BCMS Bulldog Bulletin
Bulldogs Lead
BCMS Calendar
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES
Term 4 Report Cards will be mailed on July 2. They not be available for pick-up.
Families needing a sign language interpreter should contact Mrs. Gee at 240-236-5710 at least 10 days prior to the event.
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School Office Hours
7:30 AM-3:30 PM
Farewell from Principal Beck
June 27, 2019
Happy Summer BCMS Families! This will be my final message to our community as Principal of Ballenger Creek Middle School. This is a bittersweet moment for me after my three years of service as Principal. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to serve in this community and look forward to supporting BCMS and other middle schools in my new position in Student Services.
As I reflect on the work that we have done as a community during my tenure, I acknowledge my lens of both a FCPS leader and a FCPS parent. I have placed emphasis on valuing students first, supporting staff and parent/community involvement. I have focused on including all stakeholders in the journey to make continued progress with students in the BCMS community. As a result of the core values mentioned, I have focused on leading BCMS with the following mission and vision at heart at all times:
Vision: BCMS staff will establish positive relationships with each student in order to provide relevant and rigorous instruction in a supportive and structured learning environment.
Mission: BCMS will develop well-rounded students who are global minded, respectful and life-long learners. BCMS students will achieve success as a result of the opportunities provided while attending middle school in our rigorous, supportive, structured and student-centered learning environment.
Celebrations
Here are a few of the notable celebrations that I am proud of over the last three years:
an increase in the access to and the number of students enrolled in honors courses through strategic work with our specialist team
improvement in the academic achievement and engagement of our students in our core classes through the use of structured data monitoring and engaging , student-centered based lessons using technology
implementation of the 1-1 Chromebook program through fundraising and county funding
an increase in our therapeutic services offered to students in our community through hiring of skilled staff and training of all staff
a focus on teaching and modeling respect through implementation of structured lessons designed by our leadership team
increased use of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) incentive and activities led by our leadership team
implementation of restorative practices to improve culture and climate as well as support relationships between students, staff and parents in our community as well as improving options to promote a positive change in student behavior
a strategic focus on building empathy, leadership as we built relationships amongst all stakeholders through increased school-wide activities, community events, appreciation events and celebration of our diversity
an increased recognition of students and staff through collaboration and support from our outstanding PTSA
an increase in parent engagement through electronic communication, social media and community events and support of our community liaisons
an increase in the extracurricular opportunities during the day and after school through collaboration with community partners like Boys and Girls Club and recruitment of staff volunteers
an increase in resources for students and parents through collaboration with stakeholders in FCPS and solicitation of grants from staff
an increase in our electives class offering and staffing through the recruitment and hiring of highly qualified staff as well as strategic planning of our master schedule with the specialist team
recognition of our campus from FCPS for "curb appeal" as a result of the work of our phenomenal building services team
implementation of mentoring programs through staff who volunteered with Girls with Pearls and Guys with Ties
piloting a STEM program “Project Lead the Way” through the grant writing of our Advanced Academic Specialist
Student lead community events sponsored by our Student Government Association (SGA)
fundraising for charity during our fun runs under the leadership of our new staff in our PE department and 8th grade student leaders
increased enrollment in our music programs and state recognition of our music students as a result of the leadership in our music department
an increase in our THS Feeder collaboration through events planned to build community and support articulation
improved performance from our scholars in various areas on county benchmarks and state assessments in Math and ELA as a result of our alignment of resources with a strategic focus on data, planning and professional learning for staff
Thank You
I want to thank every member of the BCMS community for your feedback, contributions and support over the years! I want to say a special thank you to the different administrators, counselors and leadership teams I have worked with over the three years. After nineteen years in education, there is no greater memory than having the opportunity of serving as the PROUD PRINCIPAL of Ballenger Creek Middle School. I appreciate the students who have led and embodied "LEAD" (leadership, empathy, achievement and determination). I also valued the parents who have been instrumental in supporting our mission and vision.
I ask that you please share this message with your scholars. I have enjoyed cheering on our Bulldogs as they exceled academically, achieved recognition for their involvement in academics, music, sports and many other activities. I look forward to seeing each of them continuing to LEAD in the Frederick community for years to come. I have been thoroughly engaged and sometimes amused by the amazing spirit of our students. I sincerely appreciate their feedback, hard work and relationships built as I worked with our Bulldogs.
Future Plans
This summer I plan to enjoy time with family and friends as well as making progress on my personal journey as a life-long learner. I will be writing my proposal for researching the impact of Restorative Practices as doctoral student at George Washington University. Follow me on Twitter @JeneenBeck. Have a great summer! I am confident that I will stay connected to TEAM BCMS and continue to be one of the biggest cheerleaders for our school community. I look forward to seeing many of your families as I celebrate in 2020 as my daughter graduates from THS and my son finishes 1st grade :).
Best Wishes to all the Bulldogs below who are transitioning to new locations:
Beck, Jeneen - Principal
Central Office
Transfer to Student Services
Bonn, Anne - Intervention
Retirement
Retiring from FCPS
Booher, Bruce - Intervention
Retirement
Retiring from FCPS
Branham, Jo - Math Specialist
WKMS
Promotion to Asst. Principal
Fer, Paul - Assistant Principal
MMS
Promotion to Principal
Fitzmaurice, Megan - 6th grade Counselor
MES
Transfer
Forney, Sheree - ELA teacher
WKMS
Transfer
French, Erica - ELA teacher
BMS
Transfer
Haugh, Cary - SEIA
THS
Transfer
Hubbard, Travis - PE
MoMS
Transfer
Krauss, Cortney - ELA
CMS
Transfer
Martin, Janet - Science
Retirement
Retiring from FCPS
McClennen, Emily -World Languages
outside of FCPS
McTyre, Michelle – Pyramid Teacher
outside of FCPS
Mossy, Amelia – Math Teacher
outside of FCPS
Musselman, Joan - Math
outside of FCPS
O'Hara, Kelly- Speech Pathologist
outside of FCPS
O'Hara, Lawrence - Science
GTJHS
Transfer
Sedillo, Susan- Special Education
GVES
Transfer
Tadese, Gabrieline - Art
Outside of FCPS
outside of FCPS
WELCOME TO TEAM BCMS
Katz, Nicholas (Math)
New FCPS hire
Phelps, Kelly (Math)
Transfer from WES
Pennington, Denise (Art)
Returning from leave
Velnosky, Andrew (LA)
New FCPS hire
Worthington, Melvin (LA)
New FCPS hire
Webber, Johnny (Counselor)
New FCPS hire
Jackson, Mary (Math)
Transfer from WFMS
Woodward, Zachary (PE)
New FCPS hire
Meredith, Micah (PE)
New FCPS hire
Final Report Cards
Attention Parents:
Final Report cards will be mailed home the week of July 2nd. There will be no pick-up dates this year. Our building will be under construction at the start of summer to create a vestibule at our entrance to increase security. Please check your HAC account to verify that your mailing address is correct. Please contact our Registrar Mrs. Lotoya Gee immediately at Lotoya.Gee@fcps.org or 240-236-5710 with any questions. We want to assure that you will receive your students final report card and any important information sent by mail for the 2019-2020 school year.
HUGE Thank You to Volunteers from our BCMS PTSA
To all of the constant volunteers we’ve counted on this year for fundraising support, supplies, and time, THANK YOU from me and the rest of the PTSA board.
We've never once asked for volunteers and not had the help we needed.
Our PTSA and the school couldn’t hold the number of events we do without the strong school community support at BCMS. Our kids are better because of it.
Thank you thank you!
Chelby Vachon
Counseling Information
2018-19 6th grade - Mrs. Megan Fitz-Marurice Megan.FitzMaurice @fcps.org
2018-19 7th grade- Mrs. Rebecca Pierson Rebecca.Pierson@fcps.org
2018-19 8th grade - Mr. David Ledyard David.Ledyard@fcps.org
The number to our counseling office is 301-236-6710 if you need to contact any of our counselors at at any time. Additionally, please use their emails to contact them directly.
Keeping You Informed
Inclement Weather?
Here is how to Check School Status:
English: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=5581
Spanish: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=7817
Late Bus? Use the link below link.
Did you know that FCPS has a transportation delay board. They can communicate with the public and schools when a bus is running 10 minutes or more late. The information may be accessed on the FCPS website at this link: https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/
Chrome Book 1 to 1
BCMS Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
Please remember to alert the front office (BallengerCreek.MS@fcps.org) if your child is sick and to send a letter when the child returns. Our goal is to have all students in school and on time.
Attendance Percentages
Dates: June 10 to June 18
Monday
Grade 6 ----93.12%
Grade 7 --- -95.20%
Grade 8 ----93.99%
Total -------94.10%
Tuesday
Grade 6 ----93.84%
Grade 7 --- -97.42%
Grade 8 ----94.35%
Total -------95.18%
Wednesday
Grade 6 --- -95.29%
Grade 7 ----95.94%
Grade 8 ----96.47%
Total -------95.90%
Thursday
Grade 6 --- 94.20%
Grade 7 ----97.05%
Grade 8 --- 95.41%
Total ----- --95.54%
Friday
Grade 6 --- 91.30%
Grade 7 --- 95.57%
Grade 8 --- 92.23%
Total ----- --93.01%
Monday
Grade 6 ---87.68%
Grade 7 --- -90.77%
Grade 8 ----88.69%
Total -------89.04%
Tuesday
Grade 6 ----88.04%
Grade 7 --- -90.41%
Grade 8 ----91.17%
Total -------89.88%
Community Liaison Corner
Hello Families,
FCPS will be providing breakfast and lunch free to all children, under the age of 18, June 24th through August 21st at 8 different schools. Breakfast will be available from 8:30 to 9a.m. and lunch will be available from 11:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. Meals will be served Mon.-Thurs. except during the week of July 4th where meals will be served Mon-Wed. and on Fri. Lunch only will be served at C. Burr Artz Library, Noon to 1p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except on July 4th. Children do not have to be enrolled in a Frederick County public school to participate. For schools serving the meals, please visit the following site: www.fcpsnutrition.com/
If you have any questions, please call FCPS Food & Nutrition’s office: 301-644-5061
Frederick Community Action Agency will be providing a free lunch, Mon.-Fri., except on July 4th, at various parks, the FCAA*, the Brunswick Library and the Discovery Community Center. Lunch will be served beginning June 20th through August 30th at the park locations and FCAA. Lunches at the Brunswick Library and Discovery Center will begin June 24th. Please call 301-600-3927 for all park locations and lunch serving times. *Lunch served M-W-F.
