Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
May 2018
The Force Of Learning Is Strong At BTMS
~ ~ ~
Hello Timberwolves!
This newsletter closes our academic year and brings transitions to your children’s lives. Whether your student is progressing to high school, moving into middle school, or moving from middle school grade to grade, he or she is getting older and hopefully wiser. You are gaining acceptance that he or she is thriving and growing as the unique individual that they are becoming.
The year has been very positive and the growth of your children has been a blessing to watch unfold. I recently had the opportunity to watch our band and chorus students perform for their parents; I was very proud of their musical accomplishments, but I was more amazed with the level of maturity and dedication that they showed. They started the school year knowing very little about band and music, but after weeks of practice and hard work, they achieved new goals. The hours of learning the right notes and putting them together have made beautiful music. With continued practice and support, we can all improve and achieve our personal best. This is the same with their academic growth. Each writing assignment or math homework carries over to becoming a better student and better prepared for their future years. Be it student, teacher, parent, sibling, friend, or principal, I hope that we have all improved throughout 2017-18.
We, at Banks Trail, are happy to contribute to your student’s success in school and life, to walk down this path and take this journey with you.
It is my sincerest wish that you find time to create memories with your own family, to relax over summer with your families and re-energize, have fun, and most importantly, to laugh and enjoy.
Have a fantastic summer! As always, it has been my privilege and honor to serve the Banks Trail community as principal of one of the greatest school around.
Sincerely,
Michael Pratt
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
End of the Year Dates
7th grade "This I believe" program May 22, 2018 at 1:30 PM
6th grade awards day will be on May 24, 2018 at 9:30 AM
7th grade awards days will be on May 24, 2018, at 1:00 PM
8th Grade Recognition Ceremony: The date has been set for May 25, 2018, at 9:00 AM.
PARKING: If you plan on attending any of these events, we ask that you park in the back of the school.
For 8th grade Recognition we always have more cars than we do parking spaces. If you could car pool that would be helpful. We will have student helpers assisting with parking cars. If you park along the front or back entrance roads, we will ask that you back in (not parallel park or pull in) this will allow us to park more cars and it will allow for easier exit at the conclusion of the program. If the weather is good, we may also use the outfield of the baseball field- we just ask that you do not drive on the clay infield.
MAY 25TH
Per district policy AR EF-R (Student Meal Accounts), all unpaid student meal balances will need to be cleared by the end of the school year. If parents/guardians need to make payment arrangements they may contact the Student Nutrition Department.
Padawans Of The Pack/Terrific Padawans
Each month students are chosen to be “Padawan's of the Pack” (formerly known as Leaders of the Pack) for reasons such as displaying outstanding leadership, citizenship, school service, good behavior, and performance in their classrooms and throughout the school. “Terrific Padawans” (formerly known as Terrific Timberwolves) are then selected among those chosen as Padawans of the Pack because they exemplify the characteristics found in the T.R.A.I.L. - Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
For the month of April we would like to congratulate the following Terrific Padawans:
- 6th Grade: Ragan T
6th Grade: Sadie C
7th Grade: Julie M
7th Grade: Meredith M
8th Grade: Shyann H
8th Grade: Isaiah J
Related Arts: Caroline D
Related Arts: Ally M
The April Padawans of the Pack are:
6th Grade - Reagan C
7th Grade - Evan J
8th Grade - Sydney I
Related Arts - Braylon L
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership: "The Trail" As Leaders of the Pack and Terrific Timberwolves, these students live "The Trail" everyday!
Jedi Of The Month (Formerly known as Teacher of the Month)
Mr. Gilson
Jedi Gilson serves as instructor of Social Studies and Science to the 7th grade Padawans at Banks Trail Middle School.
Jedi Gilson always has a willingness to step in and do what is best for the students. His lessons make our Padawans have to think and apply what they learn to situations. Weather he is teacher Social Studies, Science, or leading his Game club (where he actually has created social studies board games) his students are always engaged. He’s an awesome team player and willing to do whatever it takes to help the students have a successful school year!
Banks Trail is honored to have Jedi Gilson as part of our staff!
Ms. Tyler
Ms. Tyler goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues. She is a leader at BTMS. Ms. Tyler spends all of her time off helping students with extra tutoring. She is always involved in committees and extracurricular activities. Ms. Tyler is a team player as well as a role model to her students. Jedi Tyler is adored by her students.
