Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
September 2021
"A new school year means new beginnings, new adventures"
Hello Timberwolf Families,
Hello Timberwolf Families,
We are now a few weeks into the school year and our students and teachers are in full stride with their instruction. We welcome our families new to Banks Trail and are very excited to have your children here with us. Many of our students were with another school last year, but they have done well transitioning into our ways of doing things and will now forever be Timberwolves! Welcome to The Trail!
I cannot begin to properly articulate my appreciation for your understanding and support with following the COVID 19 protocols. It is difficult to reach out and asks families to keep their students at home for 10-14 days and to do their best in keeping up with lessons through a computer screen. More than anything we want our students here in the building and it is beyond frustrating having to keep some of our students away from school. I sent my child back to school this week, so I do appreciate the strain and challenges this puts on our families. No one is happy to receive the "quarantine" phone calls, but your understanding and willingness to make the best of these situations is so greatly appreciated. Thank You!
We are taking advantage of our smaller student body numbers this year and spreading students out as much a possible. Communication about the new DHEC guidelines and the district's plan went out last week. We are doing the best we can to keep students spread out, but we do have a lot of people sharing space during class time. The use of masks is certainly encouraged and appreciated. If you have a vaccine card for your students, please send a copy in to our school nurse. This makes the process much easier, with less disruption to a student's school day, if we have this on file. We will continue to follow the contract tracing guidelines and I encourage you to keep in contact with all of the teachers, should your student be asked to quarantine. I know we are all exhausted with COVID. Let's continue with our best practices and hopefully be in the clear of all of this soon. Stay Healthy!
Enough of that....
This really has been a good start to the school year. Most of our cohorts are back in the building and the students' energy has not been stifled with all that is going on. There are great things happening in our classes, we've brought back to some of those middle school activities that we weren't able to touch last year, and it seems like we are in a really good rhythm. We're about halfway through the 1st quarter of the year. Please encourage your students to continue with those things that are working well and let's start making adjustments in those areas that could be better.
We have an amazing support system in place at Banks Trail. Please reach out to your teachers with any questions or concerns about class activity. Our guidance team is phenomenal and ready to assist children in any way. Our administration is also available to help as those middle school challenge pop up. We are partners in working with your children and are here to help.
Thank you for the great start to the school year. Let's keep it going all year.
Thank you,
Marc Pyrc
Principal, BTMS
September 11
A day of remembrance for those that lost their lives,
and for all of those who gave their lives.
We remember!
Important Reminders
TIME AND ATTENDANCE
As a reminder please put both first and last name on all doctors, tardy and absent notes.
Lunches
Lunches are not allowed to be brought into the building this year. Lunches are free and are provided through the cafeteria. If a student forgets their lunch they will be allowed to eat in the cafeteria.
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.
Media Center
Please mark your calendars to visit our Book Fair!
Save the date!
Book Fair dates: October 4-8
Shopping hours: 7:45 AM – 3:10 PM
Introducing Book Fair eWallet! Let your child shop the in person Fair cash-free with our NEW digital payment option. Any funds the student doesn’t spend can be spent online with Scholastic or transferred online to the spring Book Fair to be spent in person. Learn more using the link below and get started creating an account:
Set up your eWallet here:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=4599625
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our Online Fair at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bankstrailmiddleschool. Our Online Fair is available from Sept.12 -Oct. 12.
Thank you for helping the BTMS Media Center buy more books!!
Happy reading!
Mrs. Sara Davis
BTMS Library Media Specialist
Yearbook 2021-22
Forever changed, Always together:
Your yearbook is a record of these changing times and the experiences that bring us together. Don’t miss the book that captures it all.
To order your 2021-22 yearbook simply click on the link provided.
The last day to order is February 19th. Yearbooks are $40.00 for purchase through the Jostens Website.
Guidance Counselor's Corner
Families, we are loving building relationships with your children. As we are getting to know them, we see friendships as a frequent topic of discussion. Middle school is already challenging for so many reasons. Academics become more difficult. Schedules fill up with activities, and friendships in middle school change. For those in sixth grade, some do not understand why the friend they had in elementary school is no longer hanging out with them. In 7th and 8th grade, one may be friends one day and not the same day. Here’s a link to help you navigate these fun times! Also, here’s a graphic that we share with students on the topic!
Students can request to meet with us here.
Counseling Staff:
Mrs. Young – 6th Grade
Mrs. Crepeau – 7th Grade
Mr. Smith – 8th Grade
Terrific Timberwolves and Leaders of the Pack- September
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- Olivia H.
6-2- Jenna N.
7-1- Jett Y.
7-2- MJ H.
8th-Amenet S.
8th- Jazmyn G.
Related Arts- Sofia K.
Related Arts- Nolan H.
September– 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- Colin C.
7th Grade- Ava M.
8th Grade- Elijah B.
Related Arts- Julia M.
TEACHERS OF THE MONTH
Mrs. Arce
Mr. Simpson
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.
- Thank you to everyone who bought a Taco Kit from Moe's! Here are some more upcoming Spirit Nights:
Tuesday, October 12th Toppers Pizza Night
Sunday, November 7th Panera
More Details will follow.
- You can donate to our Fall Un-Fundraiser through Friday, October 1st by going to our website: https://btmspto.wixsite.com/btmspto
- Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all the PTO events happening at the Trail!
@BTMSPTO
ptobtmsfortmill
- Don't forget you can buy spirit wear year round from our website. Select school delivery and it will arrive to your student's homeroom in 2 weeks.
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 Rock 2021-2022
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!
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!
Upcoming Events 2021
Sept 20 Volleyball @ FMMS 5:00
Sept 21 Volleyball vs PKMS 5:00
Sept 21 School Board Meeting 6:00
Sept 22 Volleyball vs SFMS 5:00
Sept 22 Football @ FCMS 5:00
Sept 29 Student Individual Pictures Taken
Sept 29 Volleyball vs GHMS 5:00
Sept 29 Football @ FMMS
Sept 30 Volleyball vs ILMS
Oct 4 Volleyball vs FCMS
Oct 6 Volleyball vs FMMS
Oct 6 Football vs PKMS
Oct 11 Volleyball 7th Grade Playoffs
Oct 12 Volleyball 8th Grade Playoffs
Oct 13 PSAT Testing
Oct 13 Volleyball Championship Game
Oct 13 Football vs SFMS
Oct 18 Teacher Planning Day // No School for Students
Oct 19 End of 1st Qtr
Oct 26 Report Cards Go Home
Oct 27 Football Playoffs
Oct 31 Halloween
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