February Newsletter

Dear Ballenger Creek Middle Families,

I hope that you and all of your loved ones are well. As I write this, my attention is both firmly planted in the present in addition to looking ahead to the 2022-23 school year. Schools are in the middle of articulation--the time of the year when we begin to develop schedules for your students for next year. We look at how students have been doing in classes this year (grades, assessment scores, teacher feedback, and when needed, parent feedback) to recommend classes for next year and to have your students (and you) begin to register for classes for the new year. Please see our counseling office section of this newsletter for more information.

I find that the development of students at the different grade levels has progressed significantly every year at this time:

• Many of our sixth graders, who came to us still looking and responding like elementary students, are now confident and comfortable as middle school students. They may still allow school to “happen” to them, but many are beginning to advocate for themselves and be more purposeful with their efforts in learning.

• Many of our seventh graders, who began the year still in a sixth grade mindset, have now started to take ownership of their school experience--while straddling the line between wanting to be treated like the fun-loving kids they still are and a more independent (sometimes serious, sometimes moody) teenager who is starting to take control of their own learning.

• Many of our 8th graders, who were still thinking like seventh graders at the beginning of the year, are no longer acting like typical middle schoolers. They are now very concerned and aware of how others perceive them and are looking ahead to high school, which is only a few months away for them. Well more than half of our 8th graders are taking ownership of their learning at this point of the year.

Whenever I get the chance, I try to tell our students that if they make good choices and work hard in class, they will be able to make more choices on their own when it comes to their schedules for next year--particularly our high school-bound 8th graders. I ask them, “Do you like it when people tell you what you have to do?” The answer is inevitably, “No!” My reply is, “Then be sure to stay focused and on top of your work so you finish the year strong.” Please feel free to reiterate this point with your students.

If your child doesn’t quite fit into the developmental patterns I described above, no need to panic. Experience has shown us that most children hit these milestones when they are ready. Should you want to talk about your child’s development as a person or a student, however, our counselors and administrators are always here for you.

Take care, everyone--please stay well.

Sincerely,

Jay Schill

Principal, BCMS

January and February is when we start to plan for classes students will take next year. Current 8th grade students have already received recommendations for high school. Current 6th and 7th graders should keep an eye out on schoology as recommendations for them will be happening soon.

If you have any questions regarding recommendations for next year’s classes, please feel free to reach out to our Math Specialist, Laura Boyer, via email (Laura.Boyer@fcps.org).

Please remind students to continue to work on their ALEKS assignments weekly. These are personalized lessons for each student to address each student's specific needs.

To access ALEKS:

*Click FCPSBOOKS when signed into the students google account

*Click CLEVER Portal

*Click to login to Active Directory (Four different color squares)

*Click on the red MCGRAW HILL icon

This will take you directly to ALEKS and they can select “Continue My Path”

In 6th grade ELA, students are In 7th grade ELA, students are analyzing fictional stories and poems with the guiding question, “Can you change your identity?” The texts that we are reading include “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan, “Growing Up” by Gary Sota, “A Voice” by Pat Mora. Students have also examined these texts with a focus on how authors use figurative language and develop the perspectives of different characters, as well as how all this contributes to the theme. In a few weeks, we will be starting curriculum cycle six which returns to informational texts and asks, “What’s fair in the workplace?” The texts we will be reading and analyzing will be based on children’s and workers rights during the industrial revolution. We will be looking at author’s craft of imagery and tone as well as situational impacts, author’s purpose, and point of view.

In 7th grade ELA, students are analyzing fictional stories and poems with the guiding question, “What makes people who they are?” The texts we have read explore the ideas of trying to fit in or being comfortable standing out. Students have also examined these texts with a focus on how authors use figurative language and develop the perspectives of different characters, as well as how all this contributes to the theme.

In a couple weeks, we will be starting curriculum cycle six, which returns to informational texts and asks, “What can people learn from tragedies?” We will start this cycle by reading texts about the sinking of the Titanic and exploring how authors develop their point of view and central idea.

8th grade students have been developing their narrative writing techniques through a series of writer’s workshop activities. These techniques include characterization, consistent plot elements, purposeful dialogue, and descriptive details. They will finish their narratives during the first week of February. After they have completed their narratives, students will take some time to learn question decoding strategies and make revisions to their Boston Massacre Analysis analysis assignments.

6th grade: We are beginning our new unit on Our Extreme Planet. Our first topic will cover the six factors that influence climate.

7th grade: Students have begun the Flow of Energy unit. The first topic will cover kinetic and potential energy.

8th grade: In Term 3 students will explore the Interactions of the Solar System. The first topic will require students to analyze data to determine the scale of our solar system.

6th Grade History

Sixth grade is finishing up their unit on ancient India. Students have been learning about different religious aspects about this civilization as well as their society as a whole. Moving forward, the next major civilization students will explore is ancient China.

7th Grade History

In 7th grade, students are finishing Unit 5, which looks at medieval Mesoamerica. Students are in the process of completing a four-paragraph essay where they are examining the primary factor for the fall of the Incan Empire.

Afterwards, students will be completing an assignment to honor Black and African American History Month. Then students will begin Unit 6, which focuses on the history of medieval Europe.

8th Grade History

As of this week, all of our English Learner (EL) students have started the WIDA ACCESS test.

They are working hard to finish the first few sections.

In the second week of February, ELs will begin on the Speaking section of the test. This test can bring some additional test anxiety as students have to record their responses in English on the computer. To make students feel more comfortable, we did some recording practice during ELT in January. Please remind them to bring their own headphones with a microphone to help ease some of the anxiety. You may also remind them that the speaking test will be taken in very small groups.

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

Next Year Registration for Current 6th and 7th Graders:

Mr. Webber and Ms. Reese will be going into history classes on Wednesday, February 16th to discuss the registration process for next school year. On February 16th, your child will be given their recommendations for ELA and Math. They will also receive information about possible elective courses available to them in 7th and 8th grade. Students will be given directions to complete a google form with their parents by Wednesday, February 23rd.

Next Year Registration for Incoming 6th Graders (Current 5th Graders):

Mr. Ledyard will be meeting with 5th grade students sometime during the 3rd week of February to discuss 6th grade registration. 5th graders will be given their recommendations for ELA and Math. They will also receive information about possible elective courses available to them in 6th grade. Students will be given directions to complete a google form with their parents by Wednesday, February 23rd.

Save The Date

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night

Tuesday, February 22nd at 6:00 PM

This will be a virtual event.

More information will be sent out in a separate Find Out First

Book Checkout: Students in each grade level have the opportunity to come to the Media Center to check out books on their assigned days during ELA.

• Monday - 8th Grade

• Wednesday - 6th Grade

• Friday - 7th Grade

Books are checked out for 3 weeks at a time and can be returned to the blue bins in the ELA classrooms.

Lunch in the Media Center: Starting November 1st students will have the opportunity to sign up to come to the Media Center during the second half of lunch. More information about this and how to sign up can be found on our BCMS Library Media Center group in Schoology.

BCMS Library Media Center group in Schoology: Information and updates are shared frequently on our group in Schoology. The code for this group can be found in grade level Guidance courses on Schoology and the Media Center doors.

Technology Reminders:

• Students are responsible for their assigned devices and chargers.

• Students are required to keep their devices in their case at all times.

• Damage to an FCPS device or charger will incur fees for repair.

• Lost devices, cases, and chargers will result in a fee.

• Any fees for repairs will be issued and paid through School Cash Online.

Technology Tips:

• Do not slam lids closed as this will break the screen!

• Do not store items in your Chromebook or case.

• Close your Chromebook while charging to ensure a full charger.