Dear BTMS Students, Families, and Partners,

BTMS hosts a variety of activities and opportunities for our students. We encourage our families and stakeholders to participate as partners in supporting the learning and growth of our children. Dates and activities are subject to change. The Family Newsletter is published bi-weekly and can be accessed on the left-hand corner of the website. Please visit the BTMS website for ongoing updates.

Thank you, Dr. Hill

BTMS Community Newsletter - 23/24 (Archived)

BTMS Website

Parent Welcome Letter - 24/25

BTMS Information and Overview

Monday, December 2
Basketball vs Nicholas Orem (home)

Tuesday, December 3

JA Finance Park Field Trip (7th Gr)

IB Program Assembly (All 8th Gr)

Wednesday, December 4

More to Come

Thursday, December 5

JA Finance Park

Friday, December 6

JA Finance Park

8th Grade Student Quarter 2 Town Hall Virtual Meeting 2:15- 3:00 pm

Saturday, December 7

Winter Bazaar (PTSO Sponsored) at BTMS-

Parent Workshop at Largo HS -

TRiO Upward Bound Annual Career & Alumni Day

Monday, December 9

Honor Roll Assemblies (Rescheduled)

Period 1: Grade 7- 8:45am - 9:36am
Period 2: Grade 6- 9:40am - 10:36am
Period 6: Grade 8- 2:14pm - 3:00pm

Basketball vs Sonia Sotomayer (home)

Tuesday, December 10

BTMS Winter Band Concert

Wednesday, December 11

Basketball vs Samuel Ogle (Away)

Thursday, December 12

BTMS Winter Orchestra Concert

Library of Congress Field Trip (120 Students from 6th, 7th, & 8th)

PGCPS + Hazel Health to kick off our student wellness series

Friday, December 13

Parent Power Hour workshop (Parent Check -in With Ms.Lewter)

Monday, December 16

Festive Hat and Sock Day- Get your festive on with your hats and sock!

Basketball vs Beltsville (home)

PTSO Meeting (Virtual)

Tuesday, December 17

Green or Grinch Day- Wear Green or Dress up as the Grinch Day!!

6th Gr Field Trip (Greenbelt Cinema - Holes Movie)

7th & 8th Gr Spelling Bee (Enrichment - 1st - 4th Mods)

PBIS Hot Chocolate Social (6th Grade)

Wednesday, December 18

Ugly Sweater Day- Wear your Ugly Holiday Sweater to School!

6th Gr Field Trip (Greenbelt Cinema - Holes Movie)

Basketball @ MLK (Away)

Bowlero Field Trip (8th Gr)

Jenkins- Field Trip to Bowie High School

PBIS Hot Chocolate Social (7th Grade)

Thursday, December 19

Holiday Culture Day- Dress up in your cultural holiday attire!!

6th Gr Spelling Bee (Enrichment - 5th & 6th Mods)

PBIS Hot Chocolate Social (8th Grade)

Friday, December 20

Let it Snow Day!!- Dress up in all White or Light Blue like a Winter Wonderland!

Teacher Planning Half Day (3-Hr Early Dismissal)

Monday, December 23

Winter Break

Tuesday, December 24

Winter Break

Wednesday, December 25

Winter Break

Thursday, December 26

Winter Break

Friday, December 27

Winter Break

Monday, December 30

Winter Break

Tuesday, December 31

Winter Break

Please Click here for more information regarding the BTMS STEM Fair

HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK:

DEC16 -

Festive Hat and Sock Day

Get your festive on with your hats and sock!

DEC 17-

Green or Grinch Day

Wear Green or Dress up as the Grinch Day!!

DEC 18-

Ugly Sweater Day

Wear your Ugly Holiday Sweater to School!

DEC 19-

Holiday Culture Day

Dress up in your cultural holiday attire!!

DEC 20-

Let it Snow Day!!

Dress up in all White or Light Blue like a Winter Wonderland!

DEC 16- 6TH GRADE

DEC 17- 7TH GRADE

DEC 18- 8TH GRADE

2025 Black Male STEA3M Ed Day! This event is curated to explore the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, Athletics, and Mathematics (STEA3M) in education. Programming is geared toward Black male 7th and 8th-grade students.

