Edition 29 Week of 03/17
From the Desk of Ms. Hicks
We would like to give a shout out to the PTA for hosting the Dessert Fest last Thursday and to everyone involved in our 2nd Annual Wiley H. Bates Arts Fest. We want to also thank our counselors, Ms. Weiss and Ms. McFadden, for their presentation on social media and how it impacts our students. It was very informative and helpful to understand the challenges for the students, guardians, and educators. Below are some tips to help combat the issues involving social media.
Social Media Tips
- Create a family media plan to help establish healthy technology boundaries at home—including social media use.
- Create tech-free zones and encourage children and adolescents to foster in-person friendships.
- Set Up Parental Controls
- Model responsible social media behavior.
- Teach children and adolescents about technology and empower them to be responsible online participants at the appropriate age.
- Report cyberbullying and online abuse and exploitation.
- Work with other parents to help establish shared norms and practices and to support programs and policies around healthy social media use.
- Be aware of what apps/ content your teen uses and ask for the login/ passwords so you can log in as them and view their content.
- If they view it- talk about it.
- Discuss and educate your teen on the long-term ramifications of posting/ participating in harmful and inappropriate content. i.e. future college admissions and employers WILL google your name and see what your posting)
Parent Controls Android:
- Open the Google Play app.
- At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Settings Family. Parental controls.
- Turn on Parental controls.
- To protect parental controls, create a PIN your child doesn't know.
- Select the type of content you want to filter.
- Choose how to filter or restrict access.
Parent Controls iPhone:
- On your child’s iPhone go to settings and then screen time.
- Create a passcode that only you know.
- You can then restrict when your child uses the phone through downtime. (You can remove all/some social media apps/ and browsers during school hours, and you can choose only specific contacts they can call/ text during this time.)
- You can also restrict or place time limits on apps, restrict who they can contact, and put restrictions on websites to filter out adult content.
- If you don’t want to have to have the child's iPhone do this each day, you can create a family account and add your child's device as a family member. Then you can change any of these settings without actually having the phone.
Cougar Calendar
2 Hour Early Dismissal Schedule
Uniform Pant Donations Needed
We have many kids in need of uniform pant donations. We do have many smaller sizes in our uniform closet however we are in need of larger sizes. If you would like to donate a pair or two, we could use more larger sizes. Feel free to drop them off at the front office. Thank you!
Here are some links:
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=792006002&vid=1&searchText=khaki#pdp-page-content
News from the PTA
PTA Reflections Finalists
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!
Order your 8th Grade Panoramic Photo NOW!
Deadline June 1st!
Unity Day - March 19
Wear Orange - Stand Against Bullying
Spirit Day - Friday, March 22 - $1
Maryland Day
All proceeds will go back to the school to help pay for school-wide events
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!
Student Choreography Showcase
April 12th 6pm
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
Wiley H. Bates Food Pantry
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.
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
Gun Violence Intervention Team
March 21, 2024 6:00-7:00pm
Annapolis Police Athletic League - Co-Ed Volleyball Club
AACo Department of Health - Maternal Health Listening Sessions
The Baby Place Pantry
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
How to Keep our Students Safe on Social Media
April 8th
Annapolis High School 6:00pm-7:30pm
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.
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
Brooklyn Park Connector Extension
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