October Newsletter 2023

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Email: bms@sbps.net
Website: www.sbps.net/bms
Location: 27 East 23rd Street, Scottsbluff, NE, USA
Phone: 308-635-6270
Twitter: @BMSCATS

Dear BMS Families,

Welcome to the month of October. We are quickly approaching the end of the first quarter which ends on October 19, 2023. Students continue to excel in and out of the classroom and are involved in many extracurricular activities. Please continue encouraging your student to take advantage of extended learning opportunities during the WIN period and after school tutoring. Tutoring is available Monday - Thursday from 3:10 - 4:10 pm. We are pleased to share that we have experienced a significant decrease in missing assignments and failing assessment grades thus far. Student achievement, enrichment opportunities and academic success continue to be a priority at Bluffs Middle School.

Our October CAT meeting will be October 18th at 4:00 pm. We will review the district strategic plan and building goals. Thank you for your support and commitment to your student's success. I look forward to collaborating and working with you. All parents are welcome.

Parent Portal on Infinite Campus is a great way to stay informed about your student's academic status. If you need assistance with your account, please contact us. Student summary pages were sent home with your student to verify emergency and contact information on file. If changes need to be made, please return the summary page or contact us at 308-635-6270 or 308-635-6282. We will gladly assist you.

We have many exciting choir, band and orchestra performances during the month of October. Please watch for more information from our teachers. If your schedule allows, join us and experience the phenomenal talent of students.

Our eighth grade students will complete the Nebraska Risk and Protection Factor Student Survey in October.More information will follow. Thank you for a great start to our 2023-24 school year. Your support is always greatly appreciated. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns that may arise.

Thank you,

Jana Mason

Principal

Miss Gillette and Student Council members have been busy preparing for upcoming events. The month of September was dedicated to Childhood Cancer Awareness. BMS Student Council sold gold ribbons and raised four hundred sixty five dollars. All proceeds were donated to the Tackling Childhood Cancer event with our SHS Football Team and Team Ashtyn Foundation. We are so proud to be a part of an amazing community event. Thank you for everyone's support.

Upcoming events include preparing for our school wide first quarter PBS assembly, participating in the local food pantry drive, opening the Bearcat School Store and holiday events. Please watch for more information from Miss Gillette.

The fall parent teacher conferences will be held in person this year. You will find dates and times listed below.

• Wednesday, October 25, 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM
• Thursday, October 26, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
• Friday, October 27, No school for students or staff

Parents will be able to schedule conferences beginning October 16th using the online scheduler, PTC Wizard. More information and a tutorial video from Erin Shaddick will follow soon.

The first quarter of school ends on October 19, 2023. Due to time constraints, report cards will not be mailed home before Parent-Teacher Conferences. Instead, you can access your student's report card through Infinite Campus. If you do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Account, don't hesitate to contact our main office for assistance. Attached you will find a tutorial video to access the first quarter report card.

BMS students access most of their class work using Google Classroom. This organizational tool allows teachers to easily assign work to students and provide feedback in a timely manner. Please click the link below for more information on Google Classroom.

Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Google Classroom

All SBPS student Chromebooks are monitored with GoGuardian. GoGuardian allows schools to comply with federal laws such as the Child Internet Protection Act. This tool allows teachers to create classroom sessions that help keep students on task and fully engaged. Please click the link below for more information on GoGuardian.

What Parents Should Know About GoGuardian

Feel free to contact Erin Shaddick at 308-635-6286 or eshaddick@sbps.net with questions about student technology at Bluffs Middle School.

We are preparing for the all school Positive Behavior Support assembly on October 18th @ 2:25 pm in the gym. Awards will include students of the quarter, physical education students of the quarter and lunch with Mr. Miller and Mrs. Chancellor. Student Council members will open the assembly and introduce each grade level teacher as they present awards. After the presentation of awards, Mrs. Shaddick will show the first quarter highlight video. We are very excited to celebrate our amazing students and all the great work they have accomplished thus far. Watch for more information from teachers.

Catch Some Zzzzzzs

About 6 out of 10 middle schoolers do not get enough sleep. Adequate sleep supports

increased focus and concentration, as well as improved academic performance and

overall mental well-being. Click the links below to learn some tips and tricks to support

your child in developing healthy sleep hygiene!

Catch Some Zzzzzzs

About 6 out of 10 middle schoolers do not get enough sleep. Adequate sleep supports

increased focus and concentration, as well as improved academic performance and

overall mental well-being. Click the links below to learn some tips and tricks to support

your child in developing healthy sleep hygiene!

