BHMS Principal's Update 6/21/23

Hi Bulldog Families,

We hope this summer has started off the way you had hoped. While summer is just fresh in our minds, it will certainly go by fast. We will be sending correspondence throughout the summer to do our best to help 8th graders moving to 9th nd 5th graders moving to 6th transition effectively. Each time we send the newsletter, we'll be discussing upcoming events as well as things needed for the following year.

As the summer progresses, we want to wish you a wonderful time with friends and family. If you have any questions about BHMS throughout the summer, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Mike D'Ostilio

In this Newsletter:

New and Important Information

• Past Newsletters/Principal's Updates
• What it means to be a Bulldog
• Remind Concerns
• PTO Board 2023-24
• Summer Camps/Clinics
• Athletic Information
• Summer Reading
• 5th-6th Grade Transition Info
• 8th-9th Grade Transition Info

Recurring Information

• Book Smiles
• PTO
• Building Better Bulldogs
• Click this Link for More Repeat Information from Week to Week

June/July...AI Summer Camp (See Sign Up Below)

June 19-22/26-29...Girls Basketball Camp (See Sign Up Below)

June 30...Last Day to Register for 8th-9th Grade Transition Camp (See Below)

July 10-Aug 10...Various Orchestra Camps (See Sign Up Below)

August 4...Last Day to Sign Up for 6th Grade Orientation

August 15 and 16...6th Grade Orientation

September 6...First Day of School

Click on these links:

• Past newsletters and correspondence

• Bunker Hill Daily Morning Announcements

• Bunker Hill Times Student Newspaper/Periodical

• Don't forget to scroll all the way down on this newsletter for Twitter and Remind Update

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!!! Go to this link: Parks and Rec Summer Program Directory to Register

A special thank you to all those parents who took on a role in the PTO for the 2023-24 school year to keep BHMS thriving.

PTO Officers:

• President: Temperance Williamson
• Vice President: Munira Mehta
• Treasurer: Tiffany Orihel
• Secretary: Natalie Beury
• Teacher Representative: Mary Grace Parchesky

Members at Large:

• Jill Cummings
• Jennifer D'Ostilio
• Kristine Lafferty
• Kimberly Quan

Thank you to Allison Brewer, Heather Crotty, and Heather Mace for all they have given for the benefit of our children at BHMS over the last three years.

Currently, Remind has become problematic across the district because, just like many social media platforms, it is no longer a free service. For free users, there is a weekly limit. Therefore, since the Reminds in the district are all connected, it's almost impossible to send information via Remind. Many schools like ours are using our texting service through PowerSchool to help offset this communication glitch. Therefore, please make sure your cell phone numbers are updated in PowerSchool so you can get the text message. Everything will be texted there as well as emailed. Also, please consider signing up for the BHMS Twitter in addition to other BHMS social media. The district uses their respective school Twitter accounts to also get information out fast. The handle for the Bunker Hill Twitter is @Official_BHMS

On the Athletics Page....

Make sure you review the "Participation Information" as well as "Forms and Paperwork." Reminder:

• A student cannot try out or practice for any sport without a verified athletic physical.
• For students remaining at BHMS, you need physicals to try-out/participate in the following: Dance team, Wrestling, Field Hockey, Basketball.
• Physicals must be in at least 3-4 weeks prior to the first practice. It takes at least 3 weeks to review. The nurse has to verify the form, then send it to the district doctor who reviews the form. Sometimes the doctor does not endorse the physical and asks the nurse to go back to the families for more information. This could be a long process.
• Please shoot for end of July/early August to get your physicals in

Good Afternoon 8th Grade Parents and Guardians,

Please see the attached document, the below dates for the WTHS Summer Transition Camp and Open House in August. Our WTHS Summer Transition Camp is designed to orientate students in making a successful transition into WTHS. The program will be facilitated by high school staff members and student leaders at no cost. The goal of the program is to acclimate students to the daily operations of the high school. This includes but is not limited to learning the building layout, utilizing available resources, and navigating Schoology and PowerSchool. Use the attached link or QR code to register; students must be registered by Friday, June 30, 2023. Lastly, our WTHS PTO graciously purchases t-shirts for incoming freshmen each year. Please access this form and complete the necessary information for your student’s t-shirt sizing for 2023-2024 school year. The deadline for t-shirt submissions is Tuesday, May 31, 2023.

WTHS Transition Camp Dates
(Two Day Program; students will choose one session - AM or PM)

Tuesday, August 15 and Wednesday, August 16
AM Session - 9:00am to 11:30am
Tuesday, August 15 and Wednesday, August 16
PM Session - 12:30pm to 3:00pm

WTHS Open House/Visit

August 24 – WTHS will be open for student/parent walk throughs anytime between 9:00am to 12:00pm
August 25 – WTHS will be open for student/parent walk throughs anytime between 9:00am to 12:00pm

Have a great day and end to the school year!
WTHS Administration

Families, please click button above to sign up for the orientation and if you will be needing transportation to the school. So far we've had over 100 students sign up.

The deadline to RSVP is August 4 so we can get an accurate head count. On the sign up sheet, you will be asked if you plan to attend, if you need transportation and what elementary school you attended. On this day, students will learn all about being a Bulldog, navigating the halls, and how to open a locker. Students will get their schedules via PowerSchool later in August. Since some of you have indicated you will be taking the bus. We are going by that count you provided us to ensure transportation.

Please be advised that the second day of orientation will be extended, and we will have a 6th grade gathering with music and food for all BHMS 6th graders to spend time with their friends before getting heading into the final weeks of the summer.

During the summer for 2020, a team of teachers and community members got together to discuss what we should affirm as a school in order to provide student voice and acknowledge that student voice and provide them an opportunity not only to be heard but for us to truly listen and learn from what the students are telling us.

This pandemic has created so many questions and concerns for students that are well beyond academics. We are committed to providing a safe environment where students can express themselves as they question the ebb and flow of their world around them. Please see below our affirmations about Buidling Better Bulldogs and the people we as Bulldogs aim to be.

Click on this link for our Affirmations and Guiding Principles

Email: ddijohn@wtps.org
Website: https://www.wtps.org/bunkerhill
Location: 372 Pitman Downer Road, Sewell, NJ, USA
Phone: 856 881 7007
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialBHMS
Twitter: @Official_BHMS