Edition 24 Week of 02/11
February: Black History Month
Walter S. Mills
Cougar Calendar
Attention 7th Grade Families
Mrs. Barnett, 7th grade School Counselor, will be going into English/Language Arts classes this week to complete classroom lessons to assist your scholars with selecting their encore classes for their 8th grade school year.
Mrs. Barnett will be completing lessons on Monday, February 12th, Tuesday, February 13th and Wednesday, February 14th, 2024. Students will need their Chromebooks to select their encore classes. Please make sure your student's Chromebook is fully charged.
Lastly, we encourage you to speak with your scholar about their encore selections. The encore lesson and google form link will be posted in the Brightspace classroom of your student's English class for your reference. Parents and students will have until Friday, March 1st, 2024, to submit an updated google form with their child's encore selections. For questions, please contact Mrs. Barnett at cmbarnett@aacps.org.
Congratulations to our Students of the Month - Dec/Jan
7th Grade Students of the Month
Kindness Grams - Sold during lunch - $2
February 7- February 13
Spirit Day - Red and/or Pink Day - 10 Bates Bucks
Free Tickets to The Drowsy Chaperone Jr
Get free tickets to see Bates students in The Drowsy Chaperone Jr, a satire of golden age Broadway musicals.
Public Performances
7pm, Friday, February 16, 2024
2pm, Saturday, February 17, 2024
7pm, Saturday, February 17, 2024
2pm, Sunday, February 18, 2024
Location: All performances are 5 minutes from Bates at Studio 39 (AACPS arts facility), 291 Locust Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.
Run time: 75 minutes
Field Trip February 15, 2024
About 40 students from each grade will have an opportunity to attend a performance of The Drowsy Chaperone Jr during the school day on February 15. Students interested must submit a permission slip
with 5 Bates bucks to Ms. Miller by February 12 (EXTENDED deadline). Sooner is better since seating is limited.
AACPS will provide free bus transportation courtesy of the Bates PTA.
Permission slips are attached below for students to attend the school-day performance on Feb. 15. Please turn in on Monday, February 12!
You can also visit the Bates Drama Club website to get tickets to public performances.
Bates Drama Club website
If you need assistance acquiring tickets for public performances, please email ticket manager Ms. Jennifer Brown, Browndandj@gmail.com.
If you need assistance submitting a permission slip for a student to attend the school-day performance, please contact Ms. Miller, ebmiller@aacps.org.
Wiley H. Bates Food Pantry Drive Up - 02/17
For all interested Wiley H. Bates Middle School Families:
We will hold the Wiley H. Bates Food Pantry Drive Up for free prepacked bags of non-perishable pantry items on Saturday, February 17 from 10-11:30 am at the flagpole front entrance of Bates Middle School.
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. Our pantry is currently open Mondays from 3:30-3:55 pm and Fridays from arrival through the end of advisory.
Out of Area Requests
Open from March 1 till May 1
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) seeking an out of area transfer for the school year 2024-2025 must complete and submit the Out of Area form along with supporting documentation to the principal for review between March 1 and May 1, 2024. This includes ALL CURRENT out-of-area students as they too must be competed and submitted along with the supporting documentation each year.
If your child is an 8th grader and you are considering submitting an Out of Area Request for a high school other than your zoned high school, you will need to submit an Out of Area request to the high school principal of the requested school. *The daycare option is not valid at the high school level.
Fillable forms and full details regarding requirements for a request for Out of Area are available on the website: www.aacps.org/outofarea. (click āView Allā tab).
**Please keep in mind that incomplete Out of Area requests & those lacking accompanying documents will not be accepted**
Mattress Fundraiser - Support the Wiley H. Bates Music Program
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Order your Yearbook NOW
April 12 Deadline
(Click the image below to order or scan the QR code on the form brought home)
No extra yearbooks will be ordered so be sure to order yours today!
News from the PTA
PTA Reflections Finalists
The Bates PTA is excited to celebrate our PTA Reflections contest finalists! We hope you will join us as we honor our Reflections entrants at the Bates PTA Dessert Reception following Arts Fest on March 14, 2024.
Three entries from Bates students have won awards at Anne Arundel County Council of PTA's Reflections contest in the Middle School Literature category:
1st Place - Rayah Smith, Bates MS
2nd Place - Aiden Meade, Bates MS
3rd Place - Ellis Kennard, Bates MS
All three entries are now moving on to the Free State PTA's contest next! Good luck! We are so proud of our talented Cougars!
