Bookcliff Middle School

Hello Bookcliff Families,

Happy New Year!

This month's newsletter features two important upcoming events, some good news regarding a BMS staff member, and continued good news about student choices. You'll also find a message from our counselors, and some other important reminders.

In addition, there's a reminder to complete the school district's Family-School Relationship survey. I'd love to get as much feedback as possible from our families so we can continue to take steps to make our school even better.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Brian Dickes, BMS Principal

brian.dickes@d51schools.org

970-254-6220 x32104

Our next Parent Involvement Team/School Accountability Committee meeting will be held January 15th from 3:30-4:15 in the school library. Come find out about school initiatives and ways you can support Bookcliff staff and students!

Our next parent-teacher conference night is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th from 3:30-7:30. Stop in when you are able to meet with your child's teachers.

Congratulations to 8th grade DIA teacher Mr. McLaughlin, who was selected as one of this year's White Iced Award recipients!

Directly below is copied from the last newsletter. I'm pleased to report that our numbers changed very little in the month of December, with one major exception--Not a single student repeated their poor behavior choices. That's great news. The vast majority of our students are making good choices in the classroom, which benefits all of our learners! I'm extremely proud of our Mustangs.

Our efforts to increase access to learning for our students is paying off. Since October 22, when we implemented our increased classroom behavioral expectations, just over 10% of our students have faced disciplinary action, and only a handful of those students have repeated their poor behavior choices. Our Mustangs are proving that with direct reminders, they can make good choices, which increases the learning for themselves and their classmates. Students and teachers are reporting fewer classroom disruptions and more learning time in their classes.

Dear Bookcliff Families,

We value your feedback. On Monday, January 6, 2025 you received an email from our communications department asking you to participate in a brief survey to tell us about your experience with our school. To ensure we continue to provide high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback. The Family-School Relationship Survey was developed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to provide schools with a clear picture of family attitudes about several key topics. We will use the Family-School Relationships Survey to gather feedback to make sure we are effectively partnering with you.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. It will be available until January 17, and you may take the survey online, at home, or at your child’s school.

Thank you so much for your support,

Brian Dickes,

Principal

Grief Group Starting January 27th

The school counselor in cooperation with a Youth Counselor from Hope West Kids, will co-facilitate a grief group for students at BMS. Any student who has experienced the death of a special person is welcome and encouraged to attend. Each session will include grief education and small group discussion. Activities such as writing, art, and literature will assist participants in coping with issues of grief and loss. Students may pick up a permission slip in the counseling office or the main office. For questions call your student's school counselor.

Mrs. Moore Mrs. Ritterbush

Last Names A-L Last Names M-Z

(970)254-6220 ext. 32121 (970)254-6220 ext. 32122

• January 15----PIT/SAC Meeting, 3:30
• January 20---No School
• January 24---Student of the Month Celebration
• January 29----Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7:30
• February 3---Wrestling Starts
• February 17---No School

With the drop in temperature comes the increased need for our students to come to school dressed appropriately for the weather. Please encourage your student to bring a coat so they aren't too cold during their 15 minute outside lunch recess.

Staff supervision and breakfast service begin at 7:40am.