BHMS Principal's Update 6/26/24

Hi Bulldog Families,

I hope everyone is off to a wonderful summer. I wanted to send some information to first welcome all of our incoming 6th graders. They're coming to what we believe is a special place full of opportunities. We have high standards both socially and academically here at BHMS and from what your previous schools have shared, your children are ready to rise to the occasion. Please see our mantra in the image below. These two correlates shape every facet by who we expect all Bulldogs to be. If we can get these first two right, every child will have a great experience and be able to truly focus on academics as well.

For all families, in this newsletter, we are going to list some of the new technology changes that include Google, Genesis, and Parent Square. These are new platforms as Google and Genesis will help eventually streamline some costs in the district. Parent Square is a company that bought out Remind and will be replacing SwiftK (which is our all user email, text, and voice automated portal). The fact that these two are merging for us is fortunate yet another unanticipated change. In this newsletter we hope to guide you through some of these data bases.

Also in this newsletter, we will be discussing upcoming events throughout the summer (6th grade transition, summer reading, etc).

If you have any questions, please reach out. The following emails and extensions will be available over the summer. Our school phone number is 856-881-7707

Main Office...Mrs. Kern x5004 (skern@wtps.org)

Counseling Office...Mrs. Jones x5020 (stjones@wtps.org)

Let us know how we can help

Sincerely,

Mike D'Ostilio

New and Important Information

• Calendar Dates
• What it Means to be a Bulldog
• Genesis
• Parent Square
• 5th to 6th Grade Transition Information
• Summer Reading
• School Nutrition Information
• Athletics Information
• School Supplies
• Attendance

Recurring Information

• Book Smiles
• PTO
• Social Media Reminders
• Building Better Bulldogs
• Click this Link for More Repeat Information from Week to Week

July 1...Full Conversion to Genesis

July 8-12...Fall Sports Physical Paperwork Due for Middle School Athletes interested in trying out for field hockey or wrestling

July 8-18...Orchestra Rock and Pop Strings Camp...Sign up at https://www.markprzybylowski.com/

July 22-Aug 1...Orchestra Workshop Camp...Sign up at https://www.markprzybylowski.com/

August 5-8...Elementary Orchestra Summer Camp...Sign up at https://www.markprzybylowski.com/

August 20 and 21...9-12pm...6th Grade Transition Camp

August 22 and/or 26...4-6pm...6th Grade Locker Move in day

Click on these links:

• Past newsletters and correspondence

• Bunker Hill Daily Morning Announcements

• Bunker Hill Times Student Newspaper/Periodical

• Board of Education Policies Regarding Students

• Don't forget to scroll all the way down on this newsletter for X (formerly Twitter) and Remind Updates

Families, Genesis will become the new Student Information Software for students. From the parent's end, you will be able to access Genesis as well. However, you will not be getting alerts from Parent Square if you did not set up Genesis. Users who are missing / have an incorrect phone number or email can simply email genesishelp@wtps.org

Parent Square is the way we are engaging in mass communication with parents and families...signing up and verifying your accounts is essential for this. Please click on the Buttons below to set up and start using Parent Square. Remember having Parent Square is a must to stay in touch with all facets of the school district (events, emergencies, updates, etc).

Powerschool is shutting down as of 6/26/24. So you need to make sure all is good on Genesis

Make sure you use all the parent square resources for parents (video overview, getting started guide, parent training video).

On the Athletics Page....

Make sure you review the "Participation Information" as well as "Forms and Paperwork." Reminder:

• A student cannot try out or practice for any sport without a verified athletic physical.
• For students remaining at BHMS, you need physicals to try-out/participate in the following: Dance team, Wrestling, Field Hockey, Basketball.
• Physicals must be in at least 3-4 weeks prior to the first practice. It takes at least 3 weeks to review. The nurse has to verify the form, then send it to the district doctor who reviews the form. Sometimes the doctor does not endorse the physical and asks the nurse to go back to the families for more information. This could be a long process.
• Please shoot for end of July/early August to get your physicals in

Bulldog Families, this year some of our students are taking lengthy vacations to see relatives or have a once in a lifetime excursions with family. As a school that fully supports time well spent with loved ones, we just want to remind families that there are differences between explained or excused absences. Excused absences include absences such as ones verified by a doctor, therapist, field trip, visit to a private high school, death in the family. Vacations are explained absences and considered unexcused. Unexcused absences are subject to code of conduct implications if a student has an excessive amount of absences. Remember a student who has 10 or more unexcused absences may be subject to school discipline

As the weather warms, please ensure if you are taking a family vacation, please be cognizant of the your child's absences. This figure is easily accessible via PowerSchool. We do not want to interfere with family time, but we do have an obligation to maintain the attendance policy of the state and district. We greatly appreciate your support and understanding. Please see below for the district's attendance policy.

If your child is going to be out, late, or needs to be picked up early, please contact the attendance office at 856-881-7007, Click Option 1 Or email BHMSAttendance@wtps.org

The Washington Township middle school FutureActs Clubs are dedicated to the cause of community service, and two of their biggest events take place in November and December.

In November, the clubs provide Thanksgiving meals to around 200 families in the District. In December, they assist with providing holiday gifts.

In order to support our struggling families, FutureActs has created a Microsoft Form in order to gather information of families in need. If you or someone you know is in need for the upcoming holidays, please go to this link so FutureActs can offer there support as needed

Thanks so much!

During the summer for 2020, a team of teachers and community members got together to discuss what we should affirm as a school in order to provide student voice and acknowledge that student voice and provide them an opportunity not only to be heard but for us to truly listen and learn from what the students are telling us.

This pandemic has created so many questions and concerns for students that are well beyond academics. We are committed to providing a safe environment where students can express themselves as they question the ebb and flow of their world around them. Please see below our affirmations about Buidling Better Bulldogs and the people we as Bulldogs aim to be.

Click on this link for our Mission and Goals Plan 2023-2029

Email: skern@wtps.org
Website: https://www.wtps.org/bunkerhill
Location: 372 Pitman Downer Road, Sewell, NJ, USA
Phone: 856 881 7007
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialBHMS
Twitter: @Official_BHMS