Edition 9 Week of 10/22
Bates Story Project - November 16th
Reserve your FREE tickets!
We are off to represent Wiley H. Bates Middle School at the Arts Schools Network conference in Alabama……
Everyone has a story, including the namesake of Wiley H. Bates Middle School. Each year Wiley Bates' story is shared with the student body, allowing them the opportunity to feel pride and a sense of belonging to the Annapolis community. Last year the staff and students embarked on a journey to deepen their connections to each other and to Bates Middle School by participating in The Bates Story Project. This journey started with the desire to build a stronger school community, focusing on celebrating differences while finding connections with one another. Their hope was to cultivate an environment where students and staff were not only comfortable sharing their powerful stories, but also where they developed a desire to learn about each other. Staff and students participated in weeklong arts workshops (dance, songwriting, collage, photography, spoken word, or film) allowing individuals to express a segment of their identity through a creative pathway. When the creative process began, so did the connections. Students and staff discovered commonalities, built stronger relationships, and through bridging the gaps, created a sturdy foundation for learning.
This project was powerful, and we were selected to share our process to help others build connections within their own school communities. We are proud to represent AACPS and Wiley H. Bates Middle School in Alabama!
We were able to film our journey culminating in The Bates Story Project documentary. On November 16th we will be sharing our documentary in our gymnasium for two more showings. Please see the flyer below for the trailer and form to reserve tickets. The QR codes are also hyperlinked, so you just need to click on them.
Bates Story Project Showing
When: November 16th
Where: Wiley H. Bates Gymnasium
Time: 6pm or 8pm
Reserve your free tickets: Scan the QR code above or click on the image.
View the trailer: Scan the above QR code or click here.
Weekly Attendance Contest Update
6th grade still in the lead! 7 more school days left in October. Who will win?
Cougar Calendar
Bell Schedules (Regular and 2hr. Early Dismissal)
Bates Unity Day Video
Please enjoy this video performed by SGA students!
Congratulations to our Students of the Month - September
6th Grade Students of the Month - September
7th Grade Students of the Month - September
8th Grade Students of the Month - September
Joe Corbi's and Claire's Gourmet Pick up Information - 10/25 2-6pm
8th Grade Fundraising Pick Up - 10/25 (2-6pm)
When: October 25th
Pick Up Location: Bates Middle Cafeteria
Pick up Time: 2-6pm
Harvest for the Hungry
Time is running out!
Bates is participating in the Harvest for the Hungry fundraiser until October 31st. NJHS members will collect these cans from each advisory teacher on Fridays. Please bring in your canned items.
Help Support Bates Middle School
Ending Soon - Deadline October 31st
K&B True Value - Cash For Schools Program
From August 24th through October 31, donations you make through K&B True Value will be matched twice by the Sponsor Partners above. Please click on this link or scan the QR code above to donate to Bates Middle School. Thank you!
Tech Crew Leadership and Design Application Deadline
Students interested in applying for leadership or design positions on tech crew must apply by Tuesday, October 24.
Students interested in run positions on tech crew (non-leadership and non-design) have until Friday, December 22 to apply.
Job assignments are rolling and have already started. So, applying earlier provides the greatest choice to match interest and skills.
See job descriptions, learn more about tech crew, and apply at the club website.
Spirit Day - October 31st
Save the Date
Bates Movie Night - November 10
Students will vote for the movie choice during advisory the week before
Do you need community service hours?
Come help out in our Bates Garden by planting blubs and expand our strawberry beds! Wear long pants and bring some gardening tools. No experience necessary. Our Master Gardner, Ms. Ford, will help instruct any new gardeners! October 28 from 11am-2pm.
Magazines Needed
If you have any old magazines that you would like to get rid of, please drop them off at the main office! Thank you!
Counselor's Corner
Attention 6th and 8th Grade Students
Magnet Applications OPEN October 9th
If you would like to apply for any of the AACPS magnet programs, the applications open October 9th. Please click here to apply.
