BMS Newsletter
"Quality Learning and Positive Personal Development for All"
Hello and Welcome To The Second Semester Of The School Year
January 28th marked the beginning of the second semester (third term) of the school year. As we begin the semester, we look ahead to changes, including the district-wide move to the new hybrid schedule which will be in place for the remainder of the year.
We'd like to recommend that families and students set aside a few minutes each week to
review grades & assignments posted to Schoology. If students or parents have questions
about what they see, they are encouraged to reach out to teachers via email or phone call.
Up-Dates
- February 8-11 School Counselors Week
- Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - Asynchronous Day for Students <> Teachers will be using this day to prepare for teaching in the hybrid model.
- Monday, February 15, 2021 - Presidents' Day (schools & offices closed)
- Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - Face to face students beginning to arrive at 7:30 AM. Instruction begins for all cohorts at 8 AM and dismissal for face to face students will begin at 1 PM.
- Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - Cohort A & Virtual Learners Picture Day (See Yearbook info below)
- Friday, February 26, 2021 - Cohort B & Virtual Learners Picture Day (See Yearbook info below)
- Monday, March 1, 2021 - 2hr Early Dismissal/Midterm
- Thursday. March 11, 2021 - Interims Issued
School Counseling Week 2/8-2/12
Please join us in wishing Ms. Mahn, Dr. Akagi, and Ms. Hines a Happy School Counseling Week! We are lucky to have such a great group of people working in that office. They work tirelessly for students, staff, and our community in supporting our physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Thanks for all you do!
Black/African American History Month
During the month of February, we celebrate and recognize Black/African American History Month. FCPS is dedicated to fostering an environment that is welcoming and affirming for all students. Black/African American History Month affords us an opportunity to make visible our commitment to a high quality and inclusive education for all students.
Are you wondering what it will be like when students return to BMS?
Maybe you have questions about:
Arrival and Dismissal
Bus Information
Student Schedules
Maps
Guidance on Face Masks
Transitions and Movement
Classroom Materials
Bathroom and Water Fountains
Lunch and Recess
Health Room Procedures
Tours
If you missed the presentation during our Hybrid Orientation Night, you can also find a recording on the site.
Please note that we will continue to make updates as changes arise. We hope that it's informative and helps to prepare you for the transition to the hybrid model. Please click the link below .
Student Health
The health and safety of our students and staff is has been and will continue to be at the forefront of what we do at BMS. Once face to face instruction begins we ask that you PLEASE keep students home if they are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone with COVID like symptoms. They can participate via distance learning as they are physically able.
If students at school present any COVID-like symptoms:
- Students will be isolated immediately.
- Parents will be called for immediate pick up.
- A contact tracing list will be established, and any student/staff considered a close contact will be notified and required to follow all quarantine protocols.
- Specific letters will be emailed to parents of students who were identified as a close contact of a person with COVID-19
- No mass emails will be sent regarding contact with a student/staff with Covid-19 like symptoms.
- Parents may check the FCPS health metrics dashboard, which will allow the public to track COVID-19 cases by school (student or staff), County, or state. The dashboard can be viewed at https://www.fcps.org/update/dashboard.
Masks / Facial Coverings
MASKS ARE MANDATORY for everyone. Staff, students and any visitor to BMS are expected to wear face coverings while in the school building, on school grounds, and on the school bus. The exception is if students are seated and eating or getting a drink of water from their own personalized water bottle. During outdoor activities students can remove masks, as long as they are more than 6 feet away from one another.
Masks are to be provided by the family and a back-up is recommended. Additional masks will be available if students forget to bring one or if their mask becomes unusable. Masks must be worn before entering the school. If a student chooses to wear a gaiter, it must be double layered. A single-layer gaiter is no longer permitted according to CDC Guidelines and FCPS Policy.
FCPS Progressive Discipline for mask non-compliance may result in a return to full virtual learning.
Out of District Application Window Opens
Out of District applications will be accepted beginning January 2, 2021. Please print out the attached form, complete it, sign it and either email, preferably in PDF format, to outofdistrict@fcps.org, fax it to 240-236-2480 or mail it to Department of Student Services, Orchard Grove Elementary School, 5898 Hannover Drive, Frederick, MD 21703
Applications without a signature will not be processed and the form will be returned to the parent for a signature. The deadline to apply for Out of District status is March 1, 2021.
