Banks Trail Middle School
Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
May 2019
The Force Of Learning Is Strong At BTMS
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Timberwolf Families,
The 2018-2019 school year has come and gone, and we are already preparing for next year. Our students are blossoming into exceptional young adults due to your positive influence and their hard work.
I wanted to thank all of you for your patience during testing. We have completed half of our state testing and the remainder will be finished this week. Mr. Pyrc did an excellent job making a schedule that allowed our students to complete 4 to 6 days of testing with a nice weekend break in the middle. I can not wait to see how our students did on the state assessments, I know they have been working hard during testing each day.
The year has been very positive and the growth of your children has been a blessing to watch unfold. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to watch our band and chorus students perform for their parents; I was very proud of their musical accomplishments, but I was more amazed with the level of maturity and dedication that they showed. They started off the school year knowing very little about band and music, but after weeks of practice and hard work they achieved new goals. The hours of learning the right notes and putting them together have made beautiful music. With continued practice and support, we can all improve and achieve our personal best. This is the same with their academic growth. Each writing assignment or math homework carries over to becoming a better student and better prepared for their future years. Be it student, teacher, parent, sibling, friend, or principal, I hope that we have all improved throughout 2018-2019.
This month marks a transition for all of our students. Some of our students will be transitioning to high school, while others are transitioning to a new grade. Needless to say, they will all be continuing their educational journey. Please make sure your son or daughter’s vaccines are up to date or they have a current exemption form. For more information, please see the nurse’s section of this newsletter. Other information including fees and supplies will be posted on the website in the beginning of June. Please keep an eye out for other updates on our website. We will also have a supply list in the main office in July.
Sometimes, as parents, we get so busy with life that we forget to live a little with our kids. Summertime is a great opportunity to slow down our personal lives and spend more time with our children. Hopefully, during this summer you will be able to make a memory that will last a lifetime. It might be a family vacation or a trip to the mountains or the beach. The memory might be making breakfast together on Saturday morning or helping a neighbor with a project. Whatever the memory might be, please make sure that you are in it. Spend a lot of time with your children this summer; they might not show it outwardly but they need to know that you love them and you want to be part of their lives.
Finally, I wanted to take a minute to say thank you. During the year, the teachers, students, and you as parents have had to work with me as your principal. I know I made some mistakes along the way, but every day each of you gave me the opportunity to learn, just like we ask our students to learn. The patience, kindness, and grace that many of you offered has been much appreciated. I am already excited about next year and the direction we will be heading.
Have a wonderful summer!
Michael Pratt
Principal
Master Jedi Floyd
Jedi Floyd serves as instructor of Science to the 6th grade Padawans at Banks Trail Middle School.
Jedi Floyd works tirelessly, and continuously gives her all for Banks Trail. It is very evident that she loves this school and these kids with every ounce of her being.
Jedi Floyd goes above and beyond, she is one of the first to offer to help cover a duty or assist in the classroom in any way. She is most definitely a team player, a fabulous leader, and an incredible teacher.
Banks Trail is blessed to have Jedi Floyd as part of our staff!
Master Jedi White
Terrific Timberwolves April
Each month students are chosen to be “Padawan's of the Pack” (formerly known as Leaders of the Pack) for reasons such as displaying outstanding leadership, citizenship, school service, good behavior, and performance in their classrooms and throughout the school. “Terrific Padawans” (formerly known as Terrific Timberwolves) are then selected among those chosen as Padawans of the Pack because they exemplify the characteristics found in the T.R.A.I.L. - Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership
6-1 – Debbie M.
6-2 – Nate B.
6-3 – Ryan H.
7-1 - Audrey W.
7-2 - Benjamin W.
7-4 - Olivia C.
8th – Zachary H.
8th – Bryson R.
8th – Haley N.
Related Arts – Sean B.
Related Arts – Lilly L.
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Teamwork, Responsibility, Ambition, Integrity, Leadership: "The Trail" As Leaders of the Pack and Terrific Timberwolves, these students live "The Trail" everyday!
