Bay Lane Newsletter
December 2017
Message from the Principals
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This school year is going incredibly fast. The last day of the first semester is Thursday, January 11 and is right around the corner. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and winter break approaching soon, we know January 11th will come very quickly!
We have a number of musical events coming in the next few weeks, please plan on joining us and celebrating the season with the gift of music. Here are some of those dates:
- Wednesday, December 13, 7 pm - Grade 7 & 8 Band Concert at MHS PAC
- Tuesday, December 19, 7 pm - Grade 6 Band in the BL Gym
- Thursday, January 18, 7 pm - Choir Concert at MHS PAC
Listed below are the "Important Dates" and below that is a link to the Parent Survey administered in each school across our District. It provides us with an opportunity to learn more about all that is going well and areas that we can better serve you, the community of Muskego-Norway. Ms. Rydzewski and Mrs. Zandt ask if you would take a few minutes to complete the survey. It closes on Friday, December 15th.
Finally, we want to wish all of you joy and peace as you head into the holidays. I hope all of you find time for the treasure of family and friends. All of us at Bay Lane wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2018 provide all of you with great health and happiness!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Dawn Zandt, Principal, and Ms. Rachel Rydzewski, Associate Principal
Important Dates
- Friday, December 1, Grade 5-7 Teen Center 7:00-9:00PM at BLMS
- Tuesday, December 5, Ski Club 2:30-8:00PM
- Thursday, December 7, 7th Grade Field Trip, Pabst Theater - A Christmas Carol
- Wednesday, December 13, 7th & 8th Grade Band Field Trip to MHS
- Wednesday, December 13, 7 PM Gr 7 & 8 Band Concert at MHS PAC
- Thursday, December 14, 8th Grade Field Trip, Pabst Theater - A Christmas Carol
- Tuesday, December 19, Grade 6 Band Concert at BL gymnasium
- Saturday, December 23- Monday, January 1, Winter Break
- Tuesday, January 2 - School Resumes
- Monday, January 8, 6-7 pm - Bay Lane PTO in the library
- Friday, January 12 - No Students; Professional Development Day
- Monday, January 15, 7:00 pm - School Board Meeting at Bay Lane
Parent Satisfaction Survey
Muskego-Norway School District is committed to engaging our parents and families in every child’s education. To continue our journey to excellence in this area, we gather data from stakeholders to determine where we are as a district and to set and act on realistic, measurable goals for continuous improvement. The Parent Satisfaction Survey allows parents to provide feedback on their experience with their child’s school. If you have not done so already, please complete this short survey (about 10 minutes) available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNSD_Parent.
The Parent Satisfaction Survey will be open until December 15th.
Math Homework Help
Kimberly Crosby, Mathematics Instructional Coach
Chances are it’s been a few years since you were in a middle school math classroom. But, you do solve problems every day! Your career may not require you to solve equations or divide fractions, so you may not remember how to do specific types of math problems. But, there are simple things you can do when your child is struggling with their math homework. You have a lot to offer when it comes to helping with math homework. Here are some simple things you can do at home:
First and foremost, acknowledge that not understanding can be stressful and ask them what they do remember from class.
Ask them to share their notes with you in order to see if there is a similar problem they already completed.
Help them understand that it is okay to make a mistake and try again- that is how we learn.
Have your child read the directions or problem aloud-sometimes hearing it is all they need.
Ask your child what they already know.
Ask how they think they should start the problem. Often times just talking through the process is enough.
It is okay to search the internet for help! Teachers have given students multiple websites to narrow your search.
The greatest impact on a child’s attitude about math is your attitude about math. Telling them you were not good at math (even if you weren’t) is giving your child permission to give up. Persevering through challenging tasks is how our brains grow and develop.
Preventing Interruptions into Classrooms
All students have a Chromebook and district email. When students are expecting items to be dropped off at school, they may simply check their email for the arrival notification of their items. This system will help classrooms stay focused and on task with out interruptions.
When parents drop off items (books, gear, lunches, etc.) for students after the start of school, security office staff will email students directly on their district email accounts letting them know the item is here and placed on the table outside of the security office. Students are to pick up items during passing time.
Yearbook Sale
The PBIS School Store
The PBIS School Store returns next week Tuesday and Wednesday, November 5th and 6th for Quarter 2 Midterms! Bay Lane Staff has been acknowledging students for being Respectful, Responsible students since the start of the year. The students have been saving their red tickets up to purchase a variety of fabulous items from the school store.
The school store works like this: Students bring their red tickets to lunch and “go shopping” after they finish eating. The tickets they use to purchase items will not go into the Friday prize drawing, big quarterly prize drawings, or big end of year drawing, since they have already received recognition.
Some of the available items in the school store include:
Varieties of candy options
Rice Crispy Treats
Capri Sun Drinks
Coloring Pages on Card Stock Paper
Colored-Lead Mechanical Pencils
Multicolor Ink Pens
Metal Puzzles
Head phones
Stress Balls
Subway Gift Cards
Brain Break!-Free Homework Pass
Hungry Hippo!-Skip to the Front of Lunch Line Pass
Most Valuable Student!-Positive Contact from a Principal of Choice
Most Valuable Student!- Positive Contact from a Teacher of Choice
Shout-Out!- Morning Announcement Message
Play Time!- Extra Recess Pass
Smile! You’re on Camera!- Name and Picture on Bay Lane School TV
Muskego Famous!- Name and Picture in Bay Lane Parent Newsletter
Hat Heat!- Wear a Hat Today
You vs. A Principal- Game On!
You vs. A Teacher - Game On!
Remember, the students do not need to use their red tickets at the school store. They can use them to turn into their grade level bin in the office for weekly Friday drawings. There are 2 winners per grade level each week. The tickets in the grade level bins are saved all quarter to be used for the big quarterly prize drawings, as well as for the big end of the year drawing.
The Bobcats are doing an awesome job earning their red tickets and making Bay Lane a Respectful, Responsible Community! The Bay Lane staff is proud of them!
Muskego Lakes Middle School - Progress Continues
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Muskego, WI
Arial view of the construction site and building
2nd floor view into the library
PTO
Muskego Food Pantry Food Drive
The students did a great job collecting feathers in exchange for their donations. 5th grade teacher, Ms. Vecchie, was the winner of the most turkey feathers collected.
Lost & Found
Bay Lane "Significantly Exceeds with 85.7" on the WI School Report Card - see link below
Bay Lane Middle School
Location: S75 W16399 Hilltop Drive
Phone: 262-971-1810
Twitter: @BLBobcats