BWMS Family Update

BWMS Families,

It was a great staggered start week at BWMS. I was impressed with our students and their willingness to support each other as many learn a new space with new schedules, routines, and people. Each classroom had a goal to get to know each other as learners and establish common norms and expectations so our school year will go well. We look to build upon this positive environment next week as we choose daily to S.O.A.R daily in the areas of Scholarship, Ownership, Awareness and Respect. We will also strive to grow in all areas of the Eagle Profile - (Adaptable Learner, Collaborator, Communicator, Problem Solver and Responsible Citizen).

Have a great weekend and Go Eagles,

Mr. Josh Frame

• The 2025-26 Student Supply List can be found Here as well as other relevant school information on our BWMS Website.
• STAR assessments will be given in Reading and Math during the week of 8/18/25. All students participate in the STAR universal screener to help our staff personalize instruction and supports. Language Arts and Math Teachers will give the assessment during the normal class schedule and teachers will review results next week.
• BWMS will have grade-level meetings during Advisory next week to help communicate our school goals and expectations for 2025. 8th grade will meet on Tuesday, 7th on Wednesday and 6th on Thursday.
• Student Council elections will be happening soon. Have your student attend the meeting with Mrs. Hayhurst if they are interested in this student leadership position. 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 last day to request a schedule change is Wednesday 8/20/25. Please see details below.
• There is no school on Monday 9/1/25 due to Labor Day.
• The 1st School Dance for 7th and 8th graders is Friday 9/5/25 and for 6th graders is Friday 9/12/254 from 6:30 - 8:00 in the commons. 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.
• STAR reports will be sent home in the mail on Friday 9/5/25. This will include information about tier 2 and 3 support in the areas of reading and math which would take place during our advisory.

Other Opening of School Details

• BWMS cannot provide supervision of students until 7:05 AM each morning so we ask that parents arrange drop off schedules accordingly. At that time, Bus Riders will report to the Atrium and Cafeteria while Car Riders report to the Auditorium until released to go to their 1st period class. Breakfast is available in our cafeteria beginning at 7:10 AM.
• BWMS will continue to have a "Not Seen, Not Heard" policy for cell phones and electronic devices for the 2025-26 school year. Please reference this document for additional details.
• Although most students at the MS have traditionally selected not to use a locker, we do have some lockers that are available upon request. Please CLICK HERE to request a locker for your student. Please complete the form to request a locker and someone from the office will connect with your student to assign a locker and provide the passcode via email.
• If your child will be absent, please call the school by 8:20 AM on the day of the absence.
• Student pick up will be different this year and we appreciate your patience and support. Parent Drop Off and Pick Up should use Letts Ave entrance and the loop in front of the school and continue to the athletic side of the building before exiting using the same road. Only buses should enter and leave using S Old 3C Rd path for transportation and safety reasons. For parent drop off, we ask that you pull all the way around the front loop, around the front of the school and drop off on the athletic side by the Large Orange Cones. This will allow for safe exits from cars and for all of our students to be in the school by 7:25 AM. Please see the image and directions below.
• 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/VolunteerInformation.aspx

Special Thanks to our Production Team including Ms. Dummitt and Excellent Actors (Officer Whiteside and crew) for helping us put together these tips for our students at BWMS!

PowerSchool is the main system of communication for the middle school about Attendance, Grades and Assignments. Teachers use PowerTeacher to communicate upcoming and missing assignments about each course.

As a general overview, BWMS holds the perspective that we care more about the Learning and less about the Grade in that we want to focus on developing student knowledge and skills without an overburdensome focus on maintaining marks. The learning in and of itself should be the primary motivation based on relevant and engaging activities rather than an extrinsic grade. Overall, we believe in multiple opportunities for success and will provide reteaching strategies to help your student reach mastery. Thank you for your patience as our students learn about the value of hard work and perseverance.

Parents also have view access into each Schoology Page as before. The primary use of PowerSchool is a learning management system which supports communication from the teacher to each student about learning and assignments.

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 is excited to welcome the following school counselors in the 2025-26 School Year.

• 6th Grade - AnnieDemith@bwls.net
• 7th Grade - MeganBurden@bwls.net
• 8th Grade - LaurenGreenspan@bwls.net

As we prepare to release school schedules online, all students will follow the prescribed schedule in PowerSchool to begin the year. Although many related arts classes are at capacity, students will be able to submit an online schedule change request form to the School Counselors. All adjustments for the year need to be completed by August 20th. As time permits, the grade-level school counselor will review the request and make any available adjustments during the first weeks of school. Thank you for your patience and support.

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 Schoology.

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.

August

15 1st Day with All Students

18 W STAR Assessments (6-8 Reading & Math)

September

1 Labor Day (no school)

5 7th & 8th Grade Dance, 6:30-8:00

5 STAR reports sent Home

9 BWMS PTO Meeting, 7:00

12 6th Grade Dance, 6:30-8:00

15 Teacher PD Day / Fair Day

19 Grade Update Day

22-26 Spirit Week

23 Picture Day 7:45-2:20

23 Conferences, 3:00-7:00

26 Homecoming

29 Art Contest for Yearbook begins

Month View Calendar Link

iCalendar Link

Email: JoshFrame@bwls.net
Website: bwls.net
Location: 555 S Old 3C Road, Sunbury, OH, United States
Phone: (740)965-3006
Twitter: @Josh_Frame