Mr. Glover's Weekly Update
October 8th, 2023
Conference Week - Oct 10th - 14th
The conferences will be scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday following an early dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday there will be no scheduled conference as this will be at Late Start day with students being released at 2:45pm including Academy students. There will be no Academy PE during Conference Week.
Monday, October 9: Minimum Day (8:00-11:30am)
Tuesday, October 10: Minimum Day (8:00-11:30am)
Wednesday, October 11: Late Start (9:20-2:45pm)
Thursday, October 12: Minimum Day (8:00-11:30am)
Friday, October 13: Minimum Day (8:00-11:30am)
Below is our bell schedule for the minimum days (M,T, Th, and F).
Please contact your child’s teacher for conference times availability.
Mr. Glover's Weekly Update
Good afternoon, Raider Families!! I would like to remind everyone that this week will be our Conference Week at BMMS. Every day, except for Wednesday we will have a modified day to allow for afternoon educator/family conferences. The school day will end at 11:30am, with Wednesday scheduled as a normal LATE START Day with our late start bell schedule. If your child’s teacher has reached out to you to schedule a conference, please work with them to meet and discuss your child’ progress to this point. Additionally, there will not be any Academy PE scheduled for this week. Please see the bulleted section below for more information.
Huge Big Ups and Shout Outs
Last Friday, ASB (Associated Student Body) put on a PEP rally for the entire school!! This was an awesome event that included competitive grade level games and a spirited performance by our BMMS Cheerleaders. ASB was able to share the theme of the upcoming school dance on October 20th, “Fall Ball”. The entire event that was held for each Homeroom was a tremendous success. This event would not have been possible without the countless hours of preparation by so many people. Huge Big Ups and Shout Outs to Mrs. Robinson and the BMMS Cheerleaders, all of the ASB and Leadership students, and an extra “Woot Woot” for Mrs. Stromayer for leading the charge and putting on this wonderful event!!
Cultural Heritage Celebrations for the Month of October
During our cultural celebrations for the month of October, we at BMMS would like to honor a significant person or event that has shaped each of these distinctive areas of focus. We hope to inspire everyone to challenge themselves to learn something new this month in an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding of culture and come from all of the diverse members of our school community.
Filipino American History Highlight
This week's highlighted figure is, Philip Vera Cruz
German American Heritage Highlight
This week's highlighted figure is, Dwight D. Eisenhower
Italian American Heritage Highlight
This week's highlighted figure is, Frank Sinatra
LGBTQ History Highlight
This week's highlighted figure is, Harvey Milk
Hispanic Heritage Highlight
This week's highlighted figure is, National Museum of the American Latino
BMMS Reporting Harassment Form
If your child should have any concerns involving harassment or any other incident that requires adult intervention, please encourage or work with your child to speak with a trusted adult on campus a soon as possible. Additionally, your child and you can also utilize the BMMS Reporting Harassment Form. We encourage our students to Say Something if they See Something and this is a great tool for doing exactly that. Our administrators are available to assist any student with a concern on campus, however we need to be informed about the incident as soon as possible to have an effective and positive outcome. If your student cannot meet with an administrator or trusted adult on campus immediately, the BMMS Reporting Harassment Form is an appropriate alternative. This form can also be found on the homepage for the school as well.
Week at a Glance
Click here for the Bell Schedule
- MINIMUM DAY, Mon., October 9, Periods 1,2,3 + HR, Start 8:00am
MINIMUM DAY, Tues., October 10, Periods 4/5,6,7 + HR, Start 8:00am
Weds., October 11, LATE START, Periods 1-7; Start 9:20am
MINIMUM DAY, Thurs., October 12, Periods 1,2,3 + HR, Start 8:00am
MINIMUM DAY, Fri., October 12, Periods 4/5,6,7 + HR, Start 8:00am
- NO ACADEMY PE (M-F)
Minimum Days, Students Released at 11:30am
Library News
Scholastic Book Fair, 10/16-10/20
Click the link for more information: https://www.smore.com/q6aky
Digital Citizenship Week - OCTOBER 16TH
Starting on Monday October 16th, Black Mountain Middle School, along with Middle Schools all over the country, will be participating in Digital Citizenship Week. During the week students will receive information that will inform them on what it takes to be a positive digital citizen. Additionally, building healthy habits around tech use can help your students avoid some negative impacts on their mental health and well-being. To help you to be able to participate and celebrate Digital Citizenship Week, please review the following family-oriented resources from our collaborative partners from Common Sense:
Social Media Advisory
At the beginning of the year we advised students to T.H.I.N.K. when they post on social media. We want them to think, is it True, is it Helpful, is it Inspiring, is it Necessary, and is it Kind? Lately we have had several accounts impersonating BMMS on TikTok that are violating the privacy of our students and staff, and creating harmful posts that are contrary to what our school stands for. While we have reported the account, in the meantime, we would like to ask your assistance and support in two ways:
Discussion at Home: Please take a moment to talk with your child about the importance of responsible social media use. Discuss the implications of sharing personal information, spreading rumors, or participating in harmful online behaviors. Ensure they understand that online actions can have real-world consequences.
Monitor Social Media Activities: While it is essential to respect your child's privacy, it's equally crucial to be aware of their online activities. Please review their friend lists, shared content, accounts, and posts they engage with, ensuring they are not inadvertently becoming a part of such activities. You can look at what accounts your child is logged into on TikTok, by having them open the app, then tapping on “profile” in the bottom right corner. Then tap on the students name at the top of their profile picture (it also was a downward triangle “⌄”). The app will then show all the accounts that your student is logged into, if any of them are a fake BMMS account please have them delete it and report to our office.
