BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL MESSENGER
February, 2021
PRINCIPAL POINTS.....BY JOHN JAROSH
LIMITS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Your tween might not admit it now that he's getting older, but boundaries help him feel safe and secure. Rules also teach him to make positive choices as he grows up. Consider these tips for setting limits.
PRIORITIZE RULES
Having too many rules can be confusing for everyone. Try to narrow them to key categories like health and safety (no drugs and alcohol, limit screen time), school (complete homework on time, keep grades up), and family life (do chores, be respectful).
BE CLEAR AND REASONABLE
State each rule simply but clearly, and try to phrase it in a positive way. Example: "Sign off from social media and put away your phone 1 hour before bed" vs. "Don't chat with friends at night." Listen to your tween's input ("My friends text late!"). Then explain your reasoning. ("Screen time can interfere with sleep, and you need sleep to stay healthy and do well in school.")
REMAIN CONSISTENT
Stand firm in enforcing rules--letting something slide teaches your child that the rules don't really matter. Also, assign a consequence that's directly linked to each rule. Have him make and hang up a two-column list labeled "Rules" ("I agree to finish homework before playing video games") and "Consequences" ("If not, I understand that I can't play video games for one day").
from: Middle Years publication
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S CORNER.......ANDREW Haake
MAP TESTING
The Winter MAP testing window begins on January 25th and ends on February 19th. Last school year, BMS moved MAP testing to the Winter for a couple of reasons. First, gathering data in the winter will give our teachers the opportunity to evaluate growth from the first semester and it will allow them to adjust instruction for the remainder of the semester accordingly. Secondly, our students take both MAP and NSCAS tests in the Spring. By moving MAP testing to the winter we strive to remove any test apathy that skews results on the MAP tests.
COUNSELOR QUIPS....AMY RANDAL, COUNSELOR, ANGIE VOGEL, COUSELOR
NOTES FROM THE NURSE
If your child has a fever (100.0 F or higher), for any reason, they should not return to school until they are “fever free” for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication. Do not send your child to school if they wake up with vomiting or diarrhea, or have any symptoms of COVID-19 such as a new cough, new onset of shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell.
When calling the school to report a sick child please be specific as to their symptoms or diagnosis. This will help us to track any outbreaks at Beatrice Middle School.
THE FLU: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly. Each year flu viruses cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospital stays, and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
Flu can be very dangerous for children. CDC estimates that between 6,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 years have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. The flu vaccine is safe and helps protect children from flu.
ASTHMA
Any student diagnosed with Asthma or Anaphylaxis due to allergy, needs to have an updated Asthma/Allergy action plan on file in the nurse’s office every year. Reminder letters have been sent to parents. If you have not had your doctor fill one out yet for your student please get this done ASAP.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF 6TH GRADERS!!!
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT YEAR: PHYSICALS AND T-DAP VACCINATION
All current 6th grade children will need a physical by a doctor, BEFORE entering 7th grade next fall. We will need these on file no later than the first day of school. Physicals must be dated May 1st or after (especially if playing a sport). If we do not have a physical on file for your child after the first full day of school, your child may be excluded from school until this is completed. We let you know this information months in advance so that you have the entire summer to get these physicals done.
Along with a physical, current 6th grade children enrolling in 7th grade next year must provide evidence of having 1 booster of Tdap vaccine given on or after 10 years of age. If you have a 6th grade student this year, they will be required to show proof of the Tdap vaccination BEFORE they will be able to enter 7th grade.
Once vaccinations are received, please send a copy to the school nurse so it is on file and your child is up to date BEFORE THE START OF SCHOOL NEXT FALL.
GAGE COUNTY IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
1110 Jackson Street, Beatrice
*Call 223-2366 for an appointment (must have an appointment)
Must show your insurance card at time of appointment.
Mondays 12-4pm
Tuesdays 3-7pm
Thursdays 12-4pm
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences are right around the corner and will be held on February 16th and 18th. Similar to Fall 2020 conferences, the following changes will be in place from previous years:
1. All conferences will be held remotely via Zoom.
2. Parents will sign up electronically for each teacher they wish to conference with.
- Parents will receive an email confirmation with a Zoom link that can be accessed via computer or phone.
