March is the month we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Are you familiar with the history of this national holiday?
March is the month of St. Patrick's Day. The origin is Ireland and its a day that pays homage to Saint Patrick who lived during the fifth century and is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. He is credited with bringing Christianity to people.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.
The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.
For more information on the history of and festivities that commemorate St. Patrick's Day, click here: https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day#who-was-st-patrick
A great initiative that gets the spotlight in March is National Reading Month
Did you know the famous children's author Dr. Suess' birthday is in March? In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month - a month to motivate Americans of all ages to read every day. Reading is fun and has many benefits, regardless of your age. It's a key component of education and professional development.
Reading is a form of entertainment that exercises the brain, increases your knowledge, improves concentration, as well as reduces stress.
Please click the following link to an informative health article on the benefits of reading: Happy National Reading Month! https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books
March is also National Women's History Month!
March is National Women’s History Month!
We’d like to honor fellow Houstonian and trailblazer, Barbara Jordan. She was a key influencer and trailblazer for human and civil rights from the 1950s through 1996, and became a recipient of the presidential medal of freedom. She attended Texas Southern University for her bachelor’s degree and Boston University for her law degree. She became a lawyer, then congresswoman, fighting for civil rights, specifically for worker’s compensation, voting rights, and legislation that would improve the lives of minorities. She was the first African American woman to be elected to the Texas Senate and the first United States African American state senator since 1883. After serving as a representative, she became a professor at the University of Texas at the School of Public Affairs. She is most remembered for her commanding, persuasive, and articulate public speaking presence. One of her many thought-provoking quotes is “Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.” “There is no obstacle in the path of young people who are poor or members of minority groups that hard work and preparation cannot cure.” “What the people want is very simple - they want an America as good as its promise.”
You can find much more information about Women’s History at the following websites: Women’s History and STEM+M and Women.
Families, STAAR is fast approaching and our STEM+M message this month is on math. we cannot overstate the importance of practicing math daily to help your student (1) retain what they learned, (2) identify what they still might not understand, and (3) get faster at math. We would also like to encourage you to verbally quiz your student for multiplication math facts: If they cannot answer them quickly, be sure to have them practice at home. While those skills are taught in elementary school, it is imperative to regain them if lost due to learning loss in the pandemic or to become faster at multiplication If not previously practiced enough. A student will have an enormous amount of trouble with fractions in 6th and 7th grade, and algebraic equations in 7th or 8th grade if the student is not fast and proficient at multiplication. Math tutorials are Tuesdays afterschool (pick up is at 5:15 pm sharp), and the following Saturdays from 11 am – 1 pm: March 25th, April 15th, and April 29th, so remember to attend those as well. Finish strong!
Phase 2 School Choice application window opens April 5!
Here at BCMAR, we focus on Health Science, not to create future doctors, but leaders of a technology-fueled world that enhances the field of Health Science.
Our instructors work diligently to center on a cultural shift around STEM in their teaching with a variety of powerful and engaging STEM lessons coupled with technology and our partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS).
Our scholars are able to gain valuable critical thinking skills that will aid. them in evaluating real-world experiences.
Our teachers enjoy facilitating instruction that inspires scholars to activate their inner discoverers.
We feel our integration of health science in all content propels scholars academically with guaranteed success in college, careers, and beyond.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about our curriculum and to see what we have to offer your scholars. Click the following link: https://www.houstonisd.org/schoolchoice or the image in the upper right hand corner of this section for information on applying to our campus or to acquire information of selecting an instructional program for your scholar(s).
Flu season has heightened and is still quite unpredictable
As spring starts to creep up on us, so has the cold and flu season. The last thing anyone wants is influenza commonly known as the 'flu'. Just when communities are seeing declining numbers from COVID, the infamous flu outbreak enters at full speed. While this is disheartening news, everyone in our surrounding communities must act as "Health Ambassadors and do what needs to be done to combat the effects and spread of this potentially deadly virus.
For helpful information on prevention and how the influenza vaccine can offer you protection click the following link https://www.bcm.edu/news/flu-central
For helpful information on the latest COVID new, please follow this link https://www.bcm.edu/coronavirus/for-the-baylor-community/from-the-president#:~:text=We%20continue%20to%20carry%20out,Hear%20from%20Dr.
Here you can get weekly updates from our partners Baylor College of Medicine's President, Dr. Paul Klotman.
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March's Character Education topic is 'Kindness"
Here at BCMAR we instill in our scholars that accountability equals responsibility. Our scholars are reminded that responsibility starts with each of us. We must be dependable in carrying out commitments and being accountable for our words and actions.
We strive for always having a personal accountability by taking responsibility as it is our duty to readily take responsibility for all our actions and learn from our mistakes.
Each morning in homeroom, our scholars have the opportunity to journal and discuss their thoughts on responsibility.
