BMS Newsletter
"Quality Learning and Positive Personal Development for All"
Announcements
Brunswick Middle School has been hopping with activity now that both cohorts of hybrid students have had some time in the building. It’s been great seeing students face-to-face again! Teachers are working hard to engage both hybrid and virtual students simultaneously, and we all look forward to the day when everyone can be in the building at once. Schoology is still the hub of all things for both virtual and hybrid students with teachers still posting playlists in their courses.
Up-"Dates"
- Sunday, March 14, 2021 - Daylight Savings Time begins
- Saturday, March 20, 2021 - First Day of Spring!
- Monday, March 29 - Friday, April 2 & Monday, April 5, 2021 - Spring Break
- Friday, April 9, 2021 - end of Term 3
- Monday, April 12 - no school for students (teacher work day)
- Tuesday, April 13 - Term 4 begins
Registration
Parents of Current 6th and 7th graders:
Believe it or not, we are already planning for next school year. We have already finalized our Language Arts & Math level recommendations and will be talking to the current 6th and 7th graders about courses and elective choices next week. Please be on the lookout for FindOutFirst messages about important registration information and deadlines.
BMS Registration Timeline
3/3 Rising 7th & 8th (Current 6th & 7th) Registration Presentations
- What: Meet virtually with each grade and students will have the opportunity to complete a Google form to select their top 4 elective choices.
- Time: 9:05-10:10 (Periods 1 & 2)
- Google meet codes:
- Current 6th/Rising 7th: http://meet.google.com/lookup/bmsregistrationrising7 or BMSRegistrationRising7
- Current 7th/Rising 8th: http://meet.google.com/lookup/bmsregistrationrising8 or BMSRegistrationRising8
3/8 Electives Google Form due
3/11 Registration forms mailed
3/19 Cohort B - Registration forms due
3/22 Cohort A - Registration forms due
Parents can either return a hard copy of the registration form or electronically indicate they agree or disagree with their child's leveling recommendations and elective choices by completing a google form. Here is a link to the BMS Registration Form Agree/Disagree SY 21.22 Google Form: https://forms.gle/X2X9zY9cndE2xfMg6.
Please contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions about the registration process:
Kelly Mahn 6th Grade, 7th Grade A-K 240-236-5364 kelly.mahn@fcps.org
Christine Akagi 7th Grade L-Z, 8th grade 240-236-5403 christine.akagi@fcps.org.
Health Screening Information
FCPS is asking for your help in keeping our schools and communities safe. Please review the list of COVID-19 symptoms below with your student prior to leaving for school every day. You will be provided a weekly communication reminder of this requirement. Students who are ill or are experiencing any of the symptoms or situations listed below are expected to remain at home.
Parents/Guardians are affirming and attesting to the following for their student:
1. Since last in school, your child has not had any of the following symptoms: Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (measured or subjective), chills or shaking chills, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose.
2. Since last in school, your child is not waiting for a COVID-19 test result due to symptoms nor has he or she been diagnosed with COVID-19, nor been instructed by any health care provider or the health department to isolate or quarantine.
3. In the last 10 days, your child has not had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period) with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19 and did not complete quarantine.
If the answer is YES to any of the above statements, your student should not come to school. Please contact your healthcare provider with any questions regarding next steps for your student.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yearbooks
Railroader Nation, you will be pleased to know that we will in fact have a yearbook this year. There is much to be done but we are confident that we will have a fantastic yearbook like we have had in the past. This is not a normal year and many of our events that occur at the beginning of the year will now be consolidated in order for us to make our deadlines. In addition some of our procedures have been adapted to meet the changing times.
If you are interested in one of our fantastic yearbooks you must order it online. The online ordering process is now open. Please use this link: www.yearbookordercenter.com and the BMS code is 29301. Similar to last year, we are offering two options: soft cover books are $30 and hardcover books are $35. This price includes a digital name imprint for every yearbook. Your child’s given name is the default for the imprint, and you will have the option to change it during the ordering process. All orders must be placed by April 25th to guarantee a copy of the yearbook. Please do not wait to order as we will only have a small amount of books to sell when they arrive. Any extra yearbooks that we receive will be on a first come, first serve basis. We anticipate the arrival of our yearbooks and distribution to be before students leave school in June.
