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 nine school days remaining this year. Despite the handful of days remaining, 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.
Should you need anything for the remainder of the school year or this summer, please reach out to me or your child’s assistant principal or counselor:
6th grade:
Assistant Principal - Sarah.Gordy@fcps.org; School Counselor - David.Ledyard@fcps.org
7th grade:
Assistant Principal - Susan.Messmore@fcps.org; School Counselor -Johnny.Webber@fcps.org
8th grade:
Assistant Principal - Nyesha.Lanes@fcps.org; School Counselor - Rebecca.Reese@fcps.org
Our school counselors will have limited hours this summer, but our administrative team will be available Monday through Thursday most weeks. We will do our very best to respond to you as soon as possible.
Take care,
Jay Schill
Principal, BCMS
We can’t believe we are already at the end of the 25-26 school year. This year has gone by so quickly. As we move closer to the last day of day, please make sure your student is keeping up with their assignments. Term 4 report cards will be sent out on June 30th.
Attention 8th grade students: Information about THS 9th Grade Orientation will be sent home with your term 4 report card. Please reach out to your student’s grade level counselor if you have any questions. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer.
David Ledyard 6th Grade David.Ledyard@fcps.org
Johnny Webber 7th Grade Johnny.Webber@fcps.org
Rebecca Reese 8th Grade Rebecca.Reese@fcps.org
The Special Education Department thanks all of our families for your support throughout this school year. We are especially grateful for the dedication of our case managers who will be leaving us to begin new adventures — Ms. Holt, Mr. Britt, and Mrs. Nuckols. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and thank them for the positive impact they have made on our students and school community.
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!
LINQ Connect
Graduating or Moving?
The end of the school year is coming fast, so now’s the time to take a quick look at your student’s meal account in LINQ Connect.
*Here’s how to take control of your funds based on your plans for next year:
If your student returns next year:
Check your balance and add funds if needed
Update any personal information that’s changed
If your student is graduating:
Make sure your meal balance is at $0 by the last day of school
*Contact your school district if you have any questions about remaining funds
If your student is moving to a different district:
Bring your balance to $0 before the last day of school
Meal accounts do not follow students between districts
Contact your school district if you have any questions about remaining funds.
Donate Unwanted Pairs Glasses
Due to an overwhelming need, I will continue to collect old eye glasses and cases that you are not using. Someone somewhere can use them and will be ever so thankful to you. Turn them
in to the front office ( label them "Attention: Ms. Rogers").
Used glasses will be collected until June 12, 2026.
Reduced Price Haircuts
Introducing Sliceology Barbershop. They are a community organization who wishes to give back to the community. We at Ballenger Creek Middle School are being offered free (as designated by the Community Liaison) and reduced (40%) haircuts from their shop. If you or a member of your family is interested
in receiving their services please come and
see Ms. Rogers for a coupon.
McKinney-Vento Information
Parents: important information for you.
IF YOUR FAMILY LIVES IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:
A. Staying with other people because you had to leave your home
B. In a motel or campground
C. In a shelter
D. In a car, park, abandoned building, or home without utilities or very overcrowded
Your pre-K and school age children may qualify for rights and
protections under the federal McKinney -Vento Act.
Contact your local liaison: 240-586-8760 MKVHub@fcps.org
Ballenger Creek Middle School-- Ms. Kathleen Rogers Kathleen.rogers@fcps.org
227-203-2168 ext. 41585
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 earned 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!
Accepting EOY Picnic Donations
We are in need of pre-packaged snacks, freeze pops, and small water bottles to help each grade level celebrate their End of Year Picnics. Please makes sure to note the grade level you wish or intend for it to be designated. We have roughly 250 students per grade level.
Please leave all donations in the front office with the grade level marked clearly on the packaging before June 5th.
Thank you!
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
Tuscarora High School Sports News
Get ready for four nights of football, competition, and fun this summer at the Tuscarora Youth Football Camp! Open to boys and girls entering grades 4–9, this camp is designed for athletes of all experience levels — whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills for the upcoming season. Campers will learn football fundamentals, improve speed and agility, compete in exciting drills and games, and build confidence while being coached by Tuscarora players and staff. Join us Monday, June 8 through Thursday, June 11 from 5:30–8:00 PM at Tuscarora H.S. for
an exciting week of energy, teamwork, and football fun!
Click here to learn more and register: 2026 Titans Youth Football Camp
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
Carroll Manor Elementary School
July 27 - 30, 8:00AM - 4:00PM
For more information contact Annikah.Moaratty@fcps.org
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:
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.