New Parent Information Series
MSDE has released a new Parent Information Series. This is a set of documents that provides essential information for parents and families of students with disabilities. All four of the new documents can be found by clicking here (https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/FSDR/ParentInformationSeries-2.aspx).
After School Clubs
Activity Bus Schedule
Do you have a student staying after school for a club or APEX on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? Activity buses will begin on October 3rd. Please use this link to see the attached activity bus schedule for those days.
Black Eyed Susan Reading Challenge
Cyber Security Awareness Month
Federal Parent-Pupil Survey
Each year, Anne Arundel County Public Schools receives federal funds to help us provide the best possible education for our students. We need your help so we can receive as much funding as possible. Please fill out the Federal Parent-Pupil Survey form.
- Federal Parent-Pupil Survey data to be collected online only.
- On September 29, 2023, parents were informed via Connect-ED message.
- Information can be found on the AACPS website at https://www.aacps.org/federalsurvey.
Bates Food Pantry
If interested in learning more about our Student Food Pantry please have your student go to the counseling department to speak to Shauna Rykiel, our school social worker, or you may contact her through email at srykiel@aacps.org. Our pantry is currently open Mondays from 3:30-3:55 pm and Fridays from arrival through the end of advisory.
Do you want to be a volunteer at Bates Middle School?
Parents/Guardians must pass a Commercial Background Check (CBC) to be eligible as a chaperone/volunteer at ANY school function in AACPS. Please fill out the following google form if you are interested in volunteering at Bates Middle School. Bates Middle School Chaperone/Volunteer - Google Forms
APEX Calendar
Cell Phone Policy
Please take the time to read the NEW cell phone policy with your student. This policy will be discussed with the students during their advisory lessons in school. The number one distraction and barrier to a majority of our students' learning and success is an increased need to be connected to their cell phones at all times. Please speak with your students as they are required to keep cell phones off and away throughout the school day (this includes air pods, etc.). If your student needs to call home, they may ask their teacher for a pass to the assistant principal offices and use the phone in that office. Please support us by discussing the attached form with your student.
Do you need to report an absence or an early dismissal? No problem, see below!
How to Submit ONLINE Attendance Notes - Absences or Early Dismissals
Absences must be communicated within 3 days of the absence(s). The parent/guardian may send in a written note explaining the absence or complete the online form in the Parent Portal. When a student is absent five (5) consecutive days, a doctor’s note is also required.
Here are the instructions if you would like to submit an online absence/early dismissal note through Parent Portal:
From your phone:
1. Select your PowerSchool app on your phone
2. If you have multiple students at AACPS, make sure the correct student is selected in the top right-hand corner.
3. At the bottom right of the screen, select "... More".
4. Select Forms
5. Select 2023-20024 AACPS - Absence or Early Dismissal Form
6. Enter the information about the absence or early dismissal on the form and submit.
From your desktop:
1. Go to AACPS.org
2. Select Student/Parent Portal tab at the top of the screen
3. Click on PowerSchool in the right side of your screen
4. Make sure you are on your parent account. You should see your name in the top right of the screen.
5. If you have multiple kids at AACPS, make sure you select your student that you are writing your note for (located on the blue bar towards the top)
6. Select Forms
7. Select 2023-2024 AACPS - Absence or Early Dismissal Form.
8. Enter the information about the absence or early dismissal on the form and submit.
Any questions, please contact the front office.
PDF instructions attached below.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE BATES PTA
Welcome, families! Whether you are new to Bates or your student is returning, we would like to invite you to become a part of the Bates PTA for the 2023-2024 school year.
What does the Bates PTA do?
The PTA supports our school in many different ways:
- We celebrate our students with quarterly Honor Roll Celebrations, supporting grade-level Student of the Month awards, and contributing to our 8th Grade Promotion Picnic.
- We enrich student experiences through grants that provide funding for assemblies and field trips.
- We enhance our school by providing things like our school mascot costume and an additional water bottle filling station.
- We support our families through our informative monthly meetings, our newsletters and PTA Facebook group, and funding the subscription service for our school newsletter.
