Boonsboro Middle School

The BMS Counseling Center would like to welcome everyone back to school. We are looking forward to working with all our students and their families to make this a great school year!

Counselor Assignments for School Year 2017-2018:

Mrs. Ganoe ganoekri@wcps.k12.md.us Grade 6 and Grade 7 (M-Z)

Mrs. McDermott Grade 7 (A-L) and Grade 8. Please note Mrs. McDermott is on maternity leave until November. Ms. Stadter stadtlis@wcps.k12.md.us will be with us until Mrs. McDermott returns.

Upcoming Events

During the week of September 18-22, counselors will be in Social Studies classes reviewing the process to access the Counseling Office, informing students of our SAP (Student Assistance Program) process, SSL (Student Service Learning) projects, upcoming College and Career Readiness activities and Mindfulness Techniques.

Please check out the Open House Event for WCPS PreK-12 Academy, Specialized and Magnet Programs on September 25 at South High. Elementary and Middle Programs will be reviewed from 5:30-7:00 pm, High School Programs will be reviewed from 7:30-9:00 pm.

Throughout the school year we will send home College/Career Readiness information. One great place to start is at www.yourfuturestartsnowwcps.com. This site has useful information for students and parents.

In every newsletter we will highlight a few events and activities happening within our classrooms.

In an effort to increase metacognitive awareness, reading comprehension, and an appreciation for reading, all ELA classes are implementing an independent reading time in their ELA classrooms. Students have an opportunity to choose a self-selected text, reflect on their metacognitive process, respond in writing, and share with a partner. Ask your child what he or she is reading today!

The math department is very excited to introduce our new “Techbook” from Discovery Education. This was a county-wide initiative that will give our teachers an abundance of resources to help improve the achievement of our students. All students will be given more opportunities to think critically about the content they use, see, and experience in their daily lives and to ask questions about the world around them.

The Middle School Science Curriculum enables students to use science, mathematics, and technology to solve problems and to make informed decisions in the areas of life, earth and physical science. Students should regularly describe objects and events, ask questions, construct explanations, test those explanations against scientific knowledge and communicate their ideas to others. Our 8th grade science students have started their first lab activity. Students will be designing, constructing and testing mugs that decrease thermal energy loss.

The Middle School Social Studies curriculum emphasizes instruction in Maryland’s core learning goals for Social Studies: History, Geography, Economics, Political Systems and Peoples and Nations of the World. The WCPS curriculum is built on the foundations of Maryland’s State Curriculum. Teachers utilize reading, discussion, writing and participation in various Social Studies skill sets such as collaborative problem-solving, visual discovery and experiential activities in order to challenge and engage students while increasing their understanding of history, politics, geography, economics and culture. Eighth grade Social Studies students began the school year refining and strengthening their historical thinking skills through the examination and analysis of primary sources. To gain a deeper understanding of the September 11th attacks, students interviewed adults about their memories and experiences of this tragic day. These oral histories were shared in class and students gained an appreciation for learning about an historical event by listening to firsthand accounts.

Our school website http://wcpsmd.com/schools/middle-schools/boonsboro-middle has an activities tab where you can find out information about our after school clubs. In addition, please encourage your child to listen to morning announcements for additional information.

With the RAIL card, students can access Washington County Free Library online resources, including:

* Literacy and curriculum resources
* College and career resources
* Language learning resources
* Test prep resources
* And MORE!
Get free homework help
Check out up to three print items with no fines!

How does it work?
RAIL works just like a regular library card, only there is no plastic card you have to carry. It is a virtual card. Your RAIL number is made up of a prefix and your student number. To access WCFL resources use the prefix + your student Number (r a i l _ _ _ _ _ _)

Questions? - Contact your library media specialist or Washington County Free Library staff.

In under a minute you can register your Martins Bonus Card to TWO schools of your choice. You can still continue to collect gas points while supporting BMS! Another win-win for you and our students! The link is below and it takes about a minute to complete the form.

https://martinsfoods.com/school-rewards/

It’s easy to find Box Tops. In fact, you may have some in your home right now. Clip Box Tops from your favorite products and have your students put them in our containers in the cafeteria. Box Tops are each worth 10¢ and they add up fast! Check out the link below for a list of products.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_XMd-8b3ibnNWxBeDBHT0tqek0/view?usp=sharing

As part of our health and wellness initiative each month BMS will feature information health and wellness tips.

September - Why Exercise, Why Not?

1. People exercising just 15 minutes per day have a 14% lower mortality risk than those who do not exercise.

2. When possible, try having a mobile meeting. Mobile meetings can occur when you are walking. Walking for 15 minutes will burn at least 66 calories, strengthen relationships, and boost creativity.

3. While running errands, park in a spot far from the entrance, so you get a little extra mileage on your way into the store.

This year millions of Americans were affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Harvey damaged 207,000 homes of which 12,700 were completely destroyed. The total estimated costs of damage from Hurricane Harvey and Irma is estimated to be around $290 billion. Our magnet students wanted to do something special for the victims to help aide in the cleanup and recovery efforts. BMS students are awesome!

The magnet class is organizing a school wide hurricane relief drive. We are asking for your help in donating supplies for cleaning kits that will be sent to Texas and Florida. Your child received a list of materials needed for a cleaning kit. We are asking that each class bring in the materials on their list to help fill our buckets. Our goal is to collect enough supplies for 25 complete kits! This activity is completely voluntary. Supplies will be collected until Friday, September 29th!

Center for Artistically Talented Students (C.A.T.S.) is for all Washington County Students (public, parochial, and home-schooled students) in grade 8 who have demonstrated an interest in the visual and performing arts. Students are invited to submit an application of interest to participate in the Center for Artistically Talented Students (C.A.T.S.) at The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. Students will have the opportunity to select a primary interest in one of the following areas:

• DANCE
• VOCAL MUSIC
• INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (Brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion)
• THEATRE ARTS
• VISUAL ARTS

For more information visit http://wcpsmd.com/news/2017-fall-arts-sessions-cats-interested-8th-grade-students

8th Grade Application Link

http://wcpsmd.com/sites/default/files/documents/2017%20Application%20of%20Interest%208th%20grade.pdf

Email: willogar@wcps.k12.md.us
Website: http://wcpsmd.com/schools/middle-schools/boonsboro-middle
Location: Boonsboro Middle School, Jh Wade Drive, Boonsboro, MD, United States
Phone: 301-766-8038
Twitter: @BoonsboroMiddle