Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
BTMS IS GOING FOR THE GOLD!
AUGUST
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello Timberwolf Families,
I am happy to announce that we are definitely off to a Gold Medal start of our new school year here at Banks Trail Middle School! What we do here at Banks Trail sets the stage of excellence for our Timberwolves, but of course, our Timberwolves come to us ready due to the supportive and wonderful families. Hats off to all of our parents, grandparents, and everyone else who is a positive influence out there! We are so proud that you give us your children each day!
I very much appreciate your advocacy and support regarding your students’ educational journey at Banks Trail Middle School, and hope that your Open House/Meet the Teacher evenings were informative and that you were able to meet all your child’s awesome teachers. Our students will be working within a set of standards geared toward college and career readiness, evidenced based writing, focus on informational text as well as great literature. Our teachers are working hard to help your students reach their full potential in middle school and in life.
This week students started their first round of clubs. This year we have some of the old favorites, but we have also added some new clubs as well. One need we have is for yard games, like corn hole, ladder golf, bocce ball, etc. Ms. Webster and Ms. Adldoost really want to give students the experience of what it was like to just play yard games for fun. Here is the list of clubs and the teachers who will sponsor them. If you have something at home that you think, might help a teacher, send them an email. As I often say, someone’s stuff is another person’s treasure.
Banks Trail Clubs
Art Studio - Ms. Spinks Rm. C114
As the Page Turns - Mrs. Munn Rm. D111
Backyard Classis Games - Ms. Webster & Mrs. Adldoost Rm. D115
Band Extension - Mr. Godbey Band Room
BMX STEM Club - Mr. Brooks & Mrs. Tyler Rm. C108
Board Games/Chess Club - Mr. Traynor & Ms. Lyle Rm C107
Books Worms - Mrs. Frank Rm D102
Brain Games Club - Mr. King & Mrs. Beane Rm E114
Puzzles and Brain Teasers - Mr. Donnelly Rm D109
Broadcasting Club/The Howl - Mr. Helms & Mr. Francisco Media Center or B115
Banks Trail Theatre Company - Alice in Wonderland- Mrs. Tyler & Mrs. Pearson Rm H116
Campus SWAG - Mrs. Csonka Art Room
Carter’s Coffee Shop - Mrs. Carter Rm B120
Cheer Club - Ms. Shaw Cafeteria
Coding Club - Mrs. Roamer Rm E104
Cooking Club - Mrs. Bauer Rm E102
Laughter and Literature - Mrs. Rossett Rm A202
Line Dancing Club - Mrs. Blasingame Rm D117
Math Counts - Mrs. Nivens Rm B108
Photography Club - Mrs. Hickman Rm D113
Pinterest Club - Ms. Hermanson & Mrs. Merriman Rm C110
Reading Club - Mrs. Heine and Mrs. Rinks Media Center
Science Olympiad - Mrs. McGinnis, Mrs. Ross & Mr. Conway Rm B118
Science Seekers - Mrs. Keller, Mrs. Dante, & Mrs. Hartman Rm. D108
Sign Language Club - Ms. Mumaw Rm B107
Sports Nation - Mr. Kennington & Mr. Gardin Rm D106
Student Athlete Club - Mrs. Hustedt & Mr. Edwards Rm D116
Student Council - Mrs. Pettigrew, Mrs. Arce, Mrs. Helms, & Mrs. Longfield Rm. B111
The Golf Club - Mr. Smith & Mrs. Abendano Rm C117
Ukulele Club - Ms. Poeppelman Rm B109
Volleyball Club - Ms. Bray Gym
Yearbook Club - Mr. Wagner Rm. C108
Yoga Club - Mrs. Kugler & Mrs. Bryson Rm B104
Thanks again for all of the support you give us each and every day. Here is to September and cooler weather!
Sincerely,
Michael Pratt
September 2016
Teachers Pursuing New R2S Endorsement
At Banks Trail, we are embracing our state’s new Read to Succeed Act with gusto! Our teachers are participating in a year-long endorsement course on incorporating reading and writing into each content area. In August, teachers looked back at their own adolescence and foundations of early reading to see how our own experiences influence our current beliefs about reading in the content areas. In September, we are studying innovative ways to integrate literacy into the content areas, such as reading with a questioning stance and interactive read alouds.
Parent and Family Involvement with Literacy
Each month we would like to highlight some ways you can embrace literacy at home as a family, as this is also a part of our South Carolina’s R2S initiative. The link below offers some suggestions for how you can help your child or adolescent grow as a reader and lay those important reading foundations for life. Even though some of the tips are written for parents of younger children, the advice is actual timeless and perfect for middle schoolers, too. Click below and enjoy!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
PSAT Information
Each year, 8th graders are invited to take the PSAT. This year the test will be administered on October 19th here at Banks Trail. It is our hope that ALL BTMS 8th graders take the PSAT this year. The final date to register for the test is September 19th.
For more information and to register your student for the PSAT go to this website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=57202&pageId=2149802
Duke TIP Information
Dear 7th Grade BTMS Parents:
Our school is participating in the Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) again this year. This 7th grade talent search identifies academically talented seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exam as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. Participants gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students. For detailed information about the program, please review the link here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4lAAsxNzVTNTXV6cFdDWWplY3c
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CLASSROOM NEWS
TEAM 7-1: Mrs. Shackleford, Mrs. Tyler, Ms. Lyle & Mr. Wagner
Here are some pictures of 7-1’s team building day. We have a team motto in which we strive to be extraordinary; doing our best each day, never being afraid to make a mistake, and practice Carpe Diem! We know that this means we have to work as a team to help each other and be there to support each other. Part of starting our year off on the right foot was our teamwork activities. We had a great time getting to know each other and building our team bond. When team 7-1 teachers say “We Are,” the students tell us “Extraordinary”! We are looking forward to a great year with our students, living the honor code and being The Trail!
