Mr. Corso's Weekly Update
January 9, 2022
Mr. Corso’s Principal’s Message
Positive Raiders: Responsible, Respectful, Hard Working and Kind
Next Week at a Glance:
Mon, Jan 10, Periods 1-7, Late Start 9:00am, Dismissal 2:27pm
Tues, Jan. 11, Periods 1-7, Start 7:40am, Dismissal 2:27pm
Wed, Jan.12, Periods 1, 2, Homeroom + 3, Start 7:40am, Dismissal 2:27pm
Thurs, Jan.13, Periods 4/5, 6, Homeroom + 7, Start 7:40am, Dismissal 2:27pm
Friday, Jan.14 Periods 1-7, Start 7:40am, Dismissal 2:27pm
This Week’s Positive Message: On Tuesday, I read this to students… As we return from winter break, it's a great time to remind ourselves how we can stay healthy and safe. Please remember to wear a mask whenever indoors, wash your hands on a regular basis, and when possible to scooch on over and make space between each other. If you don't feel well, stay home. We can all do our part to provide the safest environment possible. Thanks for listening and happy New Year.
Food Services: Starting next week, BMMS will resume normal food service at Nutrition Break and open one ala carte window daily during lunch periods. Thank you for your understanding.
Test Kits: Students received a test kit at BMMS last week for at-home testing. Each kit contains two tests. Parents/Guardians may use the kits at their discretion as outlined below:
As a screening tool to ensure your child is healthy to continue to attend school, particularly if your child is not showing any symptoms
If your child already has had a positive test, you may use one of the tests in the kit on or after Day 5 of isolation, as evidence of a negative result before being allowed to return to school. In an effort to maintain in-person learning, and address the lack of available testing appointments at local clinics, the at-home tests will be accepted as evidence of your child’s negative result.
If your child is quarantining as a close contact, the tests can also be used as evidence of a negative result. Follow the updated testing and quarantine guidelines attached.
Any additional tests should be saved for if or when your child might experience symptoms or be named as a close contact to a positive case.
IMPORTANT! If you do NOT want your child to receive a test kit to bring home, please communicate that clearly to your child, and send this opt-out form with them to school. As you know, these tests are very scarce so we do not want any to go to waste.
Parent University - Preparing for High School and College: On January 19th at 6pm, Black Mountain will be hosting our Parent University: College Readiness - Making the most of High School and Preparing for College. Space is limited. To register for the event, please complete the following google survey. https://bit.ly/parentu-collegeready
During the week of the presentation, a zoom link will be sent out to families who register.
Kim Bronson, counselor at Mt Carmel High School will present information on:
Preparing for (and easing) the transition to high school.
How you can empower your student to have the habits of mind necessary to be successful in high school and beyond.
Overview of the college application process – What you can do now to prepare!
How to support your student’s individual college exploration/pathway.
How to maintain your sanity during your child’s high school years. ☺
HELP NEEDED - BMMS CAREER FAIR: On February 11, Black Mountain Middle school will hold our Career Fair at Lunch. Lunch time that day will be from 10:45-12:30. Stations will be set up around our quad where students can learn information about a variety of careers. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are looking for volunteers to share information about their jobs with our Black Mountain students. Our goal is to give our students a wide experience of vocations and careers and spark interest in different career pathways. Would you be willing to share with students about your career? Does your workplace have an outreach program?
If you are able to help us find people willing to participate in this great learning event, please complete the following survey. https://bit.ly/BMMSCareerFaire2022
We appreciate all your support,
Scott Corso
BMMS Principal
Coffee with the Principal
Our next Coffee with the Principal is Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 8:15am on Zoom. We plan to talk about 6th Grade Camp and Parent University. At every Coffee with the Principal, families can ask questions and offer ideas. Last year, we had more families participate in the Coffee with the Principals than ever using Zoom. We plan to continue this practice to open up more access for families. Your full name must be displayed in Zoom for you to participate in the meeting. I hope you consider joining us: https://powayusd.zoom.us/j/3140895327?pwd=Z3EwWlk1TWVCRGhRL2luMXBxanBsZz09
Meeting ID: 314 089 5327
Passcode: urAwesome
Can’t make Coffee with the Principal, but you have a question? Submit it here before the meeting and we’ll do our best to answer as many questions as possible:
Birthday Marquee Messages
Give your child that extra smile on their special day! Black Mountain Middle School's marquee can be used to post birthday messages of BMMS students only. Each personalized birthday message (Student First Name, Last Initial + Signature from Sender) will be displayed for ONE school day, 2 per day (along with our other Marquee messages). First to print and fill out this form + PAY in person in the office will be assigned the day of their choice. The message will look like this...
Happy Birthday!
Scott C.
Love, Mom & Dad
Each message is $25, payable by cash or check to Black Mountain Middle School--all proceeds go directly to Black Mountain Middle School programs and initiatives. Again, there is a limit on messages displayed each day (first come, first served). Fill out this form LINK and then turn money into the front office.
6th Grade Camp Update
Unfortunately we are not able to reschedule physically going to camp; but we are planning campus camp activities in the spring.
We will be communicating with you plans and information in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yearbook General Sales
Yearbooks may be purchased through Josten's website until January 2nd, 2022 for $40.00. Beginning on January 3rd, 2022 the price will increase to $45.00 for the remainder of the year.
