Edition 12 Week of 11/12
From the Desk of Ms. Hicks
The Bates Story Project Documentary: November 16th
Everyone has a story, including the namesake of Wiley H. Bates Middle School. Each year the Wiley H. Bates story is shared with the student body, allowing them the opportunity to feel pride and a sense of belonging to the Annapolis community.
Last school year, in partnership with the Office of Equity & Innovation, the staff and students embarked on a journey to deepen their connections to each other and to Bates Middle School by participating in The Bates Story Project. This journey started with the desire to build a stronger school community, focusing on celebrating differences while finding connections with one another. Our hope was to cultivate an environment where students and staff were not only comfortable sharing their powerful stories, but also where they developed a desire to learn about each other.
Staff and students participated in weeklong arts workshops (dance, songwriting, collage, photography, spoken word, or film) allowing individuals to express a segment of their identity through a creative pathway. When the creative process began, so did the connections. Students and staff discovered commonalities, built stronger relationships, and through bridging the gaps, created a sturdy foundation for learning.
Filmed, edited, and directed by Devin Conway of 410 Films.
We have two showings at Bates Middle School on November 16th, 2023 at 6 pm & 8 pm.
Click here to reserve your free tickets.
Click https://youtu.be/Q9eq6JDXd6w to watch the trailer
Cougar Calendar
Bates APEX Alumni in the News
AACPS is thrilled to announce that a patch designed by Kelsi Reyes, a sixth-grade student at Bates Middle School during the 2019-2020 school year, is set to embark on an incredible journey. This patch, created as part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), has been chosen to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX CRS-29, scheduled for launch today!
Reflecting the ingenuity and dedication of our students, Reyes’ work is a testament to the outstanding talent and creativity of AACPS students, especially during challenging times like the pandemic when the patch was created. Out of hundreds of entries from across the United States, Reyes’ design truly stands out, donning a depiction of Maryland’s unique state flag and showing pride in her state and county.
This achievement marks the second time Bates Middle School has celebrated such a significant accomplishment, with the first patch designed in 2018 by Lilly Barrett.
Equally impressive, the students from Central Middle School whose experiment, “How does Microgravity Impact the Germination of Thyme,” ventured to the ISS in the fall of 2020. We are excited to see the continued success of our students and their contributions to space exploration and scientific advancement. For more information about the AACPS winning patch and all the remarkable experiments selected nationwide, visit the SSEP’s website.
Students of the Month - October
Please congratulate our 6th grade students of the month for October!
Please congratulate our 7th grade students of the month for October!
Please congratulate our 8th grade students of the month for October
News from the Bates PTA
2023-2024 Reflections Contest
The Bates PTA is excited to announce the launch of the 2023-2024 Reflections contest! Bates students are invited to create original artwork in response to this year's theme "I am hopeful because..." Students may enter submissions in one or more of six categories: Film Production, Music Composition, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography, Literature, or Photography. The top 3 finalists in each category will move on to competition at the county level, and from there to the state and national level competitions.
Full details and entry instructions are available on our website.
Bates Middle School is full of talented artists, and we can't wait to see what our students create!
Join Sams Club and support Bates PTA
Are you getting ready for Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping? Considering getting a membership to Sam's Club? Your membership purchase can support our school!
Beginning TODAY, 25% of the purchase price from each Sam's Club membership purchased via this link will go back to our school. So you can save on gas, groceries, and holiday shopping AND help Bates, all at the same time!
https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/16068-bates-middle-school-pta-sams-club-memberships
Purchase your membership through this link before SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10th.
Wreaths Across America - Order now through November 28
Bates is participating in Wreaths Across America again this year! Please help us honor our fallen veterans by purchasing a wreath. For each wreath purchased, Bates will receive a $5 donation to our school. You can also order a pair of wreaths; have one placed on a veteran's gravestone and send one to your home or to a veteran you know.
To order wreaths, visit our fundraising page: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MD0471P
The deadline to order is Tuesday, November 28th, so order your wreaths today!
Native American Heritage Month Book Give Away
Rules:
1. Write your name on a Bates Buck.
2. Drop it in the raffle box in the library.
3. Listen for your name on Cougar Channel every week.
4. Two winners each week will win a book that features Native Americans.
Thankful Grams
Sold during lunch - 11/13-11/16 - $2/each
Parents - you may purchase your own thankful grams at the front office!
You Belong Here! Family Forum
November 14
You Belong Here Family Forum
Where: Annapolis Middle School
When: November 14 6:00pm
Register: Scan the QR Code or click on the above image
Join us for our latest Forum focused on the importance of school attendance and how Parent Portal is an essential tool for monitoring your student's academic progress and attendance.
Education Support Professionals Day
November 15
Please take time to thank all of our support staff and teacher assistants that help us run the day to day school day. We appreciate you!
American Education Week happens the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. In celebration of this week, we are showing the Bates Story Project on November 16th. Please join us! See above for more information.
Box Out Bullying Assemblies - November 16
On November 16, we will be holding assemblies for all our students focusing on how to handle situations around bullying. Please read below for additional information.
Fall Flannel & Jeans Day - Nov 17 - $1
All proceeds will go back to the school to help pay for school-wide events
Parent Teacher Conferences
Nov 20 and Nov 21
Our school has been reaching out to individual families to invite them to our parent teacher conferences on Nov 20 and Nov 21 based on grades and attendance. If you did not receive an invite but have questions about your student regarding specific classes, please email those individual teachers. If you have more involved concerns, please reach out to your grade level counselor.
6th Grade
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Save the Date
November 30th
- Any student that did not already get their picture taken, can get it taken during the make-up day for the yearbook.
- If a parent would like to have their child's picture retaken, this can also be done on retake day. The student should bring the original photo package (coming soon), including original envelope and all picture products, to turn into the photographer when they come to sit for a new picture. They do not need to fill out a new order form.
Bargain Basement
We are collecting gently used & new items for our students to purchase with Bates Bucks as gifts for loved ones for the holidays!
Also collecting gift wrapping supplies! (bags. Ribbons, wrap, tissue, tape)
(Please no clothes, food, cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, make-up)
Bring items to MAIN OFFICE labeled
“Bargain Basement” by December 15th.
We will also need volunteers to help SELL items on Dec. 21st from 1-4pm
Email Ms. Grimail if interested at tgrimail@aacps.org.
Winter Dance Donations Needed
News from the Health Room
As per AACPS Policy, No medication may be accepted, or allowed to be self-administered without the receipt of the appropriate medication authorization form completed by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and authorized prescriber. This includes self-carry inhalers for asthma. We must have a completed form from the physician and parent that indicates the student may have their inhaler on their person during the school day.
If your child will need medication available during the school day, please download this form and have your physician complete the medication order.
Join our Team
Counselor's Corner
Last day to submit magnet applications - November 13 at Noon!
If you would like to apply for any of the AACPS magnet programs, the application window ends on November 13th at noon. Please click here to apply.
Bates Student Food Pantry
If interested in learning more about our Student Food Pantry please have your student go to the counseling department to speak to Shauna Rykiel, our school social worker, or you may contact her through email at srykiel@aacps.org. Our pantry is currently open Mondays from 3:30-3:55 pm and Fridays from arrival through the end of advisory.
Federal Parent-Pupil Survey
Each year, Anne Arundel County Public Schools receives federal funds to help us provide the best possible education for our students. We need your help so we can receive as much funding as possible. Please fill out the Federal Parent-Pupil Survey form.
- Federal Parent-Pupil Survey data to be collected online only.
- On September 29, 2023, parents were informed via Connect-ED message.
- Information can be found on the AACPS website at https://www.aacps.org/federalsurvey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Mr. Walker at jewalker1@aacps.org
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Walker jewalker1@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Lustgarten jlustgarten@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Katie Hicks, at 302-314-6146.
Around the Community
Skill Empowerment Workshop
Local Diaper Distribution
Need your GED? See below
Public Art Town Hall
Maryland Hall is seeking community input in planning new local public arts projects. We aim to bring dynamic contemporary art to a broad audience in Annapolis and beyond and expand public experience with visual art. Maryland Hall invites the greater Annapolis community to a Town Hall to gather their feedback on a three-dimensional Public Artwork project to be exhibited on our Front Lawn.
We seek to start the dialogue with our community on the goals and themes of this project proposal. If Maryland Hall is awarded the grant, a project committee will be formed with stakeholders for the visioning process, which includes conducting community engagement activities, further developing artwork goals and themes, identifying artwork site locations, and administering a Call to Artists for artist selection.
Where: Maryland Hall
When: November 28th
Time: 5-7pm
Health and Wellness Fair
Annapolis Middle School Hosting Resource Fair
On November 29th, AMS is hosting a Resource Fair and Panel presentation. This event is open to the Annapolis Cluster. RSVP HERE. Look forward to seeing you!
Teen Book Club
Pizza and Pages Teen Book Club
When: Thursdays (11/16)
Time: 6-7pm
Where: Busch Annapolis Library: 1410 West St, Annapolis, MD
Creating Confidence
Creating Confidence
When: 09/12-12/12/2023
Time: Tuesdays at 6:00pm
Where: GBCC Glen Burnie
30 Greenway NW, Suite 5
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
AACPS is hiring for all positions. Click HERE to apply.
Wiley H. Bates MIddle School
Christine Clark, Editor
We are better together!
Email: cclark3@aacps.org
Website: www.aacps.org/bates
Location: 701 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, USA
Phone: 410 263-0270