December Newsletter

Dear Ballenger Creek Middle Families,

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving break and that you and your loved ones are well. As I write this, Hanukkah has started, Christmas is on the horizon, and a well-deserved winter break is within sight. In talking with staff and students this week, it made me smile to hear that quite a few enjoyed visiting or are looking forward to visiting with family--some for the first time in a very long while.

There is much to look forward to this time of year, but we also recognize that the holidays can also be an inherently stressful time for many. This stress can be compounded for some of us by what we have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Life--especially now--is not meant to be lived or negotiated alone.

If your student is struggling, please consider reaching out to your school counselor, who can partner with you to support your child:

6th grade: Johnny.Webber@fcps.org

7th grade: Rebecca.Reese@fcps.org

8th grade: David.Ledyard@fcps.org

Our grade level assistant principals (Susan.Messmore@fcps.org - 6th grade; Robert.Everett@fcps.org - 7th grade; Matthew.McVay@fcps.org - 8th grade) and I (Jay.Schill@fcps.org) are also available to assist you and your families.

In addition, if you or someone you love needs mental health support right away, please consider The Frederick County Mental Health 24 Hour Call Center and their Walk-In Clinic.

Finally, I’m always looking for good resources and reminders for my own family and yours and I found this Johns Hopkins article about Four Tips to De-Stress This Holiday Season helpful. I hope you also find it worthwhile.

Please stay healthy and have a great holiday season!

Sincerely,

Jay Schill

During December, students will prepare for their yearly English test, the WIDA ACCESS test. The test includes 4 domains: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. In order for students to do their best, Mrs. Beaucage will be pulling small groups of English learners (ELs) during ELT to practice using the test platform and using the computer to record their speaking test.

The WIDA ACCESS testing will begin in January. Please begin talking with your students to understand the importance of this test and doing their best work.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Beaucage at mariah.beaucage@fcps.org in English or Spanish.

This year’s theme, “I Will Change the World By...,” calls for your own unique interpretation through the arts.

Learn about submission guidelines and download the entry form HERE or go to www.bcms.memberhub.com or pick up an information packet from the front office.

The entry form and your submission must be returned by the end of day, Monday, December 13. You can submit virtually at REFLECTIONS or drop off your entry form and submission to the front office.

For more information contact Billie Jackson at billiej.design@yahoo.com or click REFLECTIONS

December 15 - Retake/Makeup Picture Day (also for Virtual students) 1:30 – 4:00 on the cafetorium stage

Before Thanksgiving Break, students analyzed Jefferson’s decision to buy the Louisiana Territory by completing a DBQ (Document Based Question). Students should have turned in their DBQ Document Packet and their DBQ Final Essay before we went on break. If they have not done so, they have to turn in the DBQ Document Packet by Wednesday, December 1 so it can be included in Term 2’s midterm grade. However, the DBQ Final Essay will go on the next report card, so students have ample time to make corrections (if needed).

Also, we are finishing up Unit 3 and will be heading into Unit 4: Westward Expansion in early December. Unit 4 focuses on sectional divisions in the U.S., along with America’s policy towards Native Americans and Andrew Jackson’s war on the National Bank. Students will also examine the territorial expansion of the United States including the guiding belief of Manifest Destiny.

Thank you to those who came out and supported the Veteran’s in our community with our Veteran’s Day Concert. Come out and join us for the Music Department Winter Concerts.

Chorus Winter Concert, 6:30 pm December 14, 2021 BCMS Cafetorium

Instrumental Winter Concert 6:00 pm December 15, 2021 BCMS Cafetorium

Howdy Partners!

We are holding auditions for the Spring Play on December 20th and 21st. Please see Ms. Jones or Mrs Schmidt for details. All are welcome to audition.

Thank you to Miss Wirth for being a Long Time Substitute for Mrs. Kelley in Art this year. You did an awesome job helping our budding artist stay on track and explore different mediums of work.

Welcome back Mrs. Kelley! You were greatly missed and we can not wait to see what the students create in Art.

Eighth graders in Visual Arts have been working so hard lately. They finished up learning about all seven elements of art and did a project for each element. These students continue to impress me with their talent. This week our artist in the spotlight is Bob Ross. We are learning about his life, his painting journey, and studying the kinds of work that he did during his lifetime. Coming up after Thanksgiving, students will be starting some new projects that we are excited about!

Grade 6:

We are wrapping up the structure and properties of matter and moving on to learning about the different types of heat transfer. Vocab: conduction, convection, radiation, kinetic energy, thermal energy, insulation, and temperature as a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in the system.

Grade 7:

We are working through the chemistry and matter unit. Our current topic includes recognizing the difference between chemical and physical changes as a way of predicting how macroscopic patterns of pure substances drive interactions. Vocab: atoms, molecules, compounds, mixtures, chemical formulas, and conservation of mass and matter.

Grade 8:

We are in the heredity unit which explores how structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism. Vocab: RNA, DNA, protein, amino acids, chromosome, gene, trait, homozygous, heterozygous, mutation, offspring, sexual/asexual reproduction, and Punnett squares.

