Mr. Glover's Weekly Update
October 29th, 2023
Mr. Glover's Weekly Update
Hope you are having a restful Sunday, Raider Families.
As we move into another week, I wanted to share a sentiment with you all that I am hoping will spread throughout our community. We are all (students, educators, families) working together with the mission of educating your children, our students, while creating this unique and special environment called Black Mountain. As an example, last week our performing arts families were able to enjoy the Coffee Concerts that were put on by our wonderful young musicians and their educators, Ms. Walsh, Ms. Woodruff, and Mrs. Scipio. None of us (them) are seeking special acknowledgment. We are either too busy or too humble to have time for all of that. However, we all know how the simple act of someone saying, “Thank you” can change your current mood. Someone taking the time out of their day to honor you with that simple gesture, “Thank you for……….”
So, thank you to all families that have adjusted to the new traffic flow and helped to make drop off and pick up a better experience! Thank you to the educators that are making each day of instruction so meaningful for our students. Thank you to our front office educators that welcome everyone to the campus with a smile and warm demeanor as they fight the “invisible battles” that occur daily. Thank you to our administrators for all that they do to make everyone feel supported and heard. And finally, thank you to all of our educators who authentically develop trusting relationships with each of our students on a daily basis.
Student Survey - San Diego County Office of Education
Next week, your child will be asked to complete a brief survey as part of BMMS’s participation in the SDCOE Aspire Network of middle school sites. Black Mountain, along with several middle schools around the county, are collaborating as part of our district and site Equity and Inclusion campaigns. If you would like for your child to not participate in this survey, we are including an “Opt Out” Form that you can complete and return to school with your child this week. The survey will be conducted in homeroom classes this Thursday, November 2nd. If you have any questions, please contact the school.
November 1st, Professional Growth Day, No Students
Week at a Glance
Mon., October 30, Periods 1-7, Start 8:00am
Tues., October 31, Periods 1-7, Start 8:00am
Weds., November 1, Pro Grow Day, No Students
Thurs., November 2, Periods 1,2,3 & HR; Start @ 8am
ACADEMY PE (M-Th) - Students released at 3:40PM
Fri., November 3, Periods 4/5,6, 7 & HR; Start @ 8am
NO ACADEMY PE ON FRIDAYS, Students released @ 2:45pm
Student Password Reset - November 1st, 2023
The district will be resetting passwords for all students in grades 6-12. We will be following the same process we did last year that allowed us to ensure minimal interruption to access for students.
Wednesday, November 1 all Student Passwords will reset. We will distribute the new passwords directly to students during the 1st period on Thursday November 2nd.
After the reset date, students will not have access to any digital resources (MyPLAN, Chromebooks, Canvas, etc.) until they receive their new password.
If a student misplaces their new password, parents will be able to access the password the morning of the reset date by logging into the Poway Account Self Service website (https://password.powayusd.com).
Halloween Dress-Up Day - 31 October
As we get closer to the end of the month, of course we are also getting closer to our Halloween celebrations. Halloween is a European tradition that rose in popularity in the United States and is celebrated with masquerade dress. On October 31st, BMMS students are free to dress up for school. Dressing up is completely optional, and students may wear regular school clothes as well. During this school day celebration students are permitted to wear age appropriate costumes representing fictional characters, heroes, or school appropriate imaginative concepts. Please keep these guidelines in mind:
Costumes should be appropriate to a BMMS school day, and regular dress code standards apply.
No weapons of any kind, real or imagined, plastic or otherwise, may be included as part of a costume.
No full-face masks or makeup may be worn during the school day.
Partial makeup may be used to represent fictional conditions (clown-face, witch-green skin, etc) but should not represent different human flesh tones.
Wigs may be used to represent fictional or historical characters (Ariel mermaid hair, 80s punk hair, etc) but should not be used to represent hairstyles associated with other ethnicities.
Traditional cultural costumes are inappropriate for Halloween.
Costumes representing spiritual leaders and specific religious figures are inappropriate for Halloween.
These guidelines are intended to maintain a safe and supportive environment during one of our celebrated days of the year. We want each and every one of our students to have a respectful and enjoyable time during our celebration of Halloween on the 31st of October. Please consult with your child as you plan their costume together. If you should have any questions or concerns about any costume that your child may be considering wearing on this day, please feel free to reach out to a School Administrator or educator for more information.
Cultural Heritage Celebrations for the Month of October
During our cultural celebrations for the month of October, we at BMMS would like to honor a significant person or event that has shaped each of these distinctive areas of focus. We hope to inspire everyone to challenge themselves to learn something new this month in an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding of culture and come from all of the diverse members of our school community.
Filipino American History Highlight
This week's highlighted figure explores the journey of Eliseo Felipe and his over 100-year experience (warning: derogatory statement in news reel at the 5:32 mark of the video)
German American Heritage Highlight
This week will acknowledge that President George Bush proclaimed that October 6, 2004, would be designated as German American Day.
History of Italian American History Month - By 1870, there were about 25,000 Italian immigrants in America, many of them Northern Italian refugees from the wars that accompanied the Risorgimento—the struggle for Italian unification and independence from foreign rule. Between around 1880 and 1924, more than four million Italians immigrated to the United States, half of them between 1900 and 1910 alone—the majority fleeing grinding rural poverty in Southern Italy and Sicily. Today, Americans of Italian ancestry are the nation's fifth-largest ethnic group. (https://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica/usim_wn_noflash_5.html#:~:text=Between%20around%201880%20and%201924,nation's%20fifth%2Dlargest%20ethnic%20group.)
LGBTQ History Highlight
This week's highlighted figures are, The Daughters of Bilitis
Calendar
10.30 - ASB Spirit Day - Candy Corn Day
- 6th Grade Wear Yellow
- 7th Grade Wear Orange
- 8th Grade Wear White
10.31 - ASB Spirit Day - Wear your Halloween Costume
10.31 - ASES Basketball Try-outs, 4pm
NOVEMBER
- Alaska Native Heritage
- National Adoption Month
- Native American Heritage Month
11.01.23 - Pro Grow Day/Secondary Only - Non-Student Day
11.01.23 - Dia de los Muertos
11.01.23 - All Saint's Day
11.02.23 - ASES Flag Football, 4pm
11.02.23 - All Souls Day
11.02.23 - ASES Basketball Try-outs, 4pm
11.03.23 - OPEN ENROLLMENT/BENEFIT BRIDGE ENDS
11.03.23 - ASES Basketball Try-outs, 4pm
11.03.23 - ASES Cross Country, 4pm
11.08.23 - What I Wish My Parents Knew Workshop, 6pm @OVMS
11.09.23 - End of 1st Trimester/12 Week Progress
11.09.23 - NO BLOCK PERIODS, Periods 1-7
11.09.23 - ASES Flag Football, 4pm
11.09.23 - PUSD BOE, 6pm
11.09.23 - ASES Cheer Fundraiser - Chic Fil A (see flyer below)
11.10.23 - Veteran's Day Holiday
11.12.23 - Diwali
11.14.23 - Tentative ASES Football Championship
11.15.23 - Day of Awesomeness/ASB Fundraiser Reward Event
11.16.23 - International Day for Tolerance
11.17.23 - Polytechneio
11.17.23 - 1st Trimester Report Cards Available
11.17.23 - Flag Football Staff vs. Students, 3:15pm-4:15pm
11.20.23 - 11.24.23 - DISTRICT RECESS - Thanksgiving Week - No School
11.20.23 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
11.28.23 - ASES Basketball Game, 4pm
*subject to change