The Weekly Update #4
February 5th, 2024
Hope you have had a great weekend.
See you tomorrow!
Counselor Appreciation Week
Kim Bronson (A-G)
Angeliki Smirniotis aka Ms. S (H-M)
Jason Schafer (N-Z)
This past week BMMS students and educators honored and celebrated our four wonderful counselors for all of their hard work and commitment to our students. Before the official end of the week, we want to once more thank and appreciate all of the work that our wonderful team does to make ensure that our students are supported in their academic journey and mental wellness.
We want to extend an additional thanks to our visiting counselors that have assisted this week with our Crisis Response Team
Natasha Edrington (Highland Ranch Elementary);
Jenny Asmann (Design39);
Andrea Guevara (Design39); and
Daniel Vejar (Meadowbrook Middle).
Happy Counselor Appreciation Week to Mrs. Visser, Mrs. Bronson, Mr. Schafer, and Ms.Smirniotis.
Thank you for all that you do for our students.
Message sent to families earlier this week through Connect-Ed
Dear Black Mountain Middle School Families,
It is with a very heavy heart that I share with you that one of our students has passed away. We are in contact with the family and honor their privacy during this time of great loss.
Our counselors and mental health staff are trained professionals and are available to work with students who are in need of grief support. If you feel your child is in need of assistance, please let your child's counselor know directly. Counselor contact information can be found on our counseling web page by clicking here.
I want to take this opportunity to remind our families that we are all partners in your children’s mental health and success. Our District website offers a variety of resources for families to access should you need information or talking points. To find these resources please visit PUSD’s Mental Health resources page. Additional information can be found at the following links:
San Diego County Office of Education, Coping with Grief After an Unexpected Death
San Diego County Office of Education, Preparing Child for a Funeral of a Friend
National Association of School Psychologists, Preventing Youth Suicide
California Mental Health Services Act, Know the Signs
Please seek help immediately if your child is exhibiting signs of severe emotional distress;
Call 911 if emergency medical care is needed.
The San Diego County Access and Crisis Line: 1-888-724-7240 for immediate help.
Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741 for access to free support.
988: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
PUSD Tipline (monitored 24-7 by local law enforcement): 1-844-PUSD-TIP (1-844-787-3847)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or TEXT: Text TALK to 741741
At Black Mountain Middle School, we want our students and families to remember they are not alone. We care deeply about our students. Please contact us at 858-484-1300 if you have any questions or would like support on how to start a conversation with your children. We’re here to help.
Sincerely,
Darcel Glover
Principal, Black Mountain Middle School
Week at a Glance
Black History Month - Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Black History Month - Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Black History Month is a time to educate ourselves and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans. This week BMMS would like to honor Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Born July 16, 1862, Ida B. Wells was an American educator, investigative journalist, newspaper owner, and pivotable leader in the anti-lynchin and civil rights movements. Mrs. Wells-Barnett was a pioneering journalist who opened the eyes of the nation and the world, documenting the atrocities of lynching as she traveled through the Jim Crow South in the late 1800s. In 1893, Wells published A Red Record, an account of the domestic terrorism perpetrated during this period in history. Wells was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in in 2020 "for her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching." There is much more to this remarkable woman in American History. Please continue to learn about Ida B. Well-Barnett by going to the following link to Biography.com.
Black History Month Events
Please join us on Thursday 15 February 7pm for “Lift Every Voice and Sing!” a Black History Month Concert hosted by Mt Carmel High School, featuring our own Black Mountain Raider Choir! See flyer below for details.
Lift Every Voice - BMMS Choir Concert @ MCHS
Science Olympiad Tournaments & Outcomes
Congratulations to our Science Olympiad Team!
BirdSO Invitiational Science Olympiad Tournament
Saturday 1/13/24 at USC, Los Angeles
Attended by schools across California and one from Hawaii.
80 Teams competed, many from schools that have moved on to the State and National competitions in prior years. We had partial teams (not all events covered), and ranked 45 with the "fuller" team
Sierra Vista Middle School Invitational
Saturday 2/3/23 at Irvine.
55 teams competed, coming from schools across northern and southern California. Very competitive, with the National Champions from the last two years participating. We had an almost full team (covering 22 events) and 2 partial teams.
BMMS Roller Coaster Event: 5th and 6th place (only top 6 were given medals). We placed in the top 12 in six events, and overall ranked 28 with the fuller team.
The Regional Competition will be in 3 weeks at Miramar College: Saturday 2/24/24 (8am to 4pm)
President's Week - 2/19-2/23 - No School
Calendar - February
02.12.24 - Lincoln's Birthday
02.13.24 - Mardi Gras
02.14.24 - ASB Spirit Day - Wear Pink or Red
02.14.24 - Ash Wednesday
02.14.24 - Lent begins
02.14.24 - Valentine's Day
02.14.24 - PTSA Executive Board Meeting, 6pm
02.15.24 - ASES Volleyball Game, 4-5pm @ OVMS
02.15.24 - Choir Concert at MC - Tentative, 7pm
02.16.24 - Random Acts of Kindness Day(s) - ASB
02.16.24 - Breakfast of Champions, 7:15am by Invitation Only
02.19.24-02.23.24 - President's Week - District Recess
02.24.24 - Magha Puja
02.29.24 - ASES Volleyball Game, 4-5pm @ MVMS
*subject to change