Mr. Corso's Weekly Update
December 13, 2020
Mr. Corso's Principal's Weekly Message
Positive Raiders: Responsible, Respectful, Hard Working and Kind
Dec 14 - Asynchronous Day: Tomorrow Monday, 12/14, all student activities will be posted on Canvas and there will be no live zooms that day. Teachers will be involved in professional development related to concurrent instruction (our instructional model starting Jan. 19). Students will be required to log into each class on Canvas on 12/14 and there will be independent activities that need to be completed that day.
Next week (Dec. 14-18) at a Glance:
Monday: Asynchronous Day - No Students on Campus, No Live Zoom.
Tuesday: Homeroom plus Periods 1-3
Wednesday: Homeroom plus Periods 4/5-7 (no student had both 4 and 5)
Thursday: Homeroom plus Periods 1-3
Friday: Homeroom plus Periods 4/5-7 (no student had both 4 and 5)
Bell Schedule/Calendar: Below are links to our adjusted calendar and bell schedule (starting Jan. 4) for the remainder of the year. BMMS will shift to this schedule after Winter Break in preparation for our planned return of students on Jan. 19. We tried to keep our bell schedule as close to what it is now. Academy PE has been moved up to help families avoid conflict with extra curricular activities. On the calendar, there are some irregular weeks because of holidays. For those weeks, we wanted to ensure students on campus have equal access regardless of A/B grouping and we wanted to have all periods meet the same number of times per week.
Bell Schedule LINK
Calendar LINK
Sharing of Materials: Our PUSD guidebook is clear that students are not to share materials when on campus. This is an important protocol to help ensure a safer campus. This will include textbooks. If a textbook is necessary, students will have to bring them back and forth to school. We have asked teachers to consider students’ backpack load when they tell students textbooks are needed on campus.
Have a wonderful week,
Scott Corso
Principal, Black Mountain Middle School
Coffee with the Principal Update
Below is an update from some of the questions asked at this week’s Coffee with the Principal. Thank you to all who attended.
Our next Coffee with the Principal is planned for Tuesday. Jan. 12 at 8:15am via Zoom.
Will ASES be returning to an in-person program once students return?: Once students return starting Jan. 19, we will also be able to offer a more traditional on campus ASES experience. If you are enrolled in ASES, more information will be coming soon from our ASES staff.
When will we know about the A/B Groupings for BMMS?: Before Winter Break, we will notify all families who plan on returning to campus if they are part of the A Group or the B Group.
What will be the Zoom expectations during Concurrent Learning?: As we transition to concurrent instruction in January, we will maintain our instruction/asynchronous time expectations. Instructional minutes each period will remain at 80. Instruction should continue to be around 30 minutes with asynchronous activities being 50 minutes. Students are not required to be on Zoom the entire time.
Can you provide a list of returning teachers?: We are working to see if we can provide any information about which teachers are returning to the classroom. We will provide any updates on this subject once we have them.
Do you have some tutoring resources for my student?: Power Hour is a great opportunity to get more help. See signups in this newsletter. Office Hours, which will continue with our shift to a new schedule, are also opportunities to receive help. There is also a PUSD Alumni Tutoring Program who offers tutoring in an array of subjects. For more information, contact alumnitutoringsd@gmail.com or visit www.alumnitutoringsd.weebly.com
On Asynchronous Days, will my student have to log in at a specific time?: No. They will have to log in at some point before 3pm and complete the activity of the day. We will also provide a suggested schedule for Asynchronous Days, but students can get the work done early if they choose.
Want to Know How Your Student did on iReady?
Teen Positive Parenting Program
PUSD is pleased to share that we are offering the Teen Positive Parenting Program in English and Spanish for FREE via ZOOM! This webinar series is designed for parents and will address raising responsible teenagers while improving family communication. The webinar is offered in separate English and Spanish sessions:
· FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (English) via ZOOM
Thursdays, January 14th, January 21st, and January 28th 2021 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
· FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (Spanish) via ZOOM
Tuesdays, February 2nd, February 9th, and February 16th 2021 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Counselor’s Corner Newsletter
Here's a link to the Counselor's Corner newsletter for the week of December 14, 2020.
Topics this week include:
- Do More of What Makes You Happy
- A few words from Student Services
- Mindful Minute: Be Kind, Stop Thoughts
- Alumni Tutoring flyer
- SEL Thrively Lesson: Relationship Skills
2nd Trimester Power Hour Signups
Power Hour is an after school program for students. This year we will offer some academic support and enrichment opportunities. Power Hour for the 2nd Trimester will include math support, language arts support, art, and Mandarin. Courses (all on Zoom) begin the Week of Jan. 11. Power Hour is a way for students to connect socially in the virtual world. Space is limited.
2nd Trimester Power Hour
2:45-3:45pm
Starting Jan. 11
Ends March 11
Mondays: Art with Mr. Peck;
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A49AAAD2FA2FE3-power
Mondays/Wednesdays: Mandarin with Ms. Chen;
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A49AAAD2FA2FE3-power1
Mondays: Language Arts Support (6-8) with Ms. Schlosberg
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A49AAAD2FA2FE3-power2
Tuesdays: Math Support (7-8) with Mr. Lantz,
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A49AAAD2FA2FE3-phmath
Tuesdays: Math Support (6) with Mr. Williams,
IMPORTANT NOTICE - 6th Grade Camp Update
Hand sanitizer Donations
A More Inclusive BMMS Library
Thanks to our library staff, BMMS has been able to increase the number of diverse titles and authors in our library. It is important that all BMMS students can see themselves in our library. We have purchased online book subscriptions that students can check out. To see the newest titles added, students go to their My Plan (not available in the Parent My Plan), select Overdrive K-8, then select Collections from the dropdown and then Newly Added.
About Us
Email: mcordeau@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com/bmms
Location: 9353 Oviedo Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-484-1300
Twitter: @BMMS_Raiders