The power of social media is immense, and while it can be a tool for connecting and sharing, it can also be a platform for harm if misused. Together, we can create a safe online environment for our students, staff, and community at large.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community. Should you have any questions or need resources on responsible digital use, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school administration.
We appreciate your partnership.
Educator Wishlist Fundraising Campaign Has Begun
Have you been seeking a way to support your child’s classroom educators? Well, it is your lucky day. The Educator Wishlist Fundraising Campaign has begun and will continue until November 15th. This is an EFBMMS campaign that goes to support your child’s classroom by providing an opportunity to donate financially to t7he educator’s classroom accounts. These donations will go to supplement the educator’s classroom budgets that directly benefit the students for the current school year.
Donations to the Educators’ Wishlist go to support the following items and more;
Ink Cartridges
Classrooms Calculators
Visiting Educators (i.e. Playwright Project)
Cultural Reading Selections
Educational Technology Subscriptions
Art Supplies
Science Hands-On Learning Materials
And much more
This year the foundation has launched a new service provider to receive your donations. This will allow you to select your child's classroom educator and make a donation in $20 increments. For example, if you would like to make a $100 donation to your child's science class, you would enter 5 items which would total $5 - 20 donations totaling $100. Here is a link to the Educator Wishlist Fundraising Campaign.
This is a wonderful way for you to support your child as well as your child's classroom educator and provides the most effective learning environment for all students. We truly understand that this is a difficult time of year for many of us, however, if you can find it in your heart to dig deep your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration in supporting this wonderful campaign.
If you are interested in joining the team that creates these opportunities of support for the school and students, please consider joining the Educational Foundation at Black Mountain Middle School. We are currently seeking board members to join the organization and specifically, we are in need of a Treasurer. If you have an interest and/or any financial skills, please consider joining our team. For more information, please feel free to contact us at efbmmspresident@gmail.com
Sixth Grade Camp
Dear Sixth Grade Raider Families,
Sixth Grade Camp is ON! We are thrilled to invite all 6th graders to participate in this long-running San Diego tradition. For the week of March 4-8, 2024, all BMMS sixth graders will be off timetable, regular classes cancelled, and we will head out to spend the week in the mountains at Camp Cuyamaca Outdoor School. Students will be engaged in a highly structured program of Outdoor Education, with a focus on nature, scientific inquiry, team-building, and personal development. For generations of San Diegans, Sixth Grade Camp has been a formative experience leaving memories that last a lifetime. We had an Assembly introducing the camp to the students today, featuring Mr. Dustin Burns, a special guest from Camp Cuyamaca! Please look over these online materials as a family to learn more about the program.
Cuyamaca Outdoor School Information
All Sixth Graders received a packet of Camp information in Homeroom this week. Please ask them for it! Registration and health forms must be filled out on hard copy and returned to the Office by January, along with payment of the camp fee of $455. Payment plans and “camperships” are available, and completely confidential. Money should not be an obstacle to any child’s participation in this experience.
For those students who are not able to join the camp in March, daily participation in school-based “Campus Camp” is available as an alternative. All students must return the registration and health forms, whether they are headed to Sixth Grade Camp or staying behind.
Questions: If you and your Sixth Grader have further questions about Camp and how it works at Black Mountain Middle School, please use this form to ask us. General questions for the good of the group will be collected and addressed in a shared FAQ document. If your question is specific to your child’s individual situation, please allow one week for us to get back to you by email.
Thank you for supporting our Sixth Graders as they go out and see the world!
Naomi Shanks she/her
Assistant Principal
Black Mountain Middle School
Calendar
- Filipino American History Month
- German American Heritage Month
- Italian American Heritage Month
- LGBTQ History Month
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- National Day (China)
- National Disability Awareness Month
10.06 - 10.08 - Shemini Atzeret
10.06 - 1st Trimester Progress Report Cards Available
10.09 - 10.10 - Parent/Teacher Conference
10.11 - REGULAR LATE START WEDNESDAY, Periods 1-7, Start 9:20am
10.12 - 10.13 - Parent/Teacher Conference
10.12 - ASES Flag Football @ OVMS, 4pm
10.11 - Coming Out Day
10.12 - Dia de la Raza
10.12 - ASES Flag Football @ OVMS, 4pm
10.12 - Advanced Band @ MCHS, 5pm
10.12 - PUSD BOE, 6pm
10.13 - ASES Cross Country Meet @ Mt. SAC, 8am-8pm
10.15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month Ends
10.16 - 10.24 - Navratri
10.16 - 10.20 - Scholastic Book Fair
10.19 - ASES Flag Football
10.20 - Breakfast of Champions, 7:15am
10.20 - ASES Cross Country @ BHMS, 4pm
10.20 - ASB Dance (In the Quad)
10.23 - 10.27 - Red Ribbon Week
10.23 - ASB Spirit Day - WEAR RED
10.23 - Orchestra/Choir Concert
10.24 - Dussehra/Dassera
10.24 - Flag Football, 4pm
10.24 - ASB Spirit Day - WEAR Tie-Dye (Peace Out to Drugs)
10.24 - All Bands in MPR
10.24 - ASES Flag Football Game, 4pm
10.25 - ASB Spirit Day - Leis distributed by ASB
10.26 - National Day (Austria)
10.26 - ASB Spirit Day - WEAR A JERSEY (Team Up Against Drugs)
10.27 - ASB Spirit Day - WEAR A HAT (Hats off to good choices)
10.27 - ASES Cross Country @ MVMS, 4pm
10.28 - Ochi Day
10.30 - ASB Spirit Day - Candy Corn Day
- 6th Grade Wear Yellow
- 7th Grade Wear Orange
- 8th Grade Wear White
10.31 - ASB Spirit Day - Wear your Halloween Costume
10.31 - ASES Basketball Try-outs, 4pm
*subject to change