Hello BAMS families. This morning, the administration team, along with our School Safety Liaison and our School Resource Officer reminded students how important it is to refrain from using words that can be interpreted as a threat to harm others. Unless it's directly related to content learning, students should not be talking about weapons in school. This includes drawing pictures or using hand gestures. Students should also refrain from making verbal threats to harm other students, even as a joke. At Bel Air Middle School we take every threat seriously and we involve the School Resource Officer in each incident. Although have not had any incidents that are credible, with an intent to harm others, we have had multiple incidents of students saying things without thinking how their words can impact others. When these incidents occur, students are receiving consequences for the disruption to the school environment.
We need your help at home to reinforce this same message. Review with your child how to regulate emotions and choose school- appropriate language. Making threats either in anger or in gest will result in disciplinary action.
Mrs. Ferrari - Puopolo (8th grade math teacher)
Congratulations to Mrs. Ferrari for being Bel Air Middle School's Teacher of the Year nominee. Mrs. Ferrari is a dedicated and passionate teacher who leads by example, always encouraging her students to strive for excellence. She is genuinely caring, offering support and guidance to each child, ensuring they feel valued and capable. With her ambitious mindset, she is constantly seeking new methods and strategies to help her students succeed, and her willingness to try innovative approaches fosters a dynamic and engaging classroom environment. As a true team player, Mrs. Ferrari collaborates with her colleagues to create a supportive and positive learning community.
Each school in HCPS has a nominee that will be celebrated at “A Celebration of Excellence in Education” in April. Mrs. Ferrari will then move on to compete against all the nominees across the county for HCPS Teacher of the Year. Good luck Mrs. Ferrari. We are lucky to have you at BAMS.
7th Grade Field Trip
Who: All 7th grade students
Where: Harford Community College
When: March 14th from 9:15 to 12:45 pm.
Why: This is planned to be an explorative trip wherein students will be introduced to the programs and resources that the college has to offer.
Permission slips will be coming home soon, please stay tuned!!!!
Middle School Soccer
Every student that would like to tryout must be registered by a parent / guardian by visiting https://registration.hcps.org/.
- REGISTRATION FOR SOCCER OPENS JANUARY 27 AND CLOSES FEBRUARY 21. It cannot be extended.
- Parents should use the same email address they have on file with the school system. Otherwise, their child will not appear under their profile and they will register for school instead of athletics.
- An email receipt will be sent to the email address once the registration is completed. If you did not receive a receipt, please confirm you registered.
- Every student that would like to tryout must have a doctor / physician fill out the pre-participation physical (https://tinyurl.com/5n6e7zda). THESE FORMS ARE DUE MARCH 3. The one page form must include (all 4):
- a doctor’s stamp
- doctor’s signature
- parent signature
- clear them to participate in athletics.
- ***Students that have submitted a physical for basketball tryouts and have been approved, do not need to submit a new physical.***
- Every student that would like to tryout must be eligible to participate (successful grades).
Try-outs: Soccer try-outs will take place three days during the week of March 10 (specific details will be up to the head coaches), with the first game March 31 at Havre De Grace. Practices and games are limited to three days per week and will take place directly after school. The soccer coaches typically select 18-22 players, with over 65 trying out for the girls’ team last year and 90 trying out for the boys team. The competition is usually high.
Transportation: Players must be able to be picked up after practices and games. Transportation to and from Bel Air Middle School for away games will be provided for athletes.
Book Fair, February 3-7
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to BAMS! Students can shop during homeroom, and each language arts class will visit the fair once during the week. Visit the fair website for more info: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/belairmiddleschool including the class schedule.
- Volunteers are needed! Sign up to volunteer at the fair
- Payment methods: The fair accepts credit cards, Scholastic e-Wallet, tap-to-pay such as Apple Pay, and cash.
- Fun fair activities: The PTA will sponsor a lollipop pull. Students can purchase a pop for 25 cents and the chance to win a prize. The PTA will also hold a worksheet contest. Students who complete a worksheet while their class visits the fair will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate to the fair.
- Preview some of the books in the fair digital flyer. Plus, starting January 31, you can preorder the next Hunger Games book (Sunrise on the Reaping) through our book fair site, and a portion of the proceeds will go back to our school.
- Questions? Reach the PTA at belairmiddlepta@gmail.com or follow its Facebook page for updates.
Maryland Immunization Requirements
Maryland immunization requirements will impact your student in the school year 2025-2026.
All students entering 7th grade must have had one Tdap vaccination and one Meningococcal vaccination.
You should work with your child’s doctor to get his/her immunization record documenting these vaccines or receive the required vaccinations if needed. Please email, fax, or mail a copy of your child's updated immunization record documenting the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.
According to Maryland School Immunization Regulations (COMAR 10.06.04), to be allowed in school, students must be immunized according to the Maryland Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. A child has up to 20 days from the start of school to show proof of vaccinations. Your child may not be allowed in school without these vaccinations.
If you have questions about immunizations that are required for school, please call your child’s health care provider or the school nurse. If you have recently provided new immunization documentation to your school nurse, kindly disregard this letter.
Sincerely,
Mary Nasuta, RN, MS, NCSN
Supervisor of Health Services
Bel Air MS Nurse's Contact information
Michelle Taylor
Wendy Kraus
410-638-4140
410-809-6227
2025 C5ISR Center Math & Science Summer Camp
The 2025 C5ISR Center Math & Science Summer Camp is a unique program designed to inspire and educate students in the fields of math and science. The application process will open on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Please note that seats fill up quickly, often within the first day, so parents/guardians should be sure to apply early to secure their child's spot.
Important Details:
- Application opens: Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
- Application process: First Come – First Served basis, with placement preference given to children of current military members
- Camp location: Harford Glen Environmental Center, Bel Air
- Themes and dates:
- Rising 5th & 6th Grade: Flight and Rocketry (July 21 – July 25)
- Rising 7th & 8th Grade: STEM in Pop Culture (July 28 – August 1)
- Rising 9th & 10th Grade: Natural Disasters (August 4 – August 8)
For more information about the application process and details about the various themes, please visit: https://c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil/k12/.