- And we support our hard-working teachers and staff through staff appreciation events.
What can you do?
- Join the PTA! We know that every family's circumstances are different, so we offer different levels of membership. Choose the level that meets your needs best. Higher levels of membership mean we need to do less fundraising to meet our goals.
- Volunteer! We can always use more hands, in whatever way suits you best! What talents or experience can you contribute?
- Attend a meeting! Most of our meetings are online, via zoom or phone, but please mark your calendars for our first meeting of the year, which will be an in-person "Meet and Mingle" on Thursday, October 5th. Come get to know your PTA board and fellow Bates parents and guardians. More details coming soon!
Questions?
Contact the PTA on the web at BatesPTA.org; via email BatesMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com; or text 443-782-5423. We can't wait to connect with you!
PTA BOARD 2023-2024
Laura Graham-Booth, President
Roberto Garza, Vice President
Norma McCowin-Reynolds, Treasurer
Colleen Zelenakas, Secretary
Stay Connected
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Mr. Walker at jewalker1@aacps.org
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Walker jewalker1@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Lustgarten jlustgarten@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Katie Hicks, at 302-314-6146.
6th Grade Counselor
Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade Counselor
Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade Counselor
Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Around the Community
Free Fall Lacrosse Clinics
Free Gun Safety Locks are Available
- 2 free gun safety locks available per household at any Anne Arundel County Public Library branch.
- No ID required
- 18 years or older
- Must be a county resident
Prevent Motor Vehicle Thefts
WIC Farmers Market
WIC Farmers Market Benefits
Receive up to $56
Call 360-416-7595
Get Money for Child Care
Child Care Scholarship Applications Process:
- Complete a short online application
- Submit 2 documents
- Find out if approved within 3 business days
- Scan QR code or click here to Apply Now!
Free Car Seat Safety Checks
October Events at the LIbrary
Teen Book Club
Pizza and Pages Teen Book Club
When: Thursdays (11/16)
Time: 6-7pm
Where: Busch Annapolis Library: 1410 West St, Annapolis, MD
Creating Confidence
Creating Confidence
When: 09/12-12/12/2023
Time: Tuesdays at 6:00pm
Where: GBCC Glen Burnie
30 Greenway NW, Suite 5
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Families Supporting Families
Families supporting Families (6-8pm Virtual Sessions)
9-week group program where families learn, change, grow, and receive support and encouragement from other families and a trained meeting leader. RSVP by Sept 15th. For more information, contact:
Takiya Green, MSW 443-462-9711
Carmelina Gilberto, LMSW 410-693-2878
Rosalind Hill-Kane, Program Manager 410-421-8439
Tween Art Night
Housing & Community Development Budget Process
Jovenes Artistas After School at MD Hall
Scope of Work:
Maryland Hall will provide after school arts program to AACPS youth at no cost. Students are exposed to new arts concepts and experiences and provided with meaningful hands-on opportunities to increase self-expression and creativity in a collaborative setting. This is a vital and growing program that allows students to connect with their peers, uncover talents and develop important life skills.
Who is Served:
- Up to 20 Middle School/High School Students (from Bates Middle School, Annapolis Middle School and Annapolis High School) in arts classes
- Up to 20 Elementary/Middle School Students (from Annapolis Cluster Schools) in guitar ensemble
- Up to 20 Elementary Students grades 3-5 (from Annapolis Elementary School with provided transportation from the school to Maryland Hall) in arts classes
Fall Session: 13 weeks (Room 305) September 18, 2023 - December 15, 2023 after school Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 4:30-6:30, Saturdays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Guitar Ensemble)
Spring Session: 22 weeks January 2, 2024 - June 7, 2024 after school Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 4:30-6:30, Saturdays 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Guitar Ensemble)
AACPS is hiring for all positions. Click HERE to apply.
Wiley H. Bates MIddle School
Christine Clark, Editor
We are better together!
Email: cclark3@aacps.org
Website: www.aacps.org/bates
Location: 701 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, USA
Phone: 410 263-0270