The Weekly Update #16
From the Desk of Ms. Hicks
Unity Day - Dec. 7th
This Wednesday, December 7th, we will celebrate Unity Day. The purpose of Unity Day is to promote a unified message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying. The three most common ways to celebrate this day include,
1. Participate in a project that promotes diversity and inclusion in your school.
2. Wear orange
3. Spend the day taking part in random acts of kindness.
In addition to wearing orange, on Wednesday, Dec. 7th, I challenge everyone to perform three random acts of kindness and continue spreading that kindness throughout this entire month of December. We look forward to hearing all the unique ways that students spread kindness.
Cougar Calendar
Bates Block Schedule
Please review this calendar to find out which Bates Block day it is.
Bargain Basement Donations Needed by Dec. 19th
Volunteers Needed for Bargain Basement!
This is a fun afternoon with the kids!
- 12/19 - 7:50-8:50am - help sort Bargain Basement items
- 12/21 - 1:00-4:00pm - work Bargain Basement help
If interested in volunteering for either of these activities, please contact Ms. Grimail at tgrimail@aacps.org
Is your student in need of a coat?
If your student is in need of a coat for the winter, please do not hesitate to reach out to your grade level counselor or contact the front office at 410-263-0270. We are in partnership with Asbury United Methodist Church who are helping to provide our school children with coats.
6th grade counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
7th grade counselor: Ms. Darling mdarling@aacps.org
8th grade counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
Administrator: Ms. Patterson kypatterson@aacps.org
UPDATE - Bates Student Food Pantry
Reminder:
Our pantry is currently open Mondays from 3:30-3:55 pm and Fridays from arrival through the end of advisory. If interested in learning more about our Student Food Pantry please have your student go to the counseling department to speak to Shauna Rykiel, our school social worker, or you may contact her through email at srykiel@aacps.org.
Covid Test Kits and Masks
The Bates PTA has obtained a supply of COVID-19 home tests and KN95 masks.
They are available for pick up in the school office. Please note that they must be picked up by an adult.
If you cannot get to school and need test kits, please contact the PTA at batesmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com or text us at 443-782-5423 and we will arrange to get some to you!
Ordering is EASY!
then Enter your Access Key from your proof
Or you can simply scan the QR code on your proof.
Questions? Call us at (800)869-9515 x112
Classic Photography & Imaging
PTA Events
It's time to celebrate our hardworking teachers with some holiday cheer!
For the 12 days leading up to the winter break, we will be having daily gift drawings for our amazing teachers. Please consider donating a gift basket or gift card!
The PTA can give you a donation letter if you'd like to ask a favorite local business to donate. All gifts should be labeled "Bates-mas" and can be dropped off in the main office.
Thank you for helping us to show our teachers how much we appreciate them!
Our next PTA meeting will be Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. This will be a virtual meeting. To join, please go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83556274105?pwd=UHM5V1NvU01JREFsM25aNFBjOGJJdz09
If you haven't joined the PTA yet for this school year, it's quick and easy! Join today at: https://batesmiddlepta.memberhub.com/w/join
The ice rink at Quiet Waters Park will be opening on Friday, December 9th, and so will the Middle School Hot Chocolate Stand.
The Bates and AMS PTAs join together to sell hot chocolate, candy, snacks, and water on Fridays and Saturdays at the rink.
This is our biggest fundraiser, but we need your help to make it a success!
We need donations to help stock the booth. You can order supplies online or deliver them locally. The wishlist is available here: https://tinyurl.com/cocoasupplies
We need volunteers to help run the booth. Please consider volunteering for a shift! We will train you, and all students will receive signed documentation for service hours completed. You can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/cocoashack
Thank you for your support!
Read Across America December Book Recommendations
Libby Resource Link https://www.aacpl.net/research/overdrivelibby
Dr. Bedell Listening & Learning Tour
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mark Bedell, Will host the first of his series of Listening and Learning Tour sessions to gather input from residents across Anne Arundel County on Monday, November 28, at Annapolis High School.
Dr. Bedell will address participants at the outset of each session. His remarks will be followed by facilitated small-group sessions, allowing for a conversation on various topics. Responses will be recorded and posted online after each session.
“The intent of the small-group sessions is to allow those in attendance to talk about what they think our school system does well, areas in which we can improve, and things they would like to see as we move our school system forward,” Dr. Bedell said. “The input we receive will help shape our post-entry plan and, ultimately, the new Strategic Plan we will adopt later this winter.”
