BHMS Principal's Update
May 26, 2020 (Remote Learning Update)
New and Important Information
-Saturday May 30, 2020 4-6pm...8th graders get their lawn signs and Tshirts at BHMS. Rain Date June 1, 202, 4-6PM
-June 1, 3-8, 2020...Student Reunification with Belongings
-Tentative...June 10, 2020...Video Presentation Hilighting Clubs and Activities Honors and Awards
-Tentative...June 18, 2020...Video Presentation for 8th Grade Recognition
-July 1, 2020...Fall Sports Physicals Due
-August 26, 2020...6th Grade Transition Camp (1 Day...Chaged from August 4-6)
-August 31, 2020...First Day for Middle School Field Hockey Try Outs.
-October 15, 2020...All Immunizations Due for Incoming 6th Graders
Keeping Up with What is Going on at the Hill!!!
It's hard to believe that we're 10 weeks into the remote learning and have about 4 to go. You as a family have been working incredibly hard and have worked with us to keep up with your children's work. As a principal I appreciate all you're doing and because of the partnership we have with you, your kids are remaining successful. There have been a lot of sacrifices all families had to endure these last 10 weeks. We hope you're doing well. If your child is having a hard time as this prolongs, please reach out to our counselors via email. We are hear for you.
On the district website, it commemorates Memorial Day, and as a son of a military veteran, I get the significance and the reverance of this day. I like how the district used the familiar quote, "All gave some; some gave all." That's appropriate for the military for sure and now for front line workers, and even families.
As always, please see the principal's video message by clicking here that outlines the contents of the bulletin.
Please see the new information in this newsletter.
- Student Accolades (FBLA, Mock Trial, Bunker Hill Times Student Newsletter)
- Finalized Reunification Plan with Locker Belongings
- New Items for 8th Graders
- 5th-6th Grade Transition Information
- Information How 7th Graders Can Apply to Be Bulldog Ambassadors
- Atheletics and Physical and Tryout Information--Field Hockey and Running Club
Recurring Items
-Keeping Up with BHMS Academics in the Remote Environment
-Relevant Information from Past BHMS Princpiapl's Updates
Continue to do your part in social distancing. It's working and we need to continue this so our environment becomes safer and safer to return to normalcy.
Regards,
Mike D'Ostilio (Prinicpal)
Student Accolades
Also recently, the New Jersey State Bar Association granted BHMS an Honorable Mention at the State level for our Mock Trial Team. Information about this Mock Trial team can be accessed at https://www.wtps.org/Page/30962
Finally, please see our recently published May edition of the Bunker Hill Times Newsletter. Our students did this mostly in the remote environment while paying highlight to our last big event at BHMS, which was World Language Night on March 6, 2020. Please take time to read the newsletter and the hardwork of our students. The newsletter can be found at https://www.smore.com/3f49k
Reunification of Locker Items Finalized
8TH GRADERS WHO ARE NOT ATTENDING WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FALL OF 2020, YOU WILL NEED TO TURN IN YOUR COMPUTER PRIO TO THE END OF THE YEAR. ALL OTHER CURRENT BHMS 6TH TO 8TH GRADE STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP THEIR DEVICES
Nevertheless, when picking up your child's things, please adhere to the strict guidelines regarding mask wearing and social distancing. Again, check out the link above for specifics. If you have any questions regarding this process, feel free to email me, Mike D'Ostilio at mdostilio@wtps.org
Attention 8th Graders
8th Graders... Your Lawn Signs and T Shirts Are In!!!!
8th Graders Check Here for Frequent Updates
On May 7, we sent a letter outlining cancelled and occuring events throughout the year. We plan to conduct a digital 8th grade recognition and a separate leadership awards night. Most likely, a video will go out on or around June 18, 2020 for the 8th grade recognition and the middle school awards will be on or around June 10, 2020. Click "Cancellation of Events Letter" above to access the May 7th letter.
