Panther Pride Bulletin
Battle Creek Middle School, Principal LaNisha Paddock
Our Mission, Vision, Beliefs
At Battle Creek Middle School. All members of the learning community (students, parents, families, colleagues, and partners) are valued and respected. All members learn through culturally responsive teaching and learning. All members meet and embrace high academic and social expectations and beliefs that learning is collaborative and life-long. All members interrupt instances of inequalities and injustice.
Greetings, Panther Students, Families and Staff!
This is Principal Paddock with the BCMS school updates for the week of April 19th. It was a great week back to in-person and the sun has finally come out over this beautiful weekend.
April 19th is an A-Day. All students will attend Daily Foundations/Study Skills from 8:30-8:50 am Monday-Friday synchronously. Students will attend Periods 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. Some BCMS teachers may invite virtual learning students to participate in synchronous learning following the new in-person schedule. As a reminder, virtual learning students will receive primarily asynchronous instruction. All students participate in asynchronous learning on Friday after the daily check-in.
Check out the updated BCMS Daily Schedule and Distance Learning 2.0 Semester schedule for more information. The Distance Learning 2.0 semester schedule has been updated to include semester 2.
Tomorrow, Monday April 19th is the MN Student Walkout. At 12:50 pm students will be called to walkout onto the BCMS campus in an act of solidarity and protest in response to the tragic killing of Daunte Wright and the ongoing Derek Chauvin Trial. BCMS and SPPS respects any students right to not participate. Students and staff are also permitted to wear black to demonstrate the need for change. Masks and social distancing are required while on campus. Students will be supervised and then dismissed to buses at 1:00 pm. Please read the letter in the email sent Friday afternoon for detailed information.
It’s a great week to make it a great week!! Take care, be well, and GO PANTHERS!
Masked and Socially Distant BCMS Students Walk Out.
BCMS students take a stand against racism and violence on Monday during a brief, respectful walkout. Like their peers across the state our students are calling for safe and equal treatment under the law. This is what democracy looks like and what we teach our students to expect and defend.
BCMS grade 8 students it is time for 9th Grade Course Selection
2021-2022 9th grade course selection for current 8th graders is beginning the week of April 19th. Attend your assigned high school’s course selection event in order to select courses that fit you best. Follow your high school’s steps for course selection. If you have questions, join a drop in Google Meets session with your high school’s counselors.
Day of Silence Friday April 23, 202: How will You Break the Silence
Resources from Education Minnesota:
Statewide Testing for School Year 2020-21
Your BCMS student(s) is eligible to take the MCA - The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments & MTAS - Minnesota Test of Academic Skills, which are administered every year to measure student performance. These exams are state tests in reading, mathematics, and science that are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Schools use the information gained from test results to improve classroom teaching and learning. The MCA - The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments & MTAS - Minnesota Test of Academic Skills testing will proceed this year, even though your student may be in distance learning. The test will take place beginning in mid April. Testing will take place at Battle Creek Middle School and will be completed across multiple days. All COVID-19 protocols will be in place to ensure a safe environment including face masks, social distancing, and cleaning procedures.
Secondary Grades 6-12
• Starting in April, students who are attending school in person will take the test at their school during their school day.
• Students who are in distance learning will be scheduled to take the test at their school building.
If you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to take the MCA tests, we understand. Given the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, you may to opt-out of MCA testing for this year by completing this form. http://bit.ly/MCAOptOut
SPPS will begin in-person learning for all 6-12 grade students who want it starting Wednesday, April 14.
SCIP two question survey for caregivers and parents. (translated)
Options for Spring and Summer.
Registration translations available click the language below.
Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) offers Summer Learning Programs for students in grades K-12. Students will have opportunities to learn new things and strengthen current academic skills; prepare for the upcoming school year through active, fun and hands-on activities; and make progress toward graduation. All programs are FREE.
SPPS Summer Learning Programs Include:
Academic Support
Students will be inspired to learn new skills and grow current understanding in reading, math and other subjects.
Breakfast and Lunch
All students receive two free healthy meals daily that include entrees, salads, baked goods, and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Transportation
Transportation is available to most students who live in Saint Paul (within transportation guidelines). Use the School Finder at spps.org/apply to find your Area (A-F1/F2).
