Barrington Middle School
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter: January 4, 2021
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:
BMS Spotlight on Learning
This week we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight Mrs. Abigail Williams from the Aqua cluster. Abby Abby went out of her way to provide encouragement and support to help a student persevere and believe in himself so that he could experience success in his most difficult subject. Her efforts had a super positive impact on both the student and his family. Thank you for all you do! (submitted by a BMS Colleague)
This week we would like to also shine our BMS Spotlight on Mrs. Elaine Van Leer. Over the past few months, Elaine has dedicated herself to cull all of the old class reading books in the library. Now she is in the process of collating the books in time for the new trimester. From personal experience, I have helped arrange those class books into the library when BMS moved. It is time consuming! So I appreciate the hard work she does for our kids. (submitted by a BMS Parent)
This week, we would also like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mrs. Connie Oswald and the BMS Gazette Staff (school newspaper). The week before last, the students put out their first issue of the school year. They did a great job capturing current events, COVID-19 Pandemic, and much, much more. If you have not yet read the paper, please see a link below:
Finally, this week, we would like to shine our BMS Spotlight on Mr. Brett Kearns. Mr. Kearns, Student Council Advisor, led, coordinated, and facilitated a fantastic BMS Presidential Candidate Town Hall. Each year, our students have an opportunity to hear from their potential BMS Presidential Candidates in a town hall style forum. This year, Mr. Kearns, and the BMS Student Council, showed great resilience, pivote
Do you know of a BMS Faculty/Staff member that is shining bright! If you do, please complete the form below and we can include the nomination in an upcoming newsletter.
BMS Upcoming Events
Monday, January 4, 2021: Return to School for Students (Distance Learning Day)
Monday, January 4, 2021 - Friday, January 8, 2021: Distance Learning for All Students
Monday, January 11, 2021: Return to our In-person learning models (6th grade 5 days a week, 7th/8th grade hybrid- Gold Day)
Wednesday, January 13, 2021: PTO meeting via Zoom link
BMS New Information
Week of January 3rd, 2021:
Monday 1/4 | Tuesday 1/5 | Wednesday 1/6 | Thursday 1/7 | Friday 1/8 |
|
Distance Learning Day Odd Monday schedule- all classes |
Distance Learning Day Even Tuesday Block Schedule |
Distance Learning Day Odd Wednesday Block Schedule |
Distance Learning Day Even Thursday Block Schedule |
Distance Learning Day Odd Friday Block Schedule |
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
BMS Media Center Newsletter
Click here for the monthly BMS Media Center newsletter!
Communicating with BMS During Distance Learning:
If you need to get in touch with our BMS front office during the week of January 4, 2021, we ask that you use the email address bmsattendance@barringtonschools.org. Our front office staff will be regularly monitoring this email. In addition, if your child will be absent, tardy, or dismissed early, we ask that you use this email address.
BMS Daily Calendar 2020-2021 (updated 12/29/2020):
Please see a link to our updated BMS Daily Calendar 2020 - 2021: BMS Daily Calendar 2020 - 2021 (Updated 12/29/2020). (Note: BMS Daily Calendar was updated to be aligned with BHS).
Distance Learning:
During this upcoming week, all students will participate in distance learning. All of the information that you need may be found on your child’s Canvas page. As of now, we will resume in-person learning on January 11, 2021.
Sick During Vacation:
If your child was sick during vacation week, please email Mrs. Johnson (johnsonj@barringtonschools.org). If your child was tested for Covid-19 while we were out, regardless of how your child tested, you do need to let Mrs. Johnson know as well.
Travel:
Some families opted to travel during the holidays and vacation week. Depending on where you traveled depends on whether or not a quarantine is required. The list of “hot states” may be found here. Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida are some of the states on this list. Traveling to these states requires a quarantine for 14 upon returning to Rhode Island and before being able to return to in-person instruction. As a district, we have opted not to accept a negative test for returning to in-person instruction. Your child is able to participate in distance learning while quarantining. If you have traveled, please let me know so I can let teachers know who will be distance learning. (Please include the date you returned to RI in your email to me.) Below is a chart indicating when your child may return to school for in-person instruction based upon when you returned to RI.
