Mr. Corso's Weekly Principal Update
December 19, 2021
Positive Raiders:
Responsible, Respectful, Hard Working and Kind
Mr. Corso's Weekly Update
No School December 18- Jan. 2: Winter Break
This Week’s Positive Message: On Tuesday, I read this to students...I love Black Mountain Middle School. And the number #1 reason is...our students. I am proud of the fact that I work really hard for our kids. I would do anything for you. I want this to be the best school it can be. However, I am very disappointed. I am disappointed in our bathrooms. This year, there has been a lot of disturbing behavior related to our bathrooms. We have had vandalism, graffiti in our bathrooms and some students have made others feel uncomfortable and even intimidated in a bathroom. This is unacceptable. Having a clean, safe bathroom is a right each and every person should have on this campus. You deserve this. But I need your help. If you see something, say something. The 10 Building Bathrooms will be closed the rest of the week. Aren’t you tired of seeing bathrooms filthy? Don’t you want people to feel safe? Report issues happening in the bathroom or anywhere on campus. You can report to the assistant principals’ office or you can use the Report a Concern form available on our website and on posters throughout the school. Your name is not shared with anyone. Together, we can make BMMS safer and cleaner. A better school starts with each one of us.
Power Hours & Mandarin Power Hour Sign-Up
Power Hour: Power Hour will resume when we get back from break. Some classes (as noted below) will start on Jan 18, the rest will start the week of Jan. 3.
Below is a printable PDF you can post at home.
Printable Power Hour PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18zCALNK3-lG1iqGTvmMN1dT5Q3aGFNUa/view?usp=sharing
Mandarin: Sign up below for our Mandarin Power Hour: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A49AAAD2FA2FE3-mandarin
Coffee with the Principal Recording
BMMS Club Meetings
Our ASB students created a matrix for when and where clubs meet. It is up on our BMMS website. Check it out:
https://www.powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/MS/BMMS/Student-Life/Clubs
Mask Mandate
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has instituted new mandates and a travel advisory as a response to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as well as the detection of the new omicron variant.
You may be wondering what that means for PUSD students and staff:
Starting today, December 15 through January 15, a new statewide indoor mask mandate is in effect. This means that regardless of vaccination status, all individuals are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings.
The travel advisory states that travelers going out of state or out of the country should get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after arriving back home, and follow all CDC travel guidelines.
For large events (defined as indoor events of more than 1,000 or outdoor events of more than 10,000), individuals who cannot provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status, must test within one day for antigen tests, and within two days for PCR tests prior to entry into the facility or venue.
As we learn more, we will keep you updated on any changes that might impact school operations such as athletics or visual and performing arts. The mandates will be re-evaluated in January, at which point the CDPH will decide whether to extend or change the requirements.
Yearbook General Sales & 8th Grade Baby Pic/Ad Info
Yearbooks may be purchased through Josten's website until January 2nd, 2022 for $40.00. Beginning on January 3rd, 2022 the price will increase to $45.00 for the remainder of the year.
ASB discount
If you purchased an ASB card, the price is $35.00 through the 17th of December, 2021 and beginning on the 3rd, it goes up to $40.00 for the remainder of the year.
Jostens can not sell yearbooks with the ASB discount. You will have to buy them directly from the school. Send a check/cash for $35.00 or $40.00 to the front office with your students first and last name, grade, and Homeroom teacher or to Mr. Lantz in room 201.
You may also pay by PayPal for a small service fee by contacting Claudia Barranon at cbarranon@powayusd.com
8th Grade Parents Only
Baby Pictures -- Free DUE BY DECEMBER 17TH
You may send a baby picture of your current 8th grader for inclusion in the yearbook to chunt@powayusd.com
Subject Line: Baby Pic 2021-22 Student First and Last Name
Please attach a high resolution image of your student. Low res images often cannot be sized appropriately in the book.
Parent Ads -- $25.00 DUE BY DECEMBER 17Th
You may purchase a parent ad for your current 8th grader(s) for inclusion in the yearbook by sending a check or cash in the amount of $25.00 to the front office with your student’s first and last name, grade, and Homeroom teacher or to Mr. Lantz in room 201.
Additionally send a picture of your 8th grader to chunt@powayusd.com
SUBJECT LINE: Parent Ad 2021-22 Student first and Last Name
BODY: Write a short message to be included with the image. Messages more than 140 characters will have to be shrunk to fit the space and are difficult to read.
