Panther Tails

Hello BAMS families. We know there is a LOT here. We do not want you to feel overwhelmed. We always try to keep that balance between keeping our families informed and overloading them. Remember the first day for students is not until September 3. Take your time but look through the HCPS Back to School Checklist. In addition, there are a number of other important events included in this newsletter. The next event we will host is our Panther Prep for incoming 6th Grade students (information below). Relax and look over what we have included here and as always if you have questions, you can call the school at 410-638-4140. Next week we shift from summer hours back to our normal operating hours from 7:00 - 3:30 Monday through Friday.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 HCPS School Year! We are excited to see you September 3. 2024, for the first day of school. There is a wealth of important Back to School information available on hcps.org. Please read the HCPS 2024-2025 Handbook/Calendar before the school year starts. Stay up to date on Board of Education of Harford County meetings, discussions, decisions on the Board page of hcps.org. There you can also see all HCPS Board policies, including topics like portable device use, attendance, and dress codes.

In addition to providing links to required, and optional forms, the Back-to-School webpage includes the attached checklist and provides links to important systemwide information like the calendar and permission forms. Payment options like MySchoolBucks for school meals, GoFan for athletic event tickets, and School Cash Online for all other payments can be found on hcps.org. Bus stops and routes are scheduled to be released August 19, 2024, and will be available on hcps.org.

If you haven’t completed the application to determine eligibility for free and reduced-cost meals, you can find the link on the Back-to-School webpage. A copy of the application is also attached and is required to qualify for free and reduced-cost meals. *Eligible students may also be eligible for a free device protection plan, which covers damage to devices and chargers.

Click on the link below to visit the Back To School Checklist or see all resources at www.hcps.org .

*** If you have already registered your 6th Grader for Panther Prep there is no further action needed at this time. We will see you on the 20th!

Bel Air Middle School is excited to host our annual Panther Prep Virtual Event for Parents on August 22, 2024. The online event will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to learn all sorts of important information about our programs, procedures, staff and much more.

The event will be recorded and archived on our website for those who cannot attend or for those who simply wish to review the information again.

Open House provides students of all grades a chance to get their schedules and lockers, walk through their schedule, buy their Gym uniform, meet their teachers and become familiar with the school. It is not required and for those students who cannot attend, there is no need to worry. They can show up on the first day of school and we will take good care of making sure they feel comfortable.

In March, the HCPS Board of Education voted the Portable Communication Device as policy. Each school level has some differences based on the maturity and need of the students it serves. At the middle school level, students may possess cell phones, but it must be deactivated and placed in their locker during the regular school day. Other devices, like Smartwatches, can be worn but communication access must be disabled. Attached is a one pager explaining the options for middle and high school students. You may click on the picture below to be directed to the Board Policy.

BAMS has two school nurses with combined experience of over 40 years. Michelle Taylor, MSN, RN, NCSN is a nationally certified school nurse with extensive experience with medically complex children and a background in pediatrics and community health. Wendy Kraus, LPN is a certified CPR instructor with extensive experience in community health and pediatric allergens. We both excel at building positive relationships with students and families and are looking forward to caring for your students and improving the health of the BAMS community.

Parents of 7th graders- Your student must have Tdap and MCV immunizations to enter the 7th grade. These important vaccines are required by the state of Maryland. Please contact your pediatrician to make sure that your student has had these. If your student has not had these immunizations, they will not be allowed to attend school.

The nurses will be in school for medication drop-off the week before school starts. Please have your pediatrician fill out the required medication form completely (attached below ) and bring the medication in a pharmacy labeled bottle or box.

Call or email for an appointment to drop off medication.

If you have a specific question or your student has a medical issue, please contact the nurses to discuss privately.

Michelle.Taylor@hcps.org

Wendy.Kraus@hcps.org

Preliminary school supply lists for each grade are available on the school website. Click on the photo or access our website at School Supply Lists 2024-2025 - Bel Air Middle School (sharpschool.com)

Bel Air Middle School will host Back to School Nights for parents as follows:

Grade 6 - September 11 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Grades 7 and 8 - September 12 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM

August 20 - Panther Prep for 6th Grade Students 3:00 - 7:00

August 22 - Virtual Panther Prep Live Event for Parents of 6th Grade Students 5:00 - 7:00

August 29 - Open House for All Students - 12:00 - 2:00

September 3 - First Day of School

September 11 - Back To School Night for Grade 6 Parents - 6:00 - 8:00

September 12 - Back To School Night for Grade 7 and 8 Parents - 6:00 - 8:00

October 24 - BAMS Family Engagement Night for all families - 6:00- 8:00