Badger Middle School Newsletter
February 28th, 2024
Hello Badger Students and Families,
We are cruising towards Spring Break which falls March 25-April 1!
We are excited to see many of our student groups perform at our assembly tomorrow. Performances will be given by our band, orchestra, choir, winter guard, and the dance team from East High School. At the assembly, we will celebrate academic and behavioral successes as well as the culmination of Black History Month. The assembly, including transitioning to Resource then the gym, will be from 2:22-3:15.
Conferences are Thursday, March 7 from 4-7:30 p.m. Check the school calendar for upcoming opportunities to support our students. As always, feel free to contact me anytime and thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Patrick O'Connor
Principal
Badger Middle School
(262) 335-5456
Students of the Week
Congrats to our most recent Students of the Week.
Students are selected based on their contributions to the school, excellence in the classroom, and their positive impact on others. They are first nominated by House teachers, then selected by elective teachers.
With great students like these in our hallways, the future is looking bright!
Staff of the Week
Staff of the Week are nominated by students. See recent staff of the week below
School Board Presentation
On February 19 at the school board meeting, Badger and the East and West High Schools administrative teams shared our student engagement and behavioral goals and our progress toward meeting them. The presentation spotlights our students in the learning environment and highlights our focus on creating smoother alignment between our schools.
After our presentation, which is a student-created video, the director of student services provided a comprehensive update on student engagement and behavior in our district, highlighting grades 7-9, which is a focal point for our shared work. I think you will find the presentations informative and helpful. It reinforces our shared expectations for student behavior and is a celebration of our amazing students, doing amazing things, and meeting expectations.
The video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdniGqPKamA (10:30 mark for school presentations and 19:20 mark for student engagement and behavior.)
On Social Media
Our behavioral data clearly shows that conflicts beginning on social media have carried over into our school day, and at times distracted from student learning. Recently, administration has been contacted by several parents who have caught wind of their students being involved in social media conflicts with their peers. We thank you for your partnership in helping make sure we are all at school and ready to learn. We are also always available, and encourage you to reach out should you catch wind of bullying through your student's social media usage.
Conferences
Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at Badger Middle School on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 from 4 PM to 7:30 PM. If you have an immediate need, I encourage you to reach out to staff directly any time to communicate. Conferences are “open” meaning you don’t need to sign up for a specific time. (Same format as Fall Conferences.)
Track and Field
Track and Field sign-ups will be held in room 212 on Wednesday, March 6th from 7:35am - 7:55am. This sign-up is only for students, parents do not need to attend. Students with questions can stop by room 212 to talk with Mr. Hoogester.
Facebook Highlights!
Our Bands recently performed their Pops Concert.
Spring Cleaning: Lost and found
Badger's Lost & Found area is overflowing!
Please remind your student to check the tables for missing items. We have an assortment of lunch boxes, water bottles, hats, gloves, pants, sweatshirts, jackets, shoes, and boots!
Items not collected by 3/22 (before Spring Break) will be donated.
See photos below!
Important Info for 8th Graders
8th Grade Transition to High School Steps
We have some great opportunities for our 8th grade students to learn about East and West High Schools!
January 17th - High School staff presented to all of our 8th grade students. They talked about skills needed to be successful in high school and opportunities available there. They reminded students to check their emails for an invite to Gearing Up Night.
January 24th - Gearing Up For High School event was held
February 2nd - High School Course selection sheets were due at Badger.
February 5th and 6th - 8th graders registered online for their high school classes in Skyward. This took place during the school day at Badger.
February 8th - High School Counselors visited Badger. High School Counselors met individually with all of our 8th grade students to review their course selections and answer questions.
May 20th to May 24th - High School Tours
June 5th- Promotion
August - High School Registration Fair - Check your email in August for information.
If this information changes drastically, it will be updated in the Newsletter.
Second Step Curriculum Preview
Here's a Preview of upcoming Second Step Lessons:
3/6/24
Grade 7 - Keeping Your Cool in a Conflict
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will explore how using emotion-management strategies, such as slow breathing, walking away, reframing unhelpful thoughts, and practicing positive self-talk, can help prevent a conflict from escalating.
