Edition 26 Week of 02/25
From the Desk of Ms. Hicks
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 ARTSFEST
March 14th 5:00-7:00pm
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!
February: Black History Month
Students in Mr. Mason's class were given free rein to choose a person of importance and value to them. Once chosen they were tasked with creating a poster using a SMART BOARD tracing technique and they needed to include information for the viewer to learn why this person was a trailblazer in history. Check out some of the AMAZING posters these students created!
Kevin Durant
Cougar Calendar
Congratulations Jiles Defosse!
Please help us congratulate Jiles Defosse who was accepted into a 2024 Maryland All State ensemble! All State ensembles represent the best of the best 7th through 12th grade student musicians from across the state of Maryland. Thousands of students audition with just under 950 accepted across nine ensembles. It is a tremendous honor for the students selected and their music educators! Congratulations Jiles, we are very proud of you!
Help Support our 8th Grade End of Year Activities
MOD Pizza Fundraiser
February 29th!!
Thursday, February 29, 2024, is Bates Spirit day at MOD pizza in the Riva Shopping Center. Support the end of year activities for the 8th grade by having a pizza lunch or dinner! Either way, you will have a delicious meal and the 8th grade will get a % of your purchases! We will be using the funds to support our 8th graders and their fun-filled end- of year events. Tell the store that you are from Wiley H. Bates Middle School, show them the flyer (LINK HERE), or use the code MODGIVES20.
Mattress Fundraiser - Support the Wiley H. Bates Music Program
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Staff vs. Student Basketball Game Event
Nicotine Free Week
March 4th - March 8th
On Thursday, March 7th, we will have Madi Allbright, LCSW-C, from Thrive Behavioral Health Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Team visiting Bates Middle School during our students' lunch periods. Ms. Allbright along with our school nurse, Nurse Hannah, will have a table display to encourage discussions with our students and help them to better understand the dangers of smoking and vaping.
I have attached two links to help you continue this discussion at home.
https://www.aahealth.org/nicotinefreeweek/
https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit/talk-about-vaping/conversation-guide
8th Grade MISA Testing
If possible, please avoid late arrivals, early dismissals, and absences.
Attention 6th Grade Families
Deadline March 1st
Ms. Weiss, 6th Grade Couselor, visited with 6th grade students to help them make their encore choices for 7th grade. There will be a Google Link in your student’s Brightspace for English class. Parents and students will have until Friday, March 1st to submit any changes via that Google Link. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Weiss at dweiss@aacps.org.
Attention 7th Grade Families
Deadline March 1st
Mrs. Barnett, 7th grade School Counselor, met with your scholars to help them select their encore classes for their 8th grade school year.
The encore lesson and google form link is posted in the Brightspace classroom of your student's English class for your reference. Parents and students will have until Friday, March 1st, 2024, to submit an updated google form with their child's encore selections. For questions, please contact Mrs. Barnett at cmbarnett@aacps.org.
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**
Student Choreography Showcase - 04/12
Submissions due March 15
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!
News from the PTA
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!
Honor Roll Celebration - 7th grade
Congratulations for making Honor Roll last quarter!
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.
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
Sound of Silence - A Conversation about Mental Health
We would like to invite you to our Sound of Silence Program on February 28, 2024, at 6:30 PM. All community members are invited to attend the parent event at our school. We encourage all parents to have a follow-up conversation with their youth. Discuss the topics with them and have an open conversation.
This program was created for youth, to help dismantle and break the stigma related to mental health and give access to mental health services. Sound of Silence otherwise known as SOS is a targeted assembly for all Middle and High School students. We provide a panel of mental health and substance misuse professionals along with representation from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Department of Health, Crisis Response, and the leading Prevention Coalitions that represent Anne Arundel County. We talk about target topics that can lead to mental health disorders, how to prevent self-medicating through substance misuse, suicide prevention, maintaining healthy relationships, and many more. We encourage our youth to talk and ask questions and also provide services using each school's Behavioral Health Facility following if our youth should need the help.
We hope you can join us for a very educational evening. Even if you do not need the information, someone you know does. Reach out and help in any way you can.
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.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis
Annapolis Police Athletic League - Co-Ed Volleyball Club
Dress Pop-Up Shop
March 9th 12-4pm
Offering FREE formal dresses
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
Normal Isn't Real
Dear AACPS Staff, Families and Community,
Let’s gather as an #AACPSFamily to view the screening of the documentary "Normal Isn't Real," hosted by the AACPS Special Education Division. This event is a valuable opportunity for our community to come together, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Screening begins at 6:15 p.m.
Location: Waugh Chapel Stadium 12 & IMAX - 1419 S. Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD 21054
This screening is open to all AACPS students, families, staff members, and the broader community. We encourage everyone to attend and participate in the enriching experience this documentary offers.
To secure your spot at the screening, please reserve your ticket today by completing the Google Form linked here. It's important to note that completing this form does not guarantee a reserved ticket. Your screening ticket will be sent to the email address provided in the form. Please ensure the accuracy of your email and check your SPAM folder if necessary.
Following the screening there will be a debrief with AACPS leaders, providing an opportunity for attendees to share their thoughts and reflections on the documentary. This session aims to foster dialogue and deepen our collective understanding.
If you do not receive a ticket or if you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Hoffacker at mclendening@aacps.org.
Thank you for your participation and enthusiasm. We anticipate a thought-provoking and insightful evening, fostering a stronger sense of community within AACPS.
File attachments:
Invite Normal Isn't Real (1).jpg
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