Barrington Middle School
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 2.3.2020
The BMS Learning Community is Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed!
Mission:
Barrington Middle School’s Mission is to empower all students to excel in character, citizenship, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking, so that they may positively impact the future.
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).
Monday, February 3, 2020: Orientation at BHS for the parents/guardians of current 8th graders, John Gray Auditorium, BHS, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, February 5, 2020: Deadline for registering for Winter Enrichment Classes on myschoolbucks.com (see below for details)
Friday, February 7, 2020: Sports Night at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Monday, February 17, 2020 - Tuesday, February, 18, 2020: No School - February Recess
Tuesday, February 25, 2020: BMS Family Internet Safety/Awareness Discussion, BMS Auditorium, BMS, 6:00 pm.
Thursday, February 27, 2020: BMS Variety Show - Showcase of talented BMS students in the BMS Auditorium starting at 6:30 pm; more information to come
Monday, March 2, 2020: PTO meeting at 7:00 pm in Room 1202 ; agenda includes presentation by our Student Assistance Counselor, Katie Hamel and members of East Bay Tobacco Youth Council on the dangers of vaping
Monday, March 9, 2020: No School
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 Ms. Dusty Ryan for organizing and facilitating this year’s Geo Bee. This past week, we had the culminating event in our auditorium. Thank you Ms. Ryan for providing this wonderful experience to our students.
This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on 7th-Grader, Keith Hartman, for winning the BMS Geo Bee! Keith will be representing BMS in the Rhode Island Geo Bee competition in a few short months. Great work to all who participated and to our finalists.
This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mrs. Janet Johnson, our school’s nurse. Over the past few weeks, Mrs. Johnson has been doing an extraordinary job treating our students who visit her office. Despite the volume of students, she is always positive, kind, and caring. Thank you Mrs. Johnson for all that you do for our Learning Community.
BMS New Information
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! www.mrsmelanieroy.com
Internet Safety/Awareness Programs:
In the wake of last week’s message from Officer Dave, as well as recent events that have happened in local/state news, we will be providing our teachers, families, and students with a variety of internet safety/awareness programs:
- Family Internet Safety/Awareness Discussion: On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, our PTO and BMS will team up and provide our families with an internet safety/awareness discussion. Although the program is still being developed, the event will include a presentation by Officer Dave on internet safety information, overview of the impact of Social Media on the middle school aged child presented by our School Counseling team, and opportunities for families to ask questions. Date TBD.
- Viewing of Screenagers: During the week of February 9, 2020, sponsored by our PTO, our students will have an opportunity to view the first Screenagers during the school day. The schedule for this event will be communicated early this week.
- Common Sense Media Lessons: In addition, our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will continue to work through the Common Sense Media Lessons outlined below.
Vaping Presentation:
Parents/Guardians/Community members are invited to attend and learn about the risks and dangers of vaping for teens at a presentation during the next BMS PTO meeting on Monday, March 2 at 7:00 pm in Room 1202. Katie Hamel, the BMS Student Assistance Counselor, and members of the East Bay Tobacco Youth Council will be presenting followed by a question and answer session.
Volunteer Opportunity:
BMS Faculty/Staff Monthly Morning Meetup - Please consider supporting the BMS staff and faculty by contributing an item to a monthly morning meetup. The next morning meetup is on 2/10. Click here for more information and to sign up!
Reminder from the BMS Office:
If your student will be absent from school, please call the BMS office starting at 8:00 am to let us know. If your student needs to be dismissed from school, please have the student bring a note from home to the office before they go to homeroom. The note should specify the date, time and pickup person of the dismissal. Unfortunately, per school policy, the office cannot accept emails excusing a student’s absence or dismissal.
