Barrington Middle School
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter: November 23, 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.
Common Commitments:
To empower ALL students to excel, The BMS Learning Community will provide:
A safe, caring, and supportive learning environment;
A challenging curriculum supported by current technology;
The best research-based strategies to meet the unique educational, physical, emotional, and social needs of the 10 to the 14-year-old learner; and
A deliberate and specific approach to meet the individual needs/abilities for each performance subgroup of our student body.
BMS Spotlight on Learning:
This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on our entire BMS Faculty and Staff. Becky and I are extremely grateful for all that you do for the students at BMS each and every day. We know that this has been a challenging start to the year, on a daily basis we see positive interactions with students and staff supporting each other throughout the day. YOU are what makes our BMS learning community amazing, please know that we appreciate your dedication and determination to ensure success for all of our students. We hope that you are able to relax and enjoy some time during this Thanksgiving break. We wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!
BMS Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - Friday, November 27, 2020:
No School- Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 3, 2020:
Parent Canvas Informational Night- more information to follow.
BMS Standing Items
Student Daily Attestation Weekly Reminder:
This is just a weekly reminder that you must screen your child for temperature, other symptoms, and risk factors for COVID-19 each day before sending them to the bus or building.
If the student has any signs of illness or risk factors, they will remain at home, and the parent/guardian will contact the school nurse.
Barrington Public Schools requires you to use the Student attestation form daily to screen your child.
Please see this link for additional information. Student Attestation
Change from Distance Learning to In-Person Learning:
We ask that if you decide to switch learning models, that you continue to email me but I also request that you complete linked form: Student Learning Model Change Request
In-Person Participating in Distance Learning:
An in-person student should only be participating in distance learning under three conditions.
The first condition is your child is sick and not able to come to school in-person but is still able to participate in class.
The second condition is if your child is quarantined due to a household member having Covid-19 symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19.
The third condition is if your child is required to quarantine per RIDOH guidelines.
Distance learning should not be used as a tool for your child not to come to school “just because”. If your child fits one of the three conditions above, please call the school to notify them of the circumstance, and it is also recommended to email the teachers before the start of the school day so they can make sure they are prepared for an additional distance learning student. If your child does not fit into one of the three conditions above, the teachers will not let them into their Zoom class.
Masks:
We are asking families to send in two masks with your students daily. This is helpful in case the mask breaks or becomes soiled throughout the day. It is also helpful to have a spare mask in your student’s backpack in case a student gets out of the car and realizes they have forgotten their mask. We appreciate your help with this.
BMS Daily Announcements:
Below you will find some exciting information regarding our student groups at BMS! In addition to being featured in our weekly Connected Learning Newsletters, you can also find important student information in our BMS Morning Announcement spreadsheet linked below:
BMS New Information
Book Bites:
Need a book to read? Our awesome BMS Media Center staff recommends 6 books each week! The recommended book list is available through blog form at http://www.mrsmelanieroy.com/ and also at our virtual bookshelf form: https://bit.ly/3lW9Q5e
Holiday Travel Reminder:
Some families may be opting to travel this upcoming week. I just want to remind you that if you travel to certain states, RI requires you to quarantine for 14 days upon your return. This means that your child will not be able to physically come to school but will need to participate in distance learning. For the list of states that require you to quarantine upon return, please click this link, which gets updated often. Thank you for your cooperation with this as we strive to keep Barrington Middle School faculty, staff, and students safe and healthy.
BMS Best Buddies:
It was so great to see so many of you the other day for our BMS Best Buddies orientation/overview. If you missed the meeting, and would like to be part of this incredible group, it is not too late! Below you will find helpful information on the Best Buddies program and steps to begin to sign up to be in our BMS Best Buddies chapter.
BMS Best Buddies Sign Up!
If you would like to be a member of our BMS Best Buddies chapter, please access the Best Buddies portal linked below. Remember, please check with your parents/guardians first. We ask that you sign up before December 4, 2020.
BMS Best Buddies Membership Application
BMS Best Buddies One-to-One Matching Questions:
Please complete the below form by December 4, 2020 if you would like to be matched in a BMS Best Buddy friendship.
BMS Best Buddies One-to-One Matching Questions
BMS Best Buddies Officer Application:
If you are interested in being a BMS Best Buddies officer, please complete the google form attached below by December 4, 2020.
BMS Best Buddies Officer Application
Informational Folder:
BMS Best Buddies Information Folder
Note: includes important Best Buddies Information
Videos to Watch:
What to Expect When you Join Best Buddies
Jack Mayor Best Buddies Ambassador Speech
Being Matched in the Best Buddies Program
As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!
