BPMS PARENT NEWSLETTER
February 2021
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL
Hello BPMS Families!
After almost a full year away from our Bees physically, we are preparing to welcome our hybrid students to the building in March. 6th grade hybrid students are set to transition to the building on March 8th and 7th/8th grade students on March 22nd. We plan to answer the many questions you may have about schedules, teachers, where to enter the building, what time, what to bring, what bus, etc... in the coming weeks.
Use this survey link to share what's on your mind so I can ensure all questions are answered and communicated prior to March 8th.
https://forms.gle/qFevhEE3mFR9xK358
With so many moving pieces, I appreciate your understanding and patience as we tackle putting this gigantic puzzle together. Our teams have been meeting and preparing since we returned on January 4th with the health and safety of students and staff a top priority as we plan for a smooth transition with minimal disruption for all.
Take care and stay safe!
Mrs. Shakan
#BPMSStrong
#NoMatterTheDistance
#BelieveEducateEmpower
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT INFO
- Semester Break is on Monday February 1st, no school for students.
- Tuesday February 2nd begins the third marking period and new virtual schedule.
- Report cards will be distributed via Parent Portal on February 9th.
- February 10th is a two hour early dismissal day. The students day ends at 10:40am.
The new Wednesday Flex schedule will begin at BPMS on Wednesday, February 17th. Students will be notified of their schedules in Building Community on Friday, February 12th.
- Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:30 to 12pm are Clubs. Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30 to 12pm is now Office Hours. Each teachers office hours links can be found in their Google Classroom.
- On March 8th, 6th grade hybrid students will return to the building. On March 22nd, 7th & 8th grade hybrid students will return to the building.
- Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri school hours: 8:30am-2:50pm
- Wed school hours: 8:30am-10:40am.
- Note Encore schedule change this year: 8th grade attends 1st & 2nd periods, 7th grade remains the same during 3rd and 4th, 6th grade attends 5th and 6th periods.
UNITY DAY
PARENT PORTAL
Directions for registering for and accessing your Parent Portal account are found on the AACPS Student-Parent Portal Webpage and are also linked below. If you are creating an account for the first time, please call the school at 410-636-2967 to get the user ID and access code for your child. (This is not the same code they use for instruction daily).
We hope you find Parent Portal to be a user friendly tool for monitoring progress as we approach mid-marking period and throughout the school year.
A message from the School Counseling Department…
Anxiety is our body’s normal response to a perceived threat. It can be helpful to keep us safe and prepare us to respond to danger. Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but anxiety can become a problem when you experience it a lot or it feels very intense. Anxiety can feel hard to manage. Here are some strategies to try if you are experiencing anxiety: deep breathing, slow counting, focus on five sense, squeezing a stress ball, yoga/meditation, exercise, good sleep hygiene, journal/draw/read, watching something funny, play games and positive self-talk.
There are a lot of great apps for your phone or tablet you can download. Some include: Mindshift, Headspace, Zentered, Pacifica, Breath 2 Relax, Relax Melodies, Calm, Insight timer, and Oak. There are also apps for younger children. Some include: Breathe, think, do with Sesame, Headspace for kids, Calm for kids, Stop, Breath and Think kids, The zones of regulation and Daniel Tiger’s Grr-fic Feelings.
If you are looking for more ideas on how to cope with anxiety, please visit Ms. Rogers’ virtual office for her student calm room and additional resources: Ms. Rogers' Virtual Office
You are not alone in this and we are here to help you. Please reach out to your student's school counselor for extra support.
Contact your grade level School Counselor with any questions or concerns:
Ms. Falzarine 6th Grade – afalzarine@aacps.org GV (301) 892-6569
Mrs. Santiago- Fecht 7th Grade – bsantiagofecht@aacps.org GV (786) 322-6121
Mrs. Grandy 8th Grade – tgrandy@aacps.org GV (302) 314-3874
Danielle Saad School Social Worker – dsaad@aacps.org Phone (301) 531-4018
Pop-up Food Pantry
Sponsored by Child Hunger Outreach Program
Friday February 19 from 4-6pm at Brooklyn Park Middle School
Bagged food available to everyone in the community for pick up. Please wear a mask.
