Community Newsletter

Dear Ballenger Creek Middle Families,

I hope that you and all of your loved ones are well. As I write this and reflect, the last nine school days--five before winter break and the last four since the break--have been stressful for many students, parents, community members, and BCMS staff. Social media threats, worries about being infected by COVID-19, and loved ones actually becoming ill from COVID-19--these events have been a lot for all of us.

While the last two school weeks have been intense at times, I can tell you that the most prominent emotion I’ve experienced through all of this is gratitude--for our BCMS staff, for your children, and for you, our parents and community. Despite fears for their own personal safety, our teachers and support staff have shown up every day for your children. They have been great supports for your students and for one another through some particularly trying moments. Your children, the reason we chose this vocation, have continued to adapt, learn, challenge us, and put smiles on our faces at some point every day. You, our parents, in addition to helping us ensure that your students’ needs have been met, have been tremendously encouraging and helpful to our BCMS staff. I am so grateful that we have such a supportive community.

While these recent days have been far from ideal, I know that what we’re negotiating right now is temporary--things will get better. Thank you for partnering with us--and thank you for entrusting us each day with what you hold most dear in this world--your children.

Take care, everyone--and please reach out if you think that there is anything that we can do for you and your students.

Sincerely,

Jay Schill

Principal, BCMS

We hope everyone had a restful break and could spend this time with friends and family! As we transition back into “school mode,” the 6th, 7th and 8th grade team wants to remind students and family members about a couple of things.

• Students need to be prepared for learning every day by bringing a fully charged Chromebook/laptop to school every day and they should have their charger.

• Check grades and comments: the End of Term 2 is Tuesday, January 11. This means students must submit any missing or revised work by this date at 11:59pm.

• If a student needs help completing their assignments, they need to contact their teacher directly through Schoology. The teacher will sign them up for ELT when available.

• Please make sure students are bringing/wearing their masks and bringing a water bottle to school. Bringing a water bottle to school will help us cut down on our environmental waste because students are required to use a cup at the water fountains due to FCPS guidelines. This would also decrease the number of trips students are making to the water fountains and help them stay in class.

In an effort to work together to ensure appropriate use of cell phones for students, we encourage parents/guardians to review safe cell phone usage frequently, maintain open communication, and utilize appropriate parental controls.

Also, students are reminded of the school’s rules for having a cell phone at school, which is linked in case you wish to periodically review them with your child. Regulation 400-18 Electronic Devices – Student Use. At BCMS, cell phones need to be off and away from 7:30 - 3:00.

All students have access to the TutorMe site for tutoring support. Students have access to live tutors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will access this site through their FCPS Bookmarks and Clever portal.

YOU GUAC!

The BCMS SGA would like to thank everyone who participated in the December Chipotle Fundraiser. Thanks to you, we raised $362 to benefit students right here at BCMS!

Divya Bhakta ( speech therapist) My name is Divya Bhakta, and I am a speech-language pathologist here at Ballenger Creek Middle School. I have a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Long Island University. I grew up in New York. This is my second year at BCMS. Prior to joining the wonderful team here, I worked in schools and rehab facilities in the Baltimore area. Middle schoolers are my favorite! I try to be a champion for my students -- like the wise Rita Pierson once said, "Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." In my free time, I can be found rock/ice climbing outside, hiking, reading, and spending time with family.

Athena Fream ( 6th grade case manager) Hello! My name is Athena and this is my first year teaching! I graduated from University of Maryland last spring with a degree in special education. I am currently a 6th grade special education case manager at Ballenger Creek Middle. I assist mainly in our science and history classes which are my two favorite subjects. I am a member of HOPE, our monthly mentor program for girls. I have enjoyed my first year so far and I have so much love for the students I work with. Even when things are stressful, I am lucky to have a supportive staff to help me navigate.

Resources:

CASS - Sally.Jornlin@fcps.org or call 240 236-6598

Walk in mental health clinic

https://fcmha.org/how-we-help/behavioral-health

ARC of Frederick

(301) 663-0909

6th Grade

Sixth grade is now studying the fascinating world of Ancient India. Students will learn about the importance of the Indus River and its crucial role in the development of the civilizations in this region of the world. Afterwards, students will learn more about the various cultural and societal aspects of the Indus River societies.

7th Grade

This term, in 7th grade, students began Unit 5, which looks at medieval Mesoamerica. Students have already begun to learn about the geography and learning about one of the first major civilizations, the Maya. In the coming weeks, they will learn about the Aztec and Inca civilizations as well.

