Mr. Corso's Weekly Update
February 21, 2021
Mr. Corso’s Principal’s Message
Positive Raiders: Responsible, Respectful, Hard Working and Kind
Next week at a Glance:
- Monday 2/22: Start at 8am Homeroom plus Periods 1-3
- Tuesday 2/23: Start at 8am Homeroom plus Periods 4/5-7 (no student had both 4 and 5)
- Wednesday 2/24: Start at 8am Homeroom plus Periods 1-3
- Thursday 2/25: Start at 8am Homeroom plus Periods 4/5-7
- Friday 2/26: Asynchronous Day
Happy Lunar New Year - Xin Nian Kuai Le everyone! I want to wish all of you a Happy Lunar New Year. May this year bring you excellent health and happiness! Adobe Bluffs, once of our feeder schools, created a great video to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Check it out here...ABES Youtube channel. Xie Xie!
Want to Improve Your Math Skills?: We have some spots still available for an iReady Power Hour that is dedicated to helping students close the gap in their math skills. Contact Gabi Pantfoerder if you are interested. gpantfoerder@powayusd.com
Marquee Birthday Message: Give your child that extra smile on their special day! Checkout this LINK to find out more.
i-Ready Assessment: In the coming weeks, students will be taking their mid-year i-Ready diagnostic assessment. This assessment will give us specific information about what your child knows and what he/she needs to work on next in math and reading. Students complete this diagnostic twice a year. The purpose of this assessment is not to give your child a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support your child’s learning.
Most students will take the reading assessment in late February and the math assessment in early March. During virtual learning, they may need your help in providing a supportive environment to take assessments at home. The i-Ready diagnostic assessment is an adaptive assessment; students are only expected to answer 50% of the questions correctly. It is important that you do not help your child with understanding or answering questions. Your child will benefit from your support and encouragement to ensure the data provided to educators accurately reflects what they know and what they need to work on next so that our teachers can plan for student success. Click here for guidance and tools to help when your student is taking an i-Ready assessment at home.
I wish your family all my best,
Scott Corso
Principal, Black Mountain Middle School
Racial Justice Challenge
2021-22 TRANSFER INFORMATION (Reminder)
BMMS ASB Update - Black History Month Kahoot It
Thursday, February 25th is a Hawaiian spirit day and Kahoot.it lunchtime activity.
ASB will test students' knowledge of Black History Month while wearing your Hawaiian gear.
Join us in our Zoom Room during lunch (11:30-12:00) for a Black History Month Kahoot.it.
All are welcome to join.
https://powayusd.zoom.us/j/8200153651?pwd=YzVmR3ZScjUvZkN2dFYrN0poeERKZz09
Meeting ID: 8200153651
Password: Stromayer
Cameras On!
Yesterday, I wrote students a message about the importance of turning their cameras on. Here is that message:
BMMS Students: As we continue in the world of virtual learning, Zoom lessons and activities are the core to instruction and building a classroom community.
Many students do not turn on their camera during Zoom. While we have been accommodating, it is now time to start turning those cameras on! This includes during breakout rooms and classroom discussions. I can write that when I hold meetings or trainings and there are some screens with just a name, it is very difficult for me to do my best job. Your teachers need to connect with you.
If you don't like seeing your own face on the screen all the time, there is a cool trick that I use called "hide self view." I can see everyone else, but don't have to constantly see myself! I think of it like being in a classroom and if there was a mirror two feet in front of my face, I would have a tough time focusing on others and the teacher. "Self view" can be turned off with the selection at the top right of the screen.
So, we understand that you might prefer your camera off, but we need your camera on! Talk to your teacher if there is a reason you cannot have your camera on.
Thank you very much. I appreciate each and every one of you.
Your principal,
Mr. Corso
PUSD hosted a GATE parent meeting last week. It was announced that GATE testing will be suspended. We will continue to provide integrated, differentiated instruction aligned to the grade level core curriculum as has been our practice in the last several years to meet the needs of our elementary and middle school advanced learners. There is no longer a need to test students for entrance into the GATE Program since we will no longer have a program.
There is no longer a need to offer homogeneous/Advanced classroom settings or clustering in our heterogeneous classrooms for our elementary and middle school students.
During our BMMS March Coffee with the Principal on 3/16 at 8:15am, we will provide more information related to GATE. Here is the Zoom info for that Coffee with the Principal:
https://powayusd.zoom.us/j/3140895327?pwd=Z3EwWlk1TWVCRGhRL2luMXBxanBsZz09
Meeting ID: 314 089 5327
Passcode: urAwesome
Also, here is a copy of the presentation from the GATE meeting:
Westview HS JROTC
On March 10, Westview High School is hosting a Zoom session for any students interested in their Navy JROTC program. Here is a LINK to their website describing the program.
Below is the Zoom info for any 8th grade students attending WHS next year that are interested in JROTC:
Topic: Westview Wolverine Navy JROTC Zoom Meeting - BMMS
Time: Mar 10, 2021 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75936969159?pwd=QXZqNXZvUVdud2Nzc3YvYlV2UysxUT09
Meeting ID: 759 3696 9159
Passcode: 4b6m5z
Flippin' Pizza Fundraiser - BMMS AVID
Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021, 11:00 AM
Flippin' Pizza, Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA, USA
About Us
Email: mcordeau@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com/bmms
Location: 9353 Oviedo Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-484-1300
Twitter: @BMMS_Raiders