Goldfish. This concept teaches students the concept of a growth mindset and positive ways to thrive during times of change. Great work Mr. Blasi.
BMS New Information:
Assistant Principal Search Update:
As we wish Mrs. Bulk the best of luck in her new position a Principal, our BMS Assistant Principal Search is well underway. Our immediate goal is to identify an interim Assistant Principal to be in place as the search committee does their due diligence to find the best qualified candidate. Our BMS Assistant Principal Search Committee is convening early this week and we hope to begin our first round of interviews starting next week. Each week, I will give our families an update.
BMS Picture Day:
This year the BMS and PTO made a shift away from Lifetouch to Coffee Pond for our picture providers. Our picture day by Coffee Pond is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2019. Order forms will be sent home with students next week. If you’d like to order online, please click here: www.coffeepond.com.
BMS Media Center Student Procedures:
8:10-8:40am Monday - Friday: Get a pass from Mrs. Van Leer or Mrs. Roy in the library media center the day before, tuck it into your backpack, and show it to a teacher assistant in the morning to come upstairs.
Any time your teacher allows you throughout the day: Your ELA teacher has library media center passes available to give you when you come to an agreement on a good time to come to the library media center to check out a book.
3:20 - 4:10pm Monday - Thursday: You do not need a pass to come to the library media center after school. (note: late bus will be arriving at BMS for 4:15pm each day)
Note: Before school (8:30 am) students may also get a pass from the front office to see our STAT team if they are having issues with their chromebook.
Late Bus:
Starting last week, the BMS Late Bus was made available to our students. The late bus will arrive to BMS at 4:15pm and will depart by 4:20pm. Students are welcomed to stay after school, but they must be supervised (sports, clubs/enrichment, media center, etc.). Students are not allowed to just “hang around” school until the late bus arrives. Please note that there is one late bus for the entire district. Depending on how many students are on the bus will determine the length of the ride home.
Morning Drop-off:
As we head into our 3rd week of school, I encourage families to use the Lincoln Driveway for morning drop off. Just the other day we only had 40 cars pull through, vs. hundreds of cars that use the Middle Highway drop off. Also, please remind your child to wear a helmet if they are riding their bikes to school.
Chromebook Insurance:
The deadline for ordering Chromebook insurance is this Friday, September 20, 2019. It is highly recommended that families purchase chromebook insurance. Please see the below link to purchase chromebook insurance for your child’s device.
https://gpo.worthavegroup.com/gpo/barrington
News from the Nurse:
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is particularly active this year in southern New England. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that spread the virus: • When outdoors, use EPA-approved bug spray • Put insect netting over strollers and playpens to keep bugs away from small children • Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible, particularly if you are outdoors during dawn and dusk. Click here for more information from the RI Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management.
Community Events:
This program teachers defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assaults by utilizing easy, effective and proven self-defense tactics. The R.A.D. system of realistic defense will provide a woman with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance. For girls and women ages 12 and older. Free. Click here to register and for more information.
BMS Old Information:
Family Book Night:
Our first Family Book Night of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Over the next month, students and parents are invited to read the book Tight by Torry Maldonado. You can secure your copy through the public library or bookstore. Torry Maldonado will also be visiting BMS on Friday, October 17, 2019.
BMS STAT Team:
The BMS STAT Team is looking to recruit student members from each cluster. If your child is savvy with technology, likes to help others, and is responsible and dependable, BMS STAT Team is the team for you. BMS STAT Team members will be trained on how to use classroom technology, touch screen TV’s, audio/visual equipment, as well as help students/teachers troubleshoot technology glitches. In order for students to be selected to the team, they will first need to complete the following BMS STAT Team application by Friday, September 20, 2019:
Join the Health & Wellness Committee:
BMS is seeking one parent to represent BMS as a member of the Barrington district Health and Wellness Committee. The first meeting for the committee is October 2nd at 8:00 am. The committee will be meeting November, January, March, and June. If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the application through this link: https://forms.gle/wZgauY1XnmB4r9px6
New Volunteer Orientation and BCI Information:
Please see the links below for information about volunteering in the Barrington School District. We love our volunteers!
New Volunteer Orientation Schedule
Home-School-Communication:
I am a big fan of social media. I think it is an excellent tool to connect and showcase the great things that are happening throughout our learning community! I ask that if you have a specific question about BMS procedures to please email/call me directly instead of asking on social media to parent pages. I will respond to you in a timely manner and include your question/response in upcoming home-school-communications. With our move to the new school, our operational procedures are bound to evolve and what may have been the correct answer in the past will not be the correct answer today. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
BMS Daily Announcements:
To help expedite communication, this year we will be logging our morning announcements electronically. Families will be able to regularly check our morning announcements at the link below:
Bus and Transportation:
This year, bus routes were included on your child’s aspen account. If you have any questions about your child’s designated bus our route, please access the following website: e new handbook and bus stop change request form can be found on our new website transportation page: https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/transportation--429
Bus schedules are also available online at Barrington Bus Schedules
BMS New Building Information and Procedures (Family):
As we transition to our new building, our procedures and operational logistics will continue to evolve. Linked below is a helpful folder for families to reference.
BMS New Building Information and Procedures (Family)
Family: Arrival Procedures/Protocols
Family: Operational Procedures
Club/Advisor Opportunities:
BMS is seeking to fill our Robotics Coach and Science Olympiad coaching position. Please see the schoolspring link below for more information. In addition, please feel free to pass this link to your friends and colleagues.
Robotics: www.schoolspring.com Job ID: 3169230
Science Olympiad: www.schoolspring.com Job ID: 3169229
Standing Items:
Mrs. Melanie Roy’s Library Blog:
Please take a look at Mrs. Roy’s Library Blog. Mrs. Roy will be regularly updating her blog and making it available to faculty/staff, students, and families. Thank you for sharing Mrs. Roy!
News from PTO:
PTO BMS Directory:
Please sign up for the PTO BMS Directory- instructions and link below:-
https://tools.ptoffice.com/reg/RI_BMS53C
BMS PTO Membership:
Please consider joining the BMS PTO visit
Next Meeting:
PTO General Meeting- October 7th at 7pm