- Parents will also get an email reminder 2 days before their conference.
3. Conference slots will be in 10 minute increments.
Due to the new format, we understand there may be space limitations. We encourage our families to look at your child's progress report we sent with them, have a discussion with your child, and determine which teachers you need to meet with. We value your partnership in your child's education!
To sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences, Click Here: www.signupgenius.com/tabs/83C73DA05A7C2EEC60-bmsspring
PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS....FRESHMAN REGISTRATION
Parents,
On February 8th and 9th, the high school counselors will be at BMS visiting with current 8th graders and handing out registration materials for the 2021-2022 school year. Registration sheets will be due to BMS counselors by February 12. On February 23rd and 24th, 8th graders will register online for next year's classes.
In past years, we've held informative meetings for parents at the Hevelone center. Because of Covid restrictions this year, we will be emailing our presentation to you; which will be the same presentation we present to students.
If you questions please contact us.
Mrs. Vogel, BMS Counselor, 402-223-1545, ext 1104 ....... avogel@bpsnebr.org
Mrs. Randel, BMS Counselor, 402-223-1545, ext 1105 .........arandel@bpsnebr.org
Mrs. Prososki, BHS Counselor, 402-223-1515, ext 1807...... jprososki@bpsnebr.org
Mr. Post, BHS Counselor, 402-223-1515, ext 1806 ........ tpost@bpsnebr.org
CURRENT 8TH GRADERS TRIO/UPWARD BOUND!
Are you an upcoming high school freshman? Is graduating college a goal for you? Does the process seem overwhelming? Would you like some help along the way? It’s recruiting season for the TRIO/Upward Bound program and this may be just what you are looking for!
Upward Bound is a federally funded, pre-college program designed for high school students to prepare them for college. Upward Bound is able to work with 56 eligible students from Beatrice High School, Fairbury High School, and Southern High School. Upward Bound offers monthly academic enhancing workshops, weekly tutoring, college visits, and cultural field trips. Upward Bound also conducts a summer program and a post high school Bridge program. Because this is a federally funded grant, this program is offered to students at no cost. Upward Bound has been in your school since 2004 and has helped many of your peers overcome the often confusing process of attending college.
Upward Bound will be visiting the Middle School in the near future to tell you more about this program and the application process. In the meantime, if you are interested feel free to contact your middle school counselor or Melissa Decker, Director TRIO/Upward Bound at 402-228-8166, Southeast Community College-Beatrice or mdecker@southeast.edu.
CHAIN LINK CONTEST
The BMS Student Council collected money for the Gage County Christmas Wish List. For every 50 cents, one link was added to a chain located in the cafeteria. A total of $515.74 was raised by BMS!
3rd place : 8th grade—$143.97
2nd place: 6th grade—$182.92
1st place: 7th grade—$188.85
Thanks to everyone who donated money. You helped to put a smile on someone’s face Christmas morning!
BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S SECOND QUARTER HONOR ROLL
Congrats to those students who made 2nd Quarter Honor Roll
at Beatrice Middle School!
Interested in becoming a TEAMMATES mentor? Click here.
BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S STUDENTS OF CHARACTER
SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION
School officials will send out a text, email and a phone call to alert all families of a late start, early out, or school closing due to inclement weather. Be sure your school has a current phone number for all parties wishing to receive this information. You may call the Middle School office at 402-223-1545 to make any changes.
BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARBOOK SALES!! FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 18
Beatrice Middle School Memory Books will be sold in advance again this school year. The books will be on sale at a cost of $15.00 each at BMS from Monday, February 8th through Thursday, February 18th. Students may purchase them during mentor or study hall in room 103 during those dates.
The school is preselling memory books in order to give the company an accurate number of books for the school order. Memory books must be ordered during the designated time period as students will not have another opportunity to purchase them. Students will receive their memory book the last day of school, there will be no extra books available for purchase at that time.
Be sure and check with your child to determine if they would like to purchase a Beatrice Middle School memory book. Checks may be made payable to Beatrice Middle School. If paying with cash, exact amount is required as change will not be available.
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Beatrice Middle School
215 North 5th Street, Beatrice NE 68310
(402) 223-1545
BMS Messenger Editor: Laurie Bloomquist