The Bulldog Blast
BCMS Community Newsletter
Dear Ballenger Creek Middle Families,
I hope that you and your loved ones are well. As I write this, we have 28 school days left before summer! Though we’re aware that the time left in the year is limited, we are grateful for your help in reminding our students that there is still learning to be done and we appreciate their continued focus in their classes.
We still also have a number of events to look forward to, including our 8th grade move-up ceremony at Tuscarora High School, the 8th grade dance, and grade level end-of-year picnics. Please see our school website for details.
As always, it’s been a pleasure for our school team to partner with you to benefit your children this year. Please remember, we’re here for the rest of the school year (and administrators throughout the summer) if you have questions or need ideas or resources to help your child. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Take care,
Jay Schill
Principal, BCMS
We can’t believe we are only a few weeks away from the end of the 25-26 school year. Just a reminder to parents: midterm for term 4 is May 1st. Please check in with your student to make sure all their assignments have been submitted before teachers record their final midterm grade. Have your student contact their teacher is they have questions about assignments. For all general questions, feel free to contact your students grade level counselor.
6th Grade David Ledyard David.ledyard@fcps.org
7th Grade Johnny Webber johnny.webber@fcps.org
8th Grade Rebecca Reese Rebecca.reese@fcps.org
We sincerely appreciate the continued support from our families during testing and this busy midpoint of the term. Your partnership plays an important role in student success.
Together, we are making a meaningful difference. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s case manager to share any positives or concerns.
The case managers for each grade level are as follows:
6th Grade: Elissa Grimm and Danielle Holt
7th Grade: Emily Pemrick and Tyler Britt
8th Grade: Ashley Nuckols and Kelsey Summers.
Speech and Language: Kellee Byun
Thank you for your ongoing collaboration.
Advanced Academics
Dual Enrollment:
Dual Enrollment (DE) courses allow students to earn college credits before they graduate from high school. These courses are offered through a partnership between Frederick Community College (FCC) and Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS).
For more information, visit the DE website: https://www.frederick.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment.aspx (there are three upcoming information sessions) and to get an idea of the current course offerings, view the slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IyUhzmObvNVVaFCMyK3LcKTG3YbvxpIupJFxJtwH0BE/edit?slide=id.g2b28bc03c83_0_0#slide=id.g2b28bc03c83_0_0 ;
Mathematics Department:
In honors classes, students will be reviewing module 8 starting to work on Module 9: Volume and Surface Area. Students will review and extend their knowledge on volume and be introduced to the concept of surface area of three dimensional figures. They will also explore where in real life these math concepts can be applied.
7th Grade: Students will be working through Module 9 (Measure Figures) and starting Module 10 (Probability). In Module 9, students will find the area and circumference of circles, area of composite figures, and volume and surface area of prisms. In Module 10, students will determine the likelihood, relative frequency, and theoretical probability of simple events, as well as simulate chance events and explore probability of compound events.
7ACC: Students will finish Module 10 (Sampling and Statistics). Module 10 deals with samples, populations, and making predictions about data. Students will then complete Module 11 (Geometric Figures). In Module 11, students will use angle relationships (such as vertical, adjacent, complementary, and supplementary) to find missing values, as well as use parallel lines to find missing angles, solve for missing values in triangles, analyze scale drawings, and explore three-dimensional figures.
8th Grade: Students will be reviewing key topics from this year that will best prepare them for Algebra next year. Students will also be exploring how Math can be used in real life situations such as budgeting and planning a vacation.
Algebra: Students will be finishing Module 9 (Exponential Functions) and taking the Algebra MCAP Exam on 5/11 - 5/12. Students must pass the MCAP Exam with a score of 750 in order to receive the credit needed to graduate high school. After the MCAP Exam, students will begin exploring topics that will prepare them for Geometry.
Students should be completing weekly ALEKS topic goals in Math. Students should be checking their Math Schoology pages to see their specific weekly goal. Students can monitor their own progress by checking their topic reports in ALEKS. For questions about ALEKS topic goals, please reach out to your student’s grade level math teacher, our school Math Specialist, Ms. Moffitt (Maleita.Moffitt@fcps.org), or our school Math Department Chair, Ms. Dickson (ashley.dickson@fcps.org).
Students should be checking their grade reports on Schoology weekly to see updates regarding missing/re-do work. If there are any questions regarding student grades, please reach out to your student’s grade level math teacher.