Out of District Form - English (https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=14071)
Out of District Form - Spanish (https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=14072)
Yearbooks
Railroader Nation, you will be pleased to know that we will in fact have a yearbook this year. There is much to be done but we are confident that we will have a fantastic yearbook like we have had in the past. This is not a normal year and many of our events that occur at the beginning of the year will now be consolidated in order for us to make our deadlines. In addition some of our procedures have been adapted to meet the changing times.
If you are interested in one of our fantastic yearbooks you must order it online. The online ordering process is now open. Please use this link: www.yearbookordercenter.com and the BMS code is 29301. Similar to last year, we are offering two options: soft cover books are $30 and hardcover books are $35. This price includes a digital name imprint for every yearbook. Your child’s given name is the default for the imprint, and you will have the option to change it during the ordering process. All orders must be placed by April 25th to guarantee a copy of the yearbook. Please do not wait to order as we will only have a small amount of books to sell when they arrive. Any extra yearbooks that we receive will be on a first come, first serve basis. We anticipate the arrival of our yearbooks and distribution to be before students leave school in June.
Portrait Information - School Portraits will be taken February 23rd and 26th during the school day by Lifetouch. This allows students in Cohort A & B the opportunity to have their picture taken. Students remaining virtual can schedule a time to come in from 1:30 - 3:30 pm on either day for a school portrait. Using the BMS Yearbook Hub go to the “portrait information” tab and sign-up for a time slot. Additionally, you may choose to send in a picture of your child if having a school portrait taken at school is not an option for your family at this time. Directions for how to do this are also on the BMS yearbook Hub under the “portrait information” tab.
8th Grade ONLY - There will be a section in the yearbook for 8th grade baby pictures/optional message to your 8th grader. Participation in this special opportunity is voluntary and will make the yearbook extra memorable for your child.
Please note:
Your child’s given name will be listed in the yearbook. If you have a preferred name for your child we ask that you make that request on the BMS Yearbook Hub (Name Change Request).
Again we are very excited to get the opportunity to produce another great yearbook and look forward to seeing lots of photos from you to include in this year's edition.
Thank you,
Ms. Clark & Ms. Innocenti
(Yearbook Advisors)
National Pre-Engineering Program - Project Lead The Way, PLTW (Out of District)
PLTW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program’ s courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. This 5-course completed program is not only honors, but students can earn college credit as well.
The PLTW program is open to all Linganore students. If you are Out-of-District, you can apply to be in the program and come to Linganore High School. To apply, go to the Linganore webpage https://education.fcps.org/lhs/ and go to Lancer Quick Links. Select the link PLTW/Out of District Application and complete the application. We are accepting forms until February 15th.
You can visit PLTW.org to find out more about the Engineering Program or you can contact one of the PLTW teachers at Linganore HS, Mr. Lastova or Mr. Greene.
Technical Support
Free Meals
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is serving breakfasts, lunches and suppers to go at 22 sites throughout Frederick County. Participants must be age 18 or under unless they are adults enrolled in an educational program for persons with disabilities. They do not have to live in Frederick County, be FCPS students or be registered to attend the schools serving meals. They do not have to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. From all locations and at all mealtimes, children’s meals are “to go.”
Attendance
BMS Counseling Department
- Kelly Mahn-6th grade & 7th grade (A-K)/Kelly.Mahn@fcps.org 240-236-5364
- Dr. Christine Akagi- 8th grade & 7th grade (L-Z)/ Christine.Akagi@fcps.org 240-236-5403
- Christina Faron- Registrar/ Christina.Faron@fcps.org 240-236-5362
- Lauren Haines Behavioral Support Specialist/Lauren.Haines@fcps.org 240-236-5363
Community Service
We've had many inquiries from students about available community service opportunities. If you participate in or know of an organization who is accepting volunteers of middle school age, please send details about the opportunity to Dr. Akagi at christine.akagi@fcps.org.
FCPS Academy for the Fine Arts
The Academy for the Fine Arts will be hosting a virtual open house for parents and students on Thursday February 11th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. During this time, attendees will hear from AFA staff and students, and will be given information on structure, courses, and the application process.
To register for this event, please use this form: https://forms.gle/Ri8boUyY49He4LBX9
The Academy for the Fine Arts is a college and career pathway program for FCPS students in grades 10-12 offering focus areas in art, dance, music, and theatre. The AFA is housed in Governor Thomas Johnson High School and meets the first half of each school day. Transportation is provided to and from TJ High so that students can attend afternoon classes at their home high school.
For more information about the AFA, please visit our website or check out this short promotional video: https://youtu.be/MXNK4Gt0Erw
Life After Middle School: Planning for the Future
8th Grade Parents and Students
We encourage you to view the virtual:
Life After Middle School: Planning for the Future
https://www.wevideo.com/view/1979448692
Learn about opportunities available in high school and beyond.