Parent University - Preparing for High School and College
On January 19th at 6pm, Black Mountain will be hosting our Parent University: College Readiness - Making the most of High School and Preparing for College. Space is limited. To register for the event, please complete the following google survey. https://bit.ly/parentu-collegeready
During the week of the presentation, a zoom link will be sent out to families who register.
Kim Bronson, counselor at Mt Carmel High School will present information on:
Preparing for (and easing) the transition to high school.
How you can empower your student to have the habits of mind necessary to be successful in high school and beyond.
Overview of the college application process – What you can do now to prepare!
How to support your student’s individual college exploration/pathway.
How to maintain your sanity during your child’s high school years. ☺
HELP NEEDED - BMMS CAREER FAIR
On February 11, Black Mountain Middle school will hold our Career Fair at Lunch. Lunch time that day will be from 10:45-12:30. Stations will be set up around our quad where students can learn information about a variety of careers. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are looking for volunteers to share information about their jobs with our Black Mountain students. Our goal is to give our students a wide experience of vocations and careers and spark interest in different career pathways.Would you be willing to share with students about your career? Does your workplace have an outreach program?
If you are able to help us find people willing to participate in this great learning event, please complete the following survey. https://bit.ly/BMMSCareerFaire2022
Poway Adult Education
A new year is a great time to head back to school! Poway Adult School offers low-cost career training classes for you to upskill. Just need some help tuning up your resume or someone to discuss a career change idea? The Poway (Unified) Adult School provides free career guidance, high school diploma classes for adults and GED prep as well. Call Jon at (858) 668-4022 or go online at www.powayadultschool.com and check out our catalog pages 5-11 for career training and free workshops. Make an appointment for free career support at https://calendly.com/help4careers/30min
PUSD Parent Workshop
Please note that all these workshops are In-Person at Poway Adult School or Abraxas High School. We have 3 new courses highlighted in blue for the Winter Term.
Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK -5th Grade
Our children have experienced a great deal of change and uncertainty over the past year. You may have noticed that they have felt overwhelmed or exhibited symptoms of anxiety. The good news is that there is a solution! We can teach our kids concrete tools to reduce anxiety and manage stress by strengthening their emotional intelligence (EQ). Research has showed that children with high emotional intelligence do better in school and get along well with others.
In-Person Thursday, 1/27/22 at Abraxas School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens – All Grades
PART I: The Basics
Join Angelle Maua to gain greater understanding of the complexity of Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and the Gender Spectrum.
Discuss the use of pronouns.
How to advocate for gender equity for your child.
Know your student’s rights and how to be a good ally.
Learn and understand the nuances of navigating support and difficult conversation, not only with your child but with family and friends.
In-Person Saturday, 1/29/22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Poway Adult School
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens – All Grades
PART II: Conscious Parenting New Course
Join Angelle Maua to continue the discussions from the LGBTQIA+ Part I: The Basics Workshop. Learn how to:
Become a more conscious parent of a gender-expansive or questioning child.
Look beyond the binary and unpack years of cultural beliefs, traditional roles, and expectations.
Improve the odds for your child to embrace the complexity of their journey.
Nurture and enjoy the journey with your child.
This is all-inclusive for parents of children who have identified as LGBTQIA+.
In-Person Saturday, 2/12/22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Poway Adult School
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Effective Strategies to Advocate for Your Child in Special Education - All Grades NEW Course
Whether you suspect your child would benefit from special education services or are already in the process, come discover and practice tools to improve communication with teachers, administrators, and case managers. Spend time with Laurie Magulac to discuss how to increase collaboration and create your child's education plan as well as develop tools to process meetings and diagnoses.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/1/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting Well Through Life Changes - All Grades NEW Course
Change is a part of life that comes in many forms which can include divorce, moving, and loss. How do we manage our own response to change while parenting our children effectively?
Spend time with Laurie Magulac to learn strategies to:
Understand and recognize stress in your child during change.
Help your child cope in healthy ways.
Manage and diffuse tough behaviors that may arise.
Not burn out while you are helping your child through the process.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/8/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
SPANISH Teen Positive Parenting Program
This is a friendly reminder of the SPANISH Teen Positive Parenting Program Series via ZOOM that will start on Wednesday, January 19th 2022. The flyer has the registration link to RSVP.
District Recess; No School
December 18, 2021-January 2, 2022
School Resumes on January 3, 2022 @ 8:54am
About Us
Email: mcordeau@powayusd.com
Website: www.powayusd.com/bmms
Location: 9353 Oviedo Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-484-1300
Twitter: @BMMS_Raiders