The Bruin Bite — 22 January

Student Progress – As 3rd Quarter begins, it gives you an opportunity to talk with your students about their progress this year—what have they learned and how are they applying it.  Perhaps they learned more about healthy eating or ways to exercise; maybe they expanded their numeracy skills or reading skills; perhaps they were able to share their artwork or musical/drama talents.  It might be an interesting activity to talk with your children about one new idea/skill they have enjoyed learning this year. How have they built that knowledge? How are they applying it? I say interesting  because I am sure many of these conversations will be like pulling teeth at the beginning. But the end is worth it. It can be a chance for you to recognize and appreciate what your children are learning and for them to see you recognize and appreciate it.  It might be they are learning an instrument, sport or improving their reading, math, art, or musical skills. There is so much knowledge in the world. As we learn new things, it is important to consider how we are using the information to impact our lives and others around us.  Perhaps as a family you might pick a different culture, religion, academic concept, or something and deepen your family’s knowledge in a specific area. Then as a family you could have an activity to use that knowledge. So, if you are willing, that is a challenge for the coming month.  My challenge for this month is to finish reading Brene Brown’s book Dare to Lead. I had started it last year, prior pandemic, but need to get back and finish it. I also was really impressed by Amanda Gorman’s poem at the inauguration. The Hill We Climb is worth reading and even better, watching Ms. Gorman’s performance. Her reading was amazing and had me contemplating quite a few things. Here is a small section of it:   

We are striving to forge a union with purpose

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and

conditions of man

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us

but what stands before us

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,

we must first put our differences aside

We lay down our arms

so we can reach out our arms

to one another

We seek harm to none and harmony for all

BMS Teacher of the Year Nominations – Hopefully you thought about who you want to nominate for 2021’s Teacher of the Year.   Nominations for the BMS Teacher of the Year will be accepted through February 4th.  All nominees are recognized by the school and the PTSA.  Per tradition, Canyons District recognizes a Teacher of the Year from every Canyons school for outstanding teaching practices, professionalism, and community involvement.  Every school-based Teacher of the Year receives gifts and prizes donated by CSD’s generous business partners. Nominations can be sent to the PTSA, dropped off in the main office or you can email the nomination to either the PTSA or to Ms. Logan.  Attached is the nomination form.  Last year’s BMS Teacher of the Year was Mr. Tellez, Band and Orchestra Teacher.  Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Snow Days – Snow days seem like a free day for sledding or loafing on the couch…until those lost instructional hours have to be made up. To spare families and employees from having to adjust their schedules to accommodate make-up days, which can disrupt vacation and holiday plans, the Canyons Board of Education has chosen to take advantage of an option allowed by the Utah State Board of Education to treat “snow days” as remote-learning days. Read more at canyonsdistrict.org about how Canyons will decide if weather and road conditions call for pivoting to remote instruction, and how employees and families will be notified.

Golden Ticket – Sixth-grader invents ‘Real Soda’ for sale in Utah stores.  Butler Middle School’s Rachel Sollis and Mark Sanderson will stop at nothing to find the golden ticket of inspiration for student learning. About a year ago, after reading Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with their sixth-grade students, the two English teachers invited students to invent a soda — Willy Wonka-style. They sponsored a competition to choose one effervescent confection to represent Butler Middle School, and told students the winning flavor would be made into a real soda to be produced and bottled in California and made available in Butler’s “student incentive” store. Due to COVID-related supply-chain delays, it took nearly a year for soda-maker Danny Ginsburg of Real Soda in Real Bottles to produce and ship the winning “Sunset Blend,” which was unveiled the week before Winter Recess. The bright-red bottles are flying off the shelves at retailers in Utah and California, Ginsburg says. “As we all get older, we look back on the teachers we remember who stimulated some interest in us when we were younger and not really sure what we wanted to do with our lives,” he says. “Doing an interactive and innovative project like this can really blossom into something, not just for the students who participate but for those who see what’s possible and are inspired.” Read more about the project and the sixth-grader who created the winning flavor profile and label design.

PTSA Partner Night at Chipotle – School Spirit Tastes Great!  Come to the Chipotle located at 6924 South Park Center Drive – Tuesday, January 26th between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. and enjoy some yummy food.  Show the flyer on your smartphone to the cashier so they are aware that  you are supporting the cause to make sure 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Butler Middle School PTSA.  Order online for pickup through the Chipotle App or Chipotle.com and use promo code #XLMBAN4 – Butler Middle School PTSA.  #ChipotleFundraiser

BMS PTSA Opportunity – The PTSA President oversees school PTSA programs, , runs monthly meetings, and can attend district and council PTSA meetings. While this is a simplified explanation of the role, the person who steps into this role mid year will receive a well running PTSA machine!  All arms of our Butler Middle PTSA are functioning well with strong individuals leading. The President works with the Executive Committee (treasurer and secretary) to oversee the budget and any communications to our school wide PTSA members. The time commitment each month varies between 5-10 hours (the exception being back to school projects in August which are more time consuming).

Parent Resources – On January 20th, we had our teachers deliver the second NetSmarz lesson. Here is the parent flyers for the December and January lessons. We anticipate sending these to you each month so you can talk about it with your child and family.

• Your Child has a Device. . . Now What? Utah NetSmartz – December Timely Tips for Parents.pdf 
• Cyberbullying Utah NetSmartz – January Timely Tips for Parents.pdf 

Build-A-Bruin – The following 1st period classes reached their classroom goal and got to spin the wheel for prizes:

• Mrs. Hemingway

Upcoming Events

• January 23 – Chess Tournament; 9:00 a.m.
• February 1-4  – WIDA Testing
• February 4 – Earthquake Drill
• February 15 – No School (Presidents’ Day)
• February 17 – Spring Pictures
• February 17 – SCC Zoom Meeting; 3:30 p.m.
• February 18 – Midterms

Help Wanted – BMS is looking for a 19 hour ParaEducator.  If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Ms. Sara Allen at (801) 826-6813.

If there is anything we can do to support you and your student, please let us know.  And remember,

It’s always a GREAT day . . . To be a BRUIN!!!

Ms. Paula Logan 

Ongoing Items – These items have been addressed before, but may be needed again.

• Bruins Den – January 26, 27, and 28.  The Bruins Den is available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the GREAT Room.  This is a time for students to complete homework and/or get help from teachers.  Each afternoon, two teachers are available in the GREAT Room to assist with student homework.  Students can work on their own or get assistance from a teacher.  Computers are available for homework.
• Safety Update – The district posts COVID information on the District Dashboard. BMS is listed with 6 cases and 4 students on quarantine.  We know there are some students whose parents are keeping them home due to an exposure.  Thank you!!!.  We are grateful for the care of our community.   Remember to follow the Daily Symptom Checker, and if you have had an exposure to a confirmed case, please quarantine.  Thank you for your efforts and please continue to be vigilant by taking the following precautions:  
• Daily Symptom Checker  
• Wear a face mask anytime you are around people with whom you don’t live.
• Maintain physical distance from those who aren’t in your household.
• Practice good hand-washing hygiene (use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to soap and water).
• Stay home when you: are sick, have symptoms of COVID, have tested positive for COVID, or have been placed on quarantine.