The sessions will be held in schools around the county to make them accessible to all populations. They will run from 6 to 8 p.m., with Dr. Bedell’s remarks beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sessions will be held on the following dates:
- Monday, November 28: Annapolis High School
- Monday, December 5: Meade High School
- Tuesday, December 6: Northeast High School
- Tuesday, December 13: Old Mill High School
- Thursday, December 15: Broadneck High School
- Friday, December 16: Brock Bridge Elementary School (conducted in Spanish)
- Monday, December 19: North County High School
- Tuesday, December 20: Chesapeake High School
- Wednesday, December 21: Glen Burnie High School
- Tuesday, January 3: Crofton High School
- Thursday, January 5: Severna Park High School
- Monday, January 9: South River High School
- Tuesday, January 10: Southern High School
- Wednesday, January 11: Arundel High School
Interpreters will be available to assist at all of the sessions above if needed. Anyone requiring interpretation services should call the bilingual facilitator at their student's school to make those arrangements.
Health Room News
Vision and Hearing
Letters have been mailed to families for any student that was screened for vision and hearing and is in need to follow up with their doctor. Please follow up with your doctor as soon as you can and forward any information to our nurse. If you have any questions, please contact our nursing department.
Hearing Retest
Any kids who were absent during the original hearing test, will be tested on December 20th.
Water Bottles
Please make sure your child comes to school with their water bottles daily. It is important for the kids to stay hydrated throughout the day. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide cups for everyone so it is best they have their own water bottles.
TUTORS NEEDED
Interested in being a Tutor, click HERE.
Interested in being a Guest Speaker click HERE.
Any questions, please contact Kasey Bowling at kbowling@aacps.org
Students of the Month - OCTOBER
Please congratulate the following students
6th Grade Students of the Month
7th Grade Students of the Month
8th Grade Students of the Month
Encore Students of the Month - NOVEMBER
Annapolis Angel Tree
Are you doing your holiday shopping on Amazon? Raise money for our school at the same time by using AmazonSmile! It's free and easy!
Just go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and choose “Wiley H. Bates Middle School PTA” as your charity of choice. Make sure you start at https://smile.amazon.com/ when you shop at Amazon.
If you use the Amazon app to shop, go into Settings and make sure AmazonSmile is turned on and is supporting our school.
Teacher Shoutouts
Does your student want to give a shoutout to their teacher?
Students can give their teacher a shoutout of appreciation! Please scan the QR code or go to our website to give their shoutout. I know the teacher's would LOVE to hear from their students
Is your student not feeling well? Don't forget to fill out the absence note!
Student Absences
If you need to report your student absent for a partial day or for the entire day, please click on the image and complete the google form.
These attendance forms can also be found on the Bates Website. You may also email the Attendance Secretary, Christine Clark, at cclark3@aacps.org with your attendance note.
Come Join our Team
Please look at the available positions at AACPS
Asbestos Abatement for upcoming HVAC Renovation Project
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Joe Lustgarten at jlustgarten@aacps.org.
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have questions about student/parent portal?
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Lustgarten jlustgarten@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Darling mdarling@aacps.org or Mr. Thompson scint-jthompson@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Patterson kypatterson@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Ms. Hicks, at 302-314-6146.
If your student would like to meet with their grade level counselor, please have them use the below links to request an appointment. These links are also available on each teacher's Brightspace page.
Request to See Mrs. Barnett (6th Grade)
https://forms.gle/F6ZFZmZhayVGCcJc6
Request to See Ms. Darling (7th Grade)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQAAGOTHWZIi2AJ-2HgNQnOcd6TW8OCMqdRuPWwuCDA/edit
Request to See Mr. Thompson (7th Grade)
Request to See Ms. Weiss (8th Grade)
Do you want to know what is happening at Bates? FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!
Around the Community
FREE Narcan Training
PTA BOARD 2022-2023
Laura Graham-Booth, President
Roberto Garza, Vice President
Norma McGowin-Reynolds, Treasurer
Colleen Zelenakas, Secretary
Thank you for volunteering and all you do for Bates Middle School! Questions, contact the PTA at BatesMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Wiley H. Bates MIddle School
Katherine Hicks, Principal
Christine Clark, Editor
We are better together!
Email: cclark3@aacps.org
Website: www.aacps.org/bates
Location: 701 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, USA
Phone: 410 263-0270
Twitter: @whbatesaacps
Instagram:@WileyHBatesMiddleSchoolAACPS