Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
From the Principal
I am extremely proud of the success that seems to be bubbling out all over here at the Trail. I thought 2016 had many accomplishments for our students, but I think we are on pace to have a record setting year. In January over 500 students received certificates for being an “A” or “A/B” Honor Roll student. Specifically, 211 (28% of the student body) students earned the “A” Honor Roll designation and 303 (40% of the student body) students made the “A/B” Honor Roll. This means that 68% percent of BTMS students really rocked it during the first 18 weeks of school. I checked around the school, and seems like we have never had that kind of success after just one semester. Great job Timberwolves.
In December, over 80 8th grade students were inducted into the Junior Beta Club. The service organization has already started to plan ways to help BTMS have a better community.
In January, the Fort Mill History Museum announced the Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay contest winners. You guessed it, BTMS was well represented with Wesley B. and Samuel R. winning the 6th Grade essay contest and Alayne S. winning the 7th Grade essay contest. Elana W was the BTMS 8th grade recipient. These students had an even greater honor when they were asked to read their essays as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration in the town.
Also In January, we had our 9 school spelling bee winners compete at the District level. All nine did well and Teddy F. ended being tied for 3rd place in the district. BTMS had an additional 9 grade level finalists who competed for the title of Geography Bee Champion. Evan S. became our school champion and he will now be taking a test to see if he qualifies for the state Geography Bee.
We mentioned last month that we had 4 girls compete in the Verizon App Challenge and they became the State winner and won $5000 for our school. We recently found out that they won again and became one of 6 regional winners. Last week they had to complete a Skype interview with a panel of judges from MIT, Verizon, etc. for nearly 30 minutes. Now we wait to find out if BTMS will become a National Champion. Keep your fingers crossed.
And finally (and I hope I did not miss anyone) we inducted 27 students to our very first National Junior Art Honor Society. If you come in and walk the halls of our school, you can see the amazing art work that is being completed every day. Many Thanks to Ms. Csonka for introducing our students to this great organization.
January also marked the end of the winter sports season. The 7th grade boys had a solid season but unfortunately, they ran into their toughest challenge in the cross bracket tournament to end the season. Banks Trail’s 7th grade girls ended their season with a cross bracket win. The 8th grade boys won their first round of tournament play, but were knocked off in the second round. And finally, the 8th grade girls made it all the way to the semi-final game before they lost a hard fought game by 3 points. Our teams may not have had the best records, but our players played with heart and demonstrated awesome sportsmanship in victory and defeat. This alone make me proud to be their principal.
Well, I think that is about all of the amazing things that seem to be happening at Banks Trail right now. I am sure however; that as soon as I hit send, I will be reminded of something I forgot J
Thanks for continuing to be amazing parents. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael Pratt
February 2017
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE PTO:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60b0e45a8ab2da13-btms
Valentine's Day Candy Grams are coming to BTMS! Send them to friends and teachers! Parents, send them to your children! Candy grams are $1 each and include a Hershey bar and your message! Print the form and please return your orders to the school by Friday, February 10. Happy Valentine's Day!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4lAAsxNzVTNbzBpVkthVmIwbWs/view?usp=sharing
BANKS TRAIL HAS STELLAR STUDENTS!!
Computer Technology Students compete in National Competition - and YOU can help us win $15,000 for BTMS!
Geography Bee
The Geography Bee is a state and national competition sponsored by National Geographic. Every year BTMS hosts the event for our students. Every grade level sends their top three competition winners to the school competition. Every year our students have qualified for the state competition in Columbia. All grade levels were represented this year in the event. Evan S., our champion, will take the online assessment to qualify and hopefully find out by next month whether or not he'll compete at the state level. If he wins at state, he will travel to Washington DC to compete nationally for $50,000 in scholarships. Good luck, Evan! Congratulations, also, to Maggie M. who was runner up.
Counselors' Corner
8th grade Students and Parents - It is IGP Time
Required IGP High School Registration Meetings – March 1st and March 2nd
In order to complete the high school registration process, all 8th graders and their parent or guardian are required to attend an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) conference. During the IGP conference you and your student will meet with a middle school and high school counselor. They will review your student’s high school course recommendation sheet, discuss career plans and goals, and schedule 9th grade high school classes.
