Edition 28 Week of 03/10
From the Desk of Ms. Hicks
Wiley H. Bates ARTSFEST
March 14th 5:00-7:00pm
It is time for our next Wiley H. Bates community event, ARTSFEST! Come explore arts activities/stations led by local artists and teachers as well as enjoying live student performances! Food trucks will be available for food purchases. School support tables will also be available. Please read below for more information. We hope to see you there!
Wiley H. Bates Family (students, staff, and family members), be sure to mark this event in your calendar! We had a HUGE turnout last year and we are ready for another incredible evening celebrating the arts!
PTA Dessert Fest will be held right after ArtsFest at 7pm - Please join!
(See below for more info)
Cougar Calendar
2 Hour Early Dismissal Schedule
News from the PTA
PTA hosting Dessert Fest
The Bates PTA invites you to join us for Dessert Fest on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center following Arts Fest. Please come and enjoy some tasty treats, help us celebrate our PTA Reflections finalists, and enjoy an informative presentation by our Bates guidance department: "Social Media: The apps our students are using, how to monitor them, and the effect social media has on kids."
PTA Reflections Finalists
The Bates PTA is excited to celebrate our PTA Reflections contest finalists! We hope you will join us as we honor our Reflections entrants at the Bates PTA Dessert Reception following Arts Fest on March 14, 2024.
Three entries from Bates students have won awards at Anne Arundel County Council of PTA's Reflections contest in the Middle School Literature category:
1st Place - Rayah Smith, Bates MS
2nd Place - Aiden Meade, Bates MS
3rd Place - Ellis Kennard, Bates MS
All three entries are now moving on to the Free State PTA's contest next! Good luck! We are so proud of our talented Cougars!
The current PTA officers are all 8th grade parents, which means that they will be moving on to high school next year. In order for our PTA to continue, we need volunteers to step up to lead this organization next year. It's fun, it helps our school, and it's not a ton of work. If you're interested, please drop us a line at BatesMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com, and we can tell you what each position entails. The sooner you volunteer, the more time you'll have to "shadow" the current officers and start learning the ropes before your term in office actually begins. Please help our organization continue!
Thank you for supporting Bates Middle School and our PTA!
Congratulations to our National History Day County Winners!
Please help us congratulate the National History Day 2024 County Winners:
Elle Valadao, Everett Poole, Ariadna Polanco, Jiles Defosse!
We are very proud of all of you!
Order your 8th Grade Panoramic Photo NOW!
Deadline June 1st!
Submissions due March 15
Student Choreography Showcase - 04/12
Unity Day - March 19
Wear Orange - Stand Against Bullying
Spirit Day - Friday, March 22 - $1
Maryland Day
Order your Yearbook NOW
April 12 Deadline
(Click the image below to order or scan the QR code on the form brought home)
No extra yearbooks will be ordered so be sure to order yours today!
Wiley H. Bates Food Pantry - UPDATE
For all interested Bates Middle School Families: Free prepacked bags of non-perishable pantry items will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 16 from 10-11:30 am at the flagpole front entrance of Bates Middle School.
If interested in learning more about our Student Food Pantry please have your student go to the counseling department to speak to Shauna Rykiel, our school social worker, or you may contact her through email at srykiel@aacps.org. Our pantry is currently open Mondays from 3:30-3:55 pm and Fridays from arrival through the end of advisory.
Out of Area Requests
Open from March 1 till May 1
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) seeking an out of area transfer for the school year 2024-2025 must complete and submit the Out of Area form along with supporting documentation to the principal for review between March 1 and May 1, 2024. This includes ALL CURRENT out-of-area students as they too must be competed and submitted along with the supporting documentation each year.
If your child is an 8th grader and you are considering submitting an Out of Area Request for a high school other than your zoned high school, you will need to submit an Out of Area request to the high school principal of the requested school. *The daycare option is not valid at the high school level.
Fillable forms and full details regarding requirements for a request for Out of Area are available on the website: www.aacps.org/outofarea. (click “View All” tab).
**Please keep in mind that incomplete Out of Area requests & those lacking accompanying documents will not be accepted**
Congratulations to our February Students of the Month!
