The Bulldog Bulletin

In each edition of our campus newsletter, we highlight the benefits of a STEM education.

Here at BCMAR, we specialize in a rigorous health science STEM+M program. Our curriculum is robust and offers an engaging and collaborative learning model.

Schools such as BCMAR are often asked what is the difference between a STEM education and a non-STEM education?

As a parent/guardian of a BCMAR scholar, you may already know that STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Are you fully aware of what a STEM programs offers and prepares your scholars for?

First off, they provide a considerable level of technical instruction. These courses focus heavily on math and science with an integration of technical abilities and practical applications.

The goal of a quality STEM education is to educate and prepare students for employment in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, and healthcare, which demand specific knowledge and technical competence.

On any given day, our scholars are exposed to innovative learning models across all contents. Whether it is creating a model of the human brain, dissecting a sheep's eye, or creating a model of the human heart in Art class, our scholars are guaranteed a skill set that will benefit them beyond academia.

For helpful tips on how to supplement your child's STEM education at home with typical househould activities, follow this link: https://stemsports.com/10-ways-parents-can-introduce-stem-learning-at-home-through-disguised-learning/. Here, you will find creative and engaging ways to enhance STEM learning.

There are so many reasons we make a great magnet school choice. Our scholars participate in a variety of in-classroom research. The importance of knowing the functions of the brain helps us understand how this important organ operates and serves as a centralized control unit of the human body.

Brain development changes throughout stages of life and our scholars are fascinated at how these changes describe their stages of development.

Our neuroscience class is a great start for our transitioning sixth graders. The classes is designed to show scholars how the brain functions, supports the nervous system, and sensory cells throughout the body.

Our BCMAR scholars start with us in sixth grade and are introduced to a variety of science disciplines to get their feet wet in health science. However, general science is still a big focus in our curriculum.

General science classes place an emphasis on life, earth, and physical sciences. With continued exposure to foundational science skills, our scholars fare well in advanced placement science curricula here at BCMAR and post secondary educational studies.

It is hard to believe STAAR testing is done and at the 'blink of an eye', the school year is winding down.

This definitely can be a stressful time for students as they take end of year assessments. It is important for guardians of school-aged students to encourage them to do their best and finish every school year strong.

Proving helpful best-practices is one way teachers and parents can help students do well on any standardized tests.

Here at BCMAR, when we speak of the 'village it takes' to raise a child, there are some crucial steps that must be implemented at home. Students must set aside time during off-school hours to study and prepare for end of school year tests.

There is a plethora of information that families can do to help ease the anxiety and help student be better quipped to handle any testing anxieties.

It is important to have balanced meals, plenty of rest, and limit technology for entertainment.

Students are faced with anxiety at the end of the school year with not only grade promotion and testing, but transitioning from a structured environment to a free schedule with uncertain situations..

Here is an article with great suggestions on helping your student manage text anxiety and prepare for any important test. We ask that you please take a look at it and try some of the suggestions from the following link https://www.edutopia.org/blog/calming-end-of-year-stress-lori-desautels

May is here and that means it's time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.

It is only celebrated in parts of Mexico, but mostly celebrated here in the United States.

For more information on the history of Cinco de Mayo, click here https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/cinco-de-mayo

May is recognized as National Mental Awareness Month. With busy schedules and also being STAAR testing season, it is important to bring attention to the importance of mental awareness.

Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities.

According to Mental Health Services Administration (2023), Often unseen and untreated, child and adolescent mental health challenges can significantly impact the ability to learn and develop.

At BCMAR, we feel it is necessary to focus on mental awareness by Providing mental health services in a school based setting through district resources and assistance from our campus counselor and partners at Baylor College of Medicine. This helps us address barriers to learning and provide supports so that all students can achieve in school and ultimately in life.

For helpful tips on how to talk to your children about mental health, click the link to this blog at:

https://blog.education.com/2023/05/18/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-mental-health-awareness-month/

When the weather warms up, we are reminded of the spring season.