Portrait Information - School Portraits will be taken February 23rd and 26th during the school day by Lifetouch. This allows students in Cohort A & B the opportunity to have their picture taken. Students remaining virtual can schedule a time to come in from 1:30 - 3:30 pm on either day for a school portrait. Using the BMS Yearbook Hub go to the “portrait information” tab and sign-up for a time slot. Additionally, you may choose to send in a picture of your child if having a school portrait taken at school is not an option for your family at this time. Directions for how to do this are also on the BMS yearbook Hub under the “portrait information” tab.
8th Grade ONLY - There will be a section in the yearbook for 8th grade baby pictures/optional message to your 8th grader. Participation in this special opportunity is voluntary and will make the yearbook extra memorable for your child.
Please note:
Your child’s given name will be listed in the yearbook. If you have a preferred name for your child we ask that you make that request on the BMS Yearbook Hub (Name Change Request).
Again we are very excited to get the opportunity to produce another great yearbook and look forward to seeing lots of photos from you to include in this year's edition.
Thank you,
Ms. Clark & Ms. Innocenti
(Yearbook Advisors)
Summer Program
The Regional Math/Science Center (RMSC) at Frostburg State University (FSU) is currently accepting application from eligible 8th graders. RMSC at FSU is an Upward Bound Math Science program funded by the US Department of Education. The primary goal of their program is to provide academic support to eligible students and help them develop to their full potential so they will enter and be successful in post-secondary education in the fields of math and/or science.
Eligibility Criteria:
Meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- Be a Potential First Generation College Student (neither parent has a Bachelor's degree) OR
- Have a TAXABLE family income that meets the criteria established by the US Department of Education
Additional information about the program is available at the RMSC at FSU homepage
Contact Dr. Akagi via email at Christine.akagi@fcps.org if you are interested in applying.
Masks / Facial Coverings
MASKS ARE MANDATORY for everyone. Staff, students and any visitor to BMS are expected to wear face coverings while in the school building, on school grounds, and on the school bus. The exception is if students are seated and eating or getting a drink of water from their own personalized water bottle. During outdoor activities students can remove masks, as long as they are more than 6 feet away from one another.
Masks are to be provided by the family and a back-up is recommended. Additional masks will be available if students forget to bring one or if their mask becomes unusable. Masks must be worn before entering the school. If a student chooses to wear a gaiter, it must be double layered. A single-layer gaiter is no longer permitted according to CDC Guidelines and FCPS Policy.
FCPS Progressive Discipline for mask non-compliance may result in a return to full virtual learning.
Technical Support
Free Meals
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is serving breakfasts, lunches and suppers to go at 22 sites throughout Frederick County. Participants must be age 18 or under unless they are adults enrolled in an educational program for persons with disabilities. They do not have to live in Frederick County, be FCPS students or be registered to attend the schools serving meals. They do not have to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. From all locations and at all mealtimes, children’s meals are “to go.”
Attendance
BMS Counseling Department
- Kelly Mahn-6th grade & 7th grade (A-K)/Kelly.Mahn@fcps.org 240-236-5364
- Dr. Christine Akagi- 8th grade & 7th grade (L-Z)/ Christine.Akagi@fcps.org 240-236-5403
- Lauren Haines Behavioral Support Specialist/Lauren.Haines@fcps.org 240-236-5363
Extended Learning Opportunity
It's hard to believe we are already at the mid-point of the third marking period! In addition to synchronous and face-to-face sessions during the instructional day, students also have access to their teachers during the afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday & Fridays, held during two sessions from 1:25 - 2:10 and 2:15 - 3:00. Please encourage your student
to make arrangements to Meet with their teachers to get the content-specic help they need.
All students also have access to Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) after the instructional day.
Extended Learning Opportunity
What?
In order to support students and families during distance learning, Brunswick Middle School is providing free, virtual tutoring sessions during weekday evenings. These sessions are made available by our staff for all students to ask assignment questions and receive content support in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.
When?
Sessions occur in the evening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. (No ELO during Thanksgiving break, winter break, holidays, etc)
Tuesday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Wednesday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Thursday
5:00-7:00 pm
Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Support
Students can spend as much or as little time in ELO as they need. Students are not asked to come for the full two hours of ELO but if they need to, they are certainly welcome.