Join us for a day filled with engaging activities, inspiring artists, and collaboration opportunities to represent creativity and innovation in STEA3M teaching and learning. Whether you're a student, educator, parent, professional, or simply passionate about STEA3M, there's something for everyone. Take the chance to connect and enhance your skills in this dynamic field!

For additional information, please Contact : Mr. Daniel Akinribade

dakinribade@bowiestate.ed

Honor Roll Assembly:
Period 1: Grade 7- 8:45am - 9:36am
Period 2: Grade 6- 9:40am - 10:36am
Period 6: Grade 8- 2:14pm - 3:00pm

Quarter 1 Benchmarks: Please review the Benchmark 1 Parent Letter about the upcoming Benchmark Assessments.

BTMS Scholastic Store: Please help us grow our classroom libraries throughout the school. Shop for all of your reading needs through the BTMS Scholastic store!! https://orders.scholastic.com/RX482

We’re excited to invite you to our TRiO Upward Bound Annual Career & Alumni Day—an inspiring event designed to help high school and middle school students explore career opportunities and connect with role models from various fields!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: Prince George’s Community College - Largo Campus, Center for Performing Arts, Room 105 ACE/BEF

This is a unique chance for students to gain insights into possible career paths and hear directly from UB alumni who have walked similar journeys. A light reception will follow the event.

Encourage your student to take advantage of this valuable experience! Feel free to disperse this flyer and information to your network of students and parents.

Don't forget to register before Wednesday, December 04, 2024! To register, simply scan the QR code on the flyer or click on the link below:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i32XwadUV0y9g-xzNvlr1WSGuqK4ZZxIqcT4SujN9itUQlJJVVFFUUJVUVk3TlRCM0RLTFY4VDBXUS4u

We look forward to welcoming you and your students as they step toward a bright future.

If you need addition Parent and Community Engagement Assistance, Contact Ms.Lewter

PGCPS Parent Guide: Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in Middle School Support from parents and families is critical to helping children succeed academically. Here are ten ways you can put your middle schoolers on track. For more information, please contact the Department of Family and School Partnerships at 301-618-7456.

Parents The BTMS Staff is in need of a "Helping Hand". We are currently seeking support with the following:

• Chaperones; Upcoming Field Trips
• Volunteers for PBIS Activities
• Teacher/Classroom Support

(donations, supplies and etc.)

Please contact Ms.Lewter at Tiva.Bryant@PGCPS.org to check your volunteer status and or how to start the PGCPS volunteer process.

December 12, 2024 | 6pm - 7:30pm

Join PGCPS + Hazel Health to kick off our student wellness series & discuss strategies to support student health as we head into the holiday season.

Learn tips and strategies to support students during the stressful holiday season

Learn how students can access services even during school breaks

Learn about upcoming events and initiatives on how PGCPS is supporting student wellness through 2025

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Parents Workshop will take place on this coming Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Largo High School beginning at 10:00 am sharp.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJPmanWAKDsfJ_31-6ps3E4NB20vmVbu-0UXk3OLpb3GrU5g/viewform

All are welcome to attend. Some of you may not have attended Part One but do not hesitate to join us for Part Two. The facilitators will do a recap of the first session to bring any new participants up to date. Come prepared to get engaged and to participate in the activities presented. I hope to see you there!!!

Please see all the details to register and participate below. ALL ARE WELCOME to attend.

Synergy Directions: For directions and information on Synergy, please click on the Synergy ParentVue Presentation link.

The City of Bowie invites the Tasker community to join us this weekend for our Holiday Cinema Series at the Bowie Playhouse! It is a wonderful opportunity to gather with your neighbors, grab a bag of popcorn, and enjoy a Christmas classic or two.

Below are the links for Saturday and Sunday’s movies. Please RSVP so we can prepare well for your presence:

• Saturday,12/21 RSVP – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-movie-night-saturday-city-of-bowie-tickets-1088868337509?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
• Sunday, 12/22 RSVP - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-movie-night-sunday-city-of-bowie-tickets-1091210262269?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Also, if you know any students who need volunteer hours, we have a couple of slots still open to assist with this weekend’s events:

• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AA4A82BA1FCC16-54003873-volunteer#/

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contest hosted by the City of Bowie’s Diversity Committee! We had an astounding 62 submissions, which is the most we’ve had since the pandemic. Way to keep the dream alive!

School parking lot safety is crucial to creating a safe, welcoming environment for learning. When students, staff, and visitors come to your school, navigating where they need to go and parking are the first steps in their journey.

