BPMS PARENT NEWSLETTER
April 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello BPMS Families!
Happy spring to everyone and hopefully your students had a wonderful spring break. I am pleased and proud to report that the transition to our brick-n-mortar Hive went very well with minimal bumps along the way. Hybrid students are adjusting to their new surroundings and routines and instruction has continued without interruption.
The final marking period of this extraordinary year begins April 15th. This year's end will be here before we know it and for 8th grade parents wondering about end of year activities, principals are awaiting guidelines from the district. As expected, we will not be hosting anything on campus and will be in touch with details as soon as we have them.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support and patience as we navigate school year 2020-2021.
Take care, Hive Families!
Mrs. Shakan
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT INFO
- Report cards will be distributed via Parent Portal on April 23rd.
- Spring Break is April 1st-5th. All schools and Central Offices are closed.
- April 6th-9th is Academic Week.
- April 13th & 14th - End of 3rd marking period - 2 hr. early dismissal
- The 4th marking period begins on April 15th.
- Spring Picture Days April 27-19. Cohort A - April 27, Virtual - April 28, Cohort B - April 29
Academic Week
Spring Picture Days
We are excited to provide you with the opportunity to take Spring Photos. Pictures will be taken April 27-April 29. Parents and students are asked to sign up in advance to ensure that we are following all safety guidelines. Cohort A-day students will take pictures on April 27. Virtual students will take pictures on April 28. Cohort B-day students will take pictures on April 29. Please be sure to sign-up for your child/students corresponding date. The links to sign up have been provided below:
April 27 (Cohort A-Day Students only)- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4AACAB2AA3FF2-bpms
April 28 (Virtual Students only)- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4AACAB2AA3FF2-bpms1
April 29 (Cohort B-Day Students only)- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4AACAB2AA3FF2-bpms2
File attachments:
Email Flyer - EVTVGQB4P.pdf
Preparing for Hybrid Learning Newsletter
PARENT PORTAL
Directions for registering for and accessing your Parent Portal account are found on the AACPS Student-Parent Portal Webpage and are also linked below. If you are creating an account for the first time, please call the school at 410-636-2967 to get the user ID and access code for your child. (This is not the same code they use for instruction daily).
We hope you find Parent Portal to be a user friendly tool for monitoring progress as we approach mid-marking period and throughout the school year.
Counseling Corner
APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
What is Autism? Autism is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” which means that it affects people differently and to varying degrees.
Approximately 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with autism, so it’s important to teach your children about this condition and what it may be like to have a classmate affected by it. While autism affects each person differently, there are common characteristics to be mindful of that will help create a mutual understanding.
Let your child know that a friend with autism may…
- …get easily overloaded with too much information. It is important to be patient, don’t judge, and calmly ask them if they’re okay or need anything.
- …suffer from social anxiety. Be sure to encourage your child to invite them to hang out or participate in social events, even though they may not always accept.
- …have difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation. Be aware that they may need more time to respond than typical. Keep in mind that this has no bearing on their interest in talking to others or making friends. Try to rephrase or write down what you’re talking about to help them.
- …become overwhelmed by unexpected change. It’s important to let those with Autism know as far in advance as possible when a part of their routine will be altered or if plans you’ve made with them have changed.
Educating your children about autism is so important. It can prevent situations that can lead to students being bullied or socially left out. As parents, you can teach your child that being kind to others who might be different from them is something you expect and encourage.
Do you have questions or concerns about autism? Want to know more about supports that are available to students with autism at Brooklyn Park Middle School? Contact your Student Support Team:
Contact your grade level School Counselor with any questions or concerns:
Ms. Falzarine 6th Grade – afalzarine@aacps.org GV (301) 892-6569
Mrs. Santiago- Fecht 7th Grade – bsantiagofecht@aacps.org GV (786) 322-6121
Mrs. Grandy 8th Grade – tgrandy@aacps.org GV (302) 314-3874
Ms. Rogers School Psychologist - dirogers@aacps.org GV (301) 615-2659
Danielle Saad School Social Worker – dsaad@aacps.org Phone (301) 531-4018
#CelebrateDifferences in honor of National Autism Acceptance month by wearing light blue on Friday, April 2, 2021! Please use #CelebrateDifferencesBPMS or email your selfies to Ms. Rogers (above).
7th Grade Magnet Program
Greetings to parents and students of the current 7th grade class!
What?
Magnet Program information for fall, 2021 application. Magnet Programs begin in the fall of your student’s 9th grade year, however you must apply in the fall of 8th grade….NEXT SCHOOL YEAR!
Who can apply?
Students in grade 8 during the fall of 2021. Apply for any of the following: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), Performing and Visual Arts (PVA), BioMedical/Allied Health, (BMAH), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Both BMAH and STEM are supported by STEM. Please check the Magnet Brochure for specific qualifications for all programs (www.aacps.org/magnet). All students currently in a Magnet Program must re-apply in Grade 8 for entry in Grade 9.
When?