How can I access?
Use Google Meet Code: bmsmorehelp
A Google Meet link is posted in each teacher's Resource folder in Schoology for students to access. Students must use their FCPS accounts to access ELO.
Once in the meeting, someone will ask you what kind of help you need. Based on what you need help with, they will send you with a tutor to work with you one on one. If you need help in more than one subject, just go back to the main meeting and you will be directed to another tutor.
Ms. French- Math Specialist
Thank you for all of the February Monthly Math Problem Entries! The answer to last month’s problem is 144. Check out this month’s family math problem here. The answer will be in next month’s newsletter.
The math team has been excited to welcome students back into the classroom! As always, please never hesitate to reach out to Mrs. French (erica.french@fcps.org) with any questions you have about math at Brunswick Middle School!
Ms. McFadden Media
BMS Railroader Depot Schoology Group:
Students and families! Want to stay informed about what’s happening in the BMS school community? Want to learn about new books or hear Ms. McFadden’s First Chapter Fridays? We try to post something interesting every day. Our hope is to build our school community through thoughtful and respectful discussions about all kinds of things! Join the BMS Schoology Group: BMS Railroader Depot
The code is: HFR5B-8HP42 Need help? Reach out to Ms. McFadden in Schoology or via email heather.mcfadden@fcps.org
Curbside Book Checkout:
Need a break from the devices? Try a good, old fashioned book! I am happily filling curbside book checkout requests. Students put their book on hold on their LS2 account and I will pull the books. Hybrid students will receive their holds on their T/F in person day. Virtual students can pick up their book from 1-3 M/T/Th/F. Can’t pick up at that time? Contact Ms. McFadden- we’ll figure something out!
Don’t know what to read? Fill out my reading prescription and I will try to find the right book for you!
New Books!
We just got our first shipment of new books! Check out the covers on the BMS Media LS2- there’s a tab called New Books.
Book Returns:
BMS Families and readers! As we head into hybrid learning, if you come across any FCPS library books on your shelves, in your cars, under your beds, ect..please plan to return them as soon as possible! We have 460 BMS library books still out with students. Please finish reading those and bring them back, so they will be available for others to access. Replacing those overdue books would take up my whole budget for the year, which means I wouldn’t be able to get any of the awesome new books that are being published! Let’s be good stewards of our book resources and get those back to the school, please!
Do you have books from last year that you need to return? I will set a box out at BMS for book returns during school hours. You can return a book for ANY FCPS school and I will make sure it gets back to where it belongs! Here are some great reasons to return FCPS books:
You are tired of keeping track of a book from last year!
Someone else might want to check that book out!
Don't know if there are any books still on your account from last year? Log in to LS2 today to find out!
Returned books will be quarantined per the ALA guidelines for seven days. And don’t worry, there are no fines for late books! I will just be glad to have them back so others can check them out!
Here’s a video to explain how to log in to LS2 to look at your account for overdue books and to place a hold.
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQDozJaUO
Brainbreak:
Looking for other literary extension activities? Try my Reading Roundup Game Card.
Ms. Mossburg- Advanced Academic Specialist
Advanced Academics - Mrs. Mossburg
Identification of highly able learners is underway. A HAL(highly able learner) student is a student who demonstrates high ability through performance on a variety of specific data measures. A HAL student could also possess the ability to learn material at advanced rates and levels of understanding. HAL students are clustered in groups of 3-10 in honors language arts classes and heterogeneous science and social studies classes. HAL students are together in advanced math courses. If your student is identified as a highly able learner, you will receive a letter in April. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Mossburg at amy.mossburg@fcps.org.
We are thrilled to announce the 2021 Virtual Summer Enrichment Programs are now published and ready for registration for high ability students in grades 2 - 12. We will offer 2 weeks of opportunities with courses available in the morning and afternoon each week. We have virtual courses available in the areas of robotics, civics, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. Please see our Summer 2021 brochure for more information.
We will be offering a variety of Summer Enrichment Courses in four different sessions throughout June & July 2021. Each course is $150 and will be offered virtually.