BMS Old Information
Message from Officer Dave:
Linked below is a letter from our School Resource Officer, Officer Wyrostek. Without going into specifics, last week we learned of a situation where most likely someone posing as a 14 year old boy has reached out to a few students through popular social media apps. We believe the person is not 14 years old at all. The Barrington Police are aware and looking into the specifics. Today, I share this information with you, as well as the link below, because you too are on the frontlines to educate your child about internet safety.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7gXaqneJGnLRE5lZ2FtMTZubFB0V1pMeGw5a0h5dTdUTm5v/view?usp=sharing
Common Sense Media:
Over the next several months, using Common Sense Media, our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers will be teaching our students about internet safety, evaluating news, balancing the digital world, digital footprints, as well as other related topics. Please see a link to Common Sense Media. www.commonsensemedia.org
Restroom Etiquette:
Mrs. Silveira and I would like to ask you for your help in reinforcing our restroom expectations with your children. Over the past several weeks, I am embarrassed to report that by the end of the day a few of our restrooms were not left in the best conditions. Our custodians have been reporting that paper towels litter the floor, wet paper towels was on the wall, and water was on the floor. In addition to bringing this to your attention, our teachers will be reviewing expectations, and Mrs. Silveira and I will be reviewing expectations. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Targeted Area | Respectful | Responsible | Ready to Excel |
Restrooms | Be mindful of other people’s privacy. Keep the facility clean. Absolutely no cell phones. | Notify staff of problems. Use facilities as intended. Wash hands with soap. Properly dispose of trash. | Sign in and out of class. Have a pass at all times. Use nearest facility. |
Calling all filmmakers:
Is your student an up-and-coming filmmaker? We are looking for short film submissions to showcase during the BMS Variety Show.
Book/Movie Trailers
Fake Commercials
Micro-Stories
Art Films
GET MORE INFO in the Office or Media Center
New BMS Winter Enrichment Classes 2020
Feb 10-April 10* Dates vary
Registration deadline is this Wednesday, February 5!!!!!!
Monday mornings 7:30am
Advanced Stock Market- Must have taken our stock market class before -Mr. De la Torre
Volleyball Ms. Scanlon
Drawing Techniques Mr. Dizio
Strength and Conditioning Ms. Gower -Will include but is not limited to: dynamic warm up, muscular strength, and muscular endurance exercises, functional fitness movements incorporating TRX, BOSU, medicine balls, dumbbells, resistance bands, and much more.
Tuesday afternoons 3:20-4:20pm- late bus available
Photography Ms. Meredith Brower https://www.facebook.com/MeredithBrowerPhotography/
Jewelry Design Ms. Christine Keene https://www.facebook.com/christinekeeneartworks/ projects such as a bracelet, earrings, necklace
Make Your Own Graphic Novel Mr. Paricio RISD professor Class description
Thursday mornings 7:30am
Volleyball
Register on www.myschoolbucks.com
Questions? texeiraj@barringtonschools.org
Parent/Guardian 8th Grade Orientation at HIgh School:
Please see information regarding the upcoming Parent/Guardian 8th Grade Orientation at Barrington High School for Monday, February 3, 2020.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O3oaYpoDu069aNPGNsSLbxH-MWGaMKwN/view?usp=sharing
From our nurse, Mrs. Johnson:
Unfortunately, this is the time of year that we see an increase in illnesses; colds, ear infections, strep throat, stomach bugs and the flu. Please be aware that although we rarely see “outbreaks”, there have been several cases of reported flu and often there’s a little bit of everything going around. At school we do our best to encourage good health habits, particularly hand washing and hope that you will do the same at home.
Traffic Patterns:
We are still waiting for a date for our new entrance to the parking lot to open up. When it does, members of our learning community (faculty/staff/families) will access our parking lot on the side of the building with our permanent driveway a few hundred feet away from the temporary driveway that has been in place since the start of school. Please note that during the morning and afternoon drop off hours, the exit out of the driveway will be a right hand turn only. Please stay tuned for the date when the new driveway will be open.
Volunteer Opportunities:
BMS Volunteers Needed to support and monitor students during BMS Peer Tutoring and ZAP
Starting in late January
Time Commitment: Flexible
BMS Peer Tutoring Volunteer- Volunteer will monitor students (walk around, make sure students are on task and answer questions).
Tuesdays, 2:25- 3:15: beginning January 21st
Library Media Center
BMS ZAP Volunteer- Volunteer will monitor students (walk around, make sure students are on task and answer questions).
