Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
January News
Good Afternoon Banks Trail Families,
We are off to a great start to the second half of the school year. Students joined their new Related Arts classes, reports cards were sent home, and we are all very much into the business of Middle School life.
On behalf of our teachers and staff, let me say Thank You for your support and partnership as we working together to move our students forward. Middle School is hard! The effort that is expected from our students is remarkable and our teachers push everyday. We send our Timberwolves to some of the most academically challenging and competitive High Schools in South Carolina and beyond. We take pride in preparing our students to do well at the next level. I know this comes with the growing pains along the way from the difficulties and stress that can accompany a strenuous workload. Please know that this is a partnership. With everything we ask of our students, we can do so much more when we work together with our families.
Please monitor your student's grades in the Parent Portal. Follow all of the things that are happening in the classrooms through the teacher updates and emails. Please encourage your students to take advantage of Power Period, working lunches, and re-take opportunities. Reach out to your team of teachers for ideas to help our students at home. We are fortunate that you share your students with us and want to make the most out of their middle school years.
Thank you for your continued support and assistance.
Mr. Pyrc
Nurses Corner
Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly. Each year flu viruses cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospital stays and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
Flu can be very dangerous for children. CDC estimates that between 6,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 years have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. The flu vaccine is safe and helps protect children from flu.
What parents should know
How serious is flu?
While flu illness can vary from mild to severe, children often need medical care because of flu. Children younger than 5 years and children of any age with certain long-term health problems are at high risk of flu complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections. Some health problems that are known to make children more vulnerable to flu include asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system.
How does flu spread?
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when someone with flu coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. A person also can get flu by touching something that has flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose.
What are flu symptoms?
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, feeling tired and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Some people with the flu will not have a fever.
How long can a sick person spread flu to others?
People with flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to up to 5 to 7 days after. Severely ill people or young children may be able to spread the flu longer, especially if they still have symptoms.
Can my child go to school, day care, or camp if he or she is sick?
No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid spreading flu to other children or caregivers.
When can my child go back to school after having flu?
Keep your child home from school, day care, or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.
Important Reminders
TIME AND ATTENDANCE
As a reminder please remember to put both first and last names on all written attendance notes.
STUDENT REMINDERS
We are seeing an increase in the amount of students having to be notified of personal issues such as car rider/bus rider as well as forgotten lunches and simple day to day items needed for school. Please have these conversations and reminders with your child prior to the school day. The fewer times we have to interrupt the classroom the more instructional time our students receive.
TARDY
parent or adult must come into the office to sign them in. Students are not allowed to sign themselves in.
EARLY DISMISSAL
If you are picking up your student for early dismissal, you must arrive before 2:40 PM. There are no dismissals between 2:40 and 3:10 PM. Please be cognizant of class times when removing students.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Guidance Counselors recommend that you send a change of clothes for students to keep in their lockers for any accidents or dress code issues. Counselors have a few items for students to change into, but most students prefer to wear their own clothes.
Family and Consumer Science
Our Family and Consumer Science department will be collecting toiletries for the Children's Attention Home in Rock Hill until the end of April. Please feel free to drop off any items to the front desk or send in via your student. We appreciate your help in adding to our collection.
Theatre
Madagascar Times:
March 12 – 13 @ 7:00
March 14 @ 2:00
@ Catawba Ridge High School
Terrific Timberwolves and Leaders of the Pack- January 2020
January 2020– Terrific Timberwolves
6-1: Jack S.
6-2: Alexandra (Alex) M.
6-3: Landon B.
7-1: Zoe M.
7- 2: Emma C.
8th: Isabella G.
8th: Nora Z.
Related Arts: Bryce M.
Related Arts: Olivia C.
January 2020 – Leaders of the Pack
6th (from 6-3) – Mia K.
Mia is an outstanding student and that is why she has been chosen for Leader of the Pack. Mia is a student that always exhibits a positive attitude and outlook. Putting forth great effort is always present when you are observing Mia in class. Even when she is challenged in class, she works hard and never gives up. She is a wonderful problem solver. Many of her peers look up to her and enjoy working with her because they know she is a great team player. We could not be more proud of Mia. Congratulations to our LEADER OF THE PACK!!!
Way to go MIA!!!!
7th (from 7-3) – Addison B.
Addison excels both inside and out of the classroom. She is able to maintain all A’s while being a member of the girls’ volleyball team. She is a model classroom citizen, showing true character and an excellent work ethic. She is kind and outgoing, and is not afraid to stand up for people who need a voice. Addison exemplifies who WE ARE at BTMS.
8th - Ben H.
Ben Huntoon is a great leader in math class. He is kind, respectful, and helpful to all of his classmates. Ben also has a strong work ethic and is never afraid to come in and ask for help when needed. Thanks for working hard Ben, Keep up the good work!
Related Arts - Elise C.
Elise is a model student for her peers. She is always focused and on task. She works hard to maintain excellent grades but has a heart to help others who may be struggling. She is eager and willing to try new things, such as auditioning for BTcappella and singing solos. Keep up the great work, Elise!
TEACHER OF THE MONTH
Mrs. Helms
Mrs. Helms has become a key figure on the 8th grade team. She does a great job with planning school wide events and played a major role in getting Banks Trail ready for our OSOB and Literacy Night events. She creates innovative and engaging learning opportunities for her students and is a pleasure to work with. Mrs. Helms is really Rocking It this year!
Mr. Gilson
Mr. Gilson provides unique learning experiences for his students that engage them in the lessons and challenge their higher level thinking. He creates opportunities for students to tutor classmates and provide addition help to their peers. Students are excited about the board game that he created that aligns to his content. They even talk about scores and strategies for this game in their other classes. Mr. Gilson does a great job of connecting his students to his instruction.
YEARBOOK SALES
YEARBOOK SALES
BTMS 2019-2020 Yearbooks are now on sale and can be purchased at the following link.
PTO NEWS
Thank you to our Literacy Night sponsors...
Mindy Blackmon with Highlands Residential Mortgage and Amy Merrigan with Helen Adams Realty for sponsoring the teacher meal. Marie DeMartino with Helen Adams Realty for sponsoring the author lunch. Also Jackson Orthodontics for sponsoring the Literacy Night snacks.
Thank you to Amy Eisenrieth, travel consultant with Destinations to Explore for sponsoring the teacher and support staff of the month gift cards.
8th Grade Dance will be Friday, February 28th from 7-9pm. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale during lunch before the dance. Please contact administration if you would like financial assistance.
Remember to shop through Amazon Smile, scan your receipts for Box Tops and enter your phone number at Publix for easy everyday ways to earn money for our school.
Important Dates:
January 29th - General Session PTO Meeting 8:15am
February 28th - 8th Grade Dance 6:30-9:00 PM
Remember to follow us on Facebook (Banks Trail Middle School PTO) to stay updated!
Feel free to email us with any questions at ptobtms@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
Thanks for all you do!
The BTMS PTO Board
Upcoming Events 2020
Jan 27 Basket Ball vs FMMS @ home
Jan 29-General Session PTO Meeting 08:15
Jan 30-BasketBall vs SFMS
Feb 3-10- Basketball Playoffs (schedule announced after regular season standings)
Feb 29-8th Grade Dance 7-9 PM
Together, Building A Tradition of Excellence
Banks Trail Middle School
Email: costs@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 1640 Banks Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-578-2990
Twitter: @BTMStimberwolf