BWMS Family Update
9/4/26
Welcoming September
It was a great week at BWMS.
Our teacher teams all participated in Data Teams this week to review STAR and Assessment marks. We also discuss classroom supports and corresponding interventions that reinforce our vision for Effective Teachers Engaging Students with Rigorous Content. We will be sharing these STAR reports soon via email.
Have a great long weekend!
Sincerely,
Mr. Josh Frame
School Updates
- Student Council & SOAR Leadership elections will be happening soon. Interested students attended the meeting with Mrs. Berry, Ms. Lawless, and Mrs. Miller on Wednesday 9/2/26 and learned that the application (including a video) is due on Friday 9/11/26 at 2PM. Student council serves as a the voice of the student body as we plan for special events like pep rallies, dances, SOAR Days and Eagle Nights.
- The 2026-2027 Yearbook Art Contest will take place beginning Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, October 12. If you are interested in submitting your design, stop by the office and pick up a form. Please read the instructions at the top of the form carefully. Be sure to follow each step for your design to be considered.
- There is no school on Monday 9/7/26 due to Labor Day.
- The next BWMS PTO Meeting is Tuesday 9/8/26 at 7PM.
- STAR reports will be sent home in the mail on Friday 9/11/26. This will include information about tier 2 and 3 support in the areas of reading and math which would take place during our advisory.
The 1st School Dance for 6th through 8th grade is Friday 9/18/26 from 6:30 - 8:00 in the Gymnasium. We will have a DJ play some good tunes and the kids will have a great time eating snacks from the concession stand. School Dances at BWMS are limited to our students and chaperoned by school staff. They are causal so no need to purchase a new outfit just for this occasion. The cost is $5.00 at the door.
There is no school for students on Monday 9/21/26 due to a Teacher PD Day.
The first BWMS Conference Night is Tuesday 9/22/26. We will share out the link to sign up for the first Parent Teacher Conference Night soon.
Mid point of the 1st quarter is Friday 9/25/26. We call these Grade Update Days and we encourage all parents to log into PowerSchool to check the progress of their student's performance.
Information for Art Club and Gaming Club will be shared soon. These groups meet on Wednesdays after school and will share the sign up links in ParentSquare when they are ready.
Other Opening of School Details
- If your child will be absent, please call the school by 8:20 AM on the day of the absence or submit the online absence form. Please find the 2026 attendance updates here.
- Interested in volunteering in Big Walnut Schools this year, please go to the following website and complete the process which requires 3 easy steps - https://www.bwls.net/parentscommunity/volunteer-information
Attention 6th Grade Families
The outdoor education field trip letters were distributed to 6th graders via hard copies as well as through Parent Square this week. We would ask that all forms are returned to the following teacher (6A-Graven, 6B-Wion, 6C-Benson) by September 9th. Payment is due by Sept. 23 via Hometown Ticketing at This LINK.
The 6th grade Outdoor Education Program will take place the week of October 5th according to your students team. Look for the details in ParentSquare.
Big Walnut Middle School is organizing an exciting day trip for our 6th grade students. Recreation Unlimited staff will be leading the day, in conjunction with BWMS teachers, at Recreation Unlimited’s facilities during your student’s scheduled day. This trip will allow your student to experience outdoor education tailored to supplement the sixth-grade content standards. Activities will address the core subject areas and related arts areas. Students will participate in a variety of outdoor activities to enhance their learning.
MS Grades and Conference Nights
Students will soon get into the time when summative assessments and monitoring of progress occurs. In fact if you can believe it, the mid-point of the 1st quarter is just weeks away. We call these Grade Update Days and we work to have an updated progress in PowerSchool for families to review student work. With conferences just around the corner, this will be a great time for you to check marks and monitor specific goals you may have set with your child before the school year began. As a quick reminder for those new to grades, we have a phrase to help us remember what is our main goal: BWMS cares more about the Learning and less about the Grade. Meaning, students have multiple opportunities for success throughout the quarter to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. Mr. Frame will be hosting a parent information meeting during the first conference night about how to help your student navigate the new world of grades. More details to come.
At BWMS, we will have two nights of conferences in the 1st quarter scheduled for Tuesday 9/22/26 and Thursday 10/1/26. We have designated 3:00PM-3:45PM conferences to be virtual and 4:00PM-7:00PM conferences to be in person. We will be sharing the online sign up next week which will account for parent conferences with the full team and selected related arts staff. Overall, we look forward to partnering with you to support your student's growth in 2026!
EF Tour to Peru
An exciting opportunity awaits for students currently in grades 4-6 to visit one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu and learn how the ancient Incas lived in Peru. Come learn more at the information meeting Wednesday, September 9th in the Media Center at Big Walnut Intermediate. RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/f3m3n5u. Travel will occur in June 2028!
Best,
Amy Eikenberry
amyeikenberry@bwls.net
Reminder for 7th Grade Families
All 7th grade students are required to have an updated Tdap and meningitis vaccine. We would ask that parents provide written proof of immunization or a letter of objection to the school within the first two weeks of school. Please contact our School Nurse at MeganTruax@bwls.net or the office with any questions.
BWMS Athletic Information
Reminder that all athletes should have their final forms complete and a current OHSAA Evaluation Exam Form uploaded to Final Forms directly or emailed to Mrs. Kreager stephaniekreager@bwls.net. All physicals must be received prior to the first tryout date or first practice of the season.
All information for BWMS athletics can be found at bigwalnutathletics.net and on ParentSquare/Schoology.
BWMS SOARing Staff Member Award
The SOARing Staff Award and used to recognize a Big Walnut Middle School Staff Member who goes above and beyond to support the mission of BWLS to inspire and guide each student to his or her maximum potential. If you would love to recognize a staff member, please submit their name and reason on the following form... HERE.
September
7 Labor Day (no school)
8-11 Student Council/SOAR Elections
8 BWMS PTO Meeting, 7:00
11 STAR reports sent Home
18 School Dance, 6:30-8:00
21 Teacher PD Day / Fair Day
25 Grade Update Day
22 Picture Day 7:45-2:20
22 Conferences, 3:00-7:00
28-2 Spirit Week
28 8th SOAR Celebration
28 Art Contest for Yearbook begins
October
1 Conferences, 3:00-7:00
2 Homecoming
5-9 Start with Hello Week / STOMP out Bullying Week
6-8 6th Grade Outdoor Education by Team
9 What I Need (WIN) Day
9 SC spirit - Stomp Out Bullying Day
12 Yearbook Art contest ends
13 BWMS PTO Meeting, 7:00 PM
15 End of 1st quarter
16 No School Teacher Work Day
19 7th SOAR Celebration
23 Report Cards Posted 8am
Month View Calendar Link
iCalendar Link
Mr. Josh Frame
Email: JoshFrame@bwls.net
Website: bwls.net
Location: 555 S Old 3C Road, Sunbury, OH, United States
Phone: (740)965-3006
Twitter: @Josh_Frame