Hear representatives speak about:
*FCPS High School Graduation Requirements and Special Programs
*Career & Technology Center Opportunities
*Career & Technical Education Options
*Frederick County Virtual School
*Dual Enrollment
*Community College and Four-Year College Options
Maryland School Safety Group
Middle and High School Students Encouraged to Apply for Maryland School Safety Group
The Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) has released its
Student Focus Group Application
Promoting school safety requires collaboration between, listening to, and learning from diverse perspectives - and the efforts, voices, and viewpoints of students may be the most important of all when it comes to any discussion focused on school safety.
With this in mind, the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) has released its application for the 2021-2022 Student Focus Group (SFG). Maryland middle and high school students interested in creating positive safety-related change in schools across the state are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. New in 2021, MCSS has the goal of growing the group to include representatives for each Maryland county.
“From developing innovative new ways to promote our Safe Schools Maryland anonymous reporting system to improving our website content and overall outreach efforts, SFG members’ suggestions are extremely important to us.” said MCSS Communications and Media Specialist Emily Allen Lucht. “Student perspectives are critical because at the end of the day, Maryland’s schools exist for students – and we want to do all we can to ensure their safety – with their input.” SFG members are regularly able to convey their priorities to the MCSS Advisory Board, which in turn provides recommendations that guide the work of MCSS.
Becoming an SFG member brings with it the opportunity to
- learn more about the diversity of current school and student safety-related issues around the state and around the country
- develop government relations and leadership skills
- gain exposure to the inner workings of important state agencies and boards.
In its inaugural year, members of the SFG attended presentations and provided feedback to presenters who explored topics such as mental health, suicide prevention, the role of the School Resource Officer, cyberbullying laws, and other school safety topics and issues SFG members deemed important. SFG members also created school safety content and participated in Instagram Live conversations, which were shared on MCSS’s social media channels.
Those selected to join this important group will be appointed for a one-year term commencing June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022, and current members are invited to reapply for membership through twelfth grade.
Students are encouraged to apply if they are interested in becoming an active member of a group that is seeking energized and enthusiastic students who are ready to spend no fewer than ten hours each month on group activities and initiatives, though that number could be even higher depending on the exact responsibilities taken on by or assigned to a specific member.
Do you know students who would be a great fit for this influential group full of budding leaders? Encourage them to apply using the link below! Please share this information widely.
-The Maryland Center for School Safety Team
410-281-2335 • schoolsafety.maryland.gov • school.safety@maryland.gov
Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line: 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233)
Extended Learning Opportunity
Extended Learning Opportunity
What?
In order to support students and families during distance learning, Brunswick Middle School is providing free, virtual tutoring sessions during weekday evenings. These sessions are made available by our staff for all students to ask assignment questions and receive content support in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.
When?
Sessions occur in the evening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. (No ELO during Thanksgiving break, winter break, holidays, etc)
Tuesday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Wednesday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Thursday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Students can spend as much or as little time in ELO as they need. Students are not asked to come for the full two hours of ELO but if they need to, they are certainly welcome.
How can I access?
Use Google Meet Code: bmsmorehelp
A Google Meet link is posted in each teacher's Resource folder in Schoology for students to access. Students must use their FCPS accounts to access ELO.
Once in the meeting, someone will ask you what kind of help you need. Based on what you need help with, they will send you with a tutor to work with you one on one. If you need help in more than one subject, just go back to the main meeting and you will be directed to another tutor.
Supporting Families with PBIS at Home
Ms. French- Math Specialist
As we prepare for the return of students to our building, the Math Team is working hard to plan for concurrent instruction in our math classrooms. One important note for your math student in hybrid learning is that students will be asked to keep all GoMath workbooks at home. This guidance may change as we get further into the hybrid learning experience, but for now please have your student keep these math materials at home. Students should bring in only the materials identified on our BMS Hybrid Guide.
Thank you for all of the January Monthly Math Problem Entries! The answer to last month’s problems was 110. We had a lot of entries and quite a few correct answers - nice work BMS! For this month’s family math problem, it’s a Valentine’s themed riddle! See if you can solve it, and don’t forget your order of operations! View it here and start the math conversations!!! If you would like to submit your answer, you can do so here, the answer will be in next month’s newsletter!
As always, please never hesitate to reach out to Mrs. French (erica.french@fcps.org) with any questions you have about math at Brunswick Middle School!