Return to Rhode Island | Able to return for in-person instruction |
December 26 | January 11 |
December 27 | January 11 |
December 28 | January 12 |
December 29 | January 13 |
December 30 | January 14 |
December 31 | January 15 |
January 1 | January 19 |
January 2 | January 19 |
January 3 | January 19 |
January 4 | January 19 |
January 5 | January 20 |
January 6 | January 21 |
No School:
There are two days in January where students will not come to school. January 18 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and students do not have any school. January 25 is a professional development day. Students will have work to complete on their own on this day.
BMS Best Buddies:
Attention BMS Best Buddies! Please mark it in your calendars that our first official BMS Best Buddies activity will be planned for Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 4:00pm via zoom. Please stay tuned for more information.
In addition, when we return from winter break, we will be meeting with those students who expressed interest in leadership positions.
BMS Annual Variety Show
Calling all performers, magicians, comedians, filmmakers and anyone who has a talent to share! This unique school year has opened up a new opportunity for us to take our Annual Variety Show online. If you would like to submit a video of you performing your act or if you have a video to share, please see additional information on this Google Form. Submissions are due January 29th. Open to all BMS students and staff.
For your health and safety, you should not meet with others in person to practice or make a video, however, we encourage groups to rehearse and create videos together online. We encourage individual acts. If you have any questions please speak to Mrs. Van Leer or email bmsvarietyshow@barringtonschools.org
BMS Standing Items
BMS Daily Calendar 2020-2021 (updated 12/29/2020):
Please see a link to our to our updated BMS Daily Calendar 2020 - 2021: BMS Daily Calendar 2020 - 2021 (Updated 12/29/2020)
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:
Linked below you will find some exciting information regarding our daily BMS announcements and 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 Old Information
BMS Shift to Distance Learning:
As you are aware, BPS/BMS will be engaging in distance learning for all learners beginning on Monday, December 21, 2020. Below are a few items we would like to review with you to help support successful distance learning for all:
It is important that your child uses their first and last name on zoom. If your child uses a nickname, first name only, last name only, number combination, they will not be let into the zoom session.
Students/teachers will be following their typical schedule found on Aspen. Class times will start at normal time, however, teachers will be ending their instruction 10 minutes prior to the official end of class. During these breaks, teachers and students are encouraged to stretch, go outside, shut down their screens, and to take a break from teaching/learning.
In addition, our teachers will be reviewing and posting our Student and Family Norms for Learning Online found below.
Student & Family Norms for Learning Online
Be respectful, responsible, and safe- The rules from your school apply to your online environments as well. Keep your language respectful, compliment others for positive contributions, and be safe with your information.
Consider your Digital Footprint- Anything recorded or posted online is out there for anyone to find and use, positively or negatively. Make sure what you put out there shows you in a positive light.
Consider your background and microphone- Can students hear you clearly? Is there anything in your background that could distract them from the conversation? iS everything within the frame appropriate for a school setting?
Don’t share your personal or private information- Keep personal information off the internet that others can use like your full name, birthdate, address and phone number. Never share your username or password.
Don’t record other students in Zoom or other applications/platforms, or share any of their personal or private information.
Write and read postings carefully to avoid unnecessary confusion- Remember that your peers cannot see your body language or hear your tone of voice, so you need to keep your language direct and respectful.
Students, ask for help if you get lost- If you are having a hard time following what’s being talked about or don't understand a part of the conversation, please let others know so they can help you get back on track.
Families allow students to independently participate. If you have questions, please contact the teacher outside of ZOOM via email or Canvas. Remember that it takes away from learning time for all students and all students online can hear your conversation.
Supports for Families as we Transition to and from Vacation:
As we prepare for the upcoming December break and the added length of distance learning; it is super important to be mindful that students may have increased difficulties transitioning both to distance learning, and back to in-person learning.
These difficulties can become more common for students who have demonstrated previous signs of generalized anxiety, anxiety with school attendance and performance, social anxiety, depression, and difficulty separating from their caretakers.
Please see a link from our school counselors found below for additional helpful information:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AWMwo5DlN15Oen6YSHDKg0tO1ggm6FWmjpKAtnfL1h4/edit?usp=sharing
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
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
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:
Canvas Tips for Parents:
Please see the link below with Canvas helpful tips for parents.
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
Greetings BMS Learning Community,
Please see a link to this week's BMS Connected Learning Newsletter:
BMS Connected Learning Newsletter 12.20.2020
Please see a link to this week's BMS FAST Five 12.20.2020 (audio blog):
Have a great week!
Andy / Dr. Anderson