Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
March News and Events
Hello Timberwolf Families,
Hello Timberwolf Families,
I hope you have all enjoyed a fun and relaxing Spring Break and are ready for the final quarter of the school year. Spring is a busy time at The Trail and we will be asking a lot out of our students in this final stretch. I can't thank you all enough for your support and commitment to keeping our students safe and healthy with everything going on in our area and throughout the country. Our students have adapted to this new normal and have shown amazing resilience and adaptability. At one point I thought the things like the masks, desk shields, and the spacing might hinder the pace or quality of classroom activity, but our teachers and students have adjusted and it was not the major hurdle that is could have been. I know everyone is looking forward to the day when these things are not needed in the school, but in the meantime Banks Trail continues to do great things in the classrooms each day. We have more students in the classrooms now, so your communication and cooperation in the event of a COVID exposure is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
BTMS students will take part in a 3rd round of STAR testing next week. Having this data from the begging, middle, and towards the end of the school year is a fantastic tool to measure growth and highlight any needs that may be met with our intervention program. Our students have taken these STAR assessments since elementary school and they are very familiar with the routine. The State Testing cycle is approaching as well. We are trying to coordinate the testing calendar with the other middle schools and the FMVA. More information on SC Ready, SC Pass, and Algebra 1 EOCs will follow.
The question that I receive most often has to do with end of the year celebrations, recognition, and awards. It is still too early to have the plan mapped out, but I want to reassure all that we are planning on celebrating the hard work, citizenship, and all of the wonderful things our students have done this year. I do not yet know what guidelines will be in place come mid-June. We may have grade level awards ceremonies outside or we may do a more traditional program in the gym, streaming the events for parents and families at home. Our students have had to miss so many of the traditions and events that highlight the middle school experience. With our 8th graders moving on to high school, and so many of our 6th and 7th graders opening up Forest Creek, we want to make sure that we can provide a fitting and appropriate send-off. We do appreciate your understanding if these events are made virtual to parents and families.
Again, Thank You allowing us to work with your students each day. It is a privilege to be a part of their middle school experience and they make this such a great place to learn.
Thank you,
Marc Pyrc
Principal, BTMS
Media Center
Did you know all students, including virtual, have access to the BTMS Media Center catalog to place books on hold, view checkouts, etc.? Visit the BTMS Media Center website for more information and to stay connected with the Media Center. Follow us on Twitter @BTMSMediaCenter!
Pizza Party!
Each year students are encouraged to read five or more titles from the SC Junior Book Award list. This was the same list used for the required summer reading assignment. Students had until March 11th to complete their five titles and fill out a Google form for each title they read. On March 25th, the following students that qualified will celebrate with a private socially distanced lunch together in the Media Center. Personal pizzas and snacks will be provided. These students will vote on their favorite title. The new SCJBA list will be announced and these students will get to begin checking out the titles from the library, more information on summer reading requirements for 2021 will be announced in May. Congratulations on this reading accomplishment:
6th Grade:
Gavin A.
Ananya K.
Zadriel M.
Alyssa S.
Caroline W.
Sadie W.
Samuel B.
Skye B.
Sofia D.
Morgan H.
Olivia P.
7th Grade:
Emily R.
Alexandra M.
Riley M.
Ohanna W.
BTMS Book Egg Hunt – March 22 until April 2
Students & Staff can draw an "egg" from our basket and follow the instructions on the back to find their next read. Prizes will be given for completed participation.
Looking Ahead:
April is School Library Month and National Poetry Month
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March is Women’s History Month! The Media Center display has books for students to check out that highlight powerful women from our past and present.
All-Region and All-State Band
Congratulations to the following students for making the All-Region and All-State Bands. Selection to the All-Region Band and All-State Band is one of the highest honors a middle school band student can achieve. The All Regions Band select students from across our region to participate in this audition. Students are judged by a panel(s) of judges who sit behind a partition to listen to each student perform their music. The top students are selected from these auditions and receive the honor of participating in the All Region Band Clinic and Concert. The All-State Band is a group of students selected by audition from the top one-third of each of the All Region Bands.
