Dear Families,

On Monday we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Due to the holiday, there will be no school. Dr. King's message of love, justice, equality, and freedom still resonates today. His "I Have a Dream" speech still inspires me both in my professional and my personal life. I have a poster of that speech in my office. It serves as a daily reminder that I need to work as hard as I can to promote equity in our school and in my life. As you continue reading this newsletter, you'll see a post from our school librarian, Mrs. O'Malley, that gives families access to some resources about Dr. King, Jr. and his message.

A reminder that Term 2 ends Jan 22: If your child has any work, quizzes, tests, essays, projects, etc. that need to be turned in to their teachers, next week is the time to do it. Check X2 Aspen and Google Classroom with your students to see where they stand. Contact their teachers with any questions.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Ed Connor

When dropping off or picking up students during dismissal and arrival time, please make sure to only do so at the bottom of the driveway. I ask this out of a concern for the safety of students since they would have to cross what can be a very busy driveway at those times. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Check out our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Collection in Destiny Discover which contains digital resources.

Private School Application Process

On occasion, staff members are asked to complete recommendation forms for students applying to private school(s). We recognize the importance of such requests, but ask that parents and students consider the following when making their request:

• Many of the applications are completed through an online application system. If this is the case for your child, the system will send an email request for recommendations from the counselor and teachers; however, we strongly encourage you to have your child speak to the school counselor and teacher(s) directly, as well, in order to personally request the completion of the forms.

• If your child is in 6th or 8th grade, please send the School Report forms to Katie Gingras (kgingras@walpole.k12.ma.us)

• If your child is currently in 7th grade, please send the School Report forms to Leah Cayer (lcayer@walpole.k12.ma.us).

• Give teachers and School Counselors at least a two week notice when requesting recommendations.

• You must still sign the ‘Transcript Release Form’ and have your child bring it to the School Counselor in order for transcripts to be released and forms to be completed.

• If the school that your child is applying to only accepts applications by mail, please have your child bring the Transcript Release Form to school along with $2.00 to cover the cost of postage.

Vocational School Application Process

If your child is applying to either Tri-County or Norfolk Agricultural High School, their applications will be sent directly to the school counselor to be completed. For more information about Norfolk Aggie please visit http://www.norfolkaggie.org/.

Priority deadline for applications to Tri-County was December 31, 2023. Tri-County will accept applications after that, but they cannot guarantee applicants will be considered in their first round of decisions. Interviews will be at Bird Middle School on February 14, 2024. For more information about Tri-County please visit https://www.tri-county.us/.

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.

Please keep checking our pictures and remind your student to check the Lost & Found tables for anything they may have lost or misplaced. We have two tables each side of the cafeteria and one table outside the gym.

The water bottles and lunchboxes have been here since September so we will dispose of them soon if not claimed.

• Monday 1/15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
  
• Monday 1/22 Last Day of Term 2
• Wednesday 1/31 Term 2 Report Cards published in X2
• Friday 2/9 Early Release Day - Students dismissed at 11:30 am

Unified sports has resumed in the New Year. We offer floor hockey/ dodge ball at the same time, same days, same place, Tues/ Wed 2:30-3:40 in the gym. If you child is still interested in participating, they should see Ms. Crawford in room 222.

• January 16 and 17
• January 23 or 24
• January 30 and 31

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.

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

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.

Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.

Session 2 will run February 5 to June 14. Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.

For more information, visit:

https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview

To register, visit:

https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us

BMS & Incoming BMS parents…………we just wanted to reach out and let you know there is a way to contribute to the school, we are looking to raise more funds by direct donations, so we can prepare for the 2023-24 school year!

PAC continues to support BMS activities, including: 6th, 7th and 8th grade field trips, homework club, 8th grade year end dance, staff appreciation, student appreciation, field day, recess equipment and school supplies for students in classrooms.

We are continuing to work with BMS to bring in more events to the school this year and next for the teachers and kids, but funding is needed! Please consider donating this year through Venmo or sending in a check with your child to give to the office , payable to BMS PAC. Lets try to beat last years direct donation total of $3900! We have raised $2600 so far! ONLY $1300 to make it to what we raised last year. The PAC appreciates all that contributed so far this year.

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.

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: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/bms
Location: 625 Washington St, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 660-7226