BWMS Family Update

BWMS Families,

It was a great staggered start week at BWMS. I was impressed with our students and their willingness to support each other as many learn a new space with new schedules, routines, and people. Each classroom had a goal to get to know each other as learners and establish common norms and expectations so our school year will go well. We look to build upon this positive environment next week as we choose daily to S.O.A.R daily in the areas of Scholarship, Ownership, Awareness and Respect. We will also strive to grow in all areas of the Eagle Profile - (Adaptable Learner, Collaborator, Communicator, Problem Solver and Responsible Citizen). United, we will SOAR.

Have a great weekend and Go Eagles,

Mr. Josh Frame

• STAR assessments will be given in Reading and Math during the week of 8/19/24. All students participate in the STAR universal screener to help our staff personalize instruction and supports. Language Arts and Math Teachers will give the assessment during the normal class schedule and teachers will review results next week.
  
• BWMS will have grade-level meetings during Advisory next week to help communicate our school goals and expectations for 2024. 8th grade will meet on Tuesday, 6th on Wednesday and 7th on Thursday.
• The last day to request a schedule change is Friday 8/23/24. Please see details below.
• There is no school on Monday 9/2/24 due to Labor Day.

Other Opening of School Details

• BWMS cannot provide supervision of students until 7:05 AM each morning so we ask that parents arrange drop off schedules accordingly. At that time, Bus Riders will report to the Atrium and Cafeteria while Car Riders report to the Auditorium until released to go to their 1st period class. Breakfast is available in our cafeteria beginning at 7:10 AM.
• Although most students at the MS have traditionally selected not to use a locker, we do have some lockers that are available upon request. Please CLICK HERE to request a locker for your student. Please complete the form to request a locker and someone from the office will connect with your student to assign a locker and provide the passcode.
  
• If your child will be absent, please call the school by 8:20 AM on the day of the absence.
• BWMS will have a "Not Seen, Not Heard" policy for cell phones and electronic devices for the 2024-25 school year. Please reference this document for additional details.
• Student pick up will be different this year and we appreciate your patience and support. Parent Drop Off and Pick Up should use Letts Ave entrance and the loop in front of the school to exit using the same road. Only buses should enter and leave using S Old 3C Rd path for transportation and safety reasons. For parent drop off, we ask that you pull into the front loop and all the way to the Orange Cones as students will enter the main entrance. This will allow for safe exits from cars. Please see the image and directions below.

BWMS is excited to welcome the following school counselors in the 2024-25 School Year.

• 6th Grade - AnnieDemith@bwls.net
• 7th Grade - AlysonLyle@bwls.net
• 8th Grade - LaurenGreenspan@bwls.net

As we come to the end of the first week of staggered starts, we request that all schedule change request forms or submitted online forms be complete by Friday 8/23/24. As time permits, the school counselor will review the request and make any available adjustments during the first weeks of school. Thank you for your patience and support.

One of our goals for the school year is for each student to grow a full grade level or more in reading. Specifically, we highlight that first we learn to read, then and for the remainder of our lives, we read to learn. Therefore, BWMS will be encouraging all students and adults to drop everything and read for 15 minutes each Monday after our 15 minute CharacterStrong PBIS lesson in Advisory.

Families, we need your help to reach this goal by sending your child to school with a reading material of their choice (book, magazine, etc.), especially on Mondays. Thank you!

PowerSchool is the main system of communication for the middle school about Attendance, Grades and Assignments. Teachers use PowerTeacher to communicate upcoming and missing assignments about each course.

As a general overview, BWMS holds the perspective that we care more about the Learning and less about the Grade in that we want to focus on developing student knowledge and skills without an overburdensome focus on maintaining marks. The learning in and of itself should be the primary motivation based on relevant and engaging activities rather than an extrinsic grade. Overall, we believe in multiple opportunities for success and will provide reteaching strategies to help your student reach mastery. Thank you for your patience as our students learn about the value of hard work and perseverance.

Parents also have view access into each Schoology Page as before. The primary use of PowerSchool is a learning management system which supports communication from the teacher to each student about learning and assignments.

All 7th grade students are required to have an updated Tdap and meningitis vaccine. We would ask that parents provide written proof of immunization or a letter of objection to the school within the first two weeks of school. Please contact our School Nurse at MeganTruax@bwls.net or the office with any questions.

August

16 1st Day with All Students

19 W STAR Assessments (6-8 Reading & Math)

September

2 Labor Day (no school)

6 STAR reports sent Home

10 BWMS PTO Meeting, 7:00

16 Teacher PD Day / Fair Day

20 Grade Update Day

20 7th & 8th Grade Dance 6PM-8PM

24 Picture Day 7:45-2:20

24 Conferences, 3:00-7:00

27 6th Grade Dance 6PM-8PM

30 Art Contest for Yearbook begins

Month View Calendar Link

iCalendar Link

The SOARing Staff Award and used to recognize a Big Walnut Middle School Staff Member who goes above and beyond to support the mission of BWLS to inspire and guide each student to his or her maximum potential. If you would love to recognize a staff member, please submit their name and reason on the following form... HERE.

Reminder that all athletes should have their final forms complete and hard copy of the physical submitted prior to participation.

All information for BWMS athletics can be found at bigwalnutathletics.net and on Schoology.

Email: JoshFrame@bwls.net
Website: bwls.net
Location: 555 S Old 3C Road, Sunbury, OH, United States
Phone: (740)965-3006
Twitter: @Josh_Frame