Calling all 8th graders - your baby/toddler pictures wanted for the yearbook!
As is customary for our 8th graders at BMS, we are asking ALL 8th grade families to virtually upload a baby picture of your son or daughter for the BMS Yearbook. The deadline for the baby photos to be uploaded is MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020. Please use this Google Form to upload your pictures. Please contact Mr. Kearns, BMS Yearbook Advisor, at kearnsb@barringtonschools.org with any questions.
BMS Spirit Wear Store is NOW OPEN for a limited time:
Get some cozy gear and show your BMS Spirit!
Shop closes on November 23rd with an estimated ship date of December 16th. All items will be shipped directly to your home.
Please log on to https://bms.gamedaygear.store
Questions? email: barringtonmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com
BMS PTO Membership Drive
When you join the BMS PTO you join a community that encourages student achievement and enriches their learning environment.
We believe in building partnerships between our families and our school.
We believe that together we can help our children be successful.
Please show your support and get involved with the PTO
The BMS PTO Directory and Membership site is now open:
To join the BMS PTO:
• Go to barringtonmiddlepto.org
• Click on “JOIN US BECOME A PTO MEMBER”
• Follow the prompts in the BMS Store to purchase membership
*$20 per family
To add your information to the BMS PTO Directory*:
• Go to barringtonmiddlepto.org
• Click on “Add your name to the BMS directory” and please use
the password: BMS2020 (case sensitive)
• You will be asked to put in your name and email address and
choose a password then check the “terms of use” checkbox.
• Click on “Create a new family unit”. (Unless you see someone
from your household already registered – then select that
household).
• Fill out the form with your Contact Info and Household Info.
Once you have entered all your information, hit SAVE. Note:
DO NOT PRESS CONTINUE.
• Expand the “Family info” section and click “Add a Child”. Here
you can enter your child’s first and last name and select your
child’s grade and classroom. You can leave email blank; then
click “SAVE CONTACT” at the top.
• Repeat step 9 for any additional children.
• When finished adding all children, select “SAVE” and then
“CONTINUE”.
*6th Grader Directory information did not transfer from HMS and will need to be re-entered
Sock Drive sponsored by the BMS Student Community Service Club:
Runs November 18 through December 11
Bring in new socks and give them to your cluster teacher
Cluster with the most donated socks will win a special prize.
Socks go to homeless people and others in need.
May the best cluster win!!!
Seeking Volunteers to Share Hobbies/Interests with BMS Students:
Please help us brighten the winter months by sharing your time, talent, and interests with a small group of middle school students.
- 4-5pm, on Zoom
- day of your choice, between January and March
- small groups
- background check required
- ideas include: crafts, model building, kitchen chemistry, yoga, knitting, nurse/doctor, vet, Google Sketch-Up, design
If interested, please complete this form.
Questions? texeiraj@barringtonschools.org
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BMS Old Information
Trimester 2 Lunch and Dismissal Rotation:
With each Trimester, we will be rotating our lunch and dismissal rotation. For long term planning purposes, please see the schedule below.
Trimester 1 (9/15 - 12/15) | Trimester 2 (12/16 - 3/25) | Trimester 3 (3/26 - 6/25) | |
Lunch Rotation | 7th grade 11:18- Red 11:50- Orange 12:20- Razz 8th grade 12:48- Green 1:18- Purple 1:48- Blue | 7th grade 11:18- Razz 11:50- Red 12:20- Orange 8th grade 12:48- Blue 1:18- Green 1:48- Purple | 7th grade 11:18- Orange 11:50- Razz 12:20- Red 8th grade 12:48- Purple 1:18- Blue 1:48- Green |
Dismissal Rotation | 3:00 Lime Orange Red 3:07 Yellow Aqua Purple 3:14 Razz Blue Green | 3:00 Razz Blue Green 3:07 Lime Orange Red 3:14 Yellow Aqua Purple | 3:00 Yellow Aqua Purple 3:07 Razz Blue Green 3:14 Lime Orange Red |
Inclement Weather Learning Packets:
Based on guidance provided by the Governor of Rhode Island, this school year, there will be no Snow Days! In the event of learning needing to be cancelled due to inclement weather and/or power outages, Barrington Public Schools will engage in distance learning for all students. Distance learning on these particular days will be skilled based and not technology dependent. Teachers have been working on preparing these inclement weather packets. Please stay tuned for more information and when these packets will be made available.
