BHMS Principal's Update
August 18, 2020
On Friday, August 7, 2020, the district put out their proposal to reopen the schools. Simultaneously you were asked to verify your Unified Classroom access and complete a survey. Understanding that there were hiccups along the way, Dr. Muscelli, members of the BHMS team and I will be reaching out to families who were not able to complete the surveys. Once we get a sense of what each family has decided for their child (remote or Hybrid), we will be able to place student in either cohort A or B. Please know that safety and social distancing are paramount and that alone dictates the cohorts. Nevertheless, as promised by the district, our goal is to get you that information within two weeks from the start of school.
Truth be told, I want to thank you for your patience in this endeavor. It has not been easy for educators and certainly parents and children. I think you all recognize that we are getting information from the state pretty much the same time as families are and based on the Governor's press conferences. From there, we work with our counterparts to respond to the new information the best we can and try to get accurate information out to you with a specific focus on our schools. For those of you who have questions, you've been calling us and I thank you for that.
Moreover, to keep you up to speed, please stay abreast of the re-opening schools link to the WTPS web page. https://www.wtps.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=31231. This link houses all the correspondence from the district regarding the reopening of schools. Most importantly our document about reopening schools is listed there as well. That document has now become our protocols and guides to the schools and we will work to make sure we accomplish the charge of the document.
This newsletter will attempt to provide you with the most relevant information at this juncture as it pertains to BHMS.
Please see the video message here that summarizes this newsletter and therefore is not closed captioned. All the info is also listed in the letter: Principal's Video Message. Also please see the items discussed in this newsletter.
- Tips for Returning to School (family drop off and pick up, walkers, and buses)
- Road Back Document from the state of New Jersey
- Schoology
- Character Education: Conversations About Race
- Summer Reading
- School Supply Lists
- Rising 6th Graders
- Athletic Information Updates (Field Hockey, Dance Club, and Running Club)
Regards,
Mike D'Ostilio (Prinicpal)
New and Important Information
- August 26, 2020...Video on Social Distancing in Schools. Replacing the 6th Grade Transition Night. Instead this will be for all grade levels.
- September 8, 2020...Tentative first day of school. See this link for the new calendar: 2021 School Year Calendar. For explanation of the changes, click here: Explanation of calendar changes.
- September 8, 2020...Current Immunizations need to be updated for all students according to NJDOH
- September 15 and 17, 2020 (Depending on your cohort)...Picture Day. See this link to find out what Lifetouch is doing to reduce risk and social distance during the time of the photo shoot: Lifetouch Photo
Keeping Up with What is Going on at the Hill!!!
Tips for Parents to Help their Students on the Return to School
Restart and Recovery Plan for Education in WTPS
Additionally, the district rolled out its final plan on August 7, 2020. For up to date information regarding the district's correspondence, notifications, and information requests, go to the "Return to School Plan" hosted on the district webpage. That URL is https://www.wtps.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=31231
All Students' Lesson Will be Posted on Schoology
Continuing the Conversations about Race
As a result of the work in the equity committee, some parents who are on the committee and have ties to BHMS have been communicating with me in the last few weeks. I am thrilled that BHMS parents want to embark on these difficult conversations as it seems to coincide what I
said in my letter about my thoughts on the work BHMS needs to do to engage in real conversations that bring action (June 7, 2020 Letter to Families). I also read the above letter in a video message last week (Video Message).
I wanted to let you know that the group of BHMS parents are organizing an ongoing round table discussion. They would like to begin the work of establishing a partnership with administration especially regarding race and equity at this time. If this is something that interests you and you'd like to be a part of the planning phase, please contact Megan Watson at mwatson@bkwfamily.com.
After the equity committee, Mr. Bollendorf wrote a letter to the community, which can be found at the link: Mr Bollendorf's Letter. I referenced that letter in my own letter as well. Finally, the district has populated an alert on each school's homepage regarding the work of the equity committee and resources to assist with fostering the work in home and in school.