For her dedication to the students of BTMS, it is an honor to name Jedi Tyler as Jedi of the Month.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RISING 6TH GRADE PARENTS:
BTMS SUMMER READING
- Every student at BTMS takes part in the summer reading program. Students will need to select two books from the SC Junior Book Award Nominees (2017-18) and read them over the summer. The link for the Google form will be available on the school’s webpage as soon as school is out. Students will then complete an online test by Monday, August 27 on each book.
Here is the list of the SC Junior Book Award nominees: Summer Reading 2018 for April 10 Parent Night.pdf
BTMS "PATH TO THE TRAIL"
- We are continuing our “Path to the Trail” Summer Program for rising 6th graders. Attached you will find more information and how to register for the limited amount of spaces that are available.
ATTENTION UPCOMING 7TH GRADE PARENTS
Notes From The Nurse: Attention Rising 7th Graders
To all UPCOMING seventh grade parents:
As of August 2013, ALL seventh graders are REQUIRED to get the Tdap vaccine to protect them against whooping cough. Students who have not received the Tdap vaccination may not be allowed to attend school for the upcoming school year.
Please check with your family’s physician and /or contact the local health department for more information regarding this vaccine. Remember, beat the rush and do not wait until the last minute to check on the status of your child immunizations.
If you have not submitted a current SC immunization certificate to the school, and believe your student has received the Tdap booster, please do so as soon as possible.
You will have thirty days from the first day of school to have your student in compliance or they will not be able to attend school.
If you have any questions, please call Robin Brown, BTMS school nurse at 803-578-2994.
ARCHERY CAMP
THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS THURSDAY, MAY 24TH!!
Banks Trail will be offering an Archery Camp this summer!
June 11 - 15 OR June 18 - 22
9:00 AM until 12:00 PM
BTMS Gym
Please click on the link below to see the flyer.
BANKS TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMPS
Please click on the link for information and registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i_ZNWvdlxrNwIyh2iSabT6rOQeaOvs-EwETdH92eQiE/edit
SOCCER CAMP: *TENTATIVE* JEFFLYN, CHECK W/ GARRETT ABOUT DATES!!
June 25 - 28
9 AM - 12 PM
at BTMS
$100
FOOTBALL CAMP:
July 9 - 12
5 PM - 8 PM
at BTMS
$100
TRACK & FIELD CAMP:
July 16 - 19
9 AM - 12 PM
at FMHS
$100
BASKETBALL CAMP:
July 23 - 26
5 PM - 8 PM
at BTMS
$100
VOLLEYBALL CAMP:
July 30 – August 2
8 AM – 1 PM
at BTMS
$150
7th Graders Field Trip to Charleston, SC
EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN RELATED ARTS!
ART
Congratulations to this year’s Juried Art Exhibit Award winners!
In Painting:
Honorable Mentions- Ethan S. & Jasmine C.
3rd – Nathan S.
2nd – Ethan S.
1st – Nala Uter
In Photography:
Two Honorable Mentions- Dylan B.
3rd- Emma C.
2nd – Julie M.
1st – Ty M., Nathan S., & Alex M.
In Commercial Art:
3rd – Dylan B.
2nd – Lauren L.
1st – Art Honors Sunset Backdrop
In Drawing:
Honorable Mentions- Annie L. & Erin B.
3rd – Caleb G.
2nd – Sadie M.
1st – Giada E.
In Printmaking:
Honorable Mention- Carly N.
3rd – Bryana H.
2nd – Sophia S.
1st – Sadie M.
In Ceramics & Sculpture:
Honorable Mentions- Jade P. & Lily M.
3rd – Ellie P.
2nd – Meghan B.
1st – Sadie M.
In Mixed Media, Pastels, and Digital Art:
Honorable Mentions- Mya T. & Alexandra F.
3rd – Bryana H.
2nd – Carly N.
1st – Zaraeah H.
And BEST OF SHOW goes to… Ethan S. for his mermaid painting!