Students are Encouraged to Join in on the Fun!
Through a given week, your child’s teachers may be seen wearing a positive motivational message, their alma mater’s colors, and Blue and Gold to show their school pride. We would like to formally invite our students to join in on the fun:
Motivational Message Monday- We encourage you to wear your favorite motivational message proudly!
Wednesday College and Career Day- Students are encouraged to wear their favorite universities colors/names and/or support different careers and occupations.
Friday School Color Day (Formally known as Blue and Gold Day)- Students are encouraged to wear blue and gold on Fridays to show our school pride.
#BMSShines:
Over the past year, BMS has adopted the hashtag: #BMSShines. Throughout a given week our faculty/staff capture the great things that are happening at BMS by taking a picture, offering a caption/description, and tagging it with #BMSShines. If you are on Twitter, we encourage you to follow along as well.
Individual Learning Plans:
BMS students, in conjunction with their school counselor, have been using Richer Picture to create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Students will be creating an ILP each year from 6th to 12th grade. The ILP is a student-directed planning and monitoring tool that customizes learning opportunities throughout their school experience, broadens their perspectives, and supports the attainment of goals. Richer Picture has created an interactive and dynamic tool that hosts the ILP and maps each student's unique set of interests, needs, learning goals and a plan for meeting graduation requirements.
Please see a link below with additional login information:
Mask Breaks:
Just a reminder, classes will continue to take mask breaks throughout the day even during inclement weather. As the temperatures get colder, please be sure your child comes to school with a jacket, hats/gloves, etc so they are prepared to take a walk around the building or to be outside for a period of time during these breaks. We appreciate your help with this.
Canvas Tips for Parents:
Please see the link below with Canvas helpful tips for parents.
Updated BMS Blue/Gold Calendar:
Please see our updated BMS Blue/Gold Calendar. In order to help with clarity, we alternated each day to either be Odd or Even. As you will notice, due to the number of days off in November, there will now be 3 Even Mondays in a row, followed by 2 Odd Mondays in a row.
BMS Daily Calendar 2020 - 2021
Student Attendance/early dismissal:
If your child is going to be absent from in-person learning or distance learning we ask that you contact the main office to let them know. If your child needs to be dismissed from school (distance learning) we ask you to follow the same procedure.If your child needs to be dismissed from In-person learning, we ask that you send us a note indicating who is picking up your child and at what time. It is important that we have accurate attendance records.
Canvas:
We are moving away from Google Classroom and beginning to use Canvas this year. We will be sending out specific directions to login and use Canvas. For now, we wanted to provide you with these introduction videos.
Unlike Google Classroom, you and your children will only have to log in to 1 Canvas Account to see all of your child's teachers at the elementary level and your child's courses at the secondary level.
Students’ Canvas Overview
https://community.canvaslms.co...
Parents’ Canvas Overview
https://community.canvaslms.co...
Notes about Screening Students:
Families and caregivers will screen students at home using a self-attestation form.
Fever is defined at 100° F or above related to this self-attestation form.
If a student has a low-grade fever, less than 100℉ before school, do not send your child to school and monitor at home for symptoms of illness or if increasing fever develops.
Remain in close contact with the school nurse or principal
If feeling well enough to learn, students monitored at home may engage in distance learning.
All students must stay home if they answer “Yes” to any screening questions before school.
If a student screens positive for any COVID-19 symptoms, the student’s parent/guardian should seek medical advice from the student’s healthcare provider and inform the school of the student’s absence and inform the school nurse (COVID-19 point of contact) at the school.
School staff (and bus drivers) should observe students throughout the day and refer students who may show signs of being symptomatic to the school nurse for assessment.
Nursing staff will monitor students who are symptomatic in isolation rooms until parents arrive and provide instructions for the next steps. Parents must pick up their children within one hour for the safety of all members of the community.
Barrington Community Information
Barrington High School’s Parents of Note Annual Holiday Wreath Sale
Support the BHS Music program by purchasing a holiday wreath. Wreaths are delivered right to your door! Click here for more information.
Barrington AfterProm Closet Cleanout:
Donate your clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, hats, mittens, scarves, ties, belts, jewelry, handbags and backpacks to the Barrington AfterProm Closet Cleanout drive on Saturday, December 5 from 8AM - 2PM. Click here for the informational flyer.
Join the Adventure of Scouting with Troop 2 Barrington
Join us on Wednesdays at 5:00pm
Haines Memorial State Park (picnic site #20 -adjacent to boat ramp parking lot) Rte 103, East Providence, RI