8th Grade End of Year Celebration
BHMS Staff and the BHMS PTO are working on a summer celebration/gathering should social distancing restrictions be relaxed. If we are permitted this event will be in Late July or August. We so want to see you before you go to the high school.
Not Attending WTHS in the fall?
If you are attending a private school for high school, please reach out to Mrs. Schilling in the counseling office at hschilling@wtps.org. She has information to share to help with that transiition.
Orchestra Members Interested in Auditioning for the High School Chamber Ensemble?
Click the above link for information from Mr. P about tryouts for the Chamber Ensemble in the high school. We've exteded the deadline to June 15, 2020. Contact Mr. P for more information.
UPDATED INFORMATION BELOW....ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS...Click the Image Below to Access Current Information Regarding 5th Grade Transition to 6th Grade
Also, the August 4-6 6th grade Transition Camp Dates have been moved to one day: August 26, 2020. This is in conjunction with the high school's effort to ensure students are safe throughout the summer and giving an extra 20 or so days should social distancing regulations change
ATTENTION 7TH GRADERS!!!!
Applications Due May 22, 2020 - Email Ms. Kerfoot if You'd Like to Still Apply But Missed the Deadline
Dear 7th Graders
I am writing to let you know that we are now accepting applications for our Bulldog Ambassadors of Distinction. This is the only activity of its type at BHMS as it is selected based on students’ high moral character, academic achievement and involvement in the school and community. Not all students who apply will be accepted. Students are scored based on their commitment to school and community activities, academic achievement, and individual awards and achievements. To make our selection process fair, we have a panel of scorers use a rubric to assess the applications. We also check students discipline records. As applicants, you are responsible to make sure you fill out the application as fully as possible. Take your time thinking about the various sections of the application so you do not submit it before you miss a section or remember another activity or achievement. The application is on a Microsoft Form. I would suggest looking at the form and typing all your answers to the questions on a separate Microsoft Word document. When you believe your application is fully complete, copy and paste your answers into the actual form and submit.
Applications are due May 22nd. We will let students know of their acceptance in the beginning of June. Please e-mail me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Ms. Kerfoot, counselor jkerfoot@wtps.org
National School Folders Partnership
We have a partnership with National School Folders to provide each student with a free folder to help the child stay organized. Similar to folders in middle school, there are two sides...one for papers to leave at home and the second to return to school. Special thanks to Breen Roofing, Frank Batastini Orthodontics, Dan Ayars Landscaping, and National School Folders for being our sponsors. If we can get 13 more sponsors for next year, National School Folders will donate $1200 to our school. If you have a business, please consider being a sponsor. Please contact Mike D'Ostilio mdostilio@wtps.org if you are interested.
For information how to support this endeavor...Go to the parent information letter. This link discusses the partnership, durability, usefulness, and advertisement potential of the folders.
Athletic Teams Information...Fall Sports...TAKE NOTE OF THE ADJUSTED DEADLINES
First, if your child would like to play a fall sport (at BHMS it's just field hockey, but at the high school, there are more opportunities), you have to register/create an account with the Family ID Portal beginning May 1, 2020. The link to Family ID can be found here: Family ID
Once you do that, you should download all the physical information. As of right now, this is now changed to July 1, 2020. This timeline is vital to give all principal parties like you, your doctor, school nurse, and contracted school physician to review the physical forms. This can take weeks. Please adhere to the deadline so that it provides ample time to review the forms so your child is ready to try out /participate in school sports. The date is very important.
By Clicking on this link: Participation Information, you need to download/print all relevant "physical forms" paperwork. This includes:
- Asthma Treatment Plan
- Health History Questionnaire
- Sports Physical Form.
Keep in Mind, as of right now, Middle School Field Hockey Will Begin on August 31, 2020
For questions, please reach out to our school nurse Mrs. Keane at bkeane@wtps.org
Field Hockey Information
Please see the information below that Coach Burns wanted to share with those interested in trying out. Please remember all the physical information needs to be taken care of prior to go going out for the team. It provides a step by step process to accessing the Athletics information above. If you need to contact Coach Burns directly, she is a teacher in the district and available at sburns@wtps.org
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Parents/Guardians should register by clicking on this link:
https://www.familyid.com/washington-township-high-school
Follow these steps:
1. To find your program, click on the link provided by the Organization above and select the registration form under the word Programs.