Between noon on October 11, 2021 and November 22, 2021 (the second Monday in October and the Monday before Thanksgiving).
What can I see now?
Go to the Magnet website (www.aacps.org/magnet). Scroll down to the bottom, and look for
· The informational video at the bottom of the landing page
· The brochure with Magnet qualifications
· The videos under “Cup of Joe with Magnet Program Leaders”
· The document “Which Magnet School would I attend?”
It’s never too early to learn about Magnet Programs.
From the Health Room
The Meningitis (MCV) and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines are required before incoming 7th graders can return to school for the 2021-2022 school year. Your child receives these required vaccines at their 11 year well check so please check with your pediatrician to obtain a copy of the record. A copy of this record must be received so that your child can attend the 7th grade. Please send to the school nurse as soon as possible so that we can update the record.
Anne Arundel County Health Department
Family Link
Pop-up Food Pantry
Sponsored by Child Hunger Outreach Program
Friday April 23rd from 4:30pm-6:30pm at Brooklyn Park Middle School
Bagged food available to everyone in the community for pick up. Please wear a mask.
**Please follow CHOP on Facebook for updates and information**
https://www.facebook.com/chopmaryland/
Next Pantry at BPMS is April 21st
Despensa de Alimentos
Patrocinado por el Programa de Ayuda contra el Hambre Infantil.
Viernes 23 de abril de 4:30-6:30 pm en la Escuela Intermedia Brooklyn Park
Comida en bolsas disponible para recoger por todos en la comunidad. Por favor, usen una mascarilla.
**Por favor, siga la página CHOP en Facebook para actualizaciones e información**
https://www.facebook.com/chopmaryland/
Fecha de nuestra próxima despensa en BPMS: 21 de mayo
Parent Kudos for BPMS Staff
Spring Club List
LETTER FROM READING INTERVENTION
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please ensure that your child attends all assigned classes. I realize this is a challenge for parents and guardians that leave for work before school starts. However, if your child can attend classes on time each day, their educational experience will be richer and more rewarding. Incentives such as a favorite treat at the end of the week might motivate your child to attend all classes on time. Most teachers would not mind verifying your child's attendance upon request. We want your child to be successful. That success starts with attending all classes on time and doing all assignments in a timely manner. There will be computer problems, illnesses, and family emergencies. We understand when these circumstances prevent your child from attending class. Thank you for letting us know when these things occur. It is a pleasure working with you to do all we can to promote your child's academic success. Take care.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Watkins
BPMS Reading Intervention
NEWS FROM THE BPMS LIBRARY T. A. L. E.
The most awesome icon on your student's ClassLink page is the one for Mackinvia!
MackinVia is an online collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases, and more! Students simply login to ClassLink, click on [MackinVIA] and suddenly, students have access to over 1,700 digital resources for their academic needs or personal interests.
Learn more about it (and how to login) on the Library T.A.L.E. website. Remember: reading 20 minutes a day at home will expose your learner to 1.8 million words per year.
From BPMS PTA
PTA 2021-2022
Would you like to run for a PTA board position for the 21-22 school year? Please let me know so that I can create the nomination list.
A board member's term is for one year, but she or he may be reelected for a second term.
President
Stacey Arthur
and Vice PresidentHeather Davis Watkins
wish to be reelected to their current positions.Shantel Dillon
(Treasurer) andKyle Ellis Curran
(Secretary) will be leaving their positions as they both have 8th graders.The PTA must have a President, Secretary, and Treasurer on the board or the PTA dissolves.
National PTA offers free training for elected officers.
Will you consider helping out?
If you have questions about a position and what the job is like, please reach out to the current board members.
PTA News:
- Join us for our virtual PTA Meeting on May 13th, 2021 at 6:30pm. Meeting details linked below.
- Support us by becoming a member (form link below)
- Even if not a member, follow us on Facebook @ Brooklyn Park Middle School PTA for important upcoming dates/info
Brooklyn Park Middle School's Bubba's 33 Night
DATE: Tuesday, April 13th at 11am to 10pm
LOCATION: 7305 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, 21061
DETAILS: Come for lunch and/or dinner. Carry-out or dine-in qualifies towards the fundraiser. When ordering please don't forget to mention supporting BPMS! Thank you and we appreciate your support!
Panda Express Supports BPMS
DATE: Thursday, April 29th at 10:30am - 9:30pm
LOCATION: 6620-a Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
DETAILS: Come out and get some yummy food from Panda Express and support BPMS. Make sure to bring your paper flyer or show it on your smartphone.
Did you know you can order ahead or on the event day Thursday, April 29th or on the app.
Enter 323616 in the promo code box.
Thank you for supporting BPMS!
Passcode: bees
SCHEDULES
RESOURCES
Attendance Note
Tutoring Available
Parents/Guardians who have students that are struggling with classes - Tutoring is available check it out:
School Psychology Virtual Office
Please feel free to visit the School Psychology Virtual Office for a variety of information and resources for our BPMS students, parents, and staff! If anyone finds that their student is really struggling and could use a check-in, my contact information is here too!