BFMS November 2024 Newsletter

November 2024

• Nov. 1st – BFMS Fall Fundraiser Party

• Nov. 1st – Q1 Report Cards Issued

• Nov. 1st – 7th Grade Fall Festival, 3-5 pm

• Nov. 2nd - All District Choir Auditions, 1:50-3:50pm, BFMS Choir & Band Rooms, East Hall

• Nov. 5th – Election Day - School Closed for Students - Virtual PD Day for Teachers

• Nov. 6th - All District Choir Auditions, 3-6:00pm, BFMS Choir & Band Rooms, East Hall

• Nov. 7th – Q1 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3-5:30 pm

• Nov. 7th – 8th grade Rally & Incentive Day - Sem 1

• Nov. 8th – 6th & 7th grade Rally & Incentive Days - Sem 1

• Nov. 11th – Veterans Day

• Nov. 11-15th – National School Psychologist Week

• Nov. 12th – Q1 Flight Night, 6pm West Hall Gym

• Nov. 15th – Elem Chess Tournament

• Nov. 18-22nd – Substitute Appreciation Week

• Nov. 19th – GO TEC 7th Grade Family Night, 5-7 pm

• Nov. 19th - Grade Level Spelling Bees

• Nov. 22nd – Elem Chess Tournament (Snow Date)

• Nov. 26th – 2 Hour Early Dismissal

• Nov. 27th-29th – Thanksgiving Break - School Closed for Students & Staff

December 2024

• Dec. 2nd – School Board Fall Student Recognition Night, FCHS Auditorium, begins at 6 pm

• Dec. 2nd & 3rd – 8th Grade Reality Store

• Dec. 4th - School-wide Spelling Bee

• Dec. 6th – Courthouse Carols – 5:00 p.m. – FC Courthouse – 7/8 grade bands

• Dec 12th – 7/8 grade Band Concert – BFMS West Gym – 1:30 p.m. (7/8 grade bands)

• Dec 12th – 7/8 grade Band Concert 6:30 p.m. – BFMS West Gym

• Dec. 13th – 6th Grade Field Trip, to see "A Christmas Carol" at The Jefferson Center

• Dec. 20th – 2 Hour Early Dismissal

• Dec. 23rd-Jan 1st – Winter Break - School Closed for Students & Staff

January 2025

• Jan 2nd – Staff & Students Return

Donations were collected from October 28th-November 1st to help schools located in Asheville, North Carolina. A BIG THANK YOU to all those that helped contribute to this cause!

The top two classes from each grade level that raised the most money were served donuts and juice in their classrooms on the morning of November 8th. Congratulations to the following first period classes:

6th Grade:

Mrs. Rhoads' class: $213

Mrs. Pugh's: $179

7th Grade:

Mrs. Adam's class: $248

Mrs. Turbyfill's class: $193

8th Grade:

Mrs. Jones' class: $163.51

Mr. Millard's class: $95

Total Raised: $2,850.85

Students in Mrs. Adams' PreAP Science Class dissected frogs as part of their learning experience during the wrap up to the unit on cells and cell processes. The unit covers levels of cellular organization; cells group together to make tissues, tissues build to make organs, organs come together to make organ systems, and organ systems make an organism. During the frog dissection, students were able to look at the frog's organs as a great visual for the levels of cellular organization that had been discussed in class. Thank you to Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Doty, as Mrs. Adam's assistant, for providing this opportunity for students.

Seventh graders embarked on an exciting adventure that combined the charm of a pumpkin patch with the practicality of algebra. Thanks to the generous contributions from Feazel Farms, a vibrant array of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes was delivered right to the school grounds. As students entered this simulated pumpkin paradise, they paid a small admission fee, setting the stage for a hands-on learning experience.

Once inside, each student selected a pumpkin and weighed it, transforming this autumn tradition into a mathematical challenge. They were tasked with crafting an equation to calculate the total cost, incorporating both the admission fee and the price per pound of their chosen pumpkin. This engaging activity not only brought the festive spirit of fall to life but also demonstrated the relevance of algebra in everyday situations, making math both fun and applicable.

Mr. Flora led a StarTrek themed BreakOut Box activity with Mrs. Phillips during her 7th grade math classes. The activity was developed to focus on reviewing how to solve for X when X is provided and translating word expressions into mathematical expressions. Glow sticks, black lights, and Star Trek Collectibles were used to enhance the BreakOut Challenge for students.

As the vibrant colors of fall painted the landscape, the students of Benjamin Franklin Middle School embarked on an exhilarating adventure to close down their flourishing school garden.

With eager hands and joyful spirits, they harvested a bounty of fresh produce—crisp green beans, juicy tomatoes, vibrant green peppers, sweet carrots, and an abundance of fragrant basil.

The excitement was palpable as students filled their baskets, knowing they would bring home these garden treasures to share with their families.

The highlight of their harvest was crafting and savoring homemade pesto, a delicious testament to their hard work and the magic of nature.

A school wide Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament took place on October 18th. The tournament began with a homeroom round. The winner from each homeroom then moved to the hallway round. Students in the hallway played the best out of three rounds until there was one winner from each hallway. Each hallway winner then reported to the lobby for the next round to play until there was a winner from 6th grade, 7th grade, an 8th grader from West Hall, and an 8th grader from TGC. These four students then played the final rounds on the morning announcements.

Congratulations to Adalynn Tickle, 6th grader, as the BFMS R-P-S Winner!

The Fly Girls have made their debut for basketball season! We send a big thank you to the coach, choreographer, and BFMS representative that help support this club/team so students at BFMS have an opportunity to dance as an extracurricular activity.

Students are encouraged to join in on the spirit week fun the week before Winter Break:

• 12/16 - Lights and Bells - Wear your holiday bells and lights!
• 12/17 - Grinches vs. Whos - Dress like Mr. Grinch or a Who from Who-ville
• 12/18 - Festive in Flannel - Wear your favorite plaid clothes!
• 12/19 - Candy Cane Lane - Wear your red and white!
• 12/20 - Polar Express Day - Wear PJ's or comfy clothes (NO slippers OR hats, must comply with dress code)

Students needing a bus pass should bring a note from their parents or guardian to the guidance office in their building. All changes for student afternoon transportation need to be in to the guidance office no later than 2:30 pm each day to ensure that your child gets the message. After 2:30 pm, we are unable to make any changes.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.

November / December 2024 BFMS Renovation Update

• Current Status
  Phases 1, 2 and 3 are now complete, which includes renovations in most of East Hall. Phase 4 started October 7th and is expected to be finished by early to January 2025. We will then transition into Phase 5 which includes more classrooms in West Hall.

• Upcoming Work
  Phase 4 focuses on five classrooms on the upper level of East Hall, the East Hall Auditorium, and thirteen classrooms in West Hall. During this time, East Hall students will remain in the East Hall building, while the mobile units will house the West Hall classrooms undergoing construction.

• School Safety
  Ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. We have increased safety patrols around the construction area throughout the day. We are also collaborating closely with contractors to ensure all safety protocols are followed. Additionally, we are fortunate to have two School Resource Officers from the Rocky Mount Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on campus.

We are asking that our families continue to show us grace and patience as we navigate through these changes to our campus during morning arrival, afternoon dismissal, and events on campus. Our traffic patterns will remain the same, however there may be some delays from time to time.

Thank you to our School Board and the Board of Supervisors for their support in making this project a reality!