6th Grade:

6th grade will be wrapping up fictional text and will be moving onto informational text as we read articles about those who have faced and overcame adversity. We will be focusing on identifying the central idea of an article, comparing and contrasting different points of view and how those points of view and the situational impact convey the central idea of a text. Students will continue to use text evidence in their writing analysis.

7th Grade:

In ELA 7, we'll be completing our Civil Right unit to focus more on non-fiction reading and writing. Students will be studying Diane Nash and John Lewis and how these two significant figures impacted the Civil Rights Movement. They will also complete a couple big assignments to demonstrate their understanding of the standards related to central idea, textual evidence, and supporting reasoning.

8th Grade:

Eighth Grade Students will begin Cycle 4 as the return from Thanksgiving Break. Students will analyze historical speeches to determine how arguments and central ideas are developed through the use of perspective, structure, and figurative language

BULLDOG GIVING TREE REMINDER

The last day to place any items on the Giving Tree is December 6th. This is due to the fact that shopping needs to take place and time is given for that to happen. Items need to be picked up from counselor’s offices by 3pm on December 17. When you take a tag, please make the counselor aware of who you are so that they can keep track of all the tags. And return the items bought to the counselor on the tag (or Ms. Rogers if the counselor is busy).

COMMUNITY CLOTHING DRIVE REMINDER

This is a reminder that on December 13, 5:30-7:30 is our clothing drive event (snow date is Dec. 15, 5:30-7:30). We hope to see you here at Ballenger Creek Middle School for this event. There will be plenty of items for your family to browse through. You never know what you may find….

FOOD BANKS

First Missionary Baptist Church at 5430 Jefferson Pike has a food bank run by Mike Holland from 8-10 am on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Food Bank at 100 South Market street -Frederick Community Action Agency Groceries Mon, Tues., Thurs., and Fri., from 2-4 pm and Mon and Wed., from 7-9pm

Frederick Rescue Mission you can receive groceries from Tues-Wed. 1:30-3:30pm and Thurs 2-6 pm.

TOYS FOR TOTS

SSgt. Andrew J. Langlois, www.toysfortots.org toysfortotsfrederick@gmail.com

301-619-0129 ( public use) Toys only Children through age 14

Must register on-line, will assist walk-ins after all registered families have been served.

Registration 10/15 to 12/16 Distribution is at Bon-Ton/Frederick town Mall Organizations may request toys through the program

Frederick County DSS

Deborah Lundahl 301-600-2429 dlundahl@dhr.state.md.us

Limited to families already known to DSS: foster care, Family Preservation, seniors

Seeks sponsors from community who fill wish lists for clients. Staff delivers the gifts to the clients. Clients receiving TCA, food stamps, medical assistance, etc. are referred to other agencies for assistance with holiday gifts.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

Boys and Girls Club is looking for more students who are interested in joining. Remember they are meeting after school here at BCMS. They would love to see you. If interested please come on along by going to programs@bgcfc.org. 240-831-4330. They are here from 3-6pm. Tell them the Community Liaison (Kathleen Rogers) sent you.

Housing and Employment Resources for Homeless Veterans

Sheppard Pratt offers housing and employment solutions for homeless veterans, thanks to

support from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Labor, and other partners.

Services can include

• Housing and housing assistance

• Job training and employment opportunities

• Connection with legal assistance

Our Programs

CONTACT for more information about our veterans housing services, or to make a referral, contact:

Supportive Services for Veteran Families: 410-282-5900 x 3333

HVRP Services: 410-453-9553 x6112 (Baltimore City, Baltimore Co., Harford Co.) or 240-344-8274 (Western Maryland and West Virginia)

North Point Services: 240-500-3105

• On-site and virtual mental health services and referrals to health care

• Childcare support and transportation assistance

• IB Program at Urbana High School
  Do you like looking at complex questions from a variety of perspectives? Do you like to be challenged? Do you like being a part of a close-knit community? Then you might like IB! The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary students. The program "encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners" (IBO Mission Statement) who are prepared to contribute positively in their local communities and the greater world.
  All interested eighth grade students are welcome to apply.
  For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/international-baccalaureate-pr/home?authuser=0
  Deadline: All application materials are due by December 17, 2021 by 5pm.
  
  

• Smart Start Kits are available at the Frederick County Public Library - www.fcps.org Educational enrichment kits for pre-k through 5th grade offer a hands-on approach for at-home enrichment in early literacy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) and social/emotional wellbeing. These kits are made to spark excitement and learning through play, giving children and caretakers all the necessary tools for an afternoon of activities.

