Principal's Weekly Update

Social media plays a big role in the lives of our middle school students: shaping how they connect, communicate, and see the world. As they navigate these digital spaces, it's more important than ever that we work together to help them become responsible and thoughtful digital citizens.

I’d like to invite you to join me for a casual conversation this Tuesday (more details below) about the impact of social media and how we can partner to guide and support our students in making safe, respectful, and informed choices online.

Your voice and insight are incredibly valuable, and I look forward to connecting with you.

-Ms. Rivera & Ms. Rockwell

Social media is a major source of conflict in middle school, and we require parent/family partnership to ensure students are being safe online! See this free resource to learn how to help your child be sale online and in the real world, followed by free online lessons to open up discussion (from Common Sense Media):

What Is the Attention Economy? (Sixth Grade): After reflecting on how their attention is limited, students learn about strategies that companies use to hook and hold our attention for financial gain. Then, kids think about how they can use their attention for their own benefit, to support their goals and well-being.

What Are Design Tricks? (Seventh Grade): As students get older, they learn about more design tricks, reflect on which ones impact them and how, and identify strategies to resist the tricks they can now name and recognize.

App Traps & Addictive Design (Eighth Grade): First, students learn about addictive vs. humane tech design. Then they take the reins and innovate with humane design features to address common negative impacts of media and tech, like sleep disruption or rabbit holes.

We are pleased to invite you to the B. Gale Wilson Middle School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the newly built gymnasium.

Below is a photo compilation of the gym construction project, courtesy of Mr. Mulvihill:

Our PE department will be slowly rolling out our changing out expectations & procedures, along with lockers/lock information and uniforms (coming soon!). Stay tuned!

In partnership with many local organizations and agencies, including the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, the city of Suisun City, the city of Fairfield and The Salvation Army Kroc Center, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is excited to invite your 8th grade student to Inspire Dreams Start Now!

This event will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. Permission slips are coming home next week. Please return them ASAP to secure your child's spot!

See below for a student request for a student created club!

Our student store called the ​"Cat Corner" is returning! The store will be open once a month for students to purchase various items using their PBIS ROAR points. ​We will be open for the first ​time on Tuesday, ​September 30th. We are looking for donations to get out store up and running. ​If you are able to donate treats, ​or small toys that would be greatly appreciated. You can drop off the donations to the front office. Please just mark them for ​Cat Corner.

GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) testing for the 2025–2026 school year will take place November 5–14, 2025.

2nd Grade: All 2nd grade students will be screened for GATE through the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability test unless families return an opt-out letter (mailed mid-September, due back by October 24).

Grades 3–7: Students may be tested again if referred by a parent/guardian. To request GATE screening for your student through the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, please complete the GATE Test Referral Form by October 10. If your student is referred by a teacher or staff member, you will also receive an opt-out letter. Please return the form to your child’s school only if you do not want your student to be tested.

To learn more about gifted learners, visit the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).

Gifted students often show traits such as:

• Advanced vocabulary (may be in their primary language), rapid learning, and strong memory

• Deep curiosity, intense interests, creativity, and problem-solving skills
  

• Emotional depth, sensitivity, and original thinking
  

BGW holds weekly math tutoring sessions. See this month's schedule below:

We have our first round of games this week - at home!

Upcoming Game Schedule:

Cross Country🏃🏻‍♀️ Wednesday @ Green Valley @ 4pm AWAY

Volleyball 🏐 Thursday vs. Crystal @ 4pm HOME

Flag Football 🏈 Thursday vs. Crystal @ 4:30pm HOME

Only students from BGW and the opposing school will be allowed entry if unaccompanied by adults, and MUST have their school ID to enter.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding sports, please contact our Athletic Director, Tina Brucia, at tinab@fsusd.org.

Quick PTO Reminders for Next Week! (additional details in flyers below)

• 1st PTO General Meeting of the year Wednesday 9/24 from 6:30-7:30 PM! Join us in the BGW library or online from https://meet.google.com/ncn-jjwd-stb. See you there!

• PTO Membership Drive continues through 9/30.Sign up via the 2025-2026 PTO Membership Form to enter your students in raffle for great prizes. Attendance the PTO General Meeting on 9/24 for extra raffle entry.

• Chipotle Dine and Donate 9/25!Please share with local friends and family! Support our BGW PTO while taking a night off from cooking and dishes. Between 4-8 PM on Thursday 9/25 at Chipotle on Gateway Blvd., dine in and show flyer or order online for pickup with code XZCAZLN, and Chipotle will donate 25% of sales!

• Blacklight Bash Dance ticket sales continue!Students are added to the approved guest list once the PTO has received both a permission form and payment and the office has cleared the student. Don’t miss out—this will be an event to remember! Blacklight Bash Permission Form

Buscamos voluntarios bilingües (español e inglés) que quieran ayudar a la Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO) a llegar a más familias. Si puede ayudarnos a traducir nuestras comunicaciones en español, contáctenos por correo electrónico a bgwilsonpto2.fairfield@gmail.com o a través de nuestras redes sociales. ¡Gracias por su apoyo!

We are looking for bilingual (Spanish and English) volunteers who want to help the PTO reach more families. If you are able to help us translate our communications into Spanish, please contact us by email at bgwilsonpto2.fairfield@gmail.com or through our social media channels. Thank you for your support!

Our goal is to upgrade our recess equipment for student use. Here are two ways you can help:

• Request a marquee message for your Wildcat
• Shop & Donate

We're excited to bring back the Strengthening Families Workshop Series in partnership with SCOE! This 3-part series is open to all FSUSD families and offers practical tools to nurture children's self-esteem, improve communication, and strengthen family connections.

Strengthening Families Workshop: A 3-Part Workshop Series for Parents & Caregivers
Discover simple strategies and tools to nurture your child’s self-esteem, strengthen family connections, and support your family’s overall well-being.
Session Dates:

• Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am
• Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am
• Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am

Location: Fairview Elementary School (830 First St, Fairfield, CA)

Child care provided

Register here: fsusdlinks.org/FamilySeries

Fortaleciendo Familias: Serie de 3 talleres para padres y cuidadores
Encontrará estrategias y herramientas sencillas para fomentar el autoestima de su hijo(a), fortalecer el vínculo familiar y apoyar completamente el bienestar de su familia.
Fechas de los talleres:

• Miercoles, 24 de septiembre de 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am
• Miercoles, 1 de octubre de 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am
• Miercoles, 15 de octubre de 2025 | 8:30–9:30 am

Ubicación: Escuela Primaria Fairview (830 First St, Fairfield, CA)

Cuidado de niños disponible

Regístrese aquí: fsusdlinks.org/FamilySeries

We have open positions at BGW! Come join our team!

• Community Outreach Liaison

B. Gale Wilson Middle School

Home of the Wildcats

Email: bgws@fsusd.org
Website: www.fsusd.org/o/bgwms
Location: 3301 Cherry Hills Court Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 421-4225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGWMiddle
Instagram: instagram.com/bgwwildcats/