Media Center And Technology
Please use the following link for updates and information regarding the Media Center and Technology: https://secure.smore.com/n/7pd81
- Jenn Lungociu
This year, Ballenger Creek Middle School is focused on helping every student achieve their best, with goals around academic success, attendance, behavior, and wellness. We're working to improve proficiency in both English and Math, reduce chronic absenteeism, and ensure that students are supported in making positive choices. Strategies include high-dosage tutoring, early intervention for attendance, social-emotional learning, and wellness activities.
Families play a huge role in student success! Please encourage your child to attend school every day, and check in regularly on their progress. Together, we can create a strong foundation for your child’s future success.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Some families may have reached out recently about receiving an email related to a class action lawsuit involving Naviance and their parent company, PowerSchool, from Kroll Settlement Administration, LLC. Here are some important facts about the notice.
- FCPS is not a party to this lawsuit and did not file or participate in the legal action. FCPS also did not provide student or family information in connection with the case.
- Families may have received the notification because PowerSchool may have been required to share information as part of the litigation process.
- Because FCPS is not involved in the lawsuit, we are unable to advise families regarding participation. Families with questions about the notice should refer to the information provided in the communication they received.
- This matter is not related to a data breach or PowerSchool SIS.
If parents have questions, they should seek additional details per the email they received.
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes
Our school is only as good as its volunteers, so if you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself and helpful to the school, think about joining the PTSA, Membership is $10 for the year. If you are interested please contact ballengercreekms.ptsa@gmail.com.
BCMS VOLUNTEERS are needed!
Interested family and community members should be directed to the FCPS Volunteer Webpage to follow the new onboarding process found below:
· Complete a registration form.
· Complete one training module on Unified Talent.
· Await school approval on application.
· Once approved, sign-up for volunteer opportunities facilitated by individual schools.
**Please note, this is an annual process and must be completed every school year. To avoid delays, volunteer applicants should only apply once and can be added to multiple schools AFTER initial building approval. Additionally, we are advising all prospective volunteers that they must complete the registration form and training using the exact same full name and email address each time. Using nicknames, abbreviations, hyphen variations, or alternate spellings or email addresses will create delays in import.
Lunch For All
Ballenger Creek Middle’s fundraising page is now live on AllforLunch.org!
www.AllforLunch.org/BallengerCreekMS
This page is dedicated specifically to BCMS, and 100% of the donations will go directly to our school to help eliminate school lunch debt of our students, which is significant. There are no fees, and all donations are tax-deductible. Donors will automatically receive a receipt via email after giving.
We would like to finish the year with no student going into the summer with a debt to our school. We are asking everyone to support this effort and give to our lunch campaign.
Thank you!
All for Lunch and Lunch for All!
Smiles Program
Tooth decay is the No. 1 chronic disease of childhood—but it’s preventable. Your child can get healthy dental care for free! Sign up for the SMILE program today!
SMILE will be conducting their final dental check ups of this school year here at BCMS on May 19th. If you have not gotten your paperwork completed please do so as soon as possible and get it to Ms. Rogers.
You can register here: www.myschooldentist.com/BCFCMDschsrm
Children covered by Medicaid can receive dental care at no cost, making this a convenient option.
BCMS End of Year Activities
As we enter the last month of school, we want to say how much we appreciate working with your students. We had such a wild ride and are glad to see them grow into the young adults that they have become. Please see below the updated events and dates of our 8th graders the final days of the 2025-2026 school year at BCMS:
Thank you for any support you can give our students to wrap up the end of the year!
Check out the BCMS June 2026 calendar below:
The 6th Grade End of Year Picnic will be held on Monday June 8 (Rain Date June 9).
Students may be unable to participate
as a result of their behavior in May.
If a student earns 1 Suspension/In School Suspension, 2 Referrals,
or 3 Lunch Detentions they will not be allowed to participate.
Please speak with your student about finishing the school year strong!
This is an important reminder regarding morning drop-off and
afternoon pick-up procedures for car riders.
We have noticed an increase in families using the staff parking lot for morning drop-off. This creates challenges for staff attempting to park and disrupts traffic flow, as students must cross active car and bus lanes. For student safety and efficiency, all students should be dropped off using the designated car rider line that loops around the basketball court.
Additionally, Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church has opened its daycare. They have graciously continued to allow BCMS families to use the gravel lot located to the left of the church for drop-off and pick-up. Please note that the paved parking lot is coned off and reserved exclusively for daycare providers and families. We kindly ask that you respect these boundaries so we may continue to use their space.