An allergy occurs when a person reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. These substances are known as allergens. Allergens are found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, molds, foods and some medications.

For some helpful info on treatment and management of pollen allergies, please click this link

https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/pollen-allergies/

Each calendar month of the academic year, our school counselor Ms. Berry provides helpful resources to build positive character in our scholars.

To broaden our scholars' exposure, daily we review character education topics to help them make proper choices in life.

May's character education topic is 'Integrity'.

We speak often to our scholars on the importance of 'doing the right thing when no one is watching'. The meaning of integrity sums this all up. We remind our scholars to always understand the importance of making good choices and how it makes the life better for everyone. To benefit from integrity, we must foster it in all aspects of our lives.

Please refer to the link below and use the information in the monthly flyer to help you speak on the importance of 'integrity' at home with your student.

Each day on a school campus can be unpredictable. One intricate part of school operations is the front office operations.

Our unsung 'sheroes' Mrs. Rivas and Mrs. Jimenez always go above and beyond by being the switches behind the daily operations of the front office.

We enjoyed celebrating them in April on Administrative Assistants Day. We appreciate all the big and small things they do to ensure every visit to our front office is pleasant and a great experience for visitors, students and families.

Our cafeteria staff are amazing. We can always count on them making sure operations are running smoothly in the cafeteria every day.

Whether it is making sure our scholars breakfast arrives on time each morning, the lunch lines are moving serving hot meals, or prepping lunch bags for STAAR testing day, Ms. Crockett and her team gets it done. We celebrate our cafeteria team and want them to know we truly appreciate all they do for our kiddos.

The STEM+M program here goes beyond learning from highly qualified educators. Thanks to our partnership with BCM and the University of Houston, our scholars get valuable information that goes beyond high school.

Successful businessman Jayden Steinfeld, took time out of his busy day to share keys to success with our scholars. Please check out his book Lead from the Core at https://benbellabooks.com/shop/lead-from-the-core/

We often reiterate the importance of good study habits as early as sixth grade to have higher probability of entering a high school that meets the needs of their proposed career paths.

By teaching skills to help improve and manage grades, our students become equipped with necessary tools and resources to have access to the high school and college programs of their choice.

For information on the importance of early college prep and how to prepare your middle school student,, there is a very helpful US News article. You may click the following link at https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-middle-schoolers-can-get-ready-for-college-applications. There, you will find helpful tips to start preparing your scholar for both high school and college.

The 2024 Houston Art Car Parade is a yearly event where young artist get to show their artistic creativity. It is recognized as one of the largest free public events our wonderful city hosts every spring season.

Former and current BCMAR students join artist from around the city and all lend their artistic gifts and innovation. BCMAR's car was one of over 250. Participants come from both public and private schools as well as local artists.

Our art instructor Mr. Figueroa and his team of scholar artists did an amazing job with their mobile masterpiece.

All of us here at BCMAR simply can't wait until next year to see what our bulldog artists create in next year's Art Car Parade Event.

For interesting information on the history of the Houston Art Car Parade, follow this link : https://www.houstontx.gov/events/artcarparade.html

Each academic year, our scholars get to experience a wonderful learning opportunity at BCM. Students get to visit BCM and get hands on experience with some of the great things offered to up and coming health science professional.

This year was slightly different from previous years. Because of the pandemic, our upcoming graduating class did not get this wonderful learning opportunity during their sixth grade year. Nonetheless, BCM as always was gracious and accommodated both sixth and eighth grade classes to allow them to get this amazing learning experience. Thank you so much BCM for always opening your welcoming doors to our kiddos! We love You!

BCMAR scholars get the full benefits of a functioning library. Our teachers are provided with a rotating schedule that provides access to all contents.

Scholars are able to utilize the many resources available in the HISD digital resources to conduct research and provided mini-lessons on how to properly cite sources.

Our new inventory of books are available for circulation and so far we have seen over 3,800 books checked out since the start of semester 2.

Here at BCMAR, we believe that young readers become leaders and are able to live productive lives.

Parents and teachers partnering with school administrators and the community is a great way to market our campus and builds a stronger voice of representation for our scholars.

