January Newsletter 2024
Bluffs Middle School
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Email: bms@sbps.net
Website: www.sbps.net/bms
Location: 27 East 23rd Street, Scottsbluff, NE, USA
Phone: 308-635-6270
X: @BMSCATS
Principal's Message
Welcome back and Happy New Year. We hope the holiday break was restful and you found time to relax and enjoy family and friends. We are excited to welcome students back on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Below are a few reminders to help start the second semester off successfully and provide you with information about upcoming events.
PBS Assembly
The second quarter PBS assembly will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at 2:30 PM in the BMS gym. We are excited to showcase the accomplishments of our students. Please watch for more information from grade-level teachers.
Winter Sports
Our winter sports season has begun and we are very excited to see our students excel and compete on the basketball court and wrestling mat. The winter season includes 7th and 8th-grade girls wrestling and 7th and 8th-grade boys basketball. Good luck to all our student-athletes as they embark on a new season.
Report Cards/Infinite Campus
First-semester report cards will be mailed home the week of January 15, 2024. As a reminder, you can view your student's grades and attendance via the parent portal in Infinite Campus. Please contact teachers or your student's counselor with any questions about grades. If you need assistance setting up an account, don't hesitate to contact our main office at 308-635-6270, and we will gladly help you.
Emergency Contact Information
Please make sure we have current emergency contact information on file for your student. If changes need to be made to your physical address, phone number, or email address please let us know.
After School Tutoring
Tutoring will resume on Monday, January 15, 2024. Grade level tutors are available from 3:10-4:10 PM, Monday-Thursday. As a reminder, all teachers are available after school until 3:30 pm for students to complete missing assignments or assessments. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this extended learning opportunity.
WIN (What I Need)
Students are provided with thirty-five minutes every day to complete assignments, retake assessments, receive additional instruction, or participate in enrichment activities. We continue to be in awe of the endless talents and strengths of our students. This additional time during the day should drastically reduce the time students would be required to complete assignments at home. We are very proud of our students and teachers. Please encourage your student to keep up the great work.
Our staff is committed to your student's success, and we look forward to celebrating student achievements in and out of the classroom this semester. Your continued partnership is greatly appreciated and plays a vital role in helping your student achieve academic success. We are looking forward to a great semester for our students and staff.
Thank you,
Jana Mason
Principal
National Junior Honor Society
We are very excited about the upcoming NJHS Induction ceremony that will take place on January 15, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Bluffs Middle School. The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a prestigious organization that recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, and we are proud of their accomplishments. The induction ceremony is a significant milestone for our students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements. Ms. Dillman, NJHS sponsor will be sending out more information. If you have any urgent inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to her. We invite you to mark this date on your calendars and join us in celebrating the success of these students.
BMS MATHCOUNTS
Congratulations to the BMS MATHCOUNTS students for their outstanding performance at the Omaha Central Math Contest in December! We are proud of your hard work and dedication, which have led to your success. We also want to express our gratitude to Scottsbluff High School teachers Mr. Aaberg and Mrs. Hays, and our parents for their tireless efforts in providing additional educational opportunities for our students. Your commitment to our students' education is truly remarkable and greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work, BMS MATHCOUNTS students, and we look forward to seeing more of your accomplishments in the future!
2023 Omaha Central Math Contest Results
Sweepstakes
41.3, 1st, Bluffs MS
40.3, 2nd, Brownell-Talbot MS
33.3, 3rd, Westside MS
Individual Medalists
6th Grade
13/20, 1st, James White
13/20, 2nd, Katie Simmons
8th Grade
19/20, 2nd, Wyatt Nerud
Team Round
1st, Bluffs Middle School (Caleb Clodfelter, Wyatt Nerud, Ender Walker)
2nd, Lewis & Clark MS
3rd, Brownell-Talbot MS
Math Bowl Results
1st Bluffs MS (Allison Aaberg, Wyatt Nerud, Ender Walker, James White)
2nd Westside MS
3rd Beadle MS
4th St. Vincent dePaul MS
Math Bowl Scores:
BMS 5, St. Cecilia MS 2
BMS 6, King Science Magnet MS 1
BMS 5, Buffett MS 2
BMS 4, Lewis & Clark MS 2
Semifinals: BMS 6, Beadle MS 0
Finals: BMS 4, Westside MS 2
6th Grade Individual Medalists
8th Grade Individual Medalist
Team Round Winners
SBPS School Board Appreciation Week
The SBPS Board of Education Appreciation Week is a time to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the members of the board. These individuals volunteer countless hours to ensure that the students in their district receive the best possible education. Please join me in thanking the members of the SBPS Board of Education for their unwavering commitment to the students, teachers, and families in their district. Their efforts often go unnoticed, but their impact is felt in every aspect of the educational system.
Upcoming Events
January 8 Professional Development/Work Day
January 9 Second Semester begins
January 15 NJHS Induction Ceremony @ 6:00 pm
January 22- 26 School Board Appreciation Week
January 26 Professional Development Day - No School
8th Grade All State Band
Career Exploration Class
UNMC Partnership
Keyboarding Students of the Quarter
8th Grade Aulick Industries Tour
Jazz Band
Technology Tips
Now is a great time to review BMS Chromebook expectations with your student. Helping your student follow Chromebook expectations can ensure safe and appropriate use.
BMS Student Chromebook Expectations
Chromebooks are used for educational use only
Chromebooks go everywhere with students at school
Bring school issued Chromebook to school every day
Charge Chromebook every night
Chromebooks should never be taken out of protective cases
Follow staff instructions for all technology use
Keep Chromebook away from food and liquids
Keep Chromebook clean and decoration-free
DO NOT share school-issued login information
LMHP and Counseling Message
Hello BMS families! We hope you are enjoying the time away! We encourage you to utilize these
beginning days of the New Year to rest and reset in preparation for a new semester. At the close of
2023, we notice more mental and physical fatigue among our students with the pressure to wrap up the first half of the school year.
Self-care is an important practice that is often pushed aside by the demands of everyday life. An often overlooked practice of self-care is REST. Rest aids in decreasing stress, boosting creativity, improving overall mood, and enhancing productivity for the long haul. We encourage you to really take the time this month to pay attention to your mental and physical needs. Take care of YOU, as this is what allows you to better care for those you love.
Included is a self-care assessment. We encourage you to fill out this assessment and select an area you would like to improve, whether individually or as a family! Also included are some self-care practices for you and your kiddos to check out. Enjoy!
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/self-care-assessment
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/self-care-tips
Happy New Year, and we look forward to the start of a new semester! Let’s make 2024 awesome!
Health Office Information
Just a friendly reminder about SBPS recommendations for keeping students home:
Temperature: A student with a temperature 100 degrees or higher will be sent home from school. It is recommended that the student return to school once fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Vomiting and/or Diarrhea: If a student is vomiting and/or has diarrhea, it is highly recommended that the student remain home for 24 hours. Students are sent home if this occurs at school.
Lice: If you find lice or NITS on your student, please contact the school to let them know. Your student may attend school, SBPS health office staff will perform followup head checks and provide you with education needed to treat your child. SBPS policy regarding head lice is on the district website under health services or click on the following link: https://cdn5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_392748/File/Departments%20and%20Services/Services/Health%20Services/Head%20Lice/SBPSHeadLiceAdministrativeProcedure.pdf
Remember, once a week check your child’s head.