All conferences will be held on either March 1st or March 2nd in the BTMS media center. Your exact IGP appointment date and time was sent home with report cards on Friday, January 6th. We appreciate your support in honoring the appointment schedule.
High School Registration Materials
Throughout the week of January 9th, students received their high school registration materials. This included their “2017-18 9th Grade Course Request Sheet”. All elective classes that ninth graders are eligible to select are listed on the request sheet. Descriptions of all courses can be found in the student’s Program of Studies book.
Please complete the electives portion of the request sheet, sign it, and have your student return it to their Homeroom teacher no later than Monday, February 6th. A copy of the sheet will be given to you at your student’s IGP meeting.
Read To Succeed (R2S) at BTMS
Read Across America Day is March 2!
Thanks to all the parents who have volunteered to read to a class on Tuesday, March 2 for our BTMS Read Across America Day celebration. Readers will visit classes during our Power Period from 8:15-8:50 a.m. to read to our students. If others would still like to volunteer, please contact Shannon Munn munns@fortmillschools.org or Amy Rossett rossetta@fortmillschools.org.
Mark your calendar for BTMS Family Literacy Night March 21!
Mark your calendar for our BTMS Family Literacy Night on Tuesday, March 21, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Teachers and students will be showcasing the wonderful ways that literacy is infused across the curriculum. Visit our exhibits, watch our students perform and share their work, participate in literacy-related activities, and stop by our school Book Fair. The book fair theme is Smore Fun With Books! We will even have a children’s room for our young visitors to have story time, arts and crafts, games, and more. We’ll look forward to seeing you for this special evening!
February Terrific Timberwolves and Leaders of the Pack
Our February Terrific Timberwolves and Leaders of the Pack helped us start 2017 on the right foot. They have worked hard, had fun, and demonstrated integrity. It is awesome when we have students who want to help make Banks Trail the best in the world.
For the month of February we would like to congratulate the following Leaders of the Pack:
Team 6-1: Elly Z.
Team 6-2: Gabe K.
Team 7-1: Charlotte C.
Team 7-2: Dillon L.
8th Grade: Lindi M.
8th Grade: Kat W.
Related Arts: Gracee H.
Related Arts: Elly H.
The February Terrific Timberwolves Students of the Month are:
6th Grade - Georgia F.
7th Grade - Alex B.
8th Grade - Myrone B.
Related Arts - Meredith B.
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership: "The Trail" As Leaders of the Pack and Terrific Timberwolves, these students live "The Trail" everyday!
February Teacher of the Month
Ms. Tyler
Ms. Tyler is a dynamic teacher who puts a lot of time into her math classes, our track team, and the 7th grade. Most of this work is not seen by other teachers, but those in her hall notice her hard work and commitment. Ms. Tyler also works hard to make sure she build great relationships with her kids. On top off all of this she helps keep the entire 7th grade running smoothly . She is definitely deserving of Teacher of the Month.
Ms. Pearson
Teacher Get Cooking at BTMS!
Upcoming Events
2/08 Academic Team v. AR Rucker
2/15 Academic Team @ Lewisville Middle
2/17 Teacher Work Day - no school for students
2/20 President's Day - no school
2/22 Academic Team v. Sullivan Middle
2/24 - 2/25 All Region Band Clinic
2/28 Soccer @ Clover (Preseason)
3/01 Academic Team v. Indian Land Middle
3/01 - 3/02 8th Grade IGP
3/02 Soccer @ York Middle (Preseason)
3/06 Baseball @ Fort Mill Middle
3/07 Soccer @ Fort Mill Middle (Preseason)
3/08 Academic Team Regional Tournament
3/08 Baseball @ Clover Middle
3/09 Baseball v Gold Hill Middle
3/09 - 3/11 Alice In Wonderland
3/09 - 3/12 All State Band Clinic
Banks Trail Middle School
Email: munns@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/pd/FMSD_BTMS/index.html
Location: 1640 Banks Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-578-2990
Twitter: @BTMStimberwolf