Banneker Bobcat Family Bulletin
January 21, 2024
Weekly Message from Principal Adelekan
Hello BBMS Families, as this is the final week of quarter 2, it is important for students to turn in all assignments this week. Please review the newsletter for updates regarding Inclement weather, Testing and After School Activities.
How Inclement Weather Decisions Are Made
Watch to learn more about how inclement weather decisions are made and visit our website to familiarize yourself with the various operations color codes.
MCPS Bus Tracking App (Coming Soon)
MCPS will be launching a self-service bus app for families this semester. The tracking app will allow users to receive live updates on where their student’s bus is, provide important two-way communication capability and enhance safety for students while they wait for and ride the bus.
The MCPS Department of Transportation is currently in a pilot phase with families and students at 10 schools. More information will be shared in the coming weeks as we prepare for the full launch across the district.
For updates on BBMS upcoming events please visit our school calendar.
MAP & WIDA Testing Continue
Students will take Map-M and WIDA testing on Tuesday, January 23rd. Testing will occur in the morning. It is imperative that students arrive at school on time and bring their Chromebooks charged, and ready to go. Students will not be allowed to utilize their cell phones, or wireless earbuds during the testing. Please remind your students to keep these items at home or in their lockers. It is also important that students receive a good night's sleep this week to ensure they can perform their best for the tests.
Staff VS Student Basketball Game
When: The Staff vs. Student basketball game has been rescheduled to a later date to be determined.
Where: Benjamin Banneker Gymnasium
Time: 3:15pm - 4:30pm
Price: Free
Transportation: Buses provided
Tickets: Students must complete the google form and reach Academic, Attendance, and Behavioral expectations (2.0 gpa, be on time to class, etc.) to be eligible to attend this event.
Concessions: Students will be able to purchase food. Proceeds from all sales will go to the BBMS PTSA.
Nominating Convention 2024
Bobcats, were you interested in SGA but did not run for a seat? Well . . . you can serve as a delegate.
How? By attending the annual SMOB Nominating Convention on Feb. 14th and participate in the democratic process in the selection of our two finalists for the next SMOB.
How? contact Mrs. Lamb (email linked) by Jan. 22nd to learn more about the process to becoming one of 5 BBMS delegates for the Student Member Of the Board Nominating Convention
Upcoming Events
Asian American Documentary Screening
On Jan. 23, MCPS, in partnership with the Asian American Health Initiative and the Montgomery County Government, will have a screening of the documentary film, “Silent War: Asian American Reckonings with Mental Health,” followed by reflection from one of the individuals in the film and a moderated panel discussion. Read more.
2024 Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair
The 16th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. The in-person event will take place at The Universities at Shady Grove for students in Grades 8–12 and their families to meet with representatives from over 50 historically black colleges and universities.
The HBCU College Fair will include the following:
• Workshops on financial aid, assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and scholarship opportunities.
• A panel discussion on college life with representatives from the Montgomery County National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternities and Sororities.
• Workshops that include scholarship information from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and an overview of HBCUs and how to find your best-fit HBCU.
During the fair, students and parents can interact with college admission representatives and attend workshops, including a separate workshop and activities for middle school students. Registration for the college fair will open on Friday, January 19, 2024, and can be found at the HBCU Fair website.
Girls’ Summit
Save the Date: Join us for the Girls’ Summit on Saturday, March 9 at Northwood High School. This event will provide informative workshops geared towards middle and high school girls on a variety of current topics. Join us for a chance to network, participate in fun activities, learn valuable skills and enjoy a fashion show presented by White House Black Market celebrating diverse body types.
BBMS After School Activities Weekly Schedule
Wednesday, January 24th: Basketball VS. Francis Scott Key Girls(A) Boys (H)
TUESDAY ACTIVITIES:
Gaming Club (7th and 8th Grade)
Goal Setting Girls (6th Grade)
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES:
Soccer
Cooking Club (8th Grade)
Step Team
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
THURSDAY ACTIVITIES:
Gaming Club (6th Grade)
Goal Setting Girls (7th Grade)
Soccer
Cooking Club (6th and 7th Grade)
Step Team
SGA
NJHS
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Finance Park (Attention 7th Grade Families)
Each year the World Studies 7 classes participate in the Finance Park curriculum. Students learn basic personal finance skills and the culminating activity is a free field trip to the FA Park facility at Thomas Edison High School! BBMS students will be completing the curriculum after winter break and we are looking for adult volunteers to help facilitate the field trip on February 1 and 2. Volunteers will run a “store front” and help students through various activities including developing and maintaining a budget.
If you are interested in volunteering, please see this flier for more information.
All of Mr. Hulsizer’s classes and Mr. Jamison’s 7th period will go on Thursday, February 1.
Mr. Jamison’s other classes will go on Friday, February 2.
Please reach out to Ms. de Jong, the Social Studies Content Specialist, with any questions (Colleen_H_DeJong@mcpsmd.org).
BBMS Music Department Fundraiser
Your support is needed in helping us offer a high quality experiences for all participants in the Benjamin Banneker Music department. Raising dollars for music activities is very difficult to do but is vital for our program. 50% of the donations go to the student's trip to King's Dominion. The remaining 50% will go to purchasing equipment and supplies for the music students such as reeds, pics, guitar strings, music, and repairs for band instruments.
We sincerely appreciate your help.
Chromebook Reminders
Recently, we sent home the Family Chromebook Agreement as a reminder of the purpose of the MCPS loaned Chromebook devices. Each time a person logs onto the device they agree to the User Responsibility for Computer Systems, the Students Rights and Responsibilities, and the Student Code of Conduct. Chromebook and charger obligations will be processed this year. We will use the repair cost document as guidance.
Capital Improvement Program
The PTSA is seeking parents and students to provide testimony at future Board of Education meetings to advocate for funding for Benjamin Banneker Middle School. The PTSA will help prepare written/oral testimony and students can earn SSL hours. Please email BBMSPTSA@yahoo.com for additional information.
Ride-On Transportation
The issue of safe and healthy bell times for teenagers has been plaguing MCPS, and no action has been taken toward achieving a bell time of 8:30 a.m. or later since 2015. MCPS claims that the issue is transportation, yet has neglected to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of achieving this goal.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please respond to Montgomery County's request for feedback on its Ride-On Reimagined initiative to request Ride-On bus routes serve MCPS High Schools. This may help MCPS implement later bell times. Please send an email to: rideon.reimagined@montgomerycountymd.gov
POST HEARING SCREENING ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS
The State of Maryland Education Law 7-404 requires school children to have their hearing and vision screened to identify possible problems that impact learning.
Effective July 1, 2018, the Atticus Act mandated that the parents/guardians of all children screened receive the results of the hearing and vision screening and additional information on vision issues.
To simplify the process of sending results to the families of over 25,000 children who pass screenings each year, we are requesting that you now send the attached Connect Ed email to all parents/guardians of students in Grade 8.
School Health Services staff will continue to send individual letters with the screening results for students who fail either hearing or vision screening or were screened because they were newly enrolled at your school or referred by school staff.
Hearing & Vision screenings were held at our school on September 29th, October 2nd, and October 3rd of 2023.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank-you
Gentle Safety Reminder for Drop Off
This is a gentle safety reminder as we are continue to develop our routines. When dropping your student off, please pull as far forward as you can before dropping your child off. Please let your child out of the car when they can exit directly onto the sidewalk. Also, please follow the directions of our staff members who are working to move traffic as safely and as quickly as possible.
Banneker Boutique
We will be accepting donations to our new Banneker Boutique (a free store at BBMS). Help us stock the store by donating gently used clothes and/or shoes. Students will be able to shop at the store for free once a month during lunch. Donation bins will be in the school lobby in the mornings. Thank you for your support!
2023-2024 BBMS BUS ROUTES (POSTED 9/19/2023)
Please review bus routes closely with your students as most route numbers have changed from the previous year. The attachment below includes the 2023-2024 BBMS Bus Routes. It can also be found on our school website.
2023-2024 CAFETERIA NEWS and MEALS INFORMATION
Tell Us What You Think About Our Food!
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) wants to hear from you! DFNS is seeking feedback from staff, students and parents on what you want to see more of on school menus. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and give us your input. Survey results will directly impact menu development.
For Schools Participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Benjamin Banneker Middle School is excited to announce that we are a CEP school for the 2023-2024 school year. As a result, ALL students will be provided with free breakfast and lunch. Students who wish to purchase A La Carte items can do so for a fee. More information is linked below:
MCPS Cafeteria News and Meals Information: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
If you qualify for other resources and services, please continue to submit a Free and Reduced Meals form. All information collected is confidential and will not be shared. Please click here to apply online.
MCPS has implemented a new online service to accept payments for school-sponsored field trips along with other school-related activities School Cash Online (SCO). To help reduce the confusion of remembering PINs, our online service provider no longer requires them. MCPS highly encourages everyone to sign up and use this service. By using this service, it makes it convenient for parents to make payments at their own convenience and minimizes loss of funds which often happens when carrying cash. The online system is a great way to keep track of student payments. Families can easily log into the system and see which activities are being offered to students and discuss which ones they would like to participate in.
For approved guardian(s) who do not currently have an SCO account, you will receive an automated email with an invitation to create an account.
For approved guardian(s) who already have a SCO account, but who have not yet linked their student(s) to their account. An automated email from SCO for each unlinked student will be sent to the guardian. The email will have an “Accept” button. If the guardian clicks the button, the system will attach that guardian’s child to their account automatically based on the student Information data.