Badger Middle School Newsletter
November 15, 2023
Hello Badger Students and Families,
This week, the Wisconsin Department of Instruction Report Card for all schools, including Badger, was released. Badger’s report card was not where we would like it to be and our staff is already taking steps and implementing specific action steps to reverse the scores into a more positive trend at Badger.
Steps that have already been taken:
Literacy specialists are implementing specific non-fiction reading strategies across multiple subject areas.
Math teachers are adjusting their lesson template to assist students in meeting the daily learning goal.
The data within the report card and local and state assessments is very useful, and there are several ways to use it. We are consistently using multiple data points to realize better outcomes for students.
Importantly, we are working to continue to ensure a positive learning environment for all learners that includes consistent expectations and follow through. Parents and guardians, please ask your students about the current House Challenge.
I hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Break! My family and I will be traveling to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia to celebrate with my in-laws.
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
Facebook Highlights!
Students played a game at our recent Quarter 1 celebration.
Ms. Jackson's class learned about Dia de los Muertos.
Mrs. Meyer's class worked on creative writing and read "spooky stories" they wrote themselves.
House Challenge
In our last House Challenge, students focused on getting to class on time. Congratulations to House 8A for having the highest percentage attendance in the school.
This month we are focusing on following adult directions. So far, House 7A is leading the charge! Stay tuned for an update.
PTO Meeting
There is a PTO meeting on Thursday ,December 14t at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. Come join the team to support Badger.
Thanksgiving Food Drive Ongoing
We have had an overwhelming response to our Thanksgiving Food Drive and we are very grateful! We are now in need of cash donations for our turkey fund. Donations can be made with cash or gift cards in $25 increments to a local grocery store.
Busing
Just a note that Riteway has at times sent a small bus for afternoon routes instead of making students wait until a long bus is available.
BOOK FAIR Currently OPEN
Dear Families:
The Scholastic Book Fair is currently OPEN to support students' literacy. Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event, whichis taking place through November 17 at the Badger Middle School Library. Our standing practice for the middle school book fair is that any books marked as mature content by Scholastic will require a signed note from the parent to for the student to purchase and we will continue this practice. As always, parents are welcome to come in and shop with their students.
Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Book Fair online. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/badgermiddleschool
Catch you at the Fair!
Lost and Found
Our Lost & Found area is overflowing!
Is your student missing an item or two? Please make sure to have them check out our Lost & Found tables outside of the cafeteria.
Any items not claimed before our Thanksgiving Break will be collected and donated.
Building Closing Info
In case of Inclement Weather, or other need to close the building, please view the information here.
Lunch/Breakfast Menus
Second Step Curriculum Preview
Here's a Preview of upcoming Second Step Lessons:
11/15/23
Grade 7 - Advice on Roadblocks
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will put their knowledge about overcoming roadblocks into action by giving advice to a sixth-grader who is struggling to learn something new.
Question: Tell your child about a time you had to try something new to overcome a roadblock, such as asking someone for help or looking at a problem with a different viewpoint. Tell your child what eventually helped you overcome that roadblock.
Grade 8 - Pause on Second Step Lessons
On November 8, November 15, and January 10 ALL 8th graders will participate in the DPI required Academic and Career Planning lessons. The lessons will take place during the 30-minute time that is typically allotted for Second Step lessons. If your child has opted out of Second Step lessons, they are required to attend their resource on November 9, November 15, and January 10 to fulfil the DPI required lesson.11/29/2023
UNIT 2 - Recognizing Bullying & Harassment
In this unit, students learn how to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment. This unit’s content helps students develop empathy, understand the impact of bullying and harassment on individuals and their communities, and examine social and environmental factors that contribute to negative behaviors as well as identify solutions for preventing those behaviors.
Grade 7 - What is Harassment?
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to recognize harassment and tell how it’s different from bullying.
