Mr. Corso's Principal's Message
September 29, 2019
Non-Student Day, Monday, September 30th
Monday, September 30 is a Non Student Day.
Students report back to school on Tuesday.
School starts at 7:35 a.m.
Mr. Corso's Principal's Weekly Message
This Week’s Positive Message: Our nation has a history and traditions that go much further back than 1776 or even 1492. Native Americans have lived in the Americas for hundreds of years. The following is a story passed down by generations of Cherokee., a tribe from the eastern US. An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, self-pity, guilt, lies, false pride, self-doubt, and ego. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed." Feed joy, peace, kindness and truth Raiders and you will always be a winner.
A Raider’s Story: From time to time, we like to introduce someone in our Black Mountain Family. Meet our new Assistant Principal Ms. Kelly Stine in this episode of A Raider’s Story LINK
Core Values Girl Scouts Project: Last year, two of our students Shannon and Kaitlyn did their Girl Scouts Silver Award Project on a mural that represents our 4 core values. Here’s a video on their project: LINK
Our first school dance is Friday, Oct 4. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by students Tuesday - Thursday, during lunch on the Quad.
Again, students don’t come to school on Monday. See you Tuesday.
Scott Corso
Principal, Black Mountain Middle School
Fallfest, October 12th, 2019
Please consider donating to Fall Fest. This important BMMS fundraiser directly support classroom instruction and needs.
As part of Fall Fest, we have a Silent Auction with some great items - awesome electronics, tickets to amusement parks and special experiences, spa packages, travel and more! Check it out at http://go.cause4auction.com/BlackMountainMiddleSchoolFallFest2019. All money raised will directly benefit BMMS Students this year, as well as to sponsor special events like field trips and immersive educational experiences. The auction will open for bidding on the evening of Sunday 10/6 and close on Saturday 10/12 at 5:45 pm.
Is Your Student Struggling in Math, Humanities or with Homework?
Power Hour is an opportunity for students to get extra help and time after school Monday - Thursday for specific subject . We offer Math Workshops that are designed specifically to support the lessons being taught in math that week. We offer time students can meet with a Humanities (English/Social Studies) teacher for extra help. Finally, students can go to the library for a study hall. Here is a LINK to the Power Hour Schedule on our website.
你好 Mandarin Power Hour
Speaking of opportunities, we are excited to get our Mandarin program off the ground. In 2024-2025, we will become a Mandarin Immersion Program. The first step toward that program is offering a Mandarin after school enrichment program. The parent registration form link is below. You can sign up for one trimester, two days per week. Each session is 1 hour. The start date will be determined and communicated very soon.
The Middle School Experience
On Thursday, we had our first School Site Council Meeting. There, we discussed our school’s focus on the Middle School Experience. Our purpose as a middle school is not to simply prepare students for high school. That is part of what we do, but more importantly, we want these to be the best 3 years it can be for our Raiders. That’s part of the Home Field Advantage. Some of the feedback related to that experience has been about our Electives Program. This year, we have added the following to our Electives Wheel:
Art, STEAM, and Video Productions
We will continue to look for ways to improve the Middle School Experience.
Parent Education Workshops
SPACE is STILL Available for our Stress and Anxiety Workshop TK-5th and Parenting a Gifted Child coming up!
Links have more information and the cost for the course. Parents are NOW able to enroll and pay online at Poway Adult School for the classes they are interested in attending! Classes are presented by Laurie Wong from the Parent Workshops.
Parenting a Gifted Child – Grades TK-8th
Has your child been identified GATE or gifted? This evening will offer strategies for the three most common challenges gifted children struggle with:
1. Perfectionism - No one is perfect!
2. Self-confidence - Learning involves trying new things and taking risks!
3. Making mistakes - Accepting failure and disappointment with grace!
Wednesday, October 23rd Willow Grove Elementary School from 6:00pm -8:00 pm
Class fee: $16/individual or $27/couple
Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety
Our children are faced with many situations that make them stressed or anxious: school pressures, social challenges, etc. What can we do to help them manage that level of stress and anxiety white still finding joy in their world? Join us for practical ideas to help guide them through it all.
Grades TK-5th:
Tuesday, November 5th Poway Adult School Classroom from 12:00pm -1:30 pm
Class fee: $16/individual or $27/couple. Please note, scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parents can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND REGISTRATION IS NOW HERE!
Odyssey of the Mind is the world's largest creative problem solving competition, and a ton of fun. Students explore unique opportunities to grow their STEAM skills as well as showcase and develop their gifts in script writing, costume creation, music, dance, visual arts, props and scenery construction. This involves engineering, problem solving, leadership, critical thinking, and more! Some of our past teams from BMMS have gone on to WORLD FINALS multiple years, and for each of the teams, it has been a life changing experience. We have an information meeting for parents and students on Wednesday, 10/2, followed by a more interactive session on Friday, 10/4.
Information Meeting (for interested parents and students): Wednesday, October 2 @ 6pm in the BMMS Little Theater
Interactive Session for Students (parents welcome): Friday, October 4 after school @ 2:30 This will be a blast, if you are even a little bit interested, come have fun! We’ll run through some spontaneous activities, and will give you a taste of all the fun and teamwork you will get to experience if you choose to join us!
Odyssey Interest Form: BMMS Odyssey Form
Contact: bmmsodyssey@gmail.com
BMMS FTC Robotics Team for 7th & 8th Graders
The BMMS FTC Robotics Teams have openings for a couple of interested 7th and 8th Grade students to join the fun. If you love robots and want to compete, fill out an application to join the team -- https://forms.gle/FHJNg26dHiDMjtqU6. Meetings are M/W at 6:30 or T/Th at 6:30.
Learn more about FTC at https://www.firstinspires.org/
About Us
Email: mcordeau@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com/bmms
Location: 9353 Oviedo Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-484-1300
Twitter: @BMMSRaiders