With so many people moving through an area and cars all around, it’s crucial to have safety measures in place to protect each person in your school parking lot. Families, we ask that you please be:

Be considerate & Kind: Be courteous and patient with other parents and drivers.

Use drop-off zones: Use the designated drop-off and pick-up areas Students must stay in the crosswalk when walking.

Cross at crosswalks: Use crosswalks when crossing from the parking lot to the building

Follow safety guidelines: Don't speed, drive recklessly, or engage in horseplay.

Support school efforts: Work with the school to improve drop-off and pick-up systems.

Instructional Support & Tutoring:

• Math Tutoring:

• Math Tutoring Flier (English

• Tutoring Flier (Spanish)

• Math Unit Study Guides by Math Level: The following guides share what your child is currently learning in math, as well as how they are learning.

• Math 6 Family Resource letter Unit 1

• Accelerated 1 Family Resource letter Unit 1

• Math 7 Family Resource letter Unit 1

• Accelerated 2 Family Resource letter Unit 1

• Math 8 Family Resource letter Unit 1

• Foundations For Algebra Family Resource letter Unit 1

The FAA invites kindergarten through 12th-grade students to participate in our Airport Design Challenge!

This interactive and collaborative learning opportunity allows students to design virtual airports in Minecraft. Participants will meet aviation professionals, engage with other designers, and learn about the aerospace industry.

What you can expect:

• Small teams of students learn about their local airport and complete development tasks in Minecraft.

• Organized lesson plans cover topics such as airport layout, pavement, lighting, structures, and innovative growth.

• Students, parents, and teachers collaborate in a virtual environment.

Have questions? Email avsed.challenge@faa.gov.

For more information, visit faa.gov/adc. Let your creativity soar, and enroll today!

reEarth invites Benjamin Tasker Middle School to submit photography, painting, drawing, digital art and illustration created by its students

Submission Deadline: 31 December, 2024

Results: January 2025

Art Forms: Painting & Drawing, Photography, Digital Art & Illustration

Age Group: 4 to 25 years old

Fee: USD $10

Discount: 20% discount for schools/groups E-certificates for All Participating Children and Youth

Cash prizes for Artists Selected by Jury Exhibition Events in Auckland, New Zealand, and Venice, Italy

Lumiere Education: The Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week program designed for middle school students (Grades 6-8) to explore their academic interests in fields such as economics, astrophysics, biology, history, and computer science. In the past, we have had students create research papers, case studies, and analytical presentations.

Nature Quest Art Contest: You are cordially invited to enter this year’s Nature Quest Art Contest!

Explore the beauty in your backyard, a local park, or other outdoor environment and tell your nature story by drawing, painting, photography, or through poetry. Enter the art contest by uploading your artwork to be displayed in our Nature Quest exhibition and possibly win a cash prize! M-NCPPC will recognize three winners from elementary, middle, and high school! $300 for 1st place winners, $200 for 2nd place winners, $100 for 3rd place winners. Must be a Prince George’s County resident, 18 years old and under. You may enter as many categories as you want! Entries must be inspired by nature. DEADLINE for Submission: December 6, 2024 Link to eligible requirements

Join us in celebrating the Washington Capitals with the Caps in School 50th Anniversary Fan Wall, presented by KPMG! This is a unique opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents while honoring the rich history and future of the Washington Capitals. We encourage students to create artwork that captures the spirit of the Capitals, their love for hockey, and this incredible milestone. This is a great way to engage your students in a fun, creative project while celebrating a beloved team with deep ties to our community. Select pieces will be featured throughout the season, helping to tell the story of 50 years of Capitals pride! We can't wait to see what students create to help celebrate this exciting anniversary! Link to the submission form

Congressional App Challenge: We are excited for all Middle School and High School Students to participate in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge! This competition offers a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their coding skills and creativity by developing an app, individually or as a team. You can find more information and register HERE

2025 C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Where Students Become Filmmakers! The 21st year of C-SPAN’s StudentCam documentary competition for middle and high school students is officially underway. Students from grades 6-12 can participate in the competition and can do so as part of any subject area class, as an extra credit or enrichment activity, or on their own accord. This presidential election year's theme is: Your Message to the President? What issue is most important to you or your community? Examine your selected topic from multiple perspectives and assess what action(s) the president should take after Inauguration Day. Link to flyer

• Greetings and Salutations All. We are in Quarter 2 and Unit 2. Here are the new Parent Letters:

• Math 6 - Parent Letter

• Accelerated 1 - Parent Letter

• Math 7 - Parent Letter

• Accelerated 2 - Parent Letter

• Math 8 - Parent Letter

• Foundations for Algebra - Parent Letter

• The focus in Mathematics is reasoning. Please review the sample assessment questions to see how to support our students with this goal.