Race and the systemic inequities are real and incredibly painful for the Black community to endure. Similarly in schools, particularly middle schools, students continue to deal with microagressions based on gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disability. These microagressions need to be eliminated, and our charge is to help our students/children understand this and be even better than they are. This work, while daunting, can work at Bunker Hill as the ideals of a Bulldog are rooted in the service of others and the enduring understanding that there is always a cause or a mission greater than us as individuals. This is a massive work in progress for adolescents as they are trying to figure out their own world. Bulldogs are up to the challenge. I truly believe it is the Bunker Hill Bulldog that can set this standard.
Our character education and Building Better People days will center around these hard conversations with our students and knowing our families, you will expect the same at your home. We are eternally grateful for that partnership of staff, parents, and community members who are committed to this change.
Summer Reading and Assignments
There are no summer assignments this year for math and science.
Students will need the following for every class:
- Mask
- Hand Sanitizer
- Re-usable personal water bottles. Labeled with student's name and grade.
- Earbuds
- Computer/charger
- General School Supplies (pens, pencils, color pencils, dry erase markers, high lighters, erasers, post its, looseleaf notebook paper)
Grade 6
- ELA...1 in binder w/ dividers
- Science...1 in binder w/dividers
- Math...1 in binder w/dividers
- Social Studies...accordion folder
Grade 7
- ELA...1 in binder or folder with pockets/page holders
- Science...1 in binder or folder with pockets/page holders
- Math...1 in binder or folder with pockets/page holders
- Social Studies...1 in binder or folder with pockets/page holders
Grade 8
- ELA....1.5 in binder w/ dividers, red pen
- Science...1 in binder or folder w/ dividers
- Math...Spiral notebook, folder
- Social Studies...1.5 in binder w/ dividers, red pen
UPDATED INFORMATION BELOW....ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS...Click the Image Below to Access Current Information Regarding 5th Grade Transition to 6th Grade
It is also important to report that the August 26, 2020 6th grade orientation has been cancelled to provide an opportunity for two nights for the entire school. See above for more information (under the "Coming Soon" image)
Learning about BHMS
Beginning July 14th, Dr. Muscelli and I will be holding virtual meetings to help orient rising 6th grade parents and students to BHMS. We love this school and want to make sure you have the best transition possible to your new school for the next three years. Can't wait to meet you Bulldogs. Stay tuned for more specifics about that.
Below are a couple of helpful links:
Athletic Teams Information...Fall Sports...TAKE NOTE OF CHANGES
Middle School Sports Cancelled During Remote/Hybrid Learning
Hi girls & families!
I’m sure you’ve all seen the district email about the Fall field hockey season. I know you were looking forward to it! So were we! There is still hope for a Spring season! We will keep you posted. If we do have a Spring season, Coach Hope will be your head coach as I will be out on maternity leave. Baby Burns coming January 2021! Therefore, I will not be returning to coach the program. I’m so proud of you and grateful to end on an undefeated season!
We wish you the best in the upcoming school year, whether you’re off to high school or returning to your middle school! Keep in touch and stay healthy! Go TWP!❤️💙
Love,
Coach Sarah & Coach Hope
National School Folders Partnership
We have a partnership with National School Folders to provide each student with a free folder to help the child stay organized. Similar to folders in middle school, there are two sides...one for papers to leave at home and the second to return to school. Special thanks to Breen Roofing, Frank Batastini Orthodontics, Dan Ayars Landscaping, and National School Folders for being our sponsors. If we can get 13 more sponsors for next year, National School Folders will donate $1200 to our school. If you have a business, please consider being a sponsor. Please contact Mike D'Ostilio mdostilio@wtps.org if you are interested.
For information how to support this endeavor...Go to the parent information letter. This link discusses the partnership, durability, usefulness, and advertisement potential of the folders.
Bunker Hill Middle School: Home of the Bulldogs
Sign up for Remind Notifications
--Grade 6...Text @BHMS2023 to 81010
--Grade 7 (If you weren't able to get into BHMS2022) Text @BHMS2022a to 81010 for same information as other Grade 7 remind.
-Grade 8…Text @BHMS2021 to 81010
Email: ddijohn@wtps.org
Website: https://www.wtps.org/bunkerhill
Location: 372 Pitman Downer Road, Sewell, NJ, USA
Phone: 856 881 7007
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialBHMS
Twitter: @Official_BHMS