Later on, students will learn more about the eventual fall of the three groups due to European conquest by the country of Spain.

The 7th grade history team would also like to welcome back Mrs. Montgomery, who is returning from her maternity leave. We wish Eric Witt, her long-term substitute, the best and thank him for all his help.

8th Grade

8th grade will be diving into Unit 4, which focuses on the growth of the United States by looking at the westward migration that took place in the 19th Century. In addition, themes of industrialization and immigration will also be examined in how they helped influence policy and migration.

Important information for families of 8th graders below:

Tuscarora High School

The incoming 9th grade Registration Night is January 13th, at 6:30 PM.

You can hear from THS staff, explore our club and activities fair, and meet THS counselors, teachers, and administrators!

We can’t wait to meet our new Titans on January 13th!

Snow date is January 20th at 6:30 PM

(this event may be virtual - Mr. Ledyard will share updates)

9th Grade Registration

THS counselors came to BCMS to speak to our 8th grade students during their Science classes on Wednesday, January 5th. This presentation will be posted to the 8th grade Schoology page. The window for 8th graders to register for THS opens Monday, January 10th and closes Sunday night, January 23rd. A letter from the high school will be mailed home to families (sometime the week of January 10th) sharing course recommendations. High school registration forms will be completed and submitted on Schoology. Please contact Mr. Ledyard with any questions.

Students will be registering for next school year by the end of January. Please take this time to sit down with your student and plan out their elective choices.

Arrival: If you are dropping your child off, please drop them off at the curb of the car rider line. Do not drop off in the staff parking lot or in front of the school.

Dismissal: All students must be picked up at the car rider line. Students should not be picked up in the staff parking lot. Please do not park your vehicle on Ballenger Creek Pike also since this is a traffic and student safety concern. Safety of our families is very important to us and we are asking for your full cooperation to make this work and run smooth.

This year, we continue our partnership with the Maryland Food Bank in order to host a monthly food drive here at CMS. We are fortunate to receive 2000 lbs of food the second Wednesday of each month. This month we will receive pork loin, ground turkey, peanut butter and many other items.

These groceries are FREE and for ALL of our families.

If you would like to get a bag of food, please stop by on

Wednesday, January 12 from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.

Here is how the food bank drive thru will run:

• Plan to drive into the bus parking loop to the right of the school.
• When you pull around to the volunteers, please open your trunk so we can put the groceries into your car.
• We are only able to provide, one allotment of food per vehicle.

We will continue to hand out food until our supply runs out.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Watson (Michelle.Watson@fcps.org) or Ms. Myers (Emily.Myers@fcps.org).

Please use this link with up-to-date information : https://www.fcpsnutrition.com/

Frederick Community Action Agency, George L. Shields Foodbank

Phone: 301-600-1506
14 E. All Saints St. Frederick, MD 21701

Food Bank: Mon thru Friday 2:00 - 4:00 pm Call for Appointment
Soup Kitchen: daily 5:30 - 6:30 pm.

Carry-out only. Can deliver food to family if a family member has Covid-19.

Frederick Rescue Mission

Phone: 301-695-6633
419 South St. Frederick, MD 21701

Food Pantry: Bring Photo ID Tue and Wed 1:30 - 3:30 pm and Thu 2:00 - 6:00 pm.

Food Pantry Closed Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Mental Health Association of Frederick County

Phone: 301-663-0011
226 South Jefferson St. Frederick, MD

Crisis walk in Mental health services.

Local Resource Guide-https://sites.google.com/view/covid19frederick/home

Student Homelessness Initiative Program (SHIP)Phone: 240-415-8971
Email: info@shipfrederick.comProvides hygiene, clothing, shoes, youth activities and experiences, and emergency shelter for Homeless Students in Frederick County. Please email info@shipfrederick.com

Frederick Community Action Agency

Phone: 301-600-1506 or 301-600-3955
http://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/183/Frederick-Community-Action-Agency

Frederick County Department of Social Services

Phone: 301-600-4555

Homeless Prevention Program - if eleigible could help pay rent to prevent eviction

Call 301-909-6362

Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs

Phone: 301-631-2670
Phone: 240-446-9649

https://www.thereligiouscoalition.org/Help with eviction assistance not due to Covid-19, Security Deposits, Energy Assistance Program, Emergency Family Shelter

Crisis Services

Dial 211