ESSA & Title I Family Fun Nights

Will also provide information on our Family Fun Nights where master teachers will be leading virtual sessions for grade 6th, offering practical insights and advice to help parents engage in their children’s learning in a fun and supportive way.

Attached and linked below are the flyers for easy access, as well as a FAQs page if you have questions. Families can use the links to learn more and register

• Honor Roll Assembly Period 2: Grade 6- 9:40am - 10:36am
  

• Field trip in December Greenbelt Cinema,December 17th and 18th

• More to Come

Administrator: Ms.Provost Counselor: Ms.Hardy Student Advocate: Mr.Porter

• Honor Roll Assembly Period 1: Grade 7- 8:45am - 9:36am

• Upcoming Field trip to JA Finance Park; VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for JA Finance Field Trip on December 3, 5, or 6, 2024. JA Finance is an opportunity for which all caregivers are excited to wait. It is the opportunity to witness our 7th Graders become adults. They are given a career, salary and lifestyle where they have a budget for everyday life. The students have to pay living expenses, family expenses, activities, vacations, loans, and debt. They have to select items that fit into the current income constraints. Witness them experience all the budgeting we try to make them aware of in our home lives. You do not have to be a 7th-grade family member to volunteer. Click here to volunteer on December 3, 5, or 6, 2024.

• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program: The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th-grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities. Link to site

• More updates to come

Administrator: Ms.Hazel Counselor: Ms.Dzirasa Peer Mediator: Mr.McFarland

• HONOR ROLL - Period 6: Grade 8- 2:14pm - 3:00pm
  

• 8th Grade Student Quarter 2 Town Hall Virtual Meeting 2:15- 3:00 pm December 6,2024

• Maryland Center for School Student (MCSS): 8th-grade students are encouraged to become members of the Maryland Center for School Safety Student Focus Group. MCSS seeks energized and enthusiastic students who want to influence school safety efforts throughout the State of Maryland positively. The organization is now accepting student applications to join the MCSS Student Advocate for School Safety (SASS) program. Students in grades 8-12 during the 2023-2024 school year are encouraged to apply if they are interested in becoming an advocate for school safety. Link to application.

  
  

• High School Specialty Programs: The High School Specialty Program Application Window is now opened Link to the application window for different programs
  

Administrator: Dr.Scott Counselor: Mr.Reid Peer Mediator: Ms.Sibila

more to come

More to Come

The Department of Special Education & Psychological Services are sponsoring a series of Family Workshops.

December 11, 2024: What is SDI??? Special Design Instruction

*Please see the see the Flyer for more information.*

Check out the latest information regarding out BTMS sports

#GoTigers

The 2024/25 Basketball schedule is now available Purchase Tickets here

12/2 Nicholas Orem MS at BTMS (Girls)

12/9 Sonia Sotomayor MS at BTMS (Girls)

12/11 Samuel Ogle MS at Ogle (Boys)

12/16 Beltsville Academy at BTMS (Boys)

12/18 Martin Luther King MS at MLK (Boys)

Congratulations to the Benjamin Tasker 2024-25 Middle School Baseball Champions! It was a great game against Greenbelt Middle School. Both teams displayed excellent sportsmanship. Let’s give our Baseball team a LOUD ROAR!!

BTMS Softball finished the season as County Finalist falling to James Madison 6-4 in the County Championship. It marked the 5th consecutive appearance in the County Championship Game for BTMS Softball. Great Season Ladies. #GoTigers

BTMS offers a wide variety of after-school clubs and activities. We encourage all students to participate. Please open the BTMS After-School Clubs & Activities doc to review the current offerings. Students participating in after-school clubs and activities must have their own transportation home.

Our BTMS student led News Club has are so excited to finally publish and showcase all our hard work and effort! The newspaper will bring weekly relevant and exciting news to our community.