Parent Kudos for BPMS Staff
Spring Club List
2020-2021 BPMS Yearbook
Student Winter Poems
Winter Love
I looked out to the whirling wind and I saw the falling snow
the ground wasn't dark instead it did glow
and snuggling under my cozy blanket my smile is so bright
because there is frost on the winter floor in the dead of night
And when theres a hefty need for mittens
maybe we could be so smitten
For when I see the twinkle in your eye
I’ll know you’ve found happiness within the white skies
I’m sure it wouldn’t be too much of a struggle
To just sit and cuddle
Underneath the evergreen tree
As we go home on our merry way
We see icicles form on tiny decorative sleighsA.V, 8th
The Spirit of Winter
Frozen icicles hanging above
As the little ones put on their gloves
Snow falls from the sky
The glittering white catches my eye
The snowman we build
Shows we are skilled
I take my sled
And look at the hill up ahead
Without any doubt
Not even the slightest amount
I walk up the hill
Oh! What a thrill!
Finally at the top
I felt a sense of joy and stop
To think of the wonders of the season
For this is truly the reason
Why I love Winter so
And now you know!
As I ride my sled down
I look all around
The caroling and laughter
It really does capture
The spirit of Winter
I reach the bottom shortly after
I run to my home
Leaving footprints in the snow
Hot cocoa is waiting for me inside
My family sings with pride
We gather around the fireplace
I feel the warmth in this space
The twinkle of the tree
Made us all as merry as can beLETTER FROM READING INTERVENTION
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please ensure that your child attends all assigned classes. I realize this is a challenge for parents and guardians that leave for work before school starts. However, if your child can attend classes on time each day, their educational experience will be richer and more rewarding. Incentives such as a favorite treat at the end of the week might motivate your child to attend all classes on time. Most teachers would not mind verifying your child's attendance upon request. We want your child to be successful. That success starts with attending all classes on time and doing all assignments in a timely manner. There will be computer problems, illnesses, and family emergencies. We understand when these circumstances prevent your child from attending class. Thank you for letting us know when these things occur. It is a pleasure working with you to do all we can to promote your child's academic success. Take care.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Watkins
BPMS Reading Intervention
NEWS FROM THE BPMS LIBRARY T. A. L. E.
The most awesome icon on your student's ClassLink page is the one for Mackinvia!
MackinVia is an online collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases, and more! Students simply login to ClassLink, click on [MackinVIA] and suddenly, students have access to over 1,700 digital resources for their academic needs or personal interests.
Learn more about it (and how to login) on the Library T.A.L.E. website. Remember: reading 20 minutes a day at home will expose your learner to 1.8 million words per year.
BPMS PTA
BPMS PTA Fundraiser
Family, Friends, and Supporters of Brooklyn Park Middle School PTA,
As much as we enjoyed our yearly Yankee Candle fundraiser which is discontinued, we found another online Fundraiser we think you might enjoy!
On February 16th - We are officially kicking off our fundraiser with Charleston Wrap® – and we need YOUR help! To reach our goals and make this fundraiser a success, we need everyone to do their part. Luckily, it’s super easy! Below, you’ll find a flyer with detailed instructions about how you can register online and support our goals. We appreciate all of your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends & family, near and far! The more people who shop, the more money we can raise for BPMS! Together, we can ensure our PTA reaches its goal – and even surpasses it!
The Charleston Wrap fundraiser ends March 10th in time for Easter Delivery.
Thank you for your help! - Brooklyn Park Middle School PTA
Congrats 2020-2021 BPMS PTA Executive Board!
Thank you for volunteering your time for our Bees.
President - Stacey Arthur
Vice Pres - Heather Watkins
Secretary - Kyle Curran
Treasurer - Shantel Dillon
Thanks to all who volunteered for our 2020-2021 PTA.
PTA News:
- Join us for our virtual PTA Meeting on February 11th, 2021 at 6:30pm. Meeting details linked below.
- Support us by becoming a member (form link below)
- Even if not a member, follow us on Facebook @ Brooklyn Park Middle School PTA for important upcoming dates/info
Brooklyn Park Middle School's Nights at Ledo's Pizza
Are you wanting some pizza or other food from Ledos Pizza?
DATE: February Monday 1st and or Tuesday the 2nd (enjoy both days)
LOCATION: 16 E Ordnance Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
DETAILS - Dine - in or get curb side enjoy some Ledos food. Oh did you know - You can also order on line using code: 306-159-855. When ordering please don't forget to mention supporting BPMS! Thank you and we appreciate your support!
Passcode: bees
SCHEDULES
RESOURCES
Attendance Note
Tutoring Available
Parents/Guardians who have students that are struggling with classes - Tutoring is available check it out:
School Psychology Virtual Office
Please feel free to visit the School Psychology Virtual Office for a variety of information and resources for our BPMS students, parents, and staff! If anyone finds that their student is really struggling and could use a check-in, my contact information is here too!