Bogota Middle School Update

I hope that everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season. The Jr. YAC sponsored a successful food drive this past month. Thank you to our families who were able to donate.

We have put up a giving tree in the lobby. Feel free to donate lightly used clothing, new clothing, books, and games. All items will be given to families/students in need. The giving tree will be up until December 22nd.

Field trips have begun for students! The 7th grade went to the Holocaust Museum this past week and also attended a play at the high school. All students will be visiting the Apple store over the next two weeks to learn about cutting edge technology.

Bogota Middle School Basketball tryouts will be held next week. Please look at the flier below for more information.

The PTO will be in the school lobby on Wednesday, December 6th, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm for cookie pick up from the fundraiser. There will be a PTO sponsored dress down day on Friday, December 8th. No theme but appropriate attire is required. No ripped jeans, cropped tops, or pajamas please.

We will have a fun filled week before our Winter Recess. The flier for each themed day, beginning on December 18th, is below. I know that many middle school students may think that they are "too cool" to participate but it will be fun!

Should you ever a question or concern, please email me or call the main office.

Sincerely,

Christopher Albiez
BMS Principal

Congratulation to Mr. Pelletier on being our November Bogota Middle School Teacher/Staff Member of the Month! Mr. Pelletier is a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in the 6th grade. He truly cares about each and every student in his class and he has created a culture of respect and independence within his classroom. He is also a big help to his fellow peers and assists staff in need. Keep up the great work Mr. Pelletier!

This week, 7th grade students had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education, located in Suffern, New York.

Students participated in a Moral Courage Workshop. The workshop had students define what moral courage is. Students learned about individuals who came to the aid of those in need of protection during WWII. These people became known as “The Righteous Among the Nations.” Students explored what they would do if faced with the hateful persecution of others.

In addition, students toured the Museum. They were tasked with a series of questions that could be answered by reading, looking at pictures as well as various artifacts from the Holocaust all with the purpose of not only expanding their knowledge of the Holocaust but building acceptance, empathy, and compassion as human beings.

For many students and attending teachers, the highlight of the visit was meeting and listening to Holocaust Survivor, Mrs. Trudy Album. This was a once in a lifetime experience for as time continues to move forward, there are less and less survivors to tell their truths.

Despite being 94 years young, Mrs. Album spoke to students about her horrific experiences during the Holocaust as well as life after being liberated from a concentration camp. Students had the opportunity to ask questions to Mrs. Album as well. Although it is difficult to share such atrocities, Mrs. Album believes that in sharing her experiences, they empower students and others to seek the truth, learn lessons and ensure that the memory of the Holocaust continues. Mrs. Album concluded by telling students “it takes the same energy to hate as it does to love.”

So let's hope that our energy goes to love.

Mrs. Del Rosso

The 7th Grade took a trip to the high school yesterday to watch a rehearsal of the play, "Radium Girls." The play is based on the tragic, true (often forgotten) story, concerning results of radium poisoning unwittingly suffered by young women who worked in a dial factory in Orange, New Jersey in the 1920s. Great job to the cast and crew!

The Jr YAC is pleased to announce that over 300 food items were collected for our Food Drive. Over forty bags were delivered to St. Mary's Food Pantry and 15 bags to the Center for Food Action in Hackensack. A check for $90 was also given to St. Mary's Food Pantry to help support their efforts to feed hungry families. A special thanks to our Nurse Mulder who coordinated the drop-off and delivery of our food drive items. You are awesome!

Ms. Haase's homeroom won the party with the donation of over 90 food items. Well done!

A huge thank you to all the students and teachers from all homerooms for your generosity. Every food item matters!

Mrs. Demetrakis

The BMS Art Club was hard at work this week, designing a beautiful and inclusive winter themed landscape for students and staff!

Ms. Ferrara's Class attended a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast last week with students from Mr. Limone's class. We look forward to more events together in the future!

The Cookie Fundraiser Pick Up for parents will be on Wednesday, December 6th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Please make every attempt to pick up your order on that day! Great job everyone!

There will be a PTO Sponsored dress down day on December 8th.

The PTO will be hosting a teacher/staff breakfast on December 21st. They will also be around to give pizza to all of our students on December 22nd, the day before Winter Recess.

Our Next PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9th, at 7:00pm in the Bogota Middle School Cafeteria. Parents will enter through the front door. We hope to see everyone there!!!!

If you are unable to be here in person, you can join virtually at:

BMS PTO Meeting

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 · 7:00 – 8:00pm

Time zone: America/New_York

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qek-ehxw-gmb

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 423-712-0171‬ PIN: ‪864 469 147‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/qek-ehxw-gmb?pin=4190261256930

BMS Spirit Wear is now available!!! Please click on the button below to be directed to the purchase form!

A few important reminders:

1) If your child is going to be absent, please call the school and leave your child's name, grade, homeroom teacher, and reason for absence.

2) Your child MUST be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.

4) Please encourage your child to eat before coming to school.

Should you have a question or concern, please contact me.

Thank you,

Nurse Mulder

If you need to purchase uniforms, please reach out to our vendor, Cover Stitches.

Cover Stitches is located at 568 54th Street, West New York, NJ 07093. The phone number is 201-348-6699. Click on the button below to be taken to the Cover Stitches link. Should you have any questions about uniforms, please call the school or email me.

Information on lunch forms and the Bogota Schools Lunch Program can be found by clicking on the button below.

December 4 through 15: Class trips to Apple.

December 6: PTO Cookie pick up in school lobby from 3:00pm to 7:00pm

December 8: PTO sponsored dress down day. No theme but appropriate attire required

December 18 through December 22: Student themed days(see flier above)

December 21: PTO Breakfast for teachers and staff

December 22: One session day(12:40 dismissal)

• PTO giving pizza to all students
  
• Progress Reports will be available to view

January 2: School resumes
January 9: PTO Meeting

6th Grade Band:
Every Monday (not December 22nd- one session day)

Jr. YAC:

Every Friday (not December 22nd- one session day)

Art Club:
December 4, 7, 11, and 14

Student Council:

December 5, 13, and 19