Berry Middle School
Weekly Newsletter \ August 16, 2019
Principal: Dr. Chris Robbins
6th grade Assistant Principal: Mrs. Dana Ricks
7th grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Ted Flannery
8th grade Assistant Principal: Ms. Kari Tibbs
At Berry Middle School, we aim to be caring and supportive, challenging and engaging, and innovative and relevant. We create a safe and inviting environment for every student and staff member by building “Berry PRIDE” and creating a “No Put-Down Zone”
From the desk of Dr. Robbins...."The Next Big Thing at Berry"
Upcoming Events
- Open House 6th Grade - Monday, August 19th, 6:30-8 PM
- Open House 7th & 8th Grade - Tuesday, August 20th, 6:30-8 PM
- Drama Club Meeting - Wednesday, August 21st, 3:30-4:30
- 7th & 8th Grade Berry Football @ Pizitz VHHS - 5-9 PM
- PTO Board Meeting - Friday, August 23, 8:30 - 9:30, 1st floor conference room
- Berry Volleyball Tournament 7th @ Bumpus/8th @ Oak Mtn. - Saturday, August 24th
Parent Involvement Opportunities
2019-2020 Berry PTO Meetings
August 23, 2019
September 20, 2019
October 18, 2019
November 15, 2019
December 13, 2019
January 17, 2020
February 21, 2020
March 13, 2020
April 17, 2020
May 15, 2020
| PTO meetings take place monthly at 8:30 in the first floor conference room - all Berry families are welcome and invited to attend! |
PTO is Selling Jag Spirit Wear!
You can purchase items through my school fees beginning on 8/19. Please note the deadline is Wednesday, August 22nd. For previews of the designs and options, click here and here.
1. go to https://secure4.myschoolfees.com/
2. Log in
3. Click on Public Tab
4. Select Berry Middle School show fees
5. Fee option is PTO SPIRIT WEAR
6. Choose Item, select options
7. Add to cart and pay
Items will be delivered the week of September 3rd. Happy Shopping!!
Career Speakers Needed
Career Speakers--Parent Volunteer Opportunity: The Berry counselors are looking for parents who are willing to speak one morning during the year about their career. Middle schoolers love to hear and think about what they might do in their futures. Thank you for considering and for sharing your time and expertise with our students! Volunteers speak for about 45 minutes (8:15 to 9:00) to a group of about 30 to 40 students. Please e-mail your grade level counselor if you are interested in serving as a career speaker.
6th - Mrs. Erika Leonard eleonard@hoover.k12.al.us
7th - Mr. John Aufdemorte jaufdemo@hoover.k12.al.us
8th - Mrs. Kathy Hartwiger khartwiger@hoover.k12.al.us
Open House Information
English Language Learners
Meeting for 7th and 8th grade ELs parents in room 211 on Tuesday, August 20 at 6:00 PM
Interpreters will be provided.
When you are paying for your registration fees at secure4.myschoolfees.com, after entering the required fees in the cart, choose "continue shopping", This will take you to another green box that says "registration optional fees". Click on this box, and it will take you to another screen where you can purchase a p.e. uniform, yearbook, make donations to the classroom, pay PTO dues and donations or pay for a sport pass. Check the items you want to purchase, then add them to the cart. This way you can pay all the fees in one transaction.
Student Involvement Opportunities
PEER HELPER APPLICATIONS (7th & 8th Graders ONLY)
Peer Helpers are 7th & 8th grade students that serve the school by assisting the counselors. Some activities include serving as peer assistants to new students, facilitating character education lessons in classes and conducting community service projects. Peer Helpers must maintain a "C" average in all classes and sign a contract agreeing to be alcohol, tobacco, and drug free.
Responsibilities of a Peer Helper
Serve as a positive role model to the student body
Help fellow classmates in need
Assist with special school events when asked
Welcome new students to Berry
Attend peer helper meetings
Follow all school rules (including dress code)
PLEASE NOTE! In order to apply, students must attend a mandatory Interest & Application meeting. These meetings will held on Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5 during connections time for each grade. Students only need to attend one meeting. Applications will only be given out at the meetings. Any student absent both days should see their grade level counselor as soon as they return to school. The due date for applications this year is Friday, September 13th and late applications will not be accepted.
Scholars' Bowl Tryouts
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Scholars' Bowl Tryouts will be Monday, August 26th from 3:30-4:30. 6th & 7th grade will report to Ms. Badio. 8th grade will report to Mr. Potts on Team 8-2. Please bring a pencil and paper, and don't forget to make arrangements for your ride to pick you up by 4:30.
Keep in mind that Scholars' Bowl, like any team, requires commitment. If you enjoy Jeopardy, Trivial Pursuit, or other games that combine knowledge and a time clock, consider trying out. However, if you are unable to commit to afternoon practices and games in Jefferson and Shelby counties on Mondays and Tuesdays (3:30-5:00) from August to February, please do not submit your name for consideration. Spots are limited, and we are are in search of candidates who will prioritize this team.
Berry Theater
DRAMA CLUB
Berry's Drama Club is open to students in all grades. All students are welcome at our meetings, whether or not they participate in our productions. Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month in the drama room, and last until 4:30. All students who stay for the meeting must have a permission slip on file. Permission slips are available at this link: https://forms.gle/7d6ubXUEhv66aqS89, and there will also be paper copies available outside the drama room (room 230). The first meeting of the year will be held on August 21. Pick up is promptly at 4:30 in the carpool lane (east side of the building).
Berry Band
Berry Family,
We are off to a great start in the Berry Band. Next week we will have a brief band parent orientation meeting prior to Open House. The sixth grade will meet on Monday, August 19 and the seventh and eighth grade bands will meet Tuesday the 20th . The meetings will begin at 6:00 in the band room and will conclude in time for the start of open house at 6:30. We look forward to seeing you next week!
Finally, it is not too late for your student to be a part of our Berry Band. Contact Mr. Wilson at brwilson@hoover.k12.al.us for more information. Now is the best time to add music to your world!
Sports Section
7th Grade Volleyball Tournament - Saturday, August 17th @ Bumpus M.S.
8am vs. Mountain Brook
10am vs. Pizitz
1pm vs. Homewood
3pm vs. Hewitt-Trussville
Boys Basketball Tryouts - 7th and 8th Grades
When: Friday, September 13 (3:15-5:00 pm) and Saturday, September 14 (8:00-9:30 am)
Where: Berry Gyms
Paperwork needed to participate: An updated physical form uploaded to a Dragonfly account. A physical form and information on creating a Dragonfly account is located on the Berry website under Programs > Athletics.
Please contact Head 8th Grade Coach Rusty White at Ruswhite@hoover.k12.al.us with questions. Thanks and Go jags!
Community Involvement
Neighborhood Bridges
Neighborhood Bridge delivers:
- Quick and easy ways to deliver individual needs of children/families (30 seconds to post and meet needs)
- Empowers school counselors, SROs and faculty to quickly and easily deliver the individual needs of children
- Engages the community to deliver individual acts of kindness (not just those that have school children)
- Delivers on key strategic priorities of school systems
Check out the Hoover Neighborhood Bridges page and join the #KindnessIsCool effort:
Cafeteria Information
PayPams Reduces Fees for Families
PayPams has reduced the fee per service/deposit to only 1 fee per family.
In the past, PayPams charged $1.95/student transaction. Effective August 1, 2019, it is now $1.95/FAMILY for the online deposit convenience fee.
August Breakfast & Lunch Menus
About Us
7th grade office: 439-2065
8th grade office: 439-2000
Website: https://www.hoovercityschools.net/berry
Location: 4500 Jaguar Drive, Birmingham, AL, USA
Phone: 205-439-2000
Facebook: facebook.com/berrymiddle
Twitter: @BerryMiddle