Greetings,
I cannot believe we are already through Term 1 and starting Term 2. An amazing amount of work and effort has gone into the our in person and online programs from both the school side and the home side. Canvas has had some interesting challenges, and just as your children are spending more time on Canvas, our teachers have been working as well to input lessons and assignments. It has been a monumental task that will likely continue throughout the school year for all of us. But we also know that we will find the routines and patterns that work best. It is what we do. First quarter had a lot of first time experiences. We are hopeful that the adjustments we make for second quarter will improve outcomes for students, parents, and teachers. Thank you for your patience and good will. We are in this together.
Students Returning to In Person
Welcome to In Person!!! On Monday you will be starting up with us in person. Here are a few things to review that might help your child with those first day nerves:
Online Students–Students remaining online or transitioning to online:
We will have an email coming to you on Monday or Tuesday of next week. We are shifting to daily meets during your class period. This will start on Wednesday of next week. We are still working through a few elements and will send you information late Monday or early Tuesday with the specifics.
We Need Your Help--We have had a few students who have tested positive for COVID. Many of you have had a child who was quarantined due to exposure. While the total number of active cases has not required a community communication or school closure, we are seeing a slight increase. We are watching this carefully and hope that we remain in Tier 1 (0-5 cases). We would ask for your diligence in talking with your child(ren) and helping us to do our part to mitigate the spread of this virus. Please review with your child the following:
- Face coverings must be worn at all times except when eating and drinking. We are seeing a lot of masks off at the end of the school day with groups of friends much closer than 6 feet.
- Physical distancing will be required when possible. Again, our concern is at the end of the school day.
- Hand sanitizing is expected as you enter and exit rooms. Sanitization stations have been strategically placed throughout the building.
- Water Bottles–we do encourage the use of water bottles (we have two fill stations and a third coming). Drinking fountains do still work, but it is a lot of touch points.
- Students (parents) and staff will be asked to complete a daily symptom checklist prior to coming to school.
College Awareness Week
Although it was a short week, College Awareness Week was quite a success. We had over 500 students “Pledge to go to College”. Teachers shared their college experiences and had open discussions with students throughout the week. We encourage all GREAT Bruins to prepare for college now by thinking about long term goals and how hobbies and interests can be part of their career. Thank you Ms. Heindel for your hard work and countless hours spent making this another successful week.
The BMS Veterans’ Wall
Each year Butler Middle School puts up a Veterans’ Wall. This is a tradition to honor the people who have served in the various branches of the military. We will be posting the name of each Veteran, a picture, the branch of service, years of service, name of the conflict or war during which the Veteran served, and the name of the person submitting and the relationship (friend, uncle, GG grandfather, mom, neighbor, etc.). It can be anyone who is special to you and your family—a close friend, family, a neighbor, etc. Names are submitted to Ms. Van Haaften in the GREAT Room. We will collect names through November and put the names on our Veterans’ Wall. The wall will stay up through Veterans’ Day, November 11th. We also use the information to put together a slideshow. It is a GREAT opportunity to recognize some of the people who have sacrificed for our county and for our rights and freedoms. If you have someone in your life who has served, we encourage you to submit that information. Thank you!
Halloween Costumes
During the school year we have dress up days for various reasons. Please note that dress code is always an expectation; shoes are required; and full-face masks are not allowed. As for Halloween, we have had students (and staff) dress up in the past. On Thursday, October 29th students can wear Halloween Costumes. When working with your student to select a costume, please remember the dress code will still be in effect. Here are some guidelines:
- No full-face mask or full-face paint. We need to be able to visibly identify students even in costumes.
- Costumes should not hinder your ability to participate in classes, including PE or hinder your ability to move through the hallways in a safe manner (blow up costumes).
- Costumes that are provocative, revealing, sexual in nature or employ questionable props are not permitted.
- Costumes that depict violence, alcohol, or drugs are not permitted. Fake (or real) weapons are not allowed.
- Costumes that can be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, heritage or religion are not permitted.
And as always, the costumes or dressings up are optional. Students wearing questionable costumes will be asked to modify their costumes to make them appropriate for school. If you have any questions regarding the appropriateness of your costume idea, we encourage you to speak with a teacher, counselor or administrator. Thank you for taking the time to help your student understand these guidelines.
Virtual Learning Fridays
Free Sack Meals
Free Sack Meals to Fuel Friday’s At-Home Learning were sent home with students after school yesterday. CSD’s Nutrition Services Professionals doubled the number of meals normally prepared on Thursday’s, adding an extra sack meal to the mix for students to take home and enjoy on Friday. The sack meals will be made available free of charge for the remainder of the school year. Meals were distributed at the end of the school day so they could be quickly refrigerated.
Build-A-Bruin
The following 1st period classes reached their classroom goal and got to spin the wheel for prizes:
- Señora Cole B Day
- Mrs. Dunleavy A Day
- Mrs. Hemingway
- Mr. Olsen
- Woolstenhulme B Day
BMS PTSA – We need your help and support!
- “I Matter Because. . . ” This is the theme for the PTSA Reflections Contest: November 2nd: Reflections entries due. (You can submit entries online at https://utahpta.org/ref)
- Please follow the BMS PTSA FaceBook page @butlermiddleptsa
- PTSA Board of Directors: If you can help one day or a few hours every few weeks, please let us know. It takes a village to educate our children. We need your help! The Mission of the PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We are looking for parents to sit on our Board of Directors this year! We are so excited for our kids to be back in school and want to ensure that we are able to obtain our mission. If you are interested please reach out to us. Our email is: butlerptsa@gmail.com
- PTSA Membership Drive: Please join us and help support our students at BMS docs.google.com/document/d/16rvFgTKmmfswFWPSgwNCwMntI08ZZ6aOf-Zryq-SgX0/edit?usp=sharing
Parent Resources
So, the first is an article from the New York Times Magazine related to teens and anxiety. Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety? – The New York Times.pdf. The second is a website, Common Sense Media, www.commonsensemedia.org. This has some great information for parents on books, tv, games, movies, etc. Raising children is difficult and the middle schools years are fraught with hormones and emotions. Hopefully this will help you navigate some of the rough things.
Upcoming Events
- October 23 End of Term 1
- October 23 Virtual Learning Friday (No In-Person School)
- October 28 Golden Bruin National Chocolate Day
- October 29 Halloween Dress Up
- October 30 Virtual Learning Friday (No In-Person School)
- November 2 PTSA Reflections Due
- November 11 Veterans Day
- November 18 SCC; 3:30 p.m.
- November 25-27 Thanksgiving Recess
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: October 27, 28 and 29. 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.
- Emergency Substitutes: If you have the ability and the time, we are in need of 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. ladena.saxey@canyonsdistrict.org.