Leaders of the Pack
6th – Megan C.
6th (from 6-4) – Megan C.
Megan is an outstanding individual in all aspects. She is respectful to everyone that she interacts with and goes above and beyond in being kind to those around her. Megan is also an active participant in extracurricular activities as well and her teachers thoroughly enjoyed watching her in Mary Poppins.
7th – Stephanie S.
7th (from 7-3) – Stephanie S.
Stephanie always has a positive attitude, is willing to help her classmates whenever she can, and tries her best in class every day. She embodies all that it means to follow the TRAIL!
8th - Julianna M.
8th - Julianna M.
Julianna Montilla exemplifies what it means to be a Leader of the Pack. She is a leader who strives to do her best. She helps other students and works well with others. She is kind, caring, and patient with her fellow classmates. Julie is always respectful to her peers and adults. No matter what is going on, she tries to see the bright side of everything.
Related Arts - Luca R.
Related Arts - Luca R.
Luca is a dedicated student who always works to the best of his ability. He is kind, respectful, and always has a good attitude. He is a wonderful example of a student who follows the T.R.A.I.L.
Does Your Child Owe Money?
Per district policy AR EF-R (Student Meal Accounts), all unpaid student meal balances will need to be cleared by the end of the school year. If parents/guardians need to make payment arrangements they may contact the Student Nutrition Department. This needs to be addressed no later than May 28, 2019
Remaining State Testing Schedule
Please do not schedule appointments during the testing times listed below:
5/28 8th Grade Algebra 1 Math EOC
5/29 SC Ready Math (All Grades)
5/30 6th Grade Science
7th Grade Social Studies
8th Grade Science
Summer Camps
2019 Summer Robotics Camp
July 15th - July 18th
2019 BTMS Summer Track and Field Camp
July 15th - July 18th
Here is a link to the summer camp programs.
http://btms.fortmillschools.org/news/what_s_new/summer_camps
Guidance Counselor's Corner
We Need Your Feedback!
The school counselors of BTMS would like your feedback, as a parent, of our school counseling program. If you have not already completed a form, please do so! In order to better serve your children, please complete the short survey by clicking on the link: https://forms.gle/Bp9MRSR7yeVtUBqY7
Enjoying Summer with Your Children
It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is here! Kids need mental stimulation and are bored easily! As we all prepare for summer, click the following link for 101 fun things to do with your children this summer! https://www.care.com/c/stories/3331/101-fun-things-to-do-with-kids-this-summer/
School Counselors’ Wall of Fame Award Recipients
All of the BTMS Faculty and Staff were sent a link to nominate students for this awesome award. Some of the characteristics a student must possess and demonstrate in order to be considered are:
Ø Great manners
Ø Respectful
Ø Hard working
Ø Great worth ethic
Ø Dependable
Ø Helpful
Ø Selfless
Ø Overall great character
Nurses Corner
Students with Medical Conditions
Students with Medical Conditions
The nurse will be sending home a packet of information for students with medical conditions that require interventions at school. This packet will be handed out to your student during the week of May 20, 2019. Please be sure to check with your child, so as you make health care provider appointments, you will have the necessary paper work needed to be completed for the 2019-2020 school year.
As a reminder all medications kept in the health room should be picked up by a parent by the last day of school. If not picked up by the last day of school it will be discarded. This includes all prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medications cannot be transported home on the buses with students.
Important Information Regarding Vaccine's
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) wants to assure that all children and teens receive recommended vaccines to prevent disease entering 7th grade receive one (1) dose of Tdap vaccine.
The Tdap vaccine protects preteens and teens from three serious diseases. DHEC reminds parents and guardians that South Carolina law requires that all students receives: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is important to know that there are three other vaccines that all preteens and teens are recommended to receive: human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, a cancer prevention vaccine, meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) that prevents some types of meningitis, and the yearly flu vaccine.
