BHMS Principal's Update
May 11, 2020 (Remote Learning Update)
New and Important Information
Keeping Up with What is Going on at the Hill!!!
Greetings Bulldogs and Bulldog Families,
It's hard to believe that that we are almost 2 months into the Remote Learning. I want you to know I recognize how hard this is to stay motivated. We have much work to do though. I always subscribe to the notion of "Finishing the Race." Meaning, although we are almost at the finish line, don't give up...continue to accelerate through that finish line. Specifically for students when we're at school, teachers work really hard to motivate you after Spring Break, then even more so after Memorial Day. You all have come so far and we need you to finish the race. Stay strong and focused, we have just over 5 weeks of school left.
Additionally, I want to take the time (although a day late) to wish the Moms out there a Happy Mother's Day. The moms are working really hard to not only attend to their daily routines with work or service, they have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders at this time. Moms, please know how much you are valued and how much I understand how hard you are working for the family during these times and other times. You are amazing.
This newsletter has some new information to help us close out the year...Please pay attention to the new entries:
Please see the new information in this newsletter.
- 5th Grade Transition to the Middle School
- Bulldog Ambassador of Distinction Applications for 7th Graders
- Information for 8th graders
- Updated dates for Middle School Athletics and Physicals
- Expectations, Grading, and Teleconferencing in the Remote Setting.
As is often the case, I have provided a video link that summarizes the contents of the newsletter. You can view that at the following link: Principal's Video
Take Care Bulldog Families. Be safe.
Regards,
Mike D'Ostilio (Prinicpal)
Recognizing Bulldog Moms
We hope you had a great Mother's Day, despite our stay at home order. We know you are the backbone of the families, and we know many of you are juggling your own jobs, working from the home, and at the same time helping provide academic and emotional support for your children during this time. You are amazing. Thank you for all you do for the community as well as your own children.
ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS...Click the Image Below to Access Current Information Regarding 5th Grade Transition to 6th Grade
ATTENTION 7TH GRADERS!!!!
Applications Due May 22, 2020
Dear 7th Graders
I am writing to let you know that we are now accepting applications for our Bulldog Ambassadors of Distinction. This is the only activity of its type at BHMS as it is selected based on students’ high moral character, academic achievement and involvement in the school and community. Not all students who apply will be accepted. Students are scored based on their commitment to school and community activities, academic achievement, and individual awards and achievements. To make our selection process fair, we have a panel of scorers use a rubric to assess the applications. We also check students discipline records. As applicants, you are responsible to make sure you fill out the application as fully as possible. Take your time thinking about the various sections of the application so you do not submit it before you miss a section or remember another activity or achievement. The application is on a Microsoft Form. I would suggest looking at the form and typing all your answers to the questions on a separate Microsoft Word document. When you believe your application is fully complete, copy and paste your answers into the actual form and submit.
Applications are due May 22nd. We will let students know of their acceptance in the beginning of June. Please e-mail me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Ms. Kerfoot, counselor jkerfoot@wtps.org
Attention 8th Graders
Check here for frequent updates.
On May 7, we sent a letter outlining cancelled and occuring events throughout the year. We plan to conduct a digital 8th grade recognition and a separate leadership awards night. Most likely, a video will go out on or around June 18, 2020 for the 8th grade recognition and the middle school awards will be on or around June 10, 2020. Click "Cancellation of Events Letter" above to access the May 7th letter.
8th Grade End of Year Celebration
BHMS Staff and the BHMS PTO are working on a summer celebration/gathering should social distancing restrictions be relaxed. If we are permitted this event will be in Late July or August. We so want to see you before you go to the high school.
Not Attending WTHS in the fall?
If you are attending a private school for high school, please reach out to Mrs. Schilling in the counseling office at hschilling@wtps.org. She has information to share to help with that transiition.
Orchestra Members Interested in Auditioning for the High School Chamber Ensemble?
Click the above link for information from Mr. P about tryouts for the Chamber Ensemble in the high school. We've exteded the deadline to June 15, 2020. Contact Mr. P for more information.