Question: Share with your child strategies you use to help yourself calm down during escalating conflicts. Ask them to tell you any additional strategies they find helpful beyond the ones covered in the lesson.
Grade 8 - Values and Relationships
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will draw connections between their values and the healthy relationships in their life.
3/13/24
Grade 7 - Conflicts and Perspectives
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to listen to and consider someone else’s perspective during a conflict.
Question: Discuss with your child a time in your life when your view of a conflict changed because you were able to see it from another person’s perspective. Ask your child if they have changed their view about a conflict lately.
Grade 8 - Recognizing Others’ Perspectives
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will practice viewing conflicts from multiple perspectives to keep conflicts from escalating.
3/20/24-4/17/24
No Second Step Lessons due to Wisconsin Forward Testing/Spring Break
March Breakfast/Lunch Menus
Information below has already been communicated but is here for your reference
Promotion Video
The 8th Annual 8th Grade Promotion Video is well underway, but we are in definite need of more photos! Photos will need to Be submitted by 5/10/24 to be considered. Please see the following link for more information and how to submit photos.
Building Closing Info
In case of Inclement Weather, or other need to close the building, please view the information here.
Daily Announcements
Daily announcements are read in the mornings. You can read what is read on the announcements here.
Newsletter Archive
Missed a Newsletter, or looking for prior information? Check out the ARCHIVE.
Badger Pride
Did you know you can help support Badger Pride?
Students that demonstrate Badger Pride values (respect, responsibility, readiness to learn, and safety) can earn Badger Pride stamps to be used at our weekly store. The Badger Pride store is seeking donations for items that students can purchase with their stamps. Items can be small (candy, happy meal toys, fidgets, etc...) or they can be larger items that will be raffled off (local gift cards, team memorabilia, hobby kits, etc...). Donations can be dropped off in the main office. Please label donations BADGER PRIDE STORE to ensure they are used as intended.
Second Step Lessons
Weekly mini-lessons in social-emotional skills led by classroom teachers have started. This occurs every Wednesday during Resource. The skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. The Second Step resource includes five units:
Mindsets and Goals
Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
You will receive regular communication about each lesson through this newsletter. The communications will include information about the current unit of study and specific information about each lesson to help you reinforce the language, skills, and goals taught within the lessons. If you have any questions about the social-emotional learning lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. In addition, if you prefer that your child does not participate in the lessons at all, please communicate that preference to me prior to the lesson and we will make alternate arrangements for the student during that time.
Riteway Dispatch Email
Riteway has a NEW Dispatch Email. Please email wbdispatch@goriteway.com if your student does NOT need to ride the bus/van that day and they typically do.
A Note on Communication from the Principal
Thank you for taking the time to review this newsletter. Below are details of how Mr. O'Connor will communicate with Badger families:
I will use the Badger Middle School Facebook page to communicate highlights of the awesome things our students and staff are doing.
The Badger Middle School Newsletter will be used as needed to share important dates, “big picture” messaging, and announcements of upcoming events.
To prevent sending you numerous emails, I will try to wait on some announcements until a newsletter is ready. If there is something that families should be aware of earlier, I will send a separate email (i.e. Communications about events that significantly disrupt normal operations).
I will call you back if you call me and leave a message.
I will make contact through a phone call or email if you email me.
If you come to the school without an appointment, I may not be available. Please call to make an appointment to ensure my availability.
I do not monitor any Facebook pages other than Badger’s and the West Bend School District’s. Please contact me or another member of the staff with questions or concerns.
My contact information:
Patrick O'Connor
Direct line: (262) 335-5456
Badger main office: (262) 335-5455
Badger Middle School
Mission: We will be respectful of ourselves and each other, work together to develop integrity, persevere in the face of difficulty, and strive for excellence.
Website: http://west-bend.k12.wi.us/BMS/
Location: 727 S. 6th Ave., West Bend, WI, USA 53095
Phone: 262-335-5455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadgerMiddleSchool/