BMS Parent Newsletter

Former FBI agent and safety expert, Greg Shaffer presented school and individual safety information to BISD staff on October 10 at the staff development and to parents that evening. Mr. Shaffer will be making a return trip to Blanco on Monday, November 7. He will address BMS students in two different sessions. 6th Grade at 9 AM and 7th/8th Grade at 9:50 AM. He will talk to students about:

Being aware of their surroundings

What to do in an emergency situation

Having a plan of action in advance

Simple techniques they can use to defend themselves

The threat of human trafficking

Parents who DO NOT want their student to participate in this presentation can contact Mr. Kinney or Ms. Lyons to let them know. Students who are not in the presentation will be monitored in another area of the school. There will not be additional work or consequences for opting out. Contact information for Mr. Kinney and Ms. Lyons can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.

School safety is always an important part of the BMS educational setting. Blanco MS and Blanco ISD have partnered with Stay Alert to provide an avenue for students, parents, teachers, and community members to report issues related to school safety. If you are aware of an incident, situation, activity, etc. that needs to be reported to school officials, please utilize one of the Stay Alert program avenues to report it. Those reporting can choose to remain anonymous.

You can report:

online at www.stayalert.info

by email to report@stayalert.info

by text to 206-406-6485

by phone to 206-406-6485

BMS will be collecting items to donate to the GVTC Give Back program. They are requesting Thanksgiving specific canned items - such as sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, etc. Additionally boxes of stuffing/dressing are also in demand. Student Council and NJHS will be assisting with collection. Items can be dropped off at the BMS office or BMS library. Collection will begin on Monday (Oct. 31) and end Friday (Nov 11). Thank you to Ms. Preiss, Ms. Meier, and Ms. Hernandez for proposing this project and doing the work to help others in our community and county have a great holiday season.

The 8th Grade Science classes were busy this week building balloon powered cars. Students worked in pairs to design, build, and "drive" their balloon powered cars. Using common household items such as straws, coffee stirrers, bread ties, large buttons, and hot glue guns, students created their cars. They then measured the distance their cars traveled and timed the car in covering the distance. There were wide ranging designs and ideas for cars. There were short cars, long cars, tall cars, three wheeled cars, four wheeled cars, cars that used one balloon for power, and some that used two balloons to propel their vehicle. It was fun to see the various ideas and designs come together and create a working car. Ms. Hussion is the 8th grade science teacher. Thank you to Ms. Blackburn for the photos.

The BMS Volleyball A teams wrapped up their season on Saturday in fine fashion. Both teams entered the tournament as the third place seed. The 8th Grade A team finished second in the tournament and the 7th Grade A team ended the season as the District Tournament Champions!

Final Regular Season Records:

7A = 7-3

7B = 4-4

8A = 7-3

8B = 9-1

The BMS Football teams hosted Cole for their final game of the season on Thursday, November 3. Both teams won their games! 7th Grade won 22-6. 8th Grade won 22-18

Final Season Records:

7th Grade = 5-2-1

8th Grade = 1-7

Check out the information sheet below if you are interested in supporting the Blanco HS FFA Booster Club.

BMS teachers, staff, and students provide shout outs to those who have gone above and beyond, provided help to another person, been a good citizen, accomplished a task/goal, won an athletic contest, participated in an activity or competition, or just need recognition for doing something nice, etc. These are our SHOUT OUTS for the week:

7th Grade A team volleyball for winning the District Tournament.

7th Grade B team volleyball for a great season.

8th Grade A team volleyball for their second place finish at the District Tournament.

8th Grade B team volleyball for an awesome year!

7th Grade football team for their win over Cole.

8th Grade football for their win over Cole.

The cheerleaders for their awesome pep rally.

6th Grade Band for joining in the pep rally and doing a fantastic job.

BMS Band for their energizing music at the pep rally.

Coach Weldon for his pep rally speech - which resulted in 2 wins for football!

Jonathan Hernandez for helping Ms. Downing carry things to her truck.

8th Grade for winning the attendance flag last week.

If you have questions related to middle school, please contact the appropriate person at BMS:

Brad Kinney: Principal - brad.kinney@blancoisd.org

Sallie Lyons: Counselor - sallie.lyons@blancoisd.org

Cheryl Tesch: Registrar - cheryl.tesch@blancoisd.org

Paula Batey: Administrative Assistant - paula.batey@blancoisd.org

BMS Phone: 830-833-5570