The Burgaw Beacon

Good afternoon, BMS families.

Our first week of WINN (What I Need Now) has been a wonderful start! Students are finding their way to their WINN classrooms, getting to know their teachers, and settling into new routines. It has been encouraging to see our school community come together to make this dedicated learning time a positive experience.

In their small groups, teachers are supporting each child by name and need, providing targeted reading and math instruction that addresses specific skills. These groups give teachers opportunities to offer individualized feedback, clarify misunderstandings, and help students practice what they need most. Thank you to our students and staff for their flexibility, teamwork, and enthusiasm as we build a consistent routine focused on student growth!

We also have an academic achievement to celebrate! A huge congratulations to our eighth-grade students and Mrs. Lawson, their science teacher for a four-point increase over last year’s results on the Science Check-Ins administered this past week. This is an encouraging accomplishment and a reflection of our students’ hard work and Mrs. Lawson’s dedication to their learning. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to building on this progress!

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 11/2 - Soccer/Basketball @ CFMS (4:15pm.)
• 11/3 - Election Day: NO SCHOOL
• 11/4 - 7th Grade Vision Screenings & Flu Clinic (8-10am.)
• 11/5 - BMS Soccer/Basketball @ BMS (4:15pm.)

Just a reminder if you did not receive them, the physical paper report cards and Low Performing School letters went home on Friday. Please check your child's bookbag if they did not give them to you.

The Low Performing School letter is a notification to families explaining Burgaw Middle School’s 2025–2026 School Performance Grade of D and its designations for additional support and improvement. It outlines our commitment to strengthening student achievement through explicit direct instruction, WINN time, targeted interventions, tutoring, and family partnerships. You can access the letter in English and Spanish HERE.

6th grade took a field trip to HTHS for “ICU In Your Future!” on Friday, October 30th. This fun event is hosted by all three of Pender County High School's health students and PCS Healthcare Career Awareness Day at Heide Trask High School. Students explored exciting healthcare and public safety careers through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and interactions with healthcare professionals, CTE students, and community partners.

BMS families, let’s read our way through November! From November 1–30, we invite every student to spend approximately 20 minutes each day reading independently—at home, at school, or on the go.

Students can choose reading that interests them, including novels, graphic novels, articles, biographies, sports stories, or texts about science, history, and careers. Encourage your child to share an interesting fact, discuss a favorite character, make a connection, or explain something new they learned. No daily written assignment is required—the focus is on building a consistent reading habit and engaging with what they read.

Please help your child log their reading minutes using the PCS Reading Log Form. Every minute contributes to our schoolwide goal, and we look forward to celebrating participation throughout the month! BMS' Schoolwide goal is to read 92,340 minutes!

In accordance with Pender County Schools Board Policy, please be aware of the following guidelines:

• Celebration treats, such as cupcakes, may only be eaten after all lunch periods have ended and must remain in the classroom.

• Outside food may be delivered but must be eaten in Student Support, unless it is eaten during the student’s lunch period in the cafeteria.

• Food sales are not permitted during school hours.

Thank you for helping us follow these guidelines and keep student learning a priority!

6th Grade Newsletter

7th Grade Newsletter

8th Grade Newsletter

Electives Newsletter

Our 21st Century After-School Program welcomed some special visitors this week! Coach Desmond joined students for kickball, Ms. Mary from I AM HEARD introduced students to the world of horses, and our community partner Mrs. Cheryl Holt continued inspiring creativity through Mural Club. We appreciate these opportunities to build relationships, explore new interests, and connect students with caring adults in our community!

During Power Lunches with Mr. Alvin, students focused on Academic Achievement, exploring different strategies to strengthen their study habits, stay organized, and improve their academic success.

CIS celebrated Mr. Mortensen in honor of National Principals Month! We are grateful for his continued leadership, encouragement, and support of CIS and the entire BMS community.

Join us for our Parents Thanksgiving Lunch on November 20 during your child’s scheduled lunch period! We look forward to welcoming families to share a Thanksgiving meal together.

• 6th Grade: 12:54–1:14 p.m.

• 7th Grade: 12:32–12:52 p.m.

• 8th Grade: 1:16–1:36 p.m.

Parent meals are $7 and may be purchased at the ticketing table before entering the cafeteria. CLICK HERE to sign up. Please check into the office when you arrive. We hope to see you there!

Adventure awaits with Troop 242! Boys from middle school through age 18 are invited to explore hiking, camping, outdoor skills, leadership, and community service—no experience needed. Meetings are held Mondays at 6:00 p.m. at the Scout Hut, 208 S. Smith Street in Burgaw. See the flyer for contact information and details on how to join!

Burgaw Middle School’s PTO is currently inactive as a result of not having enough volunteers available to fill the required officer roles needed to operate the organization.

We are working to revitalize the PTO and are seeking interested parents and community members to serve on the PTO Board and help get the organization up and running for years to come. If you are interested in being part of this effort, please email Principal Mortensen at jeremy_mortensen@pender.k12.nc.us.

Thank you for your interest and support as we work to revitalize our PTO. We also extend our sincere appreciation to all current and former PTO members for the time, dedication, and countless contributions they have made to Burgaw Middle School throughout this year and in years past.

Please CLICK HERE for November's lunch menu!

2026-27 Established Student Beginning of Year Information Update Application is ready to go! This Beginning of Year Information Update is a requirement so your student will be approved for a Chromebook and more.

If you have your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Log In already set up, please log in and there should be a pop up to guide you through. If you need any assistance please let me know. You can use the App or the web link: Infinite Campus Parent Portal

If you do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account yet please contact our office and I will help you get it set up to save you time. Parent Portal Access Needed Click Here

School Calendar:

Here is a copy of our 26-27 Calendar and links to items that might help you through the school year!

• Hours: Our regular school days begin at 7:30am each day. We expect students to be in their seats on time daily. If they are not in class on time they will need to be brought into the main office to be checked in at the tardy kiosk at the front desk. Our day ends at 2:45pm.
• https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/school-bell-schedule

We are so excited that our students receive free breakfast and lunch here at Burgaw Middle School. Please see the link below to access menus and more information.

• https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/dining
  

• Bus Riders (Here Comes the Bus App):
  
• Step 1: Pender County Schools offers the Here Comes the Bus app for tracking your child's bus location. To get started, you'll need our district code: 29081. This five-digit code is essential for registration, so keep it handy.
• Step 2: Once you have the district code, click here to begin your registration. You can complete this process using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
• Step 3: If you're using a smartphone or tablet, download the Here Comes the Bus app from the Google Play Store or App Store. The app provides added convenience with features like push notifications when the bus is near and, if available in our district, alerts when your child scans in using Student Ridership.
• Car Riders: Students may be dropped off each morning starting at 7:10 am in the parking lot by the gym & cafeteria.
• Walkers: Please make sure that you have completed the Walker Permission form for your student.

This is your go to spot for attendance, grades, updates, and more!

• Keep us up to date on any phone number and email address changes so you don't miss anything.
• Are sick notes getting lost in the bookbag? Use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal App to keep absence excuse notes from disappearing! Here's how!
• Here are some more tips and tricks about the Infinite Campus Parent Portal!

Steps to Activate your Account:

• Step 1: Get your student’s activation code here: Lookup Activation Code
• Step 2: Use your code to create your account here: Infinite Campus Login

We have got you covered!

• All student supplies (paper, pencils, binders, glue and more) have been purchased!
• Bring your own book bag and be ready to learn!