BHMS Principal's Update 3/7/22
Women's History, Mask Optional, Reminders and Support
Keeping Up with What is Going on at the Hill!!!
The time has come for mask optional in Washington Township Public Schools. As you will see in this newsletter regarding the weekly CALI reports, the state continues to improve regarding the COVID Activity Level Index. Specifically, we are on a path as the Southwest Region to be moving into the green. It is our hope that we continue this trajectory even as the mask mandate in schools is lifted.
This past week was very busy as we had a few 8th graders participate in the National Assessment for Educational Progress, 7th graders view a presentation from Officer Egizi on the perils and ramifications of sexting. Finally, our week culminated with a presentation by the African Dance and Drum Ensemble. It was a great week and a great time to be a Bulldog.
This week is World Language Week. Later this month, we will have a presentation by Dr. Morros regarding more reminders of social media etiquette. Please focus on all the things happening this month.
Hope all Bulldogs and Bulldog Families have an awesome week.
Sincerely,
Mike D'Ostilio
In this Newsletter:
- New and Important Information
- Covid 19 Update: Masks Optional...3/7/22
- World Language Spirit Week
- Women's History Month: Week 2-Gabby Thomas, Olympic Medalist in Track and Field
- Upcoming Presentation for 5th and 6th Grade Parents: Navigating Social Media
- Upcoming Info for 8th Graders: 9th Grade History Choices
- 8th Grade T Shirt Art Contest
- 25th Anniversary Information
- Reminders (General Information and Code of Conduct Awareness)
- What it Means to Be a Bulldog
- Building Better Bulldogs Mission and Vision
- PTO Information
- Signing Up for Remind Text Notifications, Facebook, and Twitter
New and Important Information
Some Important Dates:
March 7..."Mask Optional" directive goes into place.
March 7-11...World Language School Spirit Week
March 23-25...Early Dismissal
March 24...6:30-8:30...Current 5th Grade and Current 6th Grade Presentation to Parents on Navigating Social Media
March 25...8th Graders T-Shirt Design Due to Mrs. Franz
Recent Updates
Mr. Bollendorf sent this letter to families regarding the Governor's assertion that masks will not be mandatory in schools beginning March 7. As stated in the previous section, the district feels it is poised to successfully move in this direction as a result of the "Test to Stay Program"
Previously, Mr. Bollendorf sent this letter out regarding the new Grapefruit "Test to Stay Program" This is an effort to provide accessible testing programs for students to remain in school if they had an exposure or close contact. We had this in place for the first week last week and we continue to work out the kinks. Please click the following document regarding the "Test to Stay Program": Grapefruit FAQs
We are awaiting more direction from the New Jersey Department of Health if there is any update and guidance regarding quarantine and contact tracing. While we wait, masks will be optional starting March 7 and we at this time will not be providing a permanent remote option. We will still provide intermittent remote access should children need to quarantine.
Please continue to monitor the COVID-19 Weekly Activity Level Reports. This is one of the main data points NJDOH uses to advise schools.
Bunker Hill Celebrates Women's History Month
Week 2: Gabby Thomas, Olympian and Future Epidemiologist
Thomas' interest in Neurobiology came as a result of growing up with siblings - one who has Autism and the other ADHD. Thomas' preliminary research in Neurobiology also focus' on racial disparities in health care. Gabby Thomas is impressive as an Olympic medal winner, and Ivy League graduate, and a Neurobiologist.
For Current 5th and 6th Grade Families Only
For Current 8th Graders Only
The social studies teachers will be going over some of the current options for next years' history courses. Our district supervisor for Social Students, Mr. Jeff Snyder will conduct an information session for any family who has questions. If interested in that information session, please email jsnyder@wtps.org or be on the lookout for more information. Please see the save the date below as well as a link to the variety of resources about 9th grade history.
25th Anniversary Activities Coming After Spring Break: Stay Tuned!!!
Bulldog Reminders
- Refraining from the use of cell phones and Airpods (unless directed by the teacher)
- Charging computers each night
- Frequently restarting computers to receive updates
- Using social media and school and personal technology appropriately
- Carrying and displaying their student IDs
- Working towards the Bulldog Bash
Please Help Us Combat the Behavior over Social Media. Please Monitor Your Children's Accounts
Recently, we have had a counseling lesson on social media etiquette in the 8th grade with the support of Officer Hamilton and will continue to have these talks with the entire school in the upcoming year.
Some things you should know:
1. Snap Chat: Please check and ensure parent filters are enabled on your children's snapchat and especially set to private so only your child's friends can "snap" each other. We've had situations where random people infiltrated our students' snap chat with inappropriate images or messages. Also with snap chat, people can send pictures or message that quickly erase. Unless your child screen shots things, these messages are hard to retrieve and the hate or bullying has already been done.
2. Tik Tok or Discord: Again these platforms (like snap chat and if the parental controls and privacy settings are not enabled) students can be met with an onslaught of negative information. Most of our country's threats of violence are happening on Tik Tok. The vandalism that was going on in the fall was a result of Tik Tok challenges. Tik Tok is highly unregulated content. The challenges and threats in Tik Tok can have felony or misdemeanor charges With Discord, we had a recent threat on that platform as well.
3. Instagram: With Instagram, we have had our own students make fake pages, especially talking about students. The owners of these pages make fun of students, make lies about students, antagonize drama between people, or make up that students are in relationships with each other. Regardless of the content, the sole purpose is to tear people down. Please ensure that your children do not follow anything like this. By following these pages, it gives credence to these students who seek to emotionally harm their peers.
Students Must Carry IDs with Them Throughout the School Day.
This procedure promotes safety and the preservation of instructional time for the students. This allows to keep track of students, how long they are out of class, and the frequency by which they are out of class. This new program allows us to sort using an excel spreadsheet and then address only those individuals who are frequently out of the classroom.
Shoot For the Bulldog Bash
Some community service opportunites at school can include: helping clean and landscape campus/courtyard, participating in school sponsored community cleanup days, participating in future acts activities, etc. If you need ideas for 2 hours of community service at the school, please reach out to the counselors, administrators, team leaders, Mr. Cabrera, Mrs. Finn, or Mrs. Lyons.
Building Better Bulldogs (3Bs) Mission and Vision
This pandemic has created so many questions and concerns for students that are well beyond academics. We are committed to providing a safe environment where students can express themselves as they question the ebb and flow of their world around them. Please see below our affirmations about Buidling Better Bulldogs and the people we as Bulldogs aim to be.
Important Links
Bunker Hill Middle School: Home of the Bulldogs
Email: ddijohn@wtps.org
Website: https://www.wtps.org/bunkerhill
Location: 372 Pitman Downer Road, Sewell, NJ, USA
Phone: 856 881 7007
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialBHMS
Twitter: @Official_BHMS