Greetings,
The weather has been so delightful this week. I love the bright sunshine days—even if they can be chilly. This morning was just lovely as I helped with the crosswalk. The mountains were just glorious! I know you hear it from me a lot, but I do love our crisp, cool days. We finished up 3rd Quarter today! It’s hard to believe the two years ago we sent our students home, and we were all online. What a whirlwind the past two years have been for everyone. It is impressive the resilience of our students and our community. Wow!!!
This week has been terrific. It was a full week and the kids have been GREAT. I was in several classes and so impressed with the critical thinking that was happening and how deeply thoughtful our students were in their responses. Learning is awesome!!!! We also held the talent show tryouts this week, and we have so many amazing students!!! I am really impressed with their confidence and creativity.
Thank You for our Teacher of the Year Nominations. We had over 200 nominations and almost every staff member received at least one nomination. They were heartfelt words and comments. We are planning to share those with our staff next Friday. Thank you for the kind words, for taking the time to share, and for raising children who did the same. It really meant a lot to me to read through those comments and it will be so impactful to our teachers as we share. THANK YOU!!!!
As we start 4th Quarter, we want to remind you about some of our expectations. We do review these items in various ways through announcements:
· Dress Code: With the joy of spring, comes the warmer weather and we start to have more issues with students and dress code. Would you please work with your student to be sure what they are wearing to school is appropriate. 🙂 According to District Policy,
“Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off, or immodest, e.g., short shorts, mini-skirts, bare midriffs, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank shirts, or similar clothing. Clothing shall cover the midriff, underwear, backs, and cleavage at all times. Skirts, dresses and shorts must be at least mid-thigh length or longer when seated.” Shoes are to be worn at all times and hats are to be removed upon entering the building.
Think of this as preparing students to dress for success. Clothing that distracts or interferes with the learning atmosphere is not appropriate in the school setting. Students who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to change clothes. If that is not possible, parents will be contacted to bring a change of clothing. If more appropriate clothing cannot be acquired, the student will be held in the main office until the issue can be resolved. Our objective is to foster learning. We do not want to remove students from class and learning, and we look upon that as a last resort. Please encourage your student to dress in a manner that will follow the District guidelines and is appropriate in a school/work setting. Thank you!
· After School Supervision: With the warner weather, there have been a few unfortunate situations at the Rec Center and in the field behind the school after the school day is over. Some of the students are from BMS, some from Brighton, and some from other schools. Small groups of young adults have been extremely rude in language and behavior to drivers and adults, created messes and left laughing, and have been involved in more dangerous things such as climbing on the bathroom structures, breaking car windows, and unsafe activities on the climbing bars. Please be aware that there is not supervision in these areas. We ask that all students are on their way home by 3:00. The school staff generally leaves between 3:20 and 4:00. The Rec Center does not have staff who regularly supervise the outside. Please understand that a lack of supervision often leads to poor group choices. Make a plan with your child to be in a safe and supervised location at the end of the school day.
PTSA Announcements –
· Help Wanted – Hey parents, we need your help for our next year’s PTSA Board of Directors. We have several positions still available. Please email your contact information to the PTSA @ butlerptsa@gmail.com
· Memory Books for sale $35 – please pre-order your copy today from the main office!!
6th Grade Parents – It is a good time to start thinking about getting 7th grade immunizations. 7th Grade Immunizations
Build A Bruin – In our 1st period classes we have an ongoing competition. Each classroom has a Bruin Bear with 10 puzzle pieces. Each day that 85% of the class is on time and in attendance, they get a puzzle piece. The following first period classes earned a Bruin so far this month:
· Mrs. Bradshaw
· Mr. Chen
· Mr. Evans
· Mrs. Hemingway
· Mr. Sanderson
· Mrs. Schneggenberger
· Mrs. Stanton
Parent Resources – This has been a difficult year for many of us. I imagine that we are all feeling unusual amounts of stress and anxiety. Our students are feeling it too. The majority of the time we all seem to be able to interact in positive ways to solve our concerns and deal with questions. I have talked with our staff and I want to remind you that we are all trying to do what is best for our students (your children). It takes us working together and listening to each other—even if we do not agree exactly on the outcome, we can find ways to move forward with respect and kindness.
Here are a few articles that I found thoughtful as we all try to navigate through this life together. There are a few things mentioned that caused me to pause and consider my professional and personal interactions. We can all use and show a little more grace and kindness—whether in an email, at the grocery, at the dinner table, or at work.
· https://healthyhumanlife.com/blogs/news/being-kind
· https://swhelper.org/2020/04/06/how-being-kind-to-others-makes-you-feel-better/
· https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/isnt-what-i-expected/201409/little-kindness-does-go-long-way
· https://projecthelping.org/kind-online/
· https://whatisessential.org/7-tips-master-art-disagreement-without-disrespect
Upcoming Events –
· March 21 First day of 4th Quarter
· March 25 Virtual Learning Day – A Day
· March 31 Talent Show, TOY announcement
· April 4-8 Spring Recess
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.
· Bruins Den – March 22, 23, and 24. The Bruins’ Den is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:00- 4:00 PM in the Media Center. This is a time for students to complete homework and/or get help from teachers. Each afternoon, two teachers are available in the Media Center to assist with student homework. Students can work on their own or get assistance from a teacher.
Registration Time Line–FYI
· February—collect course request numbers from students/review permits and boundary student numbers to determine how many permits we can facilitate. We have reviewed overall numbers and permits. At this time, we have completed the open enrollment permits. Currently both our 6thand 8th grade are at 320 and we have a waiting list for these two grades. 7th Grade for next year is just over 300. Permits from this point forward will be placed on a waiting list for next year. We will look at permits and numbers again towards the end of June.
· March—look at funding and request numbers to determine courses for next year
· April/May—create a school schedule for next year(which classes are taught which periods)—run projections to see the best combination of courses each period (what configuration gets the most students in their top requests).
· June/August—work with counselors to finalize student schedules
· August—Parents register students online
· ~August 10—Schedules available
· August 12—6th Grade Orientation
· August 15—School Starts
