BCMS Community Newsletter

Dear Ballenger Creek Middle Families,

I hope that you and all of your loved ones are well. In some ways, it’s hard to believe that we are already past the midterm of our final term of the 2021-22 school year--the end of the year is in sight! I want to thank each of you for all that you have done and continue to do at home to support your students--we very much appreciate your efforts!

Here at BCMS, we are concentrating efforts for our students finishing the year well academically and socially, as well as providing some opportunities for each grade to celebrate their completion of a challenging year. Please see details about each grade level’s celebration plans later in this newsletter.

This fast-paced time of year tends to be very busy and can be stressful for your students and for you. I know my wife and I are focused on our middle schooler and high schooler (as well as our college student) finishing strong in addition to working through busy spring extracurricular schedules for each child. If you are negotiating these last weeks of school and you believe that we can help your student in any way, please don’t hesitate to let us know--we very much value partnering with you!

Take care, everyone--please stay well.

Sincerely,

Jay Schill

Principal, BCMS

CHROMEBOOK COLLECTION

BCMS students will be turning in their FCPS issued chromebooks in the BCMS Media Center during Language Arts classes on June 1, 2 and 3.They are to be returned with the case and charger. Fees will be assigned for missing cases or chargers and for any damages (missing keys, broken screen or pixels etc).

Schedule for collection

June 1 - Grade 8

June 2 - Grade 7

June 3 - Grade 6

Possible fees are listed below.

• Missing or case damaged case = $25.00

• Missing or damaged charger = $30.00

• Damaged device (includes missing/broken keys, broken screen or pixel damage etc)

• 1st incident = $30.00

• 2nd incident = $60.00

• 3rd incident = $120.00

• Missing/lost chromebook = $300.00

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).

Students should be checking their grade reports on schoology weekly to see updates regarding missing/re-do work. If there are any questions regarding student grades, please reach out to your grade level Math teacher.

6th grade: Students are learning the different functions of a cell and how the parts of the cell contribute to its function. Then students will begin learning about the different body systems.

7th grade: Our focus is on the geoscience processes that have changed Earth’s surface.

8th grade: Students are applying Newton’s Third Law of motion when discussing what happens when two objects collide.

6th Grade:

Our sixth graders will end the school year with a social media unit. We will spend the last few weeks of school analyzing articles and forming opinions about the impact social media has on our society, what effect it has on students as they grow, and how certain aspects of social media change the way we communicate with each other. Students will end this unit by writing an argument in which they will have the opportunity to state and defend their personal opinion about social media.

7th Grade: We are now in the last curriculum cycle of the year and students are back to exploring nonfiction texts. We are specifically focusing on texts related to social media. We will be reading a variety of articles on this topic, with different perspectives and ideas about social media use, both positive and negative. Students will then have the opportunity to compare these texts and discuss how each author develops their central idea and perspective and discuss what these ultimately show us about social media use.

8th Grade:

Students in Ms. Jackson’s ELA classes are conducting our final project for Cycle 7 based on the text "Lamb to the Slaughter." Students are writing a persuasive essay in which they are choosing to be either on the prosecution or defense in the case of Mrs. Maloney and it is going to lead to a class debate.

Students in Mrs. Weller’s ELA classes completed a mini-unit on personal narratives prior to Midterm. They will finish the year by completing a “Solutions!” Project. Students have identified a problem or need within their local community and have crafted proposals for how to address the problem with either an invention or company/organization. This project will help them to review the following skills:

• Claim/Evidence/Reasoning (Micro-Proposal)

• Analogy/Symbolism/Connotation (Create a Logo)

• Ethos/Pathos/Logos (Magazine Ad)

• Utilizing Multiple Modes of Representation (Create a mock social media campaign)

• Speaking Skills (mock radio advertisement)

School is ending and the year is coming closer to an end. The special education department has been working hard to hold all meetings and have high school transfer meetings for our 8th graders. We couldn’t have done our job without all of the families. We truly appreciate all your support.

Our department would like to thank Ms. Bhakta for all that she has done at BCMS and for our community. She will be transferring to Crestwood next school year.

6th Grade: As the end of the school year approaches, 6th grade will be completing their final unit of the school year, which focuses on ancient Rome. We will start by learning about the geography of the region and empire, followed by examining the society, culture, and government of the Roman Republic and later Empire. Students will learn about how the Romans were able to grow their empire and expand throughout parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This will prepare them for 7th grade social studies which will start with the decline of the Roman Empire.

7th Grade: We are finishing the final unit of medieval world history which looks at the European colonization of North America, but specifically at the 13 Colonies. Students will learn about several important settlements, like Jamestown and Plymouth, and learn how they grew into three unique cultural regions. This will prepare them for 8th grade social studies which focuses on early American history.

8th Grade: As we head into our final month of school, our 8th graders will complete their final DBQ (Document Based Question)! This DBQ will focus on the rights of African Americans during the Reconstruction Era. After the DBQ, we will learn about Industrialization in the US. The Industrialization unit focuses on how advancements in technology, transportation, and communication changed the United States from an agrarian society to an industrialized society. The students will also analyze how this era led to the advancements we see today in technology.

SECAC seeks members:

The FCPS Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) invites parents/families, students, staff and the community to apply for membership on the committee. SECAC's mission is to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to advise the office of special education and the Board of Education.

Applications are due by May 15, 2022. SECAC and the Office of Special Education strongly encourage you to send this out in your newsletters, etc., to reach your community.

To all those who helped with the clothing give away. Thank you, I could not have done it without your help. PTSA as always, I appreciate all you do each day and each event.

Christ Reformed United Church of Christ in Middletown, thank you. Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, thank you. Ballenger Creek Elementary School, thank you. St. Josephs’ on Carrollton Manor, thank you and Mountain View Community Church, thank you.

So, my shout out goes to: Sophia S., Ethan B., Chloe H., Dylan H., Alexander K., Vienna F., Lillian R., Ashley H., Nitya R., Lily P., George B., Alaina P. Kathryn B., Kiera W., Julie G., Angel C., Skye and the staff who gave their students to assist me and the staff that assisted me (Yay, Weller!) and My Rock, Amy G.

Some of my church family Debbie B., Marcia R., Ms. Moss (returned), so appreciative of all you did to help make this happen. Those who got items were very happy and grateful.

Hams were given out to 16 families and a $25 gift card to a grocery store to complete their meals. I had a Mother cry, she was so thankful to receive the ham and gift card. Another one told me she did not think they were going to have an Easter meal. The exuberance of those who received the call to come and pick up the hams was so endearing. It warms my heart when these things bring such joy to others, it is not about me, it is about the families served. I say that to say, we might not have had the turnout I hoped for, but those served were served well and very thankful. And at the end of the day, that is what counts.

Again, thank you all for everything!

Thank you to all that came out and supported the Drama Club in the spring play: How the West Was Grimm. The students did an excellent job and we couldn't have done it without your support. Thank you to the PTSA for the donation, concessions, and support. Thank you to the staff who came out to support the students. It meant the world to them.

May 18th 6pm Spring Instrumental Concert at BCMS

May 25th 6pm Spring Choral Concert at BCMS

Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign: https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/files/2021/11/AboutTheCMHMCampaign_OnePager_CMHM_2021_11.pdf

Parent resources about mental illness: https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/find-help/parents-families/#

Frederick Mental Health Association Walk-In Clinic: https://fcmha.org/how-we-help/behavioral-health/telehealth

Additional staff at BCMS who you can reach out to if your child needs additional mental health supports or if you have additional questions:

Julie Kaufhold, School Psychologist - Julie.Kaufhold@fcps.org

Sally Jornlin, CASS Coordinator - Sally.Jornlin@fcps.org

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

English Learners have been doing great things as we wrap up the end of the year. Students will be collecting their best writing samples from each term to submit in their EL folder (portfolio) to show the growth that they have made. This is a folder that goes with them every year they are in the EL program to highlight both their English test scores and current work. Please encourage your child to participate meaningfully in this activity as a way of reflecting on all they have learned this year! They will also have the opportunity to share the work with you digitally so that you may also see and celebrate their hard work.

Additionally, we hope to get the WIDA ACCESS (English Proficiency Test) results this month. When we do, we will send them home in a paper copy with a letter explaining how to read the results. I will let you know via Talking Points (text message) when the results are being sent home.

Thank you again for all of your support of your English learners this school year!

Please contact me if I can help you further.

Mariah Beaucage, English learner teacher

mariah.beaucage@fcps.org or 240-236-5766 (English or Spanish)

MPORTANT UPDATES

• Final Book Checkout is Friday, May 20, 2022

• All library books are due back Friday, May 27, 2022.

• Overdue notices will be sent out the week of May 30th.

Wondering What is Happening in the Media Center?

• May book displays featured the 300+ new fiction and nonfiction titles that arrived.

• Our wall of inspirational quotes is coming along beautifully thanks to our Project Lit team and 2 awesome 6th grade helpers.

Find out More By Following Us on Social Media:

• Schoology: See Mrs. Lungociu for the code.

• Instagram: BCMSMediaFCPS

• Twitter: @BCMSMediaFCPS

• Facebook: Coming Soon

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.

Summer 2022 Camps, Programs, and Experiences

• Frederick Community College Youth Programs:
  We are gearing up for a fun-filled summer at FCC! Our weeklong morning and afternoon program offerings include adventures in science, technology, culinary and creative arts, music, fitness, and so much more. Be sure to explore our new Summer Music Camps too. Learn more & register online:
  https://frederick.augusoft.net//info/landing/youth-programs
  
  

• JHU Center for Talented Youth Summer 2022 Programming: https://cty.jhu.edu/programs/summer
  
  

• Frederick YMCA Summer Camps:
  https://frederickymca.org/camps
  
  

• Fox Haven Learning Center, programs for children:
  https://foxhavenfarm.org/field-trips/
  
  

• Frederick County Parks and Recreation - Guide to Summer 2022:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wyRdNqNd0UoYCcMuP2IzuwKHDfqHwPW6/view?usp=sharing

If you have any questions about enrichment programming or need help with registering for any of the summer programming above, please contact:
Christine.Brown@fcps.org
Advanced Academics Specialist
Ballenger Creek Middle School
240-236-5760