The current PTA officers are all 8th grade parents, which means that they will be moving on to high school next year. In order for our PTA to continue, we need volunteers to step up to lead this organization next year. It's fun, it helps our school, and it's not a ton of work. If you're interested, please drop us a line at BatesMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com, and we can tell you what each position entails. The sooner you volunteer, the more time you'll have to "shadow" the current officers and start learning the ropes before your term in office actually begins. Please help our organization continue!
Thank you for supporting Bates Middle School and our PTA!
Help our Wiley H. Bates Gardens
Saturday, February 24 10:00am-2pm
Workday at Bates Gardens on Saturday, Feb 24th from 10:00-2:00. Come work as long as you want. Hauling compost, digging in leaf gro, cutting back old stems, weeding, transplanting, planting seeds for spring crops.
Great opportunity for service hours! Offering to St. Maryās High School students, Wiley H. Bates students and staff, and Master Gardeners. Ms. Ford, Master Gardner, will teach you what to do.
Bring gloves, pants, long sleeves, closed toed shoes and a hat. Bring shovels and hand tools if you have them. Will provide snacks! Bring water too. There will be more workdays so if you cannot make this one there will be more times announced later.
Wiley H. Bates Literary Magazine
Deadline has been extended!
After-School Bates Girls Lacrosse
A girls after-school lacrosse club will be starting this coming Tuesday, January 9th and will run on Tuesdays through February 20th. We will be playing lacrosse, getting some exercise and learning new skills.
You do not need to know how to play or have any equipment. We have equipment if you need it. Come out and have some fun with Coach Fox, Annapolis High School's assistant lacrosse coach!
Chromebook Chargers
Reminder: If you have lost your charger or would like an extra one for home, please use the below link to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about transportation?
Please forward any questions to our administrator, Mr. Walker at jewalker1@aacps.org
Do you have questions about your student's attendance?
Please contact Christine Clark at cclark3@aacps.org.
Do you have specific student concerns, ie. behavior, scheduling, academic performance, etc. please contact your grade level administrator or counselor:
6th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Walker jewalker1@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Weiss dweiss@aacps.org
7th Grade
Administrator: Mr. Lustgarten jlustgarten@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. Barnett cmbarnett@aacps.org
8th Grade
Administrator: Ms. Adkins ktadkins@aacps.org
Counselor: Ms. McFadden cmcfadden@aacps.org
Do you have an emergency concern (after hours)?
Please contact our Principal, Ms. Hicks, at 302-314-6146.
Around the Community
The 2024 application window for summer camp and learning enhancement programs will be open February 9, 2024 through March 15, 2024.
Please note that students are eligible to apply for programs based on their current grade level for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please click HERE to see the summer programs offered by AACPS.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis
Annapolis Police Athletic League - Co-Ed Volleyball Club
Dress Pop-Up Shop
March 9th 12-4pm
Offering FREE formal dresses
We are Hiring for AACPS Summer Programs
Free Chromebook Giveaway - AACPL
(En EspaƱol: Dispositivos Conectados Chromebook Sorteo)
As part of AACPL's commitment to help close the digital divide, through a grant provided by Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland, we are proud to participate in a free Chromebook giveaway for eligible Anne Arundel County residents. Distribution events will be held starting in January 2024.
Please click on this link for more information.
Mobile Food Pantry - AACo Food Bank
Dear AACPS Students, Parents, Guardians, Teachers, Staff, and Community Members,
We are excited to announce an upcoming event that is both informative and impactful. Anne Arundel County Public Schools Special Education is hosting a special screening of the thought-provoking documentary, "Normal Isn't Real," and we invite you to Save the Date for this enlightening experience.
Event Details
Date: March 14, 2024
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
RSVP: It is crucial to RSVP to reserve your seat for this screening. Further details on how to RSVP will be provided soon.
"Normal Isn't Real" is a powerful documentary that challenges societal perceptions of normalcy and explores the unique strengths that individuals with learning differences and disabilities bring to our communities. This event aims to foster understanding, promote inclusivity, and inspire meaningful conversations.
As we prepare for this event, we encourage you to mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information, including venue details and how to secure your spot. We look forward to your presence and active participation in this important conversation.
Together, let's celebrate diversity, promote acceptance, and build a more inclusive community within Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Thank you for your continued support.
File attachments:
Special Ed Documentary Screening 1-12-2024.pdf
Anne Arundel County Crisis Response Warmline
AACPS is hiring for all positions. Click HERE to apply.
Wiley H. Bates MIddle School
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