Ms. McFadden Media
World Language students are currently working on a Roman God or Goddess research project. The students were able to choose the God/ Goddess of their choice based on their interests. We are looking forward to sharing creative research presentations!
Don’t know what to read? Fill out my reading prescription and I will try to find the right book for you!
Book Returns:
BMS Families and readers! As we head in to hybrid learning, if you come across any FCPS library books on your shelves, in your cars, under your beds, ect..please plan to return them as soon as possible! We have 460 BMS library books still out with students. If you can finish reading those and bring them back in the new year, so they will be available for others to access. Replacing those overdue books would take up my whole budget for the year, which means I wouldn’t be able to get any of the awesome new books that are being published! Let’s be good stewards of our book resources and get those back to the school, please!
Do you have books from last year that you need to return? I will set a box out at BMS for book returns during school hours. You can return a book for ANY FCPS school and I will make sure it gets back to where it belongs! Here are some great reasons to return FCPS books:
You are tired of keeping track of a book from last year!
Someone else might want to check that book out!
Don't know if there are any books still on your account from last year? Log in to LS2 today to find out!
Returned books will be quarantined per the ALA guidelines for seven days. And don’t worry, there are no fines for late books! I will just be glad to have them back so others can check them out!
Here’s a video to explain how to log in to LS2 to look at your account and to place a hold.
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQDozJaUO
Brainbreak:
Looking for other literary extension activities? Try my Reading Roundup Game Card.
Ms. Mossburg- Advanced Academic Specialist
Do Any of These Questions Sound Familiar?
“How can she be so smart and forget to turn in her schoolwork?”
“His homework is always correct, but it takes him forever to get started!”
“Her work is excellent, but I don’t know how she can find it in that mess of a desk!”
Read the articles below for tips and strategies to help your student.
Gifted Learners and Executive Functioning
Tips For Parents: Executive Functioning at Home and School
Is Executive Functioning the Missing Link for Many Gifted Students?
Book Study Group
We continue to meet every Monday at 1:00. Everyone is welcome to join at bmsreadsmossburg. Hope to see you soon!
Morning Show
I’d like to give a shout out to those students who give up their time to plan and record the morning show every week. We are currently planning how to adjust the morning show when students return to the building. If you have any great ideas or want to join, email amy.mossburg@fcps.org.
GEMS at HOOD College, sponsored by Army Educational Outreach Program
from the website: https://www.usaeop.com/program/frederick/
“Courses are 4 days long and take place in beautiful Frederick, MD at Hood College. Students accepted into the program work with young aspiring scientists and engineers called Near-Peer Mentors to complete various engineering challenges and hands on laboratory experiments that are designed to further a students’ understanding of STEM concepts. While at GEMS students also learn about STEM careers that are available to them and pathways they can take to achieve their desired future aspirations. Students navigate a curriculum that local Fort Detrick education specialists and researchers developed just for your student.”
Student Applications window: March 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021
Stay tuned to the website (linked above) for application details. There is a teacher recommendation component. Please email amy.mossburg@fcps.org. if you need help with this process.
Ms. Zimmerman-Literacy Specialist
Welcome to Term 3! As we adjust to our new schedule and begin to welcome students back into the building, our focus will be on comparing/contrasting how the theme is developed in two texts.
Also, consider being a part of World Read Aloud Day on February 3rd. Grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud! Check out additional information here to grab some ideas and free resources!
As always, please continue to check on the progress your student is making in Language Arts and let us know if you have any questions! Please reach out and let me know how I can help at katie.zimmerman@fcps.org.
Language Arts
Ms. Baughman
Students are starting Cycle Three. We are back to reading fictional texts. Students will be comparing and contrasting fictional writing. They will be focusing on analyzing the themes of poems. We will also be reviewing figurative language. Please check grades often in Schoology, and reach out with any concerns. Unless I have a meeting, I offer tutoring Monday/Thursday 1:00-1:55 and 2:00-2:55, Tuesday 2:00-2:55, and Friday 1:00-1:55. The code is baughmantutor. I also tutor on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5-7. The code is bmsmorehelp.
Ms. Givens
Term 3 focuses on the WWII time period. Students will start by building their background knowledge on the events that lead up to WWII and The Holocaust. Readings will be informational texts such as news articles and essays. Possible novels for February are Night, by Elie Wiesel and Refugee. Students will also have the opportunity to read excerpts of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Ms. Mills
Students are working on reading literary texts. They will identify and interpret figurative language, analyze the literary devices used by the authors, and determine the theme of several texts (ie songs, poems, and stories). Students will also compare and contrast how similar themes are conveyed by different authors, examine how a particular part of the text contributes to the theme, and use text evidence and reasoning to explain those ideas. These reading skills will then be applied in their informative/explanatory essay writing. Additionally, students will begin reading toward their Term 3 book log goal.