A PTO also helps prepare our kiddos to be responsible and engaged citizens by exposing them to partnerships and community involvement.

Our monthly PTO meetings are virtual and notices of upcoming dates are posted on our social media pages on Facebook and X.

If you are not a member, you are still welcome to check us out in any upcoming virtual meeting.

Be an advocate for our children by joining our PTO. You can click the link box below for more information.

A friendly reminder to students: Please be responsible with your campus-issued device.

1. Bring your Chromebook to school fully charged every school day.

2. Do not loan your device to another student

3. Keep foods and all liquids away from you device.

All students must bring their school-issued Chromebook each day.

Device Protection:

Chromebooks should always be inside your backpacks when not in use.

Please fully charge your laptop at home and do not bring the chargers to school.

Only use your Chromebook for school and classwork purposes

No personal stickers and do not remove any of the keys on the keyboard

Always protect your screen from scratches and cracks

To be a BCMAR bulldog means to also be a "Chromebook CHAMP"! 💪

At the start of last school year, HISD has been utilizing Canvas as its learning management system (LMS).

Students are able to access Canvas for lessons and materials.

Canvas allows for administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of instructional programs.

If you need instructions on how to gain parental access on Canvas, please click the image.

Here at BCMAR, when we think of qualities of a 'model' student, one strong characteristic that comes up is consistency.

Here at BCMAR, consistency and determination embodies hard work and perseverance. This month we highlight one of our eighth graders that exemplifies what it truly means to work hard with grit and determination.

The entire eighth grade team is always extremely proud of this shining bulldog star, Drake Sterling.

What makes Drake so deserving of this honor is that he not only excels in all core classes, but he has shown steady and continued growth on NWEA MAP assessments.

When teachers are asked about this month's shining star, the adjectives respectful and hardworking student was unanimous for Drake. One impressive descriptive from several teachers was positive change that has been noticeable the entire school year.

With BCMAR being a small campus, our staff is able to build academic relationships with every kiddo that enters our doors.

Every adult on campus agrees that this scholar in particular is respectful to all adults on campus and her peers. He is very committed to her academic learning and often exceeds expectations. He truly exemplifies a model student with a very positive attitude.

Congrats to you Drake for always being Brilliant, Committed, Mindful, Achieving, and Respectful and for being selected as an outstanding scholars for the month of May.

Our Staff of the Month of May is seventh grade science teacher Mrs. Tigi Jade. Since joining our staff this year, she has been a great asset to the science department. She works hard and is very committed to the success of our scholars.

A 7+ year veteran teacher with a career in education beginning in India, she has a great passion for science. She teaches the content with a strong passion and infectious energy.

The structure of her classroom fosters a safe and collaborative learning environment that allows all students to overcome any academic anxieties and to be taught helpful strategies to help them be successful in advance-placement science disciplines throughout their academic journeys.

Known to be very positive with a warm smile, she is laser-focused on data and student achievement and her students are on well on track to show growth this year on end of course assessments.

Our BCMAR campus really appreciates Mrs. Jade's commitment to our scholars and team. She truly embodies 'bulldog' pride and teamwork. Her positive attitude and nurturing demeanor is consistent with students and staff.

Congratulations to you, Mrs. Jade on being selected as the month of May's shining star! Your work with our kiddos is very much appreciated and does not go unrecognized.

Please ensure you student gets a good night's rest to be at their best academically during the school day.

If you student is a car rider, it is always a great idea to leave a bit earlier to anticipate traffic issues.

Cycle 6 Grading Period: April 22 - June 5

Cycle 6 Progress Reports go home: Friday, May 17

Cycle 6 Report Cards go home: Wednesday, June 5

STAAR testing dates: April 16, 18, 24, and May 1

May 27: Memorial Day (no school)

June 4: Rescheduled 8th grade Promotion Ceremony at Young Women's College Prepatory Academy

Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/31699
Location: 2610 Elgin Street, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (713) 942-1932
Twitter: @BCMAR_HISD