January 12

BMS Families:

Welcome to the start of second semester! It is hard to believe we are over halfway through this school year. This time of year brings a fresh opportunity for students to set new goals, build on the progress they’ve already made, and continue growing both academically and socially. Our staff is excited to re-engage students in meaningful learning, reinforce positive routines, and maintain high expectations for success. Thank you for encouraging your student(s) to be safe, responsible, respectful, and their best every day. Remember, we offer Academic Recovery on Wednesdays and Thursday for students needing to get caught up on homework. Student simply need to talk to a teacher to get signed up and the teacher will contact you to verify. You may also contact your student's teacher(s) to get signed up as well.

Remember, there is something for everyone at BMS. Our winter sport season 2 kicked off after Winter Break with girls and boys wrestling, and girls basketball. Boys swimming starts in February. Please encourage your student(s) to be active in an activity, athletic team, or club at Bryan Middle School. In addition, regular attendance and being in class every minute is crucial to success. Encourage healthy school and home habits that aid your student(s) being at school and doing their best every day! We appreciate your partnership in the development of your student(s).

Sincerely,

Anton Schmidt

Principal, Bryan Middle School

January 13

• Raising Cane's Night (for more information follow the link)
• Last day to purchase yearbook (see information below)
• Girls Soccer open gym @ Bryan High (see information below)

January 22

• Open House for incoming 6th students in 2026-27

January 27

• Two hour late start

January 30

• 8th Graders: High School Selection Applications are due. Parents, the application was sent to you via email on Monday, 1/5. If you did not receive the email, contact kelli.barrientos@ops.org.

The staff at Bryan Middle School are assembling food resources for our families in need.

Please see the attached images and flyers.

We will update this newsletter as we are made aware of more resources.

If you need items from our pantry, please call Mrs. Sara Riviera.

Her phone number is 531-299-2313.

Follow this link Food Resources

Winter Choir Concert

Join us for our Winter Choir Concert on Thursday, December 11th @ 6:30 pm. All 6th, 7th, 8th and Show Choir students will be performing at our concert this evening - and it's sure to be an amazing show! We will be performing a mixture of holiday tunes and classical pieces, ending with our traditional finale "Let it Snow!" Dust off those pipes and join us for our semester celebration. You won't want to miss it!!!!

Questions?

rebecca.alfieri@ops.org

8th Grade Band and Orchestra Concerts

These concerts will come up quickly when 2nd semester starts! Our 8th Grade ensembles will perform alongside the Bryan HS Band and Orchestra. Learn about high school and enjoy performances by our top musicians. See you there!

6:00 PM, Tuesday, January 13th – 8th Orchestra & BHS Orchestra Side by Side @ BMS

7:30 PM, Tuesday, January 13th – 8th Grade Band & BHS Band Side by Side @ BMS

We are excited to share that the BMS Wrestling Team has opened an online apparel store, and we would love your support! Purchasing wrestling apparel is a great way to show school pride while directly supporting our student-athletes and program.

Our online store can be found here:
https://bryanmiddleschoolwrestling.hurrdatbrandgoods.com/

All payments are completed online, and the store will remain open for two weeks before closing. Orders will be produced after the store closes, so please be sure to place your order before the deadline.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and the BMS Wrestling program. We truly appreciate it!

Go Bears!

Matthew Collins

Progress Reports

• February 16

• April 20

Quarter Grades

• 3rd Quarter: Available March 12 during conferences

• 4th Quarter: Available May 26

Report Cards

• Only final semester report cards will be mailed at the end of the year

• All other grades can be accessed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Grading Practices

For details on grading, see the flyer:

Sec Common Grading Practices Student Flyer.pdf

Need Infinite Campus Parent Portal access?

Email lakresha.clark@ops.org with:

• Your name

• Your child’s name

Families, a reminder that the building does not open until 7:10 AM. We do not have staff supervising outside until 7:00 AM. Please try to drop off as close to 7:10 AM as possible. With the winter weather setting in, we will try to let students in the building as early as possible. However, we may not be able to until 7:10. Also, dropping off in the south lot by the Boys & Girls Club is a great way to avoid the carline in the front of the school.

Also, dismissal is at 3:05 PM. Students should be picked up by 3:15 PM at the latest. If that is not possible, please have your student get a Boys and Girls Club application so they can go there until they can be picked up. All students need to be supervised and, in an activity, club, or at the Boys and Girls Club after school. Thank you for your help.