Ms. Remsburg
Classes will be returning to fiction standards for term 3. The end goal is for students to be able to write a compare and contrast essay explaining the way theme is developed in 2 or more texts. We will be focused on the poetry of Langston Hughes (author study) in grade 8, while Grade 7 will focus on metaphorical poetry.
Ms. Rogowsky
Classes have been using texts about Frederick Douglass's life and legacy to determine central idea, recognize chronological order and learn new academic vocabulary.
Ms. Spence
We will begin reading fiction text and compare and contrast how the characters' responses reveal the theme and central idea of the text.
Students will revisit analytical writing for the upcoming term by comparing and contrasting how the author's convey the themes of the texts through the character's actions. As always, students will use evidence from the text to support their responses.
Please continue checking your child’s grades and emailing if you have any questions.
Math
Math Workshop Classes
Ms. Botker
The Math Workshop classes continue to work on standards that are being taught and assignments that are being given in the students' grade level math classes. In 6th grade, students are working with absolute value, 7th graders are working with percents, and 8th graders are beginning their unit on functions.
Ms. Cummings
6th grade Math
Students are currently working through Unit 3. For the remainder of this unit we will cover the following skills: absolute value of rational numbers on a number line and in real-world scenarios, plotting points in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane, and finding the distance between two points on a number line or coordinate plane.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept:
- Absolute Value:
- pages 19 - 22
- Graphing on the Coordinate Plane:
- pages 331 - 335
- Graphing in all Four Quadrants:
- pages 401 - 405
7th grade Math
Students are wrapping up Unit 4 and will be working through Unit 5 over the next month. In this 25 day unit we will be focusing on the following skills: apply properties of operations to expand and simplify expressions, rewriting expressions in many forms, and solving multi-step real world problems with fractions, decimals and percents by applying properties of operations and rational numbers.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept:
- Applying Properties to Expressions:
- pages 173 - 178B
- Rewriting Expressions:
- pages 147 - 150, 173 - 176
- Multi-Step Real World Problems:
- pages 26-28, 50-52, 95-98, 153-156
Ms. Hargett
6th Grade:
Welcome to 3rd Quarter! Students have worked hard during the first half of the school year and I am proud of the progress they have made. I look forward to "meeting" many of them in person when hybrid learning begins.
We will begin the 3rd term with identifying ordered pairs and work up to graphing in all quadrants of a coordinate plane as well as graphing integers on a number line.
7th Grade:
Welcome to 3rd Quarter! Students have worked hard during the first half of the school year and I am proud of the progress they have made. I look forward to "meeting" many of them in person when hybrid learning begins.
We have just finished up Unit 3: Ratios and Proportional Relationships – Percent Problems. Students will move on to Unit 4 - The Number System - Real Life all 4 operations. They will begin with converting rational number to a decimal using long division. They will then solve real-world math problems using all operations.
Mr. Livingston
In February, 7th grade math classes will begin examining algebraic expressions and learn how to rewrite them using rules and properties for simplifying expressions. This leads into solving real-world problems using those skills. The 7th grade accelerated class will begin the unit of proportional reasoning and percent problems. Ratios, rates, unit rates, and rates of changes will be determined from multiple representations.
Mr. Miller
Students in 8th grade Math Class are working in Unit 3. We will continue to explore functions as a rule that describe the relationship between input and output. We are learning to represent these functions as data points in a table and graphing them as ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. At the end of this unit students will be able to explain why the equation y=mx+b represents a linear function and interpret the slope and y-intercept in relation to the function.
Ms. Schmidt
8th Grade Math Classes: Students have been working on standards 8.F.A.1(Input/output relations with linear equations) and 8.F.A.3(Function/Not a Function). Students understand that a function is a rule that assigns to each input exactly one corresponding output. Students will begin the last section of these standards by describing functions and will be completing a summative the first week of February.
Algebra Classes: Students have been working on Features of Linear Functions. They have created tables with x (independent) and y(dependent) variables to graph linear functions. They can describe a function as continuous or discrete, rate of change (slope), and comparing rates of change. They can also graph and shade on a coordinate plane a linear inequality. Students are currently working on a Math Task called Diaper Dilemma. It is currently due February 4th. They have the option to work singly, partners or small group.