Family and Consumer Science
The 8th Grade students competed in an Iron Chef competition which included two dishes per group having one special ingredient each per class. The groups were assigned a Country where they worked hard to create a themed background and find recipes representing their Country. “The talent and hard work that these students showed was truly impressive”, says Mrs. Bauer- FACS Teacher
Literacy Corner
Spotlight on Literacy
Reawakening the Love of Reading in Adolescents
Two renowned consultants on adolescent literacy, Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle, have recently published a new book about a phenomenon our ELA teachers here at BTMS are determined to fight. Many adolescents today are abandoning the regular reading of books. Middle school students can easily find distractions, including their phones and social media, to disconnect from reading books. The result is students who may enter high school and college without the reading volume necessary for success. Gallagher and Kittle advocate that students will become in engaged in reading again when we provide book club titles, or literature circle books, for our students to choose from and meet with other readers to discuss. Many of our BTMS ELA classes have been choosing and reading literature circle books or will be doing so in the coming weeks as school winds down to a close. Ask your children about the books they are reading, and consider buying a copy to read along with them. Seeing their parents as readers encourages students to value reading. Discussing great books and sharing personal connections to them helps students grow not only as readers but as confident speakers and conversationalists. An added benefit of reading and discussing books with your child is you’ll make memories of time spent together that you and your child will treasure for a lifetime.
STEAM CAREER DAY AT BTMS
Sixth grade students at Banks Trail Middle School in Fort Mill met professionals with science, technology, engineering, art and math careers. The picture shows the speakers along with students who were selected to eat lunch with them. This is the second year Banks Trail Middle Schools has hosted this STEAM Career Day for 6th grade.
IMPORTANT UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING SPORTS PHYSICALS
discounted RISING 7TH AND 8TH GRADE PHYSICALS CANCELLED!
Good Afternoon All,
I want to update and clarify the situation regarding physicals that were scheduled for rising 7th and 8th grade students at Banks Trail. Many of you have received several notices about the opportunity.
Physicals were originally scheduled for May 19th at Baxter Urgent Care, at a discounted price of $20 per physical. Last week our representative from the physician’s office contacted me stating that, due to unforeseen legalities that haven’t been presented before, they could no longer offer the discounted rate for physicals. Therefore, we sent an additional notice out regarding the changes in policy. On Saturday I received another call from the same representative, stating that we’d have to sign a contract to keep all of the physical time slots for BTMS. Needless to say, the hoops to jump through were beginning to seem endless. We hope that next year the physicals for rising 7th and 8th grade students will be confirmed via a signed contract with our schools. However, until that occurs, we will cancel the sign-up genius and families can get their 2018-29 physicals at their convenience. At $40 per physical, most would not be saving money on their physicals, as was the intent for our athletes.
It has been a stressful process. We tried several strategies to accommodate the physicals to support our student athletes and their families. However, we feel that it’s best to pass on the offer this year due to the aforementioned rationale.
I apologize for the multiple newsletters sent and any confusion it may have caused. Again, we will work to eliminate any issues going forward but the sign-up genius and THE PHYSICAL DISCOUNT OFFERED AT BAXTER URGENT CARE ON MAY 19TH IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
We appreciate your support and flexibility.
Go Wolves!
Mr. Garrett Edwards
Athletic Director
8th Social Studies: B-119
Banks Trail Middle School
Fort Mill, South Carolina
PTO UPDATE
Dear Current and Future Banks Trail families,
Please find below the proposed slate of officers for the 2018-2019 BTMS PTO. These individuals were nominated for one or more positions, then selected by a nominating committee composed of administration, staff, SIC, and PTO members.
VP Fundraising – Baker Stout
Co-VP Hospitality – Genevieve Smith and Torie Combs
VP Special Events – Carrie Seekings
Secretary – Jennifer Brindisi
Co- Treasurers – Sara McCart and Andrew Markners
Thank you to everyone for your help this year – it’s been a great year at the Trail!
With many thanks,
Your BTMS PTO
Upcoming Events
5/22 "This I Believe" Program
5/23 BTMS Chorus performs at Knights Stadium
5/24 6th Grade Awards (9:30 AM)
7th Grade Awards (1:00 PM)
5/25 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony (9:00 AM)
Together, Building A Tradition of Excellence
Banks Trail Middle School
Email: costs@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 1640 Banks Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-578-2990
Twitter: @BTMStimberwolf