We are reminding you now so that you have time to plan for your child to be vaccinated early, before the start of 7th grade. Beat the back to school rush, a good time to get all of these vaccines is during a yearly health checkup. Talk to your child’s health care provider now about what vaccines he or she needs. Ask about these vaccines at a physical exam required for sports, school or camp. Make sure you get an updated SC Certificate of Immunization to give to your school nurse. This certificate is required by state law for school attendance.
Make sure the school has the most updated immunization certificate on file for your child. Many students have received the Tdap but the school doesn’t have verification of it being given.
*After the first 30 calendar days of school your student will not be allowed to attend school without verification of receiving the Tdap.
Your local DHEC health department also can provide these vaccines. Call 1-855-472-3432 to make an appointment. For more information about vaccinations in South Carolina, go to scdhec.gov/Health/Vaccinations/
Nurse Brown
Atletics Corner
The Banks Trail baseball team did what no team in school history had been able to do before, capture a conference championship. Lead by first year coach Cam Norwood, the team used stellar pitching, hot bats and aggressive play to climb to the top of the standings. The Timber wolves were the #1 seed in the playoffs and finished the season with a 10-2 record. In the championship game, the team overcame an early deficit to storm back late in the game to win 5-1.
BTMS Track Teams
The Boys Track Team Finished 2nd in the Conference. AJ Vickers was conference champ in the 200m, long jump, and high jump. Myles Ehrenberg was conference champ in the discus. Marshall Roof was conference champ in the shot put. Boys sprint medley team were conference champs as well. In addition the boys sprint medley team broke the school record running 1:50. Justin Cloud, Troy Sanders, Tyler Van Stockten, and Caleb Truesdale.
The Girls Track team was 4th in the conference after 3 consecutive conference titles. Olivia Dubrow was the conference champion in the shot and discus.
Athletic Summer Camps
The Athletic Department will be hosting summer camps again this summer. Attached is a link for the flier and registration form.
Registration:
Media Center
Additional Yearbooks
There will be a very limited number of extra yearbooks available for purchase. They are available on a first come first serve basis before June 3rd. The cost of these books is $40. If you did not purchase a yearbook and would like to, please bring exact change or a check made out to BTMS to Mrs. Cost in the library.
Summer Reading
Rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade BTMS students are to read 2 books from the SC Junior Book Award list for Summer 2019. Assignment will be posted by June 6th and will be available on the BTMS main website. Assignment should be completed before returning to school after summer break.
Choose at least two books from the twenty SCJBA nominees to read. Students that read at least five books by February are invited to a special VIP Readers party with Media Specialist, Mrs. Davis. More info to come!
Follow this link to review the descriptions of the summer reading books.
PTO UPDATE AND REMINDERS
Dear BTMS Families,
Banks Trail Spirit Wear
The Spirit Wear site is up and available for ordering with a few new summer items added. Boys and girls shorts, beach towels and more have been added. Use the link below to order:
https://bankstrailmiddleschool2019.itemorder.com/sale
Thank you to everyone for a wonderful year. We hope you have a great summer and we look forward to doing amazing things next school year.
As always if you have any questions, please contact us at ptobtms@gmail.com
Marie DeMartino
Co-President
Upcoming Events 2019
May 27 Memorial Day No School
May 31 1:30PM This I Believe, 7th Grade Writing Celebration (Park in front parking lot)
June 4th- Half Day 11:35 dismissal
June 4 @ 8:30AM 6th Grade Awards Day (please park in rear of school and enter into gym)
June 4 @ 10:00 7th grade Awards Day (Please park in rear of school and enter into gym)
June 5 Half Day 11:35 Dismissal
June 5 8th grade Recognition Ceremony 9:00-10:30 AM (parking on baseball field, front and rear parking lots (fire road is for teacher parking only)
June 6th - First Day of summer
Together, Building A Tradition of Excellence
Banks Trail Middle School
Email: costs@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://btms.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 1640 Banks Road, Fort Mill, SC, United States
Phone: 803-578-2990
Twitter: @BTMStimberwolf