Stock Market Game: Teams are forming. Currently we have been learning the rules, the vocabulary, investigating companies, determining where to start buying stocks. The game goes LIVE on February 1st. The game lasts 10 weeks. Students have $100,000 to spend. Teams will be competing against the 8 Northern Counties of Maryland. If interested please contact Ms. Schmidt at kim.schmidt@fcps.org or Mrs. McFadden at heather.mcfadden@fcps.org. The more the merrier!
Science
Ms. Clark & Ms. Gomez
6th grade science students are have started a new unit - Weather and Climate! Students are very excited to learn about how meterologists predict the weather and how we can mitigate the effects of natural hazards. We have started our unit looking at descriptions of weather and climate focusing on how they are different. This will expand from observing weather in our area and climate across the country to a more global outlook.
Mr. Jackson
In Science 7, we completed our our study of electric and magnetic potential energy and our study of electricity and magnetism. Students described the strength of magnetic fields and described the force between charged particles using Coulomb's Law. As we move into Term 3, we will begin our study of Chemistry. In February, we will study the structure of the atom and how atoms a combine to form molecules. We will conclude the month by exploring the properties of matter.
Ms. Thrasher
Student's in 8th grade science are starting their unit on Interactions of the Solar System. We will be covering MS-ESS1-3; Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. Students will organize given data on solar system objects (e.g., surface features, object layers, orbital radii) from various Earth- and space-based instruments to allow for analysis and interpretation (e.g., transforming tabular data into pictures, diagrams, graphs, or physical models that illustrate changes in scale). b Students describe* that different representations illustrate different characteristics of objects in the solar system, including differences in scale.
Ms. Vangrootenbruel
Seventh Grade: As the new year launched the students in seventh grade were launching skatebarders down ramps and defying gravity in loop de loops they had designed. As a first taste of physics students were given virtual experiences in types of energy and how to use the mathematical equation for kinetic energy.
Eighth Grade - Genetics has turned on a spark in some of the eighth graders. Many have been surprised what is involved in just one DNA. It is the most miniscule where we find the origins of self. The “half- way to high schoolers” have become proficient in dominant and recessive traits, coding a complementary sequence, mutations, and the use of Punnett squares.
Next, we will launch into space to discover the miniscule as well as the enormous..
Social Studies
Mr. Hawk, Ms. Rousseau, and Mr. Hines - 8th Grade Social Studies
8th grade American Studies classes are in the process of completing their unit on the New Republic. The curriculum within this unit takes an in-depth look at the first five presidential administrations (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe). From here students will begin looking at Manifest Destiny and how our young nation began to grow and expand westward. We will also analyze how the United States in the 1800’s was socially, economically, and politically impacted by a number of important historical events, inventions, and innovations.
Mr. Hines and Ms. Gomez - 7th Grade Social Studies
7th Grade history classes are learning about Asia during the middle ages. This unit focuses on the Medieval Asian world. Students will take an in-depth look at the Tang, Song, Mongol, and Ming dynasties in China. They will also analyze the impact that trade, commerce, discoveries, inventions, and culture had on China and neighboring groups. The Imperial Japan portion of this unit includes the influence that other cultures had on Japan, the golden age of Japan, the rise of the Warrior class, and their impact on culture.
Ms. Innocenti and Rousseau - 6th Grade Social Studies
The 6th grade is wrapping up the Ancient India Unit and will be starting Ancient China. The unit explores the early settlement and dynasties of China. The three Chinese philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism, and their impact on culture in Ancient China are discussed. The Han Dynasty is focused on as well as the Silk Road and the contributions of Ancient China to the world.
Physical Education (PE)
Ms. Bures
With the start of term 3 we will be back in PE. Once students return to the building we will focus on the fitness test as well as going outside as much as we can. There will be no changing in the locker rooms so please make sure to wear appropriate shoes and clothing that you can perform physical activities in for both inside and outside. PE will look a little different but we will still get to play activities!
Ms. Caudell
"In the beginning of term 3, we will be transitioning to Health. We will begin with the "Dimensions of Wellness" to see which aspects of our lives are impacted by our healthy or unhealthy behaviors. Remember to start using the HEALTH course in Schoology and the new health code located in the "announcements" section of your course! I can't wait to meet some of you in February!"
Mr. Dinterman
To begin term 3 all classes will return to PE for the remainder of the year. Please make sure that all students go back and access the PE Schoology page and begin to use the PE google meet code again. At the beginning of term 3 we will look back at our fitness goals students set during term 1. Students will reset those goals if needed and then complete several fitness tests. Students will also plan out their own fitness program using the FITT principle to achieve their goals by the end of the school year.