Saint Paul College will be hosting our in person Scrubs Camp July 29-22nd 2021. Scrubs Camp offers an opportunity for your students to explore healthcare careers through interactive classes, possible field trips and hands on activities. Due to COVID, we are the only metro area Scrubs Camps this year. Here is a video of our Scrubs Camp in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGBygKlskao. Due to COVID it will be formatted into tracked cohorts with a shorter day and less of a camp cost. Our informational flier is attached, and registration is open. If you have students interested, please encourage them to sign up as soon as possible! We will also offer a limited number of scholarships. Scholarships will be available to students who qualify for free/reduced lunch and meet academic requirements. Register for Scrubs Camp at: https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/850/program_id/43
We are also offering Summer Camps for Welding & Manufacturing, Cosmetology and Video Game Design. Additional information & registration information can be found our website: https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/850/program_id/43
Please feel to share this email with any colleagues that have students who would benefit from these camps and trainings. Thanks!
211 Help for Families 20-21
Message from your School Nurse
Immunizations are important now more than ever. Slowing or stopping immunizations or vaccines increases our risk of other disease outbreaks. SaintPaul Public Schools continues to address and promote immunizations during the pandemic.
Please reach out to me if you are unsure if your child needs vaccines.
Contact Information:
Name: Emily Brandt
Email: emily.brandt@spps.org
Phone: (612-412-4667)
Please reach out to your clinic or utilize the following local resources to help your child get caught up on their immunizations:
1. Student Placement Center - 2102 University Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Immunizations including flu shots are given by appointment (preferred) or walk-in on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am-6pm starting November 30th. These are open to students in grades K-12 who are uninsured or have state covered insurance. Please call (651) 632-3763 to schedule an appointment.
2. Health Start School Based Clinics Remain Open
The Washington Tech Health Start Clinic provides immunizations and flu shots by appointment or walk-in for students from PreK through 12th grade on Mondays from 8-4pm.
Call 651-487-8531 to make an appointment. Most SPPS high school Health Start Clinics are open. Most Health Start Clinics serve students ages 12-18, and services include urgent in-person mental health care, medication management for depression and anxiety, sexual health concerns, check-ups and vaccines, non-respiratory illness, injuries and asthma follow-up. They can also provide winter sports physicals. A student does not need to attend the school that the clinic is located in. Call 651-412-8445 to make an appointment at any location.
3. Free and Low-Cost Immunization Clinics - click this link for locations in the St. Paul area.
I hope you are all staying healthy and safe!
Employees, students, and visitors of SPPS: Report symptoms of COVID-19, a positive case of COVID-19 or a close contact exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Academic Resources School and Community
Sourtheast Community Organization- Formerly District 1
All things Distance Learning
Comcast Internet Essentials Free Through December
Comcast provides basic wireless Internet called Internet Essentials, and it is free through December. The district will provide a Hotspot, but if you are finding that isn't enough data or you are unable to wait for a ticket to be completed, contact Comcast to apply. https://www.internetessentials.com/. If Comcast does not extend the free price after December, you'd have the option to quit when it is no longer free or pay the $9.95/month + tax.
Click the photo to connect to the Technology Resources Website:
The website will also be linked on the BCMS Library Schoology page, on the BCMS Website, and BCMS Social media so that families can also support their students with app tutorial videos.
TAKING ATTENDANCE DURING DISTANCE LEARNING
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The FFCRA guarantees sick leave for workers and their families affected by COVID-19. These provisions are applicable starting April 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020.
Qualifying reasons for leave related to COVID-19, FAQs and additional details are available at spps.org/Page/39055.
PARENT’S RIGHT TO KNOW TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. Parents who would like to receive this information should write to the Human Resource Department, Attn: ESSA Teacher Qualifications, Saint Paul Public Schools, 360 Colborne Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102-3299. You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s).
- Information about whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
- Information about whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
- Information about whether the teacher is teaching (subjects or content) in which proper certification is held by the teacher.
- Information about whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
Translations are available by clicking the link below.
SPPS Rights and Responsibilities
The Rights and Responsibility Handbook is available in English, Hmong, Somali, Spanish and Karen languages by clicking the link below.
BCMS Compact with Teachers, Students and Families:
Translations of this material are available by calling 651-293-8960.
HMONG
Cov ntawv no peb muaj txhais ua lwm hom lus. Yog hais tias xav tau, thov hu rau tsev
kawm ntawv cha.
SPANISH
Traducciones disponibles. Por favor llame a la oficina al 651-293-8960.
SOMALI
Macluumaad turjuman ayaa la helayaa. Fadlan wac xafiiska iskuulka 651-293-8960.
KAREN
651-293-8960
This plan is available as part of our school’s SCIP, or School Comprehensive Improvement Plan at spps.org/scip. It is visible on our school website at https://www.spps.org/BCMS. Printed copies are available in the office.
Battle Creek Middle School