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/sleep-strategies-kids

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sleep.htm#:~:text=Students%20should%20get%20the%20p

roper,poor%20mental%20health%2C%20and%20injuries.https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/sleep-strategies-kids

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sleep.htm#:~:text=Students%20should%20get%20the%20p

roper,poor%20mental%20health%2C%20and%20injuries.

Adolescence and young adulthood are times of change, growth, and challenges. Whether you're a teen trying to make sense of how you’re feeling, a young adult navigating the pressures of increased responsibility, a parent trying to find help for your child, or an educator aiming to bring mental health to the classroom, Mental Health America has information and resources to help you. Check out this resource: https://www.mhanational.org/youth

Quick reminder tip: Play is a great practical way to grow your child's self-esteem and mental wellness. Join your child in one of their favorite healthy hobbies. Or initiate a card game, walk, music time, etc; to do together. Though friends are important at this age, children love to share joy with their parents and guardians. Psychologists call this 'mutual delight' and the benefits are immense. Enjoy!

October 5 Choir Concert 6:00 PM at BMS

October 12 Jazz Band Concert 7:00 PM at BMS

October 14 Old West Weekend TBD (7/8 grade band students)

October 17 Winter Sports Meeting 6:00 PM at BMS

October 18 First Quarter PBS Assembly 2:30 pm

October 19 No school for K-2 and 6-8 students

October 20 Professional Development/Work Day (No school for students)

October 24 Orchestra Concert 6:00 PM at BMS

October 25 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-8:00 PM

October 26 Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00 AM-8:00 PM

October 27 No School for students and staff

Heath Office Staff are starting student school health screenings.These screenings will be

performed throughout the year until finished. Health screenings are performed per

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services schedule. Nebraska guidelines require all K-4th grades, 7th grade, and 10th grade students to participate.

The purpose of screening is to identify those students needing further evaluation or assistance in the areas screened. Parents/guardians will be notified through Remind or a letter if the student is found to need further evaluation. The cost of such evaluation is the parent’s/guardian's responsibility.

Another friendly reminder, that all kindergarten students need updated immunization records,

physical, and vision exam. 7th graders need a physical and updated immunization record. All

new transfer students need updated immunization records and if your student is transferring

from out of state, a physical and vision exam is also required.

Our annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser is fast approaching! Packets, which include order forms

and information, will be sent home soon.We are working with a new sales person and do not have all the details finalized yet. Thank you in advance for your patience.

If you would have any questions about the Krispy Kreme sales, please feel free to contact Stacy Celli at scelli@sbps.net or Ashley Dillman at adillman@sbps.net.

Bluffs Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society will continue this year for 8th-grade students. Ms. Dillman is our 2023-24 sponsor. We are pleased to announce candidate eligibility packets will be distributed this month. After applications are received, the Faculty Council will make their final selections based on the other four criteria of NJHS: Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. Students who are selected will participate in the NJHS Induction Ceremony, December 4th at 6:00 pm. Ms. Dillman will provide more information as the date draws closer.

Download the So Happy app to access breakfast and lunch menus.

Sixty students from Bluffs Middle School attended the Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference. We would like to thank Maricia Guzman-Marquez of Empowering Families for providing this opportunity for our students. Thank you, Mr. Castle, Mrs. Dick and Mrs. Kosman for attending this event with our students.

Community-Wide Emergency Response Simulation to take place Tuesday, October 17th.

On Tuesday, October 17, Scottsbluff Public Schools, Educational Service Unit #13, and area private schools will conduct a joint emergency response simulation. Emergency response personnel will coordinate activities at each school. Students and parents will be given advance notice that the activity is occurring and is only a simulation – not a real event.

Emergency responders who will be coordinating the exercise include members of the Scottsbluff Police Department, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff County Sheriff’s Office; Scottsbluff Fire Department, Gering Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Region 22 Emergency Management and 911 Communications. James Todd, SBPS Director of Safety and Security will be overseeing the simulation. The simulation incorporates advice from each of these agencies to help all schools improve response protocols and enhance security practices.

Emergency readiness in schools includes four key areas: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. This planning drives the schools’ efforts to ensure a high-quality school emergency operations plan.

The exercise is intended to operationalize the procedures detailed in SBPS’ “Emergency Operations Plan” which follows guidelines from the National and State Emergency Management Systems, the US Department of Homeland Security, the FEMA Incident Command System, the “I Love You Guys Foundation,” and the Nebraska Department of Education School Safety Center.