Mr. Hartman
Classes will be preparing for Health starting in Term 3. This will cover a wide variety of topics for all grade levels, and any parents who have questions regarding the material taught can contact me directly for further information. If a parent/guardian would like to have their student opt-out of the Family Life portion of Health, you can find those opt out Google Forms on the Schoology Homepage in the "Resources" folder.
Special Education
Electives and Exploratories
Theatre Arts & Chorus Ms. Cicmanec
Chorus
Chorus students have been exploring songs from the musical Hamilton. We spent time learning about the history of Alexander Hamilton and other founding fathers of our nation. The students have been listening to different Hamilton songs and have made critical thinking and writing decisions about the different genres of music that are a part of Hamilton.
The students were also able to choose their favorite song from Hamilton to rehearse and perform on Flipgrid.
Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts classes completed their first class show! I was very proud of their performances. We are looking forward to starting a new show in March!
Currently, students are researching black theatre artists in honor of Black History Month. Students have the choice to research a director, actor, stage manager, designer, or choreographer. Students will be researching their individual contributions and creatively presenting their research to the class.
World Language Ms. Cicmanec
World Language students are currently working on a Roman God or Goddess research project. The students were able to choose the God/ Goddess of their choice based on their interests. We are looking forward to sharing creative research presentations!
Food Science & Lab 21 Ms. Crider
Lab 21 class is finishing up the Amuse Me design challenge unit. Students are working on their final presentations to persuade "investors" to fund their created amusement or theme park ideas. This unit will end our Term 2 and fall semester for Lab 21 class. For the spring semester will be starting our Food Science class. Food Science class will cover units in Tech in
Marketing , Kitchen Tools & Safety, and Food Systems and more.
Food Science classes are finishing up their Food Systems unit. Students are working on assignments which explore aspects of growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, marketing, consumption and disposal of food and food related items. This unit will end our Term 2 and fall semester for Food Science classes. For the spring semester we will be starting our Lab 21 classes. Lab 21 stands for learn, apply, build for the 21st century and is a technology based course. The units we will cover include Mindset, Computational Thinking, Design Challenge, Technology/ Research and more.
Spanish 1 & 2 Ms. Grieg
Spanish 1 students are now about half way through Unit 2 and able to talk about school, classes, and class times. They have learned numbers up to 100 and have just begun to learn about conjugating verbs. We started with the verb ‘tener’ (to have) and have been practicing using the conjugations with numbers to say what time different students have each class.
Spanish 2 students are also about half way through Unit 2. They have been learning to talk about different sporting events and competitions. They have recently begun learning how to conjugate ER/IR verbs in the past tense. At this point in the year, we have already gone through several grammar concepts and I am very proud of how hard they have worked to understand and apply these concepts.
As I have said before, I am so proud of all of my students! Virtual learning has its challenges but we have worked hard to find the positive in everything that we do. I am looking forward to moving forward with this school year, whether it be virtual or face-to-face!
Food Science & Lab 21 Ms. Harne
We are switching from Food Science to Lab21 and we are focusing on how to have a growth mindset. I am excited for some of our upcoming projects and I can't wait for the students to dive in and get creative. Food science last semester was a lot of fun. During the second term, we started doing some food labs to apply what we learned at the beginning of the year. We made ice cream, butter, scrambled eggs, yogurt parfaits, and s'mores sundaes. Here are some pictures of the student’s creations.
Technology Expo. & Pre Engineering & Comp Science Mr. Kenderdine
Pre-Engineering - Our students will be examining Bridges. How bridges work, what makes them fail and why? The different types of Bridges and where you might find them. And the students will be building their own bridges.
Computer Science and Investigation - In this unit, students build on their coding experience as they create programmatic images, animations, interactive art, and games. Starting off with simple, primitive shapes and building up to more sophisticated sprite-based games, students become familiar with the programming concepts and the design process computer scientists use daily. They then learn how these simpler constructs can be combined to create more complex programs. In the final project, students develop a personalized, interactive program. Along the way, they practice design, testing, and iteration, as they come to see that failure and debugging are an expected and valuable part of the programming process.
Tech Expo - We will be looking at Simple machines and how these machines help us in everyday life. From simple ramps to cars. We will be exploring the concepts and ideas behind how these machines were developed.
Music Mr. Player
Our Music Performance Lab (MPL), students have been learning guitar during term 2. Students have already learned to play notes on the "E", "B", and "G" strings. We will continue to learn guitar term 3, learning how to play notes on the strings, and be progressing to guitar chords in the future.
