BHMS Principal's Update 8/22/22
September Information for the Start of School
Keeping Up with What is Going on at the Hill!!!
We had a great week with the 6th graders as they learned the new school learned, how to open lockers, and some of the aspects that makes us Bulldogs. We had some constuction still going on in the back of the school, but all in all, I think the 6th graders had a great time. 6th -8th graders should understand that we still are all going to be figuring out somethings and it will take days to really get into the swing of things. If your child is unsure about anything, please help ease their mind because everyone feels the same. If you have any questions not answered in this newsletter, please give us a call. Hopefully, this start of school newsletter will answer some of your questions.
Toward the end of this week, students should expect to be able to see their schedules. Bus information should be sent later this week or early next week as well.
Please enjoy the last few weeks of the summer. Looking forward to a great year with our Bulldogs.
Sincerely,
Mike D'Ostilio
In this Newsletter:
New and Important Information
- 6th Grade Immunization Requirements
- 5th to 6th Grade Transition/Orientation
- New 7th and 8th Grader Student Breakfast (RSVP Only)
- School Supplies
- Power School Parent Information Update
- Technology and Laptop Insurance
- Summer Reading
- Athletics and Physicals
- Field Hockey Try Outs
- Spirit Wear
- Bell Schedule
- Lunch/Breakfast Info
- Student IDs
- Code of Conduct
Recurring Information:
- Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging-Month in Review
- Notes from the Counseling Office
- Ways to Support BHMS (National School Folders)
- What it Means to Be a Bulldog
- Building Better Bulldogs Mission and Vision
- Archived COVID-19 Information
- PTO Information
- Signing Up for Remind Text Notifications, Facebook, and Twitter
New and Important Information
July 2022...Fall 2022 Sports Physicals Due
August 24, 2022...Parent Portal Update Due (Power School)
August 25, 2022 9:30-11...New Student Orientation (7th and 8th Graders New to Bunker Hill Only)
August 25 and/or 29, 2022...4-6pm...6th Grade Locker Move in Day
August 29 and 30, 2022...Middle School Field Hockey Tryouts
September 1, 2022...First Day of School
September 2-5, 2022...School Closed...Labor Day
September 6, 2022...School Resumes
September 7, 2022...School Picture Day...More Information TBA
September 12, 2022...Back to School Night...6:30-8:30pm...(In Person...BHMS)
September 12, 2022...Fall Fundraiser PTO Chocolate Candy Bar Kickoff
September 15, 2022...Start Strong State Assessment Infrastructure Trial
September 18, 2022...Last Day to Order Bulldog Spiritwear Apparel
September 22 and 23, 2022...Start Strong State Assessment
September 22...Grade 7 and 8 (PAWty)...3-5:30 PM (Must have ride at 5:30 to pick up)
September 23...Grade 6 Back to School Party/Dance...3-5PM (Must have ride to pick up)
September 30...End of Fall Fundraiser
6th Grade Information
August 25 and/or 29 from 4-6pm is 6th Grade Locker Move-in Day
All Students
Summer Reading Information...All Grades
Consider Your School Supplies
Middle School Athletics (Field Hockey, Wrestling, Basketball)
On the Athletics Page....
- A student cannot try out or practice for any sport without a verified athletic physical.
- Physicals must be in at least 3-4 weeks prior to the first practice. It takes at least 3 weeks to review. The nurse has to verify the form, then send it to the district doctor who reviews the form. Sometimes the doctor does not endorse the physical and asks the nurse to go back to the families for more information. This could be a long process.
- Please shoot for end of July/early August to get your physicals in for Fall Sports...
- Also, if your child would like to participate in the BHMS Get Moving or Dance Clubs, your child also needs a physical.
Bunker Hill Bulldogs Must Carry School IDs
ID Card Explanation
We are continuing to iron out this procedure, but last year's children have adapted quickly to this. If they forget their ID, students simply give their 6 digit ID/Pin number. However, this is not an acceptable and routine practice to forget or lose one's ID. We strongly encourage students to keep their IDs with them at all times. This is highly important for safety reasons.
This new procedures 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. There is no additional change or procedure your child has to do except get into the habit of bringing their ID cards.
For the first few weeks, 7th through 8th grade students should bring last year's ID and 6th graders should display last year's ID, but remember their pin number to check into the restroom. A student's pin number is the same for logging into their computer and for purchasing food in the cafeteria.
First and Foremost We Believe and Reinforce that a Bulldog is More than a Mascot; It's our Character!!!
Code of Conduct, Dress Code, Cell Phones, Social Media
Here is a copy of the most recent code of conduct/including 22-23 revisions https://www.wtps.org/Page/31426
The overall theme of the code of conduct is the belief that we are dealing with children who are on a journey and sometimes they falter and need our support to teach them how to fail forward and repair the relationship they may have strained. We are committed to having the code of conduct promote this learning from mistakes.
Backpacks
In the middle schools, because we have a team of teachers that each child has, we have frequent access to our lockers, because we no longer have textbooks for each class, and we live in a world with heightened security, students cannot carry backpacks while in school. Students can bring backpacks to school but must place them in their lockers prior to homeroom and then retrieve them at the end of the day. During the first few weeks, we will practice with the students and help with organization.Open Back Shoes Like Slides or Flip Flops
We have crowded halls and stairwells and wearing open back shoes provides a tripping hazard. Therefore we do not allow them in school. Students can wear Crocs, but we need the students to make sure the back strop is on the back of the heal, not turned over in the front of the Croc.
Shirts and Apparel
All shirts need to be free of rude/sexual/violent language or innuendos. Shirts need to ensure that midriffs, backs, and undergarments are covered.
Cell Phones are not permitted while students are in school.
Each year we have assemblies to address online/social media harassment as we remind students that such conduct is not what a Bulldog is about. We obtain the unwavering support of Officer Hamilton who is our SRO and will continue to have these talks with the entire school in the upcoming year as well.
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 in schools are happening on Tik Tok. Much persistent vandalism in schools is 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. The same goes for Discord.
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. These pages are on Tik Tok as well...usually referencing "ship" page. These make fun or invent dating relationships of students.
Recurring Topics
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.
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