Summer Resources:
Transit Summer Student and Kid Passes are now available. Summer student passes cost $15 for unlimited rides June 1 through August 31. Kid passes are free when accompanied by an adult, June 1 through August 31. Please visit: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/318870/Summer-Freedom-Pass-and-Kid-Pass-2019
Frederick County Parks & Recreation offers discount tickets to several amusement parks in the region. Please visit their website for parks and details.
https://www.recreater.com/564/Amusement-Park-Tickets
Serving Frederick 2019, June 29th, Free Food distribution at Lincoln Elem & Waverley Elem, 10a.m. until all is food given out
Free Food Distribution, Open to everyone. Every second Saturday of every month. First Missionary Baptist Church, 6430 Jefferson Pike, Frederick. Call 301-662-3110 for times.
Free Food Distribution, Open to everyone. Second and Fourth Saturday of every month. Emmanuel Trinity Lutheran Church, 4004 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, Open 10:00 to Noon
Harvest Market, 620 N. Market St., Bernard Brown Center/YMCA Training Kitchen, every Wednesday, 3:00-6:00 ($7 for $15 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables)
Have a wonderful summer!
Mrs. Moss
Community Liaison for BCMS
Seventh Grade News
7th grade staff would like to thank all the parents for their support. Have a great summer.
Math Summer Practice
Students who practice problem solving, computation, and math facts will maintain and strengthen his or her mathematical skills. Click on the links below to open the google document. Use the links found in the google document for the grade level your student will be entering fall 2019 to have your student practice skills over the summer..
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ev_1ApU7WAlG_6-oKvbVtd7iFgnDCwRW3jirLJ1vnNE/edit?usp=sharing
Language Arts
BCMS parents and students,
Teachers and literacy experts agree that children of all ages need to read (or be read to) and to talk about books over the summer. Summer reading and book discussions will help students maintain their reading skills, improve their reading fluency, and learn new vocabulary and concepts. Most importantly, when parents and children enjoy summer reading together, children develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.
Have a wonderful summer and please take time to read a good book together. Or, read a good book alone and share your thoughts about what you've read. Take some time to rest the devices and read.
Visit my website for ideas: http://education.fcps.org/bcms/katienorris
NJROTC Program
Are You Interested in gaining leadership skills?
Working in a Team environment?
The Naval Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)
Program at Governor Thomas Johnson High School may be right for you.
Please visit http://patriotnjrotc.com to learn about
joining and applying to the NJROTC Program.
Returning cadets are encouraged to reapply for the upcoming school year.
Please contact Chief Rodrigues (Michael.Rodrigues@fcps.org)
or Commander Gillespie (Jeremy.Gillespie@fcps.org)
for additional information or any questions.
Boys and Girls Club at BCMS
"Need a plan for the summer!!!! Come to the Boys & Girls Club. The Middle School Camp at the Club is a cool exciting place for your child to spend time this summer. In collaboration with Frederick Community College Monroe Centers called "Kids & Teens on Campus," members will have a great time exploring many careers. Each session is a week long and their is 4 different sessions. In addition, your child will participate in swimming and fun field trips!!! Our summer program is an affordable way for kids to make friends, learn new things and just have fun. The total cost of The Club is a $1,000. With payments of $100 Deposit, and 3 separate payments of $300. Included in the price is the sessions at FCC, going to the pool twice a week, lunch and snack everyday and field trips once a week. The dates are July 1st to August 16th.
Contact Suzanne to register 240-831-4330, 301-600-1875
If you have more questions about the summer program or the cost contact Suzanne.
Wayne Toms
Site Director BGCFC at BCMS
Welcome to the Ballenger Creek Middle School Health Room!
Frederick County Health Department / Frederick County Public Schools
Health room hours (during the school year): 7:45 am - 3:15pm
Phone number: 240-236-5708
Registered Nurse: Rebbecca Montes, RN
Health Room Technician: Briony Hill, HRT
School Health Services in Frederick County Public Schools are delivered by the Frederick County Health Department, utilizing a cluster model of care. School nurses are Registered Nurses (RN) who serve as the leader of the school health team and oversee the health room in 2-3 schools. A dedicated Health Room Technician (HRT) is assigned to each school health room and carry out day to day operations.
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Note to parents of student with food allergies -
Please assume at any school events, such as PBIS events and other celebrations, that food may be offered or consumed. Your child is welcome to bring their own snack to these events, if they do not feel comfortable, or are unable, to consume what is offered.