Good afternoon BIS families!

Thank you to all of our scholars who submitted a yearbook cover entry! We have so many talented scholars here at BIS!

🎤The BIS All-Star Revue is coming up with two shows only, Friday February 7th at 6pm and Saturday February 8th at 1pm at the Bourne High School auditorium! All-Star Revue features BIS 3rd-5th graders in a selection of numbers from theater's most loved musicals. Directed by Mary Murphy, All-Star is where many of our Bourne middle & high school theater stars got their start and is celebrating over 30 years! Get your tickets today at https://our.show/bourne-pta/33354

🐾This year, at BIS, we will be celebrating the 101st day of school by dressing up as dalmatians! The 101st day of school is Friday, February 7th. Students and staff are invited to dress as dalmatians, wearing costumes, black and white, and/or polka dots! We are looking forward to a fun day!

💬Parent/Teacher conferences are approaching! Conferences will be held on:

• February 12; 12:45-3:15 (Virtual)
• February 13; 4:00-7:00 (In-person)

Please use this link http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Bourne_Intermediate_School to schedule your conference. (Letters went home with students on 1/29/25).

📘Yearbooks are on sale! Please see the flyer for more information.

🧴In honor of Kindness Month (February), BIS will be holding a Personal Care Drive. We will be accepting personal care items such as shampoo, lotion, soap, razors, toothpaste, etc. We will be accepting items throughout the month of February, beginning Monday, February 3rd. Please see the flyer for more info!

Please see below for a few reminders:

📱Cell phone policies apply to school and the bus. Use of cell phone and/or smart watch is not permitted. Please remind your child(ren), if they have a cell phone/smart watch, to keep it in their backpacks while at school and riding the bus.

🍓All students, 3-5, are provided a snack time during the instructional day. This time is in addition to lunch. Please send your student to school with snacks outside of their lunch (if they bring lunch).

🧤We will continue to go outside, weather permitting. Please prepare/dress students appropriately. (Coats, hats, mittens/gloves, scarves, etc.)

Please see additional information throughout the newsletter.

The Table of Contents can be used to help navigate through the newsletter, targeting specific areas you need to gain more information on.

🔗Stay connected with our BIS☸️Landing Page!

Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions.

We wish you a wonderful and restful weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Colbert and Mrs. Trott

• February 3-28: Personal Care Drive
• February 7: Dalmatian Day (101st day of school)
• February 7 & February 8: All Star Revue
• February 10-14: Kindness Spirit Week
• February 12: Early Release Day (12 o'clock dismissal) & Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 13: Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 14: Early Release Day (12 o'clock dismissal)
• February 17-February 21: No School - February Break
• March 13 - Knock Down Hunger
• January 21 - June 16: School Store Fundraiser

BIS School Calendar:

• February

BPS School Year Calendar 2024-2025

A few reminders...

• ‼️ Please report changes of dismissal procedures to the office by 2pm.
• 📱Cell phone policies apply to school and the bus. Use of cell phones and/or smart watches is not permitted. Please remind your child(ren), if they have a cell phone/smart watch, to keep it in their backpacks while at school and riding the bus.
• 🚗Car rider pick up - Please have your placard visible at pick up. If you need any additional placard, please contact the BIS office @ bisoffice@bourneps.org or (508)759-0680.

School Start and End Times

A regular school day will start at 8:45am and end at 3:00pm. Car rider drop off begins at 8:35 by the Media Center entrance. At this time, we are not able to offer early drop off. Please note: Students arriving after 8:45am will be considered tardy and should always be accompanied by an adult to sign in at the Main Office.

Emergency Contact Information

Attached HERE, please find a copy of an Emergency Contact Form. Please complete the form so that we may ensure we have accurate information regarding your child. Please complete a separate form for each child if you have multiple children at BIS.

Bus Information

Please refer to www.bourneps.org for transportation information. Bus routes and pick up/drop off times will be posted as soon as they are completed. Buses will unload at 8:35am. Please arrive at the bus stop ten minutes prior to your child’s pick up time in case the bus arrives a few minutes early.

CHAMPIONS Before and Aftercare Program

Registration for the Champions Before and Aftercare Program is still open. Champions is an affordable, award winning program with over 25 years of experience of extended learning. Click here for program information.

Car Rider

Student Drop Off - Media Center Side Entrance: The official morning student drop off time begins at 8:35 a.m. Students should remain in their cars until an indication from a staff member is given that it is safe to disembark. Drivers, please stay in the car line so as not to interfere with the left hand travel lane. Click here for a BIS Traffic Flow Map.

• Parent Pick Up - Placard System:
• Each family will receive two placards with their child's name on it. We ask that you place the placard on the right side of the dashboard as you wait in the parent pick up line. A staff member will radio inside to call your child to your car. Important: Requests to pick up your child must be received in the office BEFORE 2:00pm.