Visit our Website for Course Descriptions
Ms. Zimmerman-Literacy Specialist
March brings spring (or so it’s hoped!) and it also brings plenty of new reasons to read. Warmer days might beckon kids outside, while rainy days are perfect for curling up with a book. March is also Women’s History Month and a great and inspiring time to kick off a month of reading.
Here are 10 challenges to keep the page-turning motivation of kids of all ages at a high:
o Read a book written by a female author.
o Think about your favorite book character — and choose a book you think that
character would like to read.
o Read a book with words and illustrations by the same person.
o Ask our Media Specialist, Mrs. McFadden, or your LA teachers to suggest a Newbery
Medal- or Newbery Honor-winning book from the last two years.
o Read a nonfiction book about an accomplished woman you’ve never heard of.
o Read a book with a title that’s a question.
o Ask our Media Specialist, Mrs. McFadden, or your LA teachers to recommend a
Caldecott Medal - or Caldecott Honor-winning book from the last two years.
o Pick a book you’ve read and loved and make a bookmark inspired by it.
o Read aloud to your family (pets included!)
o Read a book by Dr. Seuss to celebrate his birthday, March 2.
Check out this diverse list provided by the National Education Association linked here.
As always, please continue to check on the progress your student is making in Language Arts and let us know if you have any questions! Please reach out and let me know how I can help at katie.zimmerman@fcps.org.
Language Arts
Ms. Baughman
Students have been analyzing poetry. We have been reviewing and identifying various types of figurative language. Students will be comparing and contrasting two poems that have similar themes. They will analyze the themes and figurative language used to convey the themes. We have also analyzed a letter correspondence and poem about Rosa Parks in honor of Black History Month.
Please continue to check your child’s grades and reach out to me with any questions. Please encourage your child to sign up for tutoring if they are struggling. My tutoring times/codes are on my Schoology announcement page.
Ms. Givens
Students will continue to analyze poetry to determine theme, and will write multiple paragraphs to compare and contrast themes of multiple poems. Informational text on WWII and The Holocaust will continue to be assigned. Through photos, articles, and excerpts from the book, Night by Elie Weisel, students will examine the events that led to the Hitler's rise to power and the genocide of the Jewish people during WWII.
Ms. Mills
Students are still working on reading literary texts. They will identify and interpret figurative language, analyze the literary devices used by the authors, and determine the theme of several texts (ie songs, poems, and stories). Students will also compare and contrast how similar themes are conveyed by different authors, examine how a particular part of the text contributes to the theme, and use text evidence and reasoning to explain those ideas. These reading skills will then be applied in their informative/explanatory essay writing in which the ideas, organization and style will be a focus. Additionally, students will continue reading toward their Term 3 book log goal.
Ms. Remsburg
Ms. Rogowsky
Read180 students have been busy working on the adaptive computer component and forging on to new topics and segments. In addition, 8th grade students have been creating infographics, while 7th grade students have been tracing John Wilkes Booth's steps after he assassinated President Lincoln. The 6th grade students just finished the workshop entitled, "Stand Up" and are begining Workshop 2, "Water Fight."
Ms. Spence
6th grade language arts classes are currently working on reading a variety of fictional texts. Students will read to identify characters’ point of view, theme, and author’s message, and compare and contrast these items in two texts. Also, students will focus on citing text evidence to support their responses. We will begin analyzing poetry and identify themes and figurative language. Please utilize Schoology at home to monitor grades and check for missing work. The term 3 Book Project folder is located on the materials page in Schoology.
Math
Ms. Botker
6th Grade: In 6th grade Math Workshop we will continue to work on assignments that are given in your grade level math class. Those assignments include graphing and reflecting points on a coordinate plane.
7th Grade: In 7th grade Math Workshop we will continue our work on rational numbers, decimals, and expressions. We will be working to complete any assignments given in your grade level math class.
8th Grade: In 8th grade Math Workshop the students will continue their study of functions and equations, both linear and nonlinear. We will complete tables, ordered pairs, and graphs of these equations.
Ms. Cummings
6th grade Math
Students have recently begun Unit 4. For the remainder of this unit we will cover the following skills: parts of expressions, modeling and writing expressions, solving expressions, and generating equivalent expressions.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept
- Modeling & Writing Expressions:
- pages 261 - 267
- Evaluating Expressions:
- pages 269 - 273
- Generating Equivalent Expressions:
- pages 275 - 281 Extension:
- pages 282 - 283
7th grade Math
Students are currently working through the end of Unit 5. We are currently focusing on the following skills: solving multi-step real world problems with fractions, decimals and percents by applying properties of operations and rational numbers.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept:
- Multi-Step Real World Problems: pages 26-28, 50-52, 95-98, 153-156
Ms. Hargett
6th grade Math
Students have recently begun Unit 4. For the remainder of this unit we will cover the following skills: parts of expressions, modeling and writing expressions, solving expressions, and generating equivalent expressions.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept:
- Modeling
- & Writing Expressions: pages 261 - 267
- Evaluating
- Expressions: pages 269 - 273
- Generating Equivalent Expressions: pages 275 - 281 Extension: pages 282 - 283
7th grade Math
Students will continue working on Unit 4. In this unit we will be focusing on the following skills: converting rational numbers between fractions, decimals, and percentages and applying previously learned rational number operations from Unit 1 to solve real-world problems with rational numbers.
If you'd like your student to have extra practice or review, I recommend using the following pages in their GoMath! Textbook for each concept:
Mr. Livingston
In March, Math 7 and Honors classes will work on solving one and two-step equations. These equations also involve rational numbers. The 7th grade accelerated class will continue working on proportional reasoning using equations and graphs before moving into percent problems.
Mr. Miller
Welcome to Hybrid Learning. I am excited about the opportunities that hybrid learning has to offer. As the name implies, we are adjusting to integrate virtual with in-person (classroom) instruction.
Students in Mr. Miller's Math 8 are continuing to explore concepts in Unit 3 (Functions, Expressions and Equations: Input and Output Relationships with linear functions). Students will learn to define a function as a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output. They will show the relationship between the inputs and outputs of a function by graphing them as ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. Finally, students will be able to explain why the equation y=mx+b represents a linear function and interpret the slope and y-intercept in relation to the function.
Mr. Miller has been meeting virtually with his Rubik's Cube Club on Tuesday's from 3:00 to 3:45. All students are welcome to participate: From those to want to learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube to Expert solvers. Join us Tuesdays at 3:00 on Google Meet: BMScubers21
Ms. Schmidt
8th Grade Math Classes: Students have begun this week to learn about rate of change and slope. They will derive the slope equation y = mx+b for a line through the origin to solve real world problems – such as building a handicapped ramp.
Algebra Classes: Students have just begun Unit 4 on Polynomials and Factoring. They are learning how to write the polynomial in Standard Form, classify them by #of terms, Highest degree and name such as quadratic and Cubic. Next they will add, subtract, multiply, and factor polynomials.
Stock Market Game: Teams are still forming. Students began by learning the rules, the vocabulary, investigating companies, and the teams are now purchasing stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The game went LIVE on February 1st until April 9th. Students have $100,000 to spend. Teams will be competing against the 8 Northern Counties of Maryland. This week one team placed, 7, 5, 28, to 71 in just 4 days! BMS is competing in the 8 northern counties of Maryland and there are 255 teams. Come join the fun every Tuesday from 3 – 4 at a Google Meet bmsstockmarket. If interested please contact Ms. Schmidt at kim.schmidt@fcps.org or Mrs. McFadden at heather.mcfadden@fcps.org. The more the merrier!
Science
Ms. Clark & Ms. Gomez
6th grade science students are still learning about Weather and Climate! Students have had the opportunity to learn about the tools that make up a weather station and what types of weather each tool measures. Students were able to pick a location of their choice to research the current and predicted weather of the area - we looked at places all over the United States and even other countries. We have wrapped up our topics on weather factors, air masses and fronts, and weather forecasting. We are transitoning to natural hazards and severe weather! In addition, with February being Black History Month, we spent time learning about African American Scientists in History. We specifically focused on the individual contributions of each scientist to the science community and his/her advice for future scientists.
Mr. Jackson
7th graders in science classes have been studying the properties of elements and compounds and describing the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures. We have used simulation software to build molecular models and we have learned to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures.
As we move into March, we will continue our study of chemistry by exploring the law of conservation of matter and describing simple chemical reactions.
Ms. Thrasher
Students in science will be to covering the standard MS-ESS1-1 on Patterns. Students will show their understanding by developing and using a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
Ms. Vangrootenbruel
7th Grade
A short month with fast learning. Students have delved into electricity and how this is a resource for our planet. We are going to be looking at the overall picture of energy flow which will lead us into the Chemistry Unit. Additionally. discussions have begun on the impact human behavior has on the health of the planet.
8th Grade
Using a game of chance the student creates a genetic code and then builds the monster based on that code. To bring the genetic creature to life each student drew their monster using the Google Draw feature. As we have learned there is genetic diversity in everyone!
Social Studies
Mr. Hawk, Ms. Rousseau, and Mr. Hines - 8th Grade Social Studies
8th grade American Studies classes are beginning our unit on westward expansion of the United States and Manifest Destiny. Throughout this unit students will analyze how the nation in the 1800’s was socially, economically, and politically impacted by a number of important historical events, inventions, and innovations. By the end of this learning experience students will begin to notice a number of sectional differences among regions of the country (North, South, and West) in the mid 1800’s. This will set the stage for our next unit covering the causes of the American Civil War.
Mr. Hines and Ms. Gomez - 7th Grade Social Studies
7th Grade History of the Medieval World
In 7th grade history classes, students are beginning to discuss medieval Japan and the rise of Japanese feudalism and the use of samurai warriors. This is a time period when students will study feudal social organizations, medieval Japanese art, as well as researching the lives of the samurai. We will also investigate primary sources, practice better thesis writing, and citing sources in essays.
Ms. Innocenti and Rousseau - 6th Grade Social Studies
6th Grade History of the Ancient World
In 6th grade history classes, students are working through the China unit. They are analyzing the social, political and economic aspects of this civilization and how it influenced western society. In the next unit students will be exploring the Ancient world of Greece!
Physical Education (PE)
Ms. Bures
Welcome back to the Building!! It has been so nice seeing your faces in person! For the days you have PE please remember to wear clothes and shoes that you can be active in. Be prepared to go outside whenever the weather is nice enough for us to enjoy it! Every week there are still Asynchronous documents that you need to complete for your weekly grade, so make sure to have your Chromebook with you. If you are having a hard time with assignments PLEASE come to my tutoring or schedule a time! I am here to help! Let's keeping moving and staying active Railroaders!
Ms. Caudell
BMS students are just about half way done Health Class! We just finished up infectious and noninfectious diseases/illnesses and we are about to move into "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs" for about two weeks. We love learning about all the ways we can help our bodies heal and grow! I am so excited to be meeting a lot of you in person for the first time!
Mr. Dinterman
In PE we will continue to work on understanding the FITT principle along with figuring our what activities get students into their target heart rate zones. Students will also be learning about the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Students will participate in a variety of fitness based activities including jumping rope, rowing, walking/jogging, and body weight type exercises.
Mr. Hartman
Special Education
Special Education Students and Self Advocacy
Middle school is a time to encourage independence with your child. Teaching them how to be independent is important as we have to guide them on their journey of school and growth. We want students to respectfully advocate for themselves in regard to their learning. Teachers assess students to determine what they know and what they need to learn, but sometimes assessment is not enough. Students expressing that they do not understand an assignment, the content or that a particular teaching strategy is very helpful to the teacher. Attached is an article on teaching your child to advocate for themselves. Teaching your child to advocate can also promote self awareness of what their needs are.
Electives and Exploratories
Theatre Arts & Chorus Ms. Cicmanec
Theatre Arts
We are excited to begin the Choreography Unit in Theatre Arts! Students will be working to create choreography based on their grade level units. They will be arranging original choreography and will have the choice of sharing their dance live or through Flipgrid. We would love to have family members perform too!
Chorus
Chorus students have been researching black singers in honor of Black History Month. Students will be presenting their research and sharing their singers positive contributions on the world of music. Students will have the opportunity to sing one of their artists' songs live or through Flipgrid!
World Language Ms. Cicmanec
World Language students are currently working on a French Speaking Country Research Project. Students were able to select a country of their choice and will be presenting the information they learned through a Google Slide presentation. We are also learning French vocabulary for colors, numbers and classroom objects.
Food Science & Lab 21 Ms. Crider
Food Science class is in our Tech in Marketing Unit. We have been learning about strategies and techniques that advertisers use to target their audiences and get them to buy their products. We will be starting a project on food packaging and marketing by creating original cereal brands and the packaging, which will be targeted to children.
Lab 21 classes are continuing in our Mindset Unit. We are currently creating Infographics on Brain and Mindset topics. We have been learning about how the brain grows and how our mindsets affect our thinking about how we learn. We are communicating this learning by presenting it in Infographic styles that are visually informative and engaging.
Spanish 1 & 2 Ms. Grieg
Spanish 1 students are in the School Unit and are able to talk about their classes, what time they begin and end, and who their teachers are. They have also learned how to conjugate AR verbs in the present tense. In the next few weeks we will be working on describing classes, using prepositions to identify the location of various classroom objects and the conjugations of the irregular verbs ‘estar’ and ‘ir’.
Spanish 2 students are in the Health Unit. They have already learned how to talk about sporting events, ways to stay healthy and descriptions of athletes; all while using the preterite tense. We are now starting to work on daily routines, personal hygiene vocabulary, and body parts. Many of the Spanish vocabulary words that are used to describe routines are reflexive verbs which leads us into our new grammar concepts: reflexive verbs and the present progressive.
Although I have not gotten the pleasure of meeting all of my students face-to-face, I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to meet a handful of them! I am looking forward to continuing with hybrid, learning more faces and conquering the new challenge of concurrent teaching with in person and virtual students. This year has brought a lot of firsts!
Food Science & Lab 21 Ms. Harne
In Lab 21 we have been learning about the brain and how to have a growth mindset. We also started learning about how to use different tech tools to create infographics and other visuals. We are wrapping up this unit and we will be going into our next unit called “computational thinking.” In this unit students will learn how to use different programs to code, problem solve, and create.
Technology Expo. & Pre Engineering & Comp Science Mr. Kenderdine
Pre-Engineering -
We will be continuing to examine Bridges. We will be learning how bridges are made, the different types of structure elements that go into making a bridge. What engineering need to think about when designing bridges. And, We will be designing our own bridges.
Computer Science Investigation -
We will be continue to investigate computer animation and gaming. The students will design their own games at the end of the unit.
Tech Expo - The students will continue to learn about simple machines. What are the 6 simple machines and how are they used. The students will then be design a tool using the idea of the simple machines.
Music Mr. Player
Band and orchestra announcements:
If your child is interested in participating in the FCPS virtual ensemble, please contact Mr. Player and fill out the digital permission form by March 5th. Students must be academically eligible to participate.
Also, please encourage and remind your band and orchestra students they should be practicing their instrument 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Since we don’t have band/orchestra every day in person, it is important that our young musicians have a consistent practice routine.
8th grade band: We have been learning about and performing in six-eight time signatures, cut-time (two-two) time signatures, and playing sixteenth notes. We will be getting a fun pop piece very soon to start working on!
7th grade band: We have been working on a concert style piece, “Trumpet Voluntary”, and will be finishing the red book (book 1) in March. Students will need the Standards of Excellence book 2 (blue book) once we have finished book 1.
6th grade band: Students learned recording software, and recorded a solo performance with an accompaniment backing track. They did a great job, and I am proud of them! Here is an example of one of our soloists in six grade! Trumpet solo Sawmill Creek
Music Performance Lab: Students in MPL have been learning new songs on guitar, recording them, and submitting them for feedback. Here is a student performance of the song "Aura Lee/Love Me Tender". “Aura Lee” was a love song dating back to the civil war time period, and then the melody was used again with new lyrics by Elvis Presley with his song, “Love Me Tender”.
I & I & Lab 21 & Food Science & Creative Arts Mr. Powell
Lab21 - Students recently finished the unit on Growth Mindset and how we learn. We are going to implement that Growth Mindset Philosophy in our next unit, block coding. In this unit, students will use logic, problem solving skills, and perseverance to use block coding to solve problems. Students will be faced with different tasks where they must use a variety of commands to program the computer to perform tasks. They will be exploring loops and if/then statements throughout the unit. We will be using an MIT program called scratch during this unit.