The Orchestra class has been learning, practicing, and preparing a piece of music. We will continue to prepare that piece of music, and to get it "performance" ready. We will be getting new music soon to start learning, and will also start learning a few new cloud based programs utilizing notation (writing music online), sight-reading, and practicing our skills in sight-reading.
In 6th grade band, the band students have been learning and preparing a solo piece. They will soon be learning new notes and rhythms on their instruments.
In 7th grade band, the band is near the end of the band method book, Standards of Excellence, Book 1 (the red book). The 7th grade band students will need to get a new method book, the Standards of Excellence Book 2 (the blue book for their instrument) for their instrument before March. If they already have the book 2 Standards or Excellence band book for their instrument, there is no need to purchase another one.
The 8th grade band has been learning about new time signatures and new key signatures recently. We will continue to practice in the new time signature of six-eight, and learn how to play more complex rhythms incorporating sixteenth notes in the next few weeks.
All of my music classes will be learning the program called "Flat", which is a notation program accessible from the cloud. It is a user friendly way for students to start to learn to compose music.
I & I & Lab 21 & Food Science & Creative Arts Mr. Powell
Lab21 - Lab 21 (Learn Apply Build 21st century skills) is a class where students will be exploring different characteristics that employers are looking for in the 21st century. Our first unit will begin to explore parts of the brain and how we learn. This unit will also explore the concept of growth verse fixed mindset and the power of "yet". Students will take all of the information that they learn on these topics and create an infographic to demonstrate their understanding of these concepts.
Creative Arts - The first unit of Creative Arts, we explore the definition of culture and what characteristics make up someone's culture. We will be exploring this concepts in detail before students make a collage of their culture. We will then begin to explore some of the different aspects of West African culture that include dance, theater, music, and mask making.
Invention and Innovation - Students will begin to explore the impacts of technology in a variety of different categories that include medicine, environment, construction, and a variety of other topics. They will investigate how technologies have both positive and negative aspects to human life. The will begin to explore what technologies may be developed in both the near future and distance future.
Visual Arts Ms. Shrestha
Students have been mastering an age-old-yet timeless-staple of the visual arts world: the still life! Considered one of the most challenging art forms to complete, a still life asks the artist to draw from direct observation using inanimate objects as their subjects. The objects must be drawn to scale, be proportional to each other and yet still fit on the page. Students were additionally asked to show surface texture and create the illusion of 3-Dimensional form by adding value. That's no easy task, but our talented BMS artists were more than up to the challenge! Here's a sample of how our BMS art students mastered this challenging genre:
Student Artist: Armin Rahman
Grade: 8th
Life Skills Ms. Tomb
Life skills 7th and 8th grade are working on Personal finances unit. They are finishing with the budgeting topic and they will start with how to manage credit in the next topic.
Ongoing Announcements
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Need Help?
Need Help?
- Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464
- To get help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
- Crisis Services: Dial 211
- To get help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
- Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
- To report threats or situations that put your safety, or others’ safety, at risk.
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- To get help if you are thinking about suicide.
Community Resources
Food and Meal Assistance
Frederick Rescue Mission ( 419 South Street)
Food Distribution
- Tues, Wed, and Fri 1:30-3:30 pm & Thurs 5:00-7:00 pm.
- Breakfast... Mon-Sunday 7:00-8:00 am
- Lunch...Mon-Sat 12:00-1:30 & Sundays 1:00-2:00.
Frederick Community Action Agency's (14 E. All Saints Street)
- Food Bank hours are Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 2:00-4:00 pm. T
- Soup Kitchen is having DINNER CARRY OUT from 5:30-6:30.
Mental Health Resources
Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Services
Virtual Walk-in Behavioral Health Services (crisis support)
- Click on the link to schedule a virtual appointment : https://fcmha.org/coronavirus
- Phone 211 or 301-663-0011
Substance Abuse -All ages
- https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/131/Behavioral-Health-Services
- Phone 301-600-1755
Income and Housing
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
- Phone 240-446-9649. This number is different from their general number of 301-631-2670.
- info@shipfrederick.com
- 240-415-8971
- 301-662-2311
American Red Cross
- 301-739-0117
Frederick Police Offer Run Away Child Prevention Resources for Parents
Reliable Resources
Frederick County Health Department
Maryland Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Governor's COVID-19 Pandemic: Orders and Guidance
Brunswick Middle School
Website: https://education.fcps.org/bms/
Location: Brunswick Middle School, Cummings Drive, Brunswick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-5400