Congratulations to the following students for making the All-Region Band:
Juliet C.
Ande .
Anna S.
Allyson T.
Zyairah P.
Layla Y.
Aidan R.
Zachary W.
Alexandra C.
Nate B.
Dominic G.
Cole S.
Adrian G.
Donovan J.
Jake S.
Ellery L.
Quicky I.
Aidan S.
Kane S.
Frank L.
Boston L.
George M.
Jonah B.
Wesley W.
Congratulations to the following students for making the All-State Band:
Jake R.
Kyrsten R.
Harrison T.
Art // Ms. Csonka
Banks Trail Middle School is currently being represented in the Fort Mill School District Virtual Art Show by Giana H., Pierce M., Elijah K., Devin N. and Jiada N. So few students across the district get to be a part of the show. It is a tremendous honor to be the artistic rep for their school.
Guidance Counselor's Corner
Quote of the Month: “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” --Amit Ray
Stress Relief Tips (Karen Salmansohn: NotSalmon.com):
1. Recognize you’re doing the best you can--and that is all you can expect from yourself.
2. Journal daily--and count your blessings.
3. Take 5-10 minutes to meditate daily or simply sit in silence.
4. Spend time with safe friends and family. Don’t be afraid to ask for support.
5. Take care of your health. Eat well. Sleep well. Drink plenty of water.
6. Focus 20% on problems & 80% on solutions. Let go of what you can’t control.
Follow-Up to IGPs:
Special thanks to all our 8th grade parents and students in helping the school counselors complete your IGPs for high school. We made quite a few changes to the usual plan for our meetings, and you all rolled right along. We appreciated you being prepared and ready for the meetings. Don't forget to reach out to your child's next school counselor. Also, if you asked and received an Override or Elective Change Form, please complete, scan, and email it to the counselor who completed your child's IGP meeting.
March School Counselor Wall of Fame Recipients:
6th Grade-Caroline H.
7th Grade-Bon L.
8th Grade-Ryan H.
The School Counselors' Wall of Fame is a monthly recognition of students who demonstrate character, respect, manners, and more to others and themselves. Faculty and staff nominate students for this award, and they are given a certificate and treat from the school counselors and their names are displayed on our Wall of Fame Board! Congratulations, students!
From the Nurse's Office
In Fort Mill Schools, a priority is providing a safe environment for all students. As you may be aware, food allergies are becoming increasingly common among students in the District and throughout our nation. While some allergic reactions are mild, many students have severe food allergies and experience life-threatening reactions when exposed to their allergens. In some cases, this reaction can occur simply through contact or airborne exposure even when the allergen is not ingested.
Health and safety has always been a top priority for us, especially when working with students who have a life threatening medical condition.
· We encourage all students to wash hands with soap and water before and after eating. Hand sanitizers and water alone do not fully remove allergens.
· We remind students not to share food with others.
· When preparing your child’s lunches and snacks, please check food labels and consider sending in alternative food items to reduce exposure to the allergens. For instance, there are several alternative butters that can be used in place of peanut butter (e.g., Sunbutter, which is made from sunflower seeds).
· Per District policy, all food items brought to school for group consumption by students must be commercially prepared (store bought) and have labels declaring the ingredients. If you need help identifying treats that would be safe for all of the students who will be partaking in the celebration, please let me know.
· For celebrations, please consider non-food alternatives. This is a good idea not just because of food allergies, but also due to the growing issue of childhood obesity.
We appreciate your awareness, understanding and cooperation in working toward keeping our students safe. Please check with your child’s teacher about specific classroom concerns
Check out this link for a flu guide for parents
Terrific Timberwolves and Leaders of the Pack- March
Recognizing our March
Terrific Timberwolves
These are our students of the month. Selected by their teachers for their hard work, great attitudes, and willingness to help others. Way to go, Wolves!
