Dear Families,

It's hard to believe that we have already finished our first full month of school. Students are learning a lot and getting to know each other as well as their teachers. We've just begun our Extensions during X Block and they have been well received by the students. Some of the activities that the students have signed up for are: Outside Walking, Get Organized, Sunshine Cafe, Math Extra Help, Lego Club, Board Games, Fantasy Sports, Book Club, Student Council, Science Extra Help, and many more. The students will complete a 5-6 week cycle and then choose new Extensions for Session 2.

Speaking of Student Council, they are still accepting applications for interested students. The deadline has been extended to Monday, October 2. Students can see Mr. Garvin in room 208 to pick up an application.

Our after school Robotics Club is also starting soon. Mr. Morris has posted all of the information for that on the grade level google classrooms. If students are interested, they can see the details there or talk with Mr. Morris in the Tech Room (rm. 130).

On Wednesday, October 4th, we'll be at the half-way mark of Term 1. Be sure to check with your children on any work/assignments/assessments that need to be completed. As always, if you have any questions about your child's class, please reach out to their teacher via email or telephone. Teachers will respond to parent/guardian messages within 48 hours of receiving them.

Please enjoy your weekend even though it's raining (again). It looks like Sunday will be the pick of the weekend.

Ed Connor

Bird Middle School will be having individual Parent - Teacher Conferences on the following days and times:

October 26: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (in person conferences)

October 27: 12:15 – 2:45 PM (virtual conferences)

November 1: 4:00 – 6:00 PM (in person conferences)

In early October, we will send out a newsletter to inform everyone of the sign-up procedures for those conferences.

Please remember to send in a note with your student if they need to be dismissed early from BMS. Students can give the note to their HR teacher or drop it off in the Main Office when they arrive. By doing so, students will then be placed on our "Daily Bulletin", and will be excused from class by their teacher at the proper dismissal time. This will reduce the amount of interruptions caused by calling into the classroom to send down students.

We realize that there are many occasions when your child may need to be dismissed. We prefer if you can please try and dismiss between classes, if possible. The optimal dismissal times for that are: 8:50, 9:45, 10:19, 11:14, 12:37, 1:32.

If you have any questions, please contact bmsoffice@walpole.k12.ma.us

The BMS Library is displaying a selection of books for Hispanic Heritage Month. Mrs. O'Malley has also curated a Hispanic Heritage Destiny Collection of resources including websites, articles, museum links, and book titles.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

ADHD Awareness Month

LGBTQ+ History Month

National Book Month

Socktober

Oct. 6 - Early Release Day: dismissal at 11:30 am

Oct. 9 - No School: Indigenous People's Day

Oct.10 - PAC Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Oct.11 - 8th Grade Ropes Course Field Trip

Oct. 13 - School Picture Day

Oct.20 - Ropes Field Trip Rain Date

Oct. 26 - Conferences (6-8 p.m.)

Oct. 27 - Early Release - Conference (12:15 - 2:45 p.m.)

Oct. 31 - School Council 3:00 p.m.

What is homework club?

Homework Club is a quiet work environment proctored by a staff member in the Media from 2:30-3:40 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s a great place for students to come after school, get work done, and maybe even not have any homework to do when they get home!

How do students sign up?

They don’t have to! Students show up immediately after school and sign in on any Tuesday or Thursday sessions they care to attend.

Do students always have to go?

No! Students can just come as needed.

How do students get home?

If they are a bus student, they can take the late bus home. If they get a ride, their ride can come at 3:40 or sooner. If they are a walker, they can walk home at 3:40, or sooner if that is ok with your family.

Who is it for? How much does it cost?

It’s for every BMS student, and it is free thanks to a donation by our PAC.

Last year, Walpole Public Schools began using a new mass communications system for attendance. This system allows for improved messaging between schools and families for automated notifications of school absences as well as for more time-sensitive alerts like unscheduled school closings.

If your child is absent and we have not received a phone call or message from you regarding that absence, then an automated attendance call will activate in order to alert you about the absence.

If you find that the system contacts incorrect phone numbers or email addresses, please contact the school’s main office with updated information.

Please remember that parents, not students, must give medications directly to the nurse.

If your child requires the administration of medication during the school day or the use of specific medical devices, including Epipens, please make arrangements to drop them off directly to Nurse Ludwig. She can be reached at sludwig@walpole.k12.ma.us or by phone at (508) 660-7226.

The Walpole Middle School Cross Country program is designed for athletes to get a preview of High School Cross Country. They will learn about the sport of running and experience competition against other middle school runners. Join coach Antonietta O'Toole on Tuesdays and Thursdays for this seven-week Cross Country Program. This program will focus on strength, flexibility, endurance, technique and speed. Click here to sign up.

Please consider donating to the PAC, any amount is greatly appreciated. The more donated, the less we will have to fundraise!

These funds will go to homework club, field trips for all grades, 8th grade year end celebration, spring musical and staff appreciation, if we raise more we want to do more for students and hopefully do a nice treat and fun assembly for them as well. You can Venmo or send in a check payable to BMS PAC. We greatly appreciate it, BMS PAC.

Please be aware that we open our doors to students at 7:25, and we expect each student to be in their homeroom seat by 7:45. Homeroom is an important time for students to get settled and receive important information about goings on during the school day. Any student who arrives to homeroom after 7:45 will be marked tardy. Once a student has accrued three tardies in a term, they will be required to serve an after school detention. If you have any questions, or would like some guidance on how to help your student arrive to school on time, please contact Mr. O'Leary for help.

This year Mrs. O'Malley is splitting time between Bird Middle School and Johnson Middle School. Below are the days and times students can see Mrs. O'Malley to check out a book, ask for a book recommendation, or receive extra help with research.

Days 1,2,3 - Mrs. O'Malley is at BMS

Days 5,6,7 - Mrs. O'Malley is at JMS

Day 4 - Mrs. O'Malley alternates the two schools.

• Before school Days 1,2,3: Check out a book, read, do homework, study. 7:20 - 7:45 am

• X block Days 1&3: Visit the library to check out a book.

• Working lunch Days 1 & 2: Bring your lunch & read a book, do homework, or study

Remember eBooks & audiobooks are always accessible through SORA on the Chromebook.

Students spend some time outside during lunch for 10 - 12 minutes every day, with the exception of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and extreme temperatures. Please be sure to send your student in with appropriate outdoor clothing so we can all enjoy their time outside after eating lunch.

As a reminder, all student meals (breakfast and lunch) are free of charge this school year. Find out what's being served by checking out the Middle School Menu.

If you have any questions or general concerns, please contact Principal Connor at econnor@walpole.k12.ma.us or Assistant Principal O'Leary at joleary@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Email: bmsoffice@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: http://walpolebms.ss5.sharpschool.com/
Location: 625 Washington St, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7226