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1006737/Black-Mountain-Middle-School/2022-Yearbook/20211102041648327126/CATALOG_SHOP/
ASB discount
If you purchased an ASB card, the price is $35.00 through the 17th of December, 2021 and beginning on the 3rd, it goes up to $40.00 for the remainder of the year.
Jostens can not sell yearbooks with the ASB discount. You will have to buy them directly from the school. Send a check/cash for $35.00 or $40.00 to the front office with your students first and last name, grade, and Homeroom teacher or to Mr. Lantz in room 201.
You may also pay by PayPal for a small service fee by contacting Claudia Barranon at cbarranon@powayusd.com
8th Grade Parents Only
Baby Pictures -- Free DUE BY DECEMBER 17TH
You may send a baby picture of your current 8th grader for inclusion in the yearbook to chunt@powayusd.com
Subject Line: Baby Pic 2021-22 Student First and Last Name
Please attach a high resolution image of your student. Low res images often cannot be sized appropriately in the book.
Parent Ads -- $25.00 DUE BY DECEMBER 17Th
You may purchase a parent ad for your current 8th grader(s) for inclusion in the yearbook by sending a check or cash in the amount of $25.00 to the front office with your student’s first and last name, grade, and Homeroom teacher or to Mr. Lantz in room 201.
Additionally send a picture of your 8th grader to chunt@powayusd.com
SUBJECT LINE: Parent Ad 2021-22 Student first and Last Name
BODY: Write a short message to be included with the image. Messages more than 140 characters will have to be shrunk to fit the space and are difficult to read.
Donation Drive
Our Leadership class is collecting donations to benefit San Diego Youth Services (SDYS). We are collecting art supplies to benefit their art therapy program. We’re also collecting warm coats, sweaters, and hoodies as those are always in need in colder months.
Our drive will run from Monday January 17th through Friday January 28th. We will have donation bins in 3 places around campus: inside the front of the office, outside the library, and outside the leadership classroom, room 406.
SDYS is very thankful for any art supply donation, but have specifically requested canvases, sketch books, poster boards, construction paper, paint, markers, colored pencils, crayons, colorful clay or yarn, crafting materials, picture frames, and terracotta pots (small & large).
SDYS has many programs that benefit homeless youth in San Diego.
Please click here if you’d like to learn more about the SDYS Youth Emergency Shelter.
Please email Mr. Anella (aanella@powayusd.com) with any questions.
No School Monday, Jan. 17 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
PUSD Parent Workshop
Please note that all these workshops are In-Person at Poway Adult School or Abraxas High School. We have 3 new courses the Winter Term.
Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK -5th Grade
Our children have experienced a great deal of change and uncertainty over the past year. You may have noticed that they have felt overwhelmed or exhibited symptoms of anxiety. The good news is that there is a solution! We can teach our kids concrete tools to reduce anxiety and manage stress by strengthening their emotional intelligence (EQ). Research has showed that children with high emotional intelligence do better in school and get along well with others.
In-Person Thursday, 1/27/22 at Abraxas School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens – All Grades
PART I: The Basics
Join Angelle Maua to gain greater understanding of the complexity of Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and the Gender Spectrum.
Discuss the use of pronouns.
How to advocate for gender equity for your child.
Know your student’s rights and how to be a good ally.
Learn and understand the nuances of navigating support and difficult conversation, not only with your child but with family and friends.
In-Person Saturday, 1/29/22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Poway Adult School
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens – All Grades
PART II: Conscious Parenting New Course
Join Angelle Maua to continue the discussions from the LGBTQIA+ Part I: The Basics Workshop. Learn how to:
Become a more conscious parent of a gender-expansive or questioning child.
Look beyond the binary and unpack years of cultural beliefs, traditional roles, and expectations.
Improve the odds for your child to embrace the complexity of their journey.
Nurture and enjoy the journey with your child.
This is all-inclusive for parents of children who have identified as LGBTQIA+.
In-Person Saturday, 2/12/22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Poway Adult School
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Effective Strategies to Advocate for Your Child in Special Education - All Grades NEW Course
Whether you suspect your child would benefit from special education services or are already in the process, come discover and practice tools to improve communication with teachers, administrators, and case managers. Spend time with Laurie Magulac to discuss how to increase collaboration and create your child's education plan as well as develop tools to process meetings and diagnoses.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/1/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting Well Through Life Changes - All Grades NEW Course
Change is a part of life that comes in many forms which can include divorce, moving, and loss. How do we manage our own response to change while parenting our children effectively?
Spend time with Laurie Magulac to learn strategies to:
Understand and recognize stress in your child during change.
Help your child cope in healthy ways.
Manage and diffuse tough behaviors that may arise.
Not burn out while you are helping your child through the process.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/8/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
SPANISH Teen Positive Parenting Program
This is a friendly reminder of the SPANISH Teen Positive Parenting Program Series via ZOOM that will start on Wednesday, January 19th 2022. The flyer is attached with the registration link to RSVP.
About Us
Email: mcordeau@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com/bmms
Location: 9353 Oviedo Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-484-1300
Twitter: @BMMS_Raiders