6-1- Sofia K.
6-2- Cameron K
6-3- Caden H.
6th Grade FMVA- Beth C.
7-1- Katelyn M.
7-2- Cooper P.
7th Grade FMVA- Alexandra L.
8-1- Wesley W.
8-2- Becca V.
8-3- Trinity S.
8th Grade FMVA- Nirmal B.
March– Leaders of the Pack
These individuals are selected to represent their grade level as The Leader of the Pack. These students are The Trail, as they show outstanding Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, and Leadership. Great Job!
6th Grade- Isaiah T.
7th Grade- Mia K.
8th Grade- Emma F.
Related Arts- Hope E.
TEACHERS OF THE MONTH
Mrs. Helms
Mrs. Jenkinson
Important Reminders
TIME AND ATTENDANCE
As a reminder please put both first and last name on all doctors, tardy and absent notes.
STUDENT REMINDERS
When bringing items into the school for your students please have name of student on item and leave on the bookshelf in the front office. Please note that students are called prior to the end of class or the start of class.
TARDY
a 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. The fewer times we have to interrupt our classrooms the more instructional time our students receive.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Guidance Counselors recommend that you send a change of clothes for students to keep in their possession 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.
PTO NEWS
Welcome! If you have a child at Banks Trail Middle School then you are automatically a member of the PTO. Our mission is to encourage communication between parents, teachers, administration and the community. We also want to enrich our children's educational, social and developmental experiences.
Stay connected
Stay connected with us by following our Facebook page Banks Trail Middle PTO, our website btms.wixsite.com/btmspto, email us at ptobtms@gmail.com and look for the PTO section in the school newsletter.
Spirit wear
Get BTMS spirit wear including masks at Banks Trail Middle School Spirit Store 2020 Fall
Banks Trail Middle School Spirit Store 2020 Fall
Online ordering for Banks Trail Middle School Spirit Store 2020 Fall
Spirit rock
Reserve your day to paint a special message on our spirit rock Spirit Rock 2020-2021
Spirit Rock 2020-2021
Please consider signing up for the Spirit Rock to celebrate your child's special day.
Earn money for our school
Please remember you can earn money for our school just by shopping at Publix, Harris Teeter, Amazon Smile and by scanning for Box Tops!
If you are interested in serving on the BTMS PTO board next year be on the lookout for a google form in your emails. All positions are open!
If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring something for teacher appreciation week please contact us at PTOBTMS@gmail.com
Remember to check back often to see how your PTO is supporting our teachers - both face to face and virtually! Again, Thank You ALL for your support!
Have a great year!
The BTMS PTO Board,
President -Vicki Ellowitch
Vice President- Debbie Houser
Secretary- Emily Ogden
Communications- Baker Stout
Treasurer- Robyn Seidman
Fundraising- Jennifer Brindisi, Lakendra Brown and Jenna Petri
Hospitality- Torie Combs, Corinne Tate, Amy Dotro, Kayla Peoples and Sarah Worley
Special Events- Rachel Mann, Stephanie Burns and Jacque Taylor
Upcoming Events 2021
Apr 13 School Board Meeting
Apr 14 PTO Board Meeting
Apr 14 Baseball @ SFMS 5:00
Apr 14 Track @ SFMS 5:00
Apr 15 End of 3rd Quarter
Apr 15 Soccer vs GHMS 5:00
Apr 15 Baseball vs FMMS
Apr 16 Start of the 4th Quarter
Apr 19 Baseball vs Indian Land
Apr 19 Soccer Playoffs
Apr 20 STAR Testing- Reading
Apr 21 STAR Testing- Math
Apr 21 Baseball vs PKMS
Apr 22 Soccer Playoffs
Apr 22 Quarter 3 Report Cards Posted
Apr 26 Baseball vs FMMS
Apr 26 Soccer Championships
Apr 27 School Board Meeting
Apr 28 SIC Meeting
*April 26-30th- BTMS Teacher Appreciation Week
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