The entire staff here at BCMAR feel it is an important component of character building.
This will help build morally-conscious citizens, that will positively impact society.
Here at Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan, we place strong emphasis on a STEM+M curriculum. We feel a STEM+M education prepares students for the future labor demand and make them more employable in our technology-rich work world.
This is why we are extremely proud of our rising star Aditi Nageshwar for her engineering award at the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH). She put an enormous amount of thought and work hours into her clean water solution to meet the needs of Native Americans and more!
Great job at showing commitment to your studies and showing such strong BCMAR bulldog pride.
Please check us out, we'd love to be your school of choice. Click here for more information on what we can offer your student: https://www.houstonisd.org/schoolchoice
BCMAR's UIL Academics Team did an amazing job at the competition last month
Mrs. Dupree and the UIL team displayed bulldog spirit and grit last month at Carnegie Vanguard High School hosting of the UIL competition. What a great way to represent our school in these wonderful competitions. This helps prepare our scholars for real-world instances where positive debating builds strong productive leaders.
BCMAR was one of several middle schools invited to experience a wonderful performance of The Wiz
Several middles schools in HISD got to experience an amazing performance of The Wiz put on by a stellar cast, none other than the Performing Arts students at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
The ensemble was truly a replica of a Broadway spectacle. The stage was decked in lights and life-like props and the band performed superbly.
Our Black Excellence Celebration in honor of Third Ward resident Dr. James Edgar Burton was a huge success!
Our BCMAR scholars did an amazing job at our Black History Oratory competition. Kristen King won first place! Way to go bulldogs! A big ‘Thanks’ to the Hess Corporation judges for being a part of this awesome event.
Black Excellence featuring Dr. Charles Drew allowed our scholars to highlight black excellence by showing off their oratorical skills.
Kristen King took home the First Place Trophy as she spoke out on the George Floyd incident in hopes of changes in policies of law enforcement individuals who target possible suspects with obsessive and unruly force.
Students are charged up about being charged!
Sixth grade Scholars are all hands up for a prize for being 100% charged on their chromebooks
Gimme the goodies
Chromebook care has its rewards! Mrs. Harris has been known for her pop-in reward goodie bags at any given time. Let's get caught caring for our chromebooks.
Do you know of anyone in our school community that may need resources or support?
Please make sure your student(s) is in attendance each school day
School Uniform Policy and Dress Codes
Hoodies are not to be worn indoors
No sunglasses
Grade-level polo shirts
School logo outerwear
March's staff highlight features BCMAR's '22-'23 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Elizabeth Espino
Our eighth grade Science teacher has been a part of the BCMAR family since... Saying she is passionate about teaching science to our students is an understatement.
Her modesty highlights her warm nature and compassion for others. When introduced as this year's Teacher of the Year, she simply stated "There are so many other amazing teachers who are deserving of this, but I am truly honored".
An experience in her classroom brings about engagement, collaboration, and most importantly a joy in learning science. She carries with her over 40 years of classroom experience. This is her 6th year at Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan and she has a total of 23 years with HISD.
Needless to say she's a gem and truly an asset to our scholars and campus.
When given the challenge to academically grow our scholars, each year she meets them where they are and evident in end of course assessments, the students grow substantially.
She goes above and beyond in preparing her scholars for any mandated assessments and is more than willing to lend a helping hand to any of her colleagues when needed.
Please join us in congratulating our very own Ms. Espino for the nomination of Teacher of the Year school year '22-'23. She is very deserving of the title and embodies all what a top-tier educator represents.
March's Scholar of the Month
The title of Student of the Month is designed to highlight a what we like to call a scholar's drive and grit inside and outside of the classroom. They must exemplify what it is to be a true bulldog. It entails good citizenship, self-respect, and BCMAR bulldog pride. The scholar must be Brilliant, Committed, Mindful, an Achiever, and Respectful.
Joshua Ebhodaghe (Ea-bo-da-gay) embodies all the aspects of a high-achieving, well-rounded student.
Joshua constantly acts as role-model in the classroom. He is always willing to extend a hand to a fellow scholar or assist his teachers with tasks whenever needed.
When asked what is his favorite school subject, with pride this amazing sixth grader Joshua responded "Language Arts". At this young age, he has a huge appetite for literacy and he has shared he enjoys reading the works of Shakespeare.
Outside of the classroom, Joshua is involved in a variety of extra-curriculars which includes music such as guitar and piano playing.
Overall, Joshua is the type of student any educator will enjoy in their classroom. He embodies all positive representation of a BCMAR bulldog scholar.
Join us in congratulating our superstar scholar Joshua Ebhodaghe! We are super proud of him and all his accomplishments in and out of the classroom.
Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan Middle School
Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/31699
Location: 2610 Elgin Street, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (713) 942-1932
Twitter: @BCMAR_HISD
Houston, TX 77004