Question: Talk to your child about an example of harassment you heard about, or—if you’re comfortable—something you experienced. Ask your child how this is different from bullying.
Grade 8 - Understanding Bullying
Summary: This week’s lesson will help your child examine common beliefs about bullying and harassment. They will begin to gain a perspective on how their opinions compare to those of others.
12/6/2023
Grade 7 - What is Sexual Harassment?
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to recognize the difference between sexual harassment and flirting so they can make informed decisions about how to respond.
Question: Remind your child that it's important that they tell you if they experience sexual harassment. If you feel comfortable doing so, share an example of sexual harassment you or another person has experienced and how you or the other person dealt with it.
Grade 8 - Social Factors that Contribute to Bullying
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will consider other people’s attitudes and beliefs about bullying and harassment, as well as their own.
Question: Share your thoughts and feelings around bullying and harassment with your child. Find out where you and your child agree and disagree and have a respectful discussion.12/13/2023
Grade 7 - The Effects of Sexual Harassment
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn about the effects of sexual harassment, and how to identify support resources available at school.
Question: Help your child brainstorm a list of trusted adults at school who can help if they, or a peer, experiences sexual harassment. Remind them to report any incidents of harassment to you as soon as they can.
Grade 8 - Environmental Factors that Contribute to Bullying
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will identify environmental factors (the physical space and rules of an area) that contribute to bullying and harassment, and explore how they contribute to bullying and harassment in their school.
Question: Ask your child what environmental factors are. Share your observations about environmental factors that you’ve witnessed in the world outside of school.12/20/2023
Grade 7 - Gender-Based Harassment
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to recognize gender-based harassment. This is when people are bothered, teased, or bullied because of their sex, or because they look, act, or have interests that are different from male and female stereotypes.
Question: Remind your child that it's important that they tell you if they experience gender-based harassment. If you feel comfortable doing so, share an example of gender-based harassment you or another person has experienced and how you or the other person dealt with it.
Grade 8 - Lesson on Connection and Kindness
No Second Step Lesson today - Students will learn the benefits of kindness and then participate in a team-building activity related to finding things in common with one another.
No School!
Just a reminder that there is no school Wednesday 11/22-Monday 11/27. Enjoy the Thanksgiving Break!
Information below has already been communicated but is here for your reference
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.
Note from HS Athletic Directors
Dear Parents/Guardians and Middle School Students,
To ensure that West Bend East and West High Schools athletic events are a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for all, the following expectations are in place and must be followed by all student attendees:
Students are to remain in the bleachers, stands, or seats throughout the course of the game, match, or event unless they are purchasing concessions or using the restrooms. Students are not permitted to be in areas outside of the designated West Bend athletic contest or event.
Cheering should demonstrate good sportsmanship towards both West Bend athletes/participants and opposing athletes/participants. It should be positive and respectful. Students must refrain from using derogatory or harassing language against other students, players, referees, fans, or any other person in attendance.
Food and drink should be disposed of in appropriate receptacles. No food or drink should be thrown at any time or for any reason.
Backpacks, scooters, skateboards, bikes, and balls are not allowed in the designated West Bend athletic contest or event.
If students leave the football stadium during the game, they may not reenter.
Middle school students who fail to follow these expectations will be removed from the athletic event, gym, or stadium and not be allowed reentry. Additionally, students who do not abide by these expectations may be denied entry to future West Bend East and West High Schools events, athletics, and activities. We request that parents/guardians please discuss these expectations with their student(s) so they are aware of the expectations. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Molly Hengst, East Athletic Director
Erin Felber, West Athletic Director
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.
Contest Opportunity
The Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday annually. The celebration programming includes a contest for youth in grades K-12 to interpret Dr. King’s words through speeches, art, and writing. Any West Bend Schools students can enter. Entries can be submitted for the art, speech, and writing contests until November 17. Review the study guide for contest information. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Anthony Smith at asmith@marcuscenter.org.
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/