2. Next click on the green Register Now button and scroll, if necessary, to the Create Account/Log In green buttons. If this is your first time using FamilyID, click Create Account. Click Log In, if you already have a FamilyID account.
3. Create your secure FamilyID account by entering the account owner First and Last names (parent/guardian), E-mail address and password. Select I Agree to the FamilyID Terms of Service. Click Create Account.
4. You will receive an email with a link to activate your new account. (If you don’t see the email, check your E-mail filters (spam, junk, etc.).
5. Click on the link in your activation E-mail, which will log you in to FamilyID.com
6. Once in the registration form, complete the information requested. All fields with a red* are required to have an answer.
7. Click the Save & Continue button when your form is complete.
8. Review your registration summary.
9. Click the green Submit button. After selecting ‘Submit’, the registration will be complete. You will receive a completion email from FamilyID confirming your registration.
At any time, you may log in at www.familyid.com to update your information and to check your registration(s).
To view a completed registration, select the 'Registration' tab on the blue bar.
SUPPORT:
- If you need assistance with registration, contact FamilyID at: support@familyid.com or 781-205-2800.
- Support is available 7 days per week and messages will be returned promptly.
Geared for students of all fitness levels, the Running Club is for anyone who wishes to be more physically fit. We welcome:
· Cross-country runners looking for new training partners
· Athletes trying to improve their fitness for the upcoming season
· Novice runners who want to learn how to begin
· Non-runners who just want to walk and talk with their friends
We will address training plans, proper pre/post run stretching, proper fuel and hydration during a run and how to find a race in which to participate.
The Running Club is a year-long club so students are able to participate in whichever meetings fit their schedule.
Please remember, while this is not a competitive middle school sport, in order to participate, you still need proper physical paperwork. Please follow Coach Burns' (Field Hockey Coach) directions about registering and obtaining your physical.
Some teachers have switched to Schoology as a district approved information center that houses all the students' lessons and to help reduce the myriad of emails your child receives each day. Please refer to the letter I sent on May 11, 2020 by clicking here: Schoology Letter to Bulldog Families
For those teachers using Schoology, instead of getting a daily email in your inbox, that teacher will be posting daily assignments to the Course Update feed in Schoology. Since this is a change, we wanted to reassure you that you will still be able to see all the assignments, links, and files, but in a more organized fashion than before.
Schoology is the district’s learning management system. To access this site, you can go to the district web page, select “Students” and scroll down to “Schoology”. Students can login using their Microsoft credentials and can access their updates for each course. This is where they will find their daily assignments under “Updates” on the menu for each course or on the “Recent Activity Page” They are also able to submit digital assignments, participate in online discussions, and complete online assessments all in one platform. In addition, students will be able to find links, videos, and other resources categorized by date. It is our hope that this system will ensure easier access for all. Parents, you can see the course updates when your student logs into the system.
To support your understanding of the platform, I have included 2 links in my letter to help you navigate through the Schoology program. Please open that letter and click on the links.
If You Haven't Purchased a Yearbook, and Still Want to, There is Still Time!!! Click the Image Below
Keeping up with BHMS Academics in the Remote Environment
Relevant Information from Past BHMS Updates throughout Remote Learning
This link includes also information on Remote Learning Tech Support and Support with Video Conferencing Sites.
Bunker Hill Middle School: Home of the Bulldogs
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--Current Grade 5...Text @BHMS2023 to 81010
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--Current Grade 8…Text @BHMS2020 to 81010
Email: ddijohn@wtps.org
Website: https://www.wtps.org/bunkerhill
Location: 372 Pitman Downer Road, Sewell, NJ, USA
Phone: 856 881 7007
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Twitter: @Official_BHMS