Please ask your students if they have any missing or late books that they need to return to the library. Sixth grade students need to return books that they borrowed over the summer from their elementary school. You can contact Mr. Engdahl at graham.engdahl@ops.org with any questions or concerns.

Families: We have some spots available for students to attend high-dosage tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Tutoring right now is focusing on boosting reading and writing skills that will translate to success in all classes. If you are interested, please do one of the following: complete the attached form and return it to school, use the QR, or email jessica.korth@ops.org.

We know that many families like to travel during the school year to visit loved ones or spend time in their home countries. These trips can be special and give students a chance to connect with their family and culture.

However, coming to school every day is very important for your child’s learning and success. When students miss many days, it can be hard for them to keep up with lessons, complete their work, and stay in touch with their teachers and classmates.

Please know that if a student is out of the country and misses more than 10 school days in a row, the student will be taken off the school’s enrollment list until they return. This may also cause a loss or delay in district-provided transportation when your child comes back and is re-enrolled.

We encourage all families to plan trips during school breaks when possible. If you must travel during the school year, please contact the school office ahead of time to talk about your plans. We want to work with you to support your child’s learning.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping your child come to school every day. Your support makes a big difference in your child’s education and success.

Sabemos que muchas familias desean viajar durante el año escolar para visitar a sus seres queridos o pasar tiempo en sus países de origen. Estos viajes pueden ser muy especiales y darles a los estudiantes la oportunidad de conectarse con su familia y su cultura.

Sin embargo, asistir a la escuela todos los días es muy importante para el aprendizaje y el éxito de su hijo o hija. Cuando los estudiantes faltan muchos días, puede ser difícil ponerse al día con las lecciones, completar su trabajo y mantenerse en contacto con sus maestros y compañeros.

Por favor, tenga en cuenta que si un estudiante está fuera del país y falta a la escuela por más de 10 días seguidos, el estudiante será dado de baja de la lista de inscripción hasta que regrese. Esto también puede causar una pérdida o retraso en el transporte provisto por el distrito cuando su hijo o hija regrese y se vuelva a inscribir.

Recomendamos que todas las familias planifiquen sus viajes durante las vacaciones escolares siempre que sea posible. Si necesita viajar durante el año escolar, comuníquese con la oficina de la escuela con anticipación para hablar sobre sus planes. Queremos trabajar con usted para apoyar el aprendizaje de su hijo o hija.

Gracias por su comprensión y por ayudar a que su hijo o hija asista a la escuela todos los días. Su apoyo hace una gran diferencia en la educación y el éxito de su hijo o hija.

Follow the link below to access the Athletics & Activities page for Bryan Middle.

These clubs and activities will be starting in the coming weeks:

• MathCounts meets every Tuesday.
• Robotics (Competition Team) On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays.
• NJHS/Student Council will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
• Writing Club meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
• Yearbook Club began September 8th and meets during CUBS.
• Anime Club has begun. Every Wednesday in Room 100A/B until 4:45PM
• Unity Club meets the first and third Thursdays of each month.
• The Band room is open until 4PM Tuesday through Thursday after school for practice and help.
• Dungeons and Dragons Tuesdays and Thursdays starting SECOND Semester.
• High Dosage Tutoring will take place Tuesday - Thursday.
• Academic Recovery - Wednesday and Thursday in Room 235. Sign up through any teacher.
• BookBlasters meets during CUBS in room 232 on Wednesdays

Students will need to pay attention to the morning announcements about when new clubs start.

Check back as more clubs are announced.

SuccessMaker is a math program that the district has purchased for all students in OPS. Students are expected to complete 60 minutes weekly on their APP. SuccessMaker® is an adaptive learning system that provides all students with a personalized learning experience that adjusts in real time to their specific individual learning needs. SuccessMaker is proven to be effective in student achievement in math. Please encourage students to work on this at home.

PTO Mission Statement:
The Bryan Middle School PTO is an opportunity for parents and families to volunteer to support student focused initiatives, fundraise for specific goals, and drive engagement in our school community.