• Virtual Teen Library Council (Ages 13-18)
  Thursday, December 2 (6-7 pm)
  Calling all Frederick County Teens! Join us for our monthly Virtual Teen Library Council (TLC) meeting on Discord. Help us plan the future of our Discord server and enjoy a different guest speaker each month. Plus earn service learning hours for attending! December's meeting will be a winter party! Enjoy trivia, win prizes, and more!
  https://frederick.librarycalendar.com/events/virtual-teen-library-council-ages-13-18-2
  
  

• Paws to Read with Go Team Therapy Dogs (All ages)
  Thursday, December 9 (6:30-7:30 pm)
  Improve your reading confidence and make a new friend when you read aloud to a Go Team Therapy Dog.
  https://frederick.librarycalendar.com/events/paws-read-go-team-therapy-dogs
  
  

• FCPL December Calendar of Events visit: https://frederick.librarycalendar.com/events/month
  
  

• Mystery of the Christmas Star
  Planetarium Show
  December 7,9,14,16 - 6pm and 7pm
  Earth and Space Science Lab, Frederick MD
  To purchase tickets:
  https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/d518555f-1abb-4243-acb9-5a33f4b75e17
  
  

• Virtual Escape Room Adventures through FCPL
  https://www.fcpl.org/programs-events/virtual-programming/virtual-adventures
  
  

If you have any questions about enrichment programming, please contact:
Christine.Brown@fcps.org
Advanced Academics Specialist
Ballenger Creek Middle School
240-236-5760

NEED COUNSELOR SUPPORT? ❤️

Use your grade level counseling page on Schoology and select "Student Support Request Form." Your grade level counselor will speak with you as soon as possible .

Mr. Webber: johnny.webber@fcps.org

Ms. Reese: rebecca.reese@fcps.org

Mr. Ledyard: david.ledyard@fcps.org

Ms. Mary Gallahan-

I am a special education instructional assistant (SEIA) at Ballenger Creek. I am going on my fourteenth year here. I work with seventh grade. I have a B.A. degree in American Studies from the University of Maryland. I have a strong background in History but I absolutely love Math and Science, I have lived in Maryland for all of my life.. I am married and have two daughters. Both of them attended Ballenger Creek for their middle school years. My two cats are named Smudge and Leon. This year we got a dog named Arlo.. I read historical fiction in my spare time. My favorite quote is from Dory in FINDING NEMO ” Just Keep Swimming.” I believe every student can succeed and it is my job to help with that achievement.

Caroline Hunley

My name is Caroline Hunley, and I am one of the 7th grade case managers here at Ballenger Creek Middle School. This is my second year here at BCMS, and my second year of teaching. I ended my college experience during the beginning of the pandemic with virtual student teaching, and was eager to get started. I am so lucky to have gotten to begin my career with such a supportive staff and wonderful kids. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family both in Pennsylvania where I grew up and went to college, and also in Florida where my sister lives. In addition to spending time with my family I also enjoy spending time outdoors. Growing up on a farm outside of Gettysburg PA helped me develop a love for nature. Some of the things that I enjoy are kayaking, snowboarding, and hiking. These are hobbies that I know many students and staff share and love. I had loved getting the opportunity to get to know everyone here at BCMS including our families, and I am excited to continue to grow and learn here.

Students have weekly ALEKS topic goals in Math. Students should be checking their Math schoology pages to see what their specific weekly goal is. Students can monitor their own progress by checking their topic reports in ALEKS, a step-by-step how to for this can be found here. Students can make up missed topics by completing extra in the next week. ALEKS topic goals have the same mid-term/end of term due date as other class assignments. For questions about ALEKS topic goals - please reach out to your grade level Math teacher; our school Math specialist, Ms. Boyer (Laura.Boyer@fcps.org); or our school Math department chair, Ms. Dickson (Ashley.Dickson@fcps.org).

6th Grade Girls:

1- Ava Cruz

2- Siena Foster

3- Megan Jay

4- Addison Irons

5- Gala Sandefeur

6- Delaney Moser

7- Mahai Harris

8- Karissa Darrell

9- Chloe Dorfman

10- Ella Cauble

6th Grade Boys:

1- Ryan Wheeler

2- Colin Basford

3- Carson Moody

4- Jaylen Williams

5- John Lusby

6- Isaiah Nobles

7- Jaeden Doumbia

8- Cole Jordan

9- Cam Grisez

10- Wyatt Nielsen

7th Grade Girls:

1-Taylor Lidie

2-Sophia Rundell

3-Scarlet Hott

4- Addi Page

5- Lizbeth Hernandez

6-Jayla Flores

7- Scarlet Rooney

8- Genevieve Noland

9- Stella Atanley

10- Lina Quiros

7th Grade Boys:

1- Ethan Maurer

2- Cam Connors

3- Maddox Ngyun

4- Henry Reyes

5- Ethan Maller

6- Kahleil Seales

7- Ian McCullough

8- Cole Bigler

9- Tyler Riggs

10- Jacob Wainberg

8th Grade Girls:

1-Hailey Lane

2- Ava Foser

3- Sydney Benefield

4- Brynna Collins

5- Lily Duong

5- Sierra Grisez

6- Veronica Enouch

7- Sam Volpe

8- Denajia Mann

9- Amaya Anderson

10- Maggie Dorman

8th Grade Boys:

1- Abe Basford

2- Hunter Aulls

3- Kyle Stouffer

4- Aidan Foundas

5- Fode Doumbia

6- Cayden Ey

6- Mussie Tariku

7- Mickey Cammarata

8- Derek Schaerdel

9- Anthony Escobao