The Real Talk Male Mentoring Program: The Men of BTMS is a collective group of mentors who are committed and dedicated to volunteering their time, gifts, and talents to empower our male scholars in The Real Talk Male Mentoring Program, grades 6-8. The Men of BTMS will Mentor, Model, Mold, and Motivate mentees by empowering them to be academically, socially, and culturally well-rounded. Most importantly, developing and nurturing them to become productive and successful citizens within their families, school, and community.

BTMS Presents: Real Talk Mentoring Program for Male Scholars Grade 6 - 8 Tuesday & Thursday 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM 1st Saturday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Our BTMS NJHS students collected food to help fight against food insecurities in our local community. The helpful food donations will go to The Bowie Pantry.

The Bold and Beautiful Step Team (also known as TBB) is hosting their very first Holiday clothing Drive. Please contact Ms.Jenkins for more information

The Leo Club is now full. We do have a waiting list of students in case a space becomes available. If your child is in the Leo Club, be sure to return the signed permission slip. Information about our schedule and upcoming activities can be found on our Leo Club Google Site. Questions? Email ann.fleming@pgcps.org.

🎨Our Wonderful Art Club gave our school shed a beautiful makeover🎨

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVGVfnqNN1GqH5YQ1y2ypszpP_06nFE2/view?usp=sharing

Peace Poster Contest Winner: Ms. Huizar hosted the Bowie Lions Peace Poster contest again this year with the theme Peace Without Limits. The winner, 7th grader Zoe Wallace, won the contest based on artistic merit, originality and representation of the theme. She was awarded a gift card to Michaels to expand her personal art supplies.

Meals (Breakfast/Lunch): Breakfast is available to all students from 8:00 am to 8:20 am. Students must be in line by 8:20 am to receive breakfast. However, all students arriving on a late bus will be permitted to receive breakfast, if they choose. Students may purchase breakfast ($1.60) and/or lunch ($3.00) daily

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/BenjaminTaskerMiddle

Please check your student's My School Bucks account status and balance My School Bucks Links

Each year students are required to complete 3 forms (Emergency Contact Form, Publicity & Photography Release Form, & Parent Receipt of Acknowledgement form) to ensure BTMS has updated and accurate information in addition to ensuring important policy has been reviewed.

• Emergency Contact Form

• Publicity & Photography Release Form

• Parent Receipt of Acknowledgement

• Review: Student Behavioral Expectations

• Review: Student/Family Handbook

COVID-19 Exposure: As we enter Cold and Flu season, we must be mindful of not sending students to school when they are sick. If your child is sick, please notify the school via the Absence Notification Form so that the absence will be excused. If your child tests positive for COVID, please make sure you have notified the school so we can contact the families of students who may have been exposed. If a person tests positive, they should remain home for 5 days and can return on day 6 if asymptomatic. A mask should be worn for days 6-10. PGCPS Policy

Absence Notification : Parents, when you inform the school of your child’s absence, please use the Absence Notification Form rather than sending a note to the school. The school monitors this form, and excused absences will be noted. Students must still go to pick up their yellow Excused Absence Pass upon their return, which is taken to each teacher to retrieve any missed work. Sometimes, students forget to complete this step, but you can also email their teachers to retrieve work.

Transportation Issues & Questions: With the numerous transportation issues and concerns, PGCPS has provided some resources to assist families better:

Transportation Resolution System: https://apps.pgcps.org/pls/apex/f?p=358:1::::

Transportation Phone Bank: at 301-952-6570 (Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

Stop Finder: https://stopfinder.com/help/

Mark your calendars! Our next PTSO meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm. A private invitation will be sent to all PTSO members beforehand. We also want to hear from you! Please submit any questions you’d like addressed during the meeting through this form: Submit Your Questions. We look forward to connecting with you!

The 2nd Annual Winter Bazaar is hosted by the BTMS PTSO on Saturday, December 7th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM! This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your products, connect with our community, and spread some holiday cheer. Whether you’re a student, parent, or staff member, we welcome all entrepreneurs to join us! If you’re interested, please fill out the vendor application using the link below: https://forms.gle/3PAEbDEpBPb2cnCs9 We look forward to seeing you and your creativity shine at the Winter Bazaar! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and spread the word.

Website: https://www.pgcps.org/benjamintasker/
Location: 4901 Collington Road Bowie, MD 20715

Phone: 301-805-2660
X: @BTMSTigers

Instagram: @BTMS.TIGERS