Required Vaccinations
DON’T DELAY! MAKE THE APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We do not have documentation that your child received their Tdap and MCV vaccinations.
Maryland State vaccination requirements for students entering 7th grade for school year 2026 - 2027 include the following:
· One dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MCV, MenACWY, MenABCWY)
· One dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine.*
*Tdap is a booster immunization containing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis vaccines, for pre-teens and teens. If your child has received DPT or DTaP in the past they will still need one dose of Tdap.*
If your child has received these vaccinations, please send the vaccination documentation to their school as soon as possible.
If your child has not received the above vaccinations, we recommend making your child’s appointment now and avoid the possibility of exclusion when students return to school in August 2026.
If you have any questions about the vaccination requirements, please contact your child’s health care provider or the school health room at 227-203-2159.
Thank You,
The School Health Team
End Of Year Medication Pick Up
The last day of school is June 16, 2026.
· According to FCPS Regulation 400-23 students are not permitted to take their medications home at the end of the school year.
· A parent/guardian must pick up all medications in the health room by the end of the school day on
June 16, 2026. To arrange for pick-up please contact health room staff directly.
· All non-emergency medication(s) and expired medication(s) of any kind remaining in the health room will be destroyed at the end of the school day, unless alternate arrangements have been made directly with health room staff.
Click here to read the notice in its entirety.
For Your Information:
In accordance with Operations Department requirements, families are advised that pesticide may be applied on campus through watering procedures on Mondays. Whenever this occurs, a notice will be posted on the main entrance door of the school. This notification is part of our effort to keep our school community informed and aware of campus safety procedures. The notice will read as follows:
Frederick County Public Schools practices a method of pest/weed control known as
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. This is an E.P.A. endorsed program that minimizes the
use of pesticides/herbicides to control pests and weeds. Therefore, only under certain
circumstances is it deemed necessary to use pesticides/herbicides. However, due to a current
problem, noted below, an application will be conducted. This Notice has been posted as part
of the IPM program requirements.
Soccer Camp
The 20th Annual Summer Soccer Camp is set for Monday June 22nd through Thursday June 25th. Friday the 26th will be used as a make up date if needed.
Camp runs from 8:30am-12:30pm each day.
This is a boys only camp (information on a girls camp will be coming soon).
Camp is for boys entering Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. We are expecting upwards of 125 campers again.
Go here to learn more about the camp and to register:
Learn more : https://soccer.titansportscamps.com/index.cfm
Register: https://register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?sport=7&id=321396
Here is a video from Camp a few years ago to give you an idea of what you'll experience:
https://youtu.be/nKQ6lX7SgTQ?si=LjaA-zzJn4-wdxAT
Here is a recap of our 2025 Season (if you haven't seen it yet):
https://youtu.be/wvaz_waZB1g?si=kKv4jqJOeVd_6wUr
Thank you for considering! Please reach out with any questions.
I am also pleased to announce that we are planning a World Cup watch party for the USA vs. Australia game on 6/19 at 3pm. This event will be held in the Tuscarora High Auditorium and feature a jumbo screen. Details to come!-Coach Knepper
Blacktop Futsal Tournament
The 6th Annual Battle of the Blacktop Futsal tournament will take place on Friday, May 15th, from 5:15-7:30pm at the Ballenger Creek Middle School tennis courts. If it rains, we will reschedule for 5/22 at the same time.
If you are unfamiliar with futsal, it's basically street soccer, played on a hard surface.
There will be a 5th and 6th grade division as well as a 7th and 8th grade division. There is no cost to enter and shirts are awarded to the champions. Any 5-8th grade boy who attends a Tuscarora High School feeder school (you will attend Tuscarora for high school) can participate.
The tournament will be run by current high school players and coaches. Coaches will make teams when all players arrive. You must arrive by 5:15pm wearing flat-bottom athletic shoes (no crocs, slides, or cleats) in order to be added to a team. There is no registration for this event.
You will be expected to accept your teammates and learn to play together, regardless of ability or experience.
Parents are encouraged to stay and support.
Thank you!