If You Haven't Purchased a Yearbook, and Still Want to, There is Still Time!!! Click the Image Below
Athletic Teams Information...Fall Sports...TAKE NOTE OF THE ADJUSTED DEADLINES
First, if your child would like to play a fall sport (at BHMS it's just field hockey, but at the high school, there are more opportunities), you have to register/create an account with the Family ID Portal beginning May 1, 2020. The link to Family ID can be found here: Family ID
Once you do that, you should download all the physical information. As of right now, this is now changed to July 1, 2020. This timeline is vital to give all principal parties like you, your doctor, school nurse, and contracted school physician to review the physical forms. This can take weeks. Please adhere to the deadline so that it provides ample time to review the forms so your child is ready to try out /participate in school sports. The date is very important.
By Clicking on this link: Participation Information, you need to download/print all relevant "physical forms" paperwork. This includes:
- Asthma Treatment Plan
- Health History Questionnaire
- Sports Physical Form.
Keep in Mind, as of right now, Middle School Field Hockey Will Begin on August 31, 2020
For questions, please reach out to our school nurse Mrs. Keane at bkeane@wtps.org
Bulldog Families...We Need Help to Make Sure Students are Keeping Up with Their Studies
Families, we need your help. Our teachers are working hard, and families are working hard as well to keep the children motivated to do the work. Since many teachers are making themselves available through video conferencing, students need to understand that they are still "in school". This means when a teacher comes on the screen or when the teacher opens a test for a specific window of time, the students are expected to show proper readiness to learn...we've noticed students talking with their peers in the background, letting the meeting be on the computer without paying attention, playing video games during the meeting, etc. We've had some students unfortunately say they can't test or do the assignment because they are napping. To be honest it's not everyone but it's enough to be incredibly frustrating as a teacher is planning the lesson and the student isn't paying attention then asks for a redo on an assignment. It's hard in the remote setting for both parent and teachers to watch over the students as we normally can in the classroom. We understand that students can't do everything at a specific time, but we do expect that if we give enough heads up that there will either be a test or a conference that the student is ready to participate. We recognize that students are finding their way as they learn email etiquette and responsibility. Any support you can give the teachers regarding reminding students of the expectations would be awesome and very much appreciated.
Information about Taking Assessments
1. The teacher may not assign your child the test until the teacher can certify that your child is ready to take it.
2. If a child doesn't do the work leading up to a test, takes the test, and does poorly, the student may ask for a retest. However, it is likely that the teacher will not provide the retest unless the student goes back to do the supportive work or redo some missed assignments.
As a principal, I support this practice because with the two examples above, we are promoting learning and acquisition of skills or standards. We're trying to get students to focus on submitting the best work they can rather than just getting the work done.
Understandably, middle school students just want to get school done with for the day. However, if we can slow them down a little to focus on the quality of what they're submitting, rather than how fast, students will be able to maintain their high marks in school.
To be truthful, a majority of the students are really trying to put their best foot forward and are meeting expectations in a stellar Bulldog-like fashion. However, there are still a large many that may need a simple reminder to slow down and really concentrate on what they are turning in.
Thanks as always for your support. I think this is incredibly difficult on everyone, especially the parents as they are trying to navigate their own jobs while providing oversight and support to their own children. While we've grown accustomed to this, it is still incredibly difficult. Hopefully, knowing our parameters will help with conversations about this (if necessary) with your child.
Thanks again.
The Final Marking Period...Click on the Picture Below to Access Very Important Information About Marking Period 4
Recurring Items From Previous Newsletters
This link includes also information on Remote Learning Tech Support and Support with Video Conferencing Sites.
Bunker Hill Middle School: Home of the Bulldogs
Sign up for Remind Notifications
--Current Grade 5...Text @BHMS2023 to 81010
--Current Grade 6…Text @BHMS2022 to 81010 (This one is Full/Closed)
--Current Grade 6 (If you weren't able to get into BHMS2022) Text @BHMS2022a to 81010 for same information as other Grade 6 remind.
--Current Grade 7…Text @BHMS2021 to 81010
--Current Grade 8…Text @BHMS2020 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