Badger Middle School Newsletter
May 1, 2024
Hello Badger Students and Families,
It's official, we've made it to May! We are excited for all the things coming up as we round out this year, such as:
All school dance on 5/3
the Talent Show on 6/3 and 6/4
8th Grade Promotion on 6/5
Be sure to check the newsletter for other special events as we round out the school year. This time of year goes by quickly, so please consider taking advantage of some of these upcoming events and opportunities to engage in the school community. Check the school calendar for the above and other upcoming opportunities to support our students.
And, plans for next year are well underway! Our staff is working on the course schedule in an effort to make the school feel smaller for the students next year and increase the feeling of community. Our goal for the schedule is to do what is best for our students and reduce "cross housing" which is when a student has teachers from multiple houses. As always, feel free to contact me anytime and thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Patrick O'Connor
Principal
Badger Middle School
(262) 335-5456
Students of the Week
Congrats to our most recent Students of the Week.
Students are selected based on their contributions to the school, excellence in the classroom, and their positive impact on others. They are first nominated by House teachers, then selected by elective teachers.
With great students like these in our hallways, the future is looking bright!
Staff of the Week
Staff of the Week are nominated by students. See recent staff of the week below
Facebook Highlights!
Badger Pride
The Badger Pride Team loves celebrating positive behaviors! Throughout the month of May, students will have the opportunity to win one of the following prizes for being respectful, responsible, safe, and ready to learn:
- Two Riveredge Guest Passes
- Amazon Gift Card
- Bluetooth Speaker
- 75-minute Axe Throwing Session at WB Axe and Escape.
- Two mini golf passes for Stingers Golf & Recreation
Shout out to last month's winner, Natalya D., who won an Amazon Fire Smart TV!
Renaissance STAR Testing this Month
During the third week in May, students will take their third and final reading and math benchmark assessment utilizing the Renaissance STAR. The information from this test guides our instructional practices and also provides Badger families with their individual students’ results. Please encourage your stud\nt to fully engage in these assessments on May 14th – language arts and May 16th and 17th – math.
More information may be seen in the attachement below regarding this important assessment.
Spring Dance!
Student Council is promoting Badger's Annual Spring Dance, which will be May 3rd from 5:30-7:30 at Badger.
This year's theme is "Flamingo Formal" Students are encouraged to dress in tropical/beach attire.
Tickets will be sold for $5 during lunch April 29-May 3.
Students must be in attendance the day of the dance. Badger dress code and school expectations will be enforced.
Badger Talent Show!
Auditions will be held May 2 and 9 after school. Rehearsals will be May 16, 23 and 30.
The Talent Show will be Monday, June 3rd at 6pm for the community and families, and Tuesday, June 4th for Badger students. The audition form is linked below.
Second Step Curriculum Preview
Here's a Preview of upcoming Second Step Lessons:
5/1/24
Grade 7 - Resolving Conflicts Part 2
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to consider possible solutions, determine the negative and positive consequences of each of those solutions, and agree on the best solution for resolving a conflict.
Question: Ask your child why they think different conflicts need different solutions. Discuss with your child a time in your life when you had to think about the best way to solve a conflict. What did you think about? How did it work out?
Grade 8 - Making Things Right
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn ways to make amends after a conflict and restore a relationship they may have harmed.
Question: Tell your child about a time you had to make amends with someone. What did you do to repair the harm?
5/8/24
Grade 7 - Taking Responsibility for Your Actions
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to take responsibility for their actions in a conflict and make things right.
Question: Discuss with your child a time in your life when you had to take responsibility for your role in a conflict. What did you do to make things right and repair the harm?
Grade 8 - Unhealthy Relationships
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will identify signs of an unhealthy relationship.
Question: Ask your child who they would go to for advice and support if they found themselves in a relationship that was unhealthy. Share why one of your close friends or family members is someone you turn to for advice and support.
5/15/24
Grade 7 - Tips for Resolving Conflicts
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learned in this unit to create a tip sheet for resolving conflicts.
Question: Ask to see your child’s assignment. If they don’t have it, ask them to explain it to you. Think of a realistic conflict from real life, TV, a movie, or a book, and have your child share what tips they think would be helpful in resolving it.
Grade 8 - Guide to Healthy Relationships
Summary: In this week’s lesson, your child will create a guide to healthy relationships to inform, encourage, and inspire their peers.
Question: Ask to see your child’s project. If they don’t have it, have them describe it. Ask them what the most important thing they learned about healthy relationships is.
This is the end of the Second Step Curriculum for the 23/24 year.
8th Grade Trip
8th Grade families were emailed information about the 8th Grade trip to Mount Olympus on Thursday, June 6, 2024 to celebrate students' time at Badger Middle School.
As a reminder, for students to be eligible to attend they must meet the following requirements:
From Monday, March 4th until the end of the school year:
Students must not be suspended due to school-related behaviors.
Students must have no negative police interaction resulting in a citation or police referral due to a school-related incident.
Students can have no missing summative assessments in 2nd semester
If students are missing a summative assessment, they should work with their teacher to get it completed so they can attend the trip.