-Coach Knepper (THS Soccer Coach)
Carroll Manor Elementary School
July 27 - 30, 8:00AM - 4:00PM
For more information contact Annikah.Moaratty@fcps.org
2026 Titans Boys Basketball Camp
Monday, July 20-Thursday, July 23
From 8:30am-12:30pm for Rising 3rd-9th Graders
Tuscarora HS, 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703
For more information contact Coach Dan Wagner at coachwags4@gmail.com 240-772-1428
Troubling Social Media Trends
Parents and guardians, please be aware that social media users are participating in the “Picked my Date” trend on Tik Tok to post their suicide date.
The state’s attorney shared that there is a 200% increase in online sadistic exploitation, where people are telling kids to harm themselves, others, younger siblings, etc.
Youth are being targeted through SnapChat, Instagram, Discord, TikTok, Reddit, WhatsApp, YouTube, and video games with messaging options, like Roblox.
Please take some time to monitor your child's social media accounts and to talk
with them about their mental health and wellbeing.
Upcoming PTSA Events:
Happy Spring!!!
The PTSA has several things to make you aware of this month!
UPCOMING SPIRIT NIGHT!
- Frederick Keys on Thursday, May 7th! Please come out to connect and support our BCMS community - discounted ticket info below.
- We will be seeking new BOARD MEMBERS to help lead and guide the PTSA in the 2026-2027 school year. Elections are in May. If you are interested in serving as an officer or board member next school year, please email ballengercreekms.ptsa@gmail.com
Spirit Night at the Keys!
The PTSA is holding a BCMS SPIRIT NIGHT to see our local Frederick Keys baseball team play on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The Keys are once again affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles this season, so you are likely to see some future stars while supporting our school community.
In addition to the game, students from the BCMS Music Department, led by Ms. Schmidt, will be performing the National Anthem!
We are able to offer tickets at a special rate of $10 (plus processing fees), which saves you money on every ticket!
This game is also taking place during Teacher Appreciation Week, so feel free to invite a staff member to join you!
PLEASE order tickets before May 5th!
We will have pickup times to get your tickets on May 5th and May 6th.
Frederick Keys Stadium
21 Stadium Drive Frederick, MD 21703
BCMS Spirit Wear Is Here!
Our BCMS Spirit Wear Store is finally OPEN!
Click the link below to see the store.
https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/stores/ballenger-creek-middle-school-spiritwear-2724241
If you are looking for a specific item and can't find what you want, let us know! We can try to add more items if there is demand, and if our vendor offers that option.
-The BCMS PTSA Board
School Year 2025-2026
For the 2025/2026 school year,
we wanted to provide a reminder about school meals.
In 2025-26, the price for meals is $1.75 for breakfast and $2.80 for lunch for elementary school students and $2.00 for breakfast and $3.05 for lunch for middle and high school students.
To apply for free and reduced-price meals, Visit the FCPS Food Service
online parent portal at www.linqconnect.com and click on
School Services and then select Free & Reduced Meal Application.
Volunteer Registration And Training Now Available
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is thrilled to partner with family and community members who are interested in joining efforts to support our students and schools with their time and talents by way of volunteering.
Last year, we welcomed over 12,700 volunteers into our school system contributing over 76,550 volunteer hours.
THANK YOU!
This year, FCPS collected the feedback from our volunteers and staff to modify the volunteer process, while prioritizing the safety and security of our students, staff and community. As a result, we have streamlined the process of registration and training to be completed by all volunteers across the county. All volunteers will be equipped with the necessary information they need to partner with our schools.
Family and community members interested in volunteering should begin the volunteer process by visiting our FCPS Volunteer Webpage. Applicants will be directed to:
Complete a registration form.
Complete a training module on Unified Talent.
Await school approval on application.
Sign-up for volunteer opportunities facilitated by individual schools.
*Complete only ONE registration form per person. Additional school selections may be added after original approval.
Please note: To avoid delays, you must complete the registration form and training using the exact same full name and email address each time. Do not use nicknames, abbreviations, hyphen variations, or alternate spellings or email addresses.
The volunteer registration and training process is completed annually for each school year. Volunteers must complete the process before being signed up for volunteer opportunities. FCPS encourages family and community members interested in volunteering to complete the process early as processing times can vary.
For technical support in Unified Talent, volunteer applicants may contact unifiedtalent@fcps.org. For all other volunteer related questions, volunteer applicants may contact: FCPSVolunteers@fcps.org. FCPS is grateful for the generous support from our family and community volunteers.
Click here for the FCPS Volunteer Webpage.
Be sure to consult the Frederick County Public Schools parent handbook and calendar for important dates and observances.
For a copy of the FCPS 2025-2026 SY Calendar, click here.