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2:25- 3:15: beginning January 22nd
Library Media Center
Click on the link to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084CADAD2AA2F94-bmszap
New After-School Club for Students:
All students are invited to join the Creative Writing Club! The BMS Creative Writing Club is being run by AP Language Students from Barrington High School. During meetings, students can work on writing projects, collaborate and write with prompts provided to them. If your student is interested in creative writing, we encourage them to try it out! Meetings are every other Thursday after school in the 8th grade breakout space with the next meeting on Thursday, February 6.
Eyeglasses Recycling Available at BMS:
The Barrington Lions Club is collecting eyeglasses that you no longer need in the BMS nurse’s office. The Lions Club is an international organization supporting humanitarian efforts all over the world. One of their global causes is vision; having a long history of serving to prevent avoidable blindness and improve the quality of life for those that are blind and visually impaired.
If you or your family members have any glasses that they would like to recycle, please have your student drop them off in the nurse’s office.
Robot Block Party:
Discover how robots and related technology are used in research, industry, and education during the Rhode Island Robot Block Party!
Saturday, April 4, 2020- 12pm-4pm at the Waterfire Arts Center
The Robot Block Party is presented by Rhode Island Students of the Future.
Get your tickets today!
Winter Workouts:
Cross-Country/Track & Field Coach, Lars Gunness, is offering his annual Winter Workouts again this year to all students who would like to improve their running, build core strength, get ready for a spring sport or are a beginner who wants to learn more about running and fitness. You do not have to be a member of the cross country or track and field teams to participate. Workouts are free, are on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Please click here for more information.
Tardy/Dismissal Policy Reminder:
In order to participate in sport practices, sport contests, extracurricular activities and school sponsored functions, students must be present in school during the whole day. Students missing school for reasons other than illness must request in writing to be excused in advance of the absence by a school administrator in order to participate in sport practices, sport contests, extracurricular activities and school sponsored functions.
Students are allowed six tardies to school per trimester. On the seventh and subsequent tardy to school the student will be assigned office detention.
Students absent or tardy to school on Friday or a day preceding a holiday and/or a weekend activity are ineligible to participate in the event unless the absence is excused in advance by an administrator.
Excessive tardiness may preclude students from participation in dances, Sports’ Nights, sports, and extracurricular activities. For more information, please see the BMS handbook.
BMS Yearbook:
Ordering your 2019-2020 BMS Yearbook is open! Order online now here. Code: 1540720
Fitness Professionals:
Are you a health and wellness role model in our East Bay community? Our PE/Health initiative for the 2019-2020 school year is looking for volunteers to share their passion for fitness during “Fitness Fridays” at BMS! For more information, click here for details.
BMS Seeking Crossing Guards:
If you are interested in serving as a paid BMS Crossing Guard during the morning and/or afternoon, please contact Doug Fiore at 245-5000 or fiored@barringtonschools.org. Position entails approx. 10 hours per week at $15.45/hr. We are hopeful that the additional crossing guards will aid in the safety of our students coming and leaving campus. Thank you for considering.
BMS Office Information:
The BMS Office is open daily from 8:00 am until 3:45 pm. As always, students need a note from home given to the office before homeroom on days when they will be dismissed early. We are very impressed by the number of students, especially 6th graders, that have followed our procedure and come to the office on their own to meet their parents for dismissal! Well done!
Volunteering in the Barrington District & BCI Information:
Please see the links below for information about volunteering in the Barrington School District. We love our volunteers! For more information, please see the volunteer website at https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/volunteer-office
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: 3121096
Standing Items
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 Partners in Learning:
Join us and be a Barrington Public Schools Partner in Learning!
If you have a career or hobby that you would consider sharing, please let us know by clicking on the link below. https://forms.gle/2FPRfamJP7t7Ecu19
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
BMS Community News
Volunteers Needed:
Do you enjoy volunteering and working with students who are learning English? Do you speak a language other than English? Would you like to mentor an EL family? Please click here for more information!
East Bay Lacrosse:
East Bay Lacrosse offers girls and boys programs for players in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Registration for East Bay Lacrosse will close on Friday, February 15th. If you would like to learn more or to register, please visit www.eastbaylax.org.
Barrington Little League:
Little League Registration is open! Please click here for the informational flyer.