We are looking for family members to be on out PTO Committee. Please reach out to Karrie Goff (karrie.goff@ops.org) if you would like to become a member and help with the following:

• Participate in and support school decision making.
• Sponsor multiple PTO initiatives (Fundraisers, Family Engagement Nights, Teacher Appreciation)

• Volunteer Opportunities (School Celebrations and Sporting Events)

• Meeting dates coming soon

Our district will now use School Cash Online for all school items and activity fees. School Cash Online reduces cash and check payments to our schools and lets families:

• Keep track of their students’ school items and activity fees
• Check their account history
• View and print receipts
• Pay for school fees with a simple click

Primary guardians will receive an invitation email from SchoolCash Online in the coming days with a link to register for an account and attach student(s) to their profile. Families can also register an account using the link above and the same email address used for Campus Parent.

Once the primary guardian has created an account, they can provide access to other caregivers of their choice.

See the Parent Help Desk for SchoolCash Online FAQ for additional details and troubleshooting information, or reach out to your student’s school with any questions.

We are excited about the opportunity to work together and support each of you on this journey!

Get your Bryan Middle School gear from Sideline Sports! Click on the link below:

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/nebraska/omaha/bryan-middle-school

Follow this link for the full Calendar

First Semester dates to mark on your calendar:

6:30 PM, Thursday, December 11th – 6/7/8 Winter Choral Concert

Early second semester concerts:

January 2026

6:00 PM, Tuesday, January 13th – 8th Orchestra & BHS Side by Side @ BMS

7:30 PM, Tuesday, January 13th – 8th Grade Band & BHS Side by Side @ BMS

February 2026

7:30 PM, Saturday, February 7th – All City Band/Orchestra Performance @ Holland PAC

2:00 PM, Sunday, February 8th – All City Choir Performance @ Holland PAC

6:30 PM, Thursday, February 12th – 7th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert

The guidelines below aim to promote a focused and respectful learning environment while ensuring the safety and security of personal electronic devices and valuable items with the school.

1. Personal cell phones and electronic devices, including headphones and earbuds, may only be used before and after school hours.
2. Phones cannot be used during the school day.
3. During this designated time, the use of electronic devices should not disrupt the school environment or create a hostile atmosphere.
4. At all other times, during school hours, electronic devices must be powered off and safely stored away.

Confiscation and Intervention:

1. If a staff member observes the use of an electronic device outside the designated times, the student will receive a warning and be educated about the specific electronic device policy and expectations. The student should power off and put the device away.
2. If the student continues to utilize the electronic device outside the designated time, the staff member will confiscate the device for the remainder of the period.
3. If the student fails to comply with the staff members’ direction, administration or security will be called and the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the school day.

Repeated violations will be subject to additional disciplinary action in line with the Student Code of Conduct.

Additional interventions for violating the electronic device policy may include, but are not limited to:

• Lunch or after school detentions.
• Daily phone check-in at the beginning of the day for an extended period.
• Parent pick up of the electronic device.
• Parent/Student conference held at the school to discuss the issue.
• Overnight hold of the electronic device, if a parent cannot pick it up.

My name is Sara Riviera, and I am the School Social Worker at Bryan Middle School. My role is to be a resources for both your student and family. I understand that unexpected challenges can arise, and sometimes families may find themselves needing support. If you find yourself experiencing financial hardships and could benefit from assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. We also recognize that the start of the school year can bring added expenses with school supplies, clothing, fees, and more. If this time of year is creating any financial strain for your family, please know that you are not alone. I am here to connect you with resource and support that may ease your worries. Our school has a pantry that is free to our families. This pantry contains food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and school supplies. Please reach out if this is something that would benefit you. Below is my contact information.

Sara Riviera

531-299-2313

sara.riviera@ops.org

text: 402-739-9235

Mental health counseling services are available at Bryan Middle School through the Methodist Hospital Community Counseling Program. Please speak to your student's school counselor or school social worker if you are wondering if a referral to the program might be right for your child.

Tylinn Lewis, LIMHP, LMFT

We want EVERY student at Bryan Middle School to become a member of the Boys and Girls Club. They have activities for grades 6 to 8, provide mentoring to our students, and are a safe place to stay if students need to wait for a parent after school. They are open from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on school days. There is NO charge for Bryan Middle School students. Just put a 0 in the box when it asks for payment. Click the link here for more information and click here to sign up. Stop by the Club to check it out! You can also contact Tim 'Daniel" Ybarra, Club Director for more information at 402-853-5125 or

Sign up for the APP by clicking HERE so you know where the bus is and what time it will arrive!