BWMS Family Update
8/8/23
Mission Possible in 2023!
The excitement around a new school year is evident everywhere in the Big Walnut Community. With the start of a new year, BWMS will continue to emphasize our Mission to Inspire and Guide each student to his/her maximum potential. We know that this mission is possible based on the years of support from our great community as well as timeless efforts from our dedicated staff.
Speaking of excitement, we want to invite all of our families to Eagle Madness on Wednesday 8-9-23 at the High School Stadium. With a 6PM start time, this is a great chance to see that Eagle Pride and support our Fall Athletes in 2023. Go Eagles!
Sincerely,
Mr. Josh Frame
TEAM locations in 2023
BW Meet & Greet
Extended Learning Areas
Important Information to Start the Year
- The 2023-24 Student Supply List can be found Here.
- The Online PowerSchool Portal will be available on Wednesday August 9th. This will include student schedules. *Note: bus route information is only available via the web/computer portal and is not available in the phone app. Also, there may continue to be adjustments to bus schedules as we get closer to school. If you have a question about your bus route, you can call Transportation at 740-965-8967
- We invite all of our Parents and Students to our BWMS Meet & Greet on Tuesday August 15th. Last Names A-K will be from 10-11 and Last Names L-Z will report from 11-12. Signs will be posted to help your student find the Team of teachers. Students are also more than happy to walk the school but no teachers will be in their classrooms. Students can walk the schedule, check out the learning spaces in the Library or Extended Learning Areas and socialize with their teachers. We look forward to meeting all of you.
- BWMS will review building and team procedures and begin building relationships during the Staggered Start the week of August 16th according to the following schedule:
Wednesday 8-16-23 - Student Last Names A-K
Thursday 8-17-23 - Student Last Names L-Z
Friday 8-18-23 - Eagle Pride Day - All Students Together
- All students will receive a copy of their schedule in 1st period class on the first day. 1st period classes will be posted in the student areas as well.
- BWMS Open House Parent Night is Thursday August 24th with a 6:00 PM start time. We will begin in the Auditorium before giving parents a time to meet with each team of teachers on a rotational schedule. The evening will finish by 7:45 PM. More details to come.
Other Opening of School Details
- 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.
- BWMS cannot provide supervision of students until 7:15 AM each morning so we ask that parents arrange drop off schedules accordingly. At that time, all students report to the auditorium until released to go to their 1st period class. Breakfast is available in our cafeteria beginning at 7:15 AM
- If your child will be absent, please call the school by 8:30 AM on the day of the absence.
- Parent Drop Off and Pick Up should use S Old 3C entrance and the loop in front of the school to exit using the same road. Only buses should enter and leave using the old BWI / Letts Ave path for safety reasons. We ask that you pull all the way down to the Orange Cone so we can drop off and pick up as many students as possible. Student pick up will be different this year and we appreciate your patience.
BWMS Carline Procedures 2023-24
Reminder for 7th Grade Families
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.
BWMS Athletic Information
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.
FALL PICTURE DAYS are Coming!
Lisa Siders is providing our photography services again this year.
- 8/14 - Boys Golf @ 8:00 (Girls Golf to follow) at Table Rock GC *** Boy's match to follow
- 8/15 - Football @ 2:45 at Stadium
8/16 - Girls Tennis @ 2:45 at Courts
8/16 - Volleyball @ 3:30 in Gym
8/16 - Cheer @ 4:30 at Stadium
8/17 - XC @ 2:45 at Track/Stadium
Important BWMS Dates
August
9 Schedule Posting for Students
15 BWMS Meet & Greet 10:00-12:00
16 1st Day of School (Staggered Start for Last Names A-K)
17 Staggered Start for Last Names L-Z
18 1st Day with All Students
21 W STAR Assessments (7 & 8 Reading & Math)
24 Open House Parent Night 6:00-8:00
September
4 Labor Day (no school)
5-8 Student Council/SOAR Elections
8 STAR reports sent Home
15 Grade Update Day
18 Teacher PD Day / Fair Day
19-22 Spirit Week
22 Homecoming
26 Picture Day 7:45-2:20
26 Conferences, 3:30-7:30
29 SOAR cart
Month View Calendar Link
iCalendar Link
Parent Information via PowerSchool and Schoology
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.
More details will be shared during out BWMS Parent Information Night at August 24th.
Big Walnut Travel Nights Information
TEAM 7-B Velocity Selected as OMLA Team of the Year
We are excited to share that Team 7-B Velocity was selected as the Ohio Middle Level Association Team of the Year. The Team of the Year award is the most distinguished honor the Ohio Middle Level Association can bestow upon an interdisciplinary team of middle level teachers to recognize its accomplishments with students and contributions to middle level education in the following areas:
- Advancement of Middle Level Philosophy in the School and Community.
- Team Building, Identity and Cohesion.
- Integrated / Interdisciplinary Curriculum Planning and Instruction that Increases Student Achievement / Growth.
- Demonstrating Flexible use of Time.
- Culture and Community.
Thank you Miss Ainsworth, Mr. Backs, Miss Bodnar and Mrs. Kotchounian for all of your work as well as the co-teachers Miss Price, Ms. DeLoss, Mr. Bowden and Mrs. Rosa for your continued collaboration. Also special shout out to Ms. Donohue and Ms. Lewis for their ongoing classroom support. Great Job Team Velocity and BWMS! We are proud of you!
Military-Connected Families
We are committed to seeking out our military connected families and assisting those families as needed. Should an immediate family member currently be serving in the military, please complete this form.
BWMS SOARing Staff Member Award
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.
Scholarship, Ownership, Awareness, Respect
Mr. Josh Frame
Email: JoshFrame@bwls.net
Website: bwls.net
Location: 555 S Old 3C Road, Sunbury, OH, United States
Phone: (740)965-3006
Twitter: @Josh_Frame