CHORUS NEWS
Chorus News
Banks Trail Alma Mater
BTMS now has a new school song! Over the summer Ms. Pearson’s husband composed an Alma Mater for Banks Trail based on the Student Daily Pledge and Mission Statement. CLICK HERE to see the Honors Chorus accompanied by 8th grader, Kira Passmore, perform the Banks Trail Alma Mater at Open House. CLICK HERE to see the music!
Breakout EDU!
Over the summer, Ms. Pearson completed training for Breakout EDU. Are you familiar with Exit Strategy or the escape room episode from Big Bang Theory? Breakout EDU is based on this concept. Instead of locking my students in a room and making them breakout (which is probably illegal), students have to solve puzzles and decode passcodes to open locks in order to break into information for our class.
The students in chorus completed a Breakout during the first week of school as a way to learn about important rules and procedures in the Chorus Room. The final challenge was to crack the code to open a box that contained several keys. Only one key opened my cabinet which contained a special treat for them! They LOVED it!!! CLICK HERE to see pics and videos of their experience.
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Leaders Of The Pack/Terrific Timberwolves
Each month students are chosen to be “Leaders of the Pack” for reasons such as displaying outstanding leadership, citizenship, school service, good behavior, and performance in their classrooms and throughout the school. “Terrific Timberwolves” are then selected among those chosen as Leaders of the Pack because they exemplify the characteristics found in the T.R.A.I.L. - Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
For the month of August we would like to congratulate the following Leaders of the Pack:
- Team 6-2: John C.
Tame 6-3: Olivia D.
Team 7-2: Abby E.
Team 7-3: Xan H.
8th Grade: Michael P.
8th Grade: Makayla D.
Related Arts 6th Grade: Parker S.
Related Arts 7th Grade: Ella S.
The August Terrific Timberwolves Students of the Month are:
6th Grade - Lily G.
7th Grade - Eloise S.
8th Grade - Grayson B.
Related Arts - Courtney L.
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership: "The Trail" As Leaders of the Pack and Terrific Timberwolves, these students live "The Trail" everyday!
August Teachers of the Month
Mrs. Shackleford
I nominate Rebecca Shackleford this month because not only is she rocking her classroom, but she is taking on additional duties due to her administrative internship. She’s here early. She’s here late. And, she has organized some great events already this year! Not only is she remaining totally passionate and dedicated to her students and maintaining innovative instructional strategies with them to get them engaged and on fire for reading and writing, she is balancing this with her administrative internship and all those extra duties with style and grace. She seems an absolute natural at the administrative role and has shown leadership with confidence, enthusiasm and gusto. I love the way she takes on whatever task she is given with joy and radiates a constant smile. I love that she is so giving and kind, too. For example, she continuously checked on us at the money tables at Jamboree to make sure we had change and give us breaks if needed. She is so multi-talented and a wonderful inspiration to me, not only as an educator but as a person. She sees the glass half full, not half empty, and is a true team player. I enjoy working with her so much!
Mrs. Bryson
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Cassie Bryson is my Gold Medalist Teacher of the Month because of her contribution to our 6th grade Science team and grade level. She stepped right away to help us strengthen our curriculum, and we are so lucky to have her here. She is an expert in the Science field and is always eager to help out however necessary. In addition, she has really made herself a part of our 6th grade family. It is so nice to work with someone who cares about the other people on the hallway. Cassie always knows how to brighten up our hallway with her positive and warm attitude. You will never see her with a smile not on her face. Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen how exceptional Cassie is as a teacher, co-worker, and friend. She exudes everything that BTMS is about. Thank you to Cassie for everything she has done for us teachers and especially our students.
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EARLY DISMISSALS
Students leaving school early must be picked up no later than 2:50 PM. There will be no dismissals from 2:50 PM until 3:20 PM.
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Upcoming Dates
9/13 Volleyball v. Oakridge
9/14 8th Grade Football @ Dutchman Creek
7th Grade Football v. Dutchman Creek
9/15 Volleyball @ Springfield Middle School
9/19 Deadline to register for the PSAT (8th grade)
9/20 Volleyball v. Fort Mill Middle School
9/22 Volleyball @ Gold Hill Middle School
9/27 Volleyball v. Clover
9/28 8th Grade Football @ Oakridge
7th Grade Football v. Oakridge
9/29 Volleyball @ Oakridge
9/30 School Pictures (Make-up day: 11/04)
10/03 - 10/07 Scholastic Book Fair
10/04 Volleyball v. Springfield
10/05 8th Grade Football v. Fort Mill Middle School
7th Grade Football @ Fort Mill Middle School
10/06 Volleyball @ Fort Mill Middle School
10/07 8th Grade Band Night with NFHS or FMHS
10/11 Public Hearing on Middle School Attendance
Areas
10/12 8th Grade Football @ Springfield Middle School
7th Grade Football @ Springfield Middle School
10/13 “Spirit Night” for Volleyball
Volleyball v. Gold Hill Middle School
10/17 7th Grade Volleyball Divisional Games
10/18 8th Grade Volleyball Playoff Games
10/19 PSAT (some 8th graders)
“Spirit Night” for Football
8th Grade Football v. Springfield Middle School
7th Grade Football v. Springfield Middle School
10/20 Volleyball Semi Finals/Finals Tournament
10/25 Chorus Clinic (Boys) @ Dutchman Creek
10/26 7th & 8th Grade Football Championship Games
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Banks Trail Middle School
Email: munns@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/pd/FMSD_BTMS/index.html
Location: 1640 Banks Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-578-2990
Twitter: @BTMStimberwolf