May Breakfast/Lunch Menus
Meaningful May: Mental Health Moments
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We all have mental health. Mental health is our ability to engage with our emotions, thoughts, interactions with others, and the world around us. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act every day. The best way to protect mental health is to pay attention to it even when you’re feeling ok or even good. Just like with our physical health, we can do things that make us mentally healthier and happier. Creating positive habits is a great way to support your mental health. We have included this Meaningful May calendar, if you need some ideas on how to create positive mental health habits throughout the month. Remember, taking care of our own and our family’s mental health is very important. When you feel mentally well, you’re more able to enjoy life, feel better about yourself, maintain healthy relationships, and manage your daily stress.
Information below has already been communicated but is here for your reference
8th Grade Transition to High School Steps
We have some great opportunities for our 8th grade students to learn about East and West High Schools!
January 17th - High School staff presented to all of our 8th grade students. They talked about skills needed to be successful in high school and opportunities available there. They reminded students to check their emails for an invite to Gearing Up Night.
January 24th - Gearing Up For High School event was held
February 2nd - High School Course selection sheets were due at Badger.
February 5th and 6th - 8th graders registered online for their high school classes in Skyward. This took place during the school day at Badger.
February 8th - High School Counselors visited Badger. High School Counselors met individually with all of our 8th grade students to review their course selections and answer questions.
May 20th to May 24th - High School Tours
June 5th- Promotion
August - High School Registration Fair - Check your email in August for information.
If this information changes drastically, it will be updated in the Newsletter.
Promotion Video
The 8th Annual 8th Grade Promotion Video is well underway, but we are in definite need of more photos! Photos will need to Be submitted by 5/10/24 to be considered. Please see the following link for more information and how to submit photos.
Building Closing Info
In case of Inclement Weather, or other need to close the building, please view the information here.
Daily Announcements
Daily announcements are read in the mornings. You can read what is read on the announcements here.
Newsletter Archive
Missed a Newsletter, or looking for prior information? Check out the ARCHIVE.
Badger Pride
Did you know you can help support Badger Pride?
Students that demonstrate Badger Pride values (respect, responsibility, readiness to learn, and safety) can earn Badger Pride stamps to be used at our weekly store. The Badger Pride store is seeking donations for items that students can purchase with their stamps. Items can be small (candy, happy meal toys, fidgets, etc...) or they can be larger items that will be raffled off (local gift cards, team memorabilia, hobby kits, etc...). Donations can be dropped off in the main office. Please label donations BADGER PRIDE STORE to ensure they are used as intended.
Second Step Lessons
Weekly mini-lessons in social-emotional skills led by classroom teachers have started. This occurs every Wednesday during Resource. The skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. The Second Step resource includes five units:
Mindsets and Goals
Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
You will receive regular communication about each lesson through this newsletter. The communications will include information about the current unit of study and specific information about each lesson to help you reinforce the language, skills, and goals taught within the lessons. If you have any questions about the social-emotional learning lessons, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. In addition, if you prefer that your child does not participate in the lessons at all, please communicate that preference to me prior to the lesson and we will make alternate arrangements for the student during that time.
Riteway Dispatch Email
Riteway has a NEW Dispatch Email. Please email wbdispatch@goriteway.com if your student does NOT need to ride the bus/van that day and they typically do.
Free and Reduced Lunch Waiver
Filling out a Free and Reduced Lunch Waiver can bring money into the school and district to support reading and math initiatives.We know that circumstances can change during the year and families can qualify at any point. Parents and guardians can go right into Skyward to submit the information or fill out a form. With a signed sharing waiver, we can also refund any previously paid fees for a qualifying family. A final reminder that this form needs to be completed annually and submitting a form in the fall or spring only completes the current year, and new forms will be available for 24-25 by mid-July.
A Note on Communication from the Principal
Thank you for taking the time to review this newsletter. Below are details of how Mr. O'Connor will communicate with Badger families:
I will use the Badger Middle School Facebook page to communicate highlights of the awesome things our students and staff are doing.
The Badger Middle School Newsletter will be used as needed to share important dates, “big picture” messaging, and announcements of upcoming events.
To prevent sending you numerous emails, I will try to wait on some announcements until a newsletter is ready. If there is something that families should be aware of earlier, I will send a separate email (i.e. Communications about events that significantly disrupt normal operations).
I will call you back if you call me and leave a message.
I will make contact through a phone call or email if you email me.
If you come to the school without an appointment, I may not be available. Please call to make an appointment to ensure my availability.
I do not monitor any Facebook pages other than Badger’s and the West Bend School District’s. Please contact me or another member of the staff with questions or concerns.
My contact information:
Patrick O'Connor
Direct line: (262) 335-5456
Badger main office: (262) 335-5455
Badger Middle School
Mission: We will be respectful of ourselves and each other, work together to develop integrity, persevere in the face of difficulty, and strive for excellence.
Website: http://west-bend.k12.wi.us/BMS/
Location: 727 S. 6th Ave., West Bend, WI, USA 53095
Phone: 262-335-5455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadgerMiddleSchool/