Greetings!
The weather was so lovely this week. I love the cool, brisk mornings and the warm, sunny afternoons. It may be a small thing, but I am trying to be sure to celebrate those small things that bring joy. Our students are also a joy. It is so great to see them in the hallways and at lunches and classes. They are doing a GREAT job with their efforts and engagement.
Lockers–We did hand out lockers by request on Wednesday. We pulled students out of classes in grade level groups and were able to help them find and open their lockers. There are a few that were not working and we are reassigning those. We have about 70ish students in each grade level who have requested lockers, so we were able to space students out. We are asking that students drop off their items after 1st period and get their items before 6th just to help structure their day and be sure that students on busses have time to get to the bus.
Vandalism Issue across the District-–You may be aware a TikTok challenge widely circulating on the internet is a social media challenge called “devious licks” or “hit a lick.” There was an article in local papers about this and the damage across the state. The goal of this challenge is to steal or destroy something from a school and post it on Tik Tok. Paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, mirrors, and sinks have been torn off the walls and either stolen, placed in toilets, or thrown in the garbage. This is happening in all middle and high schools across the district. There are also messes being made with paper towels, soap, and toilet paper in both boy’s and girl’s restrooms and locker rooms.
At BMS, we have had a very few incidents. First–thank you to our students and to our community!!! Second, I encourage you to discuss this with your child. As I mentioned we have not seen extensive impact at our school, but if your child has information, they can report it to any adult in the school. They can also utilize the SafeUT app to report it if they don’t want to talk to an administrator. If the information leads to who is responsible, schools have been offering a reward. Students engaging in these behaviors are being charged for labor and replacement equipment and other appropriate consequences.
Bruins Time/Second Step —We want your child to be successful in school, which means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is essential, students also need to learn challenges, make good decisions, handle strong emotions, and get along with others. On Fridays, we have 20 minutes of Bruins Time attached to 4th period/lunch. For the beginning of the school year, we have been using Stop, Walk, and Talk, an antibullying program that teaches our students sentence stems to address bullying when they see it and to let an adult know.
On Friday, we’ll begin Second Step® Middle School, a research-based program designed to improve students’ skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem-solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. We have been teaching this curriculum for 4 years. We began after we had some very tragic events with former students of BMS. As a staff and community we were highly concerned with finding mental health supports and curriculum that could both strengthen the resilience of our students and provide them with strategies for them to use as they faced challenges in life. Our feeder elementaries were using this program and so we looked into it along with the District. BMS was one of the schools that piloted this program.
These include:
- Mindsets and Goals: Students learn to develop a growth mindset and apply research-based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
- Recognizing Bullying and Harassment: Students learn to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment.
- Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn to recognize strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress.
- Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies to develop and maintain healthy relationships, perspective-taking, and deal with conflict.
If you want to review the curriculum, you have three options: 1) Review anytime during school hours in a conference room on a Chromebook. 2) Go to the district office and preview there. 3) Attend a group preview session with an administrator (reply to this email if you are interested in this option.) If you have any other questions at all about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also know that you are ALWAYS welcome to come in and preview as much of the curriculum as you wish. I appreciate your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community.
Parent Teacher Conferences: Parent Teacher Conferences Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
- On Tuesday, September 21st, appointments will be in person at the school in teacher classrooms. Here is a link to a school map.
- On Wednesday, September 22nd, appointments will be on Zoom. On the morning of September 22nd, we will email to all parents a list of the links/phone numbers for the Zoom/calls. Parents can access through the Zoom link for a video conference or use the phone number and code to call in and conference through the phone.
BMS Parent Teacher Conferences Fall 2021.pdf
Build-A-Bruin: We’re excited about our Build-A-Bruin program this year. This has been very popular in past years. Below is how it runs:
- 10-piece Bear puzzle for every day classes OR a 5-piece Bear puzzle for every other day classes. A puzzle piece is added each time a 1st period class has 85% attendance.
- When a bear is complete, the class receives a certificate, a small treat for the class, and an announcement will be made. The class will spin the Build-A-Bruin wheel for prizes (mechanical pencils, chips, 5 Bruin Bucks, and many others). The puzzle will then be reused to earn additional certificates and rewards. This will continue through the remainder of the year.
The following classes earned a Build-A-Bruin Bear this week:
- Senora Cole
- Mrs. Giles
- Mrs. Hemingway
- Mr. Olsen
- Mrs. Stanton
Golden Bruin: This distinguished award is awarded each quarter to students who had a 3.8 GPA, all H’s, no office referrals, and 0 tardies. Our first Golden Bruin day was National Trail Mix Day. Our current group is only 7th and 8th graders. 6th graders will be added in 2nd quarter (based on 1st quarter student information).
The GREAT Store: I am not sure if your student has shared, but we have moved to a digital program for our Bruins Bucks. So far it is a hit!!! Students love to collect points and check their balances. Students earn Bruins Bucks for a variety of good behaviors from teachers, aides, administrators, etc. The PTSA and the SCC have donated money to purchase the items in the GREAT store. Parents can also donate if you wish. You could donate items or money. Money donations go through the Main Office, Ms. LaDena Saxey. If you would like to donate to our GREAT Store please contact Ms. Halley Nelson at halley.nelson@canyonsdistrict.org.
Parents–We need Your Help
- Attendance Office: As we have started this year, we are experiencing a higher volume of calls than we have typically had in the past. We have three people in the main office to answer phones and help students and patrons. We know that there are a few calls that did not make it through. Currently, 7:45–8:10 is extremely busy as we work with phones, students needs in the morning, substitutes, finding coverage for classes where we do not have a substitute available. (see need for emergency subs), etc. We do want to answer your call and help you. Please be patient if you are calling during that time. If you are calling for something non-urgent, we are requesting that you call after 8:15 when most of the busy-ness of the morning has settled a bit.
- Emergency Substitutes: If you have the ability and the time, we need emergency substitutes. You can sign up with the district to be a substitute and specify you only want BMS or a specific set of schools. You can also contact Ms. LaDena Saxey to sign up to be an emergency sub or to find out more. You will need to complete a background check. Call the main office at (801) 826-6800 between 8:00 a.m.and 2:00 p.m. or email ladena.saxey@canyonsdistict.org.
Upcoming Events:
- September 17 6th Grade SBO Announcements
- September 21 NetSmarz Assembly (Digital Citizenship)
- September 23 Golden Bruin Reward (National Checkers Day)
- September 21, 4-7:30 PM In person Parent-Teacher Conferences by appointment
- September 22, 4-7:30 PM Virtual/Phone call Parent-Teacher Conferences by appointment
- September 24 Compensatory Day (No School)
- October 1 School Picture Retakes
- October 14 & 15 Fall Recess (No School)
If you are feeling that more than normal anxiety or stress is happening with you or your child, please let us know. If you are noticing excessive amounts of homework, please contact us. You can contact a teacher, the counselors, or the administration. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help.
And remember,
It’s always a GREAT day. . . To be a BRUIN!!!
Ms. Paula Logan
Ongoing Items: These items have been addressed before, but you may need the information again.
Contacting Teachers: There are two ways to contact teachers:
Email—firstname.lastname@canyonsdistrict.org
Call the Main Office and leave a message, 801-826-6800
Once you have sent an email or left a message, please allow 24-48 hours for a response. If you are coming to the building to meet with a teacher, I encourage you to set an appointment. This helps everyone know the when and where and why, so the meeting/appointment can address the concerns productively. There are various meetings, classes, and activities that involve teachers after school. We tend to have our school faculty meetings on Mondays after school. Beyond that, teachers are involved in various trainings, Bruins Den, Math Help, after school activities, student meetings, etc. While these are not every evening, it is frustrating for everyone when a drop-in meeting cannot be accommodated.