Free School Breakfast and Lunch Information

Bourne Public Schools will be participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The Massachusetts legislature has provided funding to make meals available at no cost to all students during the school year 2024-25, regardless of household income. More information will be forthcoming. You may access school lunch menus here. Please contact 508-759-0670, ext. 6238 if you have any questions.

Food Coming Into the School

• Allergy Aware School - As a precautionary measure, Bourne Intermediate School will have a peanut and nut free table in the cafeteria in order to be allergy aware during lunches.
• Healthy Snacks - Per our Wellness Policy, healthy items are encouraged for drinks, lunch and snacks. Regarding celebrations and special events, we prefer ways to celebrate without food. For example, depending upon your child’s age, pencils, a craft for the class to complete, donate your child’s favorite game or book to the classroom, stickers, or have your child wear a special birthday t-shirt that all of their friends can sign.

Chromebooks

Students at BIS will be assigned a chromebook for daily use throughout the school year. At this time, all chromebooks will remain at school.

Grade Level DESE Curriculum Guides

Attached below, please find the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Curriculum Guide for each grade level. The curriculum guide will assist you in understanding what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.

DESE Standards Handout Third Grade DESE Standards Handout Fourth Grade DESE Standards Handout Fifth Grade

Health Education Notification (For Fifth Grade Parents and Caregivers Only)

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 32A, and our school committee’s policy, this letter serves

as notification that Growth and Development lessons will be taught at Bourne Intermediate School in your child’s fifth grade Health Class. For more information, click here: Health Education Notification Letter.

W.I.N Instructional Block

Bourne Public Schools will continue with the “What I Need” block (W.I.N) to support student needs. Click HERE for more information. We are happy to announce that the newly designed master schedule will add additional opportunities for enrichment offerings during the WIN block.

Volunteering

Volunteers must be approved and coordinated with Principal Colbert well in advance of volunteering in school, for a school event and/or field trips. All volunteers must complete a CORI check and sign a BPS Volunteer/Classroom Observer Confidentiality Agreement before volunteering. Please know that CORI checks can take several days to process. These forms can be found at the BIS Main Office and must be completed in person. We respectfully ask that volunteers not take and/or post photos of students without permission.

BIS School Council

If you wish to have your name put on the ballot to serve on the BIS School Council, please contact Principal Colbert directly at ncolbert@bourneps.org. This committee meets on a monthly basis as an advisory group that collaborates in planning for and implementing school improvement.

Bourne Intermediate School’s PTA Message:

The Bourne Parent Teacher Association (PTA) organizes and funds activities and field trips, provides support for our teachers and schools, and promotes family engagement, quality education, student health and nutrition, and safe schools and communities. Help enrich our school experience and be a voice for not only your student, but all! You can choose how you want to be involved. Whether just a little, or a lot, it’s up to you! We are a team and becoming a Bourne PTA member helps us do more together. Every little bit helps! Click here to sign up!

BIS Contact Information

The most efficient way to reach the school is to call or email the main office, bisoffice@bourneps.org or (508)759-0680.

Stay Connected

Please use our online platforms to receive up to date information:

BPS Website

BIS Landing Page

Facebook

B2B Positive Expected Behaviors

Finally, please join us in our continued commitment to Bourne Public Schools’ Core Values: Bourne to Be Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Staff and students will discuss what these core values look like throughout our school day. You will hear these core values interwoven in learning activities, academics, and family events.

SY24-25 BIS START AND END TIMES

Start of the School Day:

8:35 - 8:45 - Official Drop Off

8:45 - 8:50 - Homeroom

NOTE: After 8:45 - Students are considered tardy. An adult must accompany the student to the front to sign in. Students must be in their homeroom by 8:45 each morning in order to not be marked tardy.

End of the School Day:

3:00pm - Car Riders & small buses will be called for dismissal first. Afterwards, buses will be dismissed by grade level.

Early Release Days:

12:00 Dismissal - Lunch is served prior to dismissal.

PTA NEWS AND INFORMATION

Newsletter

Volunteering is a great way to become actively engaged in your child's education and be connected to our school. Parents and caregivers who volunteer can find an instant network of support and resources. The PTA creates incredible opportunities for our students, families and staff throughout the school year. These opportunities enrich our students' lives and educational experiences. Consider volunteering even if for a few hours here and there! Many hands make for light work!

Please reach out to the BIS PTA Co-Chairs, Jen Canfield and Maria Allen, at bourneintermediatepta@gmail.com.

COUNSELOR'S CIRCLE

Thank you to School Adjustment Counselors, Mrs. Ridings and Mrs. Mader! We are excited for BIS students to be able to transfer learned SEL skills in to their everyday lives!

Stay up to date with Nurse Jess! Here is her landing page.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her.

Contact: jabisla@bourneps.org.

Parenting Solutions Library

Summer 2025 Summer Programs

Champions Summer Camp (Registration Opens January 7)

Champions February Vacation Camp

Access the links below to see what your child is learnng this year!