6th Grade Students of the Month - February
7th Grade Students of the Month - February
8th Grade Students of the Month - February
Chromebook Chargers
Reminder: If you have lost your charger or would like an extra one for home, please use the below link to order.
Wiley H. Bates Asbestos Abatement Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Mr. Walker at jewalker1@aacps.org
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Walker jewalker1@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Lustgarten jlustgarten@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Ms. Hicks, at 302-314-6146.
Around the Community
DR. MARK BEDELL TO HOST SERIES OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ACROSS COUNTY
Continuing his promise to be transparent and provide access to residents across Anne Arundel County, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell today announced a series of community conversations during which attendees will receive updated information on the performance of Anne Arundel County Public Schools and have the opportunity to speak with key school system leaders.
Each of the one-hour events will begin with remarks from Dr. Bedell and culminate with time for attendees to speak with members of Dr. Bedell’s Cabinet about topics of interest to them.
“I have said since I got here that we were going to build a culture of trust and accountability in the school district,” Dr. Bedell said. “Making ourselves available at sites across the county where it is easier for our families, students, staff, and community members to have access and get answers to questions is another way to do that.”
Cabinet members in attendance will be: Chief of Staff Mychael Dickerson, Deputy Superintendent Monique Jackson, Chief Operating Officer Dr. Bill Heiser, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Marquis Dwarte, Chief Equity Officer Dr. Maisha Gillins, Chief Communications Officer Bob Mosier, Chief Information Officer Mike Borkoski, Chief Financial Officer Matt Stanski, Chief Human Resources Officer Jessica Cuches, and Chief Accountability Officer Jason Dykstra. Members of the Board of Education may also be in attendance.
Attendees who do not have a chance to have their questions answered at events will be provided with an avenue to record them and receive an email response.
Events are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Northeast High School, 6 p.m. (POSTPONED)
- Monday, April 22, 2024: Glen Burnie High School, 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024: South River High School, 6 p.m.
- Monday, May 6, 2024: North County High School, 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024: Meade Middle School, 6 p.m.
Anyone who requires interpretative services, including American Sign Language, for any of the events is asked to call 410-266-3454 or send email to interpreter@aacps.org so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
For those who cannot attend any session, a video of Dr. Bedell’s remarks from one of the sessions will be posted online.
Gun Violence Intervention Team
March 21, 2024 6:00-7:00pm
The 2024 application window for summer camp and learning enhancement programs will be open February 9, 2024 through March 15, 2024.
Please note that students are eligible to apply for programs based on their current grade level for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please click HERE to see the summer programs offered by AACPS.
Annapolis Police Athletic League - Co-Ed Volleyball Club
Girls P.L.A.Y. Initiative
Pip Moyer Recreation Center
Friday, April 5th 12-5pm
"Pip" Moyer Rec Center is hosting the Girl PLAY Initiative event on Friday, April 5th from 12pm to 5pm. This is a great opportunity for our girls! Registration is at the front desk at "Pip" Moyer Rec Center and this event is FREE! Please come join us!
Healthy Anne Arundel Day - April 7th
MD Center for School Safety - Art Showcase
Submission Deadline - June 7th
Get creative and show what makes you feel safe at school! Draw or paint your own safe space – it could be a cozy corner, a supportive friend, a service animal, or even a favorite activity. Click the above picture or scan the QR code for more information.
AAWDC
A&A Workforce Events
We are Hiring for AACPS Summer Programs
Free Chromebook Giveaway - AACPL
(En Español: Dispositivos Conectados Chromebook Sorteo)
As part of AACPL's commitment to help close the digital divide, through a grant provided by Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland, we are proud to participate in a free Chromebook giveaway for eligible Anne Arundel County residents. Distribution events will be held starting in January 2024.
Please click on this link for more information.
Mobile Food Pantry - AACo Food Bank
AACPS is hiring for all positions. Click HERE to apply.
Wiley H. Bates MIddle School
Christine Clark, Editor
We are better together!
Email: cclark3@aacps.org
Website: www.aacps.org/bates
Location: 701 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, USA
Phone: 410 263-0270