Badger Middle School Newsletter
January 12, 2024
Hello Badger Students and Families,
Welcome to winter! On top of our recent snow days, just a reminder that there is no school 1/15 and 1/22.
The next semester officially begins 1/23/24. A new semester is a fresh start, just like a new school or calendar year. 7th graders aren't "new" anymore, and likely have their routines figured out. 8th graders are the old pros, 3/4 of their way through Badger, and on their way to promotion to high school! Looking forward to the next semester!
Thanks as always for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Patrick O'Connor
Principal
Badger Middle School
(262) 335-5456
Students of the Week
Congrats to our most recent Students of the Week.
Students are selected based on their contributions to the school, excellence in the classroom, and their positive impact on others. They are first nominated by House teachers, then selected by elective teachers.
With great students like these in our hallways, the future is looking bright!
Staff of the Week
Staff of the Week are nominated by students. See recent staff of the week below
Facebook Highlights!
Students in PE are learning the five components of fitness FITT principle.
The World Langauge Department welcomed community volunteers in to assist during the Immersion Fair.
Winter Sports are wrapping up!
Winter Club Sign Up
See the Winter Club brochure attached below. Students will hear announcements with this information too.
Badger Clothing Order
Upcoming 7th Grade Field Trip
All 7th grade Language Arts teachers are planning a field trip to go see the play Little Women.
The date is 2/13.
We are estimating the cost to be $20-25.
We are working with busing, the venue, etc. and will send an email update with costs later.
We will also be seeking chaperones. More info coming once details are ironed out.
For now, save the date!
Important Info for 8th Graders
Save the Date: Gearing Up for High School Event
WHO: Badger 8th Grade Students and their Parents
WHEN: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
6:00-8:00pm
WHERE: West Bend High School Auditorium
(Snow date Thursday, January 31, 2024)
More details will be coming soon!
PTO Dine OUT!!!
*No need to make dinner Tuesday January 16th. Head over to Noodles & Co 4-8pm and help support Badger PTO. We will earn 25% of ALL sales online or in person.
Please show or mention the Badger Dine Out Fundraiser at the register in person or apply our Coupon Code at checkout when ordering online/app.
Here are the steps to getting the code in correctly:
ONLINE- At checkout click on Add Coupon Code GIVING25 and apply
APP ORDER- At checkout click on Add Coupon Code GIVING25 and apply
Thank you for supporting Badger PTO. We couldn't do this without all of you.
Second Step Curriculum Preview
Here's a Preview of upcoming Second Step Lessons:
1/17/2024
Unit 3: Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions
In this unit, students learn how to recognize strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts. They learn to apply strategies for managing their emotions and for reducing stress. This unit’s content helps students understand that all emotions are valuable because they provide us with information about our environment. Students learn to respond to their emotions in ways that help meet their wants and needs.
Grade 7 - Emotions Matter
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how their brain handles strong emotions and brainstorm positive and negative decisions they might make when they feel a strong emotion.
Question: Ask your child about a negative decision they recently made because they were feeling a strong emotion. Help them think about how they can turn that negative decision into a positive one if they feel that emotion again.
Grade 8 - Understanding Stress and Anxiety
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will examine how they feel, what thoughts they have, and how their body responds when they’re stressed.
1/24/2024
Grade 7 - Feel, Think, Do
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will distinguish thoughts from emotions. They will also analyze how emotions affect their thoughts, and how their thoughts can influence the decisions they make.
Question: Ask your child to explain the difference between an emotion and a thought. Take turns expressing sentiments aloud and having the other person identify if the sentiments are thoughts or emotions. (For example, Emotion: “I’m so mad at the coach for not putting me in the game.” Thought: “That’s it—I quit!”)
Grade 8 - Where Does Stress Come From?
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn where stress comes from, identify stressors in their life, and examine which stressors they can control.
1/31/24
Grade 7 - Unhelpful Thoughts
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will distinguish between helpful thoughts, which are thoughts that can help them make good decisions, and unhelpful thoughts, which are thoughts that can lead to negative decisions.
Question: Tell your child about a helpful thought you recently had and the decision you made because of it. Ask them to share a helpful thought they had as well. If they can’t think of anything, point out something positive they did recently and help them identify
Grade 8 - Can Stress Help you Grow?
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to reframe stressful situations as opportunities for growth.
Information below has already been communicated but is here for your reference
West Bend Optimist Club Essay Contest
This year, the West Bend Optimist Club is running an essay contest that is open to all students in West Bend under the age of 19. The theme is "Optimism: How it connects us". The contest runs now until February 1st. Essays can be collected and dropped off at Silverbrook Intermediate School, emailed to optimistclubofwestbend@gmail.com, or mailed to Optimist Club of West Bend, P.O. Box 1076, West Bend, WI 53095.
Prizes include a first place medallion and $150, and a second place medallion and $100. For more information here is the informational page and contest application.
Building Closing Info
In case of Inclement Weather, or other need to close the building, please view the information here.
Promotion Video
Mr. Schalewski is once again planning to prepare a Promotion Video. Photos will need to Be submitted by 5/10/24 to be considered. Please see more info here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ebMNy0wPwxNvP3kDDM30Da12lUXF5EZxGqfExNvnAys/edit?usp=sharing
Daily Announcements
Daily announcements are read in the mornings. You can read what is read on the announcements here.
Newsletter Archive
Missed a Newsletter, or looking for prior information? Check out the ARCHIVE.
Badger Pride
Did you know you can help support Badger Pride?
Students that demonstrate Badger Pride values (respect, responsibility, readiness to learn, and safety) can earn Badger Pride stamps to be used at our weekly store. The Badger Pride store is seeking donations for items that students can purchase with their stamps. Items can be small (candy, happy meal toys, fidgets, etc...) or they can be larger items that will be raffled off (local gift cards, team memorabilia, hobby kits, etc...). Donations can be dropped off in the main office. Please label donations BADGER PRIDE STORE to ensure they are used as intended.
Second Step Lessons
Weekly mini-lessons in social-emotional skills led by classroom teachers have started. This occurs every Wednesday during Resource. The skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. The Second Step resource includes five units:
Mindsets and Goals
Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
You will receive regular communication about each lesson through this newsletter. The communications will include information about the current unit of study and specific information about each lesson to help you reinforce the language, skills, and goals taught within the lessons. If you have any questions about the social-emotional learning lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. In addition, if you prefer that your child does not participate in the lessons at all, please communicate that preference to me prior to the lesson and we will make alternate arrangements for the student during that time.
Badger Middle School
Mission: We will be respectful of ourselves and each other, work together to develop integrity, persevere in the face of difficulty, and strive for excellence.
Website: http://west-bend.k12.wi.us/BMS/
Location: 727 S. 6th Ave., West Bend, WI, USA 53095
Phone: 262-335-5455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadgerMiddleSchool/