BMS ENews
News and Notes From Berlin Middle School 2/13/15
Follow-up to Faculty Meeting
I would like to thank everyone for being able to attend the faculty meeting this week where we continued our conversation regarding homework. Some of my takeaways were:
- Keep it simple, yet explicit.
- Keep it teacher and parent independent (since there is no equity from household to household).
- Keep it to the "10 minute" maximum (since students have at least 4-5 subjects where homework exists, that's about:
- 6th Grade - 60 minutes or about 12-15 minutes per teacher.
- 7th Grade - 70 minutes or about 14-18 minutes per teacher.
- 8th Grade - 80 minutes or about 16-20 minutes per teacher.
- The most benefit may be in Math and Science.
I would like to thank Maggie Barber for preparing the presentation. As we continue to problem-solve, improve program, and support students, parents, and one another at Berlin Middle School we will be continuing this very important conversation in future faculty meetings.
PTO Participation
I've recently reached out to the officers in the BMSHS PTO and asked for assistance in the areas listed below. It's a small group and I asked about what BMS could do to help increase enrollment.
BOE appreciation in October
6th Grade welcome gifts in September
Assistance at book fairs
Hospitality at Open House and other events
Donations for teacher requested grants
Donations to music and arts programs
Fundraising assistance for classes and field trips
PTO citizenship award at 8th grade graduation
Price Chopper tools for schools or other store programs
Perfect attendance awards
End of the year fun: 6th grade awards, 7th grade BBQ, 8th Grade Graduation
Special projects
In the past, teachers have served as school representatives on a rotational basis. Having faculty representation is important and shows support for the PTO. Send me an email when interested. A few months ago I sent an email regarding a Parent Engagement Committee at BMS. If you can't do a night time meeting but want to support parents in a different way, maybe this committee is for you. So far, we have three interested staff members to join this team.
Teaching GRIT
Jason M. Breh, Principal - Berlin Middle School
Email: jbreh@berlincentral.org
Website: www.berlincentral.org
Location: 17400 NY-22, NY, United States
Phone: (518)658-2515
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Middle-School/356992697661213
Twitter: @bmsmountaineers