Invention and Innovation - Students have been working on understanding the Engineer Design Process. We have been exploring different designed processes and how they compare. They will be going through the design steps as they watch an inventor tackle a squirrel problem with his birdfeeder. They will then use the design process to create an aluminum foil boat to hold as much cargo (pennies) as possible.
Creative Arts - Students have been exploring different types of art in both West and East Africa. They were able to pick 2 projects to explore in more detail the creative arts of these regions. Students were able to explore aspects of theater, music, dance, and visual arts in these regions. Next we will be exploring art and the senses. We will be investigating artists who have a condition called synesthesia where they are able to taste color or see music.
Visual Arts Ms. Texier
In our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Visual Arts classes, we are taking a break from talking about ancient and medieval art to do a project on Pop Art. We are taking famous African American heroes and recreating their portraits into Pop Art Portraits. In doing this project (which will span over two weeks), it is my hope that the students have the following takeaways:
*Art History, and more importantly, celebrating Black History
*Learning about other ways of viewing the world through the lens of art, specifically Black Art
*The ability to identify Pop Art and why it matters
*Gaining new skills in technology by using Google Drawing AND learning how to make a copy of a Google Drawing
*Talking about art of others and their own art by doing a Self-reflecting and critique at the end (developing skill for public speaking and gaining confidence through talking about art).
Below is an example of what we are doing in class:
Art Analysis
Above, are three Pop Art paintings by various artists.
Below, are three classic Renaissance paintings by various artists (Renaissance art is from the 1600’s!)
- What differences do you notice?
- What similarities do you notice?
- What elements of art are present in all of these Pop Art paintings? (what is the same about them).
- Which style of art do you like the best, and why? (classic Renaissance vs. Pop Art).
Life Skills Ms. Tomb
7th and 8th grade are currently analyzing money-handling decisions that young adults commonly face like the difference between a debit card and a credit card and how credit score works.
Ongoing Announcements
Stay Up To Date
Here are ways to ensure you're getting the latest news and updates from BMS:
- Find Out First E-mails - We use the email addresses that you provide us when your student enrolls to send out information. If that email address changes, please notify us so that we can update your information.
- PTA Website - This provides information about upcoming PTA events and activities, membership and volunteer opportunities, current and previous editions of this newsletter, and more. Bookmark it today!
- PTA Facebook Page - Stay informed about PTA events, activities, and school information by liking the Brunswick Middle School PTA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BrunswickMiddlePTO/
Need Help?
Need Help?
- Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464
- To get help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
- Crisis Services: Dial 211
- To get help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
- Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233
- To report threats or situations that put your safety, or others’ safety, at risk.
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- To get help if you are thinking about suicide.
Community Resources
Food and Meal Assistance
Frederick Rescue Mission ( 419 South Street)
Food Distribution
- Tues, Wed, and Fri 1:30-3:30 pm & Thurs 5:00-7:00 pm.
- Breakfast... Mon-Sunday 7:00-8:00 am
- Lunch...Mon-Sat 12:00-1:30 & Sundays 1:00-2:00.
Frederick Community Action Agency's (14 E. All Saints Street)
- Food Bank hours are Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 2:00-4:00 pm. T
- Soup Kitchen is having DINNER CARRY OUT from 5:30-6:30.
Mental Health Resources
Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Services
Virtual Walk-in Behavioral Health Services (crisis support)
- Click on the link to schedule a virtual appointment : https://fcmha.org/coronavirus
- Phone 211 or 301-663-0011
Substance Abuse -All ages
- https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/131/Behavioral-Health-Services
- Phone 301-600-1755
Income and Housing
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
- Phone 240-446-9649. This number is different from their general number of 301-631-2670.
- info@shipfrederick.com
- 240-415-8971
- 301-662-2311
American Red Cross
- 301-739-0117
Frederick Police Offer Run Away Child Prevention Resources for Parents
Reliable Resources
Frederick County Health Department
Maryland Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Governor's COVID-19 Pandemic: Orders and Guidance
Brunswick Middle School
Website: https://education.fcps.org